Hotaru no Haka  (Ghibli)

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This poster for Grave of the Fireflies (Hotaru no Haka) was designed by Yoshifumi Kondō, based on his original character designs for the film. Released on April 16th, 1988, the hand-drawn poster captures the emotional depth of the story through subtle visual storytelling. At first glance, the siblings Seita and Setsuko appear to be joyfully surrounded by fireflies—but hidden among the glowing lights are incendiary bombs, symbolizing the film’s tragic contrast between innocence and wartime destruction.

The use of a soft, golden color palette evokes warmth and nostalgia, while the dark background foreshadows loss. The composition places the children low in the frame, surrounded by vast darkness, emphasizing their vulnerability. The vertical Japanese title typography, rendered in bold white sans-serif, adds a quiet dignity and traditional touch, allowing the imagery to remain central. Smaller credits are arranged vertically, in keeping with Japanese print conventions.

The poster reflects the minimalist elegance of traditional Japanese design while employing modern cinematic composition. It’s a powerful example of late-1980s Japanese graphic design that merges illustration, narrative symbolism, and type to convey atmosphere and emotional weight—without a single word of explanation.

Hotaru no Haka  (Ghibli)
Source: online