Original subtitles

Agency of Cultural Affairs 60th Art Festival participant

Meiji, Taisho, Showa, Heisei.

An individual who has lived through all four periods has now fallen into eternal sleep.

Here, please use these to collect the bones.

Sis, you first.

These things are meant to be done eldest first.

What? Me?

I'm the eldest daughter of your great-grandmother.

You're her youngest great-granddaughter.

So let's see her off together.

Okay.

- What were you saying? - Huh?

You were saying something when picking up the bones.

Tell me, I'm curious.

I was saying goodbye.

“Mother, thank you for all these years.”

“The war is finally over, isn't it?”

War? The one long ago? The one with the atom bomb?

Of course. The war that was going on when I was your age.

But the war ended 60 years ago.

I wonder if that's so.

What do you mean?

Can you bring me that box over there?

Sure.

I bet a high school girl like you has no interest in these things.

Is this you, Grandmother?

Oh my.

This is Great-Grandmother.

So this girl in uniform must be...

Yes, is it strange?

No way! You in a school uniform!

Of course.

This is the last picture we took as a family.

Mother had kept it all these years.

There's something else in here too...

A newspaper from 1945! It's like a time capsule!

What's this? A candy tin?

What is it?

Is that something to be so surprised about?

Yes.

What's inside?

Something very valuable.

Something valuable?

- That summer, 1945... - Natsu.{/i0}

We lost so many things.

War had burned away cities, people,

and even our hearts.

This is our family's sad and bitter war experience.

September 1945 (Showa 20), Kobe This is our family's sad and bitter war experience.

This is our family's sad and bitter war experience.

How strange... I heard he'd be here.

How disgusting... Can't you go somewhere else?

The Americans are coming soon.

What an embarrassment to have these types in our stations. Go somewhere else.

Excuse me? Do you know someone named Yokokawa Seita?

What?

He's a relative. We heard someone saw him around here...

How would I know? Every day, several tramps die here.

He's a third year middle school student, he wears a Kobe 1st Middle School hat.

Has a sister this tall.

Could that be last night's boy?

He was just over there...

This one's dead too.

Wow, it's a Kobe 1st Middle School hat.

How did a middle school student end up here?

He must've stolen it.

Yeah? I guess so...

What's this?

Don't bother. Just throw it away.

Yeah, you're right.

Mustn't think too hard.

Did they die?

Did Seita and Se-chan die?

That can't be.

They're alive somewhere, right?

Say something, Mother!

It's your fault!

You killed them!

Thank you...

...very much. (Kansai dialect)

Shh, you mustn't cry.

Let me show you something cool.

One, two, and three!

Wow! Fireflies!

They're pretty, aren't they?

Brother, thank you.

Come here, Setsuko.

[Post-war 60-year Special Drama]

Grave of the Fireflies — Hotaru no Haka — [Post-war 60-year Special Drama]

Summer 1943 (Showa 18)

Setsuko!

Come here quick!

Look, Setsuko!

That's Father's ship. It's part of the “Unified Fleet”. Isn't it great?

Where is Father going on that ship?

To defeat the enemy!

Father is a naval colonel.

America doesn't stand a chance!

“Doesn't stand a chance!”

Seita-san! Se-chan!

Your father is leaving. Come back now.

Okay!

Hyogo prefecture, Mikage

Father, I'm home.

The naval colonel calls us!

Wait outside, Setsuko.

Why?

Your brother and I have something important to discuss.

Se-chan, come here.

Alright.

You're a good girl! Let's have some rice porridge with eggs.

Sit down, Seita.

Yes, Father.

Hyogo prefecture, Manchidani

Smells so good! Open it up!

Wow, sekihan!

We had it specially provided for us.

Really?

- Let's eat it quick! - Yay! Sekihan!

Such bad manners; they can hear us.

But it's been so long...

We've been having only wheat or soup for so long!

Come.

Do you have any idea why we're having sekihan?

Of course.

Because Father's going to into the army.

Do you know what it means to go into the army?

To fight the enemy. BAM!

You two are happy? Father may die!

Congratulations!

Thank you for coming all this way.

Such an accomplishment, to be going into the army from an evacuated family.

A truly honorable thing.

Thank you very much.

Please have sekihan with us.

Thank you! I'm very thankful.

Get your father.

He knew we had sekihan.

He goes around accepting food from all the families with departing men.

Shhh, just get your father.

Sis.

Te-chan is coughing again.

Are you okay? Does it hurt?

You don't have a fever, but take some medicine anyway.

He doesn't need medicine.

What?

- He's just exaggerating for attention. - Now now.

- Excuse us, we're here to celebrate. - We brought a good luck belt.

- I'll be right there. - Congratulations...

- Father's missing. - What?

Now that you mention it, I haven't seen Brother in a while.

Where could he be at a time like this?

- I will be traveling out of the country today. - Yes, Father.

Do you know the state Japan is in now?

I read in the newspaper, there was a great victory in the Solomon Islands.

Yes.

Sorry for my impertinence.

No, it's true that there was victory in the Solomon Islands. However...

At Guadalcanal and New Guinea, we're almost wiped out.

We're losing in the Marshall Islands too.

This is not reported in the newspapers or radios.

Then Japan!?

Seita.

Japan will win.

No...

Japan must win...

after having suffered so many casualties.

I am willing to die fighting for the sake of this country.

Do you understand what I'm trying to say?

Once I'm gone, you are the man of the house.

Your mother has a bad heart...

and Setsuko is still little.

Like I will be fighting for the sake of the country...

you must defend your mother and Setsuko. Don't ever yield.

Yes. I will defend them with my life.

Well said. That's how a Japanese boy should be.

Yes, Father.

What are you doing?

I'm fixing the leak.

You don't have to do this on the day of your departure.

I won't be able to do it after I leave.

“Hundreds of leagues from our home country, in distant Manchuria...

illuminated in the red evening sun...”

Please stop. I can't have you get hurt.

I'm a carpenter. I won't fall.

Mother, it's dangerous.

- You better not fall! - I'm going up too!

No!

Hisako...

Please stop.

What are you being so stubborn for?

You can fix it after you return.

I don't know if I will come back.

You WILL come back.

I wonder... If they're drafting evacuated country folk like me, the situation can't be good.

You WILL come back. You will DEFINITELY come back!

- Hisako! - Mother!

Be careful.

Please, don't die.

I don't need any merits or medals.

Just come back safely, I beg you.

Congratulations to Sawano Genzo on his departure into the army! Banzai!

Thank you very much. I, Sawano Genzo, will go off to fight!

- Get those American soldiers! - Thank you! (Kansai dialect)

I pray for your success.

Dear! You mustn't cry at embarkation!

He probably recalled his son who died in battle.

That boy died for the sake of the Emperor! Why are you crying?

Sorry.

Here, drink up.

Come, let's celebrate with some great sea bream!

What a spectacular sea bream!

It's a bit thin.

Hey.

You're a naval colonel's wife.

Have a good departure.

Yes.

Thank you for your trouble.

Father...

Setsuko.

Father!

Setsuko.

My shoe broke.

- Good luck! - Banzai!

- Teizo. - Yes, Father.

You're the eldest male.

Don't be picky about your food, and grow up strong.

Yes, Father.

Natsu, you're the eldest daughter.

Help your mother and look after your brother and sisters.

Yes, Father.

Hana, stay your cheeky self, but don't cause your mother any trouble.

I understand.

Yuki. I have high hopes for you, but don't leave your younger brother behind.

Yes, Father.

All right! Everyone's a good child!

Yoshie, you be well too.

Don't worry. I will protect Sis and the children.

Don't push yourself with that leg.

More importantly, don't fall for Hisako while I'm gone.

Brother! Don't say such silly jokes.

Hisako.

Take care of everyone.

Yes.

Don't worry. I've always been good at running away.

I'll come back safe.

Father!

Father.

Dear.

Be careful, Setsuko.

That looks good on you.

Thanks.

Mother, don't push yourself.

Seita-san.

From now on, I'm the man of the house.

You will listen to what I say.

My, how dependable.

- My, how dependable. - Hey!

A train departed today too?

The army needs soldiers in the South too.

- Hisako-chan? - Kyoko-san?

The first time we met Seita-kun and Se-chan...

was the day Father departed.

My mother and Seita-kun's mother were cousins,

but they weren't that close until then.

But by giving their husbands to war on the same day,

an invisible bond formed between them.

It had been just about six months since we had lost our home due to

fire bombings by the Americans and escaped to the evacuation point in Manchidani.

It required courage to leave Tokyo, but my in-law's house had been destroyed...

and running away from bombings was difficult with Teizo's asthma.

Is that so... What trouble you've been through.

Both your children seem healthy.

You're in Kobe 1st Middle School so you're going for Kobe 1st High School, right?

I am thinking of going into the Naval Academy.

I hate soldiers.

They're always so arrogant.

But it's the military that protects this country.

Brother, don't argue.

You're such a good girl, Se-chan. Let me give you a treat.

A treat?

Droplets!

Are you sure it's okay at a time when there's so little?

My husband's brother got some at work at Kobe.

My children already got some.

May I open it?

Before that you have to thank her.

Thank you very much. (Kansai dialect)

You're such a good girl.

- Huh? - Give it to me.

Wow. So pretty!

This is strawberry... This is grape.

What's this? Melon?

I'm so glad I ran into you today.

After I saw my husband leave, I lost my strength.

Me too. Just when I started to get used to this place, my husband was drafted.

I felt like crying, I was so lonely.

Come quick! Fireflies!

Wow!

- Where? - There, flashing over there.

- Wow, so pretty. - It really is.

You can't see fireflies in Tokyo.

There are a lot of fireflies around here because of the clear water.

- There too! - Over there!

Hisako-chan.

If you ever need anything, just ask.

Kyoko-san.

We don't know when Kansai will be bombed.

If something happens, let's help each other protect the children.

Yes.

Let's help each other as fellow wives, and wait for our husbands.

Yes, promise?

Definitely.

Besides the men having left for war,

it was still a peaceful summer.

March, 1945 (Showa 20)

However, as it reached 1945...

The Great Tokyo Firebombing on the tenth of March left 10,000 people dead.

Osaka and Nagoya and many other cities also saw heavy bombing.

Mother, are you okay?

- I'm fine. - Let's go.

Kobe was no exception. On March 17th and May 11th,

two great bombings decimated the west half of Kobe.

4,000 killed, 200,000 displaced. It was a devastating blow.

Mother, are you okay?

By this time, rations were almost non-existent.

The civilians were beginning to strongly feel the war's devastation.

Quickly now.

Umm... We have six people.

Madam, please persevere. It's better than what the soldiers get.

June 5, 1945 (Showa 20)

Then, that day... the fifth of June came... June 5, 1945 (Showa 20)

Stand by at home. You're dismissed.

So hungry.

Hello.

- Who is she? - A relative.

- Really? Not a girlfriend? - No!

She's just a relative!

The naval colonel's son has a girlfriend!

It's been a while.

There have been many bombings. Is your mother and Se-chan okay?

Yes, and you?

I'm fine. We haven't had any bombings yet.

That's good.

But... To tell you the truth,

I'm worried.

Father hasn't written to us, and rations are getting smaller...

Don't worry. My father said Japan will definitely win.

So don't worry.

Is that so.

Thank you.

It's nothing.

Please come visit us any time.

Okay, till next time.

Hurry, Mother.

- Brother, this too. - Sure.

Mother, what are you doing? I said go ahead to the shelter.

Se-chan.

I'll take her. You can't run so you must go ahead.

- You're right. - Hurry!

Sorry. Be careful, you two.

Mother! Do you have your medicine?

Thank you. Yes I do.

Seita-san.

You hold on to this.

I got it, just go!

I'll see you later then.

- Setsuko, get on. - Okay.

Hold on tight.

Yes, Brother.

Brother, my doll.

Brother!

I can't do it. I can't get to the shelter.

Like I will be fighting for the sake of the country,

you must defend your mother and Setsuko. Don't ever yield.

Madam.

Yoshie-san? Are you okay?

It's no big deal. I just got sprayed by some oil from an incendiary bomb.

You work at the Kobe Customs. Amazing you escaped.

I can't fight the war like my brother, but I must protect his family in his place.

Oh, I just meant, this bombing was worse than ever so...

The sky was black with B-29s.

“Black”... Kobe is finally decimated.

How is Kyoko-san's house?

The whole area is destroyed by fire.

“Destroyed by fire”...

So this is the black rain that falls after bombings.

Are the B-29s gone?

Setsuko, are you okay? No injuries?

I lost one of the my shoes.

I'll buy you a new one, a better one.

I liked that one. Let's go pick it up.

We can't now.

Setsuko, wait here.

It's all cleared away.

Is our house burned down?

I guess so.

What are we going to do?

Dad will avenge us.

What about Mother? Where is she?

She's at the shelter. Don't worry.

Everyone, please evacuate to the Mikage National School.

Setsuko, let's go to the school. Mother will probably be there.

Yeah.

Seita-san?

Aunt Hisako.

Se-chan? Are you okay? No injuries?

Yeah.

Do you know about my mother?

She's inside. She's hurt.

Thank you (Kansai dialect). Mother's inside, Setsuko.

Wait, Seita-san!

Leave Se-chan with me.

- Seita-kun. - Oobayashi-san.

You're fine! I was looking for you. How's Setsuko-chan?

She's fine. I heard my mother was hurt.

Yes... Come.

Over there.

Two bombs fell into the shelter. How unfortunate...

Where's the doctor?

Mother has a bad heart. She needs to see a doctor quickly.

Is that so...

I'll get him.

Mother...

Mother...

Answer me.

Brother.

Where's Mother?

Mother went to the hospital for her heart.

Yeah, to the hospital.

I want to see Mother.

Tomorrow. It's too late today.

Se-chan, come to my place tonight.

Your mother said so too.

Then let's go get my shoe.

I said, “We can't now”.

If we don't get it soon we might never... Mother bought me that shoe.

Be quiet! I said, “We can't now!”

Your brother is acting as your father. Please understand.

It's okay, Seita-san.

I'm home.

Se-chan, we're here.

Where's Seita-kun?

He's staying at the school tonight.

Se-chan, come inside.

Do you dislike my home?

Let's play with some marbles.

Thank you.

It's not “thank you”. (Tokyo dialect)

It's “thank you very much”. (Kansai dialect)

- Thank you? - Thank you.

Thank you.

Good!

Se-chan.

I'm sorry about your mother.

Contact your father.

Seita-san, Se-chan.

My, how dependable.

Mother?

Where's Mother?

Setsuko, Mother's still...

Her heart still isn't well?

Yeah, and she was hurt too. Just a little longer.

I want to see Mother.

Oh yeah, Mother left this with me.

She's giving it to you.

Look, Aunt!

Mother gave it to me!

It's beautiful. Treasure it.

I'm going to show the others.

It must have been hard, Seita-san.

Please don't tell Setsuko yet.

You don't have to worry.

May we stay here until I get word from my father?

Of course. You can go to school from here.

No. I have to watch over Setsuko, so I'm not going to school or the factory.

- I'll watch over Setsuko for you. - No, I mustn't trouble you.

Don't be silly. You can trouble me all you want.

I promised your mother.

But...

Now, come in. Let's have dinner.

What are you doing?

How pretty! Is it real?

- Of course. - Wow!

Here, Se-chan. Now you won't lose it.

Thank you.

- Good for you. - It's so pretty.

Let me see, let me see.

Grace!

You're not eating?

No, I'm not hungry.

Are you feeling ill?

No, I'm fine. Just a stomach ache.

Greetings Father,

I must report some sad news to you.

Mother passed away in a bombing on June 5th.

Setsuko and I are fine.

We are staying at Aunt's house in Nishinomiya.

Aunt Hisako is very kind to us.

However, please tell us what our next course of action should be.

Please reply soon.

Setsuko, I've got it!

Wow! Eggs!

I haven't seen eggs in so long!

Butter too!

Herring and dried bonito!

This was given to executive officers of the military.

Amazing isn't it, Mother?

So many things we haven't seen in months.

- Aunt, make rice porridge with egg! - Yes.

- I want to eat quick! What's that? - Salt! It's salt!

“...a corpse awash.

If I go to the mountain...”

Brother, where are the fireflies?

They're not here, I guess.

How come there are no fireflies this year?

- I wonder why... - I wonder why...

Oh yeah! Setsuko, close your eyes.

Why?

Just close them.

Droplets!

Your droplets were safe!

I love you Brother!

Droplets...

My droplets!

Are you alright, Setsuko?

I dropped Mother's ring.

Is that so?

The eggs were sooo good!

I guess the military is living luxuriously even at times like this.

Don't say it like that...

I just thought, if only we had an egg's worth of rice.

You can go. You have volunteer work tomorrow, right? Go to sleep.

Right.

- Good night. - 'Night.

I said, “You can go”.

Oh, excuse me.

Sis...

Please accept this.

Yoshie-san?

Sorry for my disrespect but, please use this to buy rice.

You mustn't. This is your hard earned money.

But...

Rations are little to begin with... and now you have two more children to raise.

Rations can't be enough.

Please, don't worry.

If I accepted your money, what would my husband say?

Is this it?

This time, we only got one and a half cups per person.

We have four children.

You told me that before.

Next!

I'm housing two children who lost their homes too.

This won't even last three days.

That's what you get for trying to look good.

If you want more, you have to buy it from the black market.

Next!

Is this it?

The rations were smaller this time.

Now, let's eat. Grace.

Grace.

I'm hungry from volunteer work.

Me too.

It can't be helped. Everyone's in the same boat.

No they're not. We're hungry because we have more people.

What do you mean?

- It's because they came. - Don't say that.

But it's true.

Teizo!

Thank you, I'm finished.

Setsuko, you mustn't cry. You'll wake everyone.

Mother.

Setsuko.

Mother.

He's been getting sick often lately.

He hasn't been getting much nutrition.

It's alright. Go to sleep.

1 bottle of rice.

1 bottle?

Kimonos from Tokyo aren't worth much here.

This was given to me by my mother when I married.

You don't have to accept the offer.

We're giving rice out of good will.

Why don't you lower the price a little?

You're kind to pretty women.

She's housing two extra children.

About those two children...

The boy is in middle school and he doesn't do volunteer work, nor does he do firefighting.

He lost his mother and has a little sister.

He's not the only one to have lost parents.

1 bottle is fine.

Thank you.

I was on my way to your house.

Mine?

I salute your husband's honorable death as a Japanese man.

Death...?

Father...

really died?

It can't be.

No... Father.

Mother!

How did Brother die?

It says in the letter.

The 47th regiment of the infantry...

was ordered to charge,

so they committed a suicide charge.

Suicide charge...?

“It was an honorable death”.

I don't understand what's so “honorable”.

How is dying “honorable”?

Aunt Hisako.

Uncle died an honorable death as a valiant soldier of the Imperial Army.

It's something to rejoice, not grieve.

“Rejoice”?

My father says, “Japan will win”.

Uncle's death will not be in vain.

As a naval colonel, he will avenge his death.

I don't care if he's avenged.

- Aunt? - Seita-kun.

I'm fixing the leak.

Hisako!

Please don't die. Just come back safely.

I beg you.

Don't worry, I've always been good at running away.

I'll come back safe.

Te-chan.

Mother.

Te-chan, here.

Sis, the doctor won't come.

Be strong, Te-chan.

We can't go outside today, Setsuko.

Mother.

Seita-san, Teizo is not doing well.

Could you please be quieter?

I'm sorry. The leaking sound was bothering her.

Do you have something to eat?

She seems to be hungry too.

Of course not, at this hour!

What about the food I brought?

We finished that ages ago!

Mother?

I'm going to the doctor's. I'm going to beg again.

But...

I can't let Teizo die too!

If you cry so much, you won't see Mother again.

Mother.

From this night on, Mother never shed a tear.

The notice of Father's death

made up her mind.

I can never forget what happened the next morning.

Please.

Well then. Grace.

Grace.

Brother.

Mine doesn't have rice.

Just eat.

Teizo, I'm glad you're better. Eat up and get nutrition.

If you don't get nutrition, your disease won't go away.

Yes, Mother.

I'm going to eat up too.

Now that your father is dead, I must stay healthy.

I wonder why Father won't reply.

Who knows.

Yeah. Of course you wouldn't know.

I'm hungry.

Wait until dinner.

We can eat more tonight?

Of course.

That's good.

What's wrong, eat up.

You're going to be a soldier right?

Excuse me, Aunt.

What is it?

We haven't eaten properly in a while...

How strange of you to say that, I serve you food every day.

Yes, but...

You just give us the top part without any rice.

That can't be helped, our rations have declined.

But you do it just to us.

Just to you?

Do what?

Nothing...

If you have something to say, just say it.

Air raid alert!

Let's hurry to the shelter.

Hurry, hurry.

Are you okay, Na-chan, Hana, Yuki?

Mother, where's Seita-kun and Se-chan?

What?

Is there something wrong?

Our relative...

You got separated? Hope they haven't been hit.

That can't be helped. Maybe it's better for them if they died.

- Don't say that. - What a terrible thing to say.

- But... - What?

Setsuko, we're going.

Charge!

We're safe here.

It's so bright!

It's kind of pretty looking at it from here.

Like the fireworks we saw with Father and Mother.

Whoa! Setsuko look! Amazing isn't it?

- Over there! - Where? I can't see.

Come here.

Wow, they're so big...

- Setsuko, look! - So big!

Don't separate from us like that!

It was decided that we would to the shelter with our Residents' Committee!

Yes.

You're not a child. You must start thinking about helping others.

My neighbors criticize me because you don't help with the firefighting.

I understand. But I can't leave Setsuko alone.

Then I have something to say to you.

Your mother's ring...

Why don't you sell it for rice?

Because you are not part of the Residents' Committee, you don't get rations.

Special aid is very small. Even I sell my kimonos for food.

But the ring is...

With that ring, we can get maybe 10 or 20 bottles of rice.

10 or 20 bottles!? That much?

I don't want to say this but... She doesn't need it anymore.

Your mother would probably be happier this way.

I won't force you.

I understand.

Here, please.

Alright.

Then...

No, it's Mother's ring!

No!

Setsuko, stop!

- Let it go. - It's Mother's! No! Mother!

Let's have this for dinner tonight.

Setsuko, look! White rice!

Setsuko?

You smiled.

- Stupid Brother! - I give up!

The “Battleship Yamato” is strong!

Delicious!

White rice is good.

- It fills the stomach. - More please!

- Alright. - Me too.

- You still have some left. - Oh right.

Still haven't finished? Could you please hurry?

Everyone else has already gone to school or volunteering.

Umm...

Can you boil white rice tonight?

Setsuko doesn't like Kaoliang millet.

You mustn't ask for luxuries. Kaoliang is a valuable food too.

You may be the son of an officer, but you are a guest right now.

But there should be some of that rice left.

I'm saving it for emergencies.

If rations ended, we'd still have something to eat.

But that's our rice.

Are you saying I'm being unfair?

No. It's just that the rice was bought with Mother's ring.

What about all the rice you have been eating up until now?

You can't ask for free food doing nothing all day.

Natsu and Hana are off at volunteer work.

Even little Yuki and Teizo are helping me in the fields with our Residents' Committee.

You're the only one doing nothing.

I'm protecting Setsuko!

My father is protecting our country and I am protecting Setsuko!

The military isn't protecting the country!

They force people to fight who don't want to and kill them like bugs.

What's that look for?

I understand. If you are that dissatisfied, let's have separate meals.

Then you won't have complaints.

I wonder what happened to Aunt?

Before, she gave me droplets and was so kind.

Who knows.

Brother!

Here.

Hold out your hand.

No more...

I'm sorry, Brother.

It's okay. Let's go.

One, two, three.

“Coo, coo, coo. Cooing pigeon,

do you want seeds? Then here you go!”

You work like that and we won't finish by night.

Work harder.

By July, rations were sporadic.

For people like us, who came to evacuation points from Tokyo,

we didn't have relatives or friends

who could share food with us.

Here, thank you very much.

Here, good work today.

What do you want with a stove?

We're making meals.

Your aunt makes you meals.

We're doing it ourselves now.

A knife and eggs too.

Yourselves? That's impossible.

It's just until Father gets back.

How much?

200 yen... actually 170 yen will do.

I don't know what happened, but don't be stubborn.

We'll have good rice porridge soon, Setsuko.

Ok!

Time for dinner, come help out.

It's because you were so harsh.

I didn't say anything wrong.

I just said we must help each other out in times of emergency.

They're the ones being stubborn and trying to make us look bad.

Setsuko, you don't have to eat so proper.

Ah, so delicious.

- Seita-san? - Yeah?

Bad manners.

Yes.

Seita-san.

If you're going to live on your own, you must provide your own water.

- Brother? - Yeah?

Want me to help?

You just hold the lamp.

- Brother? - Yeah?

Isn't it cold?

Brother.

Be quiet Setsuko.

Fireflies!

You're right!

So glad! The fireflies came back this year.

Over there too!

- They're pretty. - Yeah.

Over there too!

- Amazing. - Yeah.

Brother...

I don't like Aunt's place anymore.

Then do you want to make this our home?

No one will bother us. We can do as we please.

Yeah!

Mother didn't say anything.

And even though we knew what was going on,

we kept quiet too.

Thank you for keeping us. We're moving elsewhere now.

Where elsewhere?

It's a nice place.

There's plenty of room for sleeping and playing and plenty of water.

Right Setsuko?

Yeah!

Is that so, then no worries.

What? Mother!

Well, good bye.

Seita-kun.

Seita-kun!

“The seagull sailormen all line up.

Wearing white hats, white shirts, white clothes.

Going ‘chop chop!’, they float on the waves.”

This is the kitchen.

This is the entrance.

This is the living room.

And that's Father's study.

And that's Mother's...

Brother.

What about the bathroom?

What do we do?

Anywhere! I'll be with you.

OK!

I wonder where Se-chan went?

- I wonder if they're okay. - They said it's a “nice place”.

How could it be a “nice place”.

Welcome home.

How can you be fine at a time like this?

Are you hungry?

Mother!

Sis.

Oh, you're back early.

You're not going to go look for them?

They left on their own. I didn't kick them out.

But two children can't live on their own.

If they must, they will come back.

- This is unlike you. - Yoshie-san?

Can you lend us some money?

You may think, “How hypocritical, after rejecting the offer earlier”.

But there were no rations this week either.

No more rice, no more soybean, and no more kimonos to sell.

We need to have you share the burden too.

That's fine.

You can't live off of petty ideologies anymore. Pride and will can't feed you.

Am I wrong?

No, you aren't wrong.

Setsuko, don't cry.

Setsuko.

Mother...

Setsuko.

Setsuko, open your eyes.

Ready? Let me show you something.

What is it?

Just come over here and see.

Ready?

One, two, and three!

Wow! Fireflies!

Now we're not alone.

Brother, thank you very much. (Kansai dialect)

You used all your strength.

Come here.

The fireflies... they're all dead.

Setsuko!

Setsuko!

What are you doing?

I'm making a grave. A grave for the fireflies.

You're so kind, Setsuko.

We have to make Mother's grave too.

I know.

Mother died, right?

She won't come back no matter how long we wait, right?

Setsuko.

Sorry for not telling you.

Mother, during the bombing...

was burned by an incendiary bomb.

Japan will win the war...

and Father will come home...

and we'll have a real grave made.

Then, let's pray there, the three of us.

It must have hurt Mother.

Please use this.

Thank you.

I'm going now.

You are really leaving?

Yes, a coworker says I can stay with him.

So suddenly.

Brother has died,

I can't stay here using my leg as an excuse.

I don't want to see you changing more.

Is that so? Then it can't be helped.

No worries, I'm an adult.

Please be well.

Uncle Yoshie.

Uncle!

Mother you're terrible!

You kick out Seita-kun and Se-chan, and now Uncle Yoshie too!

Uncle has a bad leg! He finally found a job!

You're too cold to throw him out on his own.

All done. I've added more cotton so it should protect against incendiary bombs.

You can't bribe me with this.

Whatever. I'm going to get rice so come with me.

I don't want to become like you.

I don't want food if it means I have to abandon others.

Then I don't have to cook for you?

I'm grateful.

We barely have enough rice and salt for five people.

If we lose one person it'll be better for the rest of us.

You monster! Mother, you're a monster!

10 yen!? 10 yen for just this?

If it's too expensive, then don't buy it. I didn't want to sell it anyway.

You're not buying?

With the rice and stuff,

we spent a lot of Mother's money. We should save some.

Let's go.

Brother?

- Setsuko, wait here. - Why?

Just wait here.

Hey, what are you doing?

Setsuko, let's go.

Seita-kun...

You thief!

- Mister, stop! - Shut up!

- Are you with him!? - Huh?

Are you with this guy!?

Hey, stop!

Where were you?

I boiled white rice.

Eat up today.

From that point on, I never mentioned

Seita-kun or Se-chan.

Don't go! Our dinner escaped...

Everyone was desperate to live.

Everyone was losing themselves.

Everyone was forgetting something important.

Tomorrow, we may burn and die from a raid.

Tomorrow, we may have no food and starve to death.

There's nothing greater than that fear and worry.

Setsuko, dinner.

I don't want it.

You mustn't have likes and dislikes, whether it be soybean or baby potato.

Yeah, but...

I have diarrhea.

Setsuko, what's wrong? Setsuko!

Setsuko!

It's a weakening due to malnutrition.

She hasn't eaten anything good for two weeks.

The diarrhea and fainting are also from the malnutrition.

- Next. - Wait, no medicine?

She needs nutrition, not medicine.

Nutrition? Like what!?

Nutrition like white meat from fish or egg yolk.

Oh, apples would be good for her too.

Where the hell would I get that?

If you're a doctor, tell me! Where could I get them!?

- Where? Tell me! - Stop it!

Oh no... We're even out of salt.

I sure am hungry. What would you like to eat Setsuko?

Tempura.

Tempura sounds nice.

And sashimi...

...and jelly.

Anything else?

Rice porridge and eggs...

and...

droplets.

Eggs!

What are you doing?

You thief! After all our kindness.

- I'm very sorry. - Thanks for coming.

You must be surprised to see how beat up he is.

You have no right to complain. Thieving during a raid is a serious crime.

I'm very sorry.

If apologizing was enough we wouldn't need the police!

Leave this to the police. Be merciful. Merciful.

It's woeful that a naval officer's son is stealing.

If it happens again, you will take responsibility.

Because of you, your aunt is in trouble too!

I'm sorry to interfere, but...

can you please take him back?

There must have been problems, but you don't want them to be tramps.

You too. Bow and beg to be taken back.

It's impossible to live on your own as children.

Come on. It's not a shame. Your sister's still little right?

You have to have her feed you.

Do you know why the kind store owner got so mad?

His son was also a naval officer,

and on the coast of Malaysia, he was killed in action.

It's so depressing that a naval officer's son is stealing!

Um...

I...

I..

- Setsuko is... - You don't have to apologize, Seita-san.

I can't have you apologize.

I don't have food to provide for you if I forgive you.

Even if I had more rice,

even if it be one grain, I'd give it to Teizo or Natsu.

I don't despise you.

I just can't let Teizo,

Natsu, Hana, or Yuki die.

Hate me all you want.

Seita-san, this is what war is about.

This is what it means to be at war.

I have no intention of apologizing!

I'm the first son of Naval colonel Yokokawa Kiyoshi!

Brother?

Setsuko, sorry for being so late.

It's okay.

What happened to your face?

Nothing, just got stung by a striped mosquito.

Does it hurt?

You have to call the doctor and get a shot.

Don't say things like Mother.

Brother.

Setsuko, are you feeling better?

Is that so! That's great!

I got better after having a droplet!

Droplet?

Dummy! What are you eating!? It's a marble!

Setsuko?

Brother, here. It's dinner. Do you want a bowl?

Let me give you some soybean pulp.

Setsuko...

You're not having it?

Setsuko, wait here.

Let me get you something good with this bankbook.

Brother, don't go.

I don't need any food.

I just want to be with you!

Setsuko.

But you need to eat.

Let me buy eggs and make rice porridge with egg.

Then I'll hold you, blow on your food, and feed you.

It's a promise. This time for real.

What is it?

August 15, 1945 (Showa 20)

(Radio broadcast of Emperor Hirohito announcing surrender)

What does it mean?

Japan lost.

The war is over.

What? The war is over...?

Then no more bombings?

- I suppose so. - No more B-29s?

- Yes. - Yay!

- No more running! - No more volunteer work, right?

Of course!

What's going to happen?

Who knows...

Dad died for this war... How could they lose?

What's going to happen to Seita-kun and Se-chan?

If Japan lost, then that must mean that

Seita-kun's father also died.

Time to eat.

At a time like this?

Regardless of Japan losing or what happens to the country, the body gets hungry.

Excuse me?

- What's going to happen? - How should I know?

The devilish American soldiers are going to come?

Um... did something happen?

We surrendered.

Surrender? Japan lost?

Yeah, “unconditional surrender”.

Then what happened to the Unified Fleet?

They were all sunk a long time ago.

No way.

Like I will be fighting for the sake of the country,

you must defend your mother and Setsuko. Don't ever yield.

No way! My father can't have died!

What the hell.

It can't be!

- Idiot! Japan has lost! - No way! No way!

Stop!

Seita-kun, are you okay?

Seita-kun!

Stupid, stupid Father!

Sis.

It's been a while.

Yoshie-san!

You were fine!

Thankfully.

I'm glad. Come in.

What are you doing from now on?

I don't know yet.

I will be getting a ticket to return to Tokyo.

Where are you going?

I haven't decided.

But there are no more air raids. I will be fine.

I suppose.

I saw Seita-kun.

He was living by the river, he looked very thin.

I'm sorry.

Why do you apologize?

I acted self righteous in front of you,

but I too was too busy with my own business.

and couldn't do anything for them.

I didn't understand anything.

Like my brother fighting on the battlefield,

you were also...

Yoshie-san,

be careful.

We may never see each other again, but I pray for your well being.

Give my regards to your children.

Come on, now.

You must hide it all. If there's a riot, it'll all be taken.

Yeah...

There's nothing we can do about the country losing.

I'm sorry, we're closed for...

You thief! Why are you here?

Sell me rice and eggs.

We have nothing to sell to thieves.

My sister's sick.

I don't care how many, please sell me some.

Please.

- He's gone mad! - Go home, Japan's lost.

That money's worthless.

I don't care. Sell me eggs. Give me rice!

Setsuko's going to die! I beg you.

I beg you! Please! I beg you!

Mother?

I'm going.

The war is over.

Setsuko, I'm back.

Look! Eggs and rice!

Setsuko?

Fireflies...

Setsuko, I'll make congee with eggs right away, okay?

Brother, thank you very much. (Kansai dialect)

Just wait.

Mother's egg and rice porridge used to be so good, huh?

The eggs were soft and the right saltiness.

So good my tongue would melt. Right, Setsuko?

So stupid, Setsuko.

The porridge was almost done.

Setsuko...

Setsuko!

Why Setsuko? What am I supposed to do?

Setsuko!

Mother...

Seita-kun, Se-chan!

Seita-kun, Se-chan!

Setsuko.

I'm sorry.

I couldn't find the other shoe.

Mother will probably have it.

Seita-kun put Se-chan's little bones into the droplet tin,

and left, never to return to Yokohana.

Seita-kun died at San'nomiya Station,

and was cremated with the other tramps,

about a month after the war ended.

It was the day after the law to protect child war victims was passed.

We're going.

Wow, so pretty. Setsuko, look!

- Over there! - Over there too!

- ...rations are getting smaller... - Don't worry.

Here, Se-chan. Now you won't lose it.

Thank you!

Delicious!

I...

I don't want to live.

...because...

...we killed Seita-kun and Se-chan.

We killed them!

Ouch!

Don't be stupid!

The war isn't over yet!

The real war starts now!

If you die, you lose.

If you die, it's over.

If you die, it's over.

Afterwards, Mother

brought us back to Tokyo

and raised us

without a single tear or complaint.

And until she died at the age of 95,

she never mentioned the war.

Here?

This was our evacuation point, Manchidani.

And over there, the entire city of Kobe was in ruins.

It has completely changed.

Nothing remains of its past.

This is the first time.

This is the first time you spoke about the war.

I didn't want to recall

the war or the events that took place here.

Even Seita-kun and Se-chan who died here.

But...

But Mother remembered...

And every time she looked at this,

she probably felt the weight of having survived.

I guess the war isn't an old tale.

It's because Great-Grandmother survived,

that you survived, and Mother was born,

and why I'm here.

- Grandmother? - Yes?

I wonder how far this river flows...

This drama is fictional. However, there are many children worldwide like Seita and Setsuko who are living in the fire of war.