Original subtitles

The following feature film is suitable for viewing and exhibition for persons aged 18 or older only

A Pink Pineapple Production

Feeling nostalgic, honey?

Yeah, I guess.

Is it any different?

Of course. It's been 40 years. Things change.

Even the little crybaby has grown up to become the old paper-pusher that I am today.

Are you all right, Ritsuko?

You haven't been on such a long ride for quite a while.

Were birds able to fly from the very beginning?

- Huh? - You know, like how monkeys became humans.

Were birds a different animal in the beginning?

- They were dinosaurs. - Dinosaurs? - Yeah.

There were these little lizards...

They were the ancestors of birds.

Lizards turned into birds? That's a little hard to believe.

Did you get that from one of those spooky magazines again?

I wonder how long it took...

until lizards were able to fly in the sky.

I don't really know,

but it must have been millions of years.

It's too long for a housewife like me to comprehend.

Try opening the window, Ritsuko.

Your mask.

Don't worry, just do it.

This scent...

The area ahead used to be deep in the forest.

Meet Me in a Dream

Produced by Fujio Matsushima

Based on the manga by Naoki Yamamoto published by Koubunsha Comics

Screenplay by Taketoshi Watari

Music by Koji Endo

Director of Photography: Masashi Inayoshi

Chiasa Aonuma

Shihori Nagasaka

Nao Saejima

Minori Terada

Directed by Hisayasu Sato

That goes over there.

Let's see... that's over there.

Ow!

Hey, be careful!

- I'm sorry. - Seriously!

Mom.

What is it?

Looks like it has begun.

Okay, look this way.

Come on!

Okay, relax!

Periods are a symbol of femininity,

to prepare you for having a baby one day.

Me?

Yes, you'll become a mother one day.

This isn't such a big deal if you think about that, right?

Although, it's probably far into the future.

Thank you for always doing this for me.

That's all right.

- Period? - Yes.

What is it, all of a sudden?

I don't know.

I don't know, but I can't stand it.

Please, we've just moved in.

And maybe Ritsuko's still awake.

Ritsuko's tired and fast asleep.

Really, what's the matter?

It's been years since you came onto me.

Then I guess I'll stop.

No! You already turned me on!

Still, I wonder if men get aroused...

whenever they return to their hometown.

I don't know.

What are you doing?

I want to go out for a walk with Roxanne.

What about your mask?

I'll take it with me, just in case.

- Aren't you going to wear it? - I think I'll be fine. - Really?

I have a feeling that this town's air is well-suited for me.

I won't say anything if that's what you want to do,

- but don't push yourself too hard. - I'm not pushing myself.

I just want to walk around the town with Roxanne.

- Is that so? - Okay, I'll get going.

See you.

I see, so you were born around here.

It's been 40 years.

I was only here until the end of elementary school.

I hear this area was developed about 10 years ago.

Before that, it was a dense forest.

So this used to be your playground?

Oh no, I was too afraid to enter the forest.

They used to say you'd get spirited away.

Spirited away?

"The forest is an inescapable labyrinth,

"and any child who enters it can never escape."

That's what my grandmother always told me.

Also, the labyrinth leads to the netherworld,

and time is frozen over there.

Time is frozen?

Children who were spirited away...

were found decades later, as children.

Well, I guess it's similar to the story of Urashima Taro.

That sure sounds like science fiction.

It seems there are similar legends of being spirited away in other regions.

I never knew I was sitting in such a mystical place.

Well, I guess it's to teach us a lesson to stay out of the forest,

because it's dangerous.

Roxanne, I think I'll come to love this town.

What is it?

Why would you do something like that?!

You don't have a choice. You're a living being.

Hey, what's wrong?

Are you all right?

Hey, are you alive?

Take this.

Take this?

You want me to take this?

Thank you.

What should I do with this?

Thank you so much.

I don't know what I would've done without you.

So what happened?

Well, you don't have to tell me if you don't want to.

- How can you grab it so easily? - Huh?

The dog poop.

I don't know how I can answer that.

I used to have a dog,

and it doesn't smell as much as human's.

- It's like soft, rotten clay. - Rotten clay? - Yes.

When I used to have a dog,

ladies from the neighborhood association always used to tell me...

"You don't have the right to have a dog if you can't even clean up its shit."

You're right. Totally right.

I don't have the right to have a dog.

That's not what I meant...

Um... Can you tell me the name?

- It's Roxanne. - Roxanne?

No, I meant what's your name?

It's Ritsuko.

- Ritsuko-san. - Thank you so much.

I don't want to worry my mother, so I'll get going now.

It was nice talking to you today.

Give my regards to your manager, Mr. Yamada.

Well then, good-bye.

By the way...

- Was there anyone around you who... - What?

About what we talked about earlier, the ones who were spirited away.

Oh, there was one, now that you mention it.

It was a girl whose name I didn't even know.

She went into the woods to hunt,

but they never found her in the end.

Did she return as a child years later?

No way. They never found her.

- She had just gone missing. - I see.

Well then, good-bye.

Spirited away, huh?

Um... excuse me?

Ritsuko must have thrown all her clothes into the washing machine,

and be washing every part of her body by now.

She can't help it.

Ritsuko is an extreme germaphobe.

Germaphobe?

For Ritsuko, everything she touches,

and everything touched by others is filthy.

She can't stand not washing her hands after touching something.

She can't sit in trains.

She can't possibly touch railings.

She can't use public toilets.

Forget restaurants; she won't even eat the food I cooked.

Then how can she walk her dog?

This was the first time she's taken Roxanne out for a walk.

It was really nerve-wracking for me to watch.

- You were watching? - Yes. I saw the whole thing.

- By the way, what's your name? - It's Otabe.

Otabe-san, I have a favor to ask of you.

Ritsuko is challenging herself for the very first time.

Could you help her out somehow?

I don't know how I could...

And why me, anyway?

Ritsuko hasn't had a real conversation with anyone...

other than her father, ever since she became like that.

I'm sure she likes...

I somewhat understand the situation, but I probably can't handle such a role.

Are you sure?

I'm sorry. Good-bye.

Huh?

Let's see...

If I remember correctly...

It can't be...

The forest has disappeared, but the labyrinth remains.

You're...

You're the one who disappeared in the forest...

Rox, Rox!

Yes, hello?

Yes.

What did he do?

No way!

Okay. I understand.

What's the matter?

Your father was detained by the police.

He molested a little girl.

How's that possible?

Yes, okay.

- He was released moments ago, and went home. - What?

Someone happened to have videotaped it,

and we found out your father didn't do anything.

- A video? - Who recorded it?

The Administrator.

Here you go.

Oh, you didn't have to.

Please sit down and wait.

Don't worry about her. She has a back pain right now.

Back pain?

Are you ill?

Sorry to keep you waiting.

Thank you so much for what you've done for us.

Oh no, it's all right.

My husband should be here in person to thank you, but...

Please accept this.

It's all part of my job.

See, right here...

The girl started crying on her own already.

Do you always record what's happening in the town?

Not always, but I have a heart condition that prevents me from going outside often.

I just go out to relax, and videotape the town sometimes.

Oh, I see!

I think it's my job to make this town a better place.

Do you know about the Administrator?

The Administrator? You mean like a building administrator?

No, he's right up there.

He lives on the top floor of that building, called the Administration Tower.

Oh, that's called the Administration Tower?

It's the tallest building at the center of the town, so it stands out,

but I've always wondered what that building was for.

Maybe he's keeping this town under his watch.

He is? From there?

Maybe even now.

City of Glass, huh?

Sounds like something out of a movie!

Anyway, I should get back to jogging.

- I hope I'll see you again tomorrow. - Yes. - Bye.

If you want that, then you have to clean this first.

This, right here.

This, right here.

Why does it look like you're not enjoying it?

Lick it and make it look like it's tasty!

Come on.

Is it tasty?

Good, good dog.

Should your queen feed you that thing you like?

Dad, you're not going to work again tomorrow?

Yeah, I've been suspended from work.

For how long?

- I don't know. - But why?

Your innocence was proven. Why did they suspend you?

That's how it works in a company.

Whether he did it or not doesn't matter.

The fact that the public knows he was suspected...

That's enough of a reason for the company.

What do you mean by "enough"?

What's with the long face, Ritsuko?

Do you think Dad will get fired so easily?

That's not...

Even if that were to happen,

I can find a way to keep us alive!

Mothers are strong!

Right, honey?

Right.

Eat as much as you like.

Is it tasty?

Are you happy?

Then say this:

"I'm the happiest man in the world...

"for being able to eat the queen's delicious shit!"

I'm the happiest man in the world...

Louder, and sound happier!

I'm the happiest man in the world...

for being able to eat...

the queen's delicious shit!

Customers these days are pretty annoying.

Complaining about facial expression and poor reaction and stuff.

Well, I think this one's pretty good, if we can link it with the previous video.

Hey, let's do it.

I'm really wet.

See, it's sticky, soaked, and gooey.

You're such a pervert.

That goes for both of us.

Are we going to videotape more?

I guess this is enough.

Dad, I'll take Roxanne for walk...

Where's Mom?

She found a new part-time job, so I think that's where she went.

I see.

How about some artificial flowers?

No need for soil, nor water.

Artificial flowers that are good for the environment.

Lighten up your home with an artificial flower!

Would you like one, Miss?

What's this?

It's just an artificial flower.

I don't want it!

Would you like one, Miss?

Ritsuko-chan!

Hi.

Hello.

Where's your dog?

Well...

It seems like something's on your mind.

Can you tell me?

Maybe I can be of help.

My father might get laid off.

- Laid off? - It's not certain yet,

but a stupid rumor spread in his company,

and he's been suspended from work ever since.

I see.

That's why you're so depressed.

I don't know if your father will lose his job,

but maybe he's actually having a good time relaxing.

What?

He's been working hard for the family this whole time, right?

Yes.

If you have that sad look on your face,

then he won't be able to enjoy being suspended.

- Really? - Yeah.

I feel a lot better now.

That never crossed my mind.

- You have to think positively about everything. - Okay.

Look.

They're so cute!

Did you know rabbits have a funny habit?

What is it?

You know how cows have multiple stomachs,

and they return their food to their mouth and chew again?

Rumination, right?

It's pretty disgusting if you think about it!

- Rabbits do it, too. - Like cows?

They only have one stomach, so it's not the same as cows.

How do they do it?

Look, they're doing it now.

Huh?

No way!

Ri-chan, Ri-chan, Ri-chan?

How are you feeling?

It doesn't look like you're hurt.

How did I get here?

I'll explain that later.

In any case, welcome to the Administration Room.

This will clear your head.

I assume you know what the monitors are displaying.

Our town?

Yes, our town: Shikiroku New Town.

I never knew we were watched by so many cameras.

Of course; each camera is carefully camouflaged.

No one knows about them other than me, Yukawa-kun, and you.

My mother created this surveillance system.

She was Shikiroku New Town's architect,

and she designed it to keep the town safe.

My mother monitored the town nearly 24 hours a day.

The sight of my mother looking at these countless monitors...

is the only childhood memory that I have.

She truly loved this town.

So my father's tape was also...

They were recorded by the town's surveillance system.

But is all this really necessary?

Residents of the town don't know they're constantly recorded, right?

If they become aware of the cameras,

crimes and evildoings will be hidden out of sight.

- But this is practically... - Spying?

This may indeed be spying.

However, the spying has prevented many fires from spreading,

many children were saved from falling to death,

and many women were protected from rape.

There's only one reason why I brought you here:

It's because I want you to help me with this job.

Not immediately, but I wish to hear your decision soon.

There isn't much time.

But... why me?

There's no particular reason.

I just felt like it would suit you.

What did you think about the Administrator?

What do you mean?

Do you think he's weird, or interesting?

I guess...

Or maybe he's unhuman, like a robot?

That's not what I...

You might think that even more when you hear this,

but the Administrator doesn't have a heart.

He has an artificial heart.

An artificial heart?

It's a state-of-the-art heart, powered by plutonium batteries.

It was supposed to last about a hundred years.

What do you mean by "supposed to"?

It's the Administration Room;

the TVs and recorders there emit a large amount of electromagnetic waves.

That damaged his plutonium batteries.

Does that mean he's running out of battery power?

It'll last less than a year, according to computer calculations.

Why doesn't he have surgery and replace the battery?

He can't.

The Administrator doesn't have the stamina to endure surgery right now.

Then...

Unfortunately, there's nothing we can do.

Actually, I was adopted by him.

My parents jumped off a building to escape debt.

The Administrator still says he could've saved them if he'd found them earlier...

Then is he your relative?

I have many relatives, but their hands are full with their own families.

The Administrator spends all his time teaching me to make my dream...

of becoming a doctor come true. He says that's his only joy in life.

Anyway, I have to go buy ingredients for dinner.

Hey, I didn't ask for your name.

- It's Yukawa. - I'm...

- Ritsuko, right? - How did you know?

- I'm always watching you. - Always?

Of course, you're not the only one.

Then you know everything about me?

By the way, don't you have to lay a plastic sheet or something on the bench?

I'm sorry.

How about some artificial flowers?

They'd look nice in a happy home.

How about some pure and beautiful artificial flowers?

Who is it?

I'm here to sell artificial flowers. How about some artificial flowers?

No need for soil, nor water.

Artificial flowers that are good for environment.

Lighten up your home with an artificial flower!

How much are they?

We're having a promotion right now.

Usually, they're 10,000 yen, but now only 8,900 yen each!

8,900 yen each? Artificial flowers?

8,800 yen...

Uh... how about 8,600 yen?

I don't want any.

Hello?

Oh, the Administrator?

My father?

Bare-footed?

Yes.

It doesn't look right. Please go right away.

I'll send Yukawa, too.

Where?

Where did she go?

Roxanne, I can only count on your nose now.

What happened to me?

I'm here to sell artificial flowers.

How about some artificial flowers?

I'm here to sell artificial flowers.

How about some...

Where have you been, you...

Watch where you're going!

Have you seen a girl with a rainbow-colored handball?

Who?

The girl who disappeared in the forest.

Forest? Where is that?

Here, right here.

This is a forest?

This place used to be deep in the forest.

I don't know what it used to be, but it's a town now.

- It's a forest. - It's a town.

It's a forest.

Do you really intend to search here for a girl who went missing in a forest?

Is she your daughter?

I'm looking for what I've lost.

I'd forgotten that I'd lost it,

but I turned into someone else when I realized.

So I'll go looking for her...

to return to myself.

"Return to myself..."?

To return to myself.

What I've lost...

Did I also lose something?

What's happening?

Looks like you're awake.

You surprised me.

You were lying in front of the door.

I...

You were selling these?

I was selling those?

I found them beside you.

Artificial flowers! My artificial flowers!

Yes, I'm selling them. Would you like one?

We're having a promotion, so instead of 10,000 yen...

Cut it out. Who would buy this stuff?

No?

You won't buy them?

You're using tears to convince me?

I don't need them.

It's all right... It's all right...

I knew no one would buy them.

I wouldn't either.

I wouldn't buy...

such lame, fake flowers!

Why are you selling them, then?

Don't you have a husband?

Yes, I do, but I have to work!

There's nothing wrong with working,

but can't you work more efficiently?

How?

Are you a man?

First, you have to know yourself.

Looks like you're in a tough situation.

The night is still young.

Let's talk out our problems.

Not yet... it's too early...

What I've lost...

What I've lost...

What I've lost...

That's it!

By the way, what's the job of a housewife?

The job of a housewife?

It's to find cures to boredom every second!

Cleaning, washing, TV, and nap...

Every day is a nuclear fusion of boredom, boredom, and more boredom!

You're so cool!

I wanted to dance in Juliana's Tokyo, too!

Juliana's Tokyo is already closed.

Shut up!

You're in for trouble if you underestimate a housewife!

What?

No way!

That feels great!

I guess I'll do it, too.

Do it!

What is it, Roxanne?

Which way should we go?

The scent is cut off here.

It's been so long since I ran so much.

My heart's about to burst.

My father told me,

that this town used to be a forest.

But I'd have noticed, even if he hadn't told me.

The scent.

The scent?

This town has the scent of a forest.

I've never noticed.

This town is still deep, deep inside a forest.

I'm sure my father wandered in!

- Into the forest? - Yes.

Can we find him?

We will, no matter what.

I won't run anymore.

I can smell the forest.

Me too.

I found it.

I found it.

It's what I've been looking for.

It was this.

Mother...

I can see you again, right?

I finally found you.

A Few Months Later

Despite a thorough search by the police,

my father was never found.

What kind of labyrinth did he wander into?

Don't you have any manners?

Please, hurry and let me eat it.

I'm about to starve to death. Please.

On the other hand, my mother brightened up, like she turned into another person.

I guess she really likes her new job,

and she's enjoying it like she found a job custom made for her.

Are you ready for the feast, little rabbit?

Eat plenty!

As for me,

I became this town's new administrator with Yukawa-kun,

and, like my mother,

I think this job was made just for me.

Finally, I will give birth to a child next month.

When I first came to this town,

I'd never even imagined that I would become a mother, but...

Can you hear it?

Yes, intense like a storm.

I'm sure the child will be healthy.

We were blessed with her in the forest.

Once upon a time,

a lizard in the forest badly wanted to fly.

Day after day, the lizard jumped,

but it always fell back to the ground.

Eventually, the lizard died,

and its descendants followed in its footsteps and aimed for the sky.

After an unimaginably long time,

strange feathers grew, and eventually became tough wings.

Finally, one day, one of the descendants flew off the ground,

never knowing it was the first lizard that had managed to fly.

And it became a bird.

Hey, what will we become in this forest?

Translation: 8thSin for kemushi Timing: lordretsudo