Studio Ghiblihas created some of anime’s finest classics, fromNausicaa of the Valley of the WindtoThe Boy and the Heron. However, the studio’s most harrowing story,Grave of the Fireflies, has a special place in the hearts of its viewers and is regarded as one of the best films in anime history. As a result,Netflix addedGrave of the Firefliesto its platform today, making it available in more than 190 countries, including the United States.
Although the film was originally aired on Max, Netflix purchased the streaming rights for the time being in order to introduce it to its consumers, particularly anime film enthusiasts. For those who have never seen a Studio Ghibli film,Grave of the Fireflieswill serve as a great introduction to the company’s renowned fanciful stories, which often do not end as one might expect. In this regard,Grave of the Fireflieswill tug at the heartstrings, affecting viewers more than they may have imagined. Check out the official trailer posted by Netflix below:
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Written and directed by Isao Takahata,Grave of the Firefliesis an anime film set at the end of World War IIand chronicles the tragic fate of orphaned siblings. The official synopsis of the movie is as follows:
The story of Seita and Setsuko, two young Japanese siblings, living in the declining days of World War II. When an American firebombing separates the two children from their parents, the two siblings must rely completely on one another while they struggle to fight for their survival.
In addition toGrave of the Fireflies,fans ofStudio Ghibli will be able to view many of its films on Netflix, includingSpirited Away,Howl’s Moving Castle,My Neighbor Totoro,Kiki’s Delivery Service, andPonyo, which have been available for some time. Given Netflix’s approach to anime productions, we can expect to see more of these must-see anime shows/films on the platform in the future.
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From the harrowing concept to the film’s somber reviews, some may think thatGrave of the Firefliesmay not be a film audiences will want to watch. However, despite having a significant emotional toll on those who view it, the film is well worth their time. It not onlyprovides adistinct perspective on World War II, but it also shows how precious the lives of those can be while attempting to survive the tragedy. The film has a perfect rating onRotten Tomatoes(100%), with top critics like David Jenkins from Little White Lies claiming it to be “The idea that ‘War is Hell’ has almost become something of a climatic cliché, but Takahata’s film explores this well-worn slogan from new, exciting and harrowing angles.”
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What’s even more intriguing about the film is that it was released in 1988, when the animation industry had hardly progressed in terms of visual presentation. Nonetheless, Studio Ghibli pulled off a miracle withGrave of the Fireflies, whichfeatures exquisite hand-drawn animationthat brings art to life. All in all,Grave of the Firefliesis a must-see for anybody who appreciates war films, drowning in their own grief with tragic endings, or is a fan of anime films in general.
Grave of the Fireflies is now available for streaming on Netflix.
