Yamanba Arc

Story guide

At night, small black figures approach Ano-ko on the ground and move as if surrounding them. Ano-ko swings their long tail to drive away those that come close, while small food-like items and shapes are scattered at their feet and Ano-ko also brings something to their mouth. The image does not explain who these figures are or why they have gathered. The number of black shadows and Ano-ko's large tail create tension in the dark setting. Ano-ko may look calm, but the use of their tail shows this is not simply a moment of rest.

Story guide

Against a pale blue background, Chiikawa stands holding something like a small bear plush at their chest. A light blue hat or cloth rests on their head, giving them a slightly different look from usual. Chiikawa lets out a brief sound, but no companion or location is shown. The image does not tell whether the plush is a gift or a personal belonging, or who may have been nearby before. With broad empty space, it highlights the blue headwear and brown object in Chiikawa's hands as a standalone character-and-prop illustration.

Story guide

In a nighttime field, Ano-ko sits and pauses on the ground while watching small black figures around them. Some move in lines and appear to hold thin objects or instrument-like items, giving the quiet night an air of a strange procession. Ano-ko does not look openly cheerful at the center of it, instead seeming unable to settle how to engage with the movement in front of them. Arrows and small objects appear, but the purpose of the gathering is not explained. It is best read as a night scene of sounds and procession-like movement around Ano-ko, without deciding whether the black figures are companions or enemies.

Story guide

Chiikawa is wearing a striped pajama top and a light blue nightcap, standing in front of a pink background. Squinting and opening their mouth, they let out a short cry, and small dots are scattered on either side of their body. Round white hands are peeking from the sleeves, but they are not depicted holding anything. It is not a multi-panel scene, but rather depicts a single moment of Chiikawa in sleepwear letting out a voice; it does not indicate what happened right before or what they are going to do next.

Story guide

Hachiware finds a chestnut-like nut in the mountains and puts it in a basket. Chiikawa and Usagi walk through the forest with Hachiware and try eating something they find near a tree. Hachiware is surprised by how good it tastes, while Chiikawa describes a sweetness that seems to spread through them. When asked about the taste, Usagi reacts strongly. This opening scene has the three sample gathered food and share the pleasure of spending time in the mountains.

Story guide

Chiikawa and Hachiware find a large body hanging upside down by a rope from a tree in the mountains. Startled by the sight, they approach and check whether it is all right. The hanging body moves near the ground and seems to shift into another position in front of them. Even after night falls, Chiikawa and Hachiware see the same movement beneath the tree. Without knowing what it is, the mountain's uneasiness deepens.

Story guide

When Chiikawa, Hachiware, and Usagi approach out of concern, Yamanba laughs and says that being suspended upside down does not hurt. Yamanba invites the three home and prepares food simmering in a pot with pickled red ginger. Hachiware enjoys the taste, and Chiikawa and Usagi also receive food. Yamanba thanks them for helping and offers them more to eat. The frightening encounter turns into warm hospitality.

Cultural and language notePickled red ginger is ginger pickled red and used as an accompaniment that adds aroma and tartness to a dish. Here, it appears as a specific ingredient that conveys the meal's flavor.

Story guide

Yamanba prepares to serve sweets after the meal, and Chiikawa, Hachiware, and Usagi are surprised by a large box of confections. Yamanba asks them to wait a moment and takes out a sheet of paper illustrated with mushroom-shaped sweets. The three watch to see what will begin, but Yamanba instead shows them a photograph labeled as something made by Yamanba. The mismatch between its store-bought appearance and the explanation that it was homemade leaves the three confused.

Story guide

Chiikawa and Hachiware stand beside a large hairy body lying on the floor, with the light of a small lantern between them as they cry out. Startled by the figure's sudden condition, the two hesitate over whether to come closer. A short, breath-like sound comes from it, but what it wants is not explained. With the background and tools kept to a minimum, the scene emphasizes only their surprise and the large body before them. It is a brief moment of unease in a room at night.

Story guide

Yamanba stirs food that is nearly overflowing from a large pot, and Chiikawa, Hachiware, and Usagi are surprised by the vigor of it. Yamanba happily says that the sound seems to shine, and the three decide to stay in the house. At night, Chiikawa, Hachiware, and Usagi get into their lined-up futons and consider how they should repay Yamanba for the lodging. Hachiware suggests making breakfast, and the three set their minds on the next morning.

Cultural and language noteA futon is bedding laid directly on the floor. Here, the futons are arranged as places for the three to sleep in the same room.

Story guide

In the morning, Chiikawa, Hachiware, and Usagi notice a sound from behind the paper sliding screens. Hachiware thinks someone may be awake, and the three look toward the sound. After being startled by a large shadow cast on the screens, they see Yamanba shaving a hard block on a work surface. Yamanba is holding something that appears to be a dried bonito block and has been preparing breakfast. The sound whose source was unknown turns out to be the sound of cooking.

Story guide

Yamanba shows Chiikawa, Hachiware, and Usagi the hard fish block they are holding and explains that it is honkarebushi. Hearing that it is used to make dashi for breakfast, the three look at its size in surprise. Yamanba says that, because guests have not visited for a long time, they want to serve the best possible breakfast. Chiikawa, Hachiware, and Usagi offer to help, and Yamanba accepts. The relationship between host and guests becomes one of preparing the meal together.

Cultural and language noteHonkarebushi is a block of bonito that has been dried and aged, then shaved to make dashi. Yamanba plans to use an authentic dashi for breakfast.

Story guide

Yamanba initially declines Chiikawa, Hachiware, and Usagi's help, saying that guests should not have to do such things. The three still say they want to do something, and after thinking for a moment, Yamanba accepts their request. Usagi carries vegetables in a basket, Hachiware handles the cooking, and Chiikawa moves around near the table. While tasting the food, Yamanba asks whether it was something they gathered. Steam rises from the pot as breakfast takes shape.

Story guide

With blue sky and clouds behind and trees on both sides, Momonga stretches out and speeds through the air. Momonga holds a pink fruit with pale yellow flesh and lets out a short sound while tossing its seed from their mouth. A small speck arcs through the air behind Momonga's head, with an arrow and writing identifying it as a seed. In the lower right, a forceful voice in a jagged speech bubble demands that it be returned, revealing that an unseen figure is trying to recover the fruit. Momonga does not look back and keeps fleeing with the fruit in hand.

Story guide

Yamanba sets freshly cooked rice and several dishes on the table, and Chiikawa, Hachiware, and Usagi begin eating as invited. When Hachiware says the food is delicious, Yamanba is pleased to be spending time with the three and eats too while singing. The same arrangement continues at breakfast, showing that Yamanba enjoys the time spent gathered around the table.

Story guide

At breakfast, Yamanba mentions the light the three saw and begins speaking as though they saw it too. During the story, their hand trembles purple and small figures appear, making Yamanba suddenly seem unstable. Even so, Yamanba speaks of preparing dinner and goes to do the washing up, while Chiikawa, Hachiware, and Usagi worry about what will happen in the dark house.

Story guide

Ano-ko plays with a stick-like object while small black creatures watch from around them. They lie on the ground and sway as if in time with a sound while holding up one of the creatures, seeming to have fun. When the small creatures keep their distance, Ano-ko lets go of the object in their hands and watches the direction in which the others flee.

Story guide

Ano-ko swings their front legs down toward the small gray figures and chases the fleeing opponents. Catching a club-like weapon that rolled over in their mouth, they turn their gaze to one swinging a weapon connected by chains at both ends, and cheers erupt from the surroundings. After playing with them for a while, Ano-ko shows a satisfied face, eventually appearing above the bushes and advancing through the forest while catching their breath. Beside a tree their footsteps pass by, Dekatsuyo is pressing themself against the shadow of the trunk, cowering and letting out frightened voices. Ano-ko shows no sign of noticing them and simply walks away.

Story guide

Ano-ko, holding something like a nut, hops around near Dekatsuyo. After springing up with force, Ano-ko fails to land and falls to the ground, remaining still for a while. Under a tree, Dekatsuyo makes a motion as if tossing another small creature upward. Watching this, Ano-ko asks what Dekatsuyo is doing, but no answer is immediately given. Play, catching, and the failed landing appear in the same place, ending while the unease in the two's exchange remains.

Story guide

Even when Ano-ko encourages Dekatsuyo to stay nearby, Dekatsuyo seems unsatisfied with continuing their play. When Ano-ko asks what is missing, Dekatsuyo opens their mouth wide and shows that they want more. The two run between the bushes, and Ano-ko asks again why Dekatsuyo suddenly moved away. Dekatsuyo turns back to receive the question, but they do not reach a resolution or reconcile. Through their brief exchange, the scene follows the two from being close together to taking distance because of what they each want.

Story guide

Ano-ko is unsettled when Dekatsuyo suddenly begins wanting something. A large, segmented creature moves past them, and Dekatsuyo follows it with their eyes and pleads for it not to pass by. Ano-ko tries to approach, but the creature quickly moves away. Seeing this, Dekatsuyo reacts to the desired thing escaping. Ano-ko cannot fully take in Dekatsuyo's feelings and watches both the creature that passed before them and the distance between the two.

Story guide

Walking beside another person, Dekatsuyo shows that they want to play a little longer. The other person does not respond at once and watches Dekatsuyo run off. From farther away, Dekatsuyo calls out to play again, while the other person receives the words and quietly stops. When the scene changes, the other person holds a small black creature in both hands, and actions concerning how it is handled are shown. Dekatsuyo's invitation to play is placed alongside the other person's actions toward something else, showing their relationship continuing out of step.