The Eternal Zero (film)

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The Eternal Zero is a 2013 Japanese war drama directed by Takashi Yamazaki, based on Naoki Hyakuta’s 2006 novel. The story uses a frame narrative set in 2004: a young man named Kentaro Saeki learns that his maternal grandfather was Kyuzo Miyabe, a kamikaze pilot who died in World War II. Kentaro and his sister Keiko set out to learn who Miyabe really was by talking to his former comrades.

Plot in brief: Kyuzo Miyabe is a superb but often discouraged pilot who earns a reputation for “being timid” because he keeps returning from missions alive. He believes that surviving is not shameful and that life is precious. His wife Matsuno and his child Kiyoko are part of the reason he tries to stay alive. As the war worsens, Miyabe’s comrades push for glory in battle, but Miyabe remains determined to save lives rather than waste them. The story then reveals why Miyabe chose to become a kamikaze, showing a crucial moment when he asks his living relative Kenichiro to switch planes with him. Kenichiro’s plane has engine trouble and returns, leaving Miyabe to carry out the final mission alone. The film ends with Miyabe preparing to crash into an American carrier.

Production notes: The film trims many characters from the novel and uses computer-generated imagery to recreate bombing runs and dogfights because few real Zero fighters survive today. The cast includes Junichi Okada as Miyabe, Haruma Miura as Kentaro, and Mao Inoue as Keiko. The filmmakers chose actors for how well they fit the roles, not for popularity.

Box office and reception: The Eternal Zero was a major box-office hit in Japan, earning about 8.76 billion yen and becoming one of the year’s top Japanese films. It won the Golden Mulberry audience award at the Udine Far East Film Festival and eight prizes at the 38th Japan Academy Awards. The film sparked debate for its nationalist, sympathetic portrayal of kamikaze pilots. Critics like Hayao Miyazaki argued that it glorified war, while supporters said it shows the tragedy of war and the importance of remembering history. The author Hyakuta stated he did not view war positively. The film gained support from some public figures, including Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. It was released on DVD and Blu-ray in Japan on July 23, 2014, and tie-in model kits of Zero fighters were released afterward.