Original subtitles

[haunting music playing]

HOKKAIDO MEIJI ERA (1868–1912)

[narrator] Hidden somewhere in Hokkaido,

there's a huge amount of gold that was hidden by the Ainu people.

[solemn music playing]

203 METER HILL

I'm the Immortal Sugimoto!

[narrator] After surviving the deadly Russo-Japanese War,

Saichi Sugimoto heads to Hokkaido.

Take… take care of her.

Let's go to Hokkaido. [breathing shakily]

Because… they still… have gold there.

I have to do right by Toraji.

I want Ume's eyes to work again.

Let me tell you an interesting tale. It's related to the gold dust

and the tattoos.

[narrator] Sugimoto learns that the only way to find the hidden gold

is to gather the tattoos of those who escaped Abashiri Prison.

I've said too much.

So this is why you knew so much about prisoners' tattoos.

[narrator] After collecting the tattoo from Goto, one of the escaped prisoners,

Sugimoto meets Asirpa, an Ainu girl.

I'm Saichi Sugimoto.

Asirpa.

Hopefully, I'll find out why Aca had to be killed that day.

What really happened.

[Sugimoto] The one responsible is still in jail.

If we find that gold, you can get revenge for your father.

[tense music playing]

[narrator] With their goals aligned, Sugimoto and Asirpa

set off on a journey to find the tattoos.

I heard… [scoffs] …there are 24 of us with these tattoos.

[child in Ainu] Asirpa is back!

[narrator] But Sugimoto and Asirpa aren't the only ones after the gold.

[man] Are you planning to create another Republic of Ezo in Hokkaido?

[narrator] Toshizo Hijikata is gathering the escapees.

Our war is far from over. Do you understand that?

[narrator] While the Seventh Division, led by Lieutenant Tsurumi,

wish to establish a new military regime…

[Hijikata] Let's see what the Seventh Division is made of.

[Tsurumi shouting] Toshizo Hijikata!

[narrator] …both factions are set on finding the gold,

and thus begins their hunt for the tattoos.

[Asirpa] He keeps going. He doesn't give up.

He will find a way to survive, no matter what.

That is why he's Immortal Sugimoto.

I am Immortal Sugimoto!

I'm with you

until the end.

We'll find the gold. I promise you.

Right.

[narrator] With the dangerous, tattooed prisoners

scattered to every corner of Hokkaido…

a fierce battle to collect all 24 tattoos

is about to begin.

[music climaxing]

GOLDEN KAMUY -THE HUNT OF PRISONERS IN HOKKAIDO-

[music fades out]

[gunshot]

Not a great shot.

Let's go.

-[Sugimoto] We need to hurry. -Yes, we do.

If it keeps running, the liver will go bad,

and we won't be able to eat it.

-Plus, the meat will decay. -That's not what I meant.

The eyeballs and the brains should still be fine though.

They'll still be good to eat.

[dark mystical music playing]

[Asirpa] Its footprints are messy.

It must be getting tired.

It's hiding in the trees.

If we try to chase it,

the deer will escape and disappear into the forest.

Sugimoto, cut a wide path downwind, hide in those trees there.

And be sure it doesn't see you.

I got it.

I'll finish this with one shot, so it's not in pain anymore.

[gun cocks]

[coughs]

[music intensifies]

[gunfire]

[shrieks]

[gunshot echoes]

[unsettling music playing]

EPISODE 1 THE LEGENDARY BEAR HUNTER

-[music fades out] -[man groaning softly]

[tense music playing]

[man 1] That's a Murata rifle. My Matagi father used one too.

Only gives you one shot at a time.

It's not what I would choose.

It's outdated.

[man 2] I didn't ask your opinion, soldier.

Now hush.

Ryu, go!

[Ryu barking]

You better kill it in one shot, or you're dead.

[sound becomes muted]

[gunshot echoes]

[man 2] See that face?

That's the face of a bear that will attack humans. [grunts]

How can you be so sure?

Because the womb doesn't show signs of birth. Hm.

This kind of bear

gets more aggressive with time.

Female brown bears are scarier than males. [chuckling]

They're like humans in that way.

[man 1] Back in my hometown, I heard rumors about this man,

Hokkaido's legendary bear hunter.

Tetsuzo Nihei.

You're him, right?

[somber guitar music playing]

Tanigaki from the Matagi. You gonna keep following me?

Just because I happened to save your life out there,

doesn't mean I'm looking for a new lover.

[Tanigaki] Don't mock me.

You're after it too, right?

The lone white wolf.

You've never fought against a wolf before, have you?

Just look at you.

With a wound like that, you'd be easy prey.

What about you, then? You ever hunted one before?

No!

But I'll learn about the wolf by hunting it.

As wolves attacked cattle,

humans began to trap them, exterminating the whole species.

And the last one who survived won the battle of wits in the end.

[howling]

[chuckling, laughing heartily]

Oh, I feel the hunter in me rise!

[gunshot echoes]

What is he doing?!

[deer grunting]

Retar, hold it down right there.

[sighs]

[Retar snarling]

Why didn't you shoot?

I looked into its eyes and could see it wanted to live despite its wounds.

I just froze.

I understand what it's like.

-[flesh squelches] -[animal shrieks]

Either you take responsibility for its life or you don't shoot it.

Go on, put your hand inside.

-Inside? -Yeah.

[flesh squelching]

What d'you feel?

[thoughtful music playing]

It's hot.

It's thawing out my numb hands.

You see, the deer's warmth is transferred to you,

which allows you to live.

We eat all the meat of every animal,

and then the remains give life to the trees, the grass, and the ground.

That ensures the deer's life is worthwhile.

Let's eat.

Let's eat.

-Sugimoto, hold the legs. -Sure.

[flesh splitting]

[Asirpa] Retar, this is for you.

[Sugimoto] What's he doing?

-[music fades out] -[Retar sniffing, grumbling]

He senses danger.

Someone's coming.

The Seventh Division?

Get going, Retar.

We need to pack up what we can and get moving.

He will come back later and eat the rest.

-[Sugimoto] Right. -[flesh squelches]

[dark minimal music playing]

[sighs]

That gunshot we heard was from the same kind of rifle I have.

[Nihei] Look, Tanigaki.

-These tracks are from a wolf. -[Ryu panting]

[Nihei] I don't see any signs of the deer being devoured.

Perhaps hunters came and snatched the wolf's kill?

[Tanigaki] Footprints from military boots and deerskin shoes.

The same ones we saw earlier.

[Sugimoto] I can't see their faces, but one has a soldier's weapon.

It doesn't look like they're following our tracks.

They could just be hunters.

[quirky dramatic music playing]

Do you think it's the Ainu girl? From when you were attacked.

I don't know why, but the wolf isn't wary of her.

[groaning]

I suspect that she left this meat behind for it.

It'll be back soon enough to feed.

I think it's time we also feed… and then we'll go.

[music fades out]

[Nihei] Ah, here we go! It's finally done!

Nihei's special.

Fresh grilled animal heart. [laughing]

[quirky percussion music playing]

Mmm-hm-hmm!

Good!

You can taste the blood the more you chew.

Eating a fresh heart is a privilege reserved for hunters! [laughing]

Nihei's special! Blood sausage!

[sighs, chuckles softly]

You don't talk a lot, do you?

You really are one of the Matagi, huh? [chuckles]

Is it true that you're not allowed

to cough or sneeze when you're in the mountains?

The Matagi people don't talk about our ways with outsiders.

I don't think that uniform really suits you.

Why are you still with the military?

Why not go back to the Matagi, Tanigaki?

When I… joined the military, I had one goal.

I wanted to leave my hometown of Akita behind.

[ethereal music playing]

[Tanigaki] But… coming back here, to the mountains,

I could feel the poison of the outside world

begin to drain away.

[inhales]

"Be born anew in the next world

and hear only good things."

These are the words that the Matagi chant to help a bear rest in peace.

All those I killed during the war,

I never once chanted it for any of them.

-[muted sound] -[Tanigaki panting]

[breathes shakily]

[machine-gun fire]

Now you're hunting this wolf? That's a sorry excuse, isn't it?

You can't go back to the military,

but you can't go home either.

Your hunter spirit wanders Hokkaido's forests.

Listen, Tanigaki,

when this hunt is done,

take the wolf's pelt

and return to your land.

[music fades out]

[Nihei laughing heartily]

Rising!

-[scoffs softly] -[laughter continues]

Hey, Tanigaki…

shall we bathe together?

[Tanigaki] Hm?

[somber music playing]

[music intensifying]

-[music stops] -Whoa! You're finally here!

-[sighs] It's just Shiraishi. -[Shiraishi laughs]

[Asirpa] Did you get the information on the tattoos we asked for?

Jeez, don't be in such a rush. Oh!

Did you hunt a deer?!

Looks like it's time to eat! [chuckling]

Check it out! A souvenir!

Nothing tastes as good with deer, as my sake!

-Tonight, we're feasting! [laughs] -[Sugimoto] Hm.

You really came at a good time, Shiraishi.

Hm.

[quirky music playing]

[sighs]

Open wide. Brains for you.

Hinna.

[Asirpa] Shiraishi!

Deer citatap is called sewri,

and it uses the deer's trachea.

[Sugimoto] Trachea?

Uh, Asirpa… can we have meat?

Shiraishi! Don't talk! Just hit it!

[Shiraishi grumbles]

No! That way is wrong!

[Shiraishi] I just wanna eat meat.

It's called citatap!

Asirpa, it's too early to drink.

Citatap, citatap, citatap, citatap, citatap, citatap…

[Asirpa] Since Shiraishi is having a tantrum, I'll let you have the meat.

This is the best part.

I've salted it and grilled it a little, so maciya orunpe like you could eat it.

[Shiraishi] Mmm!

-[Sugimoto] So good! -Mm-mm!

[all laughing]

Ahhhh!

Hey, Sugimoto. Eat up, there's citatap leftover.

-[Shiraishi grunts] -I can't eat anymore.

Really? Oh my!

Remember the deer running with all its strength.

The warmth of its innards, this delicious feast.

It's proof that this deer was alive.

Eat everything and never forget it!

[poignant music playing]

If I die one day,

will you promise me that you'll remember me too, Asirpa?

Huh?

Sugimoto can't die.

Don't die, Sugimoto.

Don't die! [sobs]

What do you mean, I'm immortal!

[Shiraishi] Did you hear that? He's immortal, Asirpa!

Hey… hey, Sugimoto.

I still have to tell you what I found out!

-[music ends] -[inhales sharply]

There was a fur dealer who said that

a man was arrested for killing three people a few years back.

He resurfaced in Otaru all of a sudden.

[somber tone plays]

He's a fellow prison breaker.

-Tell me what he's like. -[Shiraishi chuckles]

Well, story goes he was a great hunter.

People would say…

[unsettling music playing]

…"Hibernating bears have nightmares of this hunter."

And his name is Tetsuzo Nihei.

[Tanigaki] That tattoo!

You were also one of the prisoners.

Hey, Tanigaki. Don't judge a man in the freezing cold.

It's usually much more impressive.

You would dare make jokes after killing so many Tonden soldiers?

They were blinded by their greed for the gold,

and they deserved what they got.

I feel more guilt

when I'm hunting wild animals.

[somber tone plays]

What now? Are you gonna shoot me?

Skin me and run back to the military?

Are you a soldier, Tanigaki?

Or a Matagi hunter?

Which man do you want to be right now?

[unsettling music playing]

[Asirpa] Tetsuzo Nihei.

I think I've heard that name before.

Ah, so you were listening.

Long ago, a gang of bandits stole from the hunters.

Until one day, they targeted those who must not be hunted.

[music intensifies]

[Nihei] I hunted down the men who tried to steal my prey

and beat them to death.

However,

when I finally tracked down the last one…

[sickening crunch]

…I was caught by the police.

[shrieks]

So you were sent to Abashiri Prison.

And then I escaped here to the mountains to die.

After I'm dead,

the animals will ravage my body,

and the remains will be spread as waste.

I will be one with the land.

It's the perfect death for me.

I know you understand what I mean…

Tanigaki from the Matagi.

[music fades out]

[sighs]

Did you hear any other news?

Eh? Uh… [kisses teeth]

Well, since you brought it up, I guess…

Apparently, he was asking the fur dealer how much they could get

for a white wolf pelt.

He wasn't after us.

[inhales sharply] Retar is the wolf he's after.

[unsettling music playing]

If we leave it there, birds and foxes will feast on it.

The wolf has to come back tonight for it.

We'll watch in shifts.

Ryu is so scared of the wolf, he's no help at all.

[chuckles] That's a good boy.

-[music fades out] -[wolf howls]

[Shiraishi] Hey,

remind me why I have to come with you?

[Sugimoto] You're the only one who can identify Tetsuzo Nihei.

Let's hurry. We'll keep Retar safe and capture the prisoner.

[Shiraishi] Uh-huh.

[Nihei chuckles] We were outsmarted.

Wolf droppings kept the scavengers away.

[Ryu whimpers]

It looks like we were guarding wolf droppings all night, huh?

Escort wolves.

They're often said to track and observe strangers wandering in their territory.

Seems it's true.

They've been watching the two of us ever since we arrived here.

Mmm. My spirit is rising!

[match hisses]

[Nihei] What else do you know about escort wolves?

My father once told me that

if you find you're being followed by wolves,

leave something you're carrying behind, and they'll lose interest.

-Really. -Wolves are very curious animals.

They'll end up more interested in whatever you tossed aside.

Ugh.

[sniffing]

It stinks!

What are you burning?!

It's wolf droppings.

I want that wolf to know that we are unwelcome intruders.

This is what true smoke signals look like.

[dark rock music playing]

That's where we caught the deer yesterday.

The wolf is following Tanigaki.

It's not aware of me yet.

[music abates]

[tense percussion music playing]

[Retar growling]

[Nihei] It's here.

Come on, show me that face.

[Retar growling]

[music intensifies]

[music stops]

[Retar snarls]

[tense music gradually intensifying]

[muted sound]

-[Sugimoto] Throw the gun over here. -[gun cocks]

That's why the wolf was reluctant to come out of hiding.

You've got a murderous aura.

Are you sure this is the right guy?

I'm definitely sure.

That's Tetsuzo Nihei.

Shiraishi?

Now I get it.

You're after my tattoos.

[Sugimoto] In the time it takes you to load a single shot,

I can fire five rounds at you.

[Nihei] So it's a duel you want.

So which one of us will end up surviving in the mountains?

Who do you think if I'm immortal?

[Ryu snarling]

-[Shiraishi shrieks] -[dramatic music playing]

-[Nihei] Well done, little coward! -[Shiraishi] Wow! Hey! Wait! [yelps]

-[Nihei] Argh! -[music stops]

[groans]

[dark dramatic music playing]

You'll be nothing but mere animal droppings by the end of this.

Rah!

-[Ryu barking] -N-- argh!

No, no, no, no, no!

Let go. [screams] Let go!

[Nihei growls]

[Tanigaki] Don't move!

[music intensifies]

[music abates]

Let her go.

-[Nihei groans] -Huh? Don't use that girl as your shield!

[music reprises]

Let her go!

Don't!

[Shiraishi] You coward!

What kind of man uses an innocent girl as a shield?

She's not innocent.

The last time we met, this girl was hiding a tattoo.

You can't fool me. I know she's with you.

I don't hold the value to him that you think I do.

He's going to shoot.

Please, it's not worth it.

Ignore her. Women can be scary, Tanigaki.

Go ahead and shoot through her. I don't care!

[music intensifies]

[music fades out]

Shiraishi.

It's done.

Let it go.

Sugimoto.

[quietly] This is why I didn't wanna come here.

[Asirpa] Shiraishi…

Just don't let Asirpa see this.

Take her far away.

That's fair.

Get her out of here.

Away from their screams of death.

-[Tanigaki grunting] -[Asirpa] Stop it!

Let them go!

Sugimoto! Shiraishi!

[Asirpa groaning]

The Escape King.

How could I have forgotten all about that?

[Tanigaki grunting]

[Nihei] Tanigaki! They got away!

[Asirpa] Sugimoto!

[Asirpa grunting]

Hey, be quiet!

Stop, don't go this way! There's amappo!

[Tanigaki] Argh!

[groans]

Ainu set traps by the streams where the deer pass through.

-Argh! [groans] -It's hopeless.

The tip of the arrow is soaked in poison.

[groans]

We have to move quickly. You have to untie me.

Hurry up!

[Tanigaki groaning]

Carving out the flesh around the wound is the only way to save your life.

Yeah.

Do it, then. [groans]

[flesh squelches]

[Shiraishi] Hey, wait, wait, wait! Wait! Stop! Hold on!

Wait a minute!

[gasping] There's no way we can beat these guys unarmed.

We have to go.

Hey! I don't think they're going to kill Asirpa!

C'mon! Argh!

[tense music building]

[Asirpa] Let's end this now.

We didn't come here to kill each other.

Tanigaki, you stay there.

All right, little girl…

[music subsides]

…call your wolf friend to save you.

[Asirpa panting]

Listen to me.

Retar is the last of the wolves.

D'you wanna cause the extinction of the horkew kamuy?

The wolves are already extinct.

Their numbers will never recover.

Perfect.

Here I can see everything around us.

[unsettling crunch]

[grunts angrily] Such a brave little girl.

Can't let my guard down for even a second.

[Asirpa] Destroying the wolves isn't worth the money.

[Nihei] I don't care about money.

I want to be the last hunter

the Ezo wolf ever encounters.

Retar is strong and wise. You won't beat him.

I don't want Retar to become a wen kamuy.

[Nihei] Is that when an animal becomes an evil god

and goes to hell for killing a human? [chuckles]

Not to worry.

Humans aren't worth enough to spoil the animal's soul.

This is a battle between predators.

And the victor

will be me.

[wolf howls]

-[dramatic music playing] -[gasps softly]

[Retar snarls]

[music intensifies]

You actually showed, huh?

Come on, show me what you've got!

[music intensifies]

Ha-ha-ha-ha! Extraordinary!

Retar, stay back!

Come on!

[music stops]

Argh!

-[grunts] -[snarls]

You lose, my friend.

Argh!

[music reprises]

[music fades out]

[panting wheezily]

[wolves snarl]

[poignant music playing]

[wolves grumble softly]

-[Ryu whimpering] -[breathing weakly]

Good boy, Ryu.

You're not such a coward after all. [chuckling]

[wolves whimpering]

[Nihei] They're a couple. [chuckles]

In a woman's eyes,

a battle like this between two men is really of no importance. [laughing]

[gasps wheezily]

[sighs softly]

Women…

truly are scary. [chuckling]

[Sugimoto] Asirpa!

-[Sugimoto panting] -[Asirpa] Sugimoto!

Asirpa! Are you okay?

[Asirpa] Retar's partner saved me.

[Sugimoto] Partner?

[wolf howling]

There's another one?

[Sugimoto] There are cubs.

Asirpa, Retar has puppies.

[Asirpa breathing heavily]

Retar,

you're not alone.

[music fades out]

[subdued music playing]

[inhales shakily]

"Be born anew in the next world…

and hear only good things."

[Ryu whimpering]

[music continues]

[music fades out]

Washing the wound with an udo stem will help the infection.

Good luck to you.

I know other Ainu who went to war as part of the Seventh Division.

If you're as strong as they were,

you'll be just fine.

[poignant music playing]

-[man] Let's go for a walk. -[Ryu whimpers]

[footsteps approaching]

[men panting]

Asirpa, really?

You're not actually taking care of him, are you?

I can't ignore a person in need.

[Sugimoto] Well, if my partner wants to help him, I won't stand in her way.

And if it all backfires,

I'll be the one to deal with it.

[Shiraishi sighs]

[in Ainu] Enjoy as much as you like.

[Asirpa] This is salmon ruype.

You can only eat it during the cold season.

[Sugimoto] Ruype?

Mmm! Mm-hmm!

It's half-frozen but great texture.

It melts in my mouth and becomes soft and smooth. Not bad!

It's a traditional dish of raw meat or fish hung on a tree until frozen.

Ruype translates to "thawed meat."

-[Shiraishi] That makes sense. -[Sugimoto] Mmm.

It's unique to these frozen areas. Where cold food is normal, huh?

[moans with pleasure]

[in Ainu] Thanks to the fish of the gods,

we are able to live.

But at some point,

the fish of the gods stopped swimming upstream.

It's because men defiled the river waters

in their search for gold.

What'd your grandmother say?

It's an upaskuma about salmon.

A legend.

Many years ago,

travelers searching for gold polluted our rivers.

Which caused the salmon to stop swimming upstream.

[Grandmother speaking Ainu]

[Asirpa translating] "This went on for many years."

"We were unable to fish, which made our lives difficult."

[Grandmother continues]

"This happened in Shizunai, Tokachi, Kushiro,

and lots of other places."

"The village elders collected all the gold,

moving it to one location."

[Grandmother continues]

[Asirpa] "The Ainu discussed the issue and decided to cease digging for gold."

"To keep the gold from creating conflict, it was hidden away."

"Even speaking of it was forbidden."

"The villagers grew old."

"Finally, there was only one left

who knew where all of the gold was hidden."

I'm guessing that Noppera-Bo killed them.

[Shiraishi] So that's the hidden gold we've been hearing about?

It's the first time I've heard this upaskuma too.

If the legend your grandmother just told is true,

it backs up the story that I heard

that old Noppera-Bo had 200 kan of gold.

Those are the legends I like.

You heard wrong.

[somber tone plays]

[Tanigaki] My first lieutenant was an intelligence officer.

He studied this legend as well

and calculated the exact amount of hidden gold.

[Sugimoto] You mean Lieutenant Tsurumi?

Noppera-Bo spread false rumors that the gold was 200 kan.

So how much is it really worth?

Lieutenant Tsurumi thought it was higher.

And he estimated 20,000.

[gong chimes]

[quietly] Twenty thousand?

Twenty thousand kan of gold?

[sighs] No wonder the Seventh Division and Hijikata's groups

are desperately after the tattoos.

This just got so much more intense.

Hey, Noppera-Bo got caught in the end, didn't he?

That's correct.

He made it to Lake Shikotsu.

He tried to escape on an Ainu boat, but it capsized.

Rumor has it he was carrying some of the gold with him,

and its weight caused the boat to sink.

I don't know why the three of you are out here searching for the gold, but…

whatever your reason, it doesn't compare to the lieutenant

and the guilt that he carries.

-[bomb echoes] -[soldiers yelling]

[machine-gun fire]

[projectile whooshes]

[unsettling music playing]

[artillery fire]

[soldier] Yes! Yes, yes, get 'em! Get 'em! C'mon!

Charge!

[Tanigaki] The Imperial HQ was pressing him for an early end

to the siege of Port Arthur.

Using our dying comrades as shields, the lieutenant and I pressed forward,

destroying the enemy's weapons and finally occupying 203 Meter Hill.

[music intensifies]

[quietly] Yeah.

[muted shouting]

By the time 203 Meter Hill was captured,

half of the 10,000 men in the Seventh Division

lay bleeding or dead.

And the rest of us

were demoted and disregarded by those in the government.

As if we didn't exist.

Lieutenant Tsurumi was opposed to the reckless assault

that was committed that day.

But he had to follow orders.

Lieutenant Tsurumi wants Hokkaido to be the seat of a new government.

The idiots at headquarters had us using our comrades as human shields

as we were rained upon by Maxim guns.

It was the same for you.

We risked our lives on the battlefield but returned home as vagabonds.

And for what? We got nothing.

-Shiraishi, which tattoos do we know of? -[dramatic string music playing]

I did confirm that the creepy lieutenant has one.

[solemn tone plays]

[Shiraishi] Hijikata has teamed up with Ushiyama, another former prisoner.

So that's two.

As for us,

we have the one Sugimoto first found,

and we got Kasahara's.

So, including the one from Nihei,

and mine,

that puts us at four.

It seems that, for now, we're the ones in the lead.

[inhales sharply] But if we're gonna crack the code,

we need to find a way to steal all of the tattoos from the Seventh Division

and from Hijikata. [kisses teeth]

It truly is a life-or-death search for the gold.

We'll be all right.

We have someone who knows Hokkaido like the back of her hand.

Plus, we've got Sugimoto, the Immortal.

Don't forget the Escape King.

So when all of this is finally over,

the gold will be ours.

[music intensifies]

[music fades out]

He would make our fifth tattoo.

[man 1] I was right.

You're my fate!

Become a spy for us.

[Sugimoto] There's no way I'm going to die yet.

I will fight back with all my strength.

[man 2] I want this man to kill me.

Sugimoto!

[Sugimoto] I am immortal!

[rock music playing]

[music fades out]

THIS IS A WORK OF FICTION