The Wind Rises

Main Plot

The Wind Rises follows the life of Jiro Horikoshi, a young boy who dreams of becoming an aircraft designer. Set in early 20th-century Japan, the film chronicles Jiro's journey as he pursues his passion for aviation, despite facing numerous challenges, including health issues and the realities of war. As he grows older, Jiro becomes involved in the design and construction of fighter planes during World War II. Along the way, he encounters various influences, including his admiration for Italian aircraft designer Giovanni Battista Caproni and his love for a woman named Nahoko, who struggles with her own health problems. The film beautifully intertwines Jiro's dreams and aspirations with the harsh realities of life, exploring themes of creativity, love, and the impact of war on innovation. Ultimately, it is a poignant reflection on the pursuit of dreams amidst adversity.

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 ending of The Wind Rises, Jiro, the protagonist, reflects on his life and the choices he has made as an aircraft designer. The film culminates in a poignant sequence where Jiro's dreams of creating beautiful airplanes clash with the harsh realities of war. After the death of his beloved Nahoko, who has been battling tuberculosis, Jiro is left with a profound sense of loss and longing. As he completes his final aircraft design, the narrative emphasizes the duality of his creations: they are both works of art and instruments of destruction. The film's closing scenes depict Jiro's realization that while he has achieved his dream, it comes at a significant personal and moral cost. He acknowledges the beauty of flight but is haunted by the implications of his work being used in warfare. Ultimately, the ending reinforces the theme of pursuing one's dreams while grappling with the consequences of those dreams. Jiro's journey concludes with a bittersweet acceptance of his life's complexities, symbolizing the struggle between artistic aspiration and the ethical dilemmas that accompany it. The film leaves viewers contemplating the intersection of creativity and responsibility in a world marked by conflict.