Wh-What was that?!
Huh?!
That was quite a gust.
It's a bit late for an early spring storm.
Maybe it's the spirit of the wind.
See how pretty it is?
Isn't this Miyori's first time seeing the cherry blossoms here?
The countryside is really nice and relaxing.
You should come visit us more often.
Yeah, but I'm very busy at work.
You got one in your cup.
Why is an advertising job so busy?
Why, huh...
I have a feeling that something good will come our way.
Is there a convenience store around here?
Near the train station.
Go buy me a manicure set.
I don't care what kind.
It takes almost an hour on foot!
Use your car!
Don't ask that after I started drinking.
Forget it, then.
Now, now.
Let's keep it happy.
Look after Miyori.
Where is she?!
Where?
Miyori!
She couldn't have gone too far!
Kuro, why didn't you stay with her?
Miyori!
Don't hurry!
Ask Kuro!
Miyori!
Ask Kuro!
Kuro, where did Miyori go?
Tell us, Kuro.
Looks like he knows something.
Now, put your shoes on first.
Miyori!
Kuro, find Miyori!
Stop it, Bokuriko.
Ouch...
I'm sorry, Miyori.
Good boy.
I've been waiting for you, Miyori.
Hi!
This forest is yours.
Saturday Summer Vacation Special Project
Ten Years Later
Soon after the rainy season started, Mom left home.
Starting today, I'll be living with Dad's family.
That day was really a shock.
You suddenly went missing.
Then we found you on a branch of a cherry tree, even though you couldn't walk yet.
Mom was frightened by it, and said she'd never come to the countryside again.
I don't remember.
Why can't you be a bit more sociable?
You won't be able to adapt well if you're not
Flattering people is just tiring.
It's not the same as flattering them.
More like paying attention when you listen to others.
It's part of good manners.
This conversation is boring.
You always act like that.
And whose fault is it that I'm such a nasty kid?
There's something flying!
Aren't they birds?
They're not! What are they?
Once we get through this tunnel, we're almost there.
Dad...
What is it?
You know how people say children keep a family together?
Yeah.
Am I being sentenced to exile for not keeping the family together?
That's a really bad way to put it.
I'd have preferred to be exiled near a beach.
This is my first time in Komori Village, but for some reason, it feels familiar.
I liked the mintgimachi.
I wonder if I can find it in Komori?
Probably not.
There aren't any stores.
Grow up tall, corn.
Yield abundantly, green beans.
It's the first time Dad's come home, but he doesn't look excited.
You just got here, and you're already heading back...
I can't help it. I have work.
You could at least stay the night.
I'm making something you like, rice with bamboo shoots.
I have a meeting first thing tomorrow morning.
You're hopeless...
You just want to get away.
That's why Mom wanted to leave you.
Hang in there, Miyori.
I'll come visit you when I can get a vacation.
You couldn't get a single day of vacation last year.
Don't you remember?
Drive home safely.
Yep.
Now Dad's abandoned me too.
We'll soon be able to see him right over there.
See those three cedar trees?
Near there.
Miyori.
She's going to call me that way already?
This will be your home for a while, so feel free to do whatever you want.
Go look around the village until Grandpa comes home.
Is there anything to see?
Well, not really.
Leave your cell phone here.
How could she tell?
Have a good time.
There are lots of inhabitants in the forest, so don't startle them.
Like bears?
I'm beyond the service area.
Goodbye, Tokyo.
What was that? A bunny?
Why?
It's July now...
Is it always like this in the mountains?
It's kinda impressive.
Is this how it feels not to have anyone nearby?
A bear?!
I'm going to be eaten by a bear and die.
What a weird life...
If this is my weird life, I'd rather have been eaten by a lion or a Bengal tiger.
A tiger?!
Why a tiger?
Do tigers live in the forest?
Or did it escape from a circus?
Its breathing is so loud.
That sound easily conceals the pounding of my heart.
What is this feeling?
It seems so familiar.
You'll be home late again, won't you?
Can't you ever come home early?
I can't leave unless I get my work done.
Can't you talk about anything other than your work?!
As if someone who spends the whole day at home would know the trouble I go through!
And who told me to quit my job?
It was you!
But you wanted to quit!
All you did was bitch about it!
Don't blame me!
I would've been promoted twice as fast as you if I hadn't quit!
I could've handled business trips or anything if I wasn't carrying Miyori!
That's easy for you to say!
I don't need parents.
Look who's talking!
I'm nobody's daughter.
What would you know?!
Nobody gave birth to me!
Let's go home and play a game!
Yeah!
Don't hog it too long!
Wait!
Give me back my shoes.
Huh?
You hid my shoes, didn't you?
Give them back!
So what? I don't like you.
I don't like the way you look at us.
You must think that we're stupid.
You can't do anything unless you're together.
And being alone is so much better?
What can you do by yourself?
Shut up!
I don't need friends.
Not a single one.
I don't need them.
I'm fine being alone.
I don't need anyone.
Who are you?
Why are you crying?
The blossoms are gone...
Where did the cherry blossoms go?
They were so pretty...
Was it a dream?
But it's not a dream that you're here, is it?
What are you doing here?
Where did you come from?
I came from Tokyo.
I just... arri...
Oh, it's you, Miyori-chan!
You've grown so much.
You remember Kuro?
You don't, huh...
I'm your grandpa, and this is Kuro.
Kuro...
I've been here before, haven't I?
Yes, when you were this small.
I see...
It's not my first time.
That's right.
Let's go.
Done with your bath?
Yes.
Note: also known as pale Indian plantain.
This is called arnoglossum.
I mix it with some licorice and boil it to make cough syrup.
I heard that Kawamoto's grandma is having a coughing fit.
It's medicine?
Are you a doctor?
Nope.
But people around here might think I am.
She can cure anything with herbs, so people call her a witch.
She's a good witch.
Upsy-daisy.
There are many kinds of herbs in the forest.
Most diseases can be treated with them.
That makes you a witch's granddaughter.
Miyori, put the dirty clothes in the laundry tub.
I'll wash them later.
Thanks.
Let me brush your hair.
Um, I can do that myself.
How far did you go today?
To the big cherry tree.
To the divine tree, huh.
The divine tree?
A god lives in that tree.
So you could tell that it's a cherry tree?
Yeah.
Too bad...
It snapped in half during a lightning storm last year.
It was very pretty.
I fell asleep there.
You met Moguri?
You had a bad dream, didn't you?
Moguri eats bad dreams for you.
You'll never see that dream again.
Can anyone see the spirits?
No, they usually don't show themselves to people.
We can sense that they're around, but we can't see them.
You can see them, Miyori?
It's okay.
They're not scary at all.
There are so many things living in the forest.
Hey!
Why didn't you bark before?
Trying to be my friend?
That sounds fishy.
Bang!
Such a nice breeze.
Shall we go home?
Kuro?
Kuro!
She's right.
It really did snap.
This tree is already dead.
No, it's not.
Who is that?!
Have you forgotten us?
What's... this...
That's quite a welcome.
We're finally reunited after ten years.
I was only a baby ten years ago.
What, you don't remember?
I know!
I must be dreaming.
I'm actually asleep right now.
See?
is a dream!
It really is!
It's not a dream.
Long time no see, Miyori.
Looks like she's completely forgotten.
That's hopeless.
I'm Bokuriko, the guard of the forest.
This is the forest's wise man, Nego-jii.
What the heck?
This is a really strange dream.
I've heard that stress levels increase when you experience a drastic change in environment.
Like I said, it's not a dream!
If it's not, is this an illusion?
Such a stubborn kid.
You don't have to be so shocked.
You dropped this again.
Keep better track of your things.
I didn't drop it. I threw it away!
Don't throw it away.
What do you want from me?
You're only an illusion.
I'll make you disappear now!
Moguri!
Come here.
Miyori!
Miyori! How did you get up there?
Don't move, Miyori!
Kuro? Is that you?
What happened to you?
You've turned all white!
Miyori! Dad's coming right now!
Be careful!
Use the wisteria vine!
You're still as bad at climbing trees as ever.
Miyori seems to like the Ipponzakura a lot.
Note: Ipponzakura means the Queen Cherry Tree.
Dad, sorry!
Ow! Owww!
Thank heavens!
Good job, everyone.
You've been able to see us ever since then.
I didn't!
I didn't see anything!
I don't know you!
Oh.
Hmph! Is that supposed to be the guardian of this forest?
Don't say things like that, Kanoko.
Maybe Kanoko is right.
She doesn't seem a good fit for the guardian.
She's just a stubborn kid.
She must be an outcast.
She's weak both in body and mind.
I thought she'd be more clever.
I don't want to leave the forest in her hands!
We should chase her back to Tokyo.
Yeah! Yeah!
Even though you brought her cell phone back?
Hold it, hold it.
Our leader chose her.
She must be the right one.
You're done already?
I don't usually eat in the morning.
You won't have energy for the day.
Right...
I want a Coke.
Miyori, come with me for a minute.
Okay.
Up...
Upsy-daisy.
Up...
Up we go!
Waaah!
You'll be going to school starting next week,
so we should set up your room before that.
My room?!
It's a big room.
Do you want your desk around here?
Just like Heidi's!
There's a third floor as well.
Do you want to see it?
Sure!
Up...
Up I go.
Up!
It's a real attic!
Do you like it?
But there are things like this.
Some... what?
Something like Zashiki-warashi...
Note: an indoor spirit with the body of a small child, bobbed hair, and a red face.
Like an indoor dog?
Well, you shouldn't have a problem.
What is that?
It's a tool you use to catch the spirit of the north wind.
You use it like this.
Why are you laughing?
It's true!
What's this?
It's a drum they use in Siberia to call the spirits of the forest.
There's a drum stick somewhere.
Find the thing I lost for me!
What are you doing?
It'll show up eventually.
Did you collect all of this?
I collected some of it, and people gave me the rest.
The longer I live, the more things I get.
It's pretty amazing.
Turn the light off when you come down.
You met many things in the forest last night, didn't you?
It wasn't a dream.
You may not remember,
but on that day ten years ago, you were chosen as the guardian of the forest.
The guardian?
That forest is mine for now, but I'm planning to hand it over to you some day.
Humans decide whether the forest lives or dies.
You must be able to really hear the voices of the forest creatures.
That forest is mine?
Yes.
It's Miyori's forest!
My forest...
Yes.
I can go by myself.
Is that so?
Well, you're already a sixth grader.
Just stay on this path.
Grandpa went to the mountains to harvest grass.
And Grandma is seeing her granddaughter off.
Dum dum.
Hmm, so you have school starting today.
Bokuriko.
You remembered my name.
Ouch...
Help me!
Man, those are wooden buildings.
Welcome Miyori-chan
Wh-Why...
Miyori-chan...
W-Welcome.
Oh dear.
She was so nervous, she couldn't sleep last night.
Nao.
It's all right.
You don't have to cry.
Come here.
Anyway, welcome from a really faraway place.
Where in Tokyo did you live?
I made this.
Here you go.
Miyori-chan.
You don't have brown hair.
Did you meet any celebs in Tokyo?
Do you have a PC?
Um...
Come on now, let's show Miyori-chan our classroom.
Okay!
Are there molesters on the trains in Tokyo?
Is it true that Tokyo Disneyland isn't really in Tokyo?
Why did you move here?
Because of family, wasn't it?
I really don't get it, but that sounds cool.
Miyori-chan, let's play.
Do you have a cell phone?
Did you get to see Mickey?
Ask us anything you want to know.
Around here, we all become friends the day we meet.
Let's be friends, Miyori-chan.
Why did you move here?
Jeez...
Miyori!
There!
Stop it, Daisuke!
You live with that old witch, right?
I really don't get it, but she's really cool!
She actually uses magic!
You're such a kid, Kotaro.
Miyori-chan will think less of you.
Yeah.
Jeez!
Shut up!
You're really noisy!
Annoying!
You're not nice.
What?!
Nao.
Miyori!
There!
I told you to stop it, Daisuke!
Her nose is bleeding!
Shoot!
You okay, Miyori?
You should stay still.
Why you!
Ouch!
Ow-ow-ow...
I'm the witch's granddaughter, and the guardian of the forest.
I'll put a curse on you if you keep being rude to me.
So annoying!
I have to deal with that everyday now?
You hate the countryside?
You again?!
Does it make you want to go back to Tokyo?
I hate this place!
It's totally unsuitable for me!
Everyone's so boring!
It's a good place once you get used to it.
Why do I have to go through this?!
I wouldn't have needed to move here if I'd had better parents!
I want to go back.
Seriously.
Please don't leave, Miyori!
Leave me alone!
Don't talk to me!
Man, you're no fun.
You're annoying!
Miyori! Don't go that way!
You're going astray!
Shut up!
Don't follow me!
Not that way!
You're nothing more than tree roots.
This is pretty...
There is such a place too.
I wonder if it's safe to drink?
It's safe to drink.
You're thirsty, right?
Y-Yeah.
Were you being chased by someone?
Drink as much as you want.
It's good...
even though it's just water.
The water is so pretty here,
but it's going to be gone eventually.
It'll be under a dam soon.
A dam?
There's going to be a dam?
Yes, this entire area.
Do you want to see it?
Did that surprise you?
Is this whole area really going to be submerged?
I wonder how humans can bring themselves to destroy something so important?
Really, they are idiotic creatures.
The village is that way.
Come again.
Let's talk again.
Okay.
But don't bring any men.
She's barefoot.
She was mysterious.
Miyori, are you okay?
Are you unharmed?
Didn't you see a woman?
What are you talking about?
Is she one of you?
Is she a spirit of the forest or something?
She's not one of us.
Did you see a rock with a rope around it, just by the spring?
Yeah, I did.
It's the hanging rock.
A woman who'd been deceived by a man hung herself there.
Then she is...
Long dead.
So is she human?
She is.
She sounded angry about humans though.
I guess she's not going to get along with spirits or humans.
When people get close to that spring, she gets mad and plays pranks on them.
Kanoko was the original lord of that spring.
She steps on me if I get near it now.
She took it over, huh.
That spring is mine!
That selfish wench!
Unforgivable!
Can't you do something about her?
She wasn't that scary.
Because you're a woman.
Any man who wanders into that area gets treated horribly.
Say, Miyori, would you talk to her on our behalf?
Talk about what?
About giving the spring back to Kanoko.
Also, about not playing pranks on people who come to the forest.
What?!
Why me?
She wouldn't listen to us.
But still, why do I have to make a deal with her?
It's your problem.
Deal with her yourself.
You may not realize it, but she's really scary.
No, I don't.
I see...
It's not my problem.
My spring!
You can do it, Nao-chan!
Naoko, you don't have to try too hard.
I can't!
Nao-chan, you were so close.
Too bad.
All right, Naoko tried really hard.
The sixth graders are up next.
Let's see Miyori-chan and Daisuke perform glider jumps.
What?!
Man!
It's easy... I guess.
Hideji, get off.
Okay.
Daisuke, you go first.
Miyori-chan, come over here.
There are only two of us. Why me first?
All right now, stand in a line here so he won't crash into you.
Okay!
As if I'll go flying there!
Ouch!
Next, Miyori-chan. Daisuke, get off the mat.
But it hurts...
It's your fault for trying to add a twist.
Miyori-chan, ready?
She put in a twist!
Miyori-chan's good.
All because she's the witch's granddaughter.
Hideji, don't talk like that.
All right, good job, both of you.
That's it for phys. ed.
Please walk around the mat.
Okay!
Okako-sensei, what score did Miyori-chan get?
A perfect 10, I think.
Wow!
What about Daisuke?
Six points, I think.
That was a battle between the tank tops.
Nao, what Miyori-chan's wearing is called a no-sleeves.
Don't make Daisuke mad.
Daisuke!
Are you okay?
It's a duel, Miyori!
That was mean, Daisuke.
It was the third time you did that!
It's not fair to hit someone from behind!
Ow...
Here, Miyori-chan, you can do it.
Thanks.
Daisuke, you're overreacting!
You're annoying!
Declaring war against me?
Cool.
Annoying!
You don't like being in the country, do you?!
That's right!
Got a problem with that?!
Then leave.
I will some time!
This is such a shoddy village!
There are no convenience stores, arcades, or family restaurants!
Don't mock the village!
Would you think it's big if we had a convenience store?
It's not that easy!
A dam is going to submerge this place!
It went up!
What did you just say?!
So you don't know?!
What do you mean by a dam?
It's all going to be submerged!
The school, the forest, the village, everything!
It doesn't matter how much you like it here!
You'll all be chased away!
Stop lying!
Do you know there's a beautiful spring in the forest?
I saw it there.
Saw what?
You can see for yourself there.
You want to know the truth, right?
Yeah.
Then go.
You just don't want to believe your village will be submerged, do you?
That's why you're claiming I was lying.
I'll do what you said.
I can see it at the spring, right?
Hey, Daisuke...
I'll go check whether or not she was lying.
If it was a lie, go back to Tokyo!
Daisuke, that's enough.
Are you really going?
Don't do it!
It's a deal between Miyori and me!
Stay out of it!
Do you know about the curse of the spring?
There's a ghost there.
There really is one.
St-Stop it!
The ghost lives there, right?
It's just a rumor.
When a boy goes near it, he gets cursed to death.
He dies a slow, agonizing death.
Do you want to get ice cream on the way home?
We shouldn't be wasting money.
ta~rara~ ta~rara~
Is Daisuke skipping again?
That hopeless boy...
...there, the rice crop grows more slowly because of the greater temperature difference between day and night.
Daisuke's still not back.
Is he really all right?
Someone should go save him.
Kotaro, you go help him.
Not me!
Hideji, sit down!
Okay.
When people get close to that spring, she gets mad and plays pranks on them.
Any man who wanders into that area gets treated horribly.
What are you doing?
Um, nothing really...
What's your name?
D-Daisuke.
Daisuke?
Yes.
How dare you violate my precious spring!
I won't go any easier on you just because you're a kid!
Any year that there's a big snowfall, we have a great rice harvest.
It's because the snow kills the bad germs.
Miyori-chan?
Daisuke!
Stop!
Stop right there!
Miyori!
What did you say?
I said to stop!
Did Daisuke do anything to you?!
He may be small, but he's a man!
And you died because a man dumped you, right?
You heard about that?
You're an idiot, killing yourself just because he dumped you!
What would a kid know?!
Even a kid knows that blaming someone else doesn't help!
Hand over that kid now!
I'll sink him in the spring!
No!
What?!
I was dumped by Mom too!
And by Dad as well!
I hate cowards who blame others, or take revenge on other people!
Way to go, Miyori!
Keep going!
Tell her more!
More! More!
Ha! Ha!
Shut up!
Are you any different?!
You blame your parents and others too!
Am I wrong?!
No!
Miyori!
And whose fault is it that I'm such a nasty kid?
Everyone's so boring!
I won't become like you!
A coward will always be a coward!
Am I wrong?
You'll never become strong!
You'll always blame others!
Why me?
...if I'd had better parents!
I don't want that anymore!
Miyori-chan, thank you.
She went to heaven.
A stoat?
Why did you say "thank you"?
You're a part of this forest too.
On your way.
You're so brave that you chased away that scary woman!
But I knew you could do it.
That's our Miyori!
Good job, guardian of the forest!
I didn't do anything.
Man, this is great!
Daisuke! Daisuke!
You're all right now.
Miyori, you'd better not move him.
Oh, okay.
Is it true this spring will be submerged by a dam?
Who told you that?
Is it true?
It hasn't been decided yet!
What if they do decide on it?!
Are you going to abandon this forest and flee to another one?!
We want to stay here if we can.
But we need human help to protect the forest.
But aren't humans your enemies?!
Humans are making the dam!
We don't consider them enemies or allies.
Originally, humans were the same as us.
The same?
What do you mean?
Would you help us, Miyori?
How?
Daisuke!
Daisuke, are you all right?
Here, use this.
Sorry I made you go through such scary stuff.
I didn't mean to do that.
You're too strong.
I was scared too.
But I hate anyone talking down to me!
You have such a nasty character.
Aw, come on!
Dai-chan!
Daisuke!
He's alive!
Did she curse you?
Did she?
Did you see the ghost?
Don't worry.
Miyori and I chased her away.
Right, Miyori?
Yep.
Miyori is really strong.
Don't try to pick a fight with her.
Only you did!
Are you okay, Miyori?
Yeah.
It cut the wood!
Wow!
That was fast!
It smells good.
The smell of the wood.
Yeah!
Daisuke, lift that end.
Hmm? Okay.
Ready?
Hold it steady.
All right.
How's that?
Great!
Cool!
So good!
So cool!
Um...
I'm not "Um."
Call me Grandpa.
Grandpa.
What is it, Miyori?
How are we going to get it upstairs?
Oh man!
I should've put it together upstairs!
Getting old?
You eat like a pig.
Yeah, it's sweet and great!
Miyori-chan, is it good?
Yeah.
Won't your friends from Tokyo come visit you?
I didn't have any friends there.
Because you're too cocky!
Shush!
Man! Unbelievable!
How could you do that?
Hey!
Miyori-chan!
Bad news!
The dam people are here!
Wh-What?
The construction team for the dam!
Naoko's family runs an inn.
The guests there were...
They were asking Mom about the forest!
There's no mistake about it!
They headed for the western forest!
Let's go!
Where are you going?
See? This is their car.
Are you sure?
I am.
They must have entered the forest here.
Miyori-chan!
It isn't safe!
Wait!
Miyori!
What's the rush?
The dam people are here.
Where?
They're somewhere in the forest.
Let everyone know!
Okay!
It's really happening.
My forest really will...
Is that them?
They look suspicious.
Miyori?
But this creek...
Oh.
Do you live around here?
Excuse me, are you here for the dam?
Yes, we're researching the environment around here.
We're checking to see whether or not we can build a dam here.
What are you looking at?
Why are you carrying guns?
Oh...
That's just in case.
So that we'll be safe if we run into a bear.
There's a tiger.
The forest won't be a safe place for a while, so stay out of it.
Tell your friends that too.
They decided already?
When do they intend to build it?
Is my house going to be submerged too?
Calm down.
My folks said that they haven't made a decision yet.
They're just checking to see if they can build a dam here.
But they'll build it if they find out they can, right?
All of our houses will be underwater...
My parents said we'll move to our relatives' place if they build the dam.
I don't want to move.
Miyori-chan, chase them away.
Just like that ghost!
But...
No buts!
Look.
The golden eagle?
There's this thing called an endangered species.
Okinawa rails and Iriomote cats are examples.
They're animals that are close to extinction.
Is the golden eagle one of those too?
There are only 500 of them left in Japan.
Look here.
It says they used to live in this area too.
And?
There's a law that forbids major development on a mountain with endangered species.
Then let's find golden eagles!
We won't let them build the dam!
Yeah!
If we find golden eagles, we can block the plan for the dam!
We just need to find golden eagles, right?
Let's find them!
We'll find them!
This is the start of the golden eagle search team!
Yeah!
We are looking for golden eagles
Komori Village Hall
Bus Stop Store
Bokuriko!
Nego-jii!
Kanoko!
Please come out!
I want to talk to you about something.
Where are they?
What are you doing?
Look.
Don't you think she's a spy?
She must be.
The dam people must've found out what we're trying to do!
What are you doing, Mom?
Are you telling me that's a disguise?
Long time no see.
Did you get burned?
That'll leave spots later.
Why did you come?
I was wondering how you were doing.
You're lying.
You got lonely, didn't you?
What are you going to do now?
Are you going to move back in with Dad?
There are so many bugs in the countryside.
I'm asking a question.
Maybe there aren't any real, manly men in the world.
Probably you just can't find one.
That's a mean thing to say to your mother.
And it's not mean that you left home?
Miyori!
I'm sorry!
You're the only thing I have left now!
Stop that fake crying!
You could tell?
Don't be so spoiled!
Miyori!
W-Wait!
Wait up! Miyori!
Miyori!
So that's Miyori's mom.
So she wasn't a spy.
No one my age has seen golden eagles here.
Then, what about your dad?
Well...
I've never heard of them.
What kind of meat is this?
It's wild boar stew.
Isn't it good?
Questionable.
She thinks it's questionable.
Thanks for the meal.
You're done already?
I'm full.
Shoo.
It's nice and dry here.
We don't need an air conditioner.
Hey, Miyori,
do you want to live with me?
We'll probably fight a lot, because we're really alike.
I'm not alike.
We are!
We're proud, competitive, obstinate, and selfish.
I'm not.
You sure have changed.
Well, it's okay if you're not like me.
Let's live together in Tokyo.
I was just getting used to it here!
We could never grow accustomed to this area in our entire lives.
It's only interesting at first.
You won't last a year.
Miyori?
Will you think about it?
So you can't get back together with Dad?
That's the first time you've talked about it.
So you really can't.
Here's the lost stick.
That's not it.
The sound won't reach the forest like that.
Like this, then?
Just hitting it hard won't work.
You don't even know that?
Um, who are you?
Me?
Wa-Washirashi.
I've been living here for three hundred years, ever since this house was built.
Washirashi, where are Bokuriko and the others?
Where did they go?
Did they run off to another forest?
No, they're hiding themselves.
Because there are strangers in the forest.
Those dam people?
There's something I want to ask them.
What do you think the drum is for?
Here, wear this around your waist.
That's the proper attire.
Thank you.
You sure know a lot.
It's so high!
Go ahead and play it.
Like tum, tu-tum, tum, tu-tum.
That's it.
What is it, this late at night?
Moguri!
Miyori!
It's tum, tu-tum!
Yoo hooo!
Bokuriko!
What is it, this late at night?
Nego-jii!
What do you want?
Um...
Would you listen to me?
We already are.
As you probably know already, this forest will soon be submerged by a dam.
We know!
Ow.
But there's a way to stop it!
Find golden eagles.
Golden eagles?
They can't build the dam if there are golden eagles here.
Golden eagles, huh...
Golden eagles...
I haven't seen them in a while.
You know that the team researching the dam is here now?
Find golden eagles before they go back.
And let me know!
Do you understand what I'm asking?
Not at all.
Oh...
Shall we ask Fukurin?
Who?
Fukurin Nagizari, the spirit of the wind.
Concentrate.
Feel his presence with your fingertips, then yank hard.
His presence?
You'll see once you try.
Sorry!
Do it more gently!
It's not that easy.
It's making me dizzy!
Watch the wind, not the rope!
Feel the presence of the wind!
The wind...
He's hard to catch.
He's capricious, and quick to run.
The presence of the wind...
Owwww...
How humiliating, getting caught by such a young girl.
A-Are you the spirit of the wind?
Yes, I'm the spirit of the wind, Fukurin Nagizari.
Fukurin, would you please bring golden eagles to this forest?
Golden eagles?
Why?
Please!
Don't you think this area is perfect for them to make nests?
Would you find them and bring them here?
And really hurry!
You've got some nerve.
You come with me too.
Don't keep your eyes shut, search for them!
It's making me dizzy! And sick!
You'll get used to it!
Let me down!
Let me down now!
Could you be Miyori? The guardian of the forest?
Yes, I am!
Then I'll take you on a patrol!
What a weakling.
I can't help it.
That was the first time I've flown.
If I see golden eagles, I'll tell them to come here.
You will?!
But it's up to them to decide whether or not they'll live here.
When will I see them?
Wait patiently.
But we're in a hurry!
See what I mean by capricious?
If you eat so much rice, you'll get fat.
Do you want breakfast?
No thanks.
More please.
It's coming.
I'll call you once I'm settled.
Then...
I'll come back if you and Dad get together again,
but if not, I won't.
Miyori!
I know what I did was terrible, but I don't hate you.
Neither do I.
You're the only mom I have.
You could live together here.
I couldn't get accustomed to life here.
Well, Miyori,
I'll talk with your dad.
I thought that getting divorced was the only open option,
but I haven't talked to him in years,
and I don't know what he wants.
Ask him what he wants.
Yeah.
And you have to tell him how you feel about the whole thing too.
You sure say more than you should.
You really are my daughter.
You're also my granddaughter.
Grandma,
can I still stay with you?
You can stay as long as you want.
Yeah.
Still no golden eagles...
Maybe they're extinct around here.
What about Okunawa Rails?
You mean Okanawa Rails?
That's Okinawa Rails.
They live further south, in Okinawa.
It's still too soon to give up!
Are they here again?
Yeah.
So persistent!
Maybe they're not here.
And it will cause a lot of trouble later if there are any.
Yeah.
Oh.
You again?
You're hindering our investigation. Go home!
Don't you dare harm the golden eagles!
What did you just say?
Golden eagles?
Where did you see them?
Will you tell us?
Toward the edge of the eastern forest.
Which way is that? Can you take us there?
You think he really saw them?
He'd have told us first if he really had.
So he's lying?
What an idiot.
But...
aren't we hindering your investigation?
Let's go home.
Yeah, let's go home, and not hinder them.
H-H-H-Hold on a minute!
You're not hindering us at all!
You'll show us, won't you?
Couldn't you tell a better lie?
Shush.
I'm just buying time.
Quit sighing!
Hey, are we close yet?
Well, was it this way?
I see...
Around here, huh?
Nice.
It's the perfect kind of rocky area for golden eagles to make their nests.
Yeah! It was here.
Do you see any?
No, not yet.
Thank you.
You can go home now.
Well....
But...
It won't be safe, so leave.
What now?
They'll find out soon enough.
Then I'll take them to the western forest.
I'll drag them around again.
Anything?
I don't see any sign of a nest.
There's none around!
Go home already!
Yeah!
Go home!
Let's call it a day.
Oh?
A golden eagle...
There really is one!
Miyori!
Bokuriko?!
Wh-What?
What do you think?
Does it look right?
They're getting suspicious!
Fly a little!
He can't fly?
What?!
That's impossible! I can't fly!
Something's not right.
Yeah.
He's not flying away even though humans are this close.
Maybe he's injured.
That works better for us.
Huh? What are they doing?
I really can't do it.
Run away, Bokuriko!
Damn it!
You scum! Don't let it get away!
Stop...
Please don't shoot!
Stop it, Miyori!
They'll kill you!
Bokuriko!
He was injured.
He can't have gone too far.
If we gather a couple of dozen hunters, we can finish this quickly.
We'll finish it before tomorrow night.
We can't build the dam until we take care of the golden eagles.
What are they thinking?
They were lying about being here to investigate.
They're corporate dogs.
They're here to kill the golden eagles, so the dam plan won't be blocked.
Hey!
Where are you going?
Miyori.
It hurts, Miyori.
Bokuriko...
Can't you turn back to your original form?
I want to turn back too.
But he's severely weakened.
Turn yourself into a tiger again for me!
Will I get better?
You have to get better.
They'll shoot you again if you stay in this form.
I don't want that!
No! No!
Do you want to come to my place... and hide in the attic?
Grandma can get you plenty of herbs too.
I want to stay in the forest right now.
I feel the same way as you do.
I don't want to see this forest disappear.
I don't really like being in the country.
I used to flat-out hate it.
I don't know why I feel this way.
But I won't be able to see you if something happens.
What should I do?
I really want to do something.
It blossomed!
It's the spirit of this Ipponzakura,
our leader.
Miyori.
Yes.
This is something you cannot accomplish by yourself.
What will you do?
That's right.
Join your heart with others.
You've never been alone since you were born.
You've never been alone.
Where am I?
You are underground.
You are now a water drop, soaking through the ground.
Water?
A long journey is about to start.
See? The surface is getting closer.
It's so bright.
I dissolved minerals into the ground.
Eventually I sprung up from the ground,
and flowed into a river.
For many years, I provided moisture to the earth, and quenched people's thirst.
I no longer knew anyone in the world, like my mom and grandma.
I became a part of the sea, and floated around for decades and centuries.
And nurtured the creatures of the sea.
One day, dizzyingly many moons later,
I turned into steam, rose to the sky, became clouds,
and poured onto the village, the forest, and the people as rain.
Do you see it, Miyori?
Quenching the earth, bringing water to the people, and nourishing the creatures,
that's water.
Welcome back.
The circle of water that you just traversed...
begins here in the forest
Nobody can live without water.
Not us,
nor you.
Are you prepared to protect this forest, sacrificing yourself?
Nego-jii.
As long as I'm with them!
I'm counting on you, Miyori.
Your drum playing sure sounds good tonight!
Wow...
There were this many of you in the forest?
Some are from the nearby mountain.
There are some who came from far, far away too.
They are willing to help you.
Listen!
People are coming tomorrow to destroy the forest.
I want to chase them away.
How can you chase them away?
Are we going to pick them up and throw them out?
Let's make them get lost!
Sounds like lots of fun to trick them.
I want to make them super scared.
I want them so scared that they'll never return to this forest.
I wonder what would scare them?
You're scary just like that!
Where did you come from?
I'm from Akita.
Are you Kanoko's sister?
I'm his brother!
Everyone! Lend me your help!
They're here.
They brought lots of men.
How many are there?
I can't tell.
Miyori...
Will you be okay on your own?
Who do you think I am?
I'm the granddaughter of the witch.
You could at least tell us what kind of plan you have in mind.
Never mind me.
I need all of you to do your part.
You can count on us. We'll come through.
Yeah!
It's injured?
That golden eagle had an injured wing.
So it couldn't have gone very far.
I hope we're done before lunch.
We probably will be.
Let's finish it quickly and then celebrate with some beer.
Strange...
It's too quiet.
You think so?
Seiryu, produce the fog!
This is one thick fog.
This isn't the time to be impressed!
Is it the curse of a dragon god?
Yeah, right.
It feels like the fog is coming after us.
That's foolish!
Spirits of the forest, show yourselves to the humans!
Kanoko, show Miyori your scary face.
You want to see it that bad?
What scary face?
I'll show you, granddaughter of the witch.
It's like this!
But can other people see that?
When we change into our scary forms, other people can see us.
Isn't that cool?
Which is more handsome?
Hand... some...
What does that mean?
It means a good-looking man.
But are you a man?
Excuse me!
I'm a man!
Which is your real form?
They're both real.
Kanoko is the leader of the Kanoko clan.
Let's get started! Go!
Man...
This won't be easy.
Don't shoot any of our men.
What's going on?
It should've been this way.
Weren't we supposed to be done by lunch?
Hey, there's water.
It's so good!
This is such great water.
My water bottle!
Forget about it.
How can it sink once and come right back?
Can I keep this?
Who are you?
Give it back!
What is that?
A creature of some sort?
It spoke...
I'm sure it didn't.
I can talk!
It went underwater.
It wasn't human.
Get them off!
They bit me!
Not my mouth! Or nose!
Can I keep him?
N-N-N-No!
Help!
What the...
There are so many!
Help him before they eat him!
Wake up! Before they gulp you down!
I know about your villainous plan.
A corporation sent you to prevent the plan from being blocked, didn't they?!
Don't shoot!
She's a human!
Don't!
Fukurin!
She flew!
She's a witch!
The spirits of the forest are trembling with anger!
Leave the forest at once if you want to live!
Shoot her!
Don't shoot!
Which way?!
Pick up all the rifles!
Is this everyone?
Where are the others?
I don't know.
Who's there?!
Oh, it's you.
Let's finish it quickly and then celebrate with some beer.
Let's finish it quickly.
Stay away from here!
Aim well!
Did he get eaten?!
Idiot! He'd be in its stomach if he'd been eaten!
Monster!
Get the rifle!
Help!
You don't need it anymore.
What's that?!
Calm down, it's only an illusion.
We drank the water from that spring, right?
Maybe there was something in the water.
I didn't drink it!
Don't come any closer!
Don't push me!
Fine...
Golden eagle...
You never learn.
You can't stop us!
We have our reasons too!
Our lives are at stake!
It's not just a game!
It's not a game for us either.
Shut up!
Stop!
Here they come!
Yeah! It tripped three of them!
Yeah!
Now stay together!
What are you doing?!
Move!
Let us in!
Why you...
Out of the way!
Then I'll bite you!
You'd better run, or they'll get you too!
Aren't you scared?!
What's going on? Did he see a bear or something?
It doesn't look like that.
People from Tokyo are such wimps.
Hurry, Dad!
What are you people doing here?
Yeah!
Well...
For research!
Fake research.
Yeah!
Some children told us you were acting suspiciously!
Why are you sneaking around with rifles?
Why are you shooting when it's not hunting season?
Come to the office, and tell me everything!
No.
He sounds like a kid.
Yeah.
Stop talking like a kid!
Daisuke, look!
Wow, it's huge!
There's a witch on it!
Look up!
No human could've done this.
Oh man...
Maybe the bears.
Tell me everything at the office!
I'll feed you to the bears if you get any funny ideas!
Not a bear. A witch.
Naoko's grandpa, watch them from behind.
Okay.
Leave the car here.
There are no thieves in this village.
Yeah!
Take that!
It worked great!
All right everyone, we'll go back to school and resume class.
I don't want to!
Me either.
Boys, you come too.
Okako-sensei, I can hear something.
Hey, can you hear something?
Miyori, where are you?
Miyori-chan!
They're calling for you, Miyori.
I guess I'll go join them.
Fukurin!
One Month Later
Where's Miyori?
She went out.
So early?
Kuro!
Let's see...
High probability of endangered golden eagles in the area
Dam plan canceled
High probability of endangered golden eagles in the area
Dam plan canceled
Wow! Great!
Kuro! The dam plan has been stopped!
Nego-jii!
Bokuriko!
Miyori, you sure like to run.
So, what's going on?
The dam plan has been stopped!
Yeah!
So the forest is saved.
You saved the forest.
And all of you did too.
Just like the Ipponzakura said.
But people like that will come again.
Perhaps in ten, fifty, or a hundred years.
I'm sure Bokuriko will help us until we find real golden eagles.
Me again?
Don't get shot next time.
That's easy for you to say.
Don't worry.
We'll chase them away again, no matter how many times they come back.
Miyori, are you going to stay here forever?
Now that I'm here, I want to see the forest in autumn,
and in winter,
and in spring.
I want to see all of it!
And this Ipponzakura will blossom again next spring.
The forest in winter will be fun too.
Yeah.
Look, Washirashi.
So many large leaves.
It's not bad being the guardian of the forest.
But Miyori, can you really continue to protect it?
If I'm with everyone, I'll be fine.
I'll be fine.