Editing Grave of the Fireflies (section)

==Production==
===Development===
[[File:American bombs falling on Kobe.jpg|thumb|right|upright|Incendiary bombs being dropped onto Kobe, the setting of the film]]''[[Grave of the Fireflies (short story)|Grave of the Fireflies]]'' author [[Akiyuki Nosaka]] said that many offers had been made to make a [[live-action]] film adaptation of his short story.<ref name="Animerica8">{{cite journal |title=The Animerica Interview: Takahata and Nosaka: Two Grave Voices in Animation |journal=[[Animerica]] |volume=2 |issue=11 |page=8 |url=https://ghiblicon.blogspot.com/2011/04/animerica-interviews-isao-takahata-and.html |year=1994 |access-date=4 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180704093747/http://ghiblicon.blogspot.com/2011/04/animerica-interviews-isao-takahata-and.html |archive-date=4 July 2018 |url-status=live}} Translated by ''Animerica'' from: {{cite book|author-link=Isao Takahata|last=Takahata |first=Isao |script-title=ja:映画を作りながら考えたこと |trans-title=Things I Thought While Making Movies |publisher=[[Tokuma Shoten]] |year=1991 |isbn=978-4-19-554639-0}} Originally published in ''[[Animage]]'', June 1987. This is a translation of a 1987 conversation between Takahata and [[Akiyuki Nosaka]].</ref> Nosaka argued that "it was impossible to create the barren, scorched earth that's to be the backdrop of the story".<ref name="Animerica8"/> He also argued that contemporary children would not be able to convincingly play the characters. Nosaka expressed surprise when an animated version was offered.<ref name="Animerica8"/> After seeing the storyboards, Nosaka concluded that it was not possible for such a story to have been made in any method other than animation and expressed surprise in how accurately the rice paddies and townscape were depicted.<ref name="Animerica8"/>

[[Isao Takahata]] said that he was compelled to film the short story after seeing how the main character, Seita, "was a unique wartime ninth grader".<ref name="Animerica7">{{cite journal |title=The Animerica Interview: Takahata and Nosaka: Two Grave Voices in Animation |journal=[[Animerica]] |volume=2 |issue=11 |page=7 |url=https://ghiblicon.blogspot.com/2011/04/animerica-interviews-isao-takahata-and.html |year=1994  |access-date=4 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180704093747/http://ghiblicon.blogspot.com/2011/04/animerica-interviews-isao-takahata-and.html |archive-date=4 July 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref> Takahata explained that any wartime story, whether animated or not animated, "tends to be moving and tear-jerking", and that young people develop an "[[inferiority complex]]" where they perceive people in wartime eras as being more noble and more able than they are, and therefore the audience believes that the story has nothing to do with them. Takahata argued that he wanted to dispel this mindset.<ref name="Animerica8"/> When Nosaka asked if the film characters were "having fun", Takahata answered that he clearly depicted Seita and Setsuko had "substantial" days and that they were "''enjoying'' their days".<ref name="Animerica10">{{cite journal |title=The Animerica Interview: Takahata and Nosaka: Two Grave Voices in Animation |journal=[[Animerica]] |volume=2 |issue=11 |pages=10 |url=https://ghiblicon.blogspot.com/2011/04/animerica-interviews-isao-takahata-and.html |year=1994  |access-date=4 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180704093747/http://ghiblicon.blogspot.com/2011/04/animerica-interviews-isao-takahata-and.html |archive-date=4 July 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref> Takahata said that Setsuko was even more difficult to animate than Seita, and that he had never before depicted a girl younger than five.<ref name="Animerica8"/> Takahata said that "In that respect, when you make the book into a movie, Setsuko becomes a tangible person", and that four-year-olds often become more assertive and self-centered, and try to get their own ways during that age. He explained that while one could "have a scene where Seita can't stand that anymore", it is "difficult to incorporate into a story".<ref name="Animerica9"/> Takahata explained that the film is from Seita's point of view, "and even objective passages are filtered through his feelings".<ref name="Animerica10"/>

Takahata said that he had considered using non-traditional animation methods, but because "the schedule was planned and the movie's release date set, and the staff assembled, it was apparent there was no room for such a trial-and-error approach".<ref name="Animerica10"/> He further remarked that he had difficulty animating the scenery since, in Japanese animation, one is "not allowed" to depict Japan in a realistic manner.<ref name="Animerica8"/> Animators often traveled to foreign countries to do research on how to depict them, but such research had not been done before for a Japanese setting.<ref name="Animerica8"/> While animating the movie, Takahata also created several different cuts of the scene in which Seita cremates Setsuko's body. Takahata spent a lot of time on this scene, trying to create the perfect iteration of it. Each of these cuts remained unfinished and unused in the end.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Interview: Studio Ghibli Production Coordinator Hirokatsu Kihara |url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/interview/2018-08-21/studio-ghibli-production-coordinator-hirokatsu-kihara/.135726 |access-date=2022-03-02 |website=Anime News Network |language=en}}</ref>

Most of the illustration outlines in the film are in brown, instead of the customary black. Black outlines were only used when it was absolutely necessary. Color coordinator [[Michiyo Yasuda]] said this was done to give the film a softer feel. Yasuda said that this technique had never been used in an anime before ''Grave of the Fireflies'', "and it was done on a challenge".<ref name="Animerica8"/> Yasuda explained that brown is more difficult to use than black because it does not contrast as well as black.<ref name="Animerica8"/>

''Grave of the'' ''Fireflies'' was Takahata's first animated film produced with [[Studio Ghibli]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=2018-04-06 |title=R.I.P. Isao Takahata, co-founder of Studio Ghibli and director of Grave Of The Fireflies |url=https://www.avclub.com/r-i-p-isao-takahata-co-founder-of-studio-ghibli-and-d-1825035306 |access-date=2023-03-21 |website=The A.V. Club |language=en}}</ref>

Takahata insisted on working with well known animators [[Yoshifumi Kondō]] who was working for [[Nippon Animation]] at the time and [[Yoshiyuki Momose]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Yoshifumi Kondo, Studio Ghibli's Forgotten Master |url=https://thediplomat.com/2020/05/yoshifumi-kondo-studio-ghiblis-forgotten-master/ |access-date=2023-03-21 |website=thediplomat.com |language=en-US}}</ref> Both animators played a pivotal role in creating fluid, realistic animations of the characters in the animation.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Yoshifumi Kondô |url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0464911/ |access-date=2023-03-21 |website=IMDb |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Yoshiyuki Momose |url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1077423/ |access-date=2023-03-21 |website=IMDb |language=en-US}}</ref>

Takahata drew from his personal experience to create a realistic depiction of the air raid on [[Okayama]]. In an interview, he criticized TV shows and movies that had recreated images of incendiary bombs, "They include no sparks or explosions, I was there and I experienced it, so I know what it was like."<ref name="Faith">{{Cite web |last=Faith |date=2015-09-21 |title=Rare interview with Isao Takahata, co-founder of Ghibli |url=https://studioghiblimovies.com/rare-interview-with-isao-takahata-co-founder-of-ghibli/ |access-date=2023-03-21 |website=Studio Ghibli Movies |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name="lwlies.com">{{Cite web |title=How personal trauma and national tragedy inspired Grave of the Fireflies |url=https://lwlies.com/articles/grave-of-the-fireflies-isao-takahata-studio-ghibli/ |access-date=2023-03-21 |website=Little White Lies |language=en}}</ref>

The film features Niteko-ike pond (ニテコ池), which is described as the "birthplace" of the novel and where Nosaka conducted his daily routines of dishwashing and personal ablutions. Notably, during the final days of the Pacific War, Nosaka, then 14 years old, sought refuge with his younger sister-in-law in a relative's house and nearby bomb shelters near the pond.<ref>{{Cite web |first=Kazuhiko |last=Matsunaga |title=Stone marker to commemorate site in 'Grave of the Fireflies' |url=https://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/13061933 |date=2019-08-26 |access-date=2023-07-25 |website=[[The Asahi Shimbun]] |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=nishinomiya-minami |date=2022-08-14 |title=苦楽園口｜「火垂るの墓」のロケ地ニテコ池と「火垂るの墓」記念碑 - 西宮さんぽ ご近所情報 |url=https://www.nishi-city.com/entry/2022/08/14/160540 |access-date=2023-07-25 |website=西宮さんぽ ご近所情報 |language=ja}}</ref>

The location and background in the film is based on a style created by 18th century Japanese artist [[Hiroshige]] and his follower [[Hergé]], who created [[Tintin (character)|Tintin]].<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |last=Ebert |first=Roger |title=Grave of the Fireflies movie review (1988) {{!}} Roger Ebert |url=https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/great-movie-grave-of-the-fireflies-1988 |access-date=2023-03-21 |website=www.rogerebert.com/ |language=en}}</ref> Film critic [[Roger Ebert]] examines the contrast of the style of the background in comparison to the cartoonish animation of the characters. He claims that there is an unusual amount of detail in the evocative landscape, while the characters are a take on the modern Japanese animation style, with childlike bodies and enormous eyes. Ebert believed that this deliberate animation style embodies the true purpose of animation, which is to recreate the raw emotion of human life by simplifying reality to emphasize ideas.<ref name="Grave of the Fireflies">{{Cite web |title=Grave of the Fireflies |url=http://archive.ebertfest.media.illinois.edu/two/grave_rev.htm |access-date=2023-03-21 |website=archive.ebertfest.media.illinois.edu}}</ref> He concludes his analysis with saying, "Yes, it's a cartoon, and the kids have eyes like saucers, but it belongs on any list of the greatest war films ever made."<ref name=":4" /> According to Wendy Goldberg, Takahata's film also includes criticism of the emphasis on nationalism in Japan. In a particular scene, Seita's desire to join his father reflects a "national fantasy of war", which leads him to neglect his sister.<ref name=":3"/>

===Music===
The music for the film was composed by [[Michio Mamiya]]. The theme song, "[[Home! Sweet Home!|Home Sweet Home]]", was performed by [[coloratura soprano]] [[Amelita Galli-Curci]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Anime Classical: The Best Operatic Moment in Anime Was Also Its Saddest|url=https://www.altoriot.com/the-best-operatic-moment-in-anime-was-also-its-saddest/|website=Altorito|access-date=23 November 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141129042835/http://www.altoriot.com/the-best-operatic-moment-in-anime-was-also-its-saddest/|archive-date=29 November 2014|url-status=live}}</ref> Dialogue of the film is part of the soundtrack as the music and dialogue are not separated in any way.<ref name="ost">{{Cite web|title=Grave of the Fireflies (Original Soundtrack) - GhibliWiki|url=http://www.nausicaa.net/wiki/Grave_of_the_Fireflies_(Original_Soundtrack)|access-date=2022-02-05|website=www.nausicaa.net}}</ref> Mamiya is also a music specialist in [[baroque]] and [[Classical music|classical]] music.

During an interview about his music, Mamiya stated that he creates his music to encourage peace.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|title=Michio Mamiya interview transcript - from Minnesota Public Radio Music|url=https://music.minnesota.publicradio.org/features/0109_hun_qiao/mamiya_transcript.shtml|access-date=2022-02-04|website=music.minnesota.publicradio.org}}</ref> The songs in ''Grave of the Fireflies'' as well as other pieces by Michio Mamiya, such as ''Serenade No. 3 "Germ"'', express this theme.<ref name=":1" />

The soundtrack album titled {{nihongo|Grave of the Fireflies Soundtrack Collection|火垂るの墓 サウンドトラック集|Hotaru no Haka Saundotorakku Shū}} was first released on April 5, 1997, by Studio Ghilbi Records and {{ill|Tokuma Japan Communications|ja|徳間ジャパンコミュニケーションズ}}<ref>{{cite web |url=https://billboard-japan.com/goods/detail/271037 |title=「火垂るの墓」サウンドトラック集 - Billboard JAPAN |author=[[Billboard Japan]] |year=2021 |website=Billboard Japan（billboard-japan.com） |publisher=株式会社阪神コンテンツリンク Hanshin Contents Link Corporation／Billboard Media, LLC. |language=ja |access-date=2024-06-20 |quote=}}</ref> and later released on June 25, 1988, by ''[[Animage]]''.
The soundtrack does not contain standalone music and instead features both dialogue and music as they appear in the film.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://store.crunchyroll.com/products/grave-of-the-fireflies-vinyl-soundtrack-4988008091113.html |title=Grave of the Fireflies Vinyl Soundtrack - Crunchyroll |author= |year=2023 |website=[[Crunchyroll]]（crunchyroll.com） |publisher=Crunchyroll, LLC |language=en |access-date=2024-06-20 |quote=...This album contains not only the music, but also the dialogues and sound effects....}}</ref>

Another soundtrack album titled {{nihongo|Grave of the Fireflies Image Album Collection|火垂るの墓 イメージ・アルバム集|Hotaru no Haka Imeji Arubamu Shū}} was first released on April 5, 1997, by Studio Ghilbi Records and Tokuma Japan Communications,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://billboard-japan.com/goods/detail/271036 |title=「火垂るの墓」イメージアルバム集 - Billboard JAPAN |author=[[Billboard Japan]] |year=2021 |website=Billboard Japan（billboard-japan.com） |publisher=株式会社阪神コンテンツリンク Hanshin Contents Link Corporation／Billboard Media, LLC. |language=ja |access-date=2024-06-20 |quote=}}</ref> and later released on November 25, 1987, by ''[[Animage]]''.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://store.crunchyroll.com/products/grave-of-the-fireflies-image-album-vinyl-4988008091014.html |title=Grave of the Fireflies Image Album Vinyl - Crunchyroll |author= |year=2023 |website=[[Crunchyroll]]（crunchyroll.com） |publisher=Crunchyroll, LLC |language=en |access-date=2024-06-20 |quote=}}</ref>

{{Track listing
| headline = ''Grave of the Fireflies Soundtrack Collection'' track listing
| all_music = [[Michio Mamiya]]
| title1 = Setsuko and Seita ~ Main Title
| note1 = {{lang|ja|節子と清太~メインタイトル}}; {{transliteration|ja|Setsuko to Seita ~ Mein Taitoru}}
| length1 = 2:57
| title2 = The Burnt-out Area
| note2 = {{lang|ja|焼野原}}, {{transliteration|ja|Yake Nohara}}
| length2 = 6:51
| title3 = Mother's Death
| note3 = {{lang|ja|母の死}}, {{transliteration|ja|Haha no Shi}}
| length3 = 6:34
| title4 = Early Summer
| note4 = {{lang|ja|初夏}}, {{transliteration|ja|Shoka}}
| length4 = 3:14
| title5 = At the Shore of the Pond
| note5 = {{lang|ja|池のほとり}}, {{transliteration|ja|Ike no Hotori}}
| length5 = 2:21
| title6 = To the Ocean
| note6 = {{lang|ja|海へ}}, {{transliteration|ja|Umi e}}
| length6 = 1:37
| title7 = The Beach
| note7 = {{lang|ja|波打際}}, {{transliteration|ja|Namiuchigiwa}}
| length7 = 1:37
| title8 = The Parasol
| note8 = {{lang|ja|日傘}}, {{transliteration|ja|Higasa}}
| length8 = 2:26
| title9 = Under the Cherry Blossoms
| note9 = {{lang|ja|桜の下}}, {{transliteration|ja|Sakura no Shita}}
| length9 = 1:31
| title10 = Drops
| note10 = {{lang|ja|ドロップス}}, {{transliteration|ja|Doroppusu}}
| length10 = 2:13
| title11 = Moving
| note11 = {{lang|ja|引越し}}, {{transliteration|ja|Hikkoshi}}
| length11 = 2:17
| title12 = Older Brother, Younger Sister
| note12 = {{lang|ja|兄妹}}, {{transliteration|ja|Keimai}}
| length12 = 2:15
| title13 = Fireflies
| note13 = {{lang|ja|ほたる}}, {{transliteration|ja|Hotaru}}
| length13 = 4:12
| title14 = Grave of the Fireflies
| note14 = {{lang|ja|ほたるの墓}}, {{transliteration|ja|Hotaru no Haka}}
| length14 = 1:46
| title15 = Sunset Colors
| note15 = {{lang|ja|夕焼け}}, {{transliteration|ja|Yūyake}}
| length15 = 0:53
| title16 = Scene of Carnage
| note16 = {{lang|ja|修羅}}, {{transliteration|ja|Shura}}
| length16 = 3:08
| title17 = Elegy / Song of Sorrow
| note17 = {{lang|ja|悲歌}}, {{transliteration|ja|Hika}}
| length17 = 3:12
| title18 = Two (People) ~ End Title
| note18 = {{lang|ja|ふたり~エンドタイトル}}, {{transliteration|ja|Futari ~ Endo Taitoru}}
| length18 = 8:52
| total_length = 58:13}}

{{track listing
| headline     = ''Grave of the Fireflies Image Album Collection'' track listing

| title1       = Firefly
| note1        = {{lang|ja|ほたる}}, {{transliteration|ja|Hotaru}}
| music1       = [[Michio Mamiya]]
| length1      = 6:03

| title2       = Episode I "Evening"
| note2        = {{lang|ja|Episode I「夜」}}, {{transliteration|ja|Episode I "Yoru"}}
| music2       = Mamiya
| length2      = 2:02

| title3       = Older Brother, Younger Sister
| note3        = {{lang|ja|兄妹}}, {{transliteration|ja|Keimai}}
| music3       = Mamiya
| length3      = 4:04

| title4       = Another Air Raid, The War Continues
| note4        = {{lang|ja|戦争又は空襲}}, {{transliteration|ja|Sensō Mata wa Kūshū}}
| music4       = Mamiya
| length4      = 4:02

| title5       = Episode II "Setsuko"
| note5        = {{lang|ja|Episode II「節子」}}
| music5       = Mamiya
| length5      = 1:12

| title6       = Mother
| note6        = {{lang|ja|母}}, {{transliteration|ja|Haha}}
| music6       = Mamiya
| length6      = 5:00

| title7       = Hotaru
| music7       = [[Masahiko Satoh]]
| length7      = 11:35

| title8       = By the Side of the Brook (Twilight with Fireflies)
| note8        = {{lang|ja|小川のほとり(蛍のいる夕暮れ)}}, {{transliteration|ja|Ogawa no Hotori (Hotaru no Iru Yūgure)}}
| music8       = Kazuo Kikkawa
| length8      = 3:59

| title9       = The Illusion of a Gentle Breeze and Red Parasol
| note9        = {{lang|ja|そよ風と赤い日傘の幻影}}, {{transliteration|ja|Soyokaze to Akai Higasa no Gen'ei}}
| music9       = Kikkawa
| length9      = 4:52

| title10      = Black Rain ~ Summer Grass
| note10       = {{lang|ja|黒い雨～夏草}}, {{transliteration|ja|Kuroi Ame~Natsukusa}}
| music10      = Kikkawa
| length10     = 6:37

| total_length = 49:26
}}