THE NORTH RIDING PROJECT

Cockpits of the tokko pilots are full of cherry blossoms.  Sunburned high school girls who work at the base have adorned the cockpits with cherry blossoms.  When the planes take off, the girls wave cherry blossom branches frantically at the departing flyers.  The Special Attack planes get into formation after they are airborne and then circle high above the airstrip bidding farewell.  The formation then flies over Mt Kaimondake, appearing as little dots in the sky.  From the ground the scene is heart-wrenching.  The girls and family members, as well as friends and townspeople, remain standing for some time after the planes disappear from sight, flying in a southerly direction.  Then, from high in the sky, cherry blossom petals come falling down, one by one, like snowflakes at the beginning of a light snowfall.

Axell/Kamikaze