The Life of Budori Gusuko 2012

Budori Gusukō [Shun Oguri] grows up in a peaceful life with his family in a forest on the mountains of Ihatov, where he goes to school, plays with his sister Neri [Shioli Kutsuna], and helps his parents [Tamiyo Kusakari] and Ryūzō Hayashi. A year later, that quiet life is shattered when a sudden shift in the weather blankets Ihatov in cold and storm, sparking famine and drought that leave communities hungry and desperate for salvation.

One night, Budori is awakened by his parents’ shouting. He finds his mother standing at an open door as the winter storm rages, suggesting that his father has wandered off into the woods. The next day, distressed by her husband’s disappearance, his mother goes into the woods to search for him, leaving Budori and Neri to fend for themselves.

Alone and hungry, Neri grows weaker and more fatigued.

As Budori tries to make a meal out of leaves, a nameless kidnapper Kuranosuke Sasaki seizes Neri. He chases the kidnapper but, exhausted from malnutrition, he collapses. He awakens in an unfamiliar place to meet a towering stranger who forces him to work on a net used to raise silkworms in exchange for food. After completing his task, Budori is returned to the spot outside his family home. With no other options, he sets off down the mountain to find his sister.

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

During a train ride to his next destination, Budori awakens in a strange place filled with odd creatures. Here he encounters the kidnapper again and chases him up a tall tower filled with 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, a scientist whose books Budori studied on the farm. After a lecture, he approaches Professor Kubo and makes a good impression. Professor Kubo Akira Emoto then recommends that Budori work with scientists studying volcanoes.

Budori resolves to end the misery in Ihatov. He looks toward the volcano with determination, and is drawn into a dream-like world where he stands in a courtroom. The judge is the kidnapper, who accuses Budori of trespassing and jumping between worlds; Budori explains that his actions were driven by love for his sister. The judge counters that Neri was welcomed into the world and wanted to come.

Returning to the real world, Budori conceives a plan to trigger a volcanic eruption to release carbon gases that could warm the air and halt the cold spell. When his proposal is rejected, he resolves to act anyway. The kidnapper comes to help him, and the two make their way to the volcano. A sudden flash of light fills the surroundings, and, with time passing, the land of Ihatov returns to its beauty as the weather shifts back to balance.