Kumiko

Kumiko is a supporting character and friend of Sōsuke and a student at Himawari Nursery School in Ponyo on the Cliff by the Sea directed by Hayao Miyazaki of Studio Ghibli. Kumiko is voiced by Eimi Hiraoka in Japanese and Jenessa Rose in English by 2009.

"Kumiko: Sōsuke! Sosuke: Kumiko! Kumiko: Look at me! My mother made me a new dress! Isn't it pretty?!
 * —Kumiko to Sōsuke"

Appearance
A slender small 5 years old Kumiko has short brown hair with matching brown eyes and a pink bow tie on the top of her head. She wears a blue dress with a pink small ribbon, and white capri-like pants with a pink pair of shoes.

Personality
Sōsuke is important to her. That why she shows him her new dress. She likes to talk without giving a first thought. It happens Ponyo spraying water on her dress. Still she wants to play with Sōsuke. In the film she is a bad model for kids.

Plot
Kumiko greets Sōsuke at the nursery school where she shows him her new dress. Another classmate comes up to him and asks him to play, however, he states that he is busy. Kumiko argues, stating he is too young to be busy, and walks away with the words, "You're so weird!".

Sōsuke then goes outside to check on Ponyo who he is holding in a bucket. Kumiko shows up behind him and tells him he is not allowed to bring things to school, to which he replies that he is not taking it on school grounds and tries to hide Ponyo in the bushes. She then peeks over and sees Ponyo, telling Sōsuke to let her see. He reluctantly agrees after she has promised to not tell anyone about Ponyo. Upon seeing Kumiko, Ponyo snobbishly turns from her direction. Kumiko gets angry at this and begins to comment on Ponyo's unusual appearance, which results in Ponyo spraying a stream of water all over Kumiko, soaking her new dress. Kumiko begins to sob heavily and Sōsuke sees this as a chance to escape.

In the boat scene when Kumiko says ¨Sosuke, can I follow you?¨ Not now, Sosuke. I have many told Sosuke to Kumiko.

Gallery
Kumiko 崖の上のポニョ