Kappa Kawatarou is an animated film adapted from a children's comic by manga artist Kon Shimizu, first serialized in the Asahi Shimbun's weekly paper for elementary school students. While a kappa village is preparing for its festival, a powerful storm tears through and leaves it in ruins. With the river emptied of fish, the villagers grow weak. Kawatarou and his girlfriend set out for the mountains, hoping to find something they can bring home.