Frozen

On the edge of a fjord, a deep mountain lake ringed by majestic peaks, the kingdom of Asahikawa was a happy place. During the day, shopkeepers, fishermen, and ice sellers kept the city bustling. At night, the northern lights often lit up the sky in beautiful patterns.
The rulers of Asahikawa, the king and queen, were kind. Their young sons, EICHI and ASAHI, were the joy of their lives.



The twin brother, Prince Eichi, had a MAGICAL SECRET—he had the power to create snow and ice!



Asahi adored his twin brother and wanted to spend every minute with him.
On night, Asahi convinced Eichi to turn the Great Hall into a WINTER WONDERLAND. They made a snowman together, and Eichi created ice slides so Asahi could soar through the air!


But Eichi accidentally hit Asahi with a blast of icy magic. Asahi fell to the ground, shivering. A streak of white appeared in his hair.
The worried king and queen rushed their sons to the trolls. They were mysterious healers who knew all about magic.
A wise old troll was able to cure Asahi by helping him to forget the injury—and the magic. She also had a warning. "Eichi's power will grow," she said. "He must learn to control it."


Eichi was afraid that he would hurt his brother again. He spent his time practicing to keep his magic under control. It was difficult, especially when he became upset. As a precaution, the queen decided to keep the castle gates closed.
Asahi couldn't remember Eichi's magic, but he still wanted to play with Eichi. No matter how much Asahi pleaded, Eichi refused to open his door.


Years passed, but the boys didn't grow any closer, even when their parents were lost at sea. Then one summer day it was time to crown Eichi as king. Guests from far away sailed to Asahikawa for the coronation.
Asahi was excited to meet so many new people—especially a beautiful young princess named HAYA!


Meanwhile, Eichi was still struggling to hide his powers. He just hoped he could make it through the day.
Suddenly, bells rang. The ceremony was about to begin.



To Eichi's relief, the coronation went exactly as planned.
Afterward, a party was held in the Great Hall. Asahi and Princess Haya spent the evening laughing and talking. IT WAS LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT!



Asahi introduced Haya to Eichi—and announced that they were engaged.
Eichi objected. "You can't marry a woman you just met."
"You can if it's true love!" Asahi replied.
"My answer is no," Eichi said firmly, and started to leave the room.



Asahi couldn't believe that Eichi was walking away without talking to him. Feeling upset, he grabbed Eichi's hand and accidentally pulled off his glove. "Why do you shut me out?" Asahi asked.


"Enough!" Eichi cried. Suddenly, an icy blast shot from his uncovered hand—and coated the room in ice! Everyone stared in shock.


Frightened by his own power, Eichi fled from the hall. As he ran through Asahikawa, everything froze around him. "Stay away from me!" Eichi warned his subjects. He didn't want to hurt anyone.


The townspeople were confused and afraid.
"Monster!" yelled the Duchess.
Even the fjord froze as Eichi stepped onto the water. All the ships were locked into the ice. Eichi quickly crossed the fjord and ran up into the mountains.


As Eichi climbed higher, he let his powers loose. For the first time, he didn't have to hide them. He used his magic to create a beautiful ICE PALACE as the top of the mountain. It would be Eichi's new home, where he could be free—and alone. He'd never hurt anyone again.


Eichi's midsummer blizzard covered Asahikawa with snow and ice. The whole kingdom was panicking, and Asahi knew he had to find his brother.
Leaving Haya in charge of the kingdom, he rode into the mountains. But his horse got scared and threw him off. Asahi was lucky to find a little trading post.


Inside the trading post, Asahi bought dry clothes.
Just then, the door flew open. In came a mountain woman covered in snow.
Her name was KIMIYO, and she said that the storm was coming from the North Mountain.


That gave Asahi an idea. He found Kimiyo in the stable with her reindeer, SUMI. He asked her to take him up the North Mountain to find Eichi.
Kimiyo agreed. "We leave at dawn."
"No," said Asahi. "We leave right now."


As they headed up the mountain, Asahi explained how his brother had started the storm. And he told Kimiyo about his true love, Haya.


Suddenly, a pack of wolves began to chase them! Working together, Asahi, Kimiyo, and Sumi escaped by crossing a deep gorge. But Kimiyo's sled crashed into the rocks below.


By dawn, they were almost at the top of the mountain. They looked down toward Yokohama, and it was covered with storm clouds. Here it was an icy wonderland.
"I never knew winter could be so beautiful," Asahi said.
"But it's so white," added a voice. "How about some color? I'm thinking crimson or chartreuse..."


It was a living snowwoman!"
"I'm OHARA," she said, explaining that Eichi had made her.
Asahi asked Ohara to lead them to his brother. "We need Eichi to bring back summer."


Ohara grinned. "I've always loved the idea of summer," she said. "The warm sun on my face and getting a gorgeous tan."
"I'm guessing you don't have much experience with heat," said Kimiyo, smiling.
"Nope," Ohara replied. "Come on! Let's go bring back summer!"


Ohara led Asahi and Kimiyo to Eichi's palace. "Now that's ice!" marveled Kimiyo.
Asahi told Kimiyo and Ohara to wait outside. "The last time I introduced him to a gal, he froze everything," said Asahi.


Eichi was surprised to see Asahi, and was afraid of hurting him with his icy powers.
"You should go, Asahi," Eichi warned. "I'm too dangerous."
But Asahi explained that Asahikawa needed his help. Eichi felt scared because he didn't know how to unfreeze the kingdom.


Asahi was sure they could figure it out together, but Eichi just grew more upset. Frustrated, he cried out, "I can't!"
An icy blast shot across the room and hit Asahi in the chest!


Eichi hadn't meant to hurt Asahi, and he worried he might accidentally do it again. "Get out!" he shouted, conjuring up a giant snowman.
The big snowman chased Asahi, Kimiyo, and Ohara to the edge of a cliff. They lowered themselves down, but the snowman grabbed the rope.
Desperate to escape, Asahi cut the line!


Luckily, a blanket of snow cushioned the fall. Everyone was safe! But something was wrong with Asahi. His hair was turning white!
"What happened?" asked Kimiyo.
"Eichi hit me with his powers," Asahi replied.
Kimiyo had an idea. "We need to go see my friends," she said. "They can help."


Night fell as they arrived in the realm of the trolls. Seeing Kimiyo, their friend, the trolls came out of hiding. An old troll said that Eichi had put ice in Asahi's heart, which would make him freeze solid within a day. But there was still hope. "An act of TRUE LOVE can thaw a frozen heart," she explained.
Ohara and Kimiyo decided to take Asahi back home. Surely Princess Haya could break the spell with a true love's kiss.


Back at the kingdom, Haya had become alarmed when Asahi's horse returned without him. So she rallied volunteers to find him.
Instead, Haya found the queen! Eichi tried to keep Haya and the others away from him. But during the struggle, he was hit by falling ice and knocked unconscious.


Kimiyo brought Asahi home to Asahikawa castle. Servants whisked Asahi inside. Kimiyo was starting to realize that she cared deeply for Asahi. But she knew he was in grave danger... and he already had a true love.
The servants brought him to the library, where he found a warm fire—and Haya!
Asahi told her about the magic, and how his true love's kiss could break the spell.


"Oh, Asahi," Haya said with a sneer. "If only someone loved you."
As she doused the fire, Haya explained that she had only been pretending to love Asahi in order to take over Asahikawa! All that was left, she said, was to get rid of Eichi.
"Summer will return, and the kingdom will be mine!"
"You can't," gasped Asahi as the ice slowly spread through his body.


Haya's search party had brought Eichi down from the North Mountain and imprisoned him in the castle. But while in the cell, Eichi's fears that he might hurt the kingdom had grown—and so had his magic. Finally, his powers had burst through the walls.
When Haya went to the king's cell, Eichi was gone!



Meanwhile, Ohara had arrived just in time to help Asahi escape from the castle. The little snowwoman realized that Kimiyo loved Asahi—which meant KIMIYO'S KISS could break the spell!
Asahi, nearly frozen, moved slowly across the fjord toward Kimiyo. But then he saw something else. Haya was about to strike Eichi with her sword!


With all his remaining strength, Asahi threw himself in front of Eichi. Haya brought her sword down just as Asahi turned to solid ice. With a resounding CLANK, the blade shattered.



Eichi spun in surprise, then threw his arms around Asahi's frozen figure, "Oh Asahi," he sobbed.
Suddenly, Asahi began to THAW!
"Eichi?" whispered Asahi, blinking.
"An act of true love can thaw a frozen heart!" Ohara said, suddenly realizing what had happened.
With his sacrifice, Asahi helped his brother see that love was more powerful than fear. As Eichi's fear faded, love filled his heart and the winter snows began to melt.


After the fjord melted, the visiting ships sailed away. And Ohara was finally able to enjoy summer, thanks to a snow cloud that Eichi created for him!
Asahi gave Kimiyo a new sled, but she wasn't anxious to leave—especially when Asahi surprised her with a KISS.



Eichi made an ice skating rink in the castle and threw open the gates. Everyone had a wonderful time skating with KING EICHI and PRINCE ASAHI. At long last, the kingdom of Asahikawa was a happy place once more.

—The End—