The Eternal Zero
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 film earned $84.5M at the global box office.
Plot Structure
Story beats plotted across runtime
Narrative Arc
Emotional journey through the story's key moments
Story Circle
Blueprint 15-beat structure
Arcplot Score Breakdown
Weighted: Precision (70%) + Arc (15%) + Theme (15%)
The Eternal Zero (2013) exemplifies deliberately positioned narrative design, characteristic of Takashi Yamazaki's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 2 hours and 24 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 6.5, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 2 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Kentaro is an aimless young man with no direction, working part-time jobs and lacking purpose. His grandmother has just died, revealing he and his sister Keiko had a different biological grandfather.. The analysis reveals that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 18 minutes when First interview with a survivor who calls Kyuzo Miyabe a "coward" who desperately wanted to survive rather than die gloriously. This shocking characterization contradicts everything they expected about a kamikaze pilot and demands investigation.. At 13% through the film, this Disruption is delayed, allowing extended setup of the story world. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
The First Threshold at 36 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This reveals the protagonist's commitment to Kentaro decides to fully commit to understanding his grandfather despite the disturbing revelations. He actively chooses to pursue all surviving squadron members and piece together the complete story, driven by a growing need to understand what his grandfather truly stood for., moving from reaction to action.
At 72 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. The analysis reveals that this crucial beat False defeat: A veteran reveals that Miyabe's survival tactics got other pilots killed because they weren't skilled enough to replicate his maneuvers. Kentaro begins to see his grandfather as potentially selfish. The stakes raise—was his grandfather's desire to survive actually cowardice?., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 108 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, The truth emerges: Miyabe finally volunteered for a kamikaze mission, breaking his sacred promise to return alive. A veteran reveals Miyabe took his place, saving a young pilot with a family. The "coward" chose to die so another could live. Kentaro confronts the weight of this sacrifice., indicates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 116 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 81% of the runtime. Kentaro synthesizes the truth: Miyabe's entire survival obsession was about getting home, but when faced with saving another's life, he chose sacrifice. This wasn't cowardice or broken promises—it was the highest form of love. Kentaro finds his own purpose through understanding this., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
The Eternal Zero's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs structural analysis methodology used to understand storytelling architecture. By mapping The Eternal Zero against these established plot points, we can identify how Takashi Yamazaki utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish The Eternal Zero within the war genre.
Takashi Yamazaki's Structural Approach
Among the 5 Takashi Yamazaki films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.0, demonstrating varied approaches to story architecture. The Eternal Zero takes a more unconventional approach compared to the director's typical style. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Takashi Yamazaki filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional war films include The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, Fury and Sarah's Key. For more Takashi Yamazaki analyses, see Godzilla Minus One, Stand by Me Doraemon and Juvenile.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Kentaro is an aimless young man with no direction, working part-time jobs and lacking purpose. His grandmother has just died, revealing he and his sister Keiko had a different biological grandfather.
Theme
Keiko tells Kentaro they need to learn about their real grandfather, Kyuzo Miyabe, for their grandmother's sake: "We owe it to her to know the truth about who he was." The film's theme emerges: understanding sacrifice and what it means to truly live.
Worldbuilding
Present-day Japan where WWII is distant history. Kentaro is directionless, his sister Keiko is a journalist researching their family. They discover their grandfather was a Zero fighter pilot who died as a kamikaze. The contrast between modern comfort and wartime sacrifice is established.
Disruption
First interview with a survivor who calls Kyuzo Miyabe a "coward" who desperately wanted to survive rather than die gloriously. This shocking characterization contradicts everything they expected about a kamikaze pilot and demands investigation.
Resistance
Kentaro and Keiko debate whether to continue investigating, visiting multiple veterans who share contradictory stories about Miyabe. Some call him a coward, others describe his exceptional flying skill. The siblings aren't sure what to believe or if they want to know more.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Kentaro decides to fully commit to understanding his grandfather despite the disturbing revelations. He actively chooses to pursue all surviving squadron members and piece together the complete story, driven by a growing need to understand what his grandfather truly stood for.
Mirror World
Flashback to young Miyabe meeting his wife Matsuno and their deep love story begins. This relationship becomes the thematic heart—Miyabe's promise to return alive to her and their daughter represents choosing life and love over glorified death.
Premise
The investigation deepens through multiple veteran testimonies, revealing Miyabe's brilliance as a pilot and his obsession with survival techniques. Flashbacks show aerial combat, training sequences, and Miyabe teaching others how to stay alive. The premise: exploring what true courage means.
Midpoint
False defeat: A veteran reveals that Miyabe's survival tactics got other pilots killed because they weren't skilled enough to replicate his maneuvers. Kentaro begins to see his grandfather as potentially selfish. The stakes raise—was his grandfather's desire to survive actually cowardice?
Opposition
Darker testimonies emerge: the brutal reality of war, kamikaze volunteer pressure, and Miyabe's increasingly desperate attempts to survive as the war turns hopeless. Kentaro's modern nihilism is challenged. Flashbacks show Miyabe's internal conflict between his promise and impossible circumstances.
Collapse
The truth emerges: Miyabe finally volunteered for a kamikaze mission, breaking his sacred promise to return alive. A veteran reveals Miyabe took his place, saving a young pilot with a family. The "coward" chose to die so another could live. Kentaro confronts the weight of this sacrifice.
Crisis
Kentaro processes the devastating revelation. Flashbacks show Miyabe's final days, writing letters, and preparing for death. The emotional darkness of understanding that some promises can't be kept, and that true courage sometimes means choosing death for others to live.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Kentaro synthesizes the truth: Miyabe's entire survival obsession was about getting home, but when faced with saving another's life, he chose sacrifice. This wasn't cowardice or broken promises—it was the highest form of love. Kentaro finds his own purpose through understanding this.
Synthesis
Final veteran testimonies complete the picture. Extended flashback of Miyabe's last mission—his final flight, thoughts of his family, and his willing sacrifice. Present-day Kentaro visits his grandfather's memorial, finally understanding what it means to truly live and what's worth dying for.
Transformation
Kentaro, once aimless and nihilistic, now has purpose and direction. He honors his grandfather's memory not through words but through living fully. The closing image shows him changed, connected to his past, ready to make his own life meaningful—the opposite of his opening state.