Eiko, an elementary schoolgirl, transfers from Yokohama to a remote mountain village in Kochi Prefecture during World War II. Her bright blue eyes, inherited from her American father, immediately draw sustained hostility from classmates and most teachers. Wartime propaganda labeling Americans and British as "brutes" or "animals," fueled by casualties among villagers' relatives, shapes this animosity.

Pervasive bullying from other children goes unchallenged, with educators largely sharing the negative views of her heritage. Her homeroom teacher, Akiko, stands as a rare exception, offering support without disdain. Among the students, a boy named Kenta initially regards Eiko with curiosity rather than overt hostility, setting his perspective apart.

Eiko's experiences in the village shift as external events impact the community. The return of an injured father of one of Kenta's classmates from the battlefield, coupled with news of further war casualties, alters the children's daily lives and perspectives. These developments contribute to subtle changes in the social dynamics surrounding her presence.