Why Steven Spielberg Never Adapted the Darkest WW2 Anime

Steven Spielberg’s name is synonymous with cinematic excellence, especially when it comes to stories set during World War II. Among his many acclaimed films, Empire of the Sun stands out as a powerful exploration of war’s impact on the innocent. Yet, despite his deep connection to this era, Spielberg has never tackled a live-action adaptation of one of the most harrowing war stories ever told in animation: Grave of the Fireflies.

Spielberg’s Enduring Fascination with World War II

Few directors have delved into the complexities of the 1940s like Spielberg. His 1987 film Empire of the Sun, based on J. G. Ballard’s semi-autobiographical novel, is a testament to his fascination with the period. Spielberg has openly discussed his lifelong interest in the subject, once saying,

I can honestly say I’ve been making World War II movies all my life. I’ve been stuck in the 1940s for most of my career. The 8-millimeter movies which I made when I was 12 or 13 years old were about that war.

Empire of the Sun was a departure from Spielberg’s usual fare, inspired in part by his own personal experiences. At a press event in 2023, he reflected,

I’d be attracted to subjects like, in Empire of the Sun, of a boy, a war separates the boy from his parents. He spends the entire time in a Japanese internment camp in China. I’m sure, had my parents not gotten a divorce, I’d not have chosen Empire of the Sun as a film to direct.

His interest in the war’s impact on families and children is clear, making his choice of stories all the more meaningful.

The Unmatched Tragedy of Grave of the Fireflies

While many war films focus on battles and heroism, Grave of the Fireflies takes a different approach. Released in 1988 by Studio Ghibli, this animated masterpiece tells the story of two siblings, Seita and Setsuko, struggling to survive in wartime Japan. The film is unflinching in its portrayal of loss, suffering, and the absence of hope. There are no moments of triumph—only the relentless hardships faced by civilians, especially children.

Unlike typical war movies, Grave of the Fireflies offers no comfort or redemption. The deaths depicted are senseless, serving only to deepen the emotional weight of the story. Studio Ghibli’s attention to detail and visual storytelling make Setsuko’s gradual decline all the more heartbreaking. From the outset, viewers know the fate of the main characters, stripping away any illusion of a happy ending. The film’s raw honesty has made it one of the studio’s most celebrated works, despite—or perhaps because of—its devastating narrative.

Comparing Two Unforgettable War Stories

Both Empire of the Sun and Grave of the Fireflies explore the impact of war on the young and vulnerable, but they do so from different perspectives. Empire of the Sun follows a British boy separated from his parents in a Japanese internment camp, while Grave of the Fireflies centers on Japanese siblings left to fend for themselves. Each film is rooted in history and tragedy, yet their tones and outcomes diverge sharply.

Grave of the Fireflies is available to stream on Netflix, while Empire of the Sun can be found on Prime Video. Both films have earned critical acclaim, with Grave of the Fireflies holding a near-perfect rating among audiences and critics alike. The question remains: what would a Spielberg-directed live-action version of this anime look like? Would his signature style soften the blow, or would he embrace the story’s unyielding darkness?