Kumamiko: Girl Meets Bear

Sweet schoolgirl Machi Amayadori is lucky enough to live in a quiet mountain village where bears hold a special place. These fearsome animals do not attack people here and behave peacefully. Machi serves at the local Shinto shrine as its miko, diligently carrying out her duties. She lives the ordinary life of a schoolgirl, while keeping up the shrine's traditions is her special calling. Although she is tired of changing into ceremonial robes and looking after the furry Natsu, she still loves this backwater place and its quiet, unhurried routine.

What wears on her most is putting up with her cousin's antics, and spending her days at the shrine with a meddlesome bear has started to feel a little dull. She cannot escape what others expect of her and must fulfill her mission just as the chosen girls before her did. Machi has known Natsu since she was little and feels safe with him, showing great affection for her guardian, the representative of the bear god. The wise talking bear gives his ward advice and tasks to prepare her for an education beyond the village, but he is reluctant to let her go, pointing out everything she still does not know. Soon, though, the girl who dreams of the comforts of civilization may get her chance to set out into the big city.