Original subtitles

You wrote this quote, didn't you?

Yes, sir.

You checked it and gave it to the client?

I'm pretty sure I did...

You're not sure? We lost money on this deal.

I'm very sorry.

Being sorry won't fix the problem.

I'm the one who'll get blamed!

I'm sorry...

If you want to show how sorry you are...

You know what to do.

Oh yes, that's the spot.

Keep going...

That's right.

Oh, that's so good.

Well? You have 5 minutes left.

Can I have 30 minutes more?

“Office Girls Club Massage Parlor”

Are you OK?

Watch your step, it's slippery today.

Abnormalities in the brain's blood vessels

can be the result of a stroke.

The arteries may have constricted or dilated.

We know from the hemorrhage's location

if it's ICH or RCVS.

- Yunoa. - Yes?

Studying something difficult?

The exam is soon.

That must be tough. Sorry to drag you in.

Did the girls go home?

Yeah. And New Year's Eve is always busy.

From the Boss.

For New Year's Eve.

Oh, that's really touching!

Let's get a photo for the blog.

- Ready? - OK.

Say cheese!

“Boss gave me noodles for New Year's Eve!”

My ass...

The face outline...

“Cute as a pin-up girl” They didn't photoshop the chin line.

They didn't photoshop the chin line.

Yunoa from Office Girls Club, approved.

“Yunoa, 22”

“Corona Cafe”

“Corona Cafe” Any particular girl?

Uh... I want Mana.

Mana is booked out for the rest of the day.

Not according to your webpage...

She was just booked.

How about Izumi? She can see you in about 30 minutes.

No, it's OK.

“Office Girls Club”

This is Office Girls.

Uh, is Yunoa available now?

Great.

Can I book her?

He was a popular and unique movie director.

Minegishi died yesterday from a cardiac arrest.

He was only 42.

Mr. Nakamura.

Mr. Nakamura. Yunoa is ready for you.

That's me!

Follow me.

Toilet?

- Must be a virgin. - At his age!

She's in here.

I'm Yunoa. Reporting for duty!

What's wrong?

It's just... you're so pretty.

You think so? Thank you.

Your coat.

- So... - Yes?

You have a day job?

I'm a student.

A student?

Yes but I'll get a job after I graduate.

Will you quit then?

I don't know how it will go.

I guess I won't be here as often.

Right.

You won't...

That feels so good.

Kumoman, the RCVS mascot.

Are you coming?

Yes, very soon.

Oh, God...

Almost Coming, Almost Dying

Nou Misoo

Elisa Yanagi

Chizuru Oki

Ryoko Tateishi

Mitsuru Hirata

Based on the Comic “KUMOMAN” by Manabu Nakagawa (torch comics / LEED)

Screenplay by Hiroyuki Abe

Executive Producer: Sachimi Nakagawa Producer: Tadashi Minezoe

Animation by Yasutaka Udou

Music by Gentle Forest Jazz Band

Directed by Toshimasa Kobayashi

Presented by Creative Nexus Inc.

Back in September

You still here, Manabu?

What's that?

Can't you knock?

You didn't answer when I called!

You're taking so long... Aren't you going?

I will but can you leave?

Okay.

Hi, I'm Manabu Nakagawa.

This is my story when I was 29 and unemployed.

“Prefer no interaction”

“No jobs match your criteria”

Find anything?

No. I'm not having any luck.

I'll help you.

What are your conditions again?

I don't want to interact with people.

No responsibilities but...

nothing demeaning.

I see.

How about this?

Good texture and shape. It's perfect.

“Bulging Mushrooms”

OK, that's it!

Thank you.

Come back next autumn please.

“Choco-mushrooms” Yesterday 36 restaurants in Nagano announced

their original “bulging mushroom” recipes.

That's creative.

It's typical Akiko Higashimura!

Don't you have to look for a job?

I've got a job picking strawberries next month.

Oh, you do...?

There was a murder today.

A father stabbed his son and called 911.

The 30-year-old son was confirmed dead at the hospital.

The father confessed and is in custody.

He said, “I brought that unemployed bum into the world.”

“I was going to kill myself too.”

Son.

What?

How about a teaching job?

The elementary school has a temp position.

I can refer you if you want.

If you're up to it.

In fact...

my first job after college was a middle school teacher...

2x plus 3x equals 10...

5x and 5...

What about school?

It's 8.

I was the first in the class to stop going.

Well?

It's a special ed class.

You'll teach one autistic boy.

Will you...?

OK, I'll give it a try.

Dai-chan, it's time to study, buddy.

Dai-chan, put the toys away.

Dai... Dai-chan, we should start...

Dai-chan, wait...

“A Family Guide to Autism”

I see.

They feel safe if everything is planned ahead.

“Dai-chan's schedule for the day”

OK, Dai-chan. Put away the toys as scheduled.

Dai-chan.

Try to keep to a schedule in the winter recess.

OK!

I had a sense of purpose for the first time.

I thought I deserved a reward, so...

December 31

Coming?

I think I'm really close.

We still have time. Let's not give up!

Thank you.

Never give up!

She gave it her best but...

How could I let her down?

Sorry.

No, I'm sorry.

Happy new year.

Happy new year to you, too.

“Wild Bitch Massage Parlor”

A blow job. My small reward on New Year's Eve.

But I failed.

Are you OK?

Watch your step, it's slippery today.

I had 27,000 yen.

Enough for the train home and another massage parlor.

“Office Girls Club”

“Office Girls Club”

Did I accidentally bite you?

No, I suddenly got a bad headache...

You're sweating a lot.

Should I call an ambulance?

No, I can do it myself.

You might have a brain disorder.

I'm OK, really.

I'll call for help!

Thank you.

Call an ambulance.

We were in the middle of a sex act.

I suspect a brain vessel abnormality.

Right.

Here's his bag.

And...

his clothes.

I've got them.

Ready? 1, 2, 3!

And lift!

“ER”

“ER” Male, 29.

Signs?

2 on the coma scale. 110 beats per minute.

Blood pressure, 162 over 104.

Where was he?

To access his condition I need to know what he was doing.

Where was he?

At a massage parlor.

What?

A parlor.

For sex?

No, just thrusts.

Sorry?

It's a technique where a penis is thrust between thighs.

A hand can also be used for support.

Whatever. Get a CAT scan.

She'd abandon me.

That's what I thought in my fading consciousness.

January 1

January 1 Hello, ladies and gentlemen.

We're your comedy act tonight.

Let me tell you this. You're history.

“Reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome” What kind of joke is that? It's not funny.

Drop dead!

“40% of patients die, 30% won't fully recover.”

“40% of patients die, 30% won't fully recover.” You can't say that!

40% of RCVS sufferers will die.

30% won't fully recover.

With a 30% chance of functioning normally.

- A man's life begins at 30! - No way.

“Happy New Year from Mai”

“Happy New Year from Mai” Men under 30 are immature and insignificant.

Some 20-year-olds are successful entrepreneurs.

They're rich and spoiled! They won't get a break.

A break? They're not comedians.

There's no difference!

The impact of the hemorrhage is seen here.

A Y-shaped artery's between the eyes.

There's an aneurysm right at that point.

We'll perform a craniotomy...

What?

We'll open his skull and apply a clip to the aneurysm.

A clip...?

Like this.

May I?

- Atsuko. - Mom.

This is Manabu's sister.

Dr. Ishige is explaining the surgical procedure.

This clip is for the aneurysm.

How is he?

He's sedated.

If he moves, he might bleed again.

The procedure might trigger a hemorrhage

and damage his brain in the process.

He could die or be left with disabilities.

It's a risky operation but he has no chance without it.

If you give your consent, sign this.

His blood pressure might rise if he wakes.

Don't talk to him.

“In progress”

What was he doing in Fukuromachi town?

He took a trip after he got his paycheck.

- To Fukuromachi? - No.

He dropped by there on his way to Tokyo.

Oh.

Now he'll have to quit the only job he liked.

That's right.

He said it was fulfilling.

He was lucky to get that position.

What a wasted chance!

He'll get another one.

Here's his bag and the clothes he had on.

- No shoes? - No...

This is all that there was.

But he was wearing new shoes...

“Life is a Change of Scene by Yoshimichi Nakajima”

What's that?

“Nagano to Tokyo”

A train ticket to Tokyo.

The departure date is tomorrow.

You know what, Atsuko?

Go get a refund.

Please. It'd be wasteful.

You want a refund?

May I have the ticket?

Sorry, I'll come back later.

We have time limits on refunds.

Did you do it?

No, I thought I'd keep it.

You didn't get a refund? What a waste.

No matter what, he won't be travelling.

Go get a refund.

But he might...

It's a long operation and I hate wasting money.

You're up, Mr. Nakagawa!

Yes.

How are you?

I'm not so nauseous.

The test results indicate that the operation was a success.

That's good.

Your family will be happy, too.

Yes.

I'll remove the bandage before they come.

Thank you.

Ouch!

That hurts!

I know but be patient.

But Doctor, that's my skin! It really hurts!

Ma'am, your arm...

Does my strength surprise you?

Brother.

Brother?

Brother?

He's come to.

You know who I am?

Manabu, you made it.

Where am I?

You're in ICU. The operation was successful.

How do you feel?

It hurts...

The anesthesia is wearing off.

You'll feel better soon. We're here for you.

I feel sick...

That's common after an operation.

It's better to sleep. Do you think you can?

I think so.

Good.

When you wake up you'll be well enough to smoke.

But... I don't smoke.

OK, but you could smoke!

Are you OK?

Have some water.

Here.

I want to throw up.

Ouch!

The tubes!

Are you OK?

It's just that it hurts.

I'll insert the painkiller.

“Insert”?

Relax your muscles.

It's in.

Can you hear me?

It's hell in ICU whether you're awake or asleep.

I became very aware of his presence.

January 2

Fukuromachi General Hospital

Good morning.

Good morning.

Any pain?

Not at the moment.

Let's do some tests, will we?

First, let me ask you some questions.

OK.

What's your name?

Manabu Nakagawa.

Where are you?

In ICU, at Fukuromachi General Hospital.

- What beats the rock in Scissor-Paper-Rock? - Paper.

OK.

Try to grip my hand.

You survived one day! That's the first hurdle.

The first hurdle?

You're not safe until the 14th day.

The 14th day!

The blood vessels can constrict 2 weeks after the operation.

The vessels constrict?

The blood vessels in the brain.

The result will be the same as a stroke.

With possible paralysis, a speech impediment, a coma, or death.

The reason is unclear so we can't prevent it.

All you can do is rest and pray.

What's wrong?

I just realized that I could die at any moment.

It feels strange.

Let's not think too much now.

Let's focus on the fact you're alive.

You're right.

I was thinking about something else then.

About appetite and libido.

I had neither of them at that moment.

And yet...

I wanted to go home alive.

Your face isn't so swollen now.

Hi, guys.

Could you eat anything?

Yes, just a little.

I brought a change of clothes.

Thank you.

You want anything?

No, thank you.

- By the way, Manabu... - Honey.

You don't want to tire him out now.

Maybe next time.

Oh?

But...

Come on, Mom.

We'll be back tomorrow.

Buzz me when you're done.

OK.

Don't push! It'll agitate your brain.

- By the way, Manabu... - Honey.

Office Girls Club...

“Call nurse”

Are you done?

- Call Dr. Ishige. - Are you OK?

Call Dr. Ishige.

Okay.

He's pooing.

What's wrong?

Doctor, the door please...

Doctor...

Yes?

Did you tell my family where I had the stroke?

I said it was in the shopping arcade in Fukuromachi.

I came back because I couldn't wait to tell you.

Sorry, Son.

It's OK but...

What is it?

Manabu.

It's about your temp teaching job.

Someone will replace you next semester.

Oh, that!

That's what the school decided.

You're not disappointed?

I just worry about the student.

It's good that he has a teacher.

By the way

where did you have the stroke?

I think your missing shoes

were left behind so I asked the hospital staff.

They said you collapsed in the arcade

but they won't say exactly where.

But

they were new. It seems wasteful!

They were new...?

Yes! You'd only worn them twice.

Don't you remember where you collapsed?

Mom... I can't remember anything about it.

You can't?

It's mild amnesia.

Are you OK?

Do you remember Pess, the dog we had?

You loved Pess...

Oh...

January 5

36.2 degrees. No fever.

We can't rule out vasoconstriction for 9 more days.

9 more days... That's so long.

5 days passed.

It came on so suddenly.

What's wrong?

I feel so cold!

Let me check your temperature.

Excuse me.

You have a fever of 39!

I need to throw up!

Let me check your nose and throat.

Let's see. Open wide please.

I see.

I'll check your nose. It might hurt.

I'll have it tested right away.

It could be influenza. That would explain the sudden fever.

After 10 minutes or so the chill went away...

You might not be hungry but you need your strength.

Thank you.

That's cold!

Not again...!

Just the slightest cold sensation

triggered nauseating chills throughout my body.

The flu test was negative.

Then what's causing the chills?

I don't know.

Are my vessels constricting?

I don't know.

It went on for 3 days but...

no one knew the cause.

Where are you?

In ICU at Fukuromachi General Hospital.

What beats scissors?

Rock.

How about Harumi Edo?

She rocks.

Now try to grip my hand.

Sorry! What is it?

Nurse Kano...

You have chronic cold hands...

I'm sorry.

My fevers gradually reduced.

January 10

At the same time my libido returned.

You can move into the general ward.

The general ward...

That means no tubes!

My tube hell was finally over.

You won't see me from now on.

Right, you only work in ICU.

Right.

Thank you so much.

I hope you get better soon.

I'll come back when I'm a healthy man!

I'll be waiting.

Now I'll pull out the Foley catheter.

Get ready...

Do you want me to count up or count down?

Count down please.

OK. Ready?

3...

2!

There's a window!

After not looking outside for so long, I felt full of gratitude.

But...

paradise wasn't waiting.

It'd be another kind of hell.

Thank you all for coming today.

It's a shame that it has to be here.

The new year started off badly!

This is for you.

We should have come when you were in ICU!

- Is here good? - Thanks.

I thought you'd look sicker.

So you don't get bored...

“Secret by Keigo Higashino” I haven't read these.

I picked the best ones.

You were looking for 2 hours!

I suggested Golgo 13 comics.

I'm glad the operation went well.

It was lucky you had a stroke near a good hospital.

Where did it exactly happen?

I don't remember well.

Do you have amnesia?

I remember up to a point.

Like what?

The first rule of lying is to keep it simple.

I stopped in at Fukuromachi on my way to Tokyo.

I was walking near the station.

The streets were muddy with snow and I fell.

You hit your head?

No, I fell on my bottom.

My pants got wet so I went to buy a new pair.

That's as far as I remember.

The hospital staff said that I was found in a shopping arcade.

Really!

You can't remember... how scary.

There's one puzzling thing.

His shoes are missing.

Mom and her obsession with my new shoes...

Shoes?

Yes, his shoes.

The paramedics didn't get his shoes.

He was outside so he must have had shoes on.

Maybe they fell off when I was put on the stretcher?

But they brought back your bag and clothes.

Why not your shoes?

It could happen...

I've been wondering about the shoes, too.

What's with their generation and shoes?

So I asked the paramedic where they found Manabu.

Oh, you did?

And he said it was at...

a shoe shop.

That's why he left his shoes there!

You were buying pants and shoes!

Right. My toes hurt in those shoes.

Mom, we should go.

We'll go, too.

Thank you for coming.

Take care of yourself.

See you.

It makes no sense.

Why would your shoes be left behind at a shoe shop?

He'd taken them off.

He was going to try on a pair when he collapsed.

Do you think that's possible?

Bear with me and I'll demonstrate.

Let me confirm something.

I need those slippers.

Give me a signal when I should collapse.

OK.

Ready?

- That's it! - Right?

When you try on shoes

you've always got one shoe on.

I see!

How about this?

It wouldn't be unusual to remove them both.

Right?

Yes.

But not on that day.

Why not?

The muddy streets made him fall on his bottom.

The shop floor would have been wet.

I disagree.

I'll show you.

You could put your feet on the shoes like this.

Then you could change your shoes and not dirty your socks.

True, but we overlooked something important.

Why did the paramedics only miss the shoes?

I know!

It was a shoe shop so his shoes got mixed up with the others.

Right.

They were new.

Not new enough to be confused

with the shoes in the shop.

What's your point, Mom?

My theory is...

I doubt that he collapsed at a shoe shop.

Where then?

Manabu.

You have many visitors.

They're my relatives.

Dr. Ishige said you can finally get up and walk around.

Your blood pressure is fine.

You need to exercise so you can get strong.

Good.

And I can push out my poo?

Of course.

Oh great! Thank you.

- You're welcome. - Bye.

You couldn't push before?

Right, my blood pressure was high.

I had to let it fall naturally. It was frustrating.

It sounds horrible.

I don't need to hear this!

Sorry.

I solved it!

The nurse gave me the last piece of the puzzle.

His shoes were off and his blood pressure rose.

I know, he was in sauna!

That makes sense.

In a sauna you have no shoes and your blood pressure rises.

Good guess, Atsuko.

It wasn't a sauna.

No? Why not?

The hospital staff wouldn't lie about that.

It must be a massage...

Keep it down!

Sorry.

You're giving me a headache. Can you keep it down?

I'm terribly sorry.

We shouldn't bother Manabu and his roommates.

Why don't we leave now?

Take care, Manabu.

Mom!

That was close!

I had to interfere even if it was none of my business.

I don't know what to say...

You saved me.

I could take my biggest humiliation to my grave.

My relief brought back a familiar sensation.

“Nurses are horny too!”

Manabu.

Hello.

You're up and about now!

That might be premature.

Doctor, I have an awkward question to ask.

Is it OK to deal with my libido?

Masturbation?

If you must.

Masturbation...

Go for it!

Really...?

It won't affect your blood vessels.

It's rehabilitation and a good release.

So you recommend it.

Definitely.

I'm married with a kid but

I do it all the time!

So should you!

OK, here goes.

He said to go for it...

But...

just when I almost climaxed...

Come on!

You can do it, Manabu!

My memory of the stroke

made me nauseous.

Are you awake, Manabu?

I'll turn this off for you.

Go, Manabu!

This is war!

Fight to get back your health and libido!

For an hour I psyched myself up.

1 hour later

I overcame the traumatic memory!

Oh?

I thought I turned the light off.

“Yasushi Endo” “Manabu Nakagawa”

Oh, no!

How are his vital signs?

1, 2, 3! To the operating room.

Turn here.

Can you hear?

He got worse?

Endo might not make it.

He fell off the bed and was unconscious.

January 14

Are you OK?

My head is tingling.

If we find nothing there's no vasoconstriction.

If he did find evidence of constriction

I might end up paralyzed.

Could I endure rehabilitation?

Mr. Nakagawa.

The test shows

that your vessels are fine.

You can go home with no complications.

Right.

Congratulations!

You made it. Take care of yourself.

You're a fighter! Congratulations!

I'll miss you, Manabu.

Hooray, Manabu!

January 30

Is Nurse Kano around?

She was on the early shift. She left.

Then...

- Is Dr. Ishige in? - He's operating.

Can you give this to them?

“Confectionary” Can you give this to them?

“Confectionary” I'll make sure they get them.

Give them my regards.

3rd floor nurse station.

I'll be right there.

Goodbye, Kumoman.

Why are you here?

“Death”

I see...

Dad was perfectly healthy at that point.

But he'd die in half a year.

That's another story.

Aren't you taking the freeway today?

Here.

Get your shoes and thank them with this.

I know that you remember where you collapsed.

Hello!

Uh...

Your name?

I'm not here for a girl. I'm here to thank everyone here.

Thank us?

For calling the ambulance on December 31.

Mr. Nakamura!

Yes, that's me!

I caused you a lot of trouble.

Oh, you shouldn't have...

Oh, yes.

You left these.

Thank you.

“Mr. Nakamura”

Anything else?

Is Yunoa here today?

She doesn't work here anymore.

Right...

But how about Airi? She's just as slim and pretty.

She can see you right now.

Not today.

- You're lucky, she's popular. - No thanks.

“Office Girls Club, Airi, 28”

How did you know?

Atsuko figured it out first.

“In progress”

Did you get the refund, Atsuko?

Yes.

Only his shoes are missing... How can it be?

OK.

I'll ask them again.

Atsuko.

What's that?

Was that magazine in Manabu's bag?

Show me.

It's not...

I saw you swap it. Show me.

“Office Girls Club Yunoa is as cute as a pinup girl”

I think that's where he had the stroke.

No wonder he had his shoes off.

I think he has the will to live.

Manabu will live.

I didn't know about that discussion.

Right...

I was an idiot.

Atsuko and your dad kept it from me.

And that wasn't the only time.

When everyone visited you

I was the only one left wondering.

The hospital wouldn't lie about a sauna.

Mom...

Thank you for coming.

Just ask if you want anything.

Thank you.

See you.

Something is not right.

What?

I agree with Chisa. It wasn't the shoe shop.

The paramedic lied.

There must be a reason.

Why would they lie to the patient's family?

It isn't right.

I'll get the truth.

Let it go. They're busy.

I can't! I need to know.

Honey.

Can I speak to you alone?

What is it?

There's something I've been keeping from you.

What?

We've been married for 32 years.

Twice during those 32 years I...

No, three times.

I visited massage parlors.

I'm sorry!

And then

your dad started babbling.

He told me what a massage parlor is and apologized!

It made me laugh.

I asked him why he was telling me.

So he told me that you'd been at a massage parlor.

I see.

Once I knew the truth I didn't know what to think.

I was mad and embarrassed

and cried.

And then

your dad said

It's nothing.

No man lives without embarrassing himself.

“A Family Guide to Autism”

Are you feeling OK?

Dinner's ready.

February 22

February 22 I feel so relieved now.

See you in 3 months.

OK.

I have patients to see. Take care.

Thank you.

Manabu!

You look so surprised.

I'm Endo. I was in your ward.

You forgot me?

Of course I remember you.

Oh I see.

You thought I was dead.

Right? It's OK.

You were in a daze after your brain operation.

It's easy to get things mixed up.

But maybe it's possible.

Maybe I'm actually dead.

I think about that a lot recently.

When my condition deteriorated

maybe I actually died.

And this is the netherworld.

Sorry.

I'm rambling because it's nice to see you.

I'll see you around.

Wait!

Yes?

Can I ask you something?

Shoot.

What's the difference between life and death?

I don't know.

Those who are alive

will eventually die, I guess.

Those who are dead

aren't going to die.

So long.

That's good.

I mean, the test results.

Now you're in the clear, you can get a stable job.

Right.

I need money for massage parlors.

Dad, eat the meat.

“I'm not dying”

There should be a better title...

“Kumoman”

I wasn't just an unemployed man

but one with a dream.

That was even more annoying for my family.

Nou Misoo

Elisa Yanagi

Chizuru Oki

Ryoko Tateishi

Mitsuru Hirata

Directed by Toshimasa Kobayashi

Presented by Creative Nexus Inc.