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Studio Ghibli’s Grave of the Fireflies has long carried a weight unlike anything else in the studio’s catalogue. The anime masterpiece, released in 1988 under the direction of Isao Takahata, offered a sobering lens on World War II through the quiet suffering of two siblings, drifting through a world shattered by conflict.
This film, which is far removed from the fantastical creatures or enchanted forests Ghibli is known for, built its legacy on raw, human truth and, for decades, remained the only major Ghibli work that couldn’t be streamed in its home country.
Grave of the Fireflies Finally Coming Home to Streaming
Grave of the Fireflies’ long absence ends on July 15, when Netflix Japan finally adds the movie to its library. This marks a significant first as no full-length Studio Ghibli film has ever been available for streaming in Japan before. While a handful of Ghibli-related shorts and behind the scenes features found homes on platforms like Disney+ and Amazon Prime, the studio’s core cinematic titles remained locked away.
スタジオジブリによるアニメーション映画『火垂るの墓』
7月15日よりNetflixにて独占配信が決定！1988年の公開以降、国内外から多くの関心を集めてきた不朽の名作が、この夏ついに日本のNetflixへ。
戦災孤児の兄妹が生きた
忘れることができない夏を、もう一度#火垂るの墓 pic.twitter.com/ibiqAb8GsQ— Netflix Japan | ネットフリックス (@NetflixJP) May 14, 2025
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Why Studio Ghibli Films Stayed Offline in Japan?
According to Screenrant, the story behind this digital silence traces back to Nippon TV (NTV), the longtime co-producer of Ghibli films and now the studio’s official owner as of 2023. Their grip on domestic streaming rights kept classics like Spirited Away and Princess Mononoke from reaching Japanese viewers online, even as audiences around the world enjoyed them via Netflix or HBO Max.
However, Grave of the Fireflies stood apart. Though created by Studio Ghibli, it wasn’t released under the same deals. Its distribution rights were managed separately, allowing Netflix to work out a unique agreement that bypassed the broader Ghibli streaming blockade. That difference has turned this release into a possible turning point, not just for one film, but for the entire studio’s digital future in Japan.
The film’s arrival on streaming is not just a licensing milestone; it’s more of a cultural importance. For a generation raised on digital platforms, Grave of the Fireflies will finally be within reach.
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