I can't exactly explain why I love this film because it's more then just an animated work by japan. It symbolizes so much more then that. Dreams, what it leads to, nature, music, the bonds between others, and so much more that I can't help but have a gentle smile It's as if, this was movie that finally showed everything that I want to feel in a piece of art. Not the bombastic or thrilling stories that drive a story, but a piece of art that shows the softness and gentle touch that it can bring. I can't help but love this film.

The film is about Horikoshi Jirou, who is actually a real life, famous Japanese engineer, that dreams to build an airplane. Not for war, not for use, but an airplane that simply flies beautifully in the sky. Caproni, who is in a shared dream with him, encourages this dream with the quote, "Le vent se lève, il faut tenter de vivre" or "The wind rises, we must try to live." That really sticks with me.

And, so Horikoshi, moves forward in his ten years of glory, learning about more his dream, and exploring the world around him. He comes to realize Japan is so behind in technological advances that even travel is far different in Germany then in Japan. But he's not annoyed or frustrated, but fascinated with that idea. He then is able to continue on his work and exploring of the world.

Before that event, he actually saves someone from the real life, Great Kanto earthquake, where he meets his future lover. It's actually impressive how calm he is, but affected by the whole even despite being such a great help to others. It's that fear of loss and it's sadness that when he also sees invention, he strides to make to make his dream true without loss. He wants his dream to be a happy one that doesn't remind those of deep grief.

Because of his hard work and determination, he is well respected and even makes longlife friends. While they share the same dream, they understand the reality that comes with their dream. A dream isn't a dream without loss. The earth won't be so beautiful if not for the despair it creates to achieve that. However, they don't want to rain on his parade. Instead, they wish to help him on his path while continuously conversing the reality that comes with their task. And Horikoshi simply takes note of their advices, and can agree with them, without giving up on his idealistic dream.

In the most stunning frames of animation I've seen, comes the return of his lover, painting away the nature that lays before her eyes:

Of course, they both fall deeply in love with this heartwarming music in the background. I can't describe it well enough, but the soundtrack is something you can only say is the final music of someone's life, but they can only smile about the memories. The whole ost is amazing, but the German song, "Das Gibt Nur Einmal" is something I wish to sing with best friends at my wedding or a reunion of sorts:

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The romance in the film is not only straight to the point, but it's so damn charming. There aren't that many scenes where the have long-winded conversations, but them simply having so much fun, you can't simply find joy in watching that. I love it.

Near the end, is as the end of a dream. All good things must come to an end, but at the end of a journey, you gain something different, but joyous then what you originally wanted. For Jirou, that is the joys of life, while his dream is fulfilled. Sure, it did come with losses, but he accepts that fact, bittersweetly while he cries in simple joy that he found love.

You could say that this film is about Japan's path of finding it's own path, humanity's determination to move forwarding harsh times, or even that love and bonds are the most important things of all. But this very film. gives me two lessons:

1. Be creative even if the work doesn't look as good as you hoped first. Does it really matter if it's not good, as long as you enjoyed it? It's your passion, not someone's else. Why does it matter if it looks good to others? The most important thing is if you can look at it, and still smile at it while knowing it could better. Isn't that why you developed a passion in the first place?

1. Life is so much more then dreams and goals. Why not stop for a second to appreciate the fact you can breath in air, smell the flowers as the wind blows across them into the endless sky before you? It isn't all about trying to reach the next day, or improve. If you only focus on that, you forget why you wanted to improve or reach a goal in the first place. Sure, you may have wanted to achieve this or not, but the true reason anyone makes a goal is to experience something new abou tlife. To see a different view of it. It's why humanity evolve, it's why we love one another, and it's why we're blessed with life even if it's only for a second. Even if a baby is born and dies in a single second, it at least knows that life is and always will be, a beautiful thing to behold.

To all that read this, enjoy life while you can. Die even if you don't achieve a goal or dream. Try to truly live everyday to the fullest.Wake up ready to experience the joys of living, and sleep satisfied you could live that day to the very end. Be happy, be content, and continue to live to the very end. I know that when I go to slept today, I'll be happy I got to live this day.