Reportedly viewed by 100 million people in Japan and its occupied territories, it became the highest-grossing film in the history of Japanese cinema upon its distribution.

Their drill instructor declares that the situation in China may only be resolved through the defeat of the United States and the British Empire.

Yoshikazu's sister Kikuko is concerned about the explosion of a world war, but informs him that their mother has accepted his decision to fight.

In late 1941, Yoshikazu is among those aboard an aircraft carrier destined for Pearl Harbor, although their mission is not immediately clear.

The mission is portrayed as a success: the torpedoes hit their intended target ships, and reinforcements engage in a dogfight with USAAF fighter planes.

The crew of one bomber, acknowledging that they lack the fuel to return home, proceeds with the attack on the British fleet.

Yoshikazu's family listens to a report of the attack on the radio, as do the officers aboard the aircraft carrier.

[7] Joseph L. Anderson comments that Hawai Mare oki kaisen was "representative of the national-policy films", with the aim of dramatizing "the Navy Spirit as culminated at Pearl Harbor."