Studio Ghibli’s Most Depressing Movie Gets 80th Anniversary Release to Inspire ‘Thoughts About Peace’ in Young Viewers

In August 1945, the Japanese city of Hiroshima was hit by a 9,700-lb atomic bomb, destroying millions of lives and changing the course of history forever. To impart the devastating reality of war to the next generation, Studio Ghibli is collaborating with the city of Hiroshima to host free screenings of its 1988 WWII feature, Grave of the Fireflies.

Per Anime News Network and Comic Natalie, the Hiroshima City Cinematographic and Audio-Visual Library is showcasing Ghibli’s iconic wartime masterpiece as part of its “Cinematheque of Peace.” This event is designed to commemorate the 80 years that have passed since the bombing of Hiroshima. From July to September 2025, the library will showcase numerous educational works about WWII and the atomic bombs. An original 35mm print of Grave of the Fireflies will be screened on Aug. 10 and 11. Additionally, the standard admission fee will be waived for viewers under 25 years of age. Adults over 25 and seniors (65 and older) will be charged the standard 510 and 250 yen (~US$3.48 and ~US$1.71) admission fees, respectively.

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Studio Ghibli’s Grave of the Fireflies Gets WWII 80th Anniversary Release Screening

Image via Studio Ghibli

Grave of the Fireflies is a beautifully animated yet harrowing portrait of life for Japanese civilians during WWII. Directed by Isao Takahata, the film revolves around 12-year-old Seita and four-year-old Setsuko — two siblings who lose their mother during a Kobe firebombing incident that also destroys their family home. The children leave their town behind to live with their aunt, who is troubled by Seita’s lack of drive to participate in the war efforts. Growing weary of their aunt’s harsh criticisms, they decide to leave and camp out in a nearby bomb shelter. With food constantly scarce, the two eventually succumb to starvation — a detail foretold at the beginning of the film.

Takahata’s film is based on a semi-autobiographical short story by Akiyuki Nosaka. Additionally, the director also drew from his own childhood memories of the war when creating the anime version. The finished project has garnered near universal praise for its morose yet historically accurate portrayal of war and the plight of its youngest victims. In an official statement regarding the Cinematheque of Peace, Hiroshima’s Audio-Visual Library stated that it wants attendees to “inherit the reality of the atomic bombing” from the film and other featured works. They also hope that viewers will be inspired to “share thoughts about peace” after watching them.

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In addition to the library screenings, Grave of the Fireflies will also be showcased nationwide via Japan’s popular “YTV” network. The movie is scheduled to air as part of YTV’s iconic “Kinyo Roadshow” programming block on Aug. 15. Notably, this date marks the 80th anniversary of WWII’s ending in Japan. Hiroshima’s Audio-visual library has also announced plans to screen Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind — a pro-environmental fantasy film directed by famed Ghibli co-founder Hayao Miyazaki. One of several iconic anime features selected by the venue staff, Nausicaa will be shown on Sept. 15 and 23.

Hiroshima’s screenings of Grave of the Fireflies will take place on Aug. 10 and 11 at 10.30 a.m. and 2 p.m. (JST) each day. Grave of the Fireflies is also currently streaming on Netflix.

Grave of the Fireflies

Release Date

April 16, 1988

Runtime

89 Mins

Director

Isao Takahata

Writers

Akiyuki Nosaka, Isao Takahata

Source: Comic Natalie via Anime News Network

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