A young boy named Guskou lives in the countryside with his parents and little sister. A string of droughts and other natural disasters tear the family apart, and Guskou is forced to leave home and seek his fortunes on his own. Driven by a desire to improve the quality of life of his poor countrymen, he eventually joins a group of scientists called the Ihatov Volcano Department; he takes part in scientific projects to fight the natural disasters that drove him from his home.
Katsunari Mineno
as Gusukō
Machiko Washio
as Okami-san
Mieko Nobusawa
as Mom
Kazuomi Ikeda
as Doctor Kūbō
Minami Takayama
as Young Gusukō
Masamichi Sato
as Dad (voice)