Original subtitles

Hello, delivery.

- Sir, there's a package for you. - Who's it from?

Ichiro Suzuki, it says.

Ichiro Suzuki? Doesn't sound familiar.

Are these cigars? What the hell? It's a bomb!

Sir, get out of here, now!

In modern society, we're bound by rules and regulations,

our fates tied to those with no connection to us.

This is no coincidence.

Industrial systems require extensive structures...

that keep our lives restrained.

Societal management gradually infiltrates even our minds,

so we wish to do as society wishes,

and we feel as if this impulse is voluntary.

Society reprograms people to act against natural instincts.

The appetite for material gain...

is completely created by advertising and marketing.

Some find false fulfillment in sports and hobbies.

Some satisfy their need for power...

by identifying with large groups and movements.

Some spend their lives content pushing ahead in the rat race.

Most workers are mere slaves,

spending their days taking orders.

Even the self-employed hold but a restricted autonomy.

Opportunities are offered by the system,

available only when abiding by their rules.

Opportunities in society always come with chains attached.

In the city, one must follow the flow of the traffic.

With their instinctive urges thoroughly suppressed,

over 33,000 people each year choose to take their own lives.

90 people per day...

Four per hour...

One every 1 5 minutes chooses death.

Society needs scientists, mathematicians, engineers.

Since society won't function without them,

children are compelled to get good grades in these fields.

For young souls entering adolescence to be shackled to their desks...

goes against human nature.

Modern technology and freedom simply cannot coexist in society.

Any attempt at reform can only lead to the system's collapse,

so it will be quashed.

Our lives depend upon the decisions of others,

and we don't even know who these decision-makers are.

The system uses propaganda...

to make the people believe they are satisfied by those decisions.

This is an insult to humanity.

The system isn't even able to satisfy human needs.

Instead, it reshapes their behavior to suit the needs of the system.

Any talk of a sense of purpose within the system...

or a right to self-determination...

is nothing but a bad joke.

We are merely being mocked by those in power.

To: Pres. Marutani Marutani Advertising From: Ichiro Suzuki

Though most are content with this industrial society,

we oppose this form of society.

This is because...

this system keeps people from their innate human purpose.

Freedom is power.

Not power to control another,

but the power to control one's own life.

If someone else controls you,

there is no freedom.

No matter how merciful,

tolerant, or generous it may be.

The only way out...

is to forsake industrial society entirely.

It's the only revolution.

You can't eat your cake and have it, too.

Those who don't care can't be saved.

The best path is to abandon...

this stench-filled society.

A god of death?

I'm disappointed in you!

I'm alive.

Who're you?

Hey...

Get out.

You never change, Brother.

Hey.

You never try to get it back.

You always give up.

Kenta...

But you died in an accident...

Whatever. Why don't you die yourself?

Took Dad's estate and retired to the mountains, huh?

How posh!

I have my reasons for being here.

Trying to be like Yuki?

Ryoichi, you'll never be like Yuki.

He's the real deal.

Says the guy who died tripping on his bike!

You got soy sauce?

Soy sauce... There it is.

I didn't trip on my bike...

just felt like taking that curve real hard.

You're an undutiful son.

- At least I don't murder people. - It's a message, not murder.

Message?

You just want attention.

You haven't been able to let go.

That's why you're not like Yuki.

He left everything and blew his brains out.

- Why? - What? Spit it out.

I dunno.

- What the hell. - But I do know one thing...

You know, too. You were always the smartest of us.

You know why our family ended up like this.

Why?

I dunno.

I dunno.

You died, you know.

What're you doing?

Ryoichi, how are you?

- Why're you here? - Seeing if my brother's alive.

- I told you not to come. - Gimme a break.

Come in.

Have some milk tea. It'll warm you up.

I collected the honey last summer.

Have an apple, too.

Looks delicious. I'll have some.

- Get into a university? - Yeah, I did, but...

I'll chip in for tuition, so get serious.

This is Yuki's book, right?

The Poems of Kenji Miyazawa.

Yeah, he insisted I read it.

He didn't give me anything.

You can have it.

I remember this photo.

From our summer camp.

The rare time Yuki and Kenta joined us.

Fun, wasn't it?

I don't remember.

It's lonely, with everyone gone.

There's still you and me.

I wonder why Yuki killed himself...

What was he unhappy about?

Why the despair?

You'll understand when you're older.

So you understand then, Ryoichi?

More or less.

Liar, you don't understand.

- You can't. - I do understand.

I don't know why he did it,

but I understand how he felt.

Sometimes, even I feel like just disappearing.

Don't be stupid.

Maybe I'll get a job instead.

We still have Dad's money.

No need to rush into slavery.

I want to live on my own power.

Then get married, and start a family.

Family... Quit dreaming.

Can't I just work?

You'll be a slave.

If I feel like a slave, I'll just die.

Then I'll be with everyone.

I see.

You should go.

That's all?

I said, go.

After Dad died, my big brother Yuki inherited his company,

but one day, he went to a mountain and killed himself.

After that, our mother fell ill,

and died of cancer.

My little brother, Kenta, as if pulled in,

died in a motorcycle accident.

Only my sister and I remained.

Our family was suddenly gone.

They all vanished into that other world.

Am I that interesting, you freak?

The creature told me...

"Turn your wishes into poetry."

"Make the world taste that apple you ate."

And "Bring the world to its knees."

Mail Bomb Delivered to TV Boss. President and Secretary Injured.

Mail Bomb Kills One. Targeted for Telecoms CEO.

Professor Receives Mail Bomb. Wooden Box Inscribed 'MC'.

"Dear Mr. Prime Minister,

"Our wish is that our poems will be run in newspapers nationwide.

"If this wish is fulfilled, no others will be harmed.

"If it is not, our battle will continue to gain in intensity,

"and destroy industrial society.

"- Monsters Club."

Done.

Good job.

Hey.

- Just stay away. - Loosen up.

It's Yuki.

Hurry and catch him, or he'll vanish again.

Yuki!

You look like you've seen a ghost.

Did you read it?

Well, not the whole thing.

I miss this cabin.

It was a bitch building it.

Did it all by myself.

I reinforced it, though.

My hunting rifle... It's still alive.

- You use it? - Yeah.

Can you gut 'em now?

I've gotten a lot better.

You sure? You used to freak out.

I've changed.

Yeah, right.

Then show me.

Gut me.

Offer my heart to the mountain gods.

I'm kidding.

Wimp.

Don't touch, they're dangerous!

Why are you here?

But you're making bombs and playing catch with them.

You haven't changed, Ryoichi.

You live in this nice, tranquil place,

yet you're still trying to change the world?

"Know thyself," Socrates said.

Fixating on your desired result won't yield good results.

People only see what they believe.

So just don't allow the world to change you.

What do you mean?

For true freedom, you have to cease to be.

It's the most dangerous,

pure,

and beautiful way.

It's your own life.

- No one can touch it. - That's cowardly. - That!

That judgmental crap is exactly what I wanted to escape.

Didn't you come here to end it all?

Sooner or later.

I don't understand any of this.

Just come to our side and you will.

Dying isn't the end.

Dying is the end.

You know...

you're always looking up, Ryoichi.

We're all riding life...

We have to get off someday.

Listen...

We're at the bottom.

And you're right here.

Looking up from the very bottom.

But from here, you can't see the guys up there.

No matter how many bombs you send, they won't reach the top.

But you see,

Earth's gravity goes downward.

The higher you go, the less oxygen there is.

It's upside down.

This pyramid is actually pointed towards hell.

We don't have to...

look down towards hell, like they do.

You have to look up.

Look up and keep walking.

They'll eventually collapse,

in a few hundred years.

But you're looking down.

That'll only drag you down to hell.

Understand?

No.

Maybe it was too difficult for you.

I'll make it real simple, then.

Hey, stop!

Tear this whole place down!

You have no home anymore,

so come to our side.

I'm not going to kill myself.

Hear that?

They're all waiting.

Let's go.

Here.

Hey, it's about time, Ryoichi.

Late as always.

You must be hungry. I made some cake.

- I'll eat it all. - You eat too much.

Here.

Give them a present.

You want...

to kill everything, don't you?

Hurry, come here.

I'm not ready to go there.

I'm disappointed in you.

Very disappointed.

You're still in love with the world.

Yuki!

To: The Prime Minister

'A Farewell' By Kenji Miyazawa

Ryoichi Kakiuchi, correct?

If you don't mind, we have some questions to ask.

It won't take long.

Mind letting us in, so we can talk?

Hey, Kakiuchi, you listening?

Hey!

Wanna blow up?

Stop!

Kakiuchi, stop! Get back here!

- Kakiuchi! - Kakiuchi!

- Look. - You brought this?

A porn magazine?

- Know why it's crazy? - Why?

It's lewdicrous!

Let's move.

Listen, Ryoichi...

You have to keep your eyes on the ball.

Whether it's soccer or golf,

don't take your eyes off it. Look at it, and kick.

That's how you score. You can be a winner.

Remember, you have to see it.

It's all about heart...

As long as you always remember gratitude,

all your wishes will come true.

I really believe in the power of gratitude.

If you play in the tournament, you'll be on TV.

- Go for it, Ryoichi. - I'll come cheer for you.

Then I'll bring my entire posse.

You still see those guys?

- Who cares anyway? - See? Pouting again.

Everyone cares, you know.

Everyone does care, Ryoichi.

- Hello. - Hello.

Here's your coffee.

Thank you.

Just a moment.

- Mikana, phone call for you. - OK, coming.

Hello, Kakiuchi speaking.

It's me, Ryoichi.

Brother?

Did you snitch to the police?

What you're doing is wrong. It's unforgivable.

Shut up, it doesn't matter.

I need to tell you something.

If Yuki or Kenta ever appear before you...

But they're dead...

Shut up and listen!

If Yuki or Kenta ever appear before you...

be kind to them.

Make them some warm milk tea.

But...

don't you dare follow them.

Okay.

Had Yuki believed in a path to another world somewhere else...

Had he been able to find...

his ideal world somewhere,

he wouldn't have had to kill himself.

Even if it was a forest with monsters,

he could've lived in relative happiness.

I found mine.

I know you can, too.

Don't ever give up.

Don't you surrender.

You stay here.

Stay here forever.

Okay, I will.

I'll be here... always.

Or else I'll blow you away, you hear?

Where are you now?

Ryoichi?

"Just how your organ's bass triplet sounded,

"you likely have no idea.

"Such joy, brimming with innocence and hope...

"had me trembling like grass in the wind.

"Should you ever learn to freely command...

"the characteristics of these sounds...

"and their fine, countless accompaniments,

"you shall do heaven's work, painful and resplendent.

"While the West's foremost musicians...

"took to strings and keys and earned their fame,

"you took up this country's very own leather drums...

"Now, among the towns and villages,

"if there are 10,000 who are your age,

"at least five possess your gift and power.

"Yet every single one of them...

"will lose in five years much of what they have.

"It will be eroded by daily life,

"or they will lose it themselves.

"All the talent, power and skill in the world...

"can't remain with a person.

"Even people don't remain together.

"I hadn't told you, but by April I will leave the school.

"You'll likely walk a dark, hard way,

"but after this, if the power you have now dulls,

"and your beautiful sound loses its precision and brilliance,

"and becomes impossible to recover,

"I will not see you anymore.

"This is because what I hate most are the masses,

"who rest in complacency upon their mediocre accomplishments.

"When the time comes - and listen carefully -

"that you fall in love with a gentle girl,

"you'll see an image of infinite shadows and lights.

"You must make music out of it.

"While others live in town,

"or waste their days away,

"you will reap the grasses alone in the field.

"With that loneliness, you will make music.

"All the insults and poverty...

"you must embrace, and sing.

"If you have no instrument...

"remember, you are my pupil...

"with all your strength, play that pipe organ...

"made of the light that fills the sky."

Eita

Yosuke Kubozuka

KenKen

Mayuu Kusakari

Pyuupiru

Miyuki Matsuda

Jun Kunimura

Director of Photography: Toyotaro Shigemori

Lighting Director: Takeshi Nakasu

Production Designer: Ryo Sugimoto

Sound: Junichi Shima

Editor: Naoya Bando

Music Supervisor: ZAK

Music: Toshiyuki Terui

Poem: 'A Farewell' by Kenji Miyazawa

Production Company: geek sight

Executive Producers: Tamotsu Kosano & Mitsuo Harada

Producer: Mamoru Inagaki

Written & Directed by Toshiaki Toyoda

English translation by Taro Goto Subs ripped & retimed by lordretsudo