The Characters of Mimi o Sumaseba THE TSUKISHIMA FAMILY Tsukishima Shizuku is a fourteen-year-old junior high school student. She is strong and determined, although she is not sure what she wants to do with her life. Meeting her first love complicates things, but also inspires her. Tsukishima Yasuya is Shizuku's father. He works at the local librarian. He shares Shizuku's love of books. He is not a strict disciplinarian and seems to prefer to let his children do what they like--at least up to a point. Tukishima Asako is Shizuku's mother. She has recently returned to college to pursue a doctorate and, as a result, spends a large amount of time away from home. She is constantly in a hurry and working on papers and research, as is any typical graduate student. Because she is not at home very often, she relies on Shizuku and Shiho to do a large portion of the housework. Tsukishima Shiho, Shizuku's elder sister, is the one who acts most like a "parent" to Shizuku. Since their mother is often gone, Shiho has taken it upon herself to remind Shizuku of her responsibilites around the house and at school. She is a University student and Shizuku feels inferior because Shiho is so talented and responsible. Although she comes across as very demanding and sometimes overly strict, she really does care for Shizuku and have her best interests at heart. SHIZUKU'S SCHOOL FRIENDS Harada Yuuko is one of Shizuku's close friends. They are in the same class, and Yuuko confides in Shizuku regarding matters of the heart--she is in love with Sugimura. She is also the one whom Shizuku turns to when she needs advice in matters of the heart. Sugimura is a classmate of Shizuku and Yuuko. He and Shizuku have been friends ever since they were young children. He secretly has a crush on Shizuku and for the longest time, lacks the courage to give voice to his feelings until pressed. SHIZUKU'S NEW FRIENDS Nishi Shirou is the owner of the Atelier Chikyuuya (Studio Earth Shop) which Shizuku finds when she follows moon. He instantly becomes a friend to her, and encourages her to write her story. He is Seiji's grandfather, and since he loves jazz, he encourages Seiji to pursue his dream to become a violin maker. Amasawa Seiji is the mysterious boy whose name Shizuku has been finding in the library books. He has decided that he wants to go to Italy to study and become a violin maker after junior high school, but his parents want him to go on to high school. He is very honest, which at first upsets Shizuku, but this honesty later endears him to her. Baron is the cat doll that belongs to Nishi; he holds a special meaning for the old man. Shizuku makes Baron the main character in the story that she is writing, which is called, "If You Listen Carefully: The Story Given to Me by Baron." MIMI O SUMASEBA Copyright © 1995/1996 STUDIO GHIBLI