The Wind Rises (2013) Ending Explained
tl;dr: The ending of The Wind Rises (2013), Hayao Miyazaki's semi-biographical film about Jiro Horikoshi, the designer of Japan's WWII fighter planes, is a poignant and bittersweet conclusion. Jiro achieves his dream of creating beautiful aircraft, but his creations are ultimately used for war, leaving him with deep regret. The film closes with a dreamlike sequence where Jiro reunites with his late wife, Nahoko, and reflects on the fleeting nature of life and dreams. The ending underscores Miyazaki's themes of beauty, tragedy, and the moral ambiguity of technological progress.
Detailed Explanation of the Ending:
The final act of The Wind Rises sees Jiro Horikoshi grappling with the consequences of his life's work. His masterpiece, the Mitsubishi A6M Zero, becomes a symbol of both engineering brilliance and wartime destruction. As Japan descends into war, Jiro witnesses the devastation caused by his creations, leading to a profound sense of guilt and sorrow. The film's climax is not a triumphant celebration of innovation but a somber meditation on the cost of ambition. In a dreamlike epilogue, Jiro encounters the spirit of his deceased wife, Nahoko, who reassures him that life, though fleeting, was worth living. This sequence blurs the line between reality and fantasy, emphasizing Miyazaki's recurring motif of dreams as both inspiration and escape.
Unresolved Questions and Possible Answers:
1. Did Jiro ever reconcile with the moral weight of his work?
- The film suggests he never fully comes to terms with it, as his final dialogue expresses lingering regret.
- Alternatively, his reunion with Nahoko in the dream could symbolize a form of acceptance or forgiveness.
2. What is the significance of the repeated quote, "The wind is rising, we must try to live"?
- It reflects the inevitability of change and the necessity of perseverance, even in the face of tragedy.
- It may also allude to the uncontrollable forces of history that sweep individuals along.
3. Why does Miyazaki focus on Jiro's personal life rather than the war itself?
- To humanize Jiro and emphasize the personal toll of his professional choices.
- To avoid glorifying war and instead critique the seductive allure of technological progress.
Themes and Symbolism:
The ending reinforces Miyazaki's central themes: the duality of beauty and destruction, the fragility of dreams, and the ethical dilemmas of creativity. The wind, a recurring symbol, represents both inspiration and inevitable change. Jiro's aircraft are portrayed as works of art, yet their purpose is undeniably tragic. The dream sequences with Nahoko serve as a counterbalance to the harsh realities of Jiro's life, offering moments of tenderness amidst the sorrow. Miyazaki, a pacifist, uses Jiro's story to explore how even the purest artistic vision can be corrupted by external forces, leaving the creator to bear the emotional burden.
Personal Opinion:
The Wind Rises is one of Miyazaki's most mature and contemplative works, and its ending is masterfully ambiguous. While some may find it melancholic, I appreciate how it refuses to offer easy answers. Jiro's grief and guilt feel authentic, and the dreamlike conclusion provides a hauntingly beautiful resolution. The film's refusal to vilify Jiro-instead portraying him as a flawed idealist-adds depth to its moral complexity. As a farewell film (though Miyazaki later returned), it feels like a summation of his career's themes: the wonder of flight, the cost of ambition, and the fleeting nature of life. It's a profoundly moving ending that lingers long after the credits roll.
Final Thoughts:
The ending of The Wind Rises is a testament to Miyazaki's ability to weave historical narrative with deeply personal storytelling. By leaving Jiro's moral conflict unresolved, the film invites viewers to reflect on their own relationship with ambition and responsibility. The dream sequences, with their ethereal beauty, contrast starkly with the grim reality of war, creating a poignant juxtaposition. Ultimately, the film is a love letter to dreamers and a cautionary tale about the unintended consequences of their dreams. It's a fittingly complex and emotional conclusion to Miyazaki's legendary career, blending sorrow and hope in equal measure.