Seita - Popular Character Encyclopedia

Quotes

Setsuko, go to heaven with the fireflies.
I died.
I wanted to let her lick the drops one more time.
Take care of yourself.
We must live even in times like these.

Trivia

Based on author Akiyuki Nosaka's real experiences.
Theatrical anime film produced and released by Studio Ghibli in 1988.
Anime film was released unfinished, with some scenes in monochrome line drawings.
Live-action film version released in 2008, directed by Tarō Hinatadera.
'Grave of the Fireflies' is depicted in Kansai dialect (close to Osaka dialect).
Ayano Shiraishi, who played Setsuko, was selected at age 5 for her Kansai dialect as a child actress.

Alternate names

Seita Seita Terada Seita Yokokawa Seita

Profile

Species: Human
Gender: Male

Appearance

Overall appearance: A short-haired boy who becomes emaciated from wartime life, showing the harsh appearance of a war orphan.
Height: Around 160cm
Weight: Unknown
Eye color: Brown
Hair color: Black
Distinguishing features: Emaciated appearance

Exhausted look as a war orphan
Iconic items: Sakuma drop candy tin

Air-raid shelter living supplies

Box containing mother's ashes (original novel and anime)

Handcart

Air raid evacuation bag

Personality and abilities

Core personality: Strong sense of responsibility and devoted
Detailed personality: After his mother's death, he strives to survive resiliently while protecting his young sister Setsuko, but suffers from the irrationality of war, society's coldness, and isolation. Possesses strong responsibility and love, but is gradually cornered.
Keywords: Kind

Strong sense of responsibility

Devoted

Earnest

Resilient

Tragic
Motto: To protect his sister and survive until the end
Talents: Protective instinct as an older brother

Wartime labor mobilization work ability

Situational judgment
Skills: Procuring supplies

Emergency survival

Simple cooking

Social interaction (limited)
Motivation: To ensure sister Setsuko survives and live together in a safe place
Habits: Speaks kindly to Setsuko, sometimes becomes expressionless
Favorite foods: Drops, Watermelon (memorable food)
Favorite places: Air-raid shelter, Kobe streets, Riverside
Favorite colors: Red (symbol of death and fireflies)
Disliked situations: Chaos and isolation caused by war, Hunger and malnutrition, Conflict with aunt

History

Backstory: Loses his mother in the 1945 Kobe air raid and leads an evacuation life amid the flames of war with his young sister Setsuko. Life at relative aunt's house becomes strained, leading the siblings to self-reliance in an air-raid shelter, but food shortages and isolation intensify. Setsuko dies from malnutrition, and Seita succumbs to exhaustion at the station.
Debut date: 1967-10
Work title: Grave of the Fireflies
Media type: Novel

Kobe air raid

Significant event: Kobe air raid
Description: Loses mother and home in the June 5 air raid.

Conflict at aunt's house

Significant event: Conflict at aunt's house
Description: Conflicts over food distribution arise during cohabitation with aunt.

Start of air-raid shelter life

Significant event: Start of air-raid shelter life
Description: Leaves aunt's house and begins living in shelter, leading to isolation.

Setsuko's death

Significant event: Setsuko's death
Description: On August 22, 4-year-old sister Setsuko dies from malnutrition.

Seita's death

Significant event: Seita's death
Description: On September 21, dies from malnutrition inside Sannomiya Station.

Relationships

Seita and Setsuko's mother

Mother

Suffered from heart disease and poor health, died from severe burns. Seita hid her death from Setsuko.

Setsuko

Sister

Seita's 4-year-old sister. Spoiled and energetic child who died from malnutrition. Devotedly protected by Seita.

Seita's father

Father

Navy lieutenant commander attached to the Combined Fleet. Stationed in war zone and presumed KIA.

Relative aunt

Guardian

Temporarily shelters Seita and Setsuko, but conflicts arise, leading siblings to leave the house.

Four elementary school students

Visit the cave and mock their impoverished life.

General store owner Matsui Eisaku

Teammate

Gave discounts on living expenses or shared food with Seita.

War orphans

War orphans: unknown

Media appearances

Grave of the Fireflies (Theatrical anime film 1988)

Anime / Protagonist

April 16, 1988

Grave of the Fireflies

Manga / Protagonist

Multiple editions

Grave of the Fireflies (Live-action film 2008)

Movie / Protagonist

July 5, 2008

Grave of the Fireflies (TV drama 2005)

TV drama / Protagonist

November 1, 2005

Voice cast and creators

Tsutomu Tatsumi

Voice actor: Tsutomu Tatsumi
Language: Japanese
Version or series: 1988 theatrical anime version
Notes: Performed at age 14

Ayano Shiraishi

Voice actor: Ayano Shiraishi
Language: Japanese
Version or series: 1988 theatrical anime version
Notes: Performed Setsuko role at age 5

Noritsugu Ishida

Voice actor: Noritsugu Ishida
Language: Japanese
Version or series: 2005 TV drama version

Reirō Yoshitake

Voice actor: Reirō Yoshitake
Language: Japanese
Version or series: 2008 live-action film version

Akiyuki Nosaka

Creator name: Akiyuki Nosaka
Role: Original author

Yoshifumi Kondō

Creator name: Yoshifumi Kondō
Role: Character designer

Isao Takahata

Creator name: Isao Takahata
Role: Writer

Studio Ghibli

Creator name: Studio Ghibli
Role: Animation studio

Shinchōsha

Creator name: Shinchōsha
Role: Publisher

Related goods

Grave of the Fireflies DVD

Item name: Grave of the Fireflies DVD
Category: Digital
Availability: Regular

Grave of the Fireflies Blu-ray

Item name: Grave of the Fireflies Blu-ray
Category: Digital
Availability: Regular

Anime picture book 'Grave of the Fireflies'

Item name: Anime picture book 'Grave of the Fireflies'
Category: Stationery
Availability: Regular

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