Setsuko

4-year-old little sister

Seita's 4-year-old little sister. After her mother's death, she struggles to survive harsh wartime conditions with her brother but weakens from malnutrition and passes away.

Quotes

  • I want to lick drops one more time
  • Go to heaven with the fireflies

Trivia

  • Ayano Shiraishi, who voiced Setsuko, was 5 years old at recording and handled the difficult role with many lines.
  • The work is depicted in detail based on research into the actual Great Kobe Air Raid and wartime scenery.
  • Setsuko initially unaware of her mother's death, but later informed by her aunt.
  • The scene of placing Setsuko's ashes in the drops can is iconic.
  • Director Isao Takahata described this work as 'not an anti-war film, but a double suicide story.'

Alternate names

せつこ セツコ Setsuko

Tags

Grave of the Fireflies war siblings malnutrition war orphan poverty anime film Kinki dialect girl sibling love

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Profile

Species
Human
Gender
Female

Appearance

Overall appearance
A 4-year-old young girl. Features a slightly rounded, flushed face. Gradually weakens from malnutrition, showing a wretched appearance with lice in her hair and such.
Eye color
Brown
Hair color
Black
Distinguishing features
  • Increasingly thinning body
  • Glassy eyes
  • Heat rash and scabies
  • Lice infestation
Iconic items
  • Sakuma drops can
  • Mama doll
  • Kimono
  • Geta

Personality and abilities

Core personality
Innocent
Detailed personality
Childlike and innocent, with a straightforward personality. Cherishes her mother's words and memories, acts spoiled toward her brother Seita, and sometimes throws tantrums. In the harsh wartime environment, she eventually weakens and her speech becomes delirious, but her trust and dependence on her brother remain strong.
Keywords
  • Innocent
  • Pure
  • Weakness
  • Spoiled
  • War orphan
Talents
  • Doll play
  • Sensitivity
Motivation
To survive together with her brother
Habits
Likes licking drops
Favorite foods
Drops, Watermelon, Rice gruel
Hobbies
Doll play, Watching fireflies
Favorite places
Air-raid shelter, Mother's house
Disliked situations
Air raids, Hunger, Being separated from family
Disliked foods
Lack of satisfying meals

History

Backstory
Seita's 4-year-old sister living in Kobe during wartime. Loses her home in the Great Kobe Air Raid and her mother. While her mother's death is concealed by her brother, they live together at relatives' house in Nishinomiya amid harsh conditions, but due to poor relations with her aunt, they leave and begin living in an air-raid shelter. Gradually weakens from material shortages and malnutrition, ultimately passing away on August 22, 1945. After death, cremated by her brother, with ashes placed in the drops can.
Debut date
1967-10
Work title
Grave of the Fireflies
Media type
Manga

Great Kobe Air Raid

Significant event
Great Kobe Air Raid
Description
The air raid that took her home and mother, triggering the start of her harsh life in the midst of war.

Conflict at relatives' house

Significant event
Conflict at relatives' house
Description
Clashes with her aunt and worsening living conditions leading to the decision to leave.

Start of air-raid shelter life

Significant event
Start of air-raid shelter life
Description
Living independently with her brother, suffering from hunger and illness.

Death

Significant event
Death
Description
Died on August 22, 1945, from weakening due to malnutrition.

Relationships

Seita Terada

Sibling

Older brother. Dotes on Setsuko and cares for her, but gradually tormented by the weight of responsibility amid life's hardships.

Seita and Setsuko's mother

Mother

Died early; Setsuko has few direct memories. Her death was kept hidden from Setsuko.

Seita and Setsuko's father

Father

Navy lieutenant. Deployed for war and missing until the end of the war.

Media appearances

Grave of the Fireflies

Anime / Protagonist

Released April 16, 1988

Grave of the Fireflies (TV drama version)

Drama / Protagonist

Aired November 1, 2005

Grave of the Fireflies (live-action film version)

Movie / Protagonist

Released July 5, 2008

Grave of the Fireflies manga adaptation

Manga

Voice cast and creators

Ayano Shiraishi

Voice actor
Ayano Shiraishi
Language
Japanese
Version or series
Theatrical anime
Notes
Setsuko role, recorded at age 5, Kansai dialect

Ayana Hatakeyama

Voice actor
Ayana Hatakeyama
Language
Japanese
Version or series
Live-action film

Akiyuki Nosaka

Creator name
Akiyuki Nosaka
Role
Original author

Yoshifumi Kondo

Creator name
Yoshifumi Kondo
Role
Character designer

Isao Takahata

Creator name
Isao Takahata
Role
Writer

Studio Ghibli

Creator name
Studio Ghibli
Role
Animation studio

Shinchosha

Creator name
Shinchosha
Role
Publisher

Tokuma Shoten

Creator name
Tokuma Shoten
Role
Licensee

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

Grave of the Fireflies anime picture book

Item name
Grave of the Fireflies anime picture book
Category
Stationery
Availability
Regular

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