Synopsis

In 1945, American troops land on the island of Okinawa. The Japanese fight a guerrilla war against the invaders, and little Ryuko is forced to leave her grandparents behind and flee with her mother and younger sister, who are eventually killed. Ryuko heads on alone across the war-torn island. Eventually she reaches safety in Japanese-occupied caves, only to witness the Japanese troops committing suicide with hand grenades. Based on a children's book by Akira Aratagawa and Hikuji Norima, itself inspired by real American footage of an Okinawan girl, Tomiko Higa, waving a white flag at the island's surrender. (Source: Anime Encyclopedia)

Characters & Staff

Kouta
Supporting
Takumi Nishio
Ryuuko's Mother
Supporting
Tomoko Munakata

Information

Japanese 白旗の少女 琉子
Studios None found, add some
Source Picture book
Licensors None found, add some
Aired 21 Jul 1988 – Ongoing
Synonyms The Girl with the White Flag

Last updated: 24 Aug 2026