Japanese Drama - Hotaru no Haka

* Title: 火垂るの墓
* Title (romaji): Hotaru no Haka
* Also known as: Grave of the Fireflies
* Format: Tanpatsu
* Genre: History
* Viewership ratings: 21.2%
* Broadcast network: NTV
* Broadcast period: 2005-Nov-01
* Air time: 21:00~23:54
* Theme song: Umarekuru Kodomotachi no Tame ni by Bank Band

Synopsis

This made-for-TV movie is a sobering tale of how war can bring out the worst in people. The writers added depth to the original Isao Takahata anime which mainly focused on the relationship between a teenage boy and his young sister left orphan during wartorn Japan and forced to find sustenance on their own.

The 2005 version focuses on the growing divide between the teenage boy and the family friend (played by Matsushima Nanako) who initially takes them in after their mother is killed during an air raid. As rice rations grow scarce, the kindly housewife soon turns cold as she has to choose between feeding her sick son or the two orphans.

The movie is in commemoration of the 60 year anniversary of the end of WWII, and at times, is remniscent of a CBS afterschool special. As if the antiwar message isn't already clear, at the end of this recent version, two of the main characters reiterate the tragedies of war. "Yes my daughter, war is bad. Look at what it has done to these poor kids."

Well casting, particularly of the little girl, makes the story enjoyable, but viewers might still prefer the original. Still, recent version was one of the highest rated programs of the year.

Cast

* Matsushima Nanako as Sawano Hisako
* Ishida Hoshi as Yokokawa Seita
* Sasaki Mao as Yokokawa Setsuko
* Ihara Tsuyoshi as Sawano Genzo
* Inoue Mao as Sawano Natsu
* Kaname Jun as Sawano Yoshie
* Fukuda Mayuko as Sawano Hana
* Iihara Narumi (飯原成美) as Sawano Yuki
* Horie Shota (堀江晶太) as Sawano Teizo
* Namase Katsuhisa as Yoshioka Toshiyuki
* Orimoto Junkichi as town council chairman Obayashi
* Takamatsu Hideo as the rice shop man
* Fuwa Mansaku as the farmer
* Okamoto Rei as Matsui Motoko
* Danta Yasunori as Matsui Eisaku
* Sawamura Ikki as Yokokawa Kiyoshi
* Natsukawa Yui as Yokokawa Kyoko
* Kishi Keiko as Mitsumura Natsu
* Kubo Akira

Production Credits

* Original writing: Akiyuki Nosaka
* Screenwriter: Inoue Yumiko
* Producer: Murase Ken (村瀬健)
* Director: Sato Toya
* Music: Sawada Kan

Tag : Japanese Drama, Japanese Television Show, JDrama, JDorama, J-Drama, Korean Drama, KDrama Episodes, Korean Shows, JDrama, and Japanese Movies, Korean Drama, Koream Movie, K-Drama, TV Series,