A little jewel of a book, concise, lucid, informative, moving.

The Times

Alex Dudok de Wit provides a valuable service to Japanese animation studies by writing the first book-length analysis in English of Grave of the Fireflies. Let us hope it will pave the way for similar scholarship to follow on other anime films.

Asia Times

For readers to now have access to this detailed, well-written and richly illustrated companion guide to the film is without doubt a boon to both future generations of moviegoers and scholars of animation - thought provoking in all the right ways.

The Japan Society

A thoroughly interesting, enlightening read… Alex Dudok de Wit has done this challenging film a real justice.

Skwigly

Extremely well researched… Insightful.

Sight & Sound

Alex Dudok de Wit's impactful BFI monograph grapples with the Ghibli stunner's intended socio-political message – and whether it has been washed away by audiences' tears. Plus tense tales of missed production deadlines.

Total Film