Anju to Zushioumaru

In a serene rural village in Japan, siblings Anju and Zushioumaru enjoy a tranquil life under the care of their devoted father, the steward of the emperor's hunting grounds. He instills in them a deep reverence for nature and its creatures. When a local lord falsely accuses him of arson, the family is thrust into turmoil. Driven by love and desperation, Anju and Zushioumaru, alongside their mother and a few loyal animals, embark on a journey to Kyoto, seeking the emperor's mercy for their unjustly imprisoned father.

Their quest takes a dark turn when the children are duped into boarding the wrong vessel, leading them into the clutches of a cruel master who exploits their innocence. Separated from their mother and thrust into a harsh life of servitude, they endure grueling labor under constant threat. Amid their suffering, they find an unexpected ally in Saburou, the son of their master, who empathizes with their plight. Stripped of their freedom and forced to navigate a world of adversity, Anju and Zushioumaru cling to the hope of returning to the joy they once knew.