Fireflies surround the siblings and their story begins. "September 21, 1945. That was the day I died," Seita says in a haunting narration. Isao Takahata: Grave of the Fireflies director dies at 82 ...

Critics at the time warned audiences that “Grave of the Fireflies,” directed by Isao ... of war-displaced siblings--a boy and his younger sister--who strive to survive in the western Japan ...