Rather than an action/fighting war movie, this is focused on the human story part of the war. It was great movie and very moving. From my perspective, I believe this movie did not show disrespect towards the Americans and it does not show any self justification towards the Japanese. No Japanese feels self justification when it comes to WW2. This movie showed the crucial truth behind a country in war.
After the war, the Japanese have been taught to this day that because they started the war, it caused a massive boomerang damage towards their own country and people. The Japanese believes this should never be repeated and is told throughout the generations as well. This is represented by the two grandchildren's in this movie.
Back then, the Japanese citizens/soldiers could not disobey the Imperial/country and were basically brainwashed "Dying for the Imperial is an honor, being an kamikaze is a hero", which no soldiers believed at heart because no one wants to die flying into the enemy and burning to death. Throughout the war, the citizens/families back then had to convince themselves this belief to honor the soldiers courage of death, not the country's belief itself. But the main character, Miyabe, who wished to live through and be with his family was called a coward instead. His courage and sacrifice toward his colleagues was indeed heroic. (In the book, his attack was concluded as a "fail" because his bomb did not shoot and barely any damage was given to the American ship).
I hope people can watch this without any bias on war conflict, more so the story of a man and his family and friends.
After the war, the Japanese have been taught to this day that because they started the war, it caused a massive boomerang damage towards their own country and people. The Japanese believes this should never be repeated and is told throughout the generations as well. This is represented by the two grandchildren's in this movie.
Back then, the Japanese citizens/soldiers could not disobey the Imperial/country and were basically brainwashed "Dying for the Imperial is an honor, being an kamikaze is a hero", which no soldiers believed at heart because no one wants to die flying into the enemy and burning to death. Throughout the war, the citizens/families back then had to convince themselves this belief to honor the soldiers courage of death, not the country's belief itself. But the main character, Miyabe, who wished to live through and be with his family was called a coward instead. His courage and sacrifice toward his colleagues was indeed heroic. (In the book, his attack was concluded as a "fail" because his bomb did not shoot and barely any damage was given to the American ship).
I hope people can watch this without any bias on war conflict, more so the story of a man and his family and friends.