“Why do fireflies have to die so soon?” One of the saddest films ever is getting a proper streaming release on Netflix this fall. Grave of the Fireflies is one of the masterpieces directed by the late Japanese animation master Isao Takahata. It never got a US theatrical release in 1988 when it initially opened, but it has since become a cult classic, known by all who love & appreciation animation. Based on Akiyuki Nosaka’s Naoki Prize-winning short story, Grave of the Fireflies is set in Kobe near the end of World War II and depicts the tragic fate of war orphan siblings and the horrors of this period. It was made by Studio Ghibli and released by Toho, though it was also the same year as My Neighbor Totoro, which is why it never achieved the same amount of fame. Written and directed by Takahata, the film stars Tsutomu Tatsumi, Ayano Shiraishi, Yoshiko Shinohara, and Akemi Yamaguchi. It’s an amazingly beautiful film, but yes, it is also regarded as one of the saddest films ever made because it is so tragic following these kids. Netflix is already playing Ghibli’s films (outside of the US) but it’s great to see this one join the ranks for everyone to watch anytime. // Continue Reading ›
