The Shokaku class makes most sense inside Japanese strategic limits rather than as a universal carrier model. Shokaku and Zuikaku brought the Imperial Japanese Navy's interwar aviation doctrine into its fullest prewar form. Their speed, air group, protection, and operating role were selected for Japan's geography and expected opponents. Judging the design only through Japan's eventual defeat reverses the proper historical method: doctrine must first be tested against the problem it was created to solve.
Chapter · 0:48-6:55
Shokaku as an expression of Japanese carrier doctrine
Shokaku and Zuikaku were the fullest prewar expression of Imperial Japanese naval aviation doctrine.