Original subtitles

GOTCHA! ONIHEIJI THE MOVIE

[Kariya] It's a period drama series about the Showa era.

-[light music playing] -I don't think Katsushin was the lead…

Yoroman.

Oh. Yorozu Mantaro.

Uh, Mantaro fan?

Well, he's my father.

[music stops]

[server] Apologies for the wait.

Hope you enjoy!

That timing's wonderful.

[music resumes]

I can't tell if this café is a set or real life.

And we're the background actors.

-Is the series a remake? -It's been rough for Kyoto lately.

These don't really draw an audience, and they cost fortunes.

There aren't many bit-part actors left.

Even if they're extras, they're getting paid to act.

And they can't depend on many folks to volunteer.

But they're looking for more actors.

You should be in it.

I decided to do it.

Oniheiji, my father's greatest work.

-I guess it's fate, in a way. -[music stops]

I'll be in Kyoto for three weeks.

I don't have any lines, but they'll be paying me.

Okay?

Uh, Kyoto's a basin, so it gets a lot colder at night.

I thought it would be nice

to get warmer clothes, you know?

Tsutomu, where are you going?

[Gen] Hello? You there?

I really doubt there's anything of yours still left behind here.

-It seems I've thrown it out. -[door opens]

Though I don't even remember it.

[chuckles awkwardly]

I'm sure there will be stores there that have clothes too.

Tsutomu.

How's it going?

[chuckles]

Wow, look how tall--

Hm.

[sighs sadly]

[poignant music playing]

Gen, I was really hoping I'd get to see your Richard III.

Well, I have Henry VI coming up.

We'll definitely go. Right, Tsutomu?

[Machiko chuckles]

Stop that, you'll get drool on Daddy's scarf.

[laughs] You like it?

[inhales, sighs sadly]

Machiko.

[sniffles]

Tsutomu.

[Machiko] Why are you still here? I swear I'll call the police!

[bright instrumental music playing]

DID SOMEONE HAPPEN TO MENTION ME?

[music continues]

ACT 5: A RENOWNED ACTOR GOES TO KYOTO

[Gen] It's my first time back at the Kyoto studio

since Shingen and Nobukado, 15 years ago.

[boy] You guys are under arrest! Come back!

[Gen] When I first visited the studio,

I was only six years old.

61 YEARS AGO

Take that! [grunts, yells]

[man grunts theatrically]

You got me!

[boy yells]

[man 2] Agh!

-[boy grunts] -[woman] Agh!

GEN TAKASEGAWA (AGE 6)

Kenbo, Yumi,

when you get hit, you go down.

Hajime, you go in the water.

But that's so cruel. Come on, Gen.

-Let's go! -Oh, oh, you got me!

[Yumi] Agh!

-You're next! -[Hajime] Agh!

[Gen] Die!

Ha.

Mm.

They say in Edo

that rolling a set of dice is always worth more than--

[music stops]

[Gen] Yorozu Mantaro.

Or as I call him, my old man,

was the undisputed face of period dramas.

YOROZU MANTARO (AGE 40)

Over there.

You've left footprints behind.

On open sets like this, everything's seen by the camera.

Do you understand?

The crew works hard to maintain all of it.

You need to take your shoes off!

Uh… Okay.

-Good morning! -Good morning!

-[Yoroman] Oh, morning! -Good morning!

Excited to work with you, Yoroman.

[Gen] His breakout role, Gotcha! Oniheiji,

went on to be a hit series with more than 20 sequels.

[dramatic music playing]

In Edo, it's known that a roll of the dice,

is valued more than your honor or esteem.

[men grunting]

When you're going to die…

[men grunting]

Or will it not?

Either way…

In the earth, may you…

die!

[men grunting, yelling]

[dramatic music continues]

[man groans]

[music fades]

[exhales]

[yelps]

-[giggles] -[Yoroman] What are you doing?!

-Watch it! -[man] Go play!

Waah!

-[Gen giggling] -[crew laughing]

[man] Let's go again! Back to one!

[Yoroman] Sorry about that, everyone.

[Kariya] Wow.

-[man chuckles] Wow! -[cameras clicking]

It's just like my textbooks at school.

Look, look, look. That's the most well-known…

[Gen] Hajime!

It's you, the sword-fighting choreographer?

This is insane!

You know, it's Gen!

Not sure.

Gen, is it?

Ah. Never mind. Sorry.

Tokyo third-floor actors, right this way.

"Third-floor actors"?

Oh, 'cause we're on the third floor. You'll see.

-Ah. -Yeah.

GREEN ROOM

[indistinct chatter]

GOTCHA! ONIHEIJI THE MOVIE

-[man 1] Really made a name for yourself. -[man 2] Ah, come on, man. No way.

[man 1] You're like a god!

WIG STYLIST, COSTUMES

[Gen] Both Kenbo and Yumi from the costume department

are working to this day.

-[chuckles] -Impressive.

[woman, over PA] Third-floor actors, please head to the first floor to change.

[lively music playing]

COSTUME ROOM

COSTUMES, YUMI

[woman, over PA] Third-floor actors, once you're done changing,

please proceed to the second floor for your hair and makeup.

MAKEUP ROOM

WIG STYLIST, KEN

Third-floor actors, the bus will be arriving soon.

You'll be eating on the move.

What do you mean?

I get it now.

It certainly is a road meal.

But why can't…

Couldn't they just have let us eat our meal after we arrive?

[Hajime] Here, give it a go.

Swing at him here, then block it.

[Kariya] Okay!

Not like that. What aren't you understanding?

It's a diagonal cut.

I'm sorry. May I try once more?

-[Gen] Kariya is struggling a lot. -[Kariya] Here I go!

[Kariya yells]

Again!

Move back.

[Gen] Both his gentle demeanor and his good nature

are working against him here.

Yep.

[Hajime] Hey.

Quit grinning like that.

You'll cause a mishap.

-Yes. -[man] We're running out of daylight!

[Hajime] All right, that's enough.

Switch with someone.

If we go any longer, I'll get accused of harassing you in the workplace.

[crew laughing]

[man 2] Hey, what about Tanaka?

Yeah, come on.

[Hajime] Who's responsible for bringing this guy in?

-If you would. -Sorry.

Afternoon.

-Can you get wedges? -Okay.

[man 3] Okay, sounds good. Standing by now.

[man 4] They weren't lying!

[laughs]

The director had mentioned it.

He told me that, on set,

there's a man in the big room who looks exactly like Yoroman, you know?

[man 4 laughs]

Oh my gosh, you look just like him.

[Gen] Well, I am his son, so…

Oniheiji is my character in the movie.

Yuba. It's a pleasure.

Oh, well. Thank you.

I'm T-T… Tanaka.

You're all aware the first Oniheiji was the one and only

Yorozu Mantaro, the legend.

[chuckles]

I was his assistant and protégé.

His final one, yeah.

I was 16, so I couldn't drink,

and I was a picky eater, not eating meat or fish.

I'd sit in the corner of the banquet room by myself,

drinking orange juice and picking at dried yuba.

That's when he told me,

"You must be an adaptable actor, like yuba."

Oh, "yuba" sounded cool, so it became my stage name that day.

In Edo, it's known that a roll of the dice,

is more valued than…

In his final years,

Yoroman was bedridden with chronic illness.

But he had this to say…

"Yuba, Oniheiji's role, I'm leaving to you so he'll live on."

Roll low…

"The flame of period drama in Kyoto can not go out."

Regardless of what the outcome will be…

die!

It's taken 40 years to return to the part.

I rejected every single modern series that I got and stuck to tradition.

Oh, I thought I should grow out my hair and put it in a topknot forever. [laughs]

I think Yoroman would be pleased to see this.

Yeah, I guess all the attention's on Wetflix and Dezney Plus these days,

but what about the sword fights?

You want to watch it in cinema so it pops out, bang!

So many great fights, ah!

[yelling]

[Gen] Day five.

Kariya has disappeared from the studio.

DEAR MR. TAKU TANAKA

I suppose you could say

that he wasn't cut out for this.

SEE YOU AGAIN IN TOKYO ONE DAY JUNICHIRO KARIYA

[upbeat music playing]

[indistinct chatter on set]

[panicked shouting]

[Gen] Taku Tanaka,

for reasons beyond explanation,

is being pampered.

[man] And cut!

Tanaka!

You're a town doctor in the next scene!

Okay!

KEN AND YUMI'S BAR

-[music continues] -[Gen] Excuse me.

Thanks. Now one for you.

Uh, easy now.

Yoroman should not be the one to pour us a drink.

[laughs] You really think we look alike?

-Yeah. -It's uncanny.

-No one's told you that? -[music fades]

Not really.

Didn't he die at a younger age?

He was 58 when he died.

It was 1984.

I was turning 24.

You're quick with numbers.

I've heard that he was really harsh.

He was a lot worse than you ever heard.

Right, Yumi?

In modern days,

it's called harassment.

Hold on, this is Umemiya's.

[Yoroman grunts angrily]

[Gen] He'd just go home?

[Yumi] Walk off and go home.

For tiny things.

Bento's not very good. Handshakes were too much that day.

He'd go straight home.

He'd go home, then return the very next day,

bearing gifts for us all.

Mantaro got some snacks for us all!

[crew cheering]

Enjoy, my pleasure.

Let's eat and get back to work.

[Hajime] He was still a handful even after we started shooting.

When I would discuss the cuts with the camera crew…

Yorozu, it says here, has a close up…

[man] A close-up.

Uh, then it says here we cut to Matsukata's single.

-Then Yorozu, Matsukata… -I wondered what he was doing.

Just tallying up the number of close shots.

He wanted them for himself.

Then it's Matsukata,

Matsukata and Sensei,

then it is both Matsukata and Yorozu with swords,

and then it's Sensei, Matsukata, Sensei, Matsukata--

[Yoroman grunts]

-[man] Come back! -[Hajime] He was petty.

[Gen] That sounds just like me.

[Yuba] However… [chuckles]

…it was really impossible to hate the guy.

-[Ken] Oh, wow. Sensei, welcome. -I'll get the usual.

[Ken chuckles]

He showed me so much love,

like his very own son or a nephew.

[Yuba chuckles fondly]

I was only 16 when I met him.

I couldn't even grow facial hair yet!

He made fun of me for that.

There was one time though,

an old actor had copped a feel and--

That's not okay. That's sexual harassment.

Yorozu was furious about it and went to have a chat with the guy.

"Certificate for Firearms and Swords"?

You understand me?

[rock music playing]

It's real, this sword I'm holding.

Mantaro, it's not! [laughs]

No. Wait, wait, wait.

This is dangerous, Yoroman!

[man yelps]

[Hajime] There's a rumor that the weapons certificate was real,

but the sword wasn't.

-[laughing] -Okay, okay.

No one got hurt, so the truth remains a mystery.

Sensei would tell me, "Son,

doesn't matter if you're gay or you aren't."

"Not to me or to the camera."

However,

if you really want to succeed as an actor,

keep your personal life secret for a while.

There's no need to limit the roles you can play.

Play a range of characters,

and become a leading actor,

then announce it.

So that way,

you give courage to others

who feel the same way you do.

[sentimental music playing]

Thank you so much, Sensei.

At that time,

Yorozu was already suffering

from a serious illness.

[sentimental music continues]

Oh, no.

Oh, I made it so sad.

Is there anything you want to ask?

Ah.

The actor Kariya has gone.

[music fades]

Uh, Kariya?

Yes.

Kariya's not around, so what did he do?

Sorry, but I don't know who that is.

Who is he? Should I know?

He's a third-floor person, so you don't need to know.

A guy like that shouldn't work here, ever. Honestly.

One night, he went home. That was that.

Oh, is that so?

[Gen] He's actually a big deal in Tokyo.

Does well as an extra,

and many producers know him by name now.

[Hajime] That may be the case in Tokyo, but this is Kyoto.

We have our own rules.

When someone like that is around, the morale on set--

I'm not talking about "someone like that." I'm talking about Kariya.

I'm sorry.

Maybe all of you have worked here for so long

that you think Kariya is not good enough for Kyoto.

But Kariya was the one who got this role for me.

He's always helped me.

Oh, I see. [scoffs]

Kyoto doesn't like to welcome outsiders, right?

I'm lucky because, to you, I happen to look like one of your stars.

Because of that, I get doted on.

Yeah, what was that old rumor?

Kyoto is closed off and exclusive?

No. Not true.

Excuse me.

Ah.

A letter.

Here.

Kariya wrote it.

Please indulge me.

"Tanaka, I'm sorry."

"I never told anyone this, but my parents were huge fans of period dramas."

"Since I was a kid, I've loved old shows."

"The entire Oniheiji series on Blu-ray is on my desk."

"Yubashun…"

-That's what he calls you here. -[Yuba chuckles]

"Yubashun's the best."

"The fan club I joined is great."

-[soft, emotional music playing] -[actors grunting]

Careful! What are you trying to hit?

Sorry.

[Kariya] That's why I was so happy.

I told you, no smiling!

You'll get yourself hurt.

-I'm sorry. -I was so frustrated.

[coughing]

I felt so pathetic.

Thank you very much.

You've been sweating a lot.

You must have really worked hard.

Oh, sorry, ma'am.

I wondered why I was the only one

who couldn't fit into the world I loved so much.

[yelling, grunting]

[man] Cut! Cut!

Hey!

You're done!

Who on earth would hire this guy?

-Sorry! I'm so sorry! -[man 2] You okay?

-[Kariya] I'm no good. I couldn't do it. -Yes, I'm fine. Sorry!

I've been a fan for life.

-I want to stay a fan. -I'm so sorry!

If I stay here any longer though,

I won't be able to watch Oniheiji anymore.

I should've gotten him to autograph my script.

That's my only regret.

"I hope to see you when you get back."

So I'm hoping you can

sign this?

-Hm? -Is that okay?

Oh, sure.

There.

Thank you so much.

You really look just like him.

Yeah?

-[Yuba laughs] -[music fades]

Third-floor actors, there's a delay on set, stay ready.

Is everything okay?

[man] Okay, so it looks like we've got some…

[Gen] With only a few days left until we were supposed to wrap filming,

they started handing out a revised script.

Okay, scenes 22, 26, 44,

and 61 have been cut.

So that means you're cutting the fight scenes?

If scene 61 is cut, how the heck is Oniheiji supposed to… Oniheiji?

Does the story suddenly end?!

Well, uh…

So, yeah, he narrates the ending.

Hey, what the heck is going on here?

-What the hell? -Why?

That's because it, uh…

It'll cost less to film.

[Gen] I was starting to see how productions worked now,

how the money flowed.

And what about the wages for those scenes that were promised to us?

That was, uh, entirely my fault, and I'm sorry.

[Gen] The one who gathers the funds is the chief producer.

Unfortunately, our shoot is already way over budget.

[Gen] But it's the line producer's job to manage the budget.

Nothing else could have been cut?

Yeah, in that case,

the Tokyo actors that are here will be asked to leave.

-Huh? -We'll get nothing done!

We can't get anything done. We'll be more behind.

He's right. Tanaka's vital. You can't replace him.

-[man] Tanaka? -[Gen] Tanaka?

Oh, do they mean me?

-What? -Tanaka is filling in for Kariya.

So Tanaka has really been helping us out.

-[actor 1] Fish. -[Gen] Okay.

-[actor 2] Beef. -Beef. Yes?

-Fish. -Coming up.

-Beef. -Okay.

-Beef. -Okay, good.

Okay, eight fish and 12 beef.

Yeah, but all I do is write down bento orders.

He's the only one who can reach the high shelves for the costumes.

-We can't change the lights. -You just need a ladder--

[Hajime] No, that won't do.

Tanaka, you can't leave us so soon.

Uh… Yeah, right here.

The dead body scene, in the dining room.

That there is you.

You can do that one.

-So you're saying I'm good at dying? -Yeah.

If you go to Tokyo, you'll just say

that everyone in Kyoto is exclusive and only accept people they know.

So we can't let you do that.

Our resistance to outsiders only deepens our bond.

When we know you, we never forget you. We remember forever.

-[Gen] But you didn't remember. -[man 2] That's enough.

Even if all of us were to make a fuss here,

we're not the ones making the call. They are.

We must scale down or cancel altogether.

It's one or the other, right?

I'm sorry.

-In that case, I'm leaving. -You can't.

You can't stop now. Kariya won't be able to watch it.

Ah, yes. And of course, people like him inspire us to make these.

I'll return to Tokyo tomorrow.

Can't we at least shoot as much as we can today?

The rest, I'll leave to you.

All right!

Time to get ready!

No, no, hold on one second. That's harder than you think. Please…

Also, who knows if there will be any work in a few years.

I'm the one who gets to decide how I work.

-Is my wig on straight? -[Ken] It is.

Kariya always paid close attention to those small details.

-They keep their eyes peeled. -Yeah.

-I can't stand someone like that. -[laughing]

All right, let's do this!

-We got this! -Let's go!

[animated chatter]

[upbeat music playing]

Scene 61, shot 1, take 1.

Rolling!

Ready!

Action!

In Edo, it's known that a roll of the dice

is valued more than your honor or esteem is.

Whether it be odd or even.

[man yelling]

Roll low, or roll high.

[man grunting]

Whatever fate decides for you,

die!

[grunting, yelling]

[actors grunting and yelling in studio]

[music ends]

CLOSED TODAY FOR PRIVATE EVENT

Oh, sorry, sorry. I just came outside.

KEN AND YUMI'S BAR

[Ema] What's going on, Tanaka?

You haven't come by in a while.

The thing is, I'm not getting any money from sugar daddies, you know?

I know, I know.

Do you still think of me, or have you forgotten?

Of course I do.

I'm in Kyoto for work now.

Well, you did not tell me, so…

Tonight's the last night.

I'll see you soon.

Mm.

Bring you what?

Mm. Got it.

Good night.

Your girl on the side?

[Gen chuckles]

You could say that. Not really, though.

Careful.

Those kinds of girls can be kinda sketchy.

Oh, great working with you.

It was a little chaotic, though I think the editors can fix it.

-Thank you for everything. -Ah.

Thank you, really.

Um, can I ask you one more question?

Hm?

Yoroman, your sensei, you know…

Did he have a girl?

Ah. He had one.

Of course he did. [chuckles]

He was 56 when I became his apprentice,

but still active.

I was 22, at university.

Oh, so… that's why he wasn't around.

-You want to meet her? -Hm?

Meet who?

[intriguing music playing]

-[door opens] -[Yuba] Good evening.

Oh, no, no.

This girl is the only girl that I see.

Ichiemi, sir.

Where's the boss?

Mother!

Oh, Shun. A pleasure to see you.

[music fades]

Taku. Hello, Miss.

[exhales]

You surprised me.

Hi.

Um, you're… I'm seeing a ghost, yeah?

A strong resemblance, I know.

Ichiwaka was his final girl, you know what I'm saying?

-See that? -Be nice now, don't say that.

That was when I was 20.

Just 20?

He was over 30 years older?

[sighs]

That old man was crazy.

[sobbing] I'm so glad we finally finished it!

Thank you so much!

Oh, hey, whose is this?

Tanaka's, maybe?

[Ken] Yeah, but it says "Gen".

That's not his name though.

I thought it was Taku.

"Gen"? Huh.

That's odd. Hm.

Was there a Gen working on set?

You know, there was a Gen…

Wasn't there?

Uh… Oh, give me one sec, will you?

I can't. It's gone.

May I ask you one more thing?

Go ahead. I'll answer anything I can about Yoroman.

He was in a lot of movies and television shows,

but he… never did any stage plays, right?

Ah, I guess it just wasn't his thing, you know?

He always used to say,

"I don't know why anyone would want to do the same movements and lines

over and over again."

[Ichiwaka laughs] But he did like watching them.

He would take me with him to the playhouse.

The Minamiza.

And he'd take me to the same show.

Sensei liked Kabuki shows?

[laughs] I didn't know that.

He really liked old translations of plays, and new theater as well.

Oh.

Then why didn't he ever act on the stage?

Because he would always tell me, "That is for my son."

They say it's known in Edo,

rolling a set of dice

is always worth more than honor or esteem.

When you're going to die,

roll low or high.

Whatever it is, die! Huh!

[Ichiwaka] He would often tell me,

"My son is different from me."

"He can do the same thing over and over again."

"The second time is better than the first."

"The third time is better than the second."

Go, Gen, go!

[Ichiwaka] "The more he does it, the better he gets."

In all the love affairs,

rolling a set of dice is worth more than…

[Yoroman] He's more…

more suited to be on stage.

The cast changes all the time on TV.

At his age, right now,

he might get typecast in roles and never grow as an actor.

However, on the stage,

he can play many roles,

get some experience.

[sighs warmly]

It'd be great if he chose the stage.

[chuckles fondly]

Then we can all go to every show.

He said, "It's better…"

"It's better in the long run for me to turn down any stage roles."

He said, "I didn't really want to get involved with the theater world."

"My son has to be able to carve his own path for himself."

So that he wouldn't be compared to his father.

[breathes deeply]

That's a great story.

I'd love it if I could tell his son about it.

I wonder what he's doing now.

Maybe he got a real job.

Gosh, I think I was maybe six years younger than him.

He didn't even show up to the funeral. That's cold, right?

[Ichiwaka sighs] He used to say his son's name a lot.

I just can't remember it.

He would say it a lot. Uh, what was it again?

[Ichiwaka] Yeah, it's on the tip of my tongue.

But I can't remember.

I hate getting older. [chuckles]

Gen.

There's another reason why he never worked on stage.

[Gen] Yeah?

"Even after I'm gone, a film role lives on."

He told me that.

He wanted to be praised even after death, right?

[chuckles] Yeah.

He was on a motion picture up until three days before he died.

[Yuba] Oh, The Final Oniheiji.

He said I should do everything but the close ups.

I said "No way, they'll know it's me."

[laughs]

Well, I talked too much.

I gotta go to the restroom.

-And, Yuba, I'll call a cab, okay? -Mm-hm.

May I ask,

I'm curious, are you his son?

I am.

Now I see.

And can I ask what you do?

[Gen sighs softly]

I'm trying to

become a stage actor.

[sentimental music playing]

I wish you luck.

-[birds singing] -[sentimental music continues]

[keypad beeping]

[doorbell chimes]

[doorbell chimes]

FOR TSUTOMU

[sentimental music continues]

[sighs]

The Final…

The Final…

Where is it?

Ah, gotcha.

THE FINAL ONIHEIJI STARRING YOROZU MANTARO

[Yoroman] …the love affairs,

that a roll of the dice

is more valuable

than your honor or esteem.

[toilet flushes]

-Huh? -[Yoroman] When you're going to die…

[Gen] Oh.

-[man] You're going to die! -Oh! The Final Oniheiji!

From 1985. Too many close-ups ruined it.

[Gen] You scared me.

-Would you like some tea? -Uh, sure.

So make us two cups.

I have to finish revising a script by today.

So… why are you home?

Because I live here.

And you could have at least called.

[laughs awkwardly] Sorry.

You were discharged, then?

A while ago.

I'm working on a drama series now.

I'm in charge of directing Episode 6.

It's your debut as a director!

So exciting!

-[heartwarming music playing] -Oh, man, that's great!

You did it!

Kawashima!

You did it!

So please leave after you finish your tea.

-[music stops abruptly] -Okay.

Ah.

Back to the… sauna, eh?

Here.

What? So you got kicked out of the house?

Tanaka, all of that just sounds so sad.

[Gen chuckles]

You could stay with us? My mom's there though.

Nope.

Better not.

Why? Did you get some good news?

So Kawashima's working on a drama.

Last week, they released the first episode of the show,

and the buzz is crazy.

You mean he's… been working on

that show, Darkness of the Darkness?

Oh my God! Who's the villain?

I don't wanna know. Tell me!

No, don't say it. Who is it?

I don't want to know, don't say it. [squeals]

This is Mibu's attempt at prestige TV with zero comedy elements. Look.

Darkness of the Darkness?

Isn't that the same thing?

It's a revenge story about a reporter whose daughter was killed.

He falls into darkness and obsesses over finding the killer.

1, 3, 5, and 7, Numata directs.

A young, up-and-coming director has 2 and 4.

The leftover Episode 6 is mine.

And, you know,

all of our hardcore fans have a lot of theories online.

Oh, what are they?

[quirky music playing]

DARKNESS OF THE DARKNESS

THEORIES

Producer said, "I wanna be sure no one finds out who the killer is,

not until the finale."

Apparently, four writers spent six months writing the script.

And the fans guessed it right way.

[Gen] "The homeroom teacher is suspicious."

"Must be the teacher, Kanji Tsuda."

"Kanji Tsuda is the villain."

"This is Tsuda. I will be playing the villain."

"He's gotta go! We have to change it now!"

"Let's murder the teacher in Episode 5!"

"Beat him to death! Find a new villain!"

"As long as no one guesses, I don't even care!"

Just calm down.

Is the producer for this Mibu?

SELF-PRODUCED BY MIBU

[Mibu] "It can be a cliffhanger or Cliff Clavin! People just can't know!"

"I can't produce a mystery this obvious, okay?!"

"Use your brain, imbecile, and rewrite the show today!"

So now we have to rewrite the script so the villain is in my episode.

But the theorists

that are already famous, they've guessed that it's them.

And there isn't a good enough actor who can do it and isn't famous yet.

-There is. -Yeah? Who?

Not Takasegawa.

The whole country has basically forgotten who I am.

Yeah, I think that's a bad idea.

VIEWING DIARY

Here. Read this.

Huh? You read my journal?

Yeah, I'm sorry. Sorry about that.

You're not sorry! You'd do that again!

Well, yeah, of course. It's been up on the shelf for months.

It was impossible not to be curious.

[Kawashima yelps]

Look.

Here. Read this--

You already read it! You want to hear it again?

Look… you're the one who thought it and then wrote it down.

I let you stay here for free, and you read my journal?

How dare you, sir?!

-Please, just-- -Hey! What are you…

"Chushingura: The Surviving Ako Ronin."

Come on, man, just stop!

-No, but seriously, gimme! -Let me just read it!

[Kawashima sighs]

"Among the 47 ronin,

Kichiemon, played by Gen Takasegawa, was exceptional."

You wrote that, yeah? Right here. That's what you said about my work.

"His father was a movie star,

the Oniheiji's leading actor, Yorozu Mantaro."

"No wonder he stood out. If I were to compare him…"

And then the writing got messy.

Look at that. I couldn't read it.

So I went and hired a handwriting expert to decipher what was written.

You got an expert? For real?

I couldn't just leave it hanging.

I wanted to know what you wrote about me before we met each other.

Here.

Read this part.

For me.

-"His acting is like an American car." -Mm-hm.

"He's powerful, but he has lots of quirks and breakdowns."

"Unfortunately, there is no director who can handle that."

"A shame for Japanese cinema."

"He mainly works on stage, but I'd like to work with him someday."

[Gen cries quietly]

[sniffles]

-That is so moving. -You're being so weird!

And besides, I can't forgive what you did!

That's enough!

Kawashima,

I want you

to represent me.

[bright music playing]

Here we go.

[Gen] Ever since I started focusing on theater…

I'll take a photo.

[Gen] …I'd make fun of actors in dramas. I thought they were playing it safe.

I felt like they had sold their souls to television.

Let's put a wig on, to hide your face more.

Right.

DARKNESS OF THE DARKNESS DRESSING ROOM, MR. TAKU TANAKA

But now, I can honestly admit

that I was jealous.

I was frustrated that I wasn't being cast.

Being offered a role and turning it down

is not the same as never being cast at all.

It's a world of difference.

[camera clicks]

This is where Takasegawa sta…

No.

MR. TAKU TANAKA

This is where I stand now, as Taku Tanaka.

[woman] Taku Tanaka is coming to set.

[Gen] Kawashima gave me a chance.

I have to make him proud.

And now, let me introduce

in the role of the villain,

this is Taku Tanaka!

-Grateful to be here! -Thank you.

[crew applauding]

And now, our outstanding director,

Kazuki Kawashima!

Thank you all so, so much!

Thank you.

Okay, let's run through it all.

Scene 5.

You won't show your face in this scene, so you can stand over there.

Okay, everyone is busy at their desks.

Aihara is out on assignment.

[Gen] This is my first time on set for a streaming drama.

Everything about it was so new to me.

[Kawashima] Ready…

[Gen] First off,

it's almost completely paperless now.

Hardly anyone is holding a paper script.

It's all digital.

Breaks are exactly 90 minutes.

Their shifts are strictly scheduled,

and some crews even provide babysitters and nurseries

for working parents.

The gender ratio in each department is basically 50-50.

-It's unfair to compare them to Kyoto… -[man] Hey, secure the cord.

[Gen] …but one thing is for sure, they're young and hungry.

-Sorry. -[man] It's okay. I used to do the same.

[Gen] Seasoned veterans with skills and experience

give guidance to the younger crew…

-[man] There. -[Gen] …who have high aspirations.

Thank you very much.

[Gen] Everyone is deeply committed to producing high-quality dramas,

even in a tight window of time.

Craft services is stocked with light foods instead of heavy.

Rusks.

Macarons.

Kohi.

There's a coffee maker,

so that the brew is always fresh.

-[man] So tempting. -[woman] Yeah.

Show me, because we need to rehearse.

[man 2] The key light is weak, add more.

[Gen] A 4K monitor…

[man 2] Key light!

Oh, yeah!

[Gen] Kohi again.

[music ends]

Comfortable chairs for talent.

Kohinata, a little to the left.

Like this?

[man 2] No, your other left. That was to the right.

How do you not know stage left from right?

[laughs] So sorry!

Kohinata?

[quietly] Hello!

Hey, it's been a while, Gen.

Oh, wow!

-You're Kohi, right? -[laughs]

I knew you looked familiar! It's really you!

-What are you doing? -Shh!

I bet it's actually fine.

Almost everyone has forgotten us.

Yeah? From the vaccine, right?

-You too? -So strange! It was the shot.

My life was gone!

Hey, Kohinata! Gotta be careful!

-What if someone got hit with that? -I'm sorry!

[Gen] I wasn't the only one

who was forgotten!

[bright instrumental music playing]