Doing these reviews has introduced me to some incredible films. Films like the 2013 historical drama, The Wind Rises. Once again Ghibli proves they are master story tellers.

Written and directed by Hayao Miyazaki, The film is a fictionalized biography of Jiro Horikoshi, designer of the Mitsubishi A5M fighter aircraft – as well as its successor, the Mitsubishi A6M Zero. Both were used by the Empire of Japan during World War II. 

Starting in 1916, a young Jiro dreams of becoming a pilot, but due to less than perfect vision, that dream will never become a reality. But, after meeting Aerospace engineer Giovanni Battista Caproni, he decides to design them instead. He’s later employed by aircraft manufacturer Mitsubishi and though his first designs are less than stellar, he keeps going. He was later promoted to chief designer for a fighter plane competition sponsored by the Imperial Navy. It’s a fascinating story of an important historical figure. 

The Wind Rises was the highest-grossing Japanese film in Japan in 2013. Though it was met with critical acclaim, because of its content caused some political controversy and criticism in Asia. This was not the first film from Miyazaki to tackle the topic of war. Grave of the Fireflies, From Up on Poppy Hill, and the company’s latest release The Boy and the Heron do as well. The film was nominated for both an Academy Award for Best Animated Feature and a Golden Globe Award for Best Foreign Language Film. 

  • Feature-Length Storyboards
  • 10 Years with Hayao Miyazaki Documentary Episode
  • Behind the Microphone
  • Film Completion Press Conference
  • Orignial Theatrical Trailers
  • TV Spots

Currently available through Shout Factory, GKids, and Amazon, once the set is sold out, it’s gone… so act fast!

More Studio Ghibli films soon so…

Stay Tuned!