Grave Of The Fireflies is Studio Ghibli's Isao Takahata's first ever directed movie. It was actually in development same time when Miyazaki was making Totoro. So it's not actually difficult to question why would this film got so high results.
Movie is very touching and you would definitely feel sorrowful and a lot of unhappiness in this movie. But what Takahata really did was great perspective of the WW2 (World War II) in Japan that time. Movie describes really well that theme and shows what kind of life people needed to went through when there wasn't enough food to share with everybody and airplanes were bombing villages and areas all the time. Now I don't believe Takahata invented this idea himself I believe that he was involved in WWII's times. That's why he got so direct perspective for this case.
Now let's go to main plot. First I don't think that ending was complete but it really describes how hard it's to survive in war. So I didn't like it very much. This is actually first time to me that I don't like my favorite film studio film's ending. Otherwise story was okay for me.
Story: 8/10
Art and usually animation in ghibli movies is fantastic and very beautiful scenary well this movie isn't expection either. Viewer get's to see beautiful scenary with interesting red and black effects used in somepoint of scenes. Also like many of us might know that Takahata is more realistic in art than Miyazaki so that's why he can get his own perspective to the art.
Art / Animation: 10/10
Sound and Music: Well as for music in this movie it was very sorrowful and happy sametime it's quite difficult to explain but it was like mixture between those. But it was very emotional too. And they used a lot of flute for music backgrounds. Ghibli movies never disappoint me with music.
Sound / Music: 10/10
The Characters act pretty realistic in these situation that movie has to offer. For example Seita is careful big brother and always check that his little sister is safe at least almost. He is very shy sometimes and also a closing person. But he really gives those realistic emotions and smiles too which is nice.
Although Seita is very good character Setsuko seems like spoiled brat in the movie. When not getting what she always wants and I have to say I didn't like her voice so much. When she was crying half of the movie. I understand situation in this movie but still. However because Seita was a little bit more enjoyable character than Setsuko I would give character designs.
The Characters and Design: 9/10
I would say you enjoy this movie or either hate ending part. However you will definitely feel sorrowfulness and sadness after watching this movie. Some people might also starts crying because it just give that kind of atmosphere for the viewer. It can also bring back people memories from war and all that sad stuff. Every person will react differently after seeing this movie.
Enjoyment: 8/10
Overall this movie is one of the Studio Ghibli's treassure movies that shares many different opinions and thoughts but it gives clear picture what kind of thing is war and how bad would things looked or would look in then. Still Ghibli gave movie wonderful heartbreaking story and succeed somehow with it.
My Overall Score: 8/10
