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'''Grave of the Fireflies''' (火垂るの墓 ''Hotaru no Haka'') is an animated film written and directed by [[Isao Takahata]], a colleague of [[Hayao Miyazaki]] at [[Studio Ghibli]] and produced by Toru Hara. It originally premiered on 16 April 1988, on a double-bill with [[My Neighbor Totoro]]. It was based on the semi-autobiographical novel of the same name, written by Akiyuki Nosaka, who described his work as "a personal apology to my sister."

'''''Grave of the Fireflies''''' (火垂るの墓 ''Hotaru no Haka'') is an animated film written and directed by [[Isao Takahata]], a colleague of [[Hayao Miyazaki]] at [[Studio Ghibli]] and produced by Toru Hara. It originally premiered on 16 April 1988, on a double-bill with ''[[My Neighbor Totoro]]''. It was based on the semi-autobiographical novel of the same name, written by Akiyuki Nosaka, who described his work as "a personal apology to my sister."

It was later licensed by Central Park Media, with an English dub being released to widespread critical acclaim. To date, it remains the only anime title to feature on the Top 100 DVD Releases <ref>http://www.dvdverdict.com/reviews/listing/top100films.php</ref>. [[Roger Ebert]] has referred to it as "the most realistic animated film I've ever seen". <ref>http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20000319/REVIEWS08/3190301/1023</ref>

It was later licensed by Central Park Media, with an English dub being released to widespread critical acclaim. To date, it remains the only anime title to feature on the Top 100 DVD Releases <ref>http://www.dvdverdict.com/reviews/listing/top100films.php</ref>. [[Roger Ebert]] has referred to it as "the most realistic animated film I've ever seen". <ref>http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20000319/REVIEWS08/3190301/1023</ref>

At first Seita is confident they can survive on their own, but nobody could ever be prepared for the challenges of living in such uncertain times, especially those who are living outside the system. However, it is the two children's love for each other that provides shelter from the harsh reality that is closing in around them and is what makes this feature stand out.

At first Seita is confident they can survive on their own, but nobody could ever be prepared for the challenges of living in such uncertain times, especially those who are living outside the system. However, it is the two children's love for each other that provides shelter from the harsh reality that is closing in around them and is what makes this feature stand out.

With very few [[anime]] being set during World War II ([[Barefoot Gen]] and [[The Cockpit]] being other examples), ''Grave of the Fireflies'' is unique as it is made abundantly clear within the first five minutes of the film that neither of its two protagonists will survive until the end. Yet despite, this incredibly bleak premise, the film works for two main reasons.

With very few [[anime]] being set during World War II (''[[Barefoot Gen]]'' and ''[[The Cockpit]]'' being other examples), ''Grave of the Fireflies'' is unique as it is made abundantly clear within the first five minutes of the film that neither of its two protagonists will survive until the end. Yet despite, this incredibly bleak premise, the film works for two main reasons.

Firstly, as with many Ghibli films, it does not chose sides, but concentrates simply on the story at hand. The Americans are not portrayed as bad, nor are the Japanese portrayed as being good - everybody is simply doing what they must within the confines of the war.

Firstly, as with many Ghibli films, it does not chose sides, but concentrates simply on the story at hand. The Americans are not portrayed as bad, nor are the Japanese portrayed as being good - everybody is simply doing what they must within the confines of the war.

Secondly, the film works because of the relationship between Seita and Setsuko. It is more about how they react and adapt to their hardships, rather than the hardships themselves. It is about how they remain together, until the tragic climax. We watch Seita performing acrobatic tricks to entertain and distract Setsuko, even though their mother lies dying in the makeshift hospital nearby; they play in the sea, despite their desperate circumstances and when they are reduced to living in an abandoned air raid shelter, they try to make it as comfortable as they can.  

Secondly, the film works because of the relationship between Seita and Setsuko. It is more about how they react and adapt to their hardships, rather than the hardships themselves. It is about how they remain together, until the tragic climax. We watch Seita performing acrobatic tricks to entertain and distract Setsuko, even though their mother lies dying in the makeshift hospital nearby; they play in the sea, despite their desperate circumstances and when they are reduced to living in an abandoned air raid shelter, they try to make it as comfortable as they can.  

At the end of the day, Grave of the Fireflies is more about the bond between brother and sister, than war, and that bond is expressed so beautifully, that it makes the eventual tragedy all the more moving and meaningful.

At the end of the day, ''Grave of the Fireflies'' is more about the bond between brother and sister, than war, and that bond is expressed so beautifully, that it makes the eventual tragedy all the more moving and meaningful.

==Symbolism==

==Symbolism==

However, in order to make allowances for the foibles of a five year-old, her lines were recorded prior to filming and the animators had to make allowance for the fact that they would be dubbed in at a later stage. As they were not quite sure how to deal with this, Setsuko's mouth is rarely shown when she speaks.

However, in order to make allowances for the foibles of a five year-old, her lines were recorded prior to filming and the animators had to make allowance for the fact that they would be dubbed in at a later stage. As they were not quite sure how to deal with this, Setsuko's mouth is rarely shown when she speaks.

To date, "Grave of the Fireflies" remains the only film credit for both Tatsumi and Shiraishi.<ref>http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0851302</ref><ref>http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0794186</ref>

To date, ''Grave of the Fireflies'' remains the only film credit for both Tatsumi and Shiraishi.<ref>http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0851302</ref><ref>http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0794186</ref>

==Soundtrack==

==Soundtrack==