“Grave of the Fireflies” relies much on bright and meaningful vocabulary.

Bioluminescent and nocturnal, the fireflies stand for the fleeting quality of delight of any kind
provided by the given circumstances, and Setsuko’s light-footed descent from childhood. Their
mixture of beauty and cruel expectation encompasses the loss of her childhood admiration and
amazement for the reality she comes to face, in the sharpest possible contrast to it. The empty
cans initially hidden and found later recall the sweet treats of the poorer families, now valuable
only in their absence, and the dream of a secure onward future that had no chance to be fulfilled.
The title of the movie may allude to the way that bombs and/or fires during conflicts can
resemble fireflies at night. Regarding the "grave" portion, this could also allude to the
protagonist's demise. This acts as a constant reminder of the destruction caused by war, with only
ashes remaining as a metaphor for the hopes and dreams of the characters destroyed by the
effects of combat.

Moreover, in Upuan by Gloc 9, the word “upuan” symbolizes social realities apart from
the term significance. The upuan, or the nonappearance of one, can be recognized by its own
sense of the lack of control of poverty. A “upuan”, a fundamental necessity in most cultures, is
currently an overly extravagant commodity as you cannot afford it, demonstrating the
protagonists lack of financial safety that can’t be controlled due to corruption. Moreover, the
upuan might signify a desire for protection and fellowship because the protagonist’s living and
isolation are in sharp opposition to the characters’ attitudes. However, this might be understood
in a harsh context. A upuan, is a ‘seat’ of command when one talks about its literal significance.
Therefore, the song’s words may be understood as a call to the actions of such individuals.

By dissecting these symbolic components, we can observe that themes of hardship and loss are
present in both pieces. But their symbolic language has different focus. The song "Upuan"
highlights the limitations and social constraints imposed by corruption, whereas "Grave of the
Fireflies" uses symbolic scope to illustrate the terrible consequences that war takes on human
lives, erasing innocence and leaving only death and despair in its wake.