An anime must see, but be warned it is a powerful, emotional film.

Rating: Null/10 (8 February 2000)

I knew Grave of the Fireflies was going to be hard viewing. But, that did not lessen the impact when I finally did decide to get the DVD and view it. Although the story takes place in World War II, showing the fire bombing of Japanese cities (mainly the city of Kobe) by American bombers, the film is not anti-American. If anything, the story makes a point of the apathy of the Japanese adults towards the children. It must be understood that Japanese culture requires the saving of face - like the British stiff upper lip - in adversity. This is one reason (among others) that the adults are depicted as being so cold towards the children. It must also be understood that the two main characters (Seita and Setsuko) come from a military family. That means a reserved, proud nature and unlikely to apologise to another - even when it could mean the difference between life and death. Bearing that in mind, you can better understand Seita's actions and those of the adults in the story.
The production quality is first rate. I have seen Princess Mononoke in the theatre and Grave of the Fireflies has the same production style and quality. The background scenics are very moody and quite suitable to the environment that existed at that time. Definitely not your typical animation movie! Of course, the subject matter, too, is not your typical animation movie!
The story is based on the real experiences of the Japanese author who wrote the original short story. You can tell this as you view the movie - this one is from the heart and from real life. That's why it is so powerful and so accurate in its depiction of events and life at that time. The base story line is derived from a traditional Japanese storytelling method, which is why the events are told in the manner that they are in the film. Even though you know what the outcome will be at the start, this does not lessen its impact once you get there at the end of the film. My greatest feelings came from little Setsuko. The scenes of her at the end hit home the hardest.
You have not seen all of Japanese anime until you have seen Grave of the Fireflies (Hotaru no Haka). Keep in mind the social mores along with the circumstances that existed for those people at that time and then watch it. The emotions and powerful images will be a part of you for a long time.