Jirou Horikoshi's dream of becoming a pilot is dashed by his poor eyesight. However, he sets his sights on attending Tokyo Imperial University to study aeronautical engineering, with the goal of following in the footsteps of his hero, Giovanni Battista Caproni, by constructing airplanes. When the devastating Great Kanto Earthquake strikes Tokyo in 1923, Jirou's courage shines through as he selflessly rescues a maid working for Naoko Satomi's family. This tragedy foreshadows a tumultuous period of Japanese history that spans two decades and ends with Japan's surrender in World War II. Despite facing numerous obstacles, Jirou remains determined to design the infamous Mitsubishi A6M Zero fighter aircraft. Along his journey, he slowly comes to terms with the impact of his inventions in the war and the realities of his personal life. As he grapples with the question of what price he must pay to pursue his dream, Jirou's experiences and travels continue to inspire him to push forward.