A girl fish who runs away from her home in the sea. She ends up stranded on the shore and is rescued by Sōsuke, a five year old boy who lives on a cliff. Sōsuke names her Ponyo after taking a great liking to her, and promises to protect her forever. Meanwhile, her father, Fujimoto, is looking for his daughter, upset that she ran away. He calls his wave demons and has them take Ponyo back to him, since it seems he has an aversion to land. Sōsuke is heartbroken by this, and goes home crying to his mother, Risa. Risa tries to cheer him up, but to no avail.