The Wind Rises poster

The Wind Rises

2013126 minutesPG-13
5.2
Arcplot Score
📝 Unconventional
Unverified
7.8IMDb
🍅 88%Rotten Tomatoes
Ⓜ️ 83/100Metacritic
🎬 7.8TMDb
📊 3.7Popularity
🏆Nominated for 1 Oscar. 26 wins & 54 nominations total
Directed by: Hayao Miyazaki
Written by: Hayao Miyazaki
Jiro dreams of flying and designing beautiful airplanes, inspired by the famous Italian aeronautical designer Caproni. Nearsighted from a young age and unable to be a pilot, Jiro joins a major Japanese engineering company in 1927 and becomes one of the world's most innovative and accomplished airplane designers. The film chronicles much of his life, depicting key historical events, including the Great Kanto Earthquake of 1923, the Great Depression, the tuberculosis epidemic and Japan's plunge into war. Jiro meets and falls in love with Nahoko, and grows and cherishes his friendship with his colleague Honjo.

Box Office

Budget:$30.0M
Revenue:$117.9M
Profit:$87.9M

Arcplot Score Breakdown

Beat Timing Precision4.5/10
Emotional Arc Impact1/10
Thematic Consistency10/10
Overall Score5.2/10

Beat Sheet

15 plot points

The Wind Rises Arcplot
1
Opening Image
1 min
2
Theme Stated
5 min
3
Set-Up
15 min
4
Catalyst
30 min
5
Debate
45 min
6
Break Into Two
55 min
7
B Story
65 min
8
Fun and Games
75 min
9
Midpoint
95 min
10
Bad Guys Close In
105 min
11
All Is Lost
108 min
12
Dark Night of the Soul
113 min
13
Break Into Three
118 min
14
Finale
122 min
15
Final Image
125 min

Emotional Arc

+100-10

Plot Points

#1

Opening Image

1 min

Jiro, a young boy fascinated by planes, dreams of flight while witnessing the beauty and fragility of the world around him. Early scenes show wonder mixed with the harsh realities of life.

#2

Theme Stated

5 min

Themes of ambition, creativity, love, and the moral responsibilities of invention are hinted. Jiro’s passion for aeronautical design will define his journey.

#3

Set-Up

15 min

Jiro trains as an aeronautical engineer, studying under mentors and confronting the limitations of his craft. The beauty of flight and the looming realities of war set the stage.

#4

Catalyst

30 min

Jiro meets Nahoko, a spirited young woman. Their bond introduces love and personal stakes, but her fragile health foreshadows challenges.

#5

Debate

45 min

Jiro questions how to balance his passion for creating planes with the moral implications of his work, as tensions rise globally and his love for Nahoko deepens.

#6

Break Into Two

55 min

Jiro begins designing innovative aircraft, entering the world of professional aeronautics. He must navigate career pressures, political constraints, and personal love.

#7

B Story

65 min

Jiro and Nahoko develop their relationship amidst challenges. Their love provides emotional depth, grounding Jiro’s ambitions in human connection.

#8

Fun and Games

75 min

Jiro’s designs take flight, literally and figuratively. He experiments with prototypes, overcomes obstacles, and gains recognition, all while sharing tender moments with Nahoko.

#9

Midpoint

95 min

War intensifies, and Jiro realizes his creations may be used for conflict. Nahoko’s illness worsens, heightening emotional stakes and moral dilemmas.

#10

Bad Guys Close In

105 min

The pressures of impending war, personal loss, and societal expectations threaten Jiro’s ambitions and relationship with Nahoko.

#11

All Is Lost

108 min

Nahoko’s health reaches a critical point, and Jiro confronts the painful reality that his dreams may bring harm and heartbreak. Emotional and moral low point.

#12

Dark Night of the Soul

113 min

Jiro reflects on life, love, and the impact of his work. He grapples with the duality of creation and destruction, seeking meaning and purpose.

#13

Break Into Three

118 min

Determined, Jiro resolves to continue his work responsibly, honoring his love for Nahoko and his passion for flight.

#14

Finale

122 min

Jiro achieves professional success while cherishing Nahoko’s memory. His designs soar, blending dreams and responsibility, leaving a lasting legacy.

#15

Final Image

125 min

Jiro looks to the sky, reflecting hope, accomplishment, and the bittersweet harmony of a life lived with passion and love.