Common Sense Media Review
By Sandie Angulo Chen
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Lovely, contemplative tale of famed aeronautical engineer.
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Why Age 10+?
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The Wind Rises
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 8 parent reviews
Based on 16 kid reviews
Kids say this animated film is a beautifully crafted and emotionally powerful story that explores the dreams and struggles of an airplane engineer during a tumultuous historical period. While it showcases remarkable visuals and moments of romance and kindness, it also carries heavy themes of loss, illness, and the impact of war, making it potentially unsuitable for younger audiences.
- emotionally powerful
- historical themes
- beautiful animation
- complex characters
- suitable for older kids
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
THE WIND RISES is a fictionalized biography of Jiro Horikoshi (voiced by Hideaki Anno in the original version and Joseph Gordon-Levitt in the English dub), a legendary Japanese aeronautical engineer who was responsible for designing bombers used in World War II. As a boy, young Jiro dreams of becoming a fighter pilot, but because of his nearsightedness, he realizes that's not meant to be. In a dream, he encounters the world-famous Italian aeronautical engineer Giovanni Caproni (Nomura Mansai/Stanley Tucci), who encourages Jiro to design planes even if he can't fly them. Jiro grows up, saves a young girl and her nanny during the Kanto Earthquake of 1923, goes to engineering school, and then joins an engineering firm that's competing for military contracts. Throughout his adulthood, Jiro travels and refines his vision of making beautiful planes for the glory of Japan.
Is It Any Good?
Visually, this is a gorgeous film. The Wind Rises doesn't include any mythical creatures or fantastical worlds; it's all Japan, the sky, the fields, the wind, and the beautiful planes of Jiro's dreams. This is a contemplative tale that requires a patient audience. Young kids used to high-octane adventures may not be ready for this introspective tribute to a visionary man, who may have known in the abstract that his designs would one day be used in war but who really just wanted to make his dreams a reality.
The second half of the film features a heartbreaking romance between Jiro and the now grown-up girl he once ushered to safety during the 1923 earthquake. Naoko (Miori Takimoto/Emily Blunt) is herself an artist who loves landscapes. They long to marry, but Naoko suffers from tuberculosis, a disease even the brilliant Jiro can't troubleshoot. Their scenes together are romantic but also devastatingly sad -- like when he spends a night finishing blueprints with one hand firmly grasping his ill young wife's hand. The storyline isn't exactly a nail-biter, but this is a quietly powerful movie about what it takes to have a singular vision and dedicate your life to it; a tale of a genius, one can only assume, much like Miyazaki himself.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the theme of dreaming and creating in The Wind Rises. How are they tied together? What does the film have to say about striving for your dreams?
Jiro doesn't consider himself a part of the military and doesn't think too much about how his planes will be used -- just that he wants to make planes. Does he bear any responsibility for being the creator of warcraft?
Critics have mentioned that this film is a lot more serious and less whimsical than other Miyazaki films. Do you agree? What are some of your favorites?
How do the characters demonstrate integrity and perseverance? Why are these important character strengths?
Movie Details
- In theaters : February 21, 2014
- On DVD or streaming : November 18, 2014
- Cast : Hideaki Anno , Hidetoshi Nishijima , Miori Takimoto
- Director : Hayao Miyazaki
- Inclusion Information : Asian Movie Director(s) , Asian Movie Actor(s) , Asian Movie Writer(s)
- Studio : Walt Disney Pictures
- Genre : Anime
- Topics : Adventures , Friendship , History , STEM
- Character Strengths : Integrity , Perseverance
- Run time : 126 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : some disturbing images and smoking
- Last updated : October 9, 2025
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