The fairy tale follows a young man named Gusukō in the Tōhoku forests of northeastern Japan in the 1920s. After an onslaught of droughts and natural disasters, Gusukō is forced to leave his home and search for a better life elsewhere. Gusukō joins a group of scientists at the Ihatov Volcano Department, which deals with the same natural disasters that drove Gusukō from his home.
小栗旬
as Budori Gusukō (voice)
忽那汐里
as Neri Gusukō (voice)
佐々木蔵之介
as Kotori the Kidnapper (voice)
草刈民代
as Budori's Mother (voice)
林家正蔵
as Redbeard (voice)
林隆三
as Budori's Father (voice)
柄本明
as Narrator / Dr. Kūbō (voice)
