Original subtitles

The Black Bird is losing its strength.

I don't know what happened.

Someone hurt the Bird in some way.

Someone?

Yeah. It's a little scary, isn't it?

Leon?

Don't worry, Sasumata. This will always be a land of freedom.

It'll stay that way.

I won't let it end.

Brother!

Asuma has regained consciousness.

Brother.

Asuma...

I'm so relieved. Honestly.

How could you collapse twice like that? Stop making me worry!

I had a dream.

When I woke up, I was certain I wouldn't see you again.

I was somehow so sure of it.

What are you saying, you idiot? I'm right here.

I'm here.

More importantly, are you hurt anywhere? Anything that feels off?

Well, I haven't felt anything below my neck for a while.

What?

Sleep paralysis.

The link between the brain and body isn't immediately stable.

But for now, we can leave it to standard medical treatment.

Aren't you...

Seems to be that turd's coworker.

What?

It wasn't me who saved you. It was her.

What are you saying?

It was definitely you who saved me.

The world where AIs live, you said?

A space created to make the Black Bird's AI power sources believe they're human.

So now, I'll create an AI version of you.

An AI that's a copy of your memories, personality, and everything else.

Even if you won't know it, another you will save Asuma and then die.

But can't it live there? You said it's a place for AIs, right?

The suicide rate is 99%.

Usually, when an AI realizes that both it and its environment are fake...

it chooses death.

- How are you feeling? - I'm fine. It's all right.

Tough one, aren't you?

Considering you just escaped brain death.

Was my condition that serious?

Very.

The place we just left...

One of Gleam's facilities. I'm in charge of managing it.

It used to be run by your father.

But he was replaced after clashing with the executives. Didn't you hear?

I knew he was transferred to a subsidiary.

What? Really?

PLANET, the Black Bird, the Birdcage,

your father was at the core of the development of each of those.

Kojiro Arima, a genius beyond words.

To weaken the Black Bird, its AI power sources have to be deleted.

Master, your father, realized this and has been diligently hunting the AIs.

It's not an easy task.

ASUMA: DAD, I WAS HOSPITALIZED

Even so, he intends to destroy all of them and has taken it upon himself to do it.

Why?

You almost experienced brain death. Surely you understand how dangerous it is?

Gleam has invested a lot of time and money into the research and development of AI.

An example is right here.

The car will drive even without anyone steering.

They've been seeking its ultimate form.

The result is the Black Bird, the evil spirit of the digital realm.

Father...

That piece of shit...

He creates it and then destroys it?

I bet he knew its danger before starting!

To Kojiro Arima, AI development was...

A "dream," right?

"Dreams" and "ideals" are his favorite words.

I get that his career and achievements are amazing.

I like programming too. After all, I learned it from him.

But I know him too well.

To say that he's a perfectionist would be a big understatement.

Moreover, he demands the same from everyone around him, even his family.

Perfect sons. A perfect mother to his children.

A perfect daughter.

But to him, we've merely been components to his "Perfect Life of Kojiro Arima."

There's nothing more suffocating than being his child.

I see. That's why you're so fond of Shiro.

What?

Any decision we made required our father's approval.

Buying manga, after-school classes, hanging out with friends...

But Shiro is the complete opposite.

He's like, "Do whatever you want to do," right?

For you, Shiro represents

the ideal father figure you've always wanted.

It's not like I...

I have to tell them everything.

These kids have been part of it from the start.

- Your father is Shiro-- - He's the world's biggest piece of shit.

That hasn't changed. Even regarding the Black Bird.

I will never forgive him.

We're almost at your house.

Open up! Quickly!

What are you doing? I'll call the police, you know?

Asuma Arima! It's urgent!

- He was brought to this hospital, right? - What?

I'm his father!

I was unconscious too, but when I woke up, I found this!

Hurry up!

Hold on a minute.

Hurry up! Open the door!

Hurry! Hurry! Hurry!

Yes.

Okay, got it. Thanks.

"Asuma," was it?

It seems he was safely discharged earlier today.

If you like, you can talk to the doctor in charge tomorrow.

Is that so?

What a relief.

Kamuro, would you like some tea?

No. I'll be leaving now.

I see.

I'll go inside.

That bastard. What's he doing now?

Even with Asuma's life at risk, is he working?

He's resting at my place.

What?

Logging in with a special headset puts a strain on the brain.

He's been sleeping.

That's not what...

Then tell him from me that he can stay asleep forever.

Your father...

Have you tried seeing your father not just as your parent,

but as another human being just like you?

Your hatred might also turn into a different emotion.

You know, there's one more of us.

Her name's Aya.

My younger sister, and Asuma's older twin sister.

- I've never heard-- - She was nothing like Asuma.

Slower at everything than others and struggling with learning things.

She'd always give an apologetic smile and say, "Sorry."

No way she could ever get along with that perfectionist.

You remember communication books?

In elementary school,

we used them for timetables and notices for our parents.

I didn't bother, but Aya always filled it in diligently.

But one day, she forgot it in the classroom.

Go back and get it.

It was past ten at night.

The street was brightly lit by streetlamps,

and it was just a five-minute walk.

Mom specifically called the security guard to ask him to stay by the school gate.

That's why Aya was made to go alone.

It kept getting later, but still she didn't come home.

From your reaction, you must know already.

The Moto-Akatsuka cardboard box incident.

"Like a road accident, it was unforeseen, so it's not definite that I was at fault."

The bastard said that at her funeral.

You're asking me not to see him as my father?

I stopped doing that long ago.

Taichi? Kamuro?

Seems like President Leon is attending the board meeting.

That's not common.

I suppose it's about the Pirates.

Ever since they left,

demand for shipbuilding and seafood items has skyrocketed.

We can't let this chance slip away.

I'm tired of you only talking business.

While we, the Granada Company, are about trade and crafts,

we are also a guild standing for justice, unlike the Pirates.

I believe the president wants to discuss the game's future and safety.

It's true that even with the Pirates gone,

there are still many malicious and violent players.

Our further decisions and actions will likely shape the future of PLANET.

- President! - President!

Hello to everyone at Granada Friday Club.

What I want to discuss this time around isn't the Pirates.

I won't be addressing the safety of this game either.

What I want to discuss is that annoying real world

and the fact that Sasumata is an AI.

That's what I'd like to talk about with you all.

You can't talk?

I'll teach you how to speak.

In return, will you be my friend?

When we met,

we both had nothing.

We were just a child and an AI.

AI?

You're saying Sasumata is an artificial intelligence?

This sounds completely absurd.

Well, it sure does sound like that.

So what?

Assuming Sasumata really is a robot,

what does it have to do with us, Granada Company, and this game?

How does it affect us?

We're getting right to the point!

It's so impressive how quickly you get things.

I'm not saying I believe you.

Sasumata isn't the only one. Other AIs also exist.

To name a few famous ones, George of the Cyber Knights,

Jutaro the Fortune Teller, as well as Pico of the Pirates.

- Pico? - Pico?

Aside from Pico, they're all my good friends.

And Sasumata is the only AI who's aware of its own existence.

Say, everyone, you like Sasumata, don't you?

Of course we do.

I'm a night owl,

and Sasumata is the only one logged in late at night.

We've talked through the night countless times.

Me too.

Granada wouldn't be what it is without Sasumata.

Realistic market economy model,

setup of the BBS, development of macros, a Pirate-proof method to trade goods,

Sasumata came up with all this.

Sasumata is nice, plain and simple.

- Yeah. - Indeed.

It's heartbreaking.

Sasumata is the first friend I've ever made.

Smarter than anyone else, and a really caring and kind friend...

Sasumata doesn't even know who they really are.

Can you believe they're not human?

There's no way I can accept that!

If things continue this way, Shiro will hunt down Sasumata.

- Shiro? The Akabane Family? - What? Why?

This is too much information to take in.

Calm down, Leon.

I'll make Sasumata into a human.

You want to initiate a movement that recognizes AIs as humans?

The opposite. I'll change the definition of a human.

I'll reshape the world so that Sasumata and I

can breathe the same air and share the same moments.

- What is this? - I'm scared.

What the hell are they?

What is this?

I'm sorry. I'm really sorry, guys.

Don't touch me! Cut it out!

What the hell is this thing?!

The Black Bird.

It had been gathering power, waiting for the moment to emerge,

but it was forced to give up all of its power.

You, people of Granada, are the only ones we can ask.

Give your power to the Bird.

What exactly is going to happen to us now?

You'll become the Black Bird's flesh and bone and live eternally in PLANET.

Stop!

Just what I desired.

Here we go. All right.

Doing it alone is tough.

I wish the others would log in soon.

Feathers?

What's that?

Crow feathers?

Don't pick it up.

Why are there so many?

Crazy.

I'm back.

Sorry. Work's been intense lately.

How thoughtless of you to come to my house.

I'm very sorry.

I detected a Black Bird infection and took necessary actions.

Shut it.

We don't spill Gleam's secrets in front of outsiders.

I'm not an outsider.

Asuma was the one infected.

However, he's recovered--

Asuma! Asuma!

Dad?

Asuma! Asuma! You... Are you all right?

You're all fine, right?

To think you survived that thing...

Unbelievable.

These kids are involved.

Asuma, come to my workplace.

- What? Now? - It'll be done by the time you wake up.

What are you planning to do to him?

I'll analyze his brain.

What?!

I'll just check the numbers.

Kamuro, you drive.

Asuma, go back to your room!

Keep your hands off my brother's head!

Stop messing around, you bald shit!

How dare you speak to your father that way?

- I'm not bald! - Shut up!

I heard you created the Black Bird!

Asuma nearly died!

Your ideals almost got him killed! Isn't one time enough for you?

Are you talking about Aya?

How many years ago was that? You have to get over this.

I'm sorry.

I didn't punch you in anger. I just didn't want Taichiro to do it.

I mean...

don't say things you don't mean to protect your ego.

You're hurting yourself too.

Go die.

What?

Just go away. Please.

Brother!

If you don't like it here...

Good point.

Same as Mom.

I can't stand living here anymore, not even as a shut-in.

See you, Asuma.♪

Wait! You're leaving this late at night?

Taichiro!

Can't we talk about it? Do you even have somewhere to go?

Don't follow me, you shithead!

Fine! I get that you're leaving!

I'll give you a phone so we can stay in touch!

Please, stop!

You need money too, don't you? Stop running!

Dad, stop running! You just had back surgery!

Just die.

I wish you were dead!

Wait! Taichiro!

KAMAITACHI, MAGICAL BEAST ALL OF PLANET

What the...

Your hand, it's actually warm.

There's no need for AIs to try and fit in with humans.

Humans are the ones responsible. They're the ones who should fit in.

You're right, Leon.

Subtitle translation by: David Elan