<P> However, director Takahata repeatedly denied that the film was an anti-war film . In his own words, "(The film) is not at all an anti-war anime and contains absolutely no such message ." Instead, Takahata had intended to convey an image of the brother and sister living a failed life due to isolation from society and invoke sympathy particularly in people in their teens and twenties . </P> <P> Since the film gives little context to the war, Takahata fears a politician could just as easily claim fighting is needed to avoid such tragedies . In general, he is skeptical depictions of suffering in similar works, such as Barefoot Gen, actually prevent aggression . The director is nevertheless an anti-war advocate and a staunch supporter of Article 9 of the Japanese Constitution who has openly criticized Japan's penchant for conformity, allowing them to be rallied against other nations . He has expressed despair and anxiety whenever the youth are told to fall in line, a reminder that the country at its core has not changed . </P> <P> The film was released on 16 April 1988, over 20 years from the publication of the short story . </P> <P> The initial Japanese theatrical release was accompanied by Hayao Miyazaki's lighthearted My Neighbor Totoro as a double feature . The release was a box office failure . While the two films were marketed toward children and their parents, the starkly tragic nature of Grave of the Fireflies turned away most audiences . However, Totoro merchandise, particularly the stuffed animals of Totoro and Catbus, sold extremely well after the film and made overall profits for the company to the extent that it stabilized subsequent productions of Studio Ghibli . </P>

How old is setsuko in grave of the fireflies