Original subtitles

Humanity in the 21st century...

made a plan to emigrate to Mars, to deal with overpopulation.

The average temperature on Mars is -58°C.

But if CO2 reserves frozen underground were put into its atmosphere,

the resulting greenhouse effect would warm it.

A scheme was devised to stain the surface of Mars black,

so it would absorb more sunlight.

To do this, moss and one other 'life form'...

capable of living on Mars were sent from Earth.

It was known as the 'Terraforming Project...

"Tokyo, 2597"

Move!

Move!

Move!

HEY. what's going on?

Now that Earth overflows with us,

it is clear that our only hope lies in Mars.

Obviously,

the cockroaches must be exterminated before we can live there.

The cockroaches must be exterminated before we can live there.

Hey, hey,

don't you think I should have worn a flashier jacket?

Two suitable candidates facing shoot-to-kill, 2nd degree murder.

Already?

They're perfect candidates for us.

Dear, dear...

This country is really quick at...

small trash cleanup.

If we do die, we'll be together in Hell, Nanao!

"Mars, 2599"

Maybe better off in Hell?

Don't look so serious.

What'll we eat back on Earth?

You ask that at a time like this?

Yo, wanna play?

39 days in this can,

body needs a workout.

You'll never beat me, Jin.

See? I'm a pro,

but I go easy on amateurs.

Excuses before defeat?

How about losing that jock, and giving me a try?

Impossible. He's the one that set me free.

Free...

What's so funny, Ichiro?

Earth trash sent to clean up Mars trash.

That's freedom?

Ichiro, don't be so negative.

Really beautiful...

Sorae, that pervert touched me! Dammit!

We're almost there, Maria.

Can't get killed before killing cockroaches.

Dammit!

You two keep your dirty eyes off them.

Shut up, don't act big because you were a cop.

Heard you stole confiscated money, Moriki.

Don't preach to others.

Well, that's very funny.

Trying to pick a fight?

Huh? What's that?

Yakuza wannabees.

Former cop, two yakuza...

Serial killer,

illegal immigrant,

leader of teen prostitute ring,

shut-in hacker,

terrorist.

I wonder why we were selected?

Because we are criminals?

I'm just a regular kick-boxer.

So ranked even lower than criminals.

What do you mean?

Guys who have no money.

All crew to positions.

Now entering Mars atmosphere.

Touch down.

Is this Mars?

Due to Terraforming,

human intelligence made it like Earth.

Thanks to the roaches and moss.

Cockroaches, of all things!

Mars?

Clean up cockroaches?

Mars is now like Earth,

but we must exterminate the roaches.

However,

risky surgery is needed for going to Mars.

You two match the criteria.

As things stand, you will be executed for murder.

And even with leniency, you will get 10 years in jail.

Kill roaches on Mars, get not only a full pardon,

but also be paid a very large sum of money.

If you want in, sign here.

No way.

Things like Mars and risky surgery,

I won't let her face such danger.

Really?

Ready to die for her sake?

No,

it's just that I don't trust you.

Nanao?

I will go.

Nanao!

He's hiding something!

Who cares? We'll make lots of money.

I see,

I guess just her would be fine.

Excellent.

Now go kill cockroaches, and seize the future.

Your own,

and humanity's.

Disperse high-potency roach killer, Mars Red PRO.

Roger.

Mars Red PRO, launched.

Begin ground operations in 3 hours.

Komachi, Akita...north. Muto, Renjo...east.

Toramaru, Hiruma...South. Yoshikane, Moriki...west.

Captain,

I won't work with yakuza.

Huh?

Please send me with Hiruma.

Toramaru, switch with Moriki.

Fine.

Mars Red PRO should have killed all roaches near the ship.

Let's confirm its potency.

Confirmed BUGS 1 location, Dr Honda.

Hey, Dojima.

How about this jacket?

No point asking your opinion.

You have no sense of fashion.

Old ship seems damaged.

Well, I expected that. But we should confirm.

BUGS 1.

The start of everything?

Yeah...

The probe Japan sent secretly 10 years ago.

So, how's it going there?

First contact should occur soon.

Great, great!

Mission success would give us technology to control the world!

Excellent, Dojima.

This means Japan's future is on your shoulders.

So, good luck.

What's wrong?

Cockroach?

Just a clump of moss.

What...

Shokichi, you're so afraid of roaches!

You knew that, but didn't hesitate to sign up for this.

That's because I was mad.

Well, so was I...

No, I mean I was mad at you.

You say kind words, but you don't even love me.

That's quite hurtful.

What do you mean?

You just feel sorry for a drop-out girl who'd lost her parents.

Seemed like a good chance to tease you about cockroaches.

Only kidding.

I just didn't want you to die.

Don't worry, I'll protect you from roachies!

It's strange...

No dead roaches...

Pesticide didn't work?

What are they?

'Johj.'

A Martian?

Perhaps...

Maybe try talking to him?

No way!

But...he's coming closer.

H-Hello!

What did you do, bastard?

Wait!

They also got Moriki.

They seem to be in a pack. Too dangerous here.

What are those freaks?

Why did they attack Nanao?

Wasn't our job to kill roaches? Well, Captain?

Don't say they are the cockroaches...

They are the cockroaches...

Those freaks...

are cockroaches.

Feeler antennas and tails...

I thought so, when Moriki was attacked.

500 years ago,

cockroaches sent to Mars had tenacity beyond our imagination.

Relentless radiation from space,

temperatures of -80°C.

Extreme conditions...

led to explosive evolution where it had stopped for 500 million years.

Just as Hiruma said.

They're mutant roaches which evolved on Mars.

Government calls them 'Terraformars'.

Did you know...

about them?

And you sent us out?

Don't get mad, young fellow.

Actually, not so young...

Honda,

you deceived us!

Deceived?

How dare you. You volunteered for the money.

In fact, I'm your benefactor.

I've given you superpowers to complete the mission.

Called the...

"Bugs Operation".

Now you all have bug DNA in your genes.

What?

I'll spare the details, you wouldn't understand.

In simple terms,

fight bugs with bugs.

Use your strength to trample the 'King of Pests'.

Hold on!

That surgery wasn't to function on Mars?

Surgery with only a 30% success rate wouldn't be used for just that.

After all, you sold yourselves for money.

As your contracts state.

But don't worry,

now you surpass mere humans.

I won't ask what you think of my new jacket.

I know my manners.

Well, I wish you luck.

This is bug cell activator.

It varies, but the effect lasts only a few minutes.

Body will mutate, special powers can be used.

Enough strength to defeat roaches?

I'm sending data to each of you about your abilities.

Now I get it.

We've all become bugs to exterminate bugs.

Martian bugs versus...

Earth bugs.

Mutual killing among hated foes.

Sounds like fun!

Creep.

You'll revert to normal later.

But overuse...

makes human immunity go into shock and you'll die.

Captain, did you know?

About giant roaches, and "Bugs Operation"?

I had orders to keep it confidential.

Komachi,

sorry about Nanao.

Don't mess with me.

Captain,

let's return to Earth.

It's too dangerous.

Captain, it's them.

Terraformars are closing in.

Why all the fuss?

It's just a low-class woman...

who lived in poverty, killed by a cockroach on Mars.

Is that really so sad?

You bastard!

That's what...

'important' people on Earth think.

So let's kill...

all the roaches on Mars and head home.

Use our new strengths, and blow away those government bastards.

They treated us like we're nothing,

but we'll show them who we are.

I'll do it.

We won't get paid for talking.

First kill the ones nearby.

Then find their nest, and attack it.

Counting on you, Lee.

I'll just be a minute.

Why is a Japanese guy named 'Lee'?

Don't know his real name.

He fought forever in the Mid-east.

Nicknamed immortal...

'God Lee'.

After that Hell, roaches are nothing.

You'll see, it's an easy victory.

Lee's surgery is based on the Bombardier Beetle.

Bug mixes hydrogen peroxide and hydroquinone,

to form jets of ultra-hot benzoquinone.

On a human scale, like a jet from a flame thrower.

So that's the mutation?

Now let's see what he's really made of.

You're finished!

This is the power of bugs...

Awesome.

I knew this was going to come in handy.

What?

Interesting...

Even Lee can't beat them?

I won't forgive them making us into bugs,

but for now let's go kill roaches!

Let's...kick some ass.

BUGS 2 glass is ultra-tempered...

Watch out!

Don't act big, bastard!

I'll do it.

Your bug is most vicious.

Watch my battle and learn.

Captain Dojima's bug is a Paraponera Ant,

from South America.

Ants are small, but can lift 100 times their own weight.

The Paraponera jaw and stinger is most painful,

like being shot by a bullet, they're greatly feared.

He's winning...

He's winning!

But against so many...

Prepare for take-off!

Way too many...

We'll all be killed.

But why?

Why come and kill us?

There is no reason.

Same as us. We kill them too.

I was raised in Russia, with no roaches around.

When I first saw one in Japan,

I simply killed it.

For no reason. Just seeing it disgusted me.

I see...

Mosquitoes suck blood, flies carry germs. But roaches do nothing.

Even so, humans kill roaches. That's just our innate hatred.

If we can hate them, maybe they can hate us too?

Well, that makes sense.

Sometimes people even want to kill each other!

Not funny coming from you.

Captain, let's get out of here.

Hah, scaredy-cat yakuza.

Huh?

You idiot!

True yakuza avoid losing fights.

Other's life is cheap, but our own is priceless.

Captain, the control panel is dead.

Even the backup system won't work.

What do you mean?

We can't go back?

What's wrong?

Don't know. No response to anything.

While I act as decoy,

all of you take the tanker to BUGS 1.

BUGS...1

Probe that disappeared 10 years ago.

It has the same system as us.

We'll use it for parts, to make our BUGS 2 fly.

But how can we travel so far?

We're surrounded.

Cockroach nests have aggregation pheromones.

I'll scatter them from this one's gut,

and draw them in.

I'll also stay behind.

We'll lure them into the ship, then wipe them out together.

Interesting.

I'll stay too.

You guys go.

I'll stay.

You mind?

I'll come back for you.

Hey, where's Shokichi?

Don't ask me!

Tezuka, your turn.

Seems like it.

We'll have fun later...

Go die already, idiot!

He's not that bad...

Huh?

No time to wait. Go!

Wail for Shokichi!

We all have to survive.

Captain's order.

We can't wait!

Tezuka, fire away!

Tezuka is based on the Rove Beetle.

It blasts a jet of gas to escape foes

skimming away over water.

If scaled to human size,its speed is 945kph.

Good. Looks like we'll make it.

Wow, old bastard really gets things done!

Told you!

They'll keep on coming,

but don't know that Hell awaits them!

Dojima,

sorry to bother you when you're so busy... I mean, idle.

After such an incident, your Captain career is over.

Sense of justice is one thing,

but no matter how stupid, you can't hit a superior.

Pitiful...

Heard he's half-paralysed?

If you want to be Captain again,

I have the perfect mission for you.

It's like this,

I want you to bring back an egg from Mars.

Ichiro!

Expel ship's oxygen.

Remain with the Captain to die with Nanao.

That's your idea.

I'm here...

to slaughter those roaches.

You just want to get revenge and die.

It's not like you.

Still care for a woman who made you a killer?

Who told you that?

Nanao.

Where you going to?

Hey!

Only this much? What a joke.

Hey! Hey!

Bitch!

Go sell it, get more money.

That's what your bitch body is for!

Never! I'm in love...

Enough already!

She's your stepdaughter!

Shokichi!

You bastard!

You got no business lecturing me, hah!

Damn...

Come on, bastard!

You'll hurt somebody with that.

Let me tell you something.

That bitch will do whatever I say.

She's just a...

Bitch...

Listen...

I'm the one that did it!

I killed him!

Why did you come to Mars?

Me...

I don't have anything...

My only childhood friend...

died of infectious disease.

I have nothing...

You should stay alive,

to make a grave for Nanao.

What's that?

What's wrong?

Tsunami wave?

No way!

It'll hit us!

Prepare for impact!

Alright!

Second wave coming!

Even bigger than the first!

Hey!

Tezuka can't withstand that.

Wait!

Let us save him.

Huh?

Sorae is a Hardshell Weevil bug.

The bug lives in Okinawa, and has the very hard shell of its name.

Even an elephant can't crush it, definitely the hardest of bugs.

Guess it can't be helped.

I'll go along.

Next,

Maria is a Rainbow Stag Beetle, with a camouflage shell.

It can deceive the eyes of enemies.

Switching to automatic mode.

Maria...

I'm so sorry...

Those babes were reserved for my pleasure,

not for cockroaches...

Tezuka!

Sorae!

Maria!

We're the only ones left alive.

Seems like it.

So this is BUGS 1.

We'll keep watch.

Yeah, sounds good.

Got smokes?

Bum one?

Nothing beats a smoke on Mars.

System?

I'll check.

What's this...

BUGS 1 transmitted something to Earth.

Transmitted what...

Bastard, that's against the rules!

I'll never become a bug!

I'm a yakuza until death!

Come and get me!

Yoshikane was a Diving Beetle, Toramaru a Mole Cricket.

It is unclear at present why their abilities to...

search underwater and underground would be needed.

They've been shot.

Damn roaches carrying guns!

Weapons from BUGS 1.

Even using guns. How far have they evolved?

Don't panic.

They have become like average humans.

But we have surpassed mere humans.

I'll do it.

They have arrived at BUGS 1.

They are surrounded.

How's it going there?

Captain Dojima is really trying.

His idiotic integrity is a nuisance.

Nobody would be left alone in that situation.

Everything going as planned.

Anything else to watch out for?

If Shokichi Komachi mutates, stay away.

That bug is extremely vicious.

Roger that. I will now commence activities.

Johj!

Most dangerous, with highest annual accidental deaths,

is not the bear or shark,

but the bee.

Especially Japan's Asian Giant Hornet,

which attacks, without provocation or warning.

Even worse, unlike the single sting honey bee,

it can sting repeatedly.

Until the enemy drops.

Jin is based on the Desert Locust.

Like the Migratory Locust, developed back legs permit hopping.

On a human scale, it could easily jump over a Q-story building.

Most powerful legs in the bug world.

Thanks for everything, Captain.

First Officer Obari's bug is the Giant Asian Mantis.

The Mantis seizes prey with sickle-shaped legs, then eats it.

It can eat frogs and lizards,

and is so predatory it'll even eat a male Mantis.

About 15 cockroaches killed...

Shokichi, Jin, you did a great job taking on so many.

Let's remove the BUGS 1 system, and return to BUGS 2.

Pyramid...

But why on Mars?

Who are...

YOU?

Moriki?

You're still alive?

Ta-dah!

Asuka Moriki is based on the Emerald Cockroach Wasp.

Disgusting as its name, it uses a special stinger...

to destroy just the escape reflex in a cockroach brain, to enslave it alive.

Most powerful bug ability for Mars, controlling cockroaches.

Yeah. Terraformars have ended up being my cute slaves.

Ichiro, let's take this egg to Earth.

Oh, forgot that I have to pour water on him.

Ichiro, even you betrayed...

Goodbye.

You're no longer useful.

Ichiro Hiruma is based on the Sleeping Chironomid.

It is a type of Chironomid living in Central Africa.

This bug has a remarkable trait, which is...

it never dies.

When this bug lacks sufficient water, protective "cryptobiosis" occurs.

When heated at 200°C for 5 minutes,

or frozen to the core at -270°C,

placed in ethanol for 168 hours,

exposed to 7,000 Gray of radiation, or kept in a vacuum,

it does not die.

When exposed to water,

it resumes normal activity.

Why are you wearing that?

Well, cockroaches do have vision.

Dressing for the occasion...

Bug that does not die,

bug that controls cockroaches.

What about the egg?

Of course I have it.

I made roaches mate, got a fresh new egg.

Second generation egg.

Let's go home.

BUGS 2...

Wow, you guys are amazing!

Just three of you killed so many Terraformars.

Well done.

You provided great battle data.

Battle data? What's that mean?

BUGS 2 engine was fired. What in the world...

It's alright, everything is just as planned.

What...

Moriki and Hiruma accepted my mission, so are on board BUGS 2.

It wouldn't fly before...

because Hiruma tampered with the system.

Moriki is still alive?

She can control cockroaches, so no need to fear Terrafomars when she's around.

What about Captain?

Dead!

However,

Hiruma's bug does not die, and comes back to life with water.

Bastard! What are they really up to?

Taking the egg home.

Huh?

That is my plan.

What?

Fair enough. Since you risked your lives on Mars,

you deserve an explanation.

Now, your special lecture.

All of the BUGS 1 crew died,

but the escape pod returned to Earth.

Inside of the pod there was a... Terraformar head.

Japan wanted to use this to get ahead by wiping out Terraformars on its own,

as part of a reckless plan to pioneer emigration to Mars.

I researched Terraformars, and fused human DNA with bug DNA.

That was the 'Bugs Operation'.

Bugs against bugs. Humanoid weapons to exterminate Terraformars.

Experiments came first.

You candidates for the "Bugs Op 1" were all desperate for the money we paid.

Regular astronauts would have moral qualms.

By obtaining a Terraformar egg,I could...

unravel the secrets of their evolution.

Furthermore,

by including data from your extreme battles,

create an almighty bug-humanoid.

Japan would possess a biological weapon rivalling any nuclear weapon.

Terraformars,

'Banzai'!

Hang on, what's that pyramid?

You know the theory...

that life carries genetic material?

What do you mean?

What if genes actually came from space?

And life had to evolve on Earth to return to space?

Huh?

We didn't send cockroaches there.

Cockroaches used humanity, and went to Mars.

Directed by those genes.

Totally absurd.

That's true. However,

that pyramid may provide supporting evidence.

Just get rid of cockroaches, and the main unit could soon survey it.

So we were just pawns all along?

Of course not!

You'll contribute to human evolution.

You're great heroes!

Listen up.

We won't die here!

We will get you!

But how?

There's no way for you to return.

Big brother...

I'm so hungry.

I'm hungry-

Big brother,

my ear is so itchy.

Mother, just a bit longer...

I'll complete my research, then sell it.

Professor's recommendation letter.

We'll be rich.

Ichiro, we're...

counting on you.

Pregnant...

With my baby...

He forced himself on me...in the laboratory.

This is unacceptable, Hiruma.

Bull...

I was...

set up.

It'll be kept a secret, but you have to leave the university.

Understand?

My research and...

the future of my family ruined.

Money's all I care about.

That story is terribly sad.

And stupid.

Moriki, Why'd you accept this job?

Money, like me?

Idiot. Listen...

What would happen with Terraformars on Earth?

It would be terrible.

But what if they...

could be freely controlled?

Huh...

Right, I'd be able to rule the world.

Even without money, I'd be able to have whatever I want.

No way, hatching already?

Seems to be too soon...

No problem, as long as I train them.

Hi boys, I am your Queen.

Now just be quiet, until I say otherwise.

If Moriki's poison has no effect...

Developed resistance to it?

Terraformars' offspring controlled by Moriki's poison.

Probably evolved even further.

Wouldn't that surpass your expectations?

BUGS 2!

Respond, BUGS 2!

Hiruma!

Hiruma!

Johj!

Johj!

Watch out!

Is this also according to plan?

No.

It is absolutely trouble.

Typical of cockroach bastards.

Love to be in swarms.

What now?

We came this far, no turning back.

It's kill, or be killed.

Think of the next step after exterminating them.

You're quite a woman...

Just figure that out?

Got a man?

Had one. It's his fault I'm here.

What a great idea... sending Earth's lowlife to Mars.

If so, even more reason to survive and go back.

Let's take back BUGS 2!

That ship won't fly.

Escape pod.

Johj.

What's with him? Much faster than other roaches.

Movements are...almost human.

Has it evolved?

I won't accept being anything but #1.

Thank you.

Jin, pull back! No more!

Jin!

You fool...

Won't return to human form...

Listen. And don't forget!

Locust is written as 'Imperial Bug' in Japanese.

You cockroaches are no match for me!

On your knees, cockroach bastards!

I really overdid it.

Jin! Why did you...

No reason, I just...

I had no reason to come to Mars.

And even if I return to Earth...

I have nothing...

Nothing at all.

You all have a passion for life...

I've come to...

really like all of you.

Shokichi!

Nanao...

Set fire to the...powdery moth scales.

Dust explosion?

Shokichi!

Run! She's on a suicide mission!

Don't do it...

Don't do it! Nanao!

Shokichi! Run for it!

Nanao,

let's return to Earth together.

Stop!

Nanao is already dead!

Nanao!

Jin.

I don't want your pity.

I've been alone ever since I was a kid...

I'm used to being treated like a bug.

You must be disgusted at me, half human, half bug.

Jin,

you are a human being,

and you are my friend.

Nanao transformed into a Silkworm Moth by her own strength.

To protect you.

Survive.

Survive, and go back to Earth.

That is...

Nanao's...will.

Jin...

Jin!

I won't die. Not in a place like this...

Ichiro, we're...

counting on you.

Money...

Money...

Money...

I need the money!

You lousy...

Betrayed us all along...

You are such a fool.

Bastard...

Don't be so careless. We have things left to do.

We'll settle things back on Earth.

Escape pod holds two.

Doctor, what's this?

The BUGS 2 mission is being transmitted worldwide.

Japan's secret has now...gone public.

Well, I lost. I totally lost this one.

Lost?

This is Hiruma's doing.

It's his insurance policy.

To prevent being hidden after return, revealed their existence to the world.

What should we do?

I'm going to disappear.

Huh?

I'll sell Bugs Operation results and battle data to some other client.

You'll betray the Japanese government?

It's quite the opposite.

Obviously the government will deny it and blame it all on me.

That's exactly right.

Now I see!

You were the government's watchdog all along.

They will say that you took full responsibility and committed suicide.

Hey, listen.

Since this is a brand new jacket, I don't want blood on it.

Please,

don't shoot me.

You cockroach!

Too bad.

Don't trust scientists.

In any case,

you dared to call me a cockroach.

Treated with Asian Giant Hornet poison.

One whiff and you go into anaphylactic shock.

Well, I'm off.

Back on Earth, I'll succeed.

I'll make it to the highest level.

What will you do on Earth?

I will...

make a grave.

Grave for Nanao,

and all of the others.

And then?

Return once again...

to Mars.

Hideaki Ito

Emi Takei Tomohisa Yamashita Takayuki Yamada

Kane Kosugi Rinko Kikuchi Masaya Kalo Eiko Koike

Kenichi Takitoh Rina Ohta Rila Fukushima

Shun Oguri

Based on the original comic

"TERRAFORMARS" by Yu Sasuga and Kenichi Tachibana

Screenplay by Kazuki Nakashima

Music by Koji Endo

A "TERRAFORMARS" Film Partners Production

Production services provided by OLM and Rakueisha

Directed by Takashi Miike

English subtitles by Paul Bryden