The Life of Budori Gusuko

Budori grows up in a peaceful life with his family in the forests and mountains of Ihatov, going to school and helping at home. A sudden shift in the weather blankets Ihatov in cold and storm, sparking famine and drought. The communities grow hungry and desperate for salvation.

One night Budori's mother shouts as a winter storm rages outside. She fears their father has wandered off into the woods. The next day she leaves to search, leaving Budori and Neri to fend for themselves.

While alone and hungry, Neri is seized by a nameless kidnapper. Budori chases the kidnapper but collapses from malnutrition. He wakes in an unfamiliar place and is forced to help on a net used for raising silkworms in exchange for food.

After being returned to the spot outside his family home, Budori resolves to descend the mountain to search for his sister. He heads off with little more than hope. This marks the start of his long quest.

On his journey he finds a village and meets Redbeard, a farmer who welcomes him as a helper. He stays with Redbeard and his wife for about a year, learning farming techniques. Another drought strikes their village, prompting Redbeard to release Budori to continue his quest.

A second drought devastates the village, underscoring the ongoing misery in Ihatov. Redbeard sends Budori on, letting him continue his search. Budori sets off toward the next destination.

During a train ride to his next destination, Budori awakens in a strange place filled with odd creatures. He encounters the kidnapper again and chases him up a tall tower through surreal scenes. At the top, Budori finds a poster of his sister wearing a ballerina outfit.

Back in the real world, Budori reaches the city and seeks out Professor Kubo. After a lecture, he makes a good impression and Kubo recommends that he work with scientists studying volcanoes. This marks a shift from personal survival to scientific rescue mission.

Budori resolves to end the misery in Ihatov and looks toward the volcano with determination. He is drawn into a dream-like world where he stands in a courtroom. The judge is the kidnapper, accusing Budori of trespassing between worlds.

In the real world, Budori conceives a plan to trigger a volcanic eruption to release carbon gases that could warm the air. When his proposal is rejected, he resolves to act anyway. The line between science and desperation becomes blurred.

The kidnapper comes to help Budori, and the two make their way to the volcano. A sudden flash of light fills the surroundings, and Ihatov returns to beauty as the weather shifts back to balance. The climate is restored.