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Grave of the Fireflies (1988)
Grave of the Fireflies (1988) poster
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4.5

Grave of the Fireflies (1988)

火垂るの墓

Animation, Drama, War • 1h 33m

Overview

In the final months of World War II, 14-year-old Seita and his sister Setsuko are orphaned when their mother is killed during an air raid in Kobe, Japan. After a falling out with their aunt, they move into an abandoned bomb shelter. With no surviving relatives and their emergency rations depleted, Seita and Setsuko struggle to survive.

Director: Isao Takahata

Best English-Friendly Release

2025 US GKIDS Blu-ray

Best Video Release

2015 Japan Isao Takahata boxset Studio Ghibli Blu-ray

Best Audio Release

Japanese audio: 2015 Japan Isao Takahata boxset Studio Ghibli Blu-ray

English (1998 dub): 1998 US VHS

English (2012 dub): 2012 US Sentai Filmworks Blu-ray/2025 US GKIDS Blu-ray

English (2025 dub): Netflix Streaming

Format

1080p Blu-ray

TSPDT

2026: #472
2025: #462
2024: #467
2023: #458
2022: #458

External Links

Length

93 mins

Type

Movie

Last Updated

4 months ago
Best English-Friendly Release

2025 US GKIDS Blu-ray

Best Video Release

2015 Japan Isao Takahata boxset Studio Ghibli Blu-ray

Best Audio Release

Japanese audio: 2015 Japan Isao Takahata boxset Studio Ghibli Blu-ray

English (1998 dub): 1998 US VHS

English (2012 dub): 2012 US Sentai Filmworks Blu-ray/2025 US GKIDS Blu-ray

English (2025 dub): Netflix Streaming

Format
1080p Blu-ray
Featured Lists
TSPDT
2026: #472
2025: #462
2024: #467
2023: #458
2022: #458
Length
93 mins
Type
Movie
Last Updated
4 months ago
Contributors

Featured in Sight and Sound’s Greatest Films

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UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Criterion 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

Criterion 4K Blu-ray > Capelight/Kino Lorber which has heavy noise reduction and opening snare hit is missing, Capelight is slightly better encoded than Kino Lorber

Best Audio:

1992 MGM LaserDisc [ML102699], but still a bit overly noise-managed.

1984 CBS/Fox Hi-Fi VHS maybe better?

Best English-Friendly:

Criterion 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

Criterion 4K Blu-ray > Capelight/Kino Lorber which has heavy noise reduction and opening snare hit is missing, Capelight is slightly better encoded than Kino Lorber

Best Audio:

1992 MGM LaserDisc [ML102699], but still a bit overly noise-managed.

1984 CBS/Fox Hi-Fi VHS maybe better?

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UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

WB 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

WB 4K Blu-ray

Best Audio:

1991 MGM LaserDisc

Best English-Friendly:

WB 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

WB 4K Blu-ray

Best Audio:

1991 MGM LaserDisc

The Shining poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

US Cut: WB 4K Blu-ray

International Cut: Old 2007 Europe Blu-ray

Upcoming Release:

Criterion Box Set

Best Video:

US Cut: WB 4K Blu-ray

International Cut: Old 2007 Europe Blu-ray

Best Audio:

1999 WB DVD

Additional Info:

No Blu-ray or DVD release has presented the movie in its original theatrical aspect ratio of 1.85:1 for the US cut or 1.66:1 for the International cut.

The packaging on the back of the 4K Blu-ray incorrectly states it as 1.85:1 when the movie is actually 1.78:1 as is the original Blu-ray

Best English-Friendly:

US Cut: WB 4K Blu-ray

International Cut: Old 2007 Europe Blu-ray

Upcoming Release:

Criterion Box Set

Best Video:

US Cut: WB 4K Blu-ray

International Cut: Old 2007 Europe Blu-ray

Best Audio:

1999 WB DVD

Additional Info:

No Blu-ray or DVD release has presented the movie in its original theatrical aspect ratio of 1.85:1 for the US cut or 1.66:1 for the International cut.

The packaging on the back of the 4K Blu-ray incorrectly states it as 1.85:1 when the movie is actually 1.78:1 as is the original Blu-ray

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UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Final Cut: WB 4K Blu-ray (Caveat: No Dolby Vision from Streaming)

Other Cuts: WB Blu-ray

Workprint: WB 30th Anniversary Blu-ray Set for a better AVC encode

Best Video:

Final Cut: WB 4K Blu-ray (Caveat: No Dolby Vision from Streaming)

Other Cuts: WB Blu-ray

Workprint: WB 30th Anniversary Blu-ray Set for a better AVC encode

Best Audio:

1982 Theatrical Mix: Embassy Video releases, HD-DVD for the 70mm 6-track mix

International Cut Dolby Stereo: Criterion Collection LaserDisc, HD-DVD for the 70mm 6-track mix

1992 Director's Cut Dolby Stereo: WB CAV LaserDisc 2.0 PCM-best fidelity of any mix, HD-DVD for the 70mm 6-track mix

Workprint: WB 30th Anniversary Blu-ray Set DTS-HD MA 5.1

2007 Final Cut remix: Blu-ray Dolby TrueHD 5.1

Additional Info:

WB 4K Blu-ray only has Final Cut and contains a bad Atmos remix with new sound effects. Original Final Cut mix was removed.

Blade Runner poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Final Cut: WB 4K Blu-ray (Caveat: No Dolby Vision from Streaming)

Other Cuts: WB Blu-ray

Workprint: WB 30th Anniversary Blu-ray Set for a better AVC encode

Best Video:

Final Cut: WB 4K Blu-ray (Caveat: No Dolby Vision from Streaming)

Other Cuts: WB Blu-ray

Workprint: WB 30th Anniversary Blu-ray Set for a better AVC encode

Best Audio:

1982 Theatrical Mix: Embassy Video releases, HD-DVD for the 70mm 6-track mix

International Cut Dolby Stereo: Criterion Collection LaserDisc, HD-DVD for the 70mm 6-track mix

1992 Director's Cut Dolby Stereo: WB CAV LaserDisc 2.0 PCM-best fidelity of any mix, HD-DVD for the 70mm 6-track mix

Workprint: WB 30th Anniversary Blu-ray Set DTS-HD MA 5.1

2007 Final Cut remix: Blu-ray Dolby TrueHD 5.1

Additional Info:

WB 4K Blu-ray only has Final Cut and contains a bad Atmos remix with new sound effects. Original Final Cut mix was removed.

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1080p Blu-ray
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Radiance Blu-ray

Best Video:

Radiance Blu-ray

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Radiance Blu-ray

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Radiance Blu-ray

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UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

BFI 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

BFI 4K Blu-ray

Best Audio:

1993 Japan LaserDisc

Best English-Friendly:

BFI 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

BFI 4K Blu-ray

Best Audio:

1993 Japan LaserDisc

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UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Warner Archive 4K Blu-ray

Best Audio:

1988/1990 WB Hi-Fi VHS, crystal clear, albeit with some distortion in louder areas

The 4K Blu-ray reuses the same poor mastering used on the 2006 WB Blu-ray, only with a completely unnecessary bass cut and extra noise reduction.

Additional Info:

Even putting resolution aside, the Warner Archive 4K Blu-ray has the best video. The old Blu-ray master and earlier DVD both had massive issues with colour.

That said, picture on the 4K Blu-ray isn't perfect, with strange posterized magenta glints and some instances of DNRhttps://bsky.app/profile/dagscott.bsky.social/post/3leahavqi7k2l

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UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Warner Archive 4K Blu-ray

Best Audio:

1988/1990 WB Hi-Fi VHS, crystal clear, albeit with some distortion in louder areas

The 4K Blu-ray reuses the same poor mastering used on the 2006 WB Blu-ray, only with a completely unnecessary bass cut and extra noise reduction.

Additional Info:

Even putting resolution aside, the Warner Archive 4K Blu-ray has the best video. The old Blu-ray master and earlier DVD both had massive issues with colour.

That said, picture on the 4K Blu-ray isn't perfect, with strange posterized magenta glints and some instances of DNRhttps://bsky.app/profile/dagscott.bsky.social/post/3leahavqi7k2l

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1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Criterion Blu-ray

Best Video:

Kadokawa Blu-ray is new 4K restoration

Best Audio:

1991 Daiei LaserDisc

Best English-Friendly:

Criterion Blu-ray

Best Video:

Kadokawa Blu-ray is new 4K restoration

Best Audio:

1991 Daiei LaserDisc

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UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Criterion 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

Criterion 4K Blu-ray

Best English-Friendly:

Criterion 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

Criterion 4K Blu-ray

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UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Curzon 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

Curzon 4K Blu-ray see caps

Additional Info:

For BD:

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UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Curzon 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

Curzon 4K Blu-ray see caps

Additional Info:

For BD:

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US OOP Discotek Blu-ray

Best Video:

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Runner-up: Japan Studio Ghibli "The Collected Works of Isao Takahata" Blu-ray Box Set

Best English-Friendly:

US OOP Discotek Blu-ray

Best Video:

4K restoration semi-regularly airing on Toei Channel in Japan

Runner-up: Japan Studio Ghibli "The Collected Works of Isao Takahata" Blu-ray Box Set

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1080p Blu-ray
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2018 US GKIDS Blu-ray

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2018 US GKIDS Blu-ray

Best Audio:

2018 US GKIDS Blu-ray

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2018 US GKIDS Blu-ray

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2018 US GKIDS Blu-ray

Best Audio:

2018 US GKIDS Blu-ray

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1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

2018 US GKIDS Blu-ray

Best Video:

2013 Japan Studio Ghibli Blu-ray

Best Audio:

2013 Japan Studio Ghibli Blu-ray

Pom Poko poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

2018 US GKIDS Blu-ray

Best Video:

2013 Japan Studio Ghibli Blu-ray

Best Audio:

2013 Japan Studio Ghibli Blu-ray

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1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

2022 US GKIDS Blu-ray

Best Video:

2015 Japan "Isao Takahata Collection" Studio Ghibli Blu-ray

Best Audio:

Japanese audio: 2015 Japan "Isao Takahata Collection" Studio Ghibli Blu-ray

English audio: 2022 US GKIDS Blu-ray

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1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

2022 US GKIDS Blu-ray

Best Video:

2015 Japan "Isao Takahata Collection" Studio Ghibli Blu-ray

Best Audio:

Japanese audio: 2015 Japan "Isao Takahata Collection" Studio Ghibli Blu-ray

English audio: 2022 US GKIDS Blu-ray

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UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

US GKIDS Blu-ray

Best Audio:

US GKIDS Blu-ray for both original French audio and English dub

Best English-Friendly:

US GKIDS Blu-ray

Best Audio:

US GKIDS Blu-ray for both original French audio and English dub

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UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

US GKIDS Blu-ray

Best Video:

Japan King Records 4K Blu-ray

Best Audio:

Japan King Records 4K Blu-ray / US GKIDS Blu-ray

US GKIDS Blu-ray for the Amazon English dub

US OOP Funimation Blu-ray for the older Funimation English dub

Additional Info:

Japan King Records 4K Blu-ray is an upscale, but has less compression artifacts, it also includes the theatrical cut (:2.0) on standard Blu-ray as a bonus.

Best English-Friendly:

US GKIDS Blu-ray

Best Video:

Japan King Records 4K Blu-ray

Best Audio:

Japan King Records 4K Blu-ray / US GKIDS Blu-ray

US GKIDS Blu-ray for the Amazon English dub

US OOP Funimation Blu-ray for the older Funimation English dub

Additional Info:

Japan King Records 4K Blu-ray is an upscale, but has less compression artifacts, it also includes the theatrical cut (:2.0) on standard Blu-ray as a bonus.

Evangelion: 1.0 You Are (Not) Alone poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

US GKIDS Blu-ray

Best Video:

Japan King Records 4K Blu-ray

Best Audio:

Japan King Records 4K Blu-ray / US GKIDS Blu-ray

US GKIDS Blu-ray for the Amazon English dub

US OOP Funimation Blu-ray for the older Funimation English dub

Additional Info:

Japan King Records 4K Blu-ray is an upscale, but has less compression artifacts, it also includes the theatrical cut (:1.0) and the DVD cut (:1.01) on standard Blu-ray as bonuses.

Best English-Friendly:

US GKIDS Blu-ray

Best Video:

Japan King Records 4K Blu-ray

Best Audio:

Japan King Records 4K Blu-ray / US GKIDS Blu-ray

US GKIDS Blu-ray for the Amazon English dub

US OOP Funimation Blu-ray for the older Funimation English dub

Additional Info:

Japan King Records 4K Blu-ray is an upscale, but has less compression artifacts, it also includes the theatrical cut (:1.0) and the DVD cut (:1.01) on standard Blu-ray as bonuses.

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UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

US GKIDS 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

US GKIDS/Japan Toho 4K Blu-ray

(US GKIDS 4K Blu-ray has a higher bitrate than the Japan Toho 4K Blu-ray, but improvements are minimal, if visible.)

Best Audio:

US GKIDS 4K Blu-ray

Caveat: Songs are only in Japanese, even with the English dub selected.

JP Toho 4K Blu-ray for the alternate Japanese audio with English songs, and US OOP Funimation Blu-ray for the English dub with English songs

Additional Info:

Most international releases have a green tint. Only the Japan Toho and US GKIDS releases have no such issues.

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UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

US GKIDS 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

US GKIDS/Japan Toho 4K Blu-ray

(US GKIDS 4K Blu-ray has a higher bitrate than the Japan Toho 4K Blu-ray, but improvements are minimal, if visible.)

Best Audio:

US GKIDS 4K Blu-ray

Caveat: Songs are only in Japanese, even with the English dub selected.

JP Toho 4K Blu-ray for the alternate Japanese audio with English songs, and US OOP Funimation Blu-ray for the English dub with English songs

Additional Info:

Most international releases have a green tint. Only the Japan Toho and US GKIDS releases have no such issues.

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UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

US GKIDS/UK Anime, Ltd. 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

US GKIDS/UK Anime, Ltd. 4K Blu-ray

Best Audio:

US GKIDS/UK Anime, Ltd. 4K Blu-ray for both the original Japanese and the Amazon English dub

Additional Info:

US GKIDS/UK Anime, Ltd. 4K Blu-ray has higher bitrate and better encoding than the Japan King Records 4K Blu-rayJapan King Records 4K Blu-ray on the box set has inferior encoding, but includes the theatrical (:3.0+1.0) and streaming (:3.0+1.01) cuts on standard Blu-ray as bonuses.

Best English-Friendly:

US GKIDS/UK Anime, Ltd. 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

US GKIDS/UK Anime, Ltd. 4K Blu-ray

Best Audio:

US GKIDS/UK Anime, Ltd. 4K Blu-ray for both the original Japanese and the Amazon English dub

Additional Info:

US GKIDS/UK Anime, Ltd. 4K Blu-ray has higher bitrate and better encoding than the Japan King Records 4K Blu-rayJapan King Records 4K Blu-ray on the box set has inferior encoding, but includes the theatrical (:3.0+1.0) and streaming (:3.0+1.01) cuts on standard Blu-ray as bonuses.

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1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Sony Blu-ray

Best Video:

Sony Blu-ray
GKIDS 4K Blu-ray is a sharpened upscale. Caps

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1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Sony Blu-ray

Best Video:

Sony Blu-ray
GKIDS 4K Blu-ray is a sharpened upscale. Caps

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1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

US GKIDS/UK Anime, Ltd. Blu-ray

Best Video:

US GKIDS/UK Anime, Ltd. Blu-ray

Best Audio:

Japan King Records Blu-ray has "Fly Me to the Moon" song intact.

The Collector's Edition US GKIDS/UK Anime, Ltd. Blu-ray has both Manga and Netflix English dubs.

US OOP Anchor Bay DVD/VHS has "Fly Me to the Moon" song intact and the original Dolby Stereo mix for the Manga English dub.

Additional Info:

Japan Blu-ray has the theatrical cut "Death & Rebirth"

Japan Archives of Evangelion DVD has the TV cut "Death (true) & Rebirth"

Best English-Friendly:

US GKIDS/UK Anime, Ltd. Blu-ray

Best Video:

US GKIDS/UK Anime, Ltd. Blu-ray

Best Audio:

Japan King Records Blu-ray has "Fly Me to the Moon" song intact.

The Collector's Edition US GKIDS/UK Anime, Ltd. Blu-ray has both Manga and Netflix English dubs.

US OOP Anchor Bay DVD/VHS has "Fly Me to the Moon" song intact and the original Dolby Stereo mix for the Manga English dub.

Additional Info:

Japan Blu-ray has the theatrical cut "Death & Rebirth"

Japan Archives of Evangelion DVD has the TV cut "Death (true) & Rebirth"

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1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Majority of the episodes: US GKIDS/UK Anime, Ltd. Blu-ray

Episode 16: US ADV Perfect Collection DVD Box Set

Original broadcast versions of E21-24: US ADV Platinum Edition DVD Box Set

Best Video:

Majority of the episodes: US GKIDS/UK Anime, Ltd. Blu-ray

Episode 16: Japan 1999 DVD for the original LaserDisc/VHS master (all "remastered" releases including the Blu-rays use a low quality 35mm internegative as it's main source after the original 16mm negatives became lost. Comparison)
Original broadcast versions of E21-24: Japan King Records Blu-ray Comparison of both cuts for each episode

US ADV Perfect Collection DVD Box Set uses the same master as the Japan 1999 DVD, but it's at a lower bitrate and slightly altered colour grading

Best Audio:

Japan King Records Blu-ray has "Fly Me to the Moon" song intact

The Collector's Edition US GKIDS/UK Anime, Ltd. Blu-ray has both Netflix and ADV English dubs

US OOP ADV DVD/VHS releases have "Fly Me to the Moon" song intact

Best English-Friendly:

Majority of the episodes: US GKIDS/UK Anime, Ltd. Blu-ray

Episode 16: US ADV Perfect Collection DVD Box Set

Original broadcast versions of E21-24: US ADV Platinum Edition DVD Box Set

Best Video:

Majority of the episodes: US GKIDS/UK Anime, Ltd. Blu-ray

Episode 16: Japan 1999 DVD for the original LaserDisc/VHS master (all "remastered" releases including the Blu-rays use a low quality 35mm internegative as it's main source after the original 16mm negatives became lost. Comparison)
Original broadcast versions of E21-24: Japan King Records Blu-ray Comparison of both cuts for each episode

US ADV Perfect Collection DVD Box Set uses the same master as the Japan 1999 DVD, but it's at a lower bitrate and slightly altered colour grading

Best Audio:

Japan King Records Blu-ray has "Fly Me to the Moon" song intact

The Collector's Edition US GKIDS/UK Anime, Ltd. Blu-ray has both Netflix and ADV English dubs

US OOP ADV DVD/VHS releases have "Fly Me to the Moon" song intact

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1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Japan Disney 4K Blu-ray for the original Japanese audio with the best English subtitle translation

US Funimation Blu-ray for the Bandai dub
Manga Entertainment UK Blu-ray for the Manga Entertainment dub

Upcoming Release:

4K remastered US theatrical re-release in 2024 courtesy of GKIDS with either the Japanese audio with Disney's English subtitles or the English dub by Bandai

Not yet confirmed for a US home video release

Best Video:

Italy Dynit Blu-ray

Best Audio:

Japan "4K Remastered" Disney Blu-ray has the original 6.1 mix

Japan Disney 4K Blu-ray for the DTS:X remix

Funimation US Blu-ray for the Bandai dub

Manga Entertainment UK Blu-ray for the Manga Entertainment dub

Additional Info:

Italy Dynit Blu-ray has the best picture quality but has no English subtitles or original theatrical 6.1 mix.

All "4K Remastered" and 4K Blu-ray releases (including from Disney) are taken from a 35mm filmout rather than the original digital source, and then heavily DNR'd, destroying original detail and making lines smearier than before. The Japan Disney 4K Blu-ray is the least bad presentation of the 4K remaster, being encoded with a very healthy bitrate and HDR10+ metadata, and with a top-notch DTS:X remix, with the original 6.1 mix included on the pack-in "4K Remastered" Blu-ray.

The film has multiple English subtitle translations, and the Disney subtitles done by Linda Hoaglund and Judith Aley with Aura are often seen as the best translation, with these subtitles present on the Japan Disney 4K Blu-ray, making this the definitive option for viewers who want to watch the film in Japanese with English subtitles.

Best English-Friendly:

Japan Disney 4K Blu-ray for the original Japanese audio with the best English subtitle translation

US Funimation Blu-ray for the Bandai dub
Manga Entertainment UK Blu-ray for the Manga Entertainment dub

Upcoming Release:

4K remastered US theatrical re-release in 2024 courtesy of GKIDS with either the Japanese audio with Disney's English subtitles or the English dub by Bandai

Not yet confirmed for a US home video release

Best Video:

Italy Dynit Blu-ray

Best Audio:

Japan "4K Remastered" Disney Blu-ray has the original 6.1 mix

Japan Disney 4K Blu-ray for the DTS:X remix

Funimation US Blu-ray for the Bandai dub

Manga Entertainment UK Blu-ray for the Manga Entertainment dub

Additional Info:

Italy Dynit Blu-ray has the best picture quality but has no English subtitles or original theatrical 6.1 mix.

All "4K Remastered" and 4K Blu-ray releases (including from Disney) are taken from a 35mm filmout rather than the original digital source, and then heavily DNR'd, destroying original detail and making lines smearier than before. The Japan Disney 4K Blu-ray is the least bad presentation of the 4K remaster, being encoded with a very healthy bitrate and HDR10+ metadata, and with a top-notch DTS:X remix, with the original 6.1 mix included on the pack-in "4K Remastered" Blu-ray.

The film has multiple English subtitle translations, and the Disney subtitles done by Linda Hoaglund and Judith Aley with Aura are often seen as the best translation, with these subtitles present on the Japan Disney 4K Blu-ray, making this the definitive option for viewers who want to watch the film in Japanese with English subtitles.

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Grave of the Fireflies (1988) backdrop