Animation Review - Grave of the Fireflies (1988)

Figure 1: Promotion poster for Grave of the Fireflies.  AsianCineFest,  2011

Grave of the Fireflies is a 1988 film written and directed by Isao Takahata and animated by Studio Ghibli, based on a 1967 semi-autobiography written by Akiyuki Nosaka. The story revolves around World War II Japan and focuses on a boy named Seita and his younger sister, Setsuko.

The entire story focuses very much on the emotional aspect of life during war - through the usage of close-up shots to depict emotions such as anxiety and fear that the characters are experiencing, and long shots for much happier, lighthearted moments. The usage of colors in this is also cleverly done to depict emotions: for instance, the first few scenes in the film uses bright, saturated colors together with close up shots to evoke a sense of danger and fear, while other scenes employ the use of softer colors to create a sense of peacefulness.

Figure 2: The heavy use of vibrant, more saturated colors to create a sense of danger.  Anime Your Way, 2011

Figure 3: Use of softer colors to depict happiness and peace. FlickeringMyth.com, 2013

The entire film moves at a slow pace, taking its time to show the daily life of Seita and Setsuko. This allows for both the buildup of anticipation for what is to come next, as well as give viewers the chance to identify with the two characters that are the main focus of the animation. It is this precise slow pace that allows viewers to sympathize more with the two characters, particularly at the end. 

Figure 4: The colors add to the slow pace of the film. Listal.com, 2013

It is easy to sympathize with the two children, particularly Seita, who finds himself to be Setsuko's sole guardian after the loss of their parents. There are not many characters that are employed in this film, allowing for the viewers to focus mostly on Seita and Setsuko, the main characters of the film.

Grave of the Fireflies is a very powerful movie, even if the subject matter seems simple and mundane. The simplicity of the subject together with the complex detail and near-realistic character design helps convey and amplify the core message: perseverance of love in hard times.

Figure 5: The story focuses on mainly Seita and Setsuko. Fact.co.uk, 2013

Picture credits: 

Glick, S., 2011. ACF 1263: Sentai filmworks acquires rights for Grave of the Fireflies. Available at: https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFhyphenhyphenNfBvMeaelb6lkRhZ70iaGg8vIAXuRk3uyr9sww-23PtxzDUPMH3g4_vfTnRbLLe1-0Ic9p2VaD0-B8RiumAxYwno3klt0az_bLm8RgOySiCSKMcNEJaYhfAOufFhGDaje44RgoP78/s1600/grave-of-the-fireflies.jpg [Accessed 18 June 2013]

Anime Your Way, 2011. Grave of the fireflies - review. Available at: https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyVF4whC1ID71vzQx0hu4dfwmUwznWsuImw9kAvXWu7RJ1k7V4d2GIdhXW8Iwu0goJSQdSKyz0PARyAqvoicIBlmrD82w1mFypKbITM_YcnncZhyOEEtF8CsaLk5hAQhldoivd-O9ftZnF/s1600/fireflies.jpg [Accessed 18 June 2013]

FlickeringMyth.com, 2013. Movie review - Grave of the fireflies. Available at: http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AffVMKdFQcQ/UZ0iQGKj4BI/AAAAAAAA0EA/hzN8FU6nHxk/s400/21011-620x-grave_of_the_fireflies_61917-1280x720.jpg [Accessed 18 June 2013]

Listal.com, 2013. Available at: http://www.listal.com/viewimage/1363363h [Accessed 18 June 2013]

Fact.co.uk, 2013. Grave of the fireflies (subtitled version). Available at: http://www.fact.co.uk/media/12442946/Grave-Of-The-Fireflies-post.jpeg [Accessed 18 June 2013]