Original subtitles

[dramatic music playing]

[narrator] In the Meiji period, there was a legend that the Ainu people

hid a large sum of gold somewhere in Hokkaido.

203 METER HILL

I'm the Immortal Sugimoto!

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

Saichi Sugimoto heads to Hokkaido.

I need money anyway.

[narrator] On this journey,

Sugimoto learns that the only way to find the hidden gold

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

Accompanied by Asirpa, an Ainu girl,

and one of the escaped prisoners, Shiraishi,

he begins collecting the tattoos.

I have to do right by Toraji.

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

-What really happened. -[music fades out]

We'll find the gold, I promise you.

-[music reprises] -Right.

[narrator] But Sugimoto and his companions aren't the only ones after the tattoos.

Toshizo Hijikata, leader of the Hijikata group

and former member of the Shinsengumi,

and Tsurumi, leader of the Seventh Division

who wishes to establish a new military regime,

are also chasing after the tattoos

in hopes of uncovering the hidden Ainu treasure.

This is the tale of a grueling quest

to be the first to find and collect the 24 tattoos

and uncover the secrets of the hidden Ainu gold.

[music intensifying]

GOLDEN KAMUY -THE HUNT OF PRISONERS IN HOKKAIDO-

[music fades out]

[Sugimoto sighs]

[Shiraishi] So then, exactly how many tattoos do we have right now?

[Sugimoto] Let's see, there's the guy who killed the bear.

The one who was shot in the head by the Seventh Division.

That crazy old hunter who tried to kill the wolf.

The serial killer at the herring place.

And, of course,

the goofball who escaped just to end up caught again.

[Shiraishi] That's the Escape King to you!

[Asirpa] There are 24 tattoos in total, right?

[Sugimoto] Yes. And we currently have five.

Does First Lieutenant Tsurumi only have the one Shiraishi saw?

[Shiraishi] Well… maybe!

[Sugimoto] Hijikata's men are also hunting for the tattoos, right?

So we'll have to deal with him at some point.

What's wrong, Shiraishi? You look down.

Stomachache or something?

[chuckles] I'm fine.

Hey, Sugimoto!

[cutesy] The pheasant's-eyes are in bloom!

[Sugimoto] They're so cute!

-[whimsical music playing] -[Asirpa] It's a sign of springtime.

They're cirayapappo.

The Ainu call them the huchen flowers.

Huchen? Like the fish?

They emerge in the springtime as well.

These flowers are a sign that huchen are swimming their way up the river.

I've heard huchen are so delicious. They say that it tastes exactly like tuna.

If only we could get some.

Asirpa, can you catch them?

Set a trap, you can catch anything.

Asirpa, get it for us! [laughs]

[Sugimoto] Hm?

[music ends]

[Sugimoto] Someone's out there.

Oh! He's doing it! Catching huchen!

Let's see if he'll share one with us!

Oh. Kiroranke nispa!

Asirpa!

[Sugimoto] Is he from your village?

No, he's from another kotan.

He was an old friend of Aca's.

So your father knew him…

Then, I think he'll share! Ha-ha!

[mystical musical flourish]

[Shiraishi] Mister!

Would you share a huchen with us?

I'll trade ya for some candy!

Huh. You have to catch your own.

You can use my nets.

All you have to do is wait for a fish to get caught,

then you just scoop it up.

[Shiraishi] Whaaat?!

Sounds hard.

Asirpa's always the one who gets food for us.

Let's pay it back.

[grumbles, tuts] Come 'ere. Hey-hey-hey-hey-hey. Hey, friend!

You caught enough, right?

Sell the biggest one you've got to us.

Asirpa's cooking is great. [chuckles]

Ha!

[quirky suspenseful music playing]

[Asirpa] Shiraishi!

Be sure to get a big one!

The bigger the salmon, the more flavorful!

Huchen are a type of salmon, so it's true for them too.

Ugh! Man, this is such a pain. [groans]

-[boot squeaks] -[shrieks]

-Shiraishi! -You'll scare the fish, dummy!

-[music intensifies] -[panting] Help me!

The river's too strong!

[music intensifies]

Oh, Sugimoto!

The current's too strong!

Argh! No!

[Kiroranke] Ready? Pull! Go!

-He got one! -Huchen!

You got us the biggest catch of the day!

[music fades out]

[Shiraishi sighing]

You saved my life out there, uh…

-Kiroranke. -Ah, Shiraishi.

Thanks a lot, Kiro.

It's customary for Ainu men to share their tobacco

with new friends to show respect.

[Shiraishi] Oh!

[chuckles]

[Sugimoto] Its skin is really thick.

The skin is good for making clothes.

Yeah? Clothes made of fish skin?

Cepur is what the Ainu people call them,

and they're meant to keep out wind and rain.

Also, we make shoes and knife scabbards from the fish skin.

Shall we save it, then?

Yeah, but, Sugimoto,

the thing about the skin is…

it's the most delicious.

[quirky music playing]

Of course, we could save it to make useful things,

or we could eat it.

But what do you think?

How about eating a piece?

[music fades out]

[Sugimoto] It looks so delicious.

Magnificent salt-grilled fish!

[quirky percussive music playing]

[Kiroranke] It's ready.

-Enjoy the food! -Enjoy the food!

[Shiraishi] Good!

[Asirpa] Mmm!

Mmm. The skin's so thick, but once it's grilled, it gets really tender.

And the smell is so hinna!

Huchen is hinna, for sure!

The eyeballs taste just like octopus.

And whenever we catch fish, the eyeballs are what we fight over.

They're so popular that children beg to snack on them.

You can eat it, Sugimoto.

Is it good, Sugimoto?

It's full of flavor, right?

[Sugimoto] Hinna, hinna.

Mmm.

[Kiroranke] "Sugimoto"?

-The Immortal Sugimoto? -[music stops]

How did you know?

I'm from the Seventh Division.

[Sugimoto] Are you under Tsurumi's command?

[Kiroranke] First Lieutenant Tsurumi?

My platoon was under the command of another man.

But I left that life behind when I moved back to the village.

That makes sense.

The Seventh Division has 20,000 soldiers.

There must have been many platoons.

I recognize your name and the scars on your face,

Immortal Sugimoto.

To think I'd meet a war hero in a place like this.

[Sugimoto] Toraji!

[poignant music playing]

Toraji!

You can't go!

[yells] Toraji!

Toraji!

I'm not a hero.

[music stops]

It's just that I wasn't killed.

Asirpa, what are you doing traveling with these two?

I'm his partner.

And I guess Shiraishi is… good for a laugh.

[Shiraishi squeaks]

[Kiroranke] I see.

If you believe in these men… they must be all right.

You always were a smart kid.

It's hard to believe

it's been this long since I saw you last.

Actually, Asirpa… there's something you should know.

It's about Abashiri Prison.

I know what happened.

[apprehensive music playing]

How do you know?

[Kiroranke] One day, my village was visited by an old man.

He said he'd been in the prison.

He confided in me… that he was looking for a woman.

Her name is Asuko Kochobe.

Know her?

That's not possible.

Do you know Asuko Kochobe?

It's my Japanese name.

You have a Japanese name?

The only people who knew that name

were my late mother and my father.

[music becomes ethereal]

Do you know about Noppera-Bo, the man who drew the tattoos?

Supposedly,

he entrusted this old man with a clue to decode the tattoos.

-…in Otaru… -[Kiroranke] Asuko Kochobe in Otaru.

-Kochobe… -[Kiroranke] The man…

intended to give the gold to you, Asirpa.

That can't be true.

Noppera-Bo… who is he really?

You mean…

[Kiroranke] Noppera-Bo is…

Asirpa's father.

[chaotic classical music playing]

Aca.

[music intensifies, fades out]

He stole the gold hidden by the Ainu?

It doesn't make sense.

I'll find out

why Aca had to be killed that day.

What really happened.

If Noppera-Bo is Asirpa's father, how'd you find out?

[sighs]

You three are on your way to Asirpa's kotan, right?

I'll tell you everything when we get there.

It's going to get dark soon.

[sighs] And it'll be a cold one.

-[boy] Hey, nispa, is your leg okay? -[Tanigaki] It's fine.

-Tanigaki! See you later! -[Tanigaki] Yeah, yeah.

[boy] Bye, then.

Grandmother, I've returned.

[girl] Tanigaki nispa, you're back.

How are you, Osoma? Hm? Come.

-[apprehensive music playing] -[gasps softly]

Grandma… your shoulders are so stiff.

[Grandmother murmurs]

Genjiro Tanigaki, here at last.

What's that? What happened to you?

An amappo, uh… a crossbow trap.

I would have died from the poison if these villagers hadn't saved me.

It looks like you've recovered.

Why haven't you returned to your platoon yet?

I had planned to remain here to repay everyone for their generosity.

[Ogata] Corporal Tamai,

he is still missing.

Noma and Okada as well.

Not one person from your squadron has come back yet.

During our search for the hunters, I, uh…

I separated from the squad.

I assumed that they had gone back to the platoon already.

-[bone crunching] -[Grandmother groaning]

I know that Corporal Tamai… reached out to you.

I haven't spoken to anyone. So just leave her alone, Nikaido!

[Ogata] You killed Corporal Tamai and the other two…

didn't you?

Of course not.

[music intensifying]

[music fades out]

Just now,

were you looking at your rifle?

Even if you could get to it,

it's useless without this.

[unsettling music playing]

[gun cocks]

[Grandmother] Hm?

[Tanigaki breathing shakily]

Superior Private Ogata, please… spare these people.

[music intensifying]

Just relax.

[music fades out]

[Ogata] I figured it was worth a shot. See if you'd tell the truth.

Stay here if you'd like. Repay these folks whatever you owe.

I never saw a thing.

Let's go, Nikaido.

[inhales sharply]

Oh, by the way…

was Immortal Sugimoto here?

He's apparently working with an Ainu girl, and they're looking for tattoos.

He was last seen near this village.

Was he here?

No.

Okay.

[Tanigaki softly] I can't stay here any longer.

Grandmother… I have to go now.

I wanted to repay you and stay here longer…

[in Ainu] Are you hungry?

Osoma! Tell her I have to go.

It's urgent. You have to tell her, please.

Osoma, now!

[sighs]

Grandmother…

[in Ainu] Are you leaving?

[Osoma] Tanigaki nispa.

[gunshot echoes]

[dramatic electronic music playing]

-Get down, Osoma! -[gunshot]

Stay very still.

[gunshot]

I know that sound.

I think you missed him.

Should've killed him before.

That would've been easier, don't you think?

[Ogata] If we killed him back there, we would have to kill the witnesses.

[music stops]

Would you honestly wanna hurt that grandmother?

I tried to warn Corporal Tamai.

Tanigaki isn't the kind of man who'd go along with his plan

and steal from First Lieutenant Tsurumi.

Naturally, Tamai's plan to persuade Tanigaki to join him failed.

And Tanigaki killed them instead.

I'll bet his plan is to hole up here until he's recovered.

Once he's able to make the trip,

he'll go directly to the first lieutenant to report us.

[Nikaido] I've got movement at the far-right window.

He's pulled down the blinds.

[Ogata] I knew it.

Why are they shooting?

There's only one reason…

I can think of.

[man] Some of the men aren't sure they can go along

with First Lieutenant Tsurumi's vision of the future.

I can understand it.

As the Seventh Division is a group of strangers.

The war has made our bonds stronger,

but are they strong at the root?

Do you think that someone will end up betraying the first lieutenant, then?

Who?

[man sighs] I'm not sure.

If that were the case, whose side would you be on,

Tanigaki?

[Tanigaki] He must've been talking about Superior Private Ogata.

So then, was the corporal planning on betraying Lieutenant Tsurumi as well?

They are no longer part of the Seventh Division.

They are my enemies now.

[dramatic music playing]

I see movement at the left window.

He's watching us through binoculars.

A direct hit, but…

he didn't make a sound.

[Ogata] He set up a decoy.

[music stops]

[Nikaido] He threw something out the window.

I think they're… goza mats he lit on fire.

[Ogata] He's creating a smoke screen.

[music reprises]

That smoke's so thin we can see everything.

-[scoffs] Completely useless. -Let's move.

[Nikaido] You sure, sir? Smoke's too thin to be a bother.

[Ogata] He's trying to get us to lower our guard so we remain in one position.

Meanwhile, he'll find a blind spot and make a run for it.

[music intensifies]

Grandmother, I'm sorry about the wall.

I'll come back and repair it.

[music stops]

[in Ainu] Gods,

please look over Mr. Tanigaki nispa

and protect him from harm.

[mystical musical flourish]

Asirpa told us to keep this so Ryu wouldn't feel alone anymore.

[Tanigaki] Oh.

[dramatic music playing]

[Tanigaki] What is this?

This rifle is… Tetsuzo Nihei's.

Only gives you one shot at a time. It's not what I would choose.

[Nihei] You better kill it with one shot.

Otherwise, you'll be the one who dies!

[music fades out]

He cut a hole in the wall.

He escaped!

[Ogata] He played us for fools.

But…

he won't get far on that leg.

[sighs]

Let's hunt Tanigaki down.

Thank you for leaving me one last bullet.

I'll make him regret not killing me with just this shot.

[dark rock music fading in]

Did a bear do this?

I can use it.

[sighs softly]

[Nikaido] That bastard… where did he go?

[Ogata] He's one of the Matagi.

So he must know his way around the mountains easily.

He'll be hard to find.

[Nikaido] What if he gets away?

I don't think it's possible for us to go back to Lieutenant Tsurumi.

[Ogata] Tanigaki could report the names of other soldiers to Tsurumi.

If we wanna get the gold, we need informants on the inside.

And to find a way to keep Tanigaki quiet.

To be honest, I…

I don't care about the gold, sir.

I'm in this for revenge.

[music fades out]

The Immortal Sugimoto must die!

[Ogata] There's a campfire up ahead.

[Nikaido] Another hunter maybe?

Tanigaki would know not to build a fire.

Let's check it out.

[dark rock music playing]

[Ogata] Go investigate.

Give me a signal if you find Tanigaki's footprints.

This feels like I'm the bait.

Lend me your binoculars.

I'll cover you from here.

It's only 100 meters away.

I won't miss, no matter who shows up.

Tanigaki has no weapons.

Yeah, but what if he throws a huge stone at my head or something like that?

Get going, already.

[music fades out]

Those marks are from your crutches.

Looks like I found you now.

Seriously?

That jerk was just eating deer without a care in the world.

Okay. The trap is set.

Ah… that's nice! [moans]

I could eat…

A little bite or two might be--

[bear growls]

-[Nikaido] No! No! -It's here!

Is that a brown bear?

[Nikaido wailing]

[tense music playing]

[Tanigaki] Why are you hesitating?

-What's wrong? -[Nikaido shrieking]

Ogata! Shoot it! Shoot it now!

[Tanigaki] Hurry up and shoot.

-[Mexican folk music playing] -[Nikaido] Ogataaaaaaaaaaaaa!

[music fades out]

[bear growls]

[paw steps retreating]

[Nikaido breathing shakily]

[tense music fading in]

Come out and show yourself, Tanigaki.

Let me see what you're truly made of.

[music fades out]

[rock music playing]

Spirit rise!

-[music fades out] -[gun cocks]

Don't move, Tanigaki.

I know that voice.

Mishima?

Yeah.

What are you doing out here?

We were following Nikaido and Ogata for quite a while.

We've been reporting their position to Lieutenant Tsurumi.

He thought it best to let them roam free in hopes of smoking out more traitors.

You got the better of them, huh?

-I didn't. -I know that.

I don't think you could ever be a traitor. That's why they came for you.

Let's go back.

One of my men went on ahead. Tsurumi and his men are on the--

[gunshot echoes]

Damn it!

How is he alive?

Mishima, huh?

I knew that they were tracking us.

It seems I was too obsessed with hunting Tanigaki.

['60s funk music playing]

Don't shoot him in the head.

Here so soon. Isn't he perceptive.

I understand why everyone considers him far more dangerous than respectable.

[soldiers shouting]

-[man 1] Troops, stay here! C'mon! Push! -[man 2] I'll cover you! Move forward!

Mishima, sir!

-[man 3] Over here! -[man 4] Let's go!

-[man 5] C'mon! -[man 6] C'mon, c'mon, go to work!

Nikaido is still alive, sir.

Good. Good.

As for Ogata, you can blow his head off.

[man 7] Yes, sir!

[music intensifies]

[man 8] Right, stay low! Stay low!

[man 9] Let's go!

[man 10] Check corners! Over here!

[gunshots]

[man 11] Get down! Whoa, look out!

He's missing on purpose. He's just shooting to slow them down.

Hyakunosuke Ogata.

His treachery is a great loss. [scoffs]

[music fades out]

[man 12] Get him!

Spread out!

[music reprises]

[music intensifies]

[man 13] There! There he is!

[sighs]

I should retreat for now.

[music climaxes, stops]

[Tsurumi] Hmm.

The proportions are all wrong here.

Beauty is often said to be about symmetry of the face.

[suspenseful music fading in]

[whimpers]

Who are the other traitors?!

[Nikaido sobbing]

Tell me who they are, now.

I always thought

that this was the nose of a traitor.

It isn't just about the shape of it.

Let's play a game of operation, shall we?

I've heard you enjoy playing all sorts of games with your men,

First Lieutenant.

If you tell me, then Sugimoto's life is yours.

[music intensifies, stops]

It was him! Komiya!

Huh?! [gasping]

He's lying to you!

Now I understand why I hated your nose.

[Komiya] W… wait, sir.

Please… No, please wait!

[shrieks]

-[flesh squelches] -[Komiya screaming]

[screaming continues]

-[gunshot] -[screaming stops]

Got it.

Ogata has escaped our grasp.

Seems he's the son of a war god after all.

I'll finish him off, sir.

He's searching for the tattoos. We will run into him in no time.

-Let's go. -Yes, sir.

[dark electronic music fading in]

Sugimoto, I'll kill you.

[music fades out]

[string instrument playing]

[Asirpa] We're back.

[man in Ainu] How've you been?

[Osoma] Ooh, eeh, ooh, eeh!

Ooh, eeh, ooh, eeh!

We made it back.

[Osoma] Eeh, ooh!

[in Ainu] Come in and rest.

Have some tea.

[Sugimoto] Hello, Grandmother.

-[Shiraishi chuckles] -[Sugimoto] Huh?

Is that… Tanigaki?

Making yourself at home, I see!

Ah… I decided to change.

It draws less attention.

This attus is made from the Manchurian elm tree.

It's more comfortable than I expected.

[Osoma] Eeh, ooh, eeh!

What's she doing?

It's kisarari.

It means "long-eared monster."

You stand outside the window and wave it around.

Then you start making monster noises through the gaps in your teeth

to scare children.

Sugimoto, you try.

[quirky music playing]

[farty quacking sounds]

That is terrible.

Finally found something that you're not good at.

Give up.

[clears throat]

[shrieking maniacally]

Mama!

[shrieking continues]

[liquid pouring]

Oh. Osoma wet herself.

[music stops]

[Sugimoto] It's time for you to tell us.

Should I give you some privacy?

[Asirpa] Tanigaki, I heard you protected Huci and Osoma.

Thank you.

Don't. It's my fault they were involved.

[Asirpa] If you really aren't going to go back to Tsurumi's platoon,

you can stay here?

I know that old tonkori.

It's one I got in Sakhalin.

[ethereal music playing]

[Kiroranke sighs]

Years ago…

I traveled to Japan with Wilk, Asirpa's father.

You came here to Japan?

On Russia's east side,

in areas like the Amur River,

there are groups of people similar to the Ainu of Hokkaido,

living secluded from the world.

When we were young, Wilk and I crossed the sea

looking to start a new life here.

Both of us found wives here.

Ainu women from Hokkaido.

We started our families.

I'm looking for a girl.

Her name is Asuko Kochobe.

Know her?

If you're looking for a Japanese girl,

you should look in a Japanese town.

Her father gave me that name.

Though she has another.

Her Ainu name is

Asirpa.

Her father said he raised her in an Ainu village.

Looks like you know him.

He died… five years ago.

He told me that…

I'd know her by the color of her eyes.

Because they are

the same blue eyes as her father.

He also told me that he was of mixed Ainu descent,

Sakhalin and Polish.

[Kiroranke] I know nothing about a daughter.

I think that convict lied to you.

Many Ainu from the Russian areas

are still living up north.

So then, do you know anything about the hidden Ainu gold?

Asirpa's father and I lost touch long ago.

Noppera-Bo, I don't think he wanted all the gold for himself.

What purpose would that have served?

I don't know… what's happened since last we spoke.

So… does anything come to mind when you see the tattoos, then?

I'm just saying, if Asirpa is the only one who can crack the code…

Even if that was true, she would need to see all the tattoos first.

Before any of that,

I need to see Noppera-Bo first.

What do you mean?

If Noppera-Bo is Aca, then I need to see for myself.

If he really is my father,

then he'll tell me everything that we need to know.

Then, I'll come with you.

That's what partners do.

[tense music fading in]

Besides,

it'll be easier than trying to chase after all of those convicts, you know?

We'll find Noppera-Bo in no time.

[whistles]

You are so naive. [scoffs]

Listen to me,

Abashiri Prison is full of guards.

And besides,

they tore his Achilles tendon, so Noppera-Bo isn't even able to walk.

Plus, he's under constant surveillance by the guards.

[tuts, inhales through teeth]

It's truly impossible… to go and meet with him…

[music intensifies]

…without the Escape King helping you out!

Shiraishi.

The Escape King?

What is that?

[clicks]

Shiraishi is one of the tattooed convicts

that had escaped from his prison cell.

This guy?

I see.

What do the symbols mean?

We'll find out soon enough.

There's no doubt in my mind… this is his handiwork.

I'm going too.

What about your family?

This trip is dangerous.

It's for my family.

My kids were born in this land,

and they will carry on in the Ainu tradition.

As Wilk's fellow countryman,

I feel responsible for his theft of the Ainu's gold.

It is understandable for you to want your fair share,

but know that the rest should be returned.

I'll see this through to the end.

I will too.

[music intensifies]

Asahikawa is a town on the way to Abashiri Prison.

The Seventh Division headquarters are there.

Be careful, those men are loyal to First Lieutenant Tsurumi.

Avoid it if you can.

Then… let's head for Sapporo first.

We can avoid Asahikawa,

going south to get to Abashiri.

ABASHIRI

[music intensifies]

[music ends]

Do you think that we'll need all of that?

Is that a grenade?

It's packed with a much smaller amount of gunpowder.

I was a combat engineer.

In the battle at 203 Meter Hill,

I was the one who blew up the Russian army in their own bunks.

[Sugimoto] Okay.

Sounds like we've made a resourceful friend.

[Asirpa] Tanigaki… please take care of Huci.

Yes.

Grandmother has done so much for me.

I'll return the favor and look after her.

It's time to get going.

[dark country music playing]

Why is my horse so little?

Sorry, Shiraishi. The dosanko horse was all we had left.

It'll be all right, Grandmother.

Asirpa is safe. She has Immortal Sugimoto with her.

[Huci] Mm-hmm.

[music becomes dramatic]

[Shiraishi] Hey.

Do you really trust that guy?

I think he must know more than he's willing to tell us.

Well… [sighs] …the faster we can make it to where we're going,

the faster we get sake. Hya!

[music intensifies]

[music fades out]

Sugimoto! He's one of the tattooed prisoners!

So you're the geezer?

Those beautiful eyes. I want them.

Miss Ienaga, let's have fun.

[Ienaga] With that body, I'd get closer to being a perfect human.

-Why are you here? -Toshizo Hijikata?

Always remember that old men are survivors!

[Ienaga] I may have some fun, at least.

-[Ushiyama] Miss Ienaga! -[Ienaga shrieks]

[upbeat pop music playing]

[music ends]

THIS IS A WORK OF FICTION