Original subtitles

I can sing again.

Who are you?

Who?

What do you mean, 'Who'?

Katsuo?

Katsuo!

It's me, your mom!

Why are you running away?

I'm your mom!

Son! It's me!

Resurrection

Mr. Kawada.

Meet Prof. Kanzaki.

Hello.

My name's Kawada. I'm from the Welfare Ministry.

I'm Kajiwara, from the Prefectural Office.

You must be tired, but I'd like you to see him right away...

...the boy in question.

Aso is your hometown. Right?

Yes.

Will you be staying with your parents?

No. They live in Hakata now.

The boy's mother, Saki Naito, is Prof. Kanzaki's aunt.

During the war, her son went missing.

Her husband was killed in action.

She never remarried. She's been living alone ever since.

I understand she's very old.

Eighty-six.

But she's in good shape.

Not a bit senile.

Just one thing in your report.

It says she still has Katsuo's umbilical cord.

You checked the boy's DNA and found them identical.

It means they're...

The same person.

Katsuo.

Katsuo.

Won't you answer our questions?

It would be a big help.

It would help your mother, too.

You must be surprised yourself, aren't you?

Katsuo, is that your school?

I see.

So you're in the picture, right?

Which one? This one?

Then... this one?

So this is Katsuo.

Who's this boy?

Kunimitsu?

He was a good friend of yours, right?

One more question.

Where were you before you came here?

In the forest.

That day I was playing with him in the forest.

Later I realized I'd lost him.

But we knew all the forest paths.

So I went home and left him behind.

But he never came back.

I still have the flower pot Shunsuke bought for me.

Whenever I look at it,

I feel like he'll appear before me.

I've thought of throwing it away.

But sometimes, on a sunny day, I put it out on the veranda.

When I scattered his ashes in the sea, I thought I could forget him.

But the pot reminds me of him...

Perhaps I should throw it away.

I don't think so.

Is the flower beautiful?

It was supposed to be.

That's what Shunsuke wanted me to see.

He watered it too much,

even though I warned him not to.

I get angry with myself because I can't make up my mind to get rid of it.

I get so mad at myself.

You get mad at yourself? It means you're improving.

Is that so?

Aoi!

Kana!

You want a ride?

Going home?

Hello.

How were the waves?

The best!

Not quite.

It's been a long time.

Let's go.

Pop Flash presents RUI's latest song.

There was a rumor that she was dead. It worried her fans.

But she came back with a new song.

Heita!

Hi!

You should have told me you were coming.

Don't be so surprised.

Why not?

You look shocked.

Don't touch these things.

It's been years.

Yes. Have you gained weight?

What? Is that the first thing you say after such a long time?

Glad to see you well.

Didn't I have an envelope with me? About this size?

I don't know.

Have you eaten?

How about going out for a drink?

I'll get changed.

Don't bother.

I want to feel relaxed.

You're as un-sexy as ever.

Have a beer.

You came here on business?

Ever heard of the term, spirited away?

"Spirited away?"

A boy who disappeared 58 years ago has suddenly returned, still a child.

You mean resurrection of the dead?

To the Town Hall?

He reported his wife died, but he wants us to delete it.

Another case like Katsuo.

I see.

After she passed away, I was all alone.

I had no one to talk with.

I was just waiting to die.

Suddenly last week, when I was in my garden,

I found her standing behind me.

I thought the day had come at last.

Then she said...

"I'm back."

What did you do at that time?

My memory stopped when he took my hand in the hospital.

I remember nothing after that.

Then I found myself in the garden looking at his back.

I thought he lost weight, that's all.

I see.

They don't look like liars.

Kajiwara.

Are we near Katsuo's house?

Yes. Fifteen-minutes' drive.

You think there's some connection between them?

Good, isn't it?

Try the cuttlefish, too.

I bet your diet is terrible.

Aoi.

What do you think?

About what?

About... you know what.

Impossible!

A dead person comes back to life?

Who would believe it?

You're contradicting yourself.

Why?

You said they didn't look like liars.

Well, that's what I think.

But what's impossible is impossible.

That makes no sense.

So what?

It's your job to figure it out.

I'm merely helping out.

You haven't changed.

Why should I?

I'm helping myself to some radish.

Now, eat!

This is huge.

Looks hot.

It's good.

Good, isn't it?

It's hot!

Shunsuke found this place.

Shunsuke? He couldn't tell good food.

You think so too?

Sure.

You're right.

I gave him all kinds of good food, but he didn't like it.

The only food he liked was this hotchpotch.

He was a funny guy.

How about a beer? We don't have to work tomorrow.

Fine.

You know? You started working here two years ago today.

Time flies.

I never kept a job so long. I like this one.

Why?

Because you're here.

Is something wrong?

I can't sleep.

All right. I'll put her to bed.

Don't worry.

My little princess, be a good girl.

Did you have a bad dream or something?

Reiko.

Reiko!

What are you doing? We're closed.

Who are you?

Me?

I'm Hideya.

I work here.

Who are you?

Shuhei...

I don't believe it. Her dead husband?

Back to life again?

Ridiculous! It can never happen!

I'll never believe it!

Never!

No way!

It can't be!

Hideya?

Yuichi?

My brother?

My older brother, Yuichi?

Yuichi!

Don't cry.

You're back!

Mr. Principal!

You know who's responsible for my son's death!

You knew he was being bullied by his classmates!

I demand a proper investigation!

You can't let my son die in vain!

Yamada!

Yamada...

Katsunori?

What are you doing here?

And the press?

I told them the boy revived.

Tell me something.

What did you do before the funeral?

I put a rope around my neck.

We can talk more later.

He's all right.

Even... his scars are gone.

Scars?

The rope scarred his neck when he hung himself.

Not only that.

His heart had stopped, so I cut open his chest to massage it.

And there's no trace of that either?

I'd say...

He didn't just come back to life. He's been resurrected.

Town Hall (Resident Services)

Excuse me.

Well... it's like this...

It's OK I'll explain. This boy is actually my elder brother.

It's shocking, I know.

Never mind. I'll explain.

Tell me your story. This way.

Well...

Tell me...

Are you taking my husband away?

No. We only want to hear his story.

Really?

I'd like to ask you some questions.

What did you do before you came here?

I remember quite well.

Just before you died?

Yes.

It was reported that you died from a blow to the head.

I tried to stop a fight, but I got hit.

I left my wife in misery.

We had a new-born girl.

I was a fool.

What are you saying?

I was just about to forget you.

Do you know how much I suffered these last three years?

The least you could do is apologize!

I'm sorry.

I'm sorry.

I always cried in my heart...

"Help me, Shuhei!"

"Please come back to me!"

Then...

Suddenly the door opened...

Can an ardent wish bring back the dead?

Shunsuke!

I thought you said you didn't believe it.

I'm such a fool.

Carry out your investigation, Kajiwara.

How many people revived?

Why did it happen? Make it clear.

Do it quick.

It's just as I wrote in my report, chief.

It's all true and correct.

No, there's no public unrest yet.

The press might ask about it, but I don't think they should know the truth.

You can't believe it, can you? Me, either.

But it's true. The unbelievable is happening.

Anyway, find the ones who came back to life.

If you find any, check their mental state and ask them to cooperate.

Be careful not to make them or their families feel embarrassed.

We can't let any news of these resurrections leak out.

Kawada.

This is Tachibana at the Town Hall.

There are two more groups here.

I see. Send me their data first.

I'll get right on it.

Heita, about what happened...

Are you worried about me?

No.

Jerk!

I can't believe it. I just can't believe it.

How are you?

Good appetite?

No problem emptying your bowels, then?

I'm sorry. Did I offend you?

Has anything changed?

No.

Everything's the same as before.

I'm bored.

Why?

Why did I come back to life?

Hello.

I'm here with my brother.

Is that so?

Sit down.

How's the shop doing?

I still work there.

Reiko can't run it alone.

If a dead man cooks for the customers,

they'll be so surprised they might spill their noodles.

In a sense, that might be interesting.

I see.

Most people would be glad to see the dead come back to life.

But some aren't, like me.

I've been in love with the widow for two years.

But my dead brother came back, too. That makes me happy.

Our parents died when we were little.

We were bounced from relative to relative, then they put us in an orphanage.

No thanks.

My brother was bright and witty.

Not only that. He was so level-headed.

I thought he'd grow up to be a combination of Edison and Lincoln.

Then he caught a bad cold and died.

I was left alone.

I'm so glad to have him back.

But what do you think?

About what?

Can this phenomenon really go on forever?

Kawada.

Excuse me.

The rumor is spreading in town.

What will we do?

Nothing.

But...

What do you think?

If you heard the dead had come back to life, would you believe it?

No.

If we make a funny move now, it might confirm the rumor.

I understand.

Kajiwara.

Is there anyone you want to come back?

Me?

I don't know.

There wouldn't be much point in my parents coming back.

On the other hand,

if my daughter died now,

I'd wish her to come back even at the cost of my own life.

Heita!

Hey, watch it!

You're slowing down.

Not really.

What?

Is Tokyo a nice place?

Yes.

Got a girl?

Sort of.

Why not bring her here?

I don't know. Lots of things.

Really?

Can I propose to Aoi?

Why do you need my permission?

I need it.

She'll ask you.

No she won't.

Yes, she will.

When I first told her I liked her she went and talked to you.

She told me later.

If you'd told her not to go out with me, she might not have.

So she'll ask you again.

I'm sure she'll call you in Tokyo.

What are you guys whispering about?

Hey, don't jump me like that!

What were you talking about?

It's just between us.

Ya, guy talk.

What's that supposed to mean? I hate being left out.

Come on!

I can't catch it.

Let's go.

Throw it again.

Shunsuke!

Kawada speaking.

Heita?

Shunsuke...

He drowned... in the ocean...

Aoi?

Hello?

Hello?

The day we had our first date, it was pouring.

It was very cold.

You came without an umbrella. You were soaking.

I left my umbrella on the train.

Sonoko...

My child?

Sachiko.

"Sachiko"

Hideya.

It's time to go.

You don't understand.

It's tearing me apart inside.

Where are you going?

Work.

What does it look like?

Salad?

The sun?

Fireworks?

Flowers?

A rabbit?

You think it looks like a rabbit?

Why?

Because its eyes are red?

Sonoko was physically too weak to have a child.

But she didn't give up.

She died giving birth to you.

My father told me all about you. That's why I chose this job.

It brings me joy every day.

Thank you, Mother, for giving me life.

Sachiko.

"You stink!"

"Creep!"

"Drop dead!"

I'm sorry I killed myself to get even with you.

It wasn't funny!

The data show the strange phenomenon started in the forest.

It slowly spread wider to include the town.

It might have some connection with this.

We'll have to examine them more closely

at an institution that can conduct DNA and virus testing.

Send some of them to Kumamoto tomorrow.

What if something irregular is found?

The government will do the rest.

What do you mean?

They'll be isolated, or...

Kawada! Kanzaki!

Come over here, will you?

We analyzed the gravitational field around the crater.

There's some sort of inexplicable disturbance.

Right?

Take a look at this.

Look. This is the crater where we are.

This is a map of where the people came back to life.

Let's show them in order of appearance.

The closer to the crater, the sooner they appeared.

Yes.

Moreover, when you overlay a map of the area of gravitational disturbance...

All the people are within the area.

Oh, one more thing. Take a look at this.

It's the locations of their graves.

Their graves?

They're also within the area.

Let me see Shunsuke.

What?

He's here, isn't he?

He's come back, hasn't he?

Don't be silly!

Wait! Please!

No!

Wait! Please!

He's there in your room, isn't he? Let me see him!

Let me in!

Heita.

She was in love with Shunsuke too.

So I...

It's really that difficult to forget Shunsuke?

You really want him back that much?

You love him that much?

You don't know anything.

How should I know?

I don't understand.

How much you loved him...

How much he loved you...

How the hell should I know?

To make a dead man come back to life,

you need more than just an ardent wish.

You also need part of his remains,

like hair or ashes.

We scattered his ashes in the sea, didn't we?

He won't come back.

He died a long time ago!

There's no need be afraid of a university laboratory.

Please get it over with quickly. My students are waiting.

It'll be good for you, too.

It'll prove that you're just ordinary human beings.

Right?

Shunsuke?

Heita got mad at me.

Mr. Kawada.

A signal from the crater.

A signal?

It's very faint.

I changed the waves of the signal to a create visible image.

It looks...

It looks like a living thing?

What is it?

I don't know.

But...

As I watch it, I feel that...

...I somehow feel an emotional connection.

No thanks.

Do you have any children?

No.

Kawada! They're gone! Disappeared!

Morishita...

You...

Naomi.

Go away!

Open up, Naomi!

Let's go.

Morishita.

Back there, I was...

Never mind. Nothing can surprise me.

You can't go neglecting your work.

My patience has a limit.

Cheer up.

As long as you're alive, your time will come.

Really?

Really.

You sure?

Maybe.

What do you mean, maybe?

Don't try to take him away again.

When he crossed the border of the area,

he returned to the one who had wished him back to life.

Are they...

real flesh and blood?

Probably some unknown substance or energy from the crater

responded to those people's love for the dead.

Perhaps it interacted with the remains of the dead in the area

to reproduce the physical forms of the dead.

Shunsuke...

He donated his organs.

Kawada. This gentleman wants to talk about Aoi.

We have a serious problem.

We hesitate to ask her directly about her identity.

We found this in the smashed car.

Mizuno at the wheel and Kanae beside him died when the car went over the cliff.

For your information, the blood on this envelope is Type A.

Mizuno and Kanae were both Type O.

Do me a favor. Keep it a secret from her for a while.

Please!

It was me who called her back from the world beyond.

Hi!

Have you eaten yet?

I'm stuffed! The Mongolian bar-b-que in Aso is the best.

You eat like a man.

What's it to you?

Heita.

I think I'll leave this town after all this trouble is over.

I'll study children's psychology in Tokyo.

I'd like to become a children's counselor.

It's not too late, is it?

If I live in Tokyo,

will you visit me?

Sure

Really?

Really. Why not?

Cheers!

Happy birthday!

And now a word from my brother.

Shuhei. Reiko. Thanks for this nice pull-on.

It looks good on you.

Hideya, thanks for the new baseball glove.

Mina. Thanks for this lovely stuffed animal.

Thank you all.

Beyond all expectations, I've reached my fifteenth birthday.

My fourteenth year was rough but good.

Now I'm teaching at a cram school, despite my lack of qualifications.

Hideya isn't so bright, but he's trying hard in his own way.

As his brother, that makes me very happy.

Now, Yuichi, blow out the candles.

Yuichi!

Shuhei!

Are you all right?

You heard it too, didn't you?

Yes.

It's about time to close up the shop.

What's that? What do you mean?

No! Don't go away! Don't leave me again!

Reiko!

No!

It can't be true!

There's a swelling in her head.

She needs an operation, but

it'll be a difficult one.

How difficult?

The probability of success 30 percent.

Even if she survives, I'm not sure she'll wake up again.

No!

Please do it.

Katsuo.

What's the matter?

Katsuo?

Tomorrow evening... everyone will be gone.

Who's "everyone?"

Everyone like you?

Aoi, too?

Katsuo.

I'm a terrible person. I hate myself.

I know a woman.

She desperately wants her lover to come back to life.

But I didn't want him to.

Not him, of all people.

I have to go.

I can't let her go without knowing the truth.

Thank you, Katsuo.

Hey, you!

You can't come in here!

Who are you?

I'm Kawada.

Kawada? From where?

Chief! Are you okay?

What are you doing?

Let me go!

Stop struggling!

Let me go!

Hold him down!

Let me go!

What do you want?

My friend's donated organs.

I want him to come back.

Let go of him. It's all right.

Maybe you won't believe me.

This one.

They were sent to Kagoshima last month.

I'll have them give you what's left.

Thank you.

But why?

My wife came back to life, too.

"Aoi"

I can't get in touch with him.

He's out.

"RUI Performs Live in Utase, October 5, 2003"

Eh? That's today!

Hideya, calm down.

Hideya.

Hideya.

Tonight we return to the land of the dead.

So...

If Reiko dies, it's her destiny.

She and I will be together again.

But...

If she survives the operation,

please take care of her.

Tell her that me being here was all just a dream.

Don't be ridiculous!

What do you think you're saying?

Have you forgotten about Mina?

Your daughter?

You'll be together with Reiko again?

What about Mina?

Hideya. Don't worry about Reiko.

She won't die. She'll wake up.

How can you tell?

I don't know.

But I can tell.

Shuhei, too.

So he's asking you to take care of her.

But...

You can do it.

Will you go, too?

No!

When I realized how much they hated me,

I couldn't breathe.

I love you.

Me, too.

I'll never forget you.

Hello?

Heita?

I found it!

I tried to call you. Where are you?

Kagoshima. I got Shunsuke's remains.

What for?

I'm sorry.

I knew all along...

How to bring him back.

He was an organ donor.

His organs are gone, but his cornea still remains.

I searched for it all last night.

I found it here.

It's not that.

Listen.

If I bring it back, he'll revive.

But you don't understand.

Let's meet at RUI's show in Utase tonight.

I'll take him there.

Got a cell phone?

You'll get your car back tomorrow.

Be careful with it, I just bought it.

Hideya, live straight and true.

You can do it. Be happy.

Your brother, Yuichi.

"To Hideya"

Tonight at seven, in Utase, Kumamoto,

RUI will perform

after two years' absence...

Shunsuke, why did you leave Aoi behind?

She needs you.

Not me.

Come back! Let me hit you just once!

Love cannot wait for daybreak,

But there is no way of meeting you.

I just long for your touch

All through the night.

I let my dark hair fly away

Into the sky in moonlight.

It will become the bond

That ties you and me.

Dreams are mysterious.

They guide us to eternity

Where we part with each other.

Love is lost in chaos.

How stupid I was in my life!

But I found happiness in it.

Love is something to live for.

I cannot hide it in my mind.

The moon is hazy tonight.

I fear I cannot sleep.

The clouds flow in sadness,

They dim the moon and stars.

Since heaven and earth parted,

Destiny has somehow changed.

Where will it start?

Where will it end?

Show us where it leads.

I cannot revive now

Because you are gone.

I'm alone in this world.

All I need is you,

No one else but you.

Even at the cost of my own life,

I want you to revive.

I cry and cry so sadly,

Like the lonely, hazy moon.

Muffled in the morning mist,

My love for you glows like embers.

Though left alone in solitude,

My passion flies after you.

The wind is soft around me,

As if caressing a rose on the hill.

It embraces the thorn as well.

Wind, impart my love to her.

I fell in love, that's all.

Let me tell you what my wind carries.

Even in a wilderness,

Without any flowers or buds,

Love blooms in my heart.

The red flower of love

Will never wither and die.

Aoi?

Hello. Heita?

I'll be there soon.

Where are you?

Wait there for me.

Words of love are

Like drops of moonlight.

Words of sorrow are

Like visions of bubbles.

Words of temptation are

Like whisperings of love.

Voices of war are

Like the shrieking of cicadas.

At the far end of time

The temperature of love falls.

Memories of the past fade

Into the vague and oblivious.

Heita!

You okay?

I'm already in the area.

No! You don't understand.

I want to see you, Heita!

Heita, I'm going to disappear.

I'll never see you again.

You're near the border of the area.

What do you mean?

Cross it!

But...

Run! Run south!

Emotions of love

Fly through the sky,

Above the clouds,

Far away to heaven.

But sorrow remains,

As drops of moonlight

Softly wash it

With the evening dew.

Desire for love

Makes your wishes

Come true at last,

In secret tonight.

But sorrow remains,

As drops of moonlight

Softly wash it

With the evening dew.

The crescent moon

Sings of love

That will last

To eternity.

Run, Aoi!

Heita!

What about Shunsuke?

Why doesn't he revive?

Heita! It's all right.

I missed you.

I wanted to see you.

Pig.

Jerk!

To tell the truth...

I always loved you.

In my heart,

I've always loved you.

Why didn't you tell me sooner?

I wanted to be with you much longer.

Don't go!

After everyone returned to the dead, I stayed on

to investigate their bereaved families.

Strangely,

most of them seemed very peaceful.

After the ones they loved were gone, they knew what they'd lived for.

The people who came back helped us in this world...

to find the meaning of life. We're the ones who really revived.

My dearest...

No. It's not true.

It's only a fantastic whim.

We lost our love just as we came to realize it.

What did I get out of it?

I found the answer later, thanks to this teenager.

She lied about her age to get the cafeteria job.

She remembered Katsunori Yamada, her classmate.

"It's a great sorrow to have lost him," she said. "I'm very sad.

But I always recall this verse of a song by RUI.

Even if only for a minute or a second,

If I can have someone I really love,

I think of my life as happy.

As long as I bear it in mind,

I'll have the courage to live on."

That's the answer.

It's the answer I'd been searching for.

Mr. Kawada.

It's time.

Three months later, Heita was struck by a faint premonition.

It was time for him to start a new life.

Directed by AKIHIKO SHIOTA