Shiro Nishi
Earth Shop proprietor
Proprietor of the Earth Shop antique store and grandfather of Seiji Amasawa. A kind elderly man who understands and supports his grandson's dreams, serving as an important presence.
Quotes
- Even if you're feeling like giving up, it's most important first to finish writing the work.
- It is the role of understanding adults to support young people pursuing their dreams.
- The story of Baron conveys the feeling of wishing happiness to everyone.
Trivia
- The Baron cat doll is modeled after a real one owned by the original author Aoi Hiiragi.
- The shopkeeper's dream is strongly influenced by memories from his study abroad in Germany and wartime experiences.
- The scenes of violin repair and crafting in the Earth Shop's basement workshop are impressive.
- There are differences in settings and developments between the anime film version and the manga original.
- In the live-action film adaptation, the actor is different, and the character's age image was adjusted.
Alternate names
Nishi Shirō
Siro Nishi
Profile
- Species
- Human
- Gender
- Male
Appearance
- Overall appearance
- An elderly man with graying hair, quietly managing the shop in Japanese clothing or subdued attire. His gentle expression is impressive.
- Eye color
- Brown
- Hair color
- Silver
- Distinguishing features
-
- Graying hair
- Gentle smile
- Elderly appearance
- Iconic items
-
- Baron's cat doll
- Old automaton clock
- Antique items
Personality and abilities
- Core personality
- Kind
- Detailed personality
- Mild-mannered and calm personality. Deeply understands his grandson Seiji Amasawa and warmly supports young people's dreams. Kind to Shizuku in the story.
- Keywords
-
- Kind
- Understanding
- Calm
- Reliable
- Warm-hearted
- Talents
-
- Appraising antiques
- Repair and maintenance
- Knowledge of violin making
- Skills
-
- Instrument repair
- Customer service
- Bringing harmony
- Motivation
- Supporting his grandson's dreams. Warmly watching over the growth of young people.
- Favorite foods
- Moon-viewing udon
History
- Backstory
- He once studied abroad in Germany, where before the war he encountered and received a cat doll named Baron, but due to the war, its pair doll went missing. After the war, while cherishing that doll, he ran the Earth Shop and entrusted his grandson Seiji with the dream of becoming a violin maker.
- Debut date
- 1989-08
- Work title
- Whisper of the Heart
- Media type
- Manga
Pre-war study abroad in Germany
- Significant event
- Pre-war study abroad in Germany
- Description
- Received the Baron cat doll in Germany, but the pair doll went missing due to the war.
Appearance as Earth Shop proprietor
- Significant event
- Appearance as Earth Shop proprietor
- Description
- As the proprietor of the Earth Shop that Shizuku visited by chance, introduces the shop's items and Baron to her.
Supporting grandson Seiji
- Significant event
- Supporting grandson Seiji
- Description
- Welcomes his grandson Seiji Amasawa, who aspires to be a violin maker, as an apprentice in the workshop and supports his dream.
Relationships
Seiji Amasawa
Grandfather
His grandson and a young man aspiring to be a violin maker. Understands his dream and warmly watches over and supports him.
Kita
Friend
One of the companions who plays Country Roads together.
Minami
Friend
One of the companions who plays Country Roads together.
Earth Shop companions
Earth Shop companions: leader
Media appearances
Whisper of the Heart
Manga / Supporting
Serialized in 1989
Whisper of the Heart (Studio Ghibli film)
Anime / Supporting
Released July 15, 1995
Whisper of the Heart (live-action film)
Movie / Supporting
Released October 14, 2022
Voice cast and creators
Keiju Kobayashi
- Voice actor
- Keiju Kobayashi
- Language
- Japanese
- Version or series
- Anime film version
Masaomi Kondo
- Voice actor
- Masaomi Kondo
- Language
- Japanese
- Version or series
- Live-action film version
Aoi Hiiragi
- Creator name
- Aoi Hiiragi
- Role
- Original author
Yoshifumi Kondō
- Creator name
- Yoshifumi Kondō
- Role
- Character designer
Hayao Miyazaki
- Creator name
- Hayao Miyazaki
- Role
- Writer
Studio Ghibli
- Creator name
- Studio Ghibli
- Role
- Animation studio
Shueisha
- Creator name
- Shueisha
- Role
- Publisher
Tokuma Shoten
- Creator name
- Tokuma Shoten
- Role
- Licensee
Related goods
Baron plush doll
- Item name
- Baron plush doll
- Category
- Plush or doll
- Availability
- Regular
Antique clock modeled after Earth Shop
- Item name
- Antique clock modeled after Earth Shop
- Category
- Accessory
- Availability
- Limited
Whisper of the Heart figure set
- Item name
- Whisper of the Heart figure set
- Category
- Figure
- Availability
- Regular