I enjoyed this film. But I don’t really recommend it. It has an interesting almost Murakami-ish mystique, unlike anything I’ve seen Miyazaki produce prior to this. But I just don’t know how much it actually added to the story versus the film. I will credit it for a bittersweet advocacy of following one’s bliss. Jiro Horikoshi as portrayed laments and quavers over his beautiful designs' being used for destruction, but must accept that he led an enviable life doing what he loved. Is that a good message? It is certainly anathema to some modern meaningful work sensibilities in the west.