Added the link. Before reading the plot, remember that it's a wartime propaganda movie produced by the military.
Still, it's the underlying hints of the power of dreams and hopes that's what makes this film have value, and not the mask of war propaganda that's more likely the military form of executive meddling that made the creation of this film possible.
He probably was influenced by the animation and the art, not the militaristic aspects of the story. Tezuka was a pacifist...
Finally Japan can also make a splendid work like thisAnimation industry before warQuantity of animation movies produced before warIt seems that the Navy-produced "Momotaro : Divine Soldier of the Sea" touched and formed Osamu Tezuka's future earlier than Disney's animationYoung (Osamu Tezuka)Showa 5 (1930) : 24 titlesCited from "Astro Boy's era" (book by Hisateru Furuta).Even though most are short features, they sure made a lotAnd because military have money, the quality of military backed animation is quite highAccording to interview by Tokyo ShinbunThe military ordered a lot of animation productionA Lady don't want to watch kiddy show like this... like...