Synopsis
In the summer of Shouwa 19 (1944), Tamaru—once a would-be mangaka turned soldier—was stationed on Peleliu Island as the Pacific War neared its end. The island, a tropical haven with thick forests and brilliant coral reefs, had become the stage for fierce fighting between 50,000 Japanese and American troops. With 40,000 battle-hardened U.S. soldiers advancing to capture what was regarded as East Asia’s finest airfield, 10,000 Japanese defenders were ordered to hold the line at any cost. In the midst of this turmoil, the question lingers: what drove these young men to fight, and what filled their minds on this distant, isolated island far from home? This story portrays the often-unseen truths of war through the eyes of the youth trapped within it.
