Shuna no Tabi

Beneath valleys near a glacier, a small kingdom fights to survive. The kingdom is home to many residents who live alongside herds of red elk, yet the land's produce barely supports the population. Despite their poverty, the people are dedicated to their work and have accepted their modest lives. However, Shuna, the young prince, refuses to accept this fate. After receiving mysterious grain seeds from a dying traveler, Shuna embarks on a quest to find the land of golden grain, aiming to change his kingdom's future. Along his journey, he discovers strange places and hears unsettling rumors about his destination. Shuna witnesses the harsh reality of human slavery when he encounters two young captive girls, Thea and her younger sister. Faced with a new dilemma, Shuna remains determined to achieve his goal while helping the girls. "Shuna no Tabi" is loosely based on the Tibetan folktale "The Prince Who Turned into a Dog." Using watercolor spreads instead of small panels, the manga resembles a Japanese illustrated story called emonogatari. Hayao Miyazaki originally planned an animated film adaptation but felt the themes wouldn't appeal to Japanese audiences. Encouraged by Tokuma Shoten, Miyazaki decided to transform the story into a unique visual product. A radio drama adaptation of "Shuna no Tabi" aired on NHK FM Japan on May 2, 1987. The manga was published in English as "Shuna's Journey" by First Second Books on November 1, 2022. This English edition was nominated for the 2023 Eisner Awards in the Best US Edition of International Material—Asia category.