Original subtitles

Molco.

Sorry.

Well, the meeting at 11 o'clock....

Did you just take a bath with Molco?

Because Molco can't take a bath on her own.

All right then, let's begin.

We're starting now.

So, to formally kick things off,

here is the concept for the new character that Seo Design will create.

It's "Just Support."

Not pushing you forward, not being cynical,

just simply supporting you and staying close.

So, Mr. Seo, we'll have you start drawing the design right away.

At the same time, you'll also do work to earn a living.

And in fact, we've received a new request

from Oyama Bakery to create a character for their shop.

So grateful... Are you listening?

Seriously, taking Molco without asking is already a crime.

On top of that, you're slow to act. That's a serious offense.

Slow to act?

Because if you had helped me faster with a swift move back then...

There's no way I could have been faster than that. It was so sudden.

I can do it, you know.

Swish! Did you see that just now?

I think I'm faster.

Swish.

Wasn't that so fast you couldn't even see it?

So slow! Too slow to see.

Alright, you try it then.

Swish... See?

- That's five times! Ten times... - No, no. Wrong, that's wrong.

Cute.

- Please have a seat here. - Thank you.

Delicious.

You're still at it, right? The study of cuteness.

Oh, Mr. Hirose.

All right then, I'll have the steamed chicken salad

that's gentle on the stomach.

Certainly.

If I recall, what you wanted to know

- is that cuteness beyond logic, right? - Yes.

Like being obsessed with it while waking or sleeping,

so much so that you could even call it love.

Well, someone once said it.

Love has no logic, comes out of nowhere,

and it's like getting struck by lightning.

Lightning...

By the way, for me, the lightning is this character's right here!

The moment I saw it, it was like, "Flash! Rumble! Bang! I love it!"

Incidentally, the trendiest young people

apparently call falling out of love the "frog-ification phenomenon."

Ribbit, ribbit.

- Ribbit, ribbit... - Oh, come on, that's outdated.

What?

Also, there's something else I'd like to ask you about.

Please, ask away.

Well, actually, we're working on creating a new character,

and I'm wondering how to go about its debut.

But when it comes to money and things like that... You know.

In that case, maybe low-cost options like stamps or selling illustrations online.

If you can spend a bit more, I'd recommend acrylic keychains or stickers.

Right. That's definitely the classic route, isn't it?

Sorry, I can only give you standard advice.

Oh, I'm sorry! An amateur like me asking a planner from Merry...

- Oh, no. - I'm sorry.

While I am a planner, at Merry,

the president handles important projects directly.

Besides, I'm not really good at that kind of thing to begin with.

You know, when I first joined the company, I was a pattern maker.

Oh, do you know what that is? Well...

It's like making the paper patterns for plushies.

- Plushies. - Plushies.

- Plushies. - Plushies.

Plushies!

[Touch it, and you're fired] Mr. Seo, let's debut with a plushie.

[Plushie Debut] A plushie?

It's true that standard debuts are low-cost and online,

but a small player should play its part.

We should have a debut that has a hook and isn't the standard route.

So, that's why we're going to be bold and debut with a plushie!

Alright, alright, alright.

And besides, Mr. Seo, you love plushies, don't you? See?

Don't you have an unusual fondness for them?

Alright, alright, alright.

[Just Support] And above all, don't you think a plushie

is a perfect match with this?

When you want to support someone, when you want to be by their side,

isn't being able to physically touch them important?

Isn't being able to stay with them for a long time important?

Well, there is a certain bliss in not knowing anything,

but when it comes to actually making a plushie,

- it's not just the designer. - Mr. Seo.

- We need that person... - Mr. Seo.

- Well, and that person... - Mr. Seo.

That makes you grin with anticipation.

What?

Why would I grin with anticipation?

Let's do it. The plushie debut.

No, no, that's impossible.

Plushie debut.

Yeah! We're doing a plushie debut!

Once the concept is set, we decide the size, price range, and usage.

[Episode 3] Then create the character design.

We specify the three-view drawings and colors for the front, side, and back,

consider the image of the materials, and design the three-dimensional model.

- After all that back and forth, even... - But if you look online,

you see sites that seem able to make plushies much more easily.

That's fine for personal enjoyment,

but toy stores and such must be able to guarantee that they were made properly,

due to safety concerns and the like.

Which means that Cynical Molco can be placed in stores,

but this Mugi can't.

- What? Is that... Me? - Yeah.

- Victory. - Love.

- Cute. - But

proper manufacturers usually only take large orders,

and that will affect the price.

We have to do our other jobs properly and make sure to earn enough money.

Good!

This is really good!

Does "good" mean "cute"?

Of course it's cute. Like... in a perfectly normal way.

Alright, I'll show this to Mr. Oyama then.

By the way... what about the new character design?

Obviously, It's not done yet. Obviously.

I see. How long will it be until it's finished?

Someone who can answer that question is a half-baked amateur, not a pro.

But if we don't even know that, it'll be hard for us to move forward.

Wait... Where are you going?

Someone who can answer that question is a half-baked amateur, not a pro.

Well, why don't we go for lunch?

- We can finalize the schedule then... - My grandma used to say that

every meal you eat with someone from work turns into poop.

Well...

One week! The deadline is in one week! I've said it!

[Original Character] Nice! Really nice.

And the fact that you finished it before the deadline is nice too.

- I am truly sorry about last time... - No, no, I'm just kidding, just kidding.

So, may I ask for a few minor corrections?

Please, tell me.

Well, first, about this beard...

Yeah, I think it's better than before.

What? I think my back is feeling better than before.

[Harsh Review Molco] Well, what is this?

You mean Harsh Review Molco?

I thought I'd add a hidden backstory to Cynical Molco.

A hidden backstory...

It was urgent, so Ms. Sasaoka and I just put it together for now.

As you may know, Molco-related sales are starting to stagnate.

Well, that may be, but it's still maintaining high figures.

But you know what will happen if people get tired of it, right?

But...

I'd like you to help from now on, Mr. Hirose.

I'd be happy to.

At the same time as we announce Harsh Review Molco,

we'll also distribute plushies to all stores at once and boost our numbers.

I'm expecting great things.

Leave it to me! A rising dragon...

[Day 1]

[Day 2] That's so like you.

[Day 3] I'm craving curry.

[Day 4]

[Day 5] Would you like to take a photo? Meow!

Meow.

[Day 6] What do you want to do?

[Day 7]

Welcome.

Welcome.

No!

So, it's been a week now. Show me the new character design.

Drink Zapaan, Zapaan...

What? Was that deadline a week?

Ah, I thought you were saying

- "Deadline Ikkyu" or something. - The design.

Is this... baby sardines?

That's why I said there's no way I can draw it that easily.

Were you even working on it properly to begin with?

To me, you just looked like a wandering man who loves taking walks.

I mean, this is our own project,

and it's not like we're causing trouble for anyone else.

- So all this nagging about deadlines... - Alright,

do it in three days.

That's why I said there's no way I can draw it that easily...

Anyway, just draw something. In three days.

Yeah, it's baby sardines.

Look, without the new character design,

we can't negotiate with merchandise manufacturers...

But, you know, it's precisely by transcending such common sense

that one becomes a pro.

That's what I think makes a pro. Right? Huh? Am I wrong?

In other words, saying that kind of thing

means you're not a professional consultant.

- You're more like a professional dud... - I understand.

If negotiations with the manufacturer go well and we secure a factory,

deadlines must be strictly observed.

They must be observed with your life.

But... well, it'll be fine, right, Mr. Seo? You're a pro, after all!

What? You mean you don't even have a design yet?

Sorry to bother you. I just had to speak with you, so I reached out.

No... An order of just 100 units.

Just out of curiosity,

if you were to accept the production, what's the fastest you could start?

Well... at the earliest, maybe a year from now.

What?

[Hasegawa Textile Studio Co., Ltd.] Two years from now.

- Two... - Sorry we couldn't be of help.

Well, it's true that our plushie order is a small quantity.

That's precisely why it fits perfectly into gaps of hours or days

that can't be filled by large orders.

By not letting any machines sit idle at all, we can maximize your company's profits.

You just don't get it.

Really. You don't get it at all.

Really not get it at all?

What?

Don't you remember me?

I've never seen your face before.

Oh... I see. Well, no matter.

But these little guys sure are cute.

This one here looks like that thing, doesn't it?

You know, that thing... Well... Cynical Molco.

But I think this one is cuter.

Even though it's a subtle difference, the aura it gives off is much softer.

You do get it.

What? I do?

Do I get it more than the person you said doesn't get it?

You get it. You get it.

That person doesn't get it at all and is slow to act.

What? That person doesn't get it

- and is slow to act? - Yes.

If I'm... for example... Swish! Swish!

That person is just...

- "Pa." Just "Pa." - "Pa"?

Like that.

- Ms. Kusakabe. - Yes?

Well, this might actually be an unreasonable request from me...

Are you really sure about this?

- If you fail, it'll be a sopping mess... - It's fine. I'll save it before then.

Like a cat. Swish!

Alright, alright.

Alright. Here I go.

Swish!

Are you okay?

- Swish! Swish... - What? Wait...

Hello?

Good work. Mr. Seo, I secured it.

A plushie factory.

It seems there was a sudden cancellation.

Well... I see.

But the situation has gotten a little tight.

It seems we only have 4 days left to finalize the design.

[Anna Kusakabe] But, well, it'll be fine, right, Mr. Seo?

You're a pro, after all.

What's wrong?

- Are you okay? - Well...

Are you okay?

- Thank... - Mr. Seo.

I have no words for such a stupid reason.

I said it's fine.

Look, look.

Look, look, look.

Swish!

Anyway, just focus on your treatment for now.

Once you're able to draw again,

figure out how many days are left until the deadline,

and judge if you can still make it.

If it's no good, we'll have to apologize to Mr. Oyama,

and notify the plushie factory.

Even though we finally secured it.

Well, there are other places that will make them for us.

After all, how many of those companies are there nationwide?

Those manufacturers? Factories?

We haven't contacted all of them, right?

There is, there is. There's got to be one somewhere.

- So cheer up. - Then why don't you try finding one?

Well? What?

If it's so easy to say, why don't you find one yourself?

No, no, what are you talking about? That's your job, isn't it?

Right. There's no way you could do it, right?

It's impossible for you,

whose communication skills are as tiny as baby sardines...

I can do it. I mean, I'm always doing it!

Oh, can you get three companies on board in three days?

No, ten. For me, it's ten companies in three days.

Wow, what a pro. I have to learn a thing or two from you.

Well then, you have three days for the Oyama Bakery revisions.

What? What? What kind of logic is that?

What? You can't draw the design?

Because you are always "Draw, draw!"

with an "I could totally draw too" look on your face.

So I naturally assumed you could draw it.

Oh, now I get it!

You're just a mouth-only consultant. A mouth-sultant.

The "ku" in Kusakabe is for mouth. Mouth-sultant.

You're a mouth-sultant, Kusakabe.

I can do it. I can mostly do it, thanks for asking.

A pro? Well, then, starting tomorrow...

- I'll be counting on you. - I'll be counting on you.

Well, so the design isn't ready yet, and there's no money.

And both your hands... what happened?

But I'll definitely draw something good.

And as the manufacturer that makes our plushies,

your sales will also go boom!

And you're talking casually?

Ah, sorry, sorry. Sorry... May I...

"May I..."

It's done.

What?

I wonder about this.

I feel like it's a bit different from the design.

Yeah. It looks a little too harsh.

Well, I think it might be the eyes...

The eyes?

- A mole? - It's me, Kusakabe.

What is this?

The original Mr. Oyama is completely gone.

No, this is still, well, like a rough sketch.

More like a croquis? Groggy? Something like that.

This is impossible.

[Toylight Co., Ltd.]

Haven't we refused you several times already?

We told you it's impossible to make every plushie

with not even a 1mm margin of error.

But look here! The position of the eye is off by 1mm.

That changes the impression it gives.

So, with the quality of the factories we contract with...

But we want to deliver something we're satisfied with,

with our thoughts and sincerity, to everyone who gets one of these.

Don't you agree with that goal?

Well, but even if you say that...

Please, lend us your help!

I'll try talking to the factory manager.

Thank you very much.

- Really, thank you. - Well, no. It's still uncertain.

No, I'm just grateful that you're even willing to talk to them.

- Well, please... - That helps us...

Mr. Seo?

Wait... What happened to you?

I see you're desperate as always.

What?

Did you see that just now? Oh, no, how embarrassing.

It's nothing to be embarrassed about.

You've always been desperate about raising the numbers.

Right. Well, it is work, after all.

But ever since long ago, you've also had an equally strong desire

to deliver something good.

So, do what you can and fulfil your role properly.

Surely everyone feels the same way,

including the folks at Merry, and of course, Ms. Kusakabe too.

Mr. Seo, if there's anything I can do, please tell me.

I want to work with you again...

Alright, then.

Welcome back.

- Excuse me for intruding. - Oh, Mr. Hirose.

What? Why?

It's even more now. Even more polished.

I'm sorry. I couldn't draw it.

I'll contact Mr. Oyama later to reschedule.

Why? The deadline is tomorrow, right? We can do it.

We... We... But Mr. Seo, your hands are still like that.

Excuse me.

Heave-ho, here we go! Alright.

Goodbye.

First, I want to make the beard look cleaner, so erase the edges too.

Okay, okay.

And as for the right eyebrow, tilt it more to the right.

- Okay, okay. - Move it back 1mm.

Okay, okay.

Do the same for the other side.

Okay.

Mr. Oyama has double eyelids!

Okay, okay.

And put a little more of a burn mark on the bread here.

Okay, okay.

The lower part too.

Well... Here's a late-night snack.

- Great. - Really?

- Hey, pass me that one. - What?

- How's this? - Looks good.

- The bread bun? - No, that one.

- That one. - What? Which one?

Nerimaru? Rinrin?

Sorry, is it this one?

Yes.

I found this while looking for ideas. You know that feeling of waves?

I want it to hold milk that's full of energy.

Oh, like this.

So he wasn't just taking a walk.

Yeah, I think it's good.

That's amazing.

You know, character designers are really something.

What should I do?

Your hands!

Ta-da!

Are... Are you okay?

- I'm sorry. Well then, I'm off. - Alright.

Hello, this is Hirose.

Can you do it? Can you do the 1mm?

Oh, thank you very much! Yes.

Alright.

It seems they'll be able to make all the plushies without the 1mm error.

But it seems that will cost a bit more, so it'll need your approval.

But this is great.

With this, we can properly deliver the feelings for the character

- that you and Ms. Sasaoka put into it... - If it's more expensive, let's not.

Please proceed with the originally estimated amount.

Well, but...

Nobody will notice a 1mm difference.

- In terms of color... - Looks good.

What do you think of the next prototype?

This one. Just a little more...

- That's the one. - And make our characters

- more relatable. - Well, I think it's cute.

- It's so cute. - Wonderful!

It's a nice color, isn't it?

Would you like some Zapaan?

Zapaan...

Well, Ms. Mondo, what do you think of the president's methods?

You mean Mr. Omishima?

I agree with them, of course.

If it weren't for him, Merry would probably have gone bankrupt by now.

Right.

Thank you. This was a treat.

Hey, Mr. Hirose, are you still in love with Merry?

Yes, of course. I'm head over heels.

Be careful.

Love is blind.

Hey, good evening, good morning.

Mr. Oyama was very pleased.

Oh... Okay.

Ah... well...

Just to report,

well... I didn't land the new factory line.

Well, that's basically the gist of it.

As originally planned,

I think we can consider it while looking at the condition of your hands.

And so, there's something

- I want to talk to you about... - Hey.

I'm going to go get some dinner.

Oh, is that so?

- Then, let's talk tomorrow or something. - No, I mean...

Well, you can say it to me there.

There?

[Asia Sunshine Market]

Well, you said you were going to eat dinner.

Don't you know that place?

We're splitting the bill.

[Kimchi]

[Kitchen Sakoda, Mozzarella Cheese Kimchi]

Go ahead.

Are you sure? I'm not paying for you.

Go ahead.

- Open it. - Okay.

You really like alcohol, don't you? It's one knowing.

Soup? [*"Soup" sounds like "knowing" in Japanese]

No. "Knowing," as in "to know something."

By the way, I'm Anna Kusakabe, 40 years old.

From after college graduation until very recently,

I worked at a consulting firm.

[Kitchen Sakoda] And my last job was this, Kitchen Sakoda.

It's very popular now,

[Kitchen Sakoda] but when they came to us,

it felt like a run-down Western-style diner.

They came wanting to rebuild the shop,

but I thought that with this taste, they could go even further.

Nationally, or even globally.

And then, I led the couple somewhere beyond what they wanted...

How should I say it... I misled them there?

As a result, the wife's business acumen awakened,

absorbing her in the business.

This caused a rift between them, and they eventually ended up divorcing.

Well, I mean, it's not like the wife was at fault or anything.

What happiness means to you is something only you can decide.

But the fact is that I didn't respect that couple's will.

It's a fact that I exploited their love for their shop

and prioritized the numbers.

And it's also a fact that the divorce was a result of that.

So I quit, thinking that I wasn't cut out for consulting.

And yet, here I am doing it again.

But I've decided to make this my last consulting job.

That, at least, I've decided, sort of.

Wait.

You really are a snatching hyena, aren't you?

What? Why the personal story all of a sudden?

The other day, watching you make revisions,

I realized I have to know you way more than I do now.

About the character designer, Mizuki Seo.

And to know you, I thought that first, you needed to know me.

So, since I made this,

despite not knowing much about the character designer Mizuki Seo,

I'm not sure if it will be of any help.

100 Names and Motifs Related to the Concept.

The elements given to you for creating the new character

are just two, "Just Support" and "Plushie Debut," right?

So I thought this might spark some inspiration,

like that Zapaan moment back then.

[Names and Motifs]

Did you come up with this on your own?

No, it's mainly from interviews.

I asked various people, "What has been the support in your life?"

And I thought of the names.

What about this? Number 12.

[Mr. M, 40 years old, Office worker] Oh, that's my boyfriend.

As for who supported him through life,

it was the one who took care of him when he broke his nose playing kendama.

Well... that turned out to be me.

[Kusachingeru] So, the name is Kusachingeru.

Your naming sense is kind of like an old man's.

What?

Well, how about this one? Number 23.

[Mr. F, 32 years old, Office worker] I heard it from a junior colleague back

in my consulting days.

The support for him was a senior colleague who invited him to karaoke

almost every night back when he was a newbie making mistakes.

Well, that was me who did that.

[Kusakaraocation] So, the name is Kusakaraocation.

That sounds like an old man too.

- How about this? Tousan-ookami... - An old man.

Then, this one...

I'm sorry, but I think we'll go with it as is.

Is that the president's decision?

Yes, and I agreed with it.

Then it can't be helped, can it?

Yes, I'm fine with that too.

Then, let's go with this.

Thank you for your hard work.

Thank you for your hard work.

It's only the first bottle... You can't handle alcohol. It's two knowing.

What about this? This one, this one. 93!

[Ms. K, 54 years old] This is a woman who sells Zapaan.

The support for her during hard times was Steven Seagal.

[Silence, Motif: Steven Seagal] So, the name is Silence.

Enough! They're all weak!

They don't spark anything.

No, please try to squeeze out some inspiration from that.

Squeeze out some spark.

There's no way I can squeeze out a spark from this.

Old man, old man, old man...

Oh... then, how about this? The last one, number 100!

[Anna Kusakabe] This is, humbly, my own.

But I don't really have much support myself.

It's fine. Just go ahead and tell me.

Alright.

I'm the eldest of four siblings, and we have a single parent,

so looking after others just became natural.

So I didn't have the time or money to get really into anything.

And I think it was when I was in 5th grade.

For a composition homework,

the teacher said, "The topic is your dream for the future."

I was like, "Oh, no."

Because I had never thought about a dream before,

I decided to borrow a bit from my cousin's dream of becoming a ballerina.

Oh, so you've had talent since way back then.

A talent for being sneaky.

So I wrote it up enthusiastically, like a presentation.

"My dream for the future is to be a ballerina."

"I haven't done it yet, but I'd like to try someday."

With tear stains and such.

I know that. Elementary school... those tear stains.

And the snot that comes with it.

When you occasionally lick it, the saltiness...

And that essay ended up winning the Vice Principal's Award.

Unexpectedly, my mom got to see it.

[Spicy Chips] My mom cried her eyes out.

Do you know what a ballet tutu is? That frilly skirt-like thing.

My mom bought that for me.

She said, "I'm sorry. I made you give up on your dream."

Seeing that, I also started crying my eyes out.

"Sorry, it's a lie. I don't actually have a dream or anything."

And that fact then spread throughout the whole school.

So that's what it was like.

[Jigoku-guruma Ballerina] So the name is Jigoku-guruma Ballerina.

I think, somewhere along the way,

I'd grown bitter about having no dreams, nothing I truly loved.

Well, but the other day, Mr. Hirose said something.

That love or passion is like lightning...

What? I can't see anything, I can't see.

Wait a moment... Well...

Oh, my!

What, what, what?

Wait! J-J-Just a moment...

Mr. Seo!

Where are you going?

- Ouch! That hurt... - Mr. Hirose?

- Are you okay? Here. - Ouch, ouch, ouch...

Please, have a seat on this chair!

- Here. Here. - Ouch, ouch... Thank you.

Before that... the bread. The bread...

Oh, the bread! I'm sorry.

Will you be alright?

Could it be that lightning struck his brain?

It's fine.

Something like this happened once before.

That's when Full Tummy Molco was born.

When Mr. Seo left Merry, I sided with the president, not him.

Do you know why?

I was scared of getting fired.

At that time at Merry, the president was steadily laying off long-time employees.

I was terribly afraid of being thrown out into the world at this age.

But he was strong.

His love makes him strong.

I envy that.

Only you, Mr. Seo.

It's unfair, isn't it?

But you told me before, didn't you, Mr. Hirose?

That love is like lightning.

I felt saved by those words.

Because lightning is just a matter of luck, isn't it?

And if so, until that day comes, I just have to do what I can.

So, in this situation, I can't imagine what I can do right now,

but I'll be going now.

Take your time.

- Well, shall I wipe your sweat? - No need.

- Get my phone. - Your phone... Here you go.

Photo.

- Here, I feel like the squishiness - Photo.

of these ears will weaken once it's made into a plushie.

Then I can just make the contrast stronger.

That's right.

- This one? - Yes. Zoom in on the ears.

Not yet.

I haven't done anything yet.

- Be closer to eyes. - Be close to eyes?

- My eyes. Can't see. - My eyes?

I hope your work went well.

Mr. Omishima!

I have something to discuss.

Here you go.

It's at 11 o'clock, right?

I'll definitely make it in time.

The plushie factory.

Could we please have them made here?

I'm pretty sure I already told you this.

- Nobody will notice a 1mm difference. - The products we create

can stay with a customer for days, years, even decades.

They can even become a lifelong love.

We are engaged in work that holds such extraordinary dreams

and is incredibly wonderful.

That's exactly why it comes with immense responsibility.

Merry is a company that delivers love.

We won't allow even a 1mm compromise.

I believe that this very attitude is connected to Merry's future.

[Save]

Why don't we just forget about the deadline for a moment?

No, no. If we miss this, it could be years.

But the character you're drawing now,

is it really turning out to be like your Berry?

A character that will always support someone.

Is it becoming that kind of character?

If not,

if you're just putting it out because of the deadline,

isn't that already not being a pro?

Don't worry about the factory.

After all, how many such manufacturers do you think there are nationwide?

We just need to contact all of them.

That's what a pro does.

I see.

It seems there is a significant difference of opinion between us.

Difference?

The character business industry today places a heavy emphasis on going viral.

Trends and fads come and go at a terrifying speed.

This is even more so for a non-mainstream character like Molco.

Probably in about two years, the entire country will be tired of it,

and sales will plummet.

That's why we're doping it early with an even stronger quirk,

Harsh Review Molco.

But even if you do that, it will only create a temporary buzz.

Because it will disappear someday anyway.

Understood.

Alright, then.

I'm sorry, Ms. Sasaoka. Can I ask you to do a few things?

I am very sorry.

Now, now, it was a long shot from the beginning.

[Hasegawa Textile Studio Co., Ltd.]

[Resignation Letter]

I see.

Can't believe you're job hunting at this age.

But the world isn't that easy, ribbit.

At the very least, no company pays as well as we do, ribbit.

Especially for someone nearing retirement, ribbit.

I've reserved our usual place for 8 o'clock.

I've secured a private room in the back.

Alright, I'll go pull the car up to the front entrance.

I'm back.

It's done.

It's done. It's done!

It struck! Lightning struck!

I love...