Kai is an intelligent and good-natured boy, who lives with his family in a small German village. After a shard from the Snow Queen's magic mirror enters his eye, he becomes heartless and mean, seeing the imperfections in everything except snowflakes. He is taken away by the Snow Queen, who kisses his once to make him forget his past life. His village asumes he has drowned, but his friend Gerda sets off to find Kai again.