Grave of the Fireflies is a 1988 anime film directed by Isao Takahata and produced by Studio Ghibli. The film tells the story of two siblings, Seita and Setsuko, trying to survive in war-torn Japan during the final months of World War II.
After their mother dies in an air raid, the siblings move in with their distant aunt who treats them poorly. Seita and Setsuko decide to leave and find refuge in an abandoned bomb shelter. They scavenge for food and water, and Seita takes odd jobs to try and earn enough money to keep them fed.
As the war continues, conditions worsen and the siblings must rely on each other more and more. Setsuko becomes increasingly ill due to malnutrition and eventually dies, leaving Seita to bury her and mourn her passing alone.
The film is based on a semi-autobiographical novel by Akiyuki Nosaka, who also lost his sister during the war. Grave of the Fireflies is widely regarded as one of the most emotionally devastating films ever made, capturing the tragedy and devastation of war through the eyes of two helpless children trying to survive.