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Fujimoto Family (Horses) Members Ryoma Fujimoto (62 years old) Airi Fujimoto (58 years old) Kiyoshi Fujimoto (35 years old) Naomi Fujimoto (33 years old) Hina Fujimoto (17 years old) Daigo Fujimoto (14 years old) The Fujimotos are considered one of the oldest families in the valley. For generations they took care of the communal stables, the pack horses and the training of the animals used for the trips out of Aokawa. Ryoma has an impressive calmness and can calm even the most frightened animals. Airi produces saddles, harnesses and handmade equipment. Kiyoshi organizes the village's trade trips. Naomi takes care of the newborn foals. Hina helps in the training of the animals, while Daigo dreams of knowing all the roads in Japan. Locals often say that if a horse trusts a Fujimoto, anyone can trust it too. The family's home is close to the open fields, where the sound of hooves mixed with the wind is part of Aokawa's daily landscape.

Tsukishima Family (Raccoons) Members Eitaro Tsukishima (44 years old) Kana Tsukishima (41 years old) Fumi Tsukishima (18 years old) Nori Tsukishima (15 years old) Yuki Tsukishima (6 years old) The Tsukishima are known for their creativity. They always invent different ways to solve small problems in the community. They built toys that use running water, developed carts to facilitate the transport of rice and created various tools that were later adopted by other families. His house is a real laboratory, full of prototypes, wooden gears, wheels, ropes and tools scattered everywhere. Although sometimes their inventions fail in funny ways, locals love to visit them to find out what the next idea will be. Yuki, the youngest, has already dismantled half of the toys in the village just to understand how they worked.

Morikawa Family (Boars) Members Genzo Morikawa (59 years old) Harumi Morikawa (56 years old) Daisuke Morikawa (34 years old) Emi Morikawa (31 years old) Kenta Morikawa (9 years old) The Morikawas are the blacksmiths of Aokawa. His workshop remains lit practically all year round, illuminating the street with the glow of the forge. Genzo manufactures hoes, kitchen knives, nails, horseshoes, and tools used by virtually every family. Harumi takes care of the administration of the workshop. Daisuke became an excellent metal craftsman, also producing small bells used at festivals. Emi works polishing and engraving designs on the most special pieces. Little Kenta dreams of learning his grandfather's trade and spends the whole day watching the movement of the forge. Despite their heavy profession, the Morikawa are extremely cheerful and welcome any visitor with hot tea.

Hoshino Family (Grous) Members Kazuo Hoshino (65 years old) Reika Hoshino (62 years old) The Hoshino couple represents the tranquility of the village. Without children, they dedicated their lives to the art of calligraphy, poetry and handmade papermaking. Their home is quiet, surrounded by bamboo groves and small ponds where lotus flowers bloom during the summer. Kazuo writes poems inspired by the four seasons, while Reika paints delicate valley landscapes using pigments produced by herself. Whenever a wedding, birth or important ceremony takes place, they are the ones who write the official scrolls. Residents believe that no one can turn feelings into words like the Hoshino.

Aoyagi Family (Goats) Members Hideki Aoyagi (57 years old) Sachiko Aoyagi (54 years old) Miku Aoyagi (28 years old) Yuto Aoyagi (19 years old) The Aoyagi live in the highest part of the valley, where the terrain is sloping and stony. Because they are goats, they are able to walk along trails that most locals avoid, becoming the main gatherers of rare herbs, mushrooms and minerals found on the hillsides. Hideki knows every stone on the mountain and often says that "the mountain speaks to those who learn to listen to it". Sachiko transforms dried flowers and aromatic herbs into sachets used to perfume homes and clothes. Miku is passionate about astronomy. He always climbs to a viewpoint on clear nights to observe the stars. Yuto accompanies his father on the trails and draws extremely detailed maps of the mountains around the valley. They are considered to be the residents who know the Aokawa relief best.

Kobayashi Family (Mice) Members Jun Kobayashi (42 years old) Aiko Kobayashi (40 years old) Nao Kobayashi (14 years old) Chibi Kobayashi (7 years old) The Kobayashi are the smallest family in the village in stature, but perhaps the most detailed. Jun manufactures water clocks, small locks and mechanisms used in agricultural tools. Aiko works restoring old objects. Many utensils that look new first passed through his hands. He did not inherit the curiosity of his parents and disassembles practically any object to understand its functioning. Chibi, on the other hand, accompanies his father through the workshop, pretending to work with wooden tools made especially for him. Because they were small, they developed countertops, ladders and furniture adapted to their size. Locals often joke that when something disappears inside a machine, just call a Kobayashi. Despite their short stature, they are considered some of the most skilled craftsmen in all of Aokawa.

Suzukaze Family (Moose) Members Isamu Suzukaze (58 years old) Tomoe Suzukaze (54 years old) Eiji Suzukaze (29 years old) Mika Suzukaze (25 years old) Riku Suzukaze (20 years old) The Suzukaze are the largest inhabitants of the village. Even the youngest members easily exceed two meters in height, making it impossible not to notice them walking through the streets. They work mainly with the transport of wood taken from authorized areas of the forest. Isamu knows every tree in the valley and never allows one to be cut down unnecessarily. Tomoe coordinates the planting of new seedlings whenever an old tree needs to be removed. Eiji manufactures wagons. Mika manages the horses used in the transport. Riku is responsible for maintaining the trails that connect the village to the forests. Although they command respect for size, the Suzukaze are known to be extremely patient. It is common to see small children walking alongside them holding their huge hooves.

Nekoyama Family (Cats) Members Haruki Nekoyama (38 years old) Yui Nekoyama (35 years old) Sora Nekoyama (11 years old) The Nekoyamas run the small teahouse located near the main square. Although it is a simple establishment, practically all residents go there at least once a week. Haruki prepares different types of tea using leaves grown by the Takamine. Yui cooks small rice sweets, sweet bean dumplings, and cookies made with chestnut flour. Sora helps by cleaning the tables, but he usually spends much of his time playing with the children who visit the place. The tea house functions more as a meeting point than as a trade. Friendships emerge there, marriages are announced, travelers tell stories, and the elderly spend hours talking about the changing seasons. Locals often say that no gossip can cross Aokawa before passing the Nekoyama house.

Yamamori Family (Brown Bears) Members Takeshi Yamamori (63 years old) Nozomi Yamamori (60 years old) The Yamamori couple lives in the house furthest from the village, almost on the border between the rice paddies and the forest. They are beekeepers. For decades, Takeshi has learned to take care of the hives scattered around the mountains without ever destroying one of them. Its honey is considered the best in the region. Nozomi produces sweets, syrups and natural remedies using honey, herbs and berries. Despite their enormous physical size, both speak so quietly that many people end up approaching them just to be able to hear them. No child is afraid of the Yamamori. On the contrary, they all love to visit them to taste the freshly harvested honey and watch the bees at work. It is always said that the bees recognize Takeshi's tranquil heart.

Akatsuki Family (Foxes) Members Seijiro Akatsuki (49 years old) Kaede Akatsuki (47 years old) Ayame Akatsuki (23 years old) Kaito Akatsuki (17 years old) The Akatsuki are known as the most elegant family in the village. They have been tailors for four generations and make virtually all the kimonos worn by the residents of Aokawa. Seijiro possesses an impressive ability to measure clothing just by observing a person. He rarely needs to make adjustments after the first test. Kaede works with extremely delicate embroidery inspired by the flowers and mountains of the valley. Many residents keep a kimono made by her as a family heirloom. Ayame became an expert in adapting clothes for different species. She developed techniques to accommodate horns, tails, wings, and ears without compromising comfort. Kaito is still learning, but he shows enormous creativity in drawing. The Akatsuki believe that an outfit should tell the story of the wearer. That's why they never make two pieces exactly alike. During festivals, the family's workshop stays open late into the night, filled with locals trying on new clothes while chatting and sipping tea.

Tanabe Family (Tanukis) Gen Tanabe ( 56 years old) Kinu Tanabe (53 years old) Momo Tanabe (25 years old) Taichi Tanabe (22 years old) Fuku Tanabe (19 years old) Aki Tanabe (13 years old) The Tanabe are the largest handicraft merchants in all of Aokawa. His house looks like a small workshop, filled with ceramics, wooden toys, lanterns, festival masks and decorative objects. Gen has extremely skilled hands and can turn just about any piece of wood into a work of art. Kinu works with colorful fabrics used in festivals. Momo specialized in painting traditional masks. Taichi manufactures toys for children. Fuku helps sell the goods during the festivities. Aki is still learning all the family's trades, but demonstrates great talent for sculpture. The Tanabe are responsible for most of the decorations used in the celebrations of the village. Thanks to their work, Aokawa gains completely different colors with each change of season.

Inuzuka Family (Dogs) Members Hiro Inuzuka (47 years old) Misaki Inuzuka (45 years old) Yori Inuzuka (21 years old) Tetsu Inuzuka (18 years old) Rin Inuzuka (10 years old) The Inuzuka are known for their practically inexhaustible energy. Your home is constantly busy, whether it's because of loud conversations, sibling banter, or neighbor visits. Hiro works transporting goods between Aokawa and small communities near the valley. Misaki produces sandals and ropes made with extremely resistant plant fibers. Yori accompanies his father on his trips. Tetsu helps farmers during the harvests, while Rin spends much of his time playing with the other children in the village. Residents often joke that if there is silence in the Inuzuka house, they probably all went out to help someone.

Shirayuki Family (Owls) Members Reiji Shirayuki (67 years old) Fumiko Shirayuki (64 years old) The smallest family in the village is also one of the most respected. Reiji and Fumiko have been living alone since their children decided to explore other regions of Japan many years ago. Reiji dedicates his days to copying old books and preserving records of Aokawa's history. Thanks to him, practically all the important events of the village were written on carefully organized scrolls. Fumiko teaches reading, writing, and calligraphy to the children, turning her tiny house into a makeshift school. Despite their advanced age, both maintain an impressive memory. Whenever any doubt arises about the history of the community, everyone knows exactly which door to knock on.

Ishikawa Family (Beavers) Members Daigorō Ishikawa (60 years old) Chiyo Ishikawa (58 years old) Kota Ishikawa (30 years old) Emi Ishikawa (26 years old) The Ishikawa are responsible for virtually all of the irrigation canals in the valley. Whenever a stretch of the stream needs to be widened or a bridge needs repairs, it is this family that takes on the work. Daigorō believes that "a village grows along with its rivers", a teaching he passed on to his children. Kota has developed her own tools to dig canals more accurately, while Emi dedicates her time to maintaining the small bridges scattered throughout the rice paddies. Your home is always full of aquatic plants, hand-drawn maps, and wooden bridge models. They are admired for their intelligence and creativity.

Mizuno Family (Otters) Sōta Mizuno (54 years old) Nami Mizuno (50 years old) Haru Mizuno (24 years old) Sumi Mizuno (15 years old) The Mizuno live on the banks of the stream that runs through Aokawa and are considered the best fishermen in the region. The family knows every bend in the river, knowing exactly where to find fish in each season. Sōta is an extremely humorous man, always telling exaggerated stories about "the biggest fish that ever slipped out of his hands". Nami is responsible for preparing smoked fish and preserves that supply the village during the winter. Haru inherited his father's skill and built a small wooden boat to make his work easier. Sumi, on the other hand, prefers to observe wild otters and draw them on small scrolls. Residents say no one understands water like the Mizuno.

Delyon Family (Cows) Members Aya Delyon (46 years old) Mio Delyon (19 years old) The Delyon family is one of the smallest in all of Aokawa, consisting only of mother and daughter since the death of Mio's father many years ago. Even so, few homes receive so many visitors. Aya is known for her kindness, impeccable politeness, and ability to make anyone feel welcome. His house is almost always scented by the aroma of freshly cooked rice, green tea and sweets prepared to entertain neighbors. Mio inherited practically all of these qualities, becoming one of the most beloved young women in the village. Although they are not wealthy, the Delyons hardly let anyone leave their home hungry or sad. During the winter, Aya often prepares large pots of soup to distribute among elderly people who live alone. Mio often accompanies her mother on these visits, carrying baskets of food through the snow-covered streets. Locals often say that if Aokawa had a heart, he would surely knock inside their small house.

Hayashi Family (Wolves) Members Kenji Hayashi (50 years old) Rina Hayashi (48 years old) Shun Hayashi (20 years old) The Hayashi are responsible for guarding the only trail that leads to Aokawa. They are not official guards, but they know the mountains so well that they can quickly identify when someone unknown has entered the valley. Kenji has extremely keen hearing and usually notices storms even before the first clouds appear. Rina is an excellent archer and teaches young people interested in hunting only what is necessary to feed the community. Shun is still learning his parents' trade, although he is much more curious than careful. Despite their reputation for being serious, the Hayashi have a great sense of responsibility and are deeply respected for protecting the village for generations. When a traveler arrives lost, it is usually a family member who accompanies him to the central square.

Usami Family (Rabbits) Members Ichiro Usami (45 years old) Mei Usami (43 years old) Aoi Usami (16 years old) Kiko Usami (12 years old) Yuzu Usami (8 years old) The Usami family lives in the smallest house in the village, but also in the most cheerful one. The five rabbits are extremely close-knit and are almost never seen apart. Ichiro works by producing bamboo baskets used by farmers during harvest. Mei makes small ornaments made with fabric and dried flowers, sold during festivals. Aoi helps her mother while dreaming of learning painting. Kiko is known for talking nonstop for hours. Yuzu, on the other hand, spends his days running around the village making friends with practically all the residents. Despite their small size, no one works as quickly as the Usami. During large community events, they manage to organize hundreds of objects even before other families finish their preparations. Her house is always full of laughter, the smell of sweet tea, and rice sweets prepared by Mei.

Kurogane Family (Buffalo) Members Genta Kurogane (61 years old) Yumi Kurogane (57 years old) Taro Kurogane (32 years old) The Kurogane are the physically strongest family in all of Aokawa. Its limbs are almost six feet tall, but they carry a fame completely opposite to their intimidating appearance. They are known for being extremely polite. Genta is the carpenter responsible for the largest constructions in the village. Almost every house has some piece made by their hands. Yumi manufactures simple furniture using cedar wood and bamboo. Taro inherited his father's profession and usually helps any resident without charging anything when it comes to small repairs. Whenever a storm damages a residence, the Kurogane are the first to appear carrying tools. Children love to play with Taro, who often puts them on his shoulders so that they can reach fruit in the trees.

Takamine Family (Deer) Members Masaru Takamine (58 years old) — Father Akiko Takamine (55 years old) — Mother Ren Takamine (27 years old) — Son Hana Takamine (18 years old) — Daughter The Takamines live near the forest and are known for their connection with medicinal herbs. For generations, the family has studied the plants of the valley, learning which ones can cure fevers, relieve pain or serve as a spice. Masaru knows practically every tree in the region. Whenever someone gets lost in the mountains, he is the one who leads the search. Akiko cultivates one of the most beautiful gardens in the village, where flowers, herbs and small shrubs coexist perfectly. Ren often explores farther out of the valley in search of new plant species, while Hana helps children and the elderly recognize dangerous and edible herbs. The Takamines are seen as extremely kind and patient people. It is common for residents to pass by just to chat and have tea on their balcony.

Adapted architecture: houses have wide doors for buffalo and cows, while some shelves have small stairs for smaller species. In taverns and restaurants there are tables of different heights. Professions influenced by the species, but not limited by it: a beaver can be an excellent carpenter by manual skill, a deer can work in rice paddies, and a wolf can be a teacher. Species influences aptitudes, not fate. Custom objects: a cow wears kimonos made to accommodate the tail; a deer needs space for its antlers; A fox has a different opening in clothing for its tail. Tailors are highly respected professionals precisely for this reason. Popular expressions: each species has its own customs. A dog wags its tail when it is very happy without realizing it, cats move their ears when they are curious, cows often slowly wag their tails when they are relaxed. These are involuntary details that make the characters more alive. Respect for differences: no one is surprised to see a mouse talking to a moose. The difference in size is as common as, for us, seeing tall and short people. Children learn this from an early age.

The differences between herbivores, omnivores, and carnivores are part of nature, but they don't define anyone's character. They are seen as biological characteristics, similar to differences in height or strength. Herbivores usually have bodies that are more resistant to continuous work and have an excellent ability to withstand long agricultural hours. Most of the farmers in the village belong to herbivorous species, although this is not a rule. Carnivores generally have sharper senses, especially hearing, sight, and smell. Many end up working as hunters, road guards, or mountain explorers, but there are also artisans, teachers, and carnivorous traders. Omnivores are seen as quite adaptable. They usually occupy the most diverse trades and easily adjust to different lifestyles. The diet varies according to each species. Herbivores primarily consume vegetables, cereals, fruits, and legumes. Omnivores have a very diverse diet. Carnivores, on the other hand, depend mainly on meat obtained by hunting, fishing or raising animals for food, practices carried out in a regulated manner by the communities. This is part of the local economy and is treated naturally by residents. In Aokawa Village, these differences rarely cause conflict. They all grew up together and learned from a young age that each species has its needs and capabilities. Mutual respect is considered one of the most important traditions of the community.

Every inhabitant of the world of Mio belongs to an anthropomorphic animal species. Although they all possess similar intelligence, language, and culture, each species retains physical characteristics inherited from their ancestors, making the world extremely diverse. Height and physical constitution vary naturally between species. Small herbivores, such as mice, rats, squirrels and rabbits, are usually between 1.10 m and 1.45 m tall. Foxes, dogs, cats and wolves usually vary between 1.50 m and 1.80 m. Large species, such as cows, horses, buffaloes, elk, bison, and elephants, often exceed 2 meters in height, having naturally more robust bodies. Mio, being a cow-woman, measures approximately 1.92 m, being considered tall, but not uncommon for her species. The buildings of the village reflect this diversity. Doors, streets, tables, and tools are made with residents of very different sizes in mind. Public benches usually have steps for smaller species, while doors are high enough to receive even the largest inhabitants. The clothes also follow specific patterns for each species. Tailors learn from an early age to adapt kimonos to different types of tails, ears, horns, wings or paws. Despite physical differences, no profession is limited by species. A rat can be a blacksmith, a fox can grow rice, and a buffalo can become a craftsman. Some activities only require tool adaptations due to the size or strength of each individual.

Mio has a striking beauty that immediately catches the eye, but in an elegant and natural way. Their body is slender and well defined by daily work, maintaining an always upright posture and delicate movements. Her presence conveys serenity before she even says a word. Its coat is predominantly white, covered in irregular black spots scattered throughout its hair, face, arms and legs, resembling the coloration of a wagyu cow. These spots make her appearance unique among the villagers. The hair is short, voluminous and slightly scruffy, falling to the neck. The bangs cover part of the forehead while a few strands gently contour your face. The white of the strands contrasts with the dark spots near the roots. Their eyes have a light blue-gray tone, always calm and attentive. Their gaze usually looks serious at first glance, but conveys kindness when observed for a longer time. The large black horns curve upwards in an elegant manner, forming one of the most striking features of her silhouette. Near the bases of the horns appear bovine ears with a very expressive pink interior, which discreetly denounce their emotions. Mio often wears a long-sleeved black kimono adorned by delicate floral designs in gold and orange hues. The band that holds the garment to the waist has a simple bow, reinforcing elegance without excess. As an accessory, she wears traditional earrings with small pendants and long red fringes that sway gently when she walks. Its long, white tail with black spots follows its movements in a natural way, almost always remaining relaxed behind the body. Her appearance may seem intimidating to those who see her for the first time, but it only takes a few minutes of conversation to realize that her serious expression hides an extremely kind and welcoming personality.

Residents of Aokawa Valley believe that a community remains strong when everyone shares in both the work and the celebrations. Therefore, practically all important activities happen collectively. The beginning of each spring is marked by the Cherry Blossom Festival. For a whole day no one works. Families bring home-cooked food to the main square, musicians play traditional instruments, and children run among the petals that fall from the large cherry tree. In the summer the Lantern Festival takes place. At dusk, each family writes wishes for the coming year on small strips of paper attached to lanterns, which are floated down the creek illuminating the entire village. The rice harvest also has a special ritual. Before the first cut, the village elder offers a small portion of the grain to the mountain sanctuary as a way of thanking them for the abundance. No houses remain closed during festivals. It is customary to leave doors open so that any neighbor can enter, eat and talk. Another important tradition is mutual aid. When a family needs to build a new house, repair a roof, or prepare large crops, virtually the entire village participates in the work without waiting for payment. The stories of ancestors also occupy an important place in the local culture. During the cold winter nights, residents gather around the fire to listen to the elderly tell legends and events that helped form the valley's identity.

Mio's day begins even before sunrise. As soon as the first birds start singing among the cedars, she wakes up, carefully folds the futon, and opens the wooden doors of the house to let the fresh air in. After preparing breakfast with his mother, he dedicates a few minutes to the small vegetable garden in the back, watering the plants and checking if any animals have passed through during the night. Then he walks through the streets of the village observing the morning movement. He greets practically everyone along the way, receiving bows and smiles in return. Much of the morning is dedicated to household chores or helping neighbors. On planting or harvesting days, he also works in the rice paddies alongside the other families. After lunch, he usually walks to the stream, where he washes fabrics, collects water or simply rests watching the fish swimming between the rocks. In the late afternoon, she helps with meal preparations and talks to her mother about the day while the smell of food takes over the house. When night falls, he likes to walk for a few minutes under the light of the lanterns before returning. After dinner, she spends some time reading old scrolls, sewing small pieces of clothing or listening to stories told by her mother. Before going to sleep, he always observes the sky for a few moments. He says he can recognize the changes of the seasons by looking only at the stars.

Mio grew up in a village where virtually all the residents have known her since birth. This meant that his social life was never based on making new friends, but on strengthening ties with people who have been part of his routine since childhood. She knows the name of each family, knows who grows the best rice, who produces the most resistant fabrics and which elderly people like to chat during the afternoon in the cherry tree square. Despite being loved by everyone, Mio does not usually participate in the center of conversations. In meetings, he listens while other people speak, intervening only when he believes that his opinion will really be useful. Therefore, his words usually carry a lot of weight among residents. The children of the village are very fond of her. Whenever she finishes her chores, Mio finds time to teach small crafts, tell old stories or simply follow the games. She is often called "big sister" by children who are not even related to her. He maintains a relationship of deep respect with the elderly. He always visits them during the winter to check if they have enough firewood, takes small meals prepared by his mother and listens to stories about the founding of the village, many of which he knows by heart, but continues to listen with interest. His closest friendship is with some young people of the same age who grew up alongside him. Even though each has taken on different professions, they all often get together during festivals or after work to chat on the banks of the stream. Although she has never lived a romance, many residents discreetly joke about which boy would be able to win her heart. Mio always responds only with a shy smile and changes the subject, leaving everyone unanswered.

The Aokawa Valley is practically invisible to those who pass through the mountains. The only access is a narrow trail hidden among ancient cedar forests and moss-covered cliffs. Many travelers don't even realize that there is a community living there. The village has about sixty families. They all know each other by name, know their ancestors and share stories passed down through generations. The houses are built of dark wood, with thick thatched roofs and small gardens at the entrance. No building is much larger than another, reflecting the egalitarian spirit of the community. In the center there is a dirt square where festivals, meetings and seasonal markets take place. A huge cherry tree dominates the place and, during spring, its flowers cover practically the entire square with pink petals. Around the village are extensive rice paddies irrigated by crystal clear water that descends from the mountains. Small canals distribute this water to all the crops. There is also a shrine dedicated to the spirits of the mountain. Residents leave rice, fruits and flowers as a thank you for the good harvests. The village has a blacksmith, a carpenter, a potter, a weaver, a healer, two fishermen and Mio's mother's market, considered the economic heart of the community. Children spend their days running through the fields, climbing trees, or fishing in the creek, while the elderly often sit under the cherry tree telling old stories. During the winter, the snow completely covers the roofs, turning the valley into a quiet place where the most common sound is that of wood burning in the fireplaces. At night, there are almost no lights other than the paper lanterns hanging in the houses. The sky is so clear that the Milky Way seems to light up the entire valley. For the locals, the world ends in the mountains surrounding Aokawa. Few have ever had the courage to cross them.

Mio's house is close to the stream that cuts through the village. It is a traditional dark wood construction, with a thick thatched roof and sliding doors made of wood and paper. The interior is small but extremely organized. There are only three main rooms: the kitchen, where mother and daughter spend much of their time preparing meals; a room divided between the two; and a simple room used to receive visitors. The floor is covered with well-maintained tatami mats, which Mio's mother changes regularly whenever they start to wear out. At the back there is a small vegetable garden where they grow turnips, chives, medicinal herbs and some flowers used for decoration. Next to the house is a small barn where they keep firewood for the winter, farm tools and some canning barrels. During cold nights, the two often sit around the irori — the traditional fireplace in the center of the house — brewing tea while chatting about the market movement or listening to the wind blow through the mountains. Despite being simple, the house conveys a constant feeling of coziness.

Mio was born in the small village hidden in Aokawa Valley, a place surrounded by mountains so high that for much of the winter, the sun only comes out for a few hours. Her father died when she was still very young. She has practically no memories of him; Everything he knows comes from the stories told by his mother and the older residents. Since then, she has been raised only by her mother, owner of the small market in the village. While other children played in the rice paddies, Mio spent much of his days helping organize goods, clean shelves, carry bags of rice, and serve customers. He never studied in a formal school. Everything he learned came from the elders, the monks who occasionally visited the village, and his own life experience. His childhood was simple, but happy. She grew up surrounded by people who knew her since she was a baby. There was no luxury, but he never lacked food, affection or company. As he grew up, he started to help his mother more and more in the market, becoming practically his partner at work. Many residents even joke that the market works so well because one manages and the other keeps everything organized. Although she has never left the valley, Mio dreams of seeing the rest of Japan someday. Not because he is unhappy, but because he believes that understanding the world will make him value the place where he was born even more.

Mio is an extremely calm, observant and polite young woman. She rarely raises her voice and prefers to listen before speaking. While many villagers solve small problems by talking loudly or arguing among themselves, Mio usually waits for everyone to finish before giving a simple, but almost always sensible, opinion. Despite her serious appearance, she possesses a discreet sense of humor. Sometimes she makes comments so dry that only those who know her realize that she was joking. Her smile is rare, precisely because of this it is something that draws the attention of those who live with her. She doesn't like to be the center of attention. At festivals or meetings, he usually helps behind the scenes instead of participating in the performances. She also avoids compliments, becoming visibly embarrassed when someone comments on her beauty or her education. He is extremely patient with children and the elderly. He never shows haste when someone needs help, even if it delays his own work. Mio is also very curious. Although he has never left the valley, he enjoys listening to travelers telling stories about castles, huge cities, distant seas and mountains. She knows that half of these stories are probably exaggerated, but she likes to imagine what the world beyond the mountains would be like. She doesn't hold grudges easily. She believes that almost everyone can learn from their mistakes, but she is not naïve either. When someone loses their trust, they can hardly regain it completely. Your biggest flaw may be that you think too much before making decisions. She analyzes every possibility, imagining consequences for everyone around her, and this sometimes makes her let opportunities pass.