In Nagasaki, Butterfly patiently awaits the return of her American husband, Pinkerton. When she sees the Stars and Stripes fluttering atop an approaching ship, she correctly assumes Pinkerton is aboard. However, the indifferent foreigner arrives accompanied by his “real” Caucasian wife, leaving Butterfly heartbroken and driving her to take her own life. This masterpiece of Japanese silhouette animation faithfully adapts its source material.