Kino is a young Japanese boy who lives on a farm high on a mountainside. His best friend, Jiya, lives below in the fishing village at the seashore. Life is filled with hard work and fun moments with his friend. Then the unthinkable happens: a great tsunami wave. Jiya’s family and village are destroyed, and it takes Jiya many years to overcome his loss and learn that life is stronger than death, we are brave because we must be, and there is much in this life that is wonderful.