Grave of the Fireflies Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.5
Video		4.0
Audio		4.0
Extras		4.0
Overall		4.0

Grave of the Fireflies Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf July 14, 2025

Primarily known and beloved for their works of big screen fantasy, Studio Ghibli reaches into the darkness of history in 1988’s “Grave of the Fireflies,” supporting writer/director Isao Takahata in his effort to adapt a short story from author Akiyuki Nosaka. Danger is painfully real in this World War II tale, which examines the desperation of a teenager attempting to navigate the horrors of bombings and rationings in Japan while trying to keep his little sister alive during the final stretch of global conflict. Takahata doesn’t go completely merciless with the endeavor, but he doesn’t ignore struggles and suffering, striving to remain delicate as the tale explores death and despair. “Grave of the Fireflies” is elegantly made and beautifully animated, handling extremity with some sense of taste, putting Takahata on a quest to define emotions and memories as he handles the unimaginable violence of the situation.

It's 1945, and Seita, a teenager, is left to care for his young sister, Setsuko, as bombing raids continue on Japan. Chaos is a common sight, but Seita tries to generate a sense of normalcy for his sibling as they experience the panic of survival. Learning that his mother has been killed during an attack, while his father is away on naval duty, Seita is suddenly the primary guardian for Setsuko, left with the responsibility of caring for a child who doesn’t fully understand what’s going on. The pair find a way to their aunt’s home, resuming something of a schedule as food rations deplete and tensions begin to run high in the village. Soon enough, conflicts inspire Seita to make a new home inside an old bomb shelter, doing his best to raise Setsuko and shield her from growing woes and health dangers, trying to keep her safe while clinging to what’s left of his own sanity as greater threats come for the pair.

“Grave of the Fireflies” includes an unusual storytelling choice, establishing Seita’s fate in the opening of the feature before winding back nine months, giving the tale a protective barrier of memory and dreamlike qualities. It takes some of the dramatic intensity out of the picture, but intent is pure, reuniting with the main character as he experiences an escalation in bombing devastation, clinging to the comfort of his mother and the imagined military honor of his father. Such visions of hope are decimated by the reality of the attacks, leaving Seita on his own to deal with Setsuko, and this relationship makes up most of “Grave of the Fireflies,” tracking the fragility of the situation, forcing the adolescent to grow up in a hurry as he’s handed parental responsibilities while needing such emotional support himself.

For additional information and analysis, please read Jeffrey Kauffman’s 2012 Blu-ray review.

Grave of the Fireflies Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

"Grave of the Fireflies" was previously issued on Blu-ray in 2012, and now returns to disc via Shout Factory. Source for the visual presentation (1.85:1 aspect ratio) isn't listed on the packaging, but it appears to be similar to the 2012 release, with a decent sense of animation artistry. Examination of frame particulars is available, exploring the open world elements of the picture, including wartime devastation and more serene views of nature. Characters are open for inspection, displaying various stages of distress. Colors are inviting, balancing the brightness of primaries on some clothing and community displays with the colder elements of war and destruction. Greenery is distinct throughout the viewing experience, along with fiery bombings. Delineation is satisfactory.

Grave of the Fireflies Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

A Japanese 2.0 DTS-HD MA mix is the default track for "Grave of the Fireflies," and it remains an engaging listening experience. Dialogue exchanges are crisp, with satisfactory balance of emotional moments. Scoring supports with clear instrumentation and dramatic emphasis. Atmospherics are compelling, examining elements of nature and community activity, and there's a wider sense of war at times. Alos included on the release is a 2012 2.0 DTS-HD MA English dub, and a 1998 2.0 DTS-HD MA English dub.

Grave of the Fireflies Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Feature Length Storyboards (88:32, HD) are provided, exploring the pre-production shaping of "Grave of the Fireflies" through unfinished art and pre-production planning.

• Deleted Scene Storyboard 1 (1:52, SD) and Deleted Scene Storyboard 2 (:38, SD) are offered.

• Image Galleries include "Background Art" (63:45), "Background Designs" (4:52), "Behind the Scenes" (4:47), "Character/Color Design" (10:02), "Concept Art" (9:32), "Image Boards" (15:02), and "Location Scouting" (8:52).

• "Joint Project Promotional Video" (15:19, SD) is a featurette on the development of "Grave of the Fireflies," featuring interviews with director Isao Takahata, art directors Nizo Yamamoto and Kazuo Oga, author Akiyuki Nosaka, director Hayao Miyzaki, and animation director Yoshiharu Sato. Story origins and adaptation challenges are identified, finding Nosaka won over by the potential of animation to bring his material to life in a respectful manner. Artistic achievements are noted, and the dual release of "Grave of the Fireflies" and Miyzaki's "My Neighbor Totoro" is promoted, with two very different movies sent as a package into the marketplace.

• Interview (17:48, SD) with director Isao Takahata, who examines his effort to turn a "simple" story into one of details, helping to inspire a feature film. Production challenges are highlighted, including a speedy animation process to maintain a release date, and Takahata shares his concerns about making the picture, finding support from Hayao Miyzaki. Casting is analyzed, putting the helmer in charge of children to complete arduous voice recording demands, relieved that his instincts to provide a looser atmosphere in the studio paid off. The interviewee recalls audience reaction to "Grave of the Fireflies," and the use of his own World War II experiences for the endeavor, hoping to give the offering real meaning and intensity from events still fresh in the helmer's memory.

• Interview (12:17, SD) with film critic Roger Ebert, who discusses his emotional response to "Grave of the Fireflies," surprised to find such power in the animated feature, as this type of wartime tale is typically reserved for live-action filmmaking. The interviewee discusses the visual presence of the picture and its historical and culture touches, also detailing thematic ideas in the material. Ebert explains his understanding of anime design, responding to the stillness of the movie, comparing "Grave of the Fireflies" to the films of Yasujiro Ozu, highlighting the behavioral details of the work.

• And Theatrical Announcement #1 Trailer (:18), Theatrical Announcement #2 Trailer (:37), and a Theatrical Trailer (1:48) are included.

Grave of the Fireflies Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Takahata doesn't turn "Grave of the Fireflies" into a raw viewing experience. He's not out to punish the audience, hoping to make something quite sad instead, helping to deal with the Japanese wartime event and all the tragic loss involved in it. The helmer doesn't sugarcoat anguish, remaining true to physical and psychological trials facing Seita and Setsuko, but there's a mournfully poetic approach to the subject matter that aids in the processing of nightmarish experiences. And Takahata oversees a fantastic and beautifully detailed animated approach to the story, capturing the bizarre blend of idyllic nature and manmade wrath that gives "Grave of the Fireflies" complexity and confusion to best support the blistering journey of the main characters.