Hana no Byakkotai plot
During the Boshin War (1868-1869), the "Great White Tiger" platoon is part of the Aizu clan's last attempt to halt the advance of the Imperial forces after the fall of the Tokugawa shogunate. Since the platoon is composed of the 16 and 17 year old sons of Aizu samurai, it is intended as a reserve unit. When some twenty soldiers from this platoon are cut off from the rest, they retreat to Iimori Hill. From this hill, they see many fires surrounding Aizu's castle and assume that the castle has fallen. Within the group the idea arises to choose to die with honor by committing harakiri.