Original subtitles

60th Agency of Cultural Affairs Art Festival participating piece

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 first daughter of great-grandmother's

You're the youngest great-granddaughter

So let's see her off together

ok

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-schooler like you has no desires

Is this you?

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 Showa 20 (1945)! It's like a time capsule!

What's this? A can of droplets?

What is it?

Is that something to be so surprised about?

Yes

What's inside?

Something very valuable

Something valuable?

That summer, Showa 20 (1945)

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 Showa 20 (1945), Kobe

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

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

The Americans are coming soon; what an embarassment 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 in middle school; 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 "1st Middle School"er end up here?

He must've stolen it

Yeah? I guess so...

What's this?

Don't mind. Just throw it away

yeah, you're right

Mustn't think too hard

Did they die?

Did Seita and Se-cchan 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)

Shhh, you mustn't cry

Let me show you something cool

One, two, three!

Wow! Fireflies!

They're pretty, aren't they?

Brother, thank you

Come here, Setsuko

Hotaru no Haka (Grave of Fireflies) ~60th Anniversary of the End of the War special drama~

The word "firefly" is usually written in one character. However, in this title, the characters meaning "dripping fire" is used.

Showa 18 (1943) Summer

Setsuko

Come here quick

Look, Setsuko!

That's father's ship. A unified fleet. Isn't it gallant?

Where is father going on a ship?

To defeat the enemy

Father is a Naval colonel

America doesn't stand a chance

"Doesn't stand a chance!"

Seita-san! Se-cchan!

Your father is departing. Come back now.

Yes, mother

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-cchan, come here

alright

You're a good girl! Let's have some congee with eggs

Sit down, Seita

Yes, sir

Hyogo prefecture, Manchidani

Smells so good! Open it up!

Wow, sekihan (red rice)!

We had it specially divided for us

Really?

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

Such bad manners; they can hear

Since 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 a sokai

A truly honorable thing

Thank you very much

Please have sekihan with us

Thank you! I'd be much obliged

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 let's have 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 'senninbari'

- 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 much casualties

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

Do you understand what I am trying to say?

Once I am gone, you are the man of the house

Your mother has a heart disease

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

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... They're drafting discharged country folk like me in sokais, 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's departure into the army! BANZAI!

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

We're celebrating with a 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 have likes or dislikes with food and grow up strong.

Yes, father

Yoshie, you be well too

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

Don't push yourself with that body

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

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-cchan

was the day father departed

My mother and Seita-kun's mother were cousins

but they weren't that close until then

But by having given 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

firebombings by the Americans and escaped to the sokai 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 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-cchan. 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 here, my husband was drafted... I felt like crying, I was so lonely

Come quick! Fireflies!

Wow!

Where? / That, 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 too!

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, Showa 20 (1945)

However, as it reached Showa 20 (1945)

In the Great Tokyo Firebombing of March 10, 10,000 were killed

and 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

4000�killed, 200,000 were affected. It was a devastating blow

Mother, are you okay?

By this time, rations were getting close to nil

The civilians were beginning to strongly

feel war's devastation

Quickly now

Umm... we have six people

Madame, please persevere. It's better than what the soldier's get

Then, that day... June 5th came...

Stand by at home. You're dismissed

So hungry

Hello

Hello

- Who is she? - A relative

- Really? Not a girlfriend? - NO

Just a relative, I say

The naval colonel's son having relations with a girl!

It's been a while

There have been many bombings... is your mother and Se-cchan 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, 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

Ok, till next time

Hurry mother

- Brother, this too - Sure

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

Se-cchan

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!

Then I'll see you later

- Setsuko, get on - Ok

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.

Madame

Yoshie-san? Are you okay?

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

You work at the Kobe Customs. Amazing you escaped

I can't fight the war like 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 gonna do?

Dad will avenge us

What about mother? Where is she?

She's at the shelter. No worries

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-cchan? 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-cchan 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

Was that so...

I'll get him

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-cchan, come to my place tonight

Your mother said so too

Then lets 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-cchan, we're here

Where's Seita-kun?

He's staying at the school tonight

Se-cchan, come inside

Do you dislike my home?

Let's play ohajiki (Japanese taw)

Thank you

Not, "Thank you" (Tokyo dialect)

It's "Thank you very much" (Kansai dialect)

- "ThANk you"? - "Thank YOU" - "thank YOU"

good!

Se-cchan

I'm sorry about mother

Contact your father

Seita-san, Se-cchan

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 lent this to me

She's giving it to you

Look, aunt!

Mother gave it to me!

It's beautiful. Do 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-cchan. Now you won't lose it

- Thank you - Sure

- It's so pretty - Lemme see, lemme see

Grace

You're not eating?

Yes, I'm not hungry

Are you feeling ill?

No, I'm fine. Just a stomach ache

Greetings father,

I must report to you sad news

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 congee with egg! - Yes

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

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!

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 eggs worth of rice

You can go. You have kinro-douin tomorrow right? Go to sleep

Right

- Good night - 'Night

I said, "You can go"

Oh, excuse me

Sis...

Please accept this (bankbook)

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 adolescents 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 1.5 cup per person

We have four children

You told me 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 off the black market

Next

Is this it?

The rations were smaller this time

Now, let's eat. Grace.

I'm hungry from kinro-douin

Me too

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

No they're not. We 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?

Those 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 neither does kinro-douin nor does 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 male

Death?

Father...

really died?

It can't be

No... father

How did brother die?

47 regimen of the infantry

was ordered to charge

and they committed gyokusai (to all die fighting)

Gyokusai?

"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

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 more quiet?

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

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 fine at night?

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 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-cchan, Hana, Miki?

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

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

Setsuko, we're going

Charge!

We're safe here

So bright!

It's kind of pretty looking at it from here

It's like the fireworks we saw with grandmother and mother

Whoa! Setsuko look! Amazing isn't it?

- Over there! - Where? I can't see - Come here

- Setsuko look! - So big!

Don't separate with us like that!

It's decided that we go to the shelter with our tonarigumi!

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 exchange that for rice?

Because you are not part of the tonarigumi, 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 maybe get 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

and your mother would probably be happier this way

I won't force you

I got it

Here, please

Alright

Then...

No, it's mother's ring!

No!

Setsuko, stop!

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

Let's have this for dinner tonight

Setsuko, look! White rice!

Setsuko?

You smiled

- I give up! - Stupid brother! - The "Battleship Yamato" is strong!

Delicious!

White rice is good

- It fills the stomach - More please!

- Alright - Me too - Me too

- You still have some left - Oh right

Still haven't finished? Could you please hurry?

Everyone else has long gone to school or kinrou-douin

Umm...

Can you boil white rice tonight?

Setsuko doesn't like kouryan (Manchurian millet)

You mustn't ask for luxuries. Kouryan 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 that rice was bought with mother's ring

What about all the rice you had been eating up until then?

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

Natsu and Hana are off at kinrou-douin

Even little Yuki and Teizo are helping me with the fields with our tonarigumi

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 happen 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

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 sokai 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 congee soon, Setsuko

Ok!

It's dinner, 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 show us off

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?

What 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!

This is the kitchen

This is the entrance

This is the Japanese style room And that's dad'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-cchan went?

- I wonder if they're ok - 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 cannot 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 was no rations this week either

No more rice, no more soybean, and no more kimonos

We need to have you share the burden too

That's fine

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

Am I wrong?

No, you aren't wrong

Setsuko, don't cry

Mother...

Setsuko

Setsuko, open your eyes

Ready? Let me show you something

What is it?

Just come over here and see

Ready?

Wow! Fireflies!

Now we're not alone

Brother, thank you very much (Kansai dialect)

The fireflies... they've died

Setsuko!

What are you doing?

I'm making a grave. A grave of 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, at the bombing

was burned by an incendiary bomb

Japan will win the war

and father will come home

and we'll have a grave made.

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

It must have hurt mother

Please use this (bankbook)

Thank you

I shall go now

You are really leaving?

Yes, a coworker says he can keep me

So sudden

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!

You're terrible

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

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

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

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 just barely have enough rice, salt for five people

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

Devil! You're the devil!

10yen!? 10yen for just this?

If it's too expensive, don't buy it. I wasn't intending on selling 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-cchan

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 musn't have likes and dislikes, whether it be soybean or baby potato

Yeah, but

I have diarrhea

Setsuko, what's wrong? 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

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

Tempura

That sounds nice

and sashimi

and tokoroten

Anything else?

Congee with egg

and...

droplets

Eggs!

What are you doing?

You thief! Get all impudent after all our kindness

- I'm very sorry - Thanks for coming

You must be surprised 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 butt in 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 general 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...

Setsuko is...

You don't have to apologize, Seita-san

I can't have you apologize

I don't have food to provide 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

Bear a grudge on 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 striped mosquito

Does it hurt?

You have to call the doctor and get a shot

Don't say things like mother

Brother

Setsuko, you feeling better?

Is that so! That's great!

I got better after having a droplet!

Droplet?

Dummy! What are you eating!? It's an ohajiki!

Setsuko?

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

Let me give you an okara

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 congee with egg

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

It's a promise. This time for real

What is it?

Showa 20 (1945) August 15

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 kinrodouin, 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-cchan?

If Japan lost, that must mean

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've long sunk and disappeared

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 at?

I haven't decided

But there are no more raids. I will be fine

I suppose

I saw Seita-kun

He was living by the river, all thin

I'm sorry

Why do you apologize?

I acted all moral 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 brother was 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?

Give 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 real quick, okay?

Brother, thank you very much (Kansai dialect)

Just wait

Mother's egg congee 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 congee with egg was almost done

Setsuko...

Setsuko!

Why Setsuko? What am I supposed to do?

Mother...

Seita-kun, Se-cchan!

Seita-kun, Se-cchan!

Setsuko

I'm sorry

I couldn't find the other one

Mother will probably have it

Seita-kun put Se-cchan's little bones into the can of droplets

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-cchan. Now you won't lose it

Thank you!

Delicious!

I...

I don't want to live

because

we killed them, Seita-kun and Se-cchan

We killed them!

Ow!

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 sokai, 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

huh?

This is the first time you spoke about the war

I didn't want to recall

the war nor the events that took place here

Even Seita-kun and Se-cchan 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 that 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.