The Wind Rises

Main Plot

"The Wind Rises," directed by Hayao Miyazaki, follows the life of Jiro Horikoshi, an ambitious young man who dreams of designing beautiful airplanes. Set against the backdrop of early 20th-century Japan, the film chronicles Jiro's journey from his childhood fascination with aviation to his career as an aeronautical engineer. Despite facing numerous challenges, including natural disasters, economic hardship, and the looming threat of war, Jiro remains dedicated to his passion for flight. Along the way, he forms meaningful relationships and experiences profound moments of love and loss. The film explores themes of creativity, perseverance, and the moral complexities of pursuing one's dreams in a turbulent world.

Characters

• Hideaki Anno voices Jiro Horikoshi, the main protagonist, who is an aeronautical engineer designing fighter planes in pre-World War II Japan.
• Hidetoshi Nishijima voices Honjo, Jiro's close friend and fellow engineer, who supports and challenges Jiro throughout his journey in aircraft design.
• Miori Takimoto voices Naoko Satomi, the love interest of Jiro Horikoshi. Her relationship with Jiro adds emotional depth and personal stakes to the story.

Ending Explained

In the concluding scenes of Hayao Miyazaki's "The Wind Rises," Jiro Horikoshi, the protagonist and aeronautical engineer, achieves his dream of designing a beautiful aircraft, the Mitsubishi A5M fighter plane. However, his triumph is bittersweet. The plane, initially a symbol of innovation and beauty, becomes a tool of war, leading to destruction during World War II. Jiro grapples with the moral implications of his creation being used for warfare. Meanwhile, Jiro's personal life is marked by tragedy. His beloved wife, Naoko, who has been battling tuberculosis, leaves their home to go to a sanatorium, hoping to spare Jiro the pain of watching her deteriorate. She eventually succumbs to her illness, leaving Jiro heartbroken. In the final sequence, Jiro envisions a dreamlike encounter with his mentor, Giovanni Caproni, and the spirits of his fallen comrades. Caproni reassures Jiro that despite the devastation, his creations brought beauty into the world. The film ends with Jiro reflecting on his life's work and losses, accepting the duality of his achievements and the costs they incurred.