Good story, Not enough for a whole film

Good movie but grossly overrated

Although it has its amusing moments, in eneral the plot does not convince.

I cannot think of one single thing that I would change about this film. The acting is incomparable, the directing deft, and the writing poignantly brilliant.

There's always something so disarming about Ghibli movies. I put it down to the natural pace of storytelling. The studio is uncompromising in its decision to never spell things out for the audience too much. The pride of Seita, for example, and the tragedy in his refusal to return to his Aunt, leading to the demise of Satsuko. There's no big fanfare surrounding this, just a simple narrative achieved through straightforward dialogue and action. It doesn't sugarcoat Seita's decision, and therefore does not justify it. Like many pieces of art, there is no conscious design upon the audience, and that allows one to sympathise with all characters involved. Themes (such as war) are fully three-dimensional: the honour, the spectacle, and the crushing despair following Japan's unconditional surrender are all given equal weighting. A glorious film, all in all.

My mother was not political person.Didn't watch many Animes. One day,I think in her late 60's,we were watching This movie,I think I wanted to watch because I've read Nosaka Akiyuki's book when I was in Middle School.When whole movie ended,I heard unusual sound.My mother was wailing.Like,Screaming.with,gut wrenching voice.I have never heard My mother cry like that.She was older than Setsuko,younger than Seita.She has Older brother,and younger sisters.She had both parents,but they were always hungry after WWII.With people like my mother,or,Mr.Takahata,Mr.Nosaka,Human memories will fade.I still remember my mother's voice.She was wartime kid like Seita and Setsuko.I hope you watch this movie and imagine what war did and still does to kids.

This is an animated movie that successfully captures the effect of war on an emotional level usually not depicted by war movies. There are many moments which move you to tears, and there are also moments of hope and happiness which provide brief lapses from the sorrow that permeates a war-torn world. Characters are designed to speak to the audience on an emotional level, as they struggle to survive the mayday of WWII. Though the war has already taken away everything such as family and security, the two characters revel in the joy of being alive. They scrap up any morsel of hope left as they go on an escapade through the war zones, looking for food and a roof to survive the days of restless violence. This movie is fastidious in elucidating the elements that make us human, the desire to live and the desire to love, and it does so in a tumultuous backdrop of WWII. What better way to grab the attention and the heartstrings of people than to provide the audience a glimpse into the daily life of two people living in times of war, a child resembling purity and innocence and an older brother tasked with protecting him from the horrors wrought by the war.

Don't expect the lively, colorful animation you've come to expect from animation films from around the world. The Japanese animated films have their own unique trademark. This was a wonderful and moving story about a protective brother looking after his little sister after their home was destroyed in an air raid during the war. Although they successfully overcome many obstacles on their way, fate ultimately intervened. There is such a beautiful bond between brother and sister, and how he would do anything to make her happy. Although the film is filled with fireflies, I don't quite understand the title, as a grave for the fireflies is merely a scene lasting a few seconds. Wow, such a sad movie.