The golden sun dips behind the dense apartment blocks. SHIZUKU TSUKISHIMA (14, a dreamer with messy hair) trudges up a steep hill, carrying a stack of library books. She stops to catch her breath, looking out over the city lights.
Following the cat through a maze of hilly streets, Shizuku finds herself in front of a strange, beautiful shop: THE WORLD EMBORIUM . She steps inside to a world of antique clocks, wooden carousels, and a mysterious cat statue with jeweled eyes. An old man, MR. NISHI , emerges from the back. Whisper of the Heart Episode 1
As he speaks, Shizuku hears the faint, rhythmic sound of a violin being tuned from somewhere deep in the basement. She looks toward the stairs, the "whisper of her heart" finally getting louder. The golden sun dips behind the dense apartment blocks
Shizuku is reading on the train, but her mind is wandering. She looks up and sees a LARGE, ROUND CAT sitting on a seat like a human passenger. It looks bored. SHIZUKU (Amused) Hey... where are you going? Following the cat through a maze of hilly
The small apartment is cluttered with books. Shizuku’s father, a librarian, snores lightly in his chair. Shizuku opens her latest find—a worn copy of a fairy tale collection. She flips to the checkout card at the back. Her eyes widen. SHIZUKU (Whispering) Amasawa... Seiji Amasawa.
(v.o.) Sometimes I feel like I'm the only person in this city who isn't actually "going" anywhere. Everyone has a destination. I just have a library card.
Ah, the Baron has been waiting for someone like you to find us.