Literally the best movie you'd never want to see again

I just realised somthing: the title is partly meant for Setsuko. She was a firefly, bright and alive and glowing with life, making her brother as happy as the fireflies she had caught made her. "Why do fireflies have to die so soon?" I'm sure her brother was thinking that too when she died.

You know a movie is sad when the first dailouge is, " September 21, 1945, that was the night I died".

Life-changing movie. I'm not even exaggerating. It changes your way of thinking.

What is so powerful about this movie is that the director played it straight; no magic ending, no last minute miracle but yet there is beauty and honor in fighting until the end to stay alive. I live in Japan (from the US) and this movie is shown every August on TV. I have seen it over 15 times and it still reduces me to tears.

If you look at the background above Setusko and Seita, you can see an outline of an airplane bomber. You would think that the two siblings were playing with fireflies but it can also be seen as fire bombs. Tragic and moving.

the original writer, akiyuki nosaka spent his entire life wrestling with the guilt over his sisters’ death. he wrote grave of the fireflies to cope up with the lonely feeling and to personally apologize to his sisters’ death because of malnutrition during the war.

"she never woke up."

This movie will make me cry more than every sad pixar scene combined.

Every person on earth should watch this movie. At least people who turn their back on what's wrong in the world.

I thought I was strong enough to listen to this without crying... I was wrong.

I just finished the movie for the first time, I was sad, but I didn't cry, then I decided to rewatch the beginning scene when they reunite, I couldn't stop crying.

Looks like a fun movie for a whole family.

The aunt of Seita and Setsuko seems to have at least 37 different KZfaq accounts.

As a big brother myself, this film always gets to me, knowing that he tried his very best for his little sister, Setsuko.

Since the day I watched this film, I haven't wasted a grain of rice.

When you realize that the lights aren't fireflies but bombs falling from the airplane in the background :(

We love all of Studio Ghibli films, we watch it all with my family and we are all happy. Only this Grave of the fireflies, make us all SPEECHLESS when we finish the movie, No talking. All of us moving slowly in the house, Like a human paper with a heavy broken heart💔💔💔

I remember when our parents took us when we were all little to the Lamelle Theater in Pasadena to go watch the, "My Neighbor Totoro" and, "Grave of the Fireflies" double feature. It was years later when I would read multiple articles depicting the double-billing as a incredibly strange choice, but I remember feeling an overwhelming sense of joy and serenity after spending the day experiencing the gamut of human emotions alongside my family. I remember peaking in the dark theater over to my parents, seeing them wrapped arm and arm as my father consoled my mother from witnessing innocent children struggling to stay alive. I saw my older brother, who's mind had already begun to critically analyze the narrative structure of the story, sit back in wonder towards an innocent story of sisters playing with their imaginary monster friends. I saw my baby brother, smiling in amazement through everything. The memory that stands out most of all was walking away from the theater around eleven fifty five p.m. I remember this because of Mom's surprised gasp at how much time has passed and how past our bedtime it was. The rain had just stopped, so the Pasadena streets were glistening beneath the Marquee. I remember running with you both in the serene silent streets as Rich was trying to retell his favorite scene with the Cat Bus, you asking Mom how she felt when watching the boy lying down in the subway, Mom brushing the thought aside to announce that it was way past our bedtime. She was always trying to protect us with her demands, even if she was deflecting from her genuine feelings. I remember asking Dad for the keys to the car so that I could run ahead and open the door for everyone, even though my secret motivation was to hold car keys in my hands and jump behind the wheel before I would inevitably get punished. Dad was already tired, so he put his hands in his pocket, pulled out the keys, and threw them at me... This moment in time stood out to me the most. The keys shimmering in mid-air slowed down the passage of time. I saw Midnight Pasadena glowing underneath the the rain drenched Marquee, the silhouettes of the letters resembling my jubilant, exhausted family. I saw your faces inside the shadow's, all four of you incredibly happy. For a moment in time, as my aspirations to grasp the key was before me, I could feel the light across my face. I could feel our story existing. The best stories will always help you remember why you hope. Isao Takahata was an incredibly storyteller. His vision will be missed. I am certain that the abundant gifts in lessons and life he left behind will never be forgotten. I know we'll remember.

I can’t stress enough how bad this movie makes me feel it also makes me realize how lucky I am and it gave a different perspective on war

when she offers him the rice balls and they’re rocks. man that hurts. :(

As a big brother, I can't

This movie still haunts me even to this day... Its a very sad movie but its not a bad movie its just really sad. I cant ever eat rice without rememebering this.

I don't think I've ever cried so much while watching a movie:'(

I'm blessed and lucky for the water I can drink in such a cruel world yet crying, I feel strong we feel, we are alive

WHY IS THIS SO SAD T_T A couple of days after I watched this movie I cried so hard everytime I saw rice...

I'd lie if I said I didn't cry One of the saddest movies I have ever watched

This movie was a true master-piece. It's so sad that Seita tried everything to make sure that Setsuko survives. I was so mad at the aunt because how dare she mistreat them. They were just kids!!!!. So many emotions at the same time. It shows that no matter what the war is about, everyone is affected by it and there is damage that is done on both sides. If only we can live in a world where there are no more wars but love and tenderness from our families and loved ones.

If you don't wanna eat food at home, remember this movie and people around the world

this is one of those rare movies that the first time you watch it, you cry at the end. The second time you watch it, you cry right at the beginning

This song is so hauntingly innocent.

I've never watched a film that broke me as much as this did. And I'm very thankful for that. This is just one of the many tragedies that war only ever does. But even though it is in every way and form a tragedy, Seita and Setsuko both embodied hope even in the absence of the light and the presence of suffering. To everyone who've come here regardless whether they've immediately finished the film or even years after watching it (like me), I bid you all a happy life :)

I'm not crying. I'm just sweating through my eyes.

Rest in peace, Isao Takahata...

Watching "Grave of the Fireflies" is a bit like having cancer: you suffer, you cry, you go through the toughest anguish and heartbreak, but when it's all over, you're a stronger person having survived it.

Came here after Ukrain-Russia situation, god I hope the situation settles we don't need more stories like this in real life

I've yet to watch this one, everyone I know who has said they can never watch it again, not because they didn't like it... but because they found it to be too sad to watch so casually... and that it was also one of the greatest movies they ever saw.

I actually like this more than spirited away. Fight me

Watched this for the first time last night. very beautiful movie. don’t know if I will ever watch it again. I think this will change your perspective on a lot of things.

I was waiting for that happy ending but the director said HAHA NOPE

This is so heart-breaking. The best movie ever made. I cried.

The guy who directed this passed away yesterday....Another legend gone ❤️❤️ R.I.P Isao Takahata...thanks for the memories xx

Yesterday I dreamed about this movie with that theme song, I woke up with tears and I was feeling my cry. What an emotional soundtrack 😭😭💔💔

I was in the car watching this film with my little sister. I felt like the big brother the entirety of the movie. It literally killed something in me. I'm always scared for my little sister, that's how I accept all the things happening to me.

Just watched the movie. Holding my tears back. Such a pure and truth based story. We must prevent war at all costs. I've read thousands of stories about wars and seen hundreds of movies about war but none of them made me feel the way this one does. My heart is...... I don't know what to say. Humans are so weak and so cruel altogether. A child without family, all alone and then losing the last thing you have, it destroys your whole self.......😞😭😭

I thought I was mature enough not to cry over a movie but it made me ugly cry.

A Theme can't make you cry The Theme:

This movie broke my heart in the most beautiful and devastating way. Makes me hate the world but also desire to blanket it with so much love.

One of the few regrets I have in my life so far is that I didn't bring this to school to watch during our time studying WWII, this could have changed their lives. But nope, stupid standardized testing and test taking skill classes (that were useless, and horrible) got in the way. It could have changed everyone's lives and the stupid state got in the way of it all.

My Setsuko ...my firefly❣❣

This is the sort of film more people should know about.

A lot of people blame Seita for Setsuko's death. Seems unfair... Seita is also a child. He did what he could and what he thought was right for him and his sister.

i got goosebumps in the first 10 seconds. only seen the movie once and i'm not sure if i'll watch it again. but the song is magical. haunting in a way that i can't tell if it's happy or sad

“She never woke up.” Those four words to broke me.

I remember showing this to my dad and he was tearing up; I’ve never seen him cry over a movie before that.. Wow, this tells something, best and most powerful war film of all time. 👏🏻

Whoever made this song is a genius.

It’s 10:45 PM, 31 December still 2023. Listening to this masterpiece, with hopes, that next year will be better. Full of peace and love.

This main theme reminds me of my best childhood memories and i suddenly cry😢times flies so fast

Have y’all ever noticed that at the top of the poster is an outline of a bomb plane, meaning those aren’t fireflies in the poster, but a rain of explosives 😭

Why Do Fireflies Have To Die So Soon? -Setsuko,1945

I remember being used to western animated films with happy endings, and then all of a sudden i watched this film, randomly. i remember being in shock that an animated movie could be this heart piercing.

This is the masterpiece that made me take anime as an art form seriously. I couldn't stop crying and I'm a grown ass 24-year old man and I'm not afraid to admit it. This is a movie EVERYONE has to see, at least once...hopefully to stop further bloodshed. Because after "Grave of the Fireflies", you realize just how pointless and horrible war TRULY is... But even then, unless you've been through it, *you have no idea...*

Most emotional and heart-breaking movie ever. Thanks to Studio Ghibli

I first saw this in French subs when I was about 11 years old, I just remember feeling like I got punched in the gut. The scene where Setsuko is sucking on the stone but she thinks is a candy drop, gah! 😭😭😭

My heart goes to all the children suffering in Israel and Gaza, this cruel world manipulated by the devil.

My Natalie You were my firefly I miss you every day I will love you till the day I die God rest your beautiful sweet soul

I went and saw this in the cinema and I had seen it before so it didn't make me cry that much but throughout the cinema all you could hear was the noise of people crying.

so sad they faced the bitter end. thank you to the animators for adding the extras of them being reuinted in the afterlife and roaming through earth in a different timeline.

Even its sound is enough to make you cry.....simply a masterpiece....a movie you never want to see again

Its enough to make a grown man cry And thats ok

Visiting this after years is literally graveyard of emotions this still tears me

This movie broke my heart so much. I've been on a Ghibli binge the past few days, and I saw that this movie was supposed to sad, but very good so I decided to see it...I didn't expect it to make me cry as much as it did. I didn't even expect to cry because movies never get me emotional. I cried a lot especially at the beginning and end, and it really was a beautifully crafted film. It is now my favorite Ghibli film...and I'd say Whispers of the Heart comes second. This movie really humbled me too.

This movie leaves with a scar and a lesson. The scar eventually heals but the lesson and experience well never be forgotten. Rest in peace everybody who has died in terrible times like this. Hopefully your happy and doing things you love. 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭

I remember when I first watched this movie... I was around 12~13 yo, and I couldn't, for some reason, understand why did I cried so much and had that feeling, you know, that feeling that your heart is heavy. I remember that I watched it around 1am~2am in the morning, and after I finished I sat on my bed and stayed looking at my little brother sleeping (I was at the beach with my family at the time) and felt my heart becoming heavier and heavier while I was listening to the ending theme of the movie on my earphones. At the time I didn't understand why, but now I get it - I don't have the best relationship im the world with my little brother, we fight a lot and say bad things all the time (loke how we hate each other or how one of us wanted the other to die or never been born) but I can be sure with you on one thing, as one older sister, I can't even _imagine it..._ I regret everytime I say that I hate him and that I wanted him to die bc.... I can't even imagine how silent my house and life would be without him, I love him to much with all my heart, and I'm so afraid of him becoming a firefly...

I stopped this song just to read the comments and I almost cried just from reading them I'm pretty scared of what will happen if I start the song

if everyone on Earth has seen this movie, world peace would exist

This movie made me ball literally, i couldn’t stop crying and curled up into a ball. I went back to the beginning after the movie ended. Such a touching movie. Real Tear jerker.

What am I doing here.Why am I torturing myself again :(

Watching so many videos of children that died or are scared in Gaza made me come back to this 😞

I still cry 😭 man.. Wht a beautiful love they had

Seriously,i burst into tears after watching this, im 21 year old ,and pursuing b tech , my semester exams just ended and everyone is go their hometown ,i watch this in free time and found best movie..

When I first watched the movie I cried my eyes out at the end When I watched it again I started crying when I saw Setsuko

Listening to this melody while remembering every scene of the movie is a mix of emotions, it's both sad and beautiful and hopeful, all at the same time!

What's more tragic is the innocence of setsuko is being challenge by different circumstances in life, and the fact that i can't stop crying is bcoz why does she have to die even though she did nothing wrong. She just wants to be happy despite being alone most of the time..😭😭

We see fiery bombs, but Setsuko saw fireflies. There's also a scene where they talk about "kamikaze", and Setsuko mentioned that they look like fireflies. It shows how tragic a child's innocence can be in those devastating times.

I just watched this movie yesterday. The more I think about it, the sadder I get. It's such a haunting film. There were many parts that made me emotional, but I struggled to watch where Seito breaks down after realizing Satsuko knows about their mother's death, and when he gets beaten and Satsuko is worried about him. He relies on her for support, and Satsuko relies on Seita for food and love. Also a hard part to watch is when the flashback shows Satsuko just playing by herself, and Seita realizes she was eating dirt because she was so hungry, while he had just eaten rice from another home secretly. After all that, only they knew about what they had gone through, and no one else during the time even bothered very much I can't stop thinking about it. Truly a masterpiece.

This is easily the saddest movie I’ve ever seen and just to make it 10 times more sad it’s based on a true story. This movie is the only movie I’ve ever seen that I would confidently call life changing.

People cant and will not be able to explain the true meaning of wars better that this movie. Periode

No matter how many times I watch this movie, I always end up balling my eyes out at the end, and this is coming from a dude!

when you realize one of the subway janitors at the very first scene was literally eating Setsuko's ashes

This movie changes your way of thinking. Its a great but really sad movie 🙁

I think we all can agree to the fact that this piece of artwork and animation can never be lumped in the world of "fiction"

The way I got literal instant chills

The whole theme is emotional, but from 0:37 to 0:44 is the most heartbreaking sombre section of the piece! It’s so tragic and so beautiful! 😢

Setsuko

I saw the movie for the first time when it came out many years ago first japanese version then a year later in english this movie made me so sad not because of the characters portrayed but i've had loved ones in my life that went from this world too soon. I'm actually crying writing this because i still hurt so much for my loved ones every year that goes by brings me closer to them.

If you look closely at the top, you can see the shape of a B-29, meaning that many of the fireflies are in fact... Bombs.

welp I went a few days not thinking about this movie and now the feels came flooding back. Beautiful masterpiece.

Some people might call this film “propaganda” but this is more than that. This is how War changes drastically the lives of those who are not fighting in it rather than those that do, I hope the world one day will come to its senses and realize that responding in peace rather than violence is not a coward move but more as an act of strength. This film is so beautiful to the point where you will only want to witness its beauty once and never again watch it because it’s devastating and completely heart wrenching since it teaches you reality, something we as humans always tend to avoid.

December 21, 2022. That was the day I watched Grave of The Fireflies for the first time. I watched it in the late hours of the night on my own, after my family had all gone to sleep. Of every movie I've seen, this is the only movie to make me cry painful, ugly tears on my first viewing. Some movies require multiple viewings for me to truly understand their nuance, but there was simply no need for GoTF. It all made sense to me immediately. I sat in solitude in front of the family TV, tears streaming down my face, staring at that horribly painful montage of Setsuko with the haunting music from the gramophone playing in the background. I was practically unable to move as I sobbed for 20 minutes straight whilst the credits rolled, just barely able to lift my arms to wipe the tears from my face. By that time, it was already 1 o'clock in the morning and my dad was getting up to go to work. When he came into the main room, I had to attempt to explain why I was sat alone crying in the middle of the night. However, I couldn't fully explain why I was crying to him. It was as if the sadness was only fleeting, much like Seita and Setsuko's minuscule moments of bliss, and had been replaced by emptiness. Not long after that, I went up to bed and was unable to stop thinking about the movie, tossing and turning in bed for hours and even beginning to tear up again when thinking about Setsuko's death and the deterioration of her cognitive function, attempting to eat marbles and mistaking rocks for food which she tries to give to Seita. As the oldest of 4 children, I feel that sense of protectiveness over my siblings that Seita does for Setsuko; I think that may be one of the reasons it hit me so hard, just that sense of relatability that I've never felt before with a movie. I think that's all I need for you to know that I adore this movie and believe it to be an absolute masterpiece, one that every person should watch at some point.