The island of Iwo Jima stands as a barrier between the American military force and Japan's home islands. The Imperial Japanese Army is in dire straits to prevent the island's capture by American forces, which could serve as a launching point for an invasion of Japan. Tasked with defending the island, General Tadamichi Kuribayashi (Ken Watanabe) takes command of the troops and prepares for the impending assault. However, General Kuribayashi rejects the rigid traditional tactics advocated by his subordinates, leading to resentment and resistance within his ranks.
At the grassroots level, a young soldier named Saigo (Kazunari Ninomiya), formerly a struggling baker in civilian life, fights alongside his friends to endure the harsh regimen of the Japanese Army. They are all too aware of the impending fierce battle. As the American invasion commences, both Kuribayashi and Saigo confront an array of emotions—strength, honor, courage—as well as unimaginable horrors.
