Original subtitles

Kusha... No, it's not here!

Kushagara!

Is someone in there?

Are you okay?

What's going on?

Are you alright?

Huh?

What the...

Police are investigating the death of a man found in his office.

There are reportedly no signs of foul play.

Police are now looking at starvation as a highly likely cause.

According to the man's colleagues and family,

he had not been home once in almost a month.

He had shut himself in the school to continue his research.

It is unclear as to whether he had anything to eat or drink.

A man becomes obsessed with his research

to the point of starvation?

How interesting.

Should make for good material.

His death... is a shame

But that man...

I wish I could've read him.

Mr. Rohan!

It's Izumi... from Shumeisha!

Hello?

Hello?

I'm coming in!

Thanks for having me.

He could at least respond to me.

If I come in, he gets upset,

but if I leave, he gets upset.

Man...

I really think you should get an intercom in here...

Huh?

What?

He's not home?

Good day, sir. Party of one?

Yeah, just me.

Let's see...

Oh, never mind.

Hey, Mr. Rohan.

Heck of a coincidence.

I'll take a ginger ale.

Do you have sweet or dry?

We have dry available.

Okay, cool.

There are plenty of seats, you know?

So it seems.

So why go out of your way to sit here with me?

Let me tell ya...

I was out walking when I noticed my throat was super dry.

Before I know it, there's this café in front of me.

I go to check it out real quick, and I spot a colleague from work.

And that's why I'm sitting here now.

I just don't understand.

You said "a colleague"?

Yeah, a colleague. Am I wrong?

We're both manga artists who work for the same publisher.

Oh, now I get it.

You totally forgot about me, didn't you?

You can call me Shishi Jugo.

Not Shishi Juroku. That would be a bit off.

Can't tell ya why, though.

-Funny, right? -I remember now.

I believe we met once at a party.

Party? A party?

Shumeisha's year-end party, right?

Man, that was a blast!

At least, I think it was. I can't remember.

Come to think of it, you left before it was over.

What happened?

I only went out of obligation.

Anyway, even if we work for the same magazine,

don't you think "colleague" is a bit much?

If anything, wouldn't we be rivals?

Don't be such a wet blanket, man.

Manga artists are lonely creatures who only ever speak to their editors.

If you don't talk to people whenever you can,

you'll forget how to speak altogether.

I think you could stand to forget a little.

So, what are you doing today?

Did you come to get some new material?

If that's what you think, I wish you would let me think in peace.

What a coincidence!

Turns out, I'm on the same mission.

Could you go find another seat to talk to yourself in?

If I start grumbling to myself, people will think I'm crazy, though!

Even if I was talking to myself, it's better to sit across from someone,

so that other people don't think I'm weird.

Then go sit across from a scarecrow or something.

Scarecrow? A scarecrow?

I'll have to try that next time.

But just let this slide for today. It's my treat, okay?

You honestly think the Kishibe Rohan

would be delighted to be treated to a single glass of tea?

You really shouldn't use our full names.

We're both celebrities, after all.

If the kids around here find you, you'll be asked for your autograph.

Where will you go for material then?

Or, don't tell me...

Do you like kids?

-I loathe them. -Another coincidence!

I'm the same way.

Looks like we'll be sitting together, huh?

Thank you for waiting.

You know what, though...

How should I put this?

I get you, man. I really do.

Sitting in an open terrace, a refreshing breeze blowing...

Writing material while listening to the sounds of the city.

It's a great way to make progress.

I mean, it's great if you can focus alone in your room,

but you've got to mix it up.

They say expression requires the energy of life,

so it's important to create while surrounded by it.

What I'm saying is,

this town has a good vibe to it.

Everyone's lives become our background music.

You can't just create realism or experience from nothing,

and it won't fall into my lap at home,

so I have to take some of it from out in the world.

That's why I bother going out, even if I have to shave.

So you can sound like a manga artist sometimes.

You're the same way, right?

I knew we had a connection.

Don't flatter yourself.

So...

What's your next work about?

To a manga artist,

those details are worth more than life itself.

As if I could chat about it over tea.

I'm super curious, though.

Think about it.

Even if you find something interesting,

you need somebody with a different point of view.

That's just something manga artists with no confidence say.

By the way,

I'm thinking about tackling horror for the first time.

Come on.

Haven't you only ever done traditional good-versus-evil stories?

Can you really handle horror manga?

Well...

I've got no problems with ghosts, whatsoever.

But I am, for instance,

pretty terrified of short objects.

It got me thinking, "What things am I afraid of?"

And I found the thing I'm most afraid of...

You're in the bathroom.

The toilet paper is always gone, no matter how much you refill it.

And, it's like...

The toilet paper is sort of grimy.

That certainly shocked me.

I almost wet myself.

-Terrifying. -No good, got it.

I'm glad you understand.

Talk to your editor about this stuff.

Yeah, that guy!

He just up and quit last week.

You could also say he went missing.

Missing?

He was super talented.

Maybe a bit too serious at times,

but he liked chips and movies, just like I do.

He was a seriously good dude.

That's why I tried to reach out to him,

but I never got anything back.

He probably just got tired of the job.

There's no point in stopping him.

I'm not trying to.

There's just this one thing...

I'll show you.

You really don't have to.

He gave this to me the last time I saw him.

It might be boring, but have a look.

"List of prohibited terms"?

That's right. In other words,

it's a list of words that I can't use in my manga.

What a seriously boring document!

That's the reaction I expected! Boring, right?

Just the cover is awful, but there's even more inside.

Well...

I see where they're coming from on some of these.

As it is a publicized product,

I avoid these phrases in even my own work.

Huh?

What is this?

Isn't this a little harsh?

Right?

Like this one, and that one there.

This is apparently due to that unnatural death the other day.

"Like I care, dumbass!"

I can't exactly say that, right?

So, I pretended to be content, like a good adult.

This is banned, too?

This is ridiculous!

You know it.

Manga artists compete with their art, right?

But there needs to be some kind of dialogue!

The words are important!

Sure, I could change to words to fit these restrictions,

and I could even change the plot,

but where's the realism in that?

I have no interest in making a story with no reality.

Exactly. I agree...

But... I'm a professional.

I'm not happy with it, but rules are rules.

I know that some readers feel my pain on this.

I can live with that.

But still...

There was one super weird word in here,

and I have no idea why it's prohibited.

This is the one. Right here.

"Kushagara"?

Do you know this word?

Maybe it's some sort of dialect?

That word, there...

I've got absolutely no clue what it means.

I'd imagine.

There's no way you would know a word that I don't.

I'm at a loss.

Nothing else was written about it.

Did you ask you editor?

Of course I did,

but he just told me not to use it.

He disappeared before I could try asking again.

I've checked dictionaries and the internet,

but I can't seem to find anything.

Nothing we can do, then?

That's right!

Maybe it's like this:

Without knowing what a button does,

you write "Do Not Press" on it, just to be safe.

That sort of logic, you know?

I mean, it makes sense.

As long as there's a warning, nobody's hitting that button.

Not any upstanding citizen, at least.

I see the logic there.

I'm still not satisfied.

Not at all, right?

That's a relief.

So, listen here.

We can be like a long-running comedy group,

finishing each other's sentences!

Who are you calling a comedian?

Buy, it's just like you said, Mr. Rohan.

I'm not satisfied at all.

And you know, it's not like I plan on using the word or anything,

but still...

Not using the word is simple.

It's the "why" that's important.

"Why can't it be used?" "Why is it prohibited?"

Whether we know these answers or not when we're told not to use a word

has a profound impact on our work.

Exactly!

I'm happy you're so quick on the uptake!

You're like a sliding door on grass. Super smooth!

You just can't help it, can you?

Would you stop with the metaphors and just speak clearly?

You're not good at it!

If even you don't now this word,

there's no point in asking any other artists.

Of course.

That being said...

After talking to you, I'm more curious than ever.

Kushagara.

Kushagara.

Maybe it's like Sobagara.

And why would that be banned?

Yeah, I guess not.

Well, I'll let you know if I find anything.

I'll leave this for you.

Hey.

Don't put me in your debt for so little.

Hey!

"Kushagara", huh?

Darn him.

Kushagara...

I figured you were here, Mr. Rohan.

That was Shishi Jugo, wasn't it?

Were you together?

We just happened to bump into each other.

One café au lait, please.

What are you ordering for?

I want have a meeting.

Your last short story was well received.

The chief mentioned turning it into a series.

What about Pink Dark Boy?

That would be your main work,

and your short story would be a separate volume!

It's a monthly issue, so you should be fine.

Izumi...

You can't make manga at the press of a button.

Oh, I know that.

So, about the details...

I don't feel like writing short stories at the moment.

I'm going home.

What about my café au lait?

That's Mr. Jugo's treat.

Hey. Just wait a second!

Thank you for waiting.

Thanks.

Hot!

Kushagara.

Kushagara.

Gara... gara...

Kusha... Kushagara.

Kushaga...

Kushagara.

Kushagara.

Kusha...

Kushaga...

Damn!

Nope, I'm done!

Gotta focus on horror.

Time to get writing.

Mr. Rohan!

Mr. Rohan!

Wipe your face before walking with me. It's embarrassing.

Huh?

A list of prohibited words?

The editorial department should have passed them out,

not that I've gotten one.

Really?

I don't remember anything like that.

Even if there was, we wouldn't give it to our authors.

We could check it ourselves, after all.

That may be, but Shishi Jugo got one.

Maybe his editor sent it to him for his own reasons.

We're actually having trouble contacting him lately.

He quit suddenly, didn't he?

Yeah, he did!

His parents couldn't even tell us why.

Oh, now it makes sense!

The reason Mr. Jugo kept trying to get ahold of us.

It must have been that list!

-That "ashigara" thing... -Kushagara.

Yeah, yeah, that was it. Kushagara.

I'm not sure what that means, though.

Oh!

It must have been a typing error!

Typing... error?

Yeah.

I get it.

That would explain things.

It's so simple!

You didn't even consider it?

I got pulled into Shishi Jugo's rhythm.

He and I just aren't a good match.

Is that so?

Mr. Rohan,

You should really lock your door when you go out.

Nowadays, people would love to sell your manuscripts online.

-No... -It's true.

It wasn't a typing error.

Jugo asked his editor what it meant.

He didn't get an answer,

but that proves that "Kushagara" was the right word.

That word doesn't exist, though.

Which is exactly why Jugo was so interested.

Wait, are you going to start looking into it, too?

Into that "Kusha" or whatever?

It's an oddly catchy word, don't you think?

You think so?

I guess this could became material for your next story,

so I'll lend you a hand.

Jugo already tried the internet.

You never know when new information will pop up.

The internet updates in real time, after all.

One could call it limitless.

An enormous amount of lies and truths lined up without expression.

When I can't get what I'm looking for here,

it takes a shocking amount of time to sort through it all online.

For that reason,

I certainly prefer books.

The binding, the cover that make up its face,

the feel of the font...

The realism of the information is felt within all five of your senses.

Really? But you sometimes look things up online, don't you?

Like I said, it depends on the research.

I didn't say I never use it!

"THINGS I'M AFRAID OF" "TOILET PAPER"

"KUSHAGARA"

Nope, nope, nope.

Time to sleep.

Damn it.

Taro!

You were looking into it again?

Did you find anything?

I found too much.

I just have more questions now.

Hirai Taro, the photographer.

I'm all over the internet.

You were pretty famous, you know?

I don't know...

It's like I'm trapped in a cage.

Hey, Taro?

Why don't you turn that off for a little bit?

Look for it with your own two feet.

What was it?

Real, living information.

It's just something I picked up from Mr. Rohan,

but I feel like there's some truth to it.

Yeah.

"With you own two legs"?

Welcome, Mr. Rohan.

We're already sold out of your manga for the week.

Of course you are.

College textbooks come here often, don't they?

I'm looking for books on folklore or linguistics,

One on dialectology would be especially useful.

What? You, too?

Those are suddenly so popular with manga artists.

Huh?

Well, you see...

Every day, lately...

Speak of the devil!

Hey, old man!

You got anything good?

Someone must have come to toss some books.

You're kidding me.

Today's the same as yesterday. What do you expect?

You've gotta help me out, man!

I bet you keep all the good books behind the counter!

I'm telling you, there isn't.

I'll take anything!

That's all I'm asking for, alright?

Get off of me!

I told you, there's nothing!

Damn it!

Not a problem.

Then I'll ask...

What do you know about it?

About what?

I'm asking what you know about Kushagara, you dumbass!

What are you talking about?

I've got no clue!

I'll even take rumors!

You talked to that kid about it, didn't you?

Didn't you?

What are you saying?

-You did, right? -No.

-I know you did! -What do you mean?

Tell me you did! Tell me!

Tell me...

What was that?

Kishibe Rohan...

Looks like you're sane enough to recognize me, at least.

We're sorry to bother you.

Please don't let this happen again!

What was that?

What the hell were you thinking?

Don't go causing trouble where I can see it.

Right. My bad.

Let me guess...

You haven't stopped researching Kushagara since that day.

Yeah, that's right.

I'm just so curious, I can't take it.

Maybe a little too curious?

You look like you haven't eaten in a while.

Not since I last saw you, no.

Oh...

I guess I haven't eaten in three days.

What?

It's been a whole week since then.

Is that so?

You wanna know something?

I've read more dictionaries than I ever knew existed.

Novels and field guides, too.

I've even read picture books.

I tried talking to the police, too.

But there's nothing.

The answer is nowhere to be found.

Well...

I was a bit curious, so I looked into it as well.

-You found it? -Calm yourself!

I couldn't find anything.

Nothing at all.

That figures.

Damn it all!

No surprise, considering it's prohibited and all.

A banned word like that wouldn't be thrown all over the place,

so it won't be easy to find!

I get that! I really do!

I get it, but...

None of the old literature I read mentioned it, either.

If it was a prohibited word that long ago,

there must be a deep-rooted reason.

You want me to quit? No way!

I can't give up!

"Why is "Kushagara" prohibited?"

That all I want to know!

Hey.

I wouldn't normally say this,

so listen up.

At this point,

why not just let it go?

Huh?

I'm not sure I caught that.

What?

Oh...

I must have heard you wrong.

Did you just ask me to "let it go"?

No, it must be my mistake.

Trust me, I'm just as surprised as you are.

In your position, I'm sure I would leaving no stone unturned.

However...

My intuition.

It's saying we should stop here.

You're about to step into dangerous territory...

No窶ｦ you probably already have.

So you should turn back now.

Turn back?

Not happening, no matter how many pretty words you use!

Whoa!

Huh?

I was trying to be nice.

Even though there was no need to get involved,

the Kishibe Rohan did.

And for someone like you!

Right, of course. Please, forgive me.

I'll let your little outburst go.

But if you ever underestimate me again...

No, no! Never!

I'm truly sorry! You see?

I'm serious.

I don't know what's happening to me!

"Kushagara" is the only thing I can think of!

I don't know what to do anymore!

That's enough.

Go home.

It's Kushagara...

If I can just learn what it means...

Why me?

You'll owe me greatly for this.

That being said...

Getting to see the reality in the face of someone pushed to this point

isn't too bad, either.

Oh, no...

You must be joking!

No, no, no.

This place is a mess!

Ever consider tidying up?

I haven't looked in this one yet.

It has to be in here.

"Kushagara".

Right...

I'm going home.

Don't say I didn't warn you.

Yeah, you got it.

I'm just gonna keep Kushagara-ing for "Kushagara" here.

What was that?

Something definitely seemed off.

I'm just gonna keep Kushagara-ing for Kushagara here.

Hey! Hey, hold on!

Yes?

At some point,

could you deliver a pizza to room 305?

-Anything is fine. -Yes, of course.

Kushagara... Kushagara...

What is this, damn it?

What the hell is going on?

Shit!

Hello? It's Izumi!

What? Why send Mr. Jugo a pizza?

You guys...

Shouldn't you pay more attention to your manga artists?

Shishi Jugo is pretty popular, isn't he?

How much longer will he go without and editor?

The editorial department is having trouble with that, too.

It seems like Jugo has no intention of accepting a new editor.

He calls all the time looking for his old one, though.

If I'm being honest... it's a pretty huge pain.

His last editor is still missing, right?

About that...

We found him!

That's actually what I came here to tell you.

Is that so?

His parents said that they didn't know anything,

but I checked out their house, just in case.

You know, since you refuse to have that meeting with me,

I have all this free time now.

So?

Actually, not too far from the house,

there's this storehouse.

It's got no phone and no television.

There's no cell service, either. It's honestly awful.

But that's where he was holed up.

His parents asked me not to tell anyone about him.

But I'm still worried, which is why I'm telling you.

So, you went to see him?

Yeah, I brought him a small gift, too.

What did he say about the list of prohibited words?

Well...

As soon as I brought it up, he got upset.

"Right when I finally managed to stop thinking about it!", he said.

That one is absolutely taboo.

An amateur could never figure it out.

But Mr. Jugo... I'm sure he can find the answer!

To know he's inherited "Kushagara"...

What a relief!

"Inherited"?

His parents said that he seemed possessed by something.

But is this "Kusha" thing really all that interesting?

You really let the world know when you don't care, huh?

However...

This is the first time that you've impressed me.

Oh, stop!

You were the one who said to use my own two feet.

Wait... "first time"?

Shishi... Jugo.

Mr. Jugo?

Hey, Mr. Rohan.

I finally found it.

A clue to Kushagara!

Excuse me?

It's this.

Take a look right here.

Would you look at that?

It's a Kushagara pizza!

What?

It's a miracle!

For a clue to be inside something like this!

Who would have thought?

What are you talking about?

That's a four-cheese pizza, isn't it?

I like those, too!

What? Stop talking nonsense.

This is the Kushagara pizza that I've been searching for.

I'm sure of it!

Hold on. This isn't right.

Mr. Jugo, you need to calm down!

What's all this about "Kushagara"?

Huh?

You just said "Kushagara", didn't you?

You did, right?

Kushagara!

What are you hiding from me?

You know what it is, don't you?

-Calm down! -No!

I'm devoted to Kushagara!

It's twisting everything I am!

Even now!

Calm yourself!

Would you shut up, already?

You damn Kushagara!

-Kushagara. -Kushagara.

This guy...

He's too far gone.

I'll calm him down, but you need to get out!

-But... -Get out of here!

-Hurry! -Right!

Let go of me, bastard!

Heaven's Door!

I swear.

I didn't want to use this.

No point in complaining now.

Now...

What in the world were those things earlier?

Shishi Jugo.

Real name: Nishi Keitaro. How very average.

Father loved manga.

While attending middle school, won an award for a submission,

leading to his debut as a manga artist.

Broke up with his long-time girlfriend two years ago,

but he got invited to her wedding at the beginning of this year

and actually attended...

Nope.

That's not what I'm looking for right now.

His odd obsession with Kushagara, and that strange growth I saw.

Heaven's Door can read things even Jugo, himself, isn't aware of...

Huh?

What is this?

It's sealed?

That's impossible!

I've never seen anything like this with Heaven's Door before.

This is bad.

I don't quite get it, but I can tell this thing is dangerous.

What do I do?

Do I break the pouch and look inside,

or should I rip it off and throw it away?

But if I do, there's no telling what would happen.

What would it do to Jugo?

Kushagara!

There's something...

...inside that thing?

Kushagara, Kushagara, Kushagara.

This can't be happening!

Will it come out?

This thing...

It's definitely bad news!

"FORGET KUSHAGARA"

Excuse me.

"FORGET KUSHAGARA"

I can't write my orders...

There's no way!

Because the word is prohibited?

I can't use the word, because it's been banned?

It isn't just a self-limitation for manga and television.

This thing...

It's a word that's not allowed in this world!

That's why you can't write it, and speaking it is forbidden.

Kushagara, Kushagara, Kushagara.

Oh, no...

I spoke it, didn't I?

I heard it, didn't I?

I researched it, didn't I?

To know he's inherited "Kushagara"...

What a relief!

That pouch...

Most likely, that's the word, itself.

That's the word's true form.

And now,

because I know about Kushagara,

it's trying to infect me!

Kushagara, Kushagara, Kushagara.

Kushagara, Kushagara, Kushagara.

It got quiet. What's happening in there?

Mr. Rohan, are you hurt?

No, I'm fine.

It was no big deal.

What?

Huh?

Wait a minute.

What was I doing, again?

No way!

Mr. Rohan, why are you here?

Why wouldn't I be? It's my house.

For real?

You're kidding me!

Did I come over to hang out?

Why? Since when?

You don't remember?

Not at all.

But earlier, you...

So, you really did forget.

You came by to discuss your new work,

but ended up with a natural high from your own enthusiasm.

For now, go home and cool your head.

What?

Man, I really can't remember anything,

but it looks like I bothered you. Sorry about that.

Wow, though.

I'm not sure why, but I feel great!

How should I put it?

It's like I changed my clothes for the first time in a month,

took a hot bath, shaved my beard,

slept on some new sheets, and then...

We get it! Get out of here!

Gotcha. Okay.

But man, do I feel refreshed!

Yeah, I can really feel the creative juices flowing.

Okay, I'll see ya later, Mr. Rohan!

The door's on your left!

Nice house.

Get going.

I could really use a break from him.

What was that all about?

He was acting so agitated a second ago!

What did you do?

Nothing much.

I was once taught a simple sort of hypnosis.

It's used to calm people down.

"Forget everything from the past month."

Well, there may be some small side effects,

but, with that personality, I'm sure he can handle it.

Sure, but he's been acting so weird lately.

He's been obsessed with that list of prohibited words.

-Especially Kusha... -That's enough!

Words can be quite powerful.

When people fixate on them any more than they have to,

they can become possessed, just like he was.

It's better for people like you to let things go.

But did you see that thing in his mouth?

What thing?

I saw it! It was small and black!

I'm sure it was just the pizza.

Maybe, but...

By the way, what kind of hypnosis was it?

You should teach me how!

Don't you ever stop?

Go home!

Darn you!

Hypnosis?

That explains it!

Huh?

What in the world?

This place is a mess!

Did I forget to clean?

This is crazy.

What's this?

Looks boring.

"LIST OF PROHIBITED TERMS"

Not here, it's not here. Not here, either.

I don't know! I just don't know!

Huh?

Oh, Mr. Rohan!

Just the man I wanted to see!

You see, after Mr. Jugo's visit the other day,

I became strangely curious about it.

I've been looking into it,

but I just don't understand it!

You know the one.

Ku... Kusha...

-Kushaga... -Heaven's Door!

"FORGET RECENT EVENTS"

What a pain.

Now that I think about it,

who knows who else Jugo mentioned that word to?

If it's taken as a meaningless remark, then there's no problem.

Most people will be fine.

However, if one becomes too curious...

I'm not sure how much I was affected by my involvement with that thing.

No...

It's even possible that I have one of those pouches, too.

Something is inside those pouches.

Maybe, like a bacteria or virus,

it latches onto curiosity to survive.

Don't use words carelessly.

That's the best course of action.