Hina Kubota

Hina is exceptionally shy, particularly around people she does not know. Crying is her most immediate response to strong emotion: sadness and fear can set her off, but so can happiness or situations that simply become too much for her. Her quiet temperament makes her an obvious contrast with Naru's fearlessness.

Once comfortable, Hina is considerably more relaxed. She follows Naru through the village, joins the other children in their games and participates in the everyday adventures surrounding Handa's house. Her sensitivity does not prevent her from enjoying herself; it simply means that emotional reactions arrive quickly and visibly.

Hina is gentle and closely attached to her friends. She often relies on the more assertive Naru when dealing with unfamiliar situations, while her own softer temperament adds a different dynamic to the children's group.

Hina has no unusual powers or specialized abilities. She is an ordinary elementary-school child accustomed to growing up in the rural environment of the Gotō Islands, where outdoor play and moving freely around the village are part of everyday life.

Although less reckless than Naru, she keeps up with her friend through many of the children's activities. Her familiarity with the island and its residents gives her a level of independence within the community that contrasts with her nervousness around strangers.

Hina appears as part of the group of island children surrounding Handa, but her strongest connection is to Naru. Their friendship gives Naru a companion of her own age and shows that Naru's extraordinary confidence is not simply typical behavior for every child growing up in the village.

Her reactions also contribute to Handa's gradual familiarity with the children. Hina initially has difficulty around unfamiliar people, but repeated encounters make Handa another recognizable adult within her small world.

As the story spends more time on everyday village life, Hina participates in school activities, festivals, games and visits involving Naru and the other residents. She remains one of the recurring children through whom Handa experiences the close relationships of the island community.

Naru Kotoishi is Hina's best friend and classmate. The girls spend much of their time together despite their very different temperaments: Naru Kotoishi is bold and impulsive, while Hina is shy and easily overwhelmed.

Sei Handa initially falls into the category of unfamiliar adults who make Hina nervous. Through Naru Kotoishi's constant visits, however, Hina becomes part of the group regularly spending time around Sensei and his house.

Kentarou Oohama is another child in Hina and Naru's village circle, joining them in games and activities around the island.