What Really Happened to Naoko in 'The Wind Rises'? The Final Scene Reveals All
Her fate unfolds during jiro’s flight and heartbreaking dream sequence.
The Wind Rises is one of Hayao Miyazaki’s most unique films, and its emotional depth left me thinking long after the credits rolled. Following the real-life story of aviation engineer Jiro Horikoshi, the movie explores ambition, love, and loss, making it a departure from Studio Ghibli’s usual fantasy worlds.
Naoko Satomi: The Heart of The Wind Rises
Naoko Satomi is more than a love interest — she embodies the emotional core of the story. Their journey begins during the Tokyo earthquake, where young Jiro helps Naoko and later reunites her with her family.
Years later, she battles tuberculosis, the same illness that claimed her mother, yet Jiro’s devotion never wavers, and he proposes to her despite her fragile health.
The Tragic Fate of Naoko in The Wind Rises
Happiness is fleeting. Naoko quietly leaves for a sanatorium, sparing Jiro the pain of seeing her deteriorate. The final scenes leave no doubt: Naoko dies.
Miyazaki conveys her passing subtly, almost mystically, as Jiro feels a sudden gust of wind during the triumphant test flight of his aircraft, a moment that blends grief with wonder.
Naoko’s Farewell and Jiro’s Dream
In the epilogue, Jiro dreams of Naoko. She bids him farewell and urges him to continue living, leaving an indelible mark on his heart. This ending transforms The Wind Rises from a historical drama into a meditation on love, loss, and the delicate beauty of life itself.
The Wind Rises is more than a film about planes or history — it’s a story that stays with you, carried on the wind just like Naoko’s memory.
