The Eternal Zero (2013)
A sweeping Japanese war drama uncovering the truth behind a kamikaze pilot through memory, sacrifice, and love.
The Eternal Zero - Movie Information
- Original Title: 永遠の0
- Release Year: 2013
- Directed by: Takashi Yamazaki
- Type: Movie
- Genres: War, Drama, Action, Mystery
- Runtime: 2h 24m
- Original Language: Japanese
- Spoken Languages: Japanese, English
- Release Date (Theatrical): December 20, 2013 (Japan - G)
- Alternative Titles: The Eternal Zero (JP), Kamikaze: Az utolsó támadás (HU), Вечный «Зеро» (RU)
- Production Companies: Amuse Soft Entertainment, TOHO, Shirogumi, Robot Communications, AMUSE, dentsu, Shuji Abe Office, J Storm, Ohta Publishing, Kodansha, Futabasha, The Asahi Shimbun, NIKKEI, KDDI, Tokyo FM, Nippan Group Holdings, GYAO, Chunichi Shimbun, THE NISHINIPPON SHIMBUN
- Production Countries: Japan
The Eternal Zero - Plot
A brother and sister learn their biological grandfather was a kamikaze pilot who died during World War II. During their research into his life, they get conflicting accounts from his former comrades about his character and how he joined his squadron.
The Eternal Zero - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and see the story of Kyuzo Miyabe take flight:
Find life in the sky.
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The Eternal Zero - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Takashi Yamazaki
Main Cast
- Junichi Okada
- Haruma Miura
- Mao Inoue
- Isao Natsuyagi
- Jun Fubuki
- Kazue Fukiishi
- Hirofumi Arai
- Gaku Hamada
- Yuki Furukawa
- Tatsuya Ueda
Writers
- Tamio Hayashi
- Takashi Yamazaki
Producers
- Tatsuro Hatanaka
- Minami Ichikawa
- Hitoshi Endo
- Chikahiro Ando
- Ryûhei Tsutsui
The Eternal Zero - FAQs
Is The Eternal Zero based on a true story?
The Eternal Zero is based on Naoki Hyakuta's bestselling 2006 novel of the same name. While the characters are fictional, the film draws heavily on documented history of the Imperial Japanese Navy and the kamikaze special attack units of World War II, grounding its emotional story in real historical events.
What is The Eternal Zero about?
The film follows a brother and sister who discover their biological grandfather was a kamikaze pilot killed in World War II. As they interview his surviving comrades, they receive wildly conflicting accounts of who he really was — a coward, a genius, or a man desperately trying to survive for the people he loved.
Who plays the kamikaze pilot in The Eternal Zero?
Junichi Okada plays Kyuzo Miyabe, the enigmatic kamikaze pilot at the heart of the story. His layered, restrained performance earned widespread praise and became one of the most celebrated acting turns in Japanese cinema that year, helping drive the film's extraordinary box office success.
Who directed The Eternal Zero?
Takashi Yamazaki directed The Eternal Zero. Known for blending technical spectacle with heartfelt storytelling, Yamazaki also co-wrote the screenplay. He is one of Japan's most accomplished directors, celebrated for his visual effects work and emotionally resonant films across multiple genres.
How did The Eternal Zero perform at the box office?
The Eternal Zero was a massive commercial success in Japan, earning approximately $84.5 million at the box office. It became one of the highest-grossing Japanese films of 2013 and sparked significant cultural conversation about wartime memory, sacrifice, and national identity in contemporary Japan.
Did The Eternal Zero win any awards?
Yes, The Eternal Zero received numerous accolades in Japan. It won the Japan Academy Prize for Outstanding Achievement in Directing, along with awards for visual effects and music. The film was also nominated for Picture of the Year at the Japan Academy Prize, cementing its status as a landmark production.
What are movies similar to The Eternal Zero?
If The Eternal Zero moved you, check out Letters from Iwo Jima, Onoda: 10,000 Nights in the Jungle, The Forgotten Battle, The Longest Day, and The Bridge on the River Kwai. These films share its blend of wartime drama, personal sacrifice, and the complex moral landscapes of World War II.
How long is The Eternal Zero?
The Eternal Zero has a runtime of 2 hours and 24 minutes (144 minutes). Despite its length, the film moves at a compelling pace, weaving between present-day interviews and vivid wartime flashbacks in a way that keeps viewers deeply invested from beginning to end.
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