When it comes to Studio Ghibli films that lean more on darker themes compared to the more high-spirited, bubbly films that you may be used to, Grave of the Fireflies is often the one that comes to mind.
The 1988 film is an oldie but a timeless piece, as elements and lessons that you might have learned the first time you watched the anime somehow find their way back to you many years later. What's more, the anime film will always have something new to teach you, especially when you watch it repeatedly to take in the severity of the topic at hand.
Fortunately for fans of this film, Netflix is slated to release Grave of the Fireflies on Monday, Sept. 16. However, before the anime film releases on the streaming service, let us tell you all about what you can expect to see.
Grave of the Fireflies shows how deep a sibling's love goes
After tragedy befell their family and their country, a young boy named Seita is entrusted with ensuring he and his sister, Setsuko, do everything to live to see another day.
Seita and Setsuko's survival is extremely difficult because war has ridden their country with senseless violence and hunger has struck the land, so every time they set out to do anything, they must first consider the fact that one wrong step could accidentally blow them into pieces or accidentally lead them into enemy territory. But the worst part about their whole ordeal is the fact that they're small kids who are forced to abandon their childhood and mature before they're even ready.
How will Seita be able to keep both him and his sister alive? Will they ever get to know peace in this life that they have had the misfortune of being born into? All these burning questions will be answered soon enough.
Check out the official Netflix trailer for Grave of the Fireflies below.
Whether you're someone who has watched this anime before or if it's your very first time watching, you're definitely in for an emotionally charged experience that may leave you shaken to your core.
Don't forget to head to Netflix on Monday, Sept. 16 to stream Grave of the Fireflies!