Seita

Seita is a masculine given name in Japan. The meaning of the name varies with the kanji characters used, and multiple spellings are possible. Beyond its use as a personal name, Seita is best known internationally as the name of the central character in the Studio Ghibli animated film Grave of the Fireflies.

Grave of the Fireflies is a 1988 film directed by Isao Takahata and produced by Studio Ghibli, based on a semi-autobiographical novella by Akiyuki Nosaka. The story follows Seita and his younger sister Setsuko as they struggle to survive in Japan during the final months of World War II after losing their mother in an air raid. Set in Kobe and the surrounding areas, the film portrays the civilian experience of bombing, scarcity, evacuation, and social neglect. It is acclaimed for its emotional intensity, realistic portrayal of wartime hardship, and its anti-war message, and is considered a landmark work in the history of animation.

In broader usage, Seita is recognized as a given name in Japan and appears in various works of fiction and media. While the most prominent reference in popular culture is the film’s protagonist, the name can be found in different Japanese contexts, reflecting its place within contemporary naming practices.