* Based on a classic story by Miyazawa Kenji. The fairy tale follows a young man named Guskou in the Tohoku forests of northeastern Japan in the 1920s. After an onslaught of droughts and natural disasters, Guskou is forced to leave his home and search for a better life elsewhere. Guskou joins a group of scientists at the Ihatov Volcano Department, which deals with the same natural disasters that drove Guskou from his home. Note: Originally produced by Group TAC, this project was halted for some time because of the studio's bankruptcy before being taken over by Tezuka Production.