In the later stages of World War II, ten-year-old Johannes “Jojo” Betzler joins the Deutsches Jungvolk. Jojo is an innocent boy but heavily indoctrinated with the Nazi ideals (manifested in his imaginary friend, Adolf, a supportive and buffoonish version of Adolf Hitler). On the day of his first Hitler Youth training camp run by Captain Klezendorf, he is given the derisive nickname “Jojo Rabbit” by the other children after refusing to kill a rabbit to prove his killer instinct. Pepped up by Adolf, he returns to prove his bravery, stealing a Stielhandgranate and throwing it without supervision. The grenade explodes at his feet, leaving him scarred and limping. Jojo’s mother Rosie coerces Klenzendorf into ensuring that Jojo is included and given responsibilities. Jojo is given small tasks such as spreading propaganda leaflets throughout the town, and collecting scrap for the war effort.