Abstract

This is the story of Mimichi, a panda-patterned crybaby rabbit who lives in a rainbow-covered forest. He sets off to the dark and frightening Valley of Storms to gather medicinal herbs to save his beloved grandmother, who has been seriously injured after eating a poisonous mushroom and is near death. Along the way, he encounters a bear, a monkey, and a mouse being attacked by a wolf, and Mimichi musters up his courage to help them... And the "magic of gratitude" cheers on the crybaby Mimichi. The illustrations are a powerful collaboration with Kato Miki, a leading figure in the art of beautiful women paintings, highly acclaimed overseas.

Author’s Information

Akio Morisawa
Novelist. Born in Chiba Prefecture in 1969. Made his debut as an author in 2007 with "Marbles Embracing the Sea." His best-selling works include "The Cafe at the Rainbow Cape," the original story for the film "The Tale of the Mysterious Cape" starring Yoshinaga Sayuri, "To You," the original story for the film "Natsumi's Fireflies" starring Arimura Kasumi, and others. His other hit works include "Tsugaru Centennial Diner," "Lyre's Prayer" (Shogakukan), "The More Important Things Are, the Softer They Are, Whisper," "The Promise of Kiriko the Healer" (Gentosha), and "Sparkling Glasses" (Futabasha).

Miki Kato
Painter and illustrator. Born in Saitama Prefecture in 1973. Joined a stationery manufacturer as a production room designer. He then became a freelance illustrator, working on a wide range of projects including picture books, posters, book covers, and illustrations. In 2012, he began working full-time as a painter, holding numerous solo exhibitions both in Japan and overseas, and publishing his first collection of art, "Hyakka Yoen" (Kawade Shobo Shinsha).