In a landmark move for Studio Ghibli fans in Japan, Grave of the Fireflies, the poignant and critically acclaimed animated film, is set to become the first Ghibli feature to stream in Japan. Netflix will begin streaming the film in Japan on July 15, 2025.
A Long-Awaited Arrival
Since 2020, Netflix has been streaming Studio Ghibli’s animated films in over 190 countries and regions, excluding Japan, as part of its effort to share Japanese animation globally. Grave of the Fireflies was added to the international catalog on September 16, 2024.
The reason for the delay in making Grave of the Fireflies available in Japan was due to the distribution rights being different from those of other Ghibli films. The NTV broadcasting company holds the broadcast rights to Studio Ghibli works in Japan, which is the primary reason why most of the studio’s works are not available for streaming in Japan. NTV has co-produced every Ghibli feature work since Kiki’s Delivery Service and acquired Ghibli as a subsidiary in 2023. However, the distribution rights agreements for Grave of the Fireflies are different from those for the other Ghibli features, thus allowing Grave of the Fireflies‘ rights to be negotiated separately.
A Cinematic Masterpiece
Directed by Isao Takahata and based on a short story by Naoki Prize-winning author Akiyuki Nosaka, Grave of the Fireflies is renowned worldwide for its portrayal of the horrors of war and the bond between siblings. The film has won numerous awards and remains a cinematic masterpiece with a message that transcends borders and generations. Several critics consider Grave of the Fireflies an anti-war film, though Takahata has disputed this claim.
Shinichiro Yashiro, Head of Content Business at Shinchosha, which manages the rights to the film, commented on the release: “This is a film people remember every summer and want to recommend to someone dear to them. Nearly 80 years since that fateful time, in a world still…”.
Grave of the Fireflies was originally released in 1988 in Japanese theaters along with Hayao Miyazaki’s My Neighbor Totoro as a double feature.
Story and Themes
Set in Kobe, Japan, during the final months of World War II, Grave of the Fireflies tells the story of siblings and war orphans Seita and Setsuko, and their desperate struggle to survive. The film portrays the hardships and challenges they endure during this difficult period.
The film is based on Akiyuki Nosaka’s semi-autobiographical short story of the same name. Production of Grave of the Fireflies began after Akiyuki Nosaka became interested in an animated adaptation of his book. The film stars Tsutomu Tatsumi, Ayano Shiraishi, Yoshiko Shinohara, and Akemi Yamaguchi.
Reception and Legacy
Upon release, the film was universally acclaimed by critics, with particular praise toward its emotional weight. It was also modestly successful at the Japanese box office, grossing ¥1.7 billion. The Ghibli ga Ippai Collection home video release of Grave of the Fireflies sold 400,000 copies in Japan.
Grave of the Fireflies has been considered to be Isao Takahata’s magnum opus as well as one of the greatest animated films ever made and is recognized as a major work of Japanese animation.
Streaming on Netflix
Netflix began streaming Ghibli features (with Grave of the Fireflies being a notable exception) in February 2020 worldwide except for the United States, Canada, and Japan. HBO Max began streaming Ghibli features (also without Grave of the Fireflies) in the United States in May 2020, and Netflix made the same Ghibli features available in Canada in August of that year. Netflix added Grave of the Fireflies to its library in August 2024 except in Japan, until now.
Other Adaptations
NTV in Japan produced a live-action TV drama of Grave of the Fireflies, in commemoration of the 60th anniversary of the end of the war. The drama aired on November 1, 2005. Like the anime, the live-action version of Grave of the Fireflies focuses on two siblings struggling to survive the final months of the war in Kobe, Japan. Unlike the animated version, it tells the story from the point of view of their cousin (the aunt’s daughter) and deals with the issue of.
Availability in North America
Central Park Media, ADV Films, and later Sentai Filmworks released the Grave of the Fireflies film on home video in North America, and GKIDS acquired the North American theatrical rights. GKIDS will release the film on Blu-ray Disc and DVD in North America on July 8.
Don’t Miss It
As July 15 approaches, Japanese audiences will have the opportunity to experience Grave of the Fireflies on Netflix for the first time, marking a significant moment for Studio Ghibli and its fans. The film is also currently available for streaming on Netflix in other regions. Tickets are also available to see Grave of the Fireflies in theaters in the United States, with tickets available on Atom Tickets and AMC Theatres starting August 10, 2025.
