Grave of the Fireflies, one of Studio Ghibli's most emotionally powerful films, will be available on Netflix Japan for the first time starting July 15. Netflix announced the update on May 15, marking the first time any Studio Ghibli film will be streamed on Netflix within Japan.

Since 2020, Netflix has been streaming Studio Ghibli’s animated films in over 190 countries and regions outside Japan, as part of its effort to share the magic of Japanese animation with a global audience. Grave of the Fireflies was added to the international catalog on September 16, 2024. Despite being originally released in 1988, the film quickly ranked 7th on Netflix’s Global Top 10 Non-English Films list in its debut week, reigniting global conversation with countless emotional responses on social media.

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 poignant portrayal of the horrors of war and the bond between siblings. It has won numerous awards and remains a cinematic masterpiece with a timeless message that transcends borders and generations.

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 plagued by conflict, I’m moved that this story continues to quietly resonate across nationalities, races, and ethnicities.”

Kazutaka Sakamoto, Vice President of Content at Netflix, shared his enthusiasm:

“Since 2020, we’ve brought Ghibli films to the world through Netflix, but the overwhelming response to Grave of the Fireflies reminded us of the film’s enduring impact. We’re thrilled to finally bring it to audiences in Japan. We hope this summer, families will gather to watch it and spark meaningful conversations.”

According to Netflix, nearly half of its global members—around 350 million households, or roughly 700 million viewers—watch anime. Over the past five years, anime watch time has tripled, making it one of the platform’s most vital content categories.

Grave of the Fireflies Trailer

Source : ORICON NEWS