Episode list

Midori Ranch is in financial trouble. Rancher Genjirou has taken a 10 million ¥ loan, and now evil debt taker Nobuhiko Horie wants it back. There is hope on the horizon as Midoriko, a former medalist and the best horse on the ranch, is about to give birth. But what she gives birth to is anything but expected - a strange white mule with giant nostrils and buckteeth. During a struggle on the meadow with his mother, Makibao breaks free and discovers he has incredible speed and strength. Genjirou, his son Wakazou and farmhand Tomonori smell a chance to repay their debts, but just then, Horie arrives and takes Midoriko in as payment. . .

Four months have passed since Makibao has left the ranch to look for his mother. Winter has come, and he is alone, cold and lost in the forest. Seeing a sleeping cat, he decides to ask it for directions, and is met with a horrifying sight - the cat is dead and its stomach has been cut open, revealing its internal organs. Terrified, Makibao runs away and crashes into a tree, where he meets "the little big giant of the forest" a mouse named Master Chuubei. Having never seen a mouse before, Makibao becomes frightened that it will eat him. Chuubei reassures him that he won't under the condition that Makibao becomes his subordinate. As Makibao does not have a proper name yet, Chuubei makes several inappropriate suggestions, to which Makibao eventually settles on "Unkotarezo". After being chased by a wolf and nearly falling off a bridge into a river, the two finally reach the ranch where Midoriko is kept - and are met with a saddening surprise. . .

Devastated by the rejection of his mother, Makibao attempts to commit koshukei, but is saved by Wakazou at the last moment. He revalues his life when he notices a squirrel giving his sister a hard time after the death of their parents and remembers his mother's words. "Even without me by his side, he can survive on his own. He is stronger than he thinks." Makibao introduces Wakazou to Chuubei and they return to Green Meadow Ranch, where they are met with joy of return and a shocking message: Genjirou's brother, the "Tiger of Miho," a famous horse trainer, is coming to visit. If he sees what their pride mare has birthed, they will be in big trouble . . .