A girl named Shimei, who has been living with her grandmother since childhood, begins to learn how to manage life on her own when her grandmother leaves to attend her grandfather's memorial. Unexpectedly, she discovers two chubby pandas with magical powers in her backyard! Shimei and the panda father and son start taking care of each other, with Shimei becoming the daughter of the panda father and the mother of the little panda. Together, they form a strange yet happy family. Directed by Isao Takahata and with screenplay and visual setting by Hayao Miyazaki, this film is considered the inspiration for "My Neighbor Totoro."