Original subtitles

If all the world's cats were to vanish,

how would the world change?

If I were to suddenly disappear,

who on earth would grieve for me?

You may not believe it...

but all this actually happened to me.

The truth is...

I'm about to die.

This will be the first letter I write to you,

and it will be my last

So these will be my parting words.

Here's your mail, Mrs. Yamada.

Hello...thank you so much.

Three letters, today.

Thank you.

Take care. Are you eating well?

Yes, don't worry. Bye...

- See you tomorrow. - See you.

Hey, Tsutaya.

I'm returning this.

My name's Tatsuya.

Whatever. Here's today's movie.

A little more challenging than usual.

- Don't think. - "Just feel".

Bruce Lee in "Enter the Dragon".

Thanks.

Doesn't that routine get boring?

- Listen, honey... - My name's Mika.

- I got movie tickets... - Forget it.

My life had been a happy one.

The past stretched forward to a boundless future.

Not that I ever thought about the future.

I just took each new morning for granted.

Brewed some coffee, fed the cat,

grabbed breakfast, then headed to work.

I simply assumed every morning would continue like this.

It's a brain tumor.

Close to the brain stem and quite enlarged.

We won't know until further tests but I'd assume it's malignant.

Will I die?

It's a serious situation. Tricky to operate on, too.

How much longer will I live?

It could turn nasty at any point.

A rupture would result in a fatal cerebral hemorrhage.

You need to get to hospital for intensive testing.

Are you okay?

That was all in my imagination.

Where were we?

About the admissions procedure...

At that point, I realized something.

When people lose all hope, they don't actually go to pieces.

I just wondered how many more films, I'd get to see?

How many books I could read?

What a shame that I'd just stocked up on shampoo,

or that I'd nearly got a credit on my dry-clean loyalty card.

My head was full of things like this.

I'm home.

Welcome back.

Jeez, what a shock!

People always react like that.

Take a seat, let's talk.

What?

You look like me...

May I have your name?

May I have you guess?

Are you Death?

Not really...

The Devil?

Okay... I'll go with that.

- I'm the Devil. - But...?

No time for explanations. What'll you do?

What do you mean?

You're going to die pretty soon.

Tomorrow, actually.

Tomorrow?

Right. You're dying tomorrow.

"How do you know that?"

Anyway. I'm here to tell you tomorrow's the day.

A great shame, of course.

You're happy to die like this?

I don't want to die.

Right? So there's one way to avoid dying.

A way not to die?

Can I ask...

"What are you?" I'm the damn Devil. Concentrate for chrissakes!

Here comes the pain again.

It gets stronger each time.

Not much time left.

Do you really mean it?

About a way to avoid death?

Agree to one thing and I prolong your life. Piece of cake...

What does it involve?

I erase something from this world so you get another day of life.

Those are the terms.

Erase?

Erase what?

Come on, there's tons of stuff we can get rid of.

The world's full of unnecessary crap.

Playing cards are useless.

Do we really need Rubik's Cubes?

I understand.

You decided? Good lad.

In that case...

It's parsley.

Please get rid of that.

How dare you? That's not how it works.

Stupid fool. I decide what we lose.

- That's not fair... - Give up, then?

You have to lose something in order to gain.

That's the rule in this world.

So then...

- What can it be? - Let me see...

What might it be?

Goddamn!

Sorry.

Hello?

Actually sir, tomorrow's not good.

I'm sorry.

Actually, may I take the week off?

I'm not feeling well...

Sorry for the trouble...

Thank you so much.

That's it.

They're unnecessary.

Done. No more phones in the world.

No phones?

I see a look of relief on your face, "Yeah, I wouldn't mind..."

- Not at all. - Definitely.

Constantly checking the thing 24/7. It's more a pain than a help, right?

If you do get rid of them...

No "ifs", they're vanishing.

Don't piss me off like this.

I'm sorry...

You won't call anyone? It's your last chance.

Of course I will...

Seagull Watch Shop

So many entries yet no one you want to call.

Of course, there is.

Oh, yeah? Anyway, one more day in return for the phones.

Enjoy your last day with a phone.

You just thought, "it's all a bad dream", right?

Seagull Watch Shop

Just let him stay one night.

Then it'll be impossible to return him.

Take him back.

- I fixed it. - Thank you.

Please take care of this kitten.

He sure is cute, though...

but I'm allergic to cats.

Okay, shall we give it a try?

Really?

We should give him a name.

How about "Lettuce"?

Farm Fresh Lettuce

Okay, Lettuce.

That's settled.

Lettuce, come here.

Lettuce, come to me.

Come here.

He's supposed to be mine but now he's yours.

Cause you don't look after him.

Right, Lettuce?

You don't sneeze at all.

Yes, now you mention it...

Give him to me.

He's mine.

No, he's mine.

Limelight

Minato Cinema

Long time, no see.

Yes, it's been a while.

Sorry to bother you...

Not at all.

Why the unexpected call?

It's just that phones...

What about them?

I just... wanted to phone you.

Why?

Let's suppose...

...you'd die unless phones disappeared from the planet.

I was wondering who'd be my last call.

Still need to make up stories to face your issues, huh?

Is that why you called?

Something like that, yeah...

Isn't there someone else who deserves your last call?

Mother...

It's fixed...

...your watch...

What the hell are you doing?

How come you didn't come see her?

What's wrong with you?

Things better with your dad?

Nope.

I see.

Your mother often said she wished you'd get along.

I never heard that.

I kept seeing her even after we split.

You did?

She taught me to cook, we got our hair done together...

Your hair?

I had no idea.

So why meet up with an old girlfriend?

Sorry. Hadn't really thought it through...

I just felt like calling.

What's up with your mouth?

A crown fell out this morning. Sorry.

There's no need to apologize.

Where were we?

I said I felt like calling.

A phone call...

That takes us back, huh?

Hello?

Hello? Is this...

...the Seki residence?

No, it's not.

I'm sorry...

Is that "Metropolis"?

You're watching Fritz Lang's "Metropolis"?

Yeah, I am...

Near the end, right?

They're about to drown but don't worry they escape at the last minute.

Sorry, I ruined it. Forgive me.

Not at all. I'm glad.

I was just worrying that it'd be a sad ending.

Now I can just relax and enjoy it.

Do you like movies?

Yeah but I'm not very informed.

I have a friend who's a total expert.

He's educating me about film. His name's Tsutaya.

That was such a coincidence.

Fancy a wrong number coming from a fellow student...

For sure.

But even when we began dating we never talked properly like this.

Exactly.

It was great to see it again.

Winona Ryder's so different as a blonde.

Right...

Do you prefer her with dark hair?

Well, I guess...

Did you even notice?

On the phone you were so chatty.

I got nervous face to face.

That's why I loved our phone conversations.

Especially the ones after a date.

Are you at home yet?

Yup, just got here.

I meant to tell you, I found this great band on the internet.

I'll send the YouTube link.

What's it called?

It's a Russian band, I think.

Idle chitchat about books and music...

yet you'd go on as if it was earth-shattering...

We were only a 20 minute walk apart yet we'd talk for hours...

It would've been faster to meet up.

We'd talk until morning, then fall asleep on our dates the next day.

We'd miss our train stop all the time...

As if we dated in order to call each other.

It was such fun.

Then why...

Why did we go our separate ways?

It's not like we grew to dislike one another...

Sometimes that's just how it goes...

Where are you going?

Toilet.

You still live here?

Couldn't be better for work.

For sure.

I'll say goodbye here.

Hey, get that tooth fixed soon, okay?

Thank you for seeing me today.

About what you said earlier...

I don't want phones to vanish.

Without them, we'd never have met.

I guess you're right but...

the thing is...

I'll be dead soon.

What?

A terminal brain tumor...

I had no idea.

Enjoyed your last date?

Isn't it wonderful to be alive?

All those phones...

Guess we're done with them now?

Gakuyudo Stationary

I don't want phones to vanish.

Without them, we'd never have met.

It can't be...

What the hell?

Who are you?

I'm sorry...

So, what's next?

You want to keep living, right?

What did you do to her?

What? When something's gone...

all associations with it, go too... thoughts, relationships, all of it.

At least you got another day to live.

So, on to the next thing I'm deleting.

This stuff...

Let's get rid of all movies, in return for another day.

Sacrificing things as I go...

how long do I struggle to survive?

Shall we go get lunch?

Excuse me...

You like movies, right?

Do you?

Sure. I've been going to the local theater since I was a kid.

The Minato Cinema?

Did you see "Underground"?

Yes, I did.

Lucky devil.

I missed Kusturica's masterpiece.

I'll never forgive my appendix.

Your appendix?

I was in the hospital having it removed.

I'll always regret missing that on the big screen.

I see...

How was it?

What do you mean?

Your thoughts?

The wedding scene is now part of film history.

When that island floats off down the Danube!

That above all, deserves a proper viewing.

I'm sorry... I didn't quite get it.

What kind of films do you like?

Well, let me see...

"Life's a tragedy when seen in close-up, but a comedy in long-shot."

Charlie Chaplin's words.

A movie like your life. Not too intense, no huge conflict.

Neither heavy nor lightweight.

The dialogue stays with you long after.

Thank you.

I'll get the next movie ready for you.

Like that Tsutaya DVD service.

My name's Tatsuya, though.

Thanks for this.

This one's for today.

"The Man Who Stole the Sun"

Thank you.

This is for today.

I forgot.

This is for today.

This is for today.

"Buenos Aires"

- Thanks. - Films are limitless.

Our exchange can go on forever.

You're right.

To continue our discussion,

Laszlo Kovacs was the cinematographer...

'Morning, Tsutaya.

My name's Tatsuya.

Right.

What's wrong? You look pale.

Worse than usual.

How was the last movie?

Listen...

It wasn't as tricky as you thought, right?

The title makes it sound worse.

Just supposing...

before you die...

you could see one last, final film which would it be?

Get me that one.

"When I buy a new book, I read the last page first"

"So in case I die before I finish, I know how it ends"

Billy Crystal in "When Harry Met Sally".

I couldn't choose just one.

I'd be dead before I could decide.

Anyway...

Movies are going to vanish. All of them, gone forever...

I get to see one more. Please choose it for me.

"You're never really done for, as long as

you've got a good story and someone to tell it to."

There's no such thing as a last film.

There's no end to it.

Our film friendship will continue forever.

That's what I was hoping...

But it's ending...

What do you mean?

What's going on?

I can't find it.

What are you looking for?

It's no use, it's not here...

I'll help. What's the title?

The guy's dying.

Which guy's dying?

It's been my job to choose his films.

But now I can't find it.

I've been looking all day...

I looked everywhere...

Just can't find it.

Not seeing one last film?

Did you have to choose movies?

What?

Any reason?

Movies are no big deal, right? Nobody's life depends on them.

Well... but...

Some things only movies or music can do

as part of our culture.

Art and culture come before life? More important than food or water?

Life comes first, right?

Well, you're right but...

Let's get rid of them, then.

- Wait a bit longer. - All gone.

Films are limitless.

Our exchange can go on forever.

Tsutaya...

Looking for anything special?

Shall we go get lunch?

If you stay you pay rent!

I'm not a charity! Give me cash!

All right, I apologize.

I get it.

Welcome back, you love-birds.

Thanks, Tom.

Great steak, just as you said.

Right. Did you approve, too?

Yes, I approved.

Let's get drunk.

Rather be alone?

We would but we'll join you.

But we'd rather not.

Alone together, then.

Heck, come on hurry up.

The bus is coming!

In Argentina, the location of your grave

tells people your social class.

This place, for example...

is like a really posh area to end up.

The bridge over there was in "Happy Together".

"Happy Together"?

In Japan its title was "Buenos Aires".

- That's right. - I remember.

Why are you traveling around the world?

I guess I'm running away from time.

Time?

Humans are the only ones

who trap themselves by allocating life into hours and minutes.

Clocks on walls, clocks in rooms,

even strapped on our wrists...

My father has a watch store.

Whoops... sorry about that.

I'm going to live my life!

Live it for all its worth!

When you travel,

you learn that much in the world is cruel.

But at the same time,

you realize an equal number of beautiful things also exist.

I envy you...

Like meeting you guys.

Will you ever return to Japan?

I spent 18 years there.

That was plenty, right?

Suppose...just suppose

you knew you were going to die soon

and had to decide where to spend your final days...

You still wouldn't go back to Japan?

I wonder...

Never even thought about it.

Okay, I guess this is it.

Time to say goodbye.

Our paths may cross if fate smiles.

Hey, your eyes are watering.

Well, I always hate goodbyes...

I'll be on my way.

Be good to each other, okay?

Sure.

Adios.

So long.

Take care of yourself.

I don't feel like going home.

You're right.

It's a whole other way of life...

I guess it is...

Nothing changes...

Tom died but the world continues unchanged.

It's like he never even existed.

How can that be? We were so close...

I'm not sure if I'm sad or not.

If I were to die would anyone cry for me?

Or would this world...

keep turning as if nothing had happened?

I'm going to live my life!

Live it for all its worth!

I'm going to live my life!

If I were to suddenly disappear,

who on earth would grieve for me?

Would you cry for me?

"Seagull Watch Shop"

Clocks have gone, you know.

You had to do that, right?

It gave you another day of life. Good news, yeah?

Hang on.

You look pissed off.

Tough to lose a connection with someone you love?

But your own life comes first, right?

In order to gain something,

you have to lose something...

So I've decided what we lose next.

Let's rid the world of cats.

I'm home...

Lettuce won't eat a thing.

Really...

You don't have to copy me, Lettuce.

What do you mean?

Sorry about this...

the thing is...

Central Hospital Dept. of Internal Medicine

What are you going to do?

Do? There's nothing we can do.

Lettuce?

Let him sleep.

He's going somewhere beyond pain.

It was hard, wasn't it?

Sorry, I couldn't help you...

But it's okay now.

No more suffering...

Kitten for Adoption

Farm-Fresh Cabbages

Come here.

I'm home.

Where'd that come from?

I wonder...

He's so cute.

Looks just like Lettuce.

"Cabbage" this time, eh?

That's settled then.

We've got his name.

Welcome.

Cabbage

I'm sorry, but all our rooms are taken.

That can't be...

Don't worry about it.

It was my last-minute idea to come.

But...

I won't sleep rough, though.

- Fully-booked? - I'm very sorry...

Thank you anyway.

It's quite a nice room.

I think it's awful.

Shall we eat then?

It's delicious.

Thank you.

Thank you...

I want you to have this.

What is it?

For when I'm gone...

Stop that.

No farewell letters yet...

I'm going to the bath.

Cabbage?

Cabbage?

Where are you, Cabbage?

Cabbage?

- Can you hear me? - Please relax.

Prepare a strong dose of sedative.

You're in the hospital. Calm down.

Cabbage...

Mother...

As I sit and write this letter,

I know I'll soon be gone from this world.

Before that happens,

I've been thinking about what I'd like to do.

I want to eat delicious food, I want to travel a little more,

I'd like to dress up a little.

As I was considering this, I realized something...

All the things I'd like to do before I die,

are things that I want to do for you.

Sadly...

there's nothing I can do for you anymore.

So I decided to write down...

all the lovely things about you.

What makes you so special is...

That you're always on my side.

That when somebody's happy or sad...

you're always there for them.

Your lovely face when you sleep.

Your unruly hair.

Your habit of touching your nose.

The fact that you worry so much about everyone.

Ever since you were born,

my life became so precious and wonderful.

You probably can't appreciate how much.

Isn't this lovely?

It's lovely...

The day you were born,

it was a day, just like this.

Really?

What?

When you were born...

your father thanked you.

"Thank you for coming into this world", he said.

Speaking to a newborn baby.

Silly man...

I'm full of regrets now.

On your birthdays

I should've given you flowers...

or at least shown my gratitude.

You know, Mother...

did you ever have time for yourself?

For what you wanted? For your dreams?

You always put me first.

You only went shopping for me.

Never bought stuff for yourself...

You're still such a crybaby.

I'll be gone soon, you know.

Be strong.

Right, Cabbage?

You know what...

It's not that people keep cats.

It's that cats allow us to keep them.

Take care of Cabbage, okay?

I understand.

Maybe I should rephrase that.

Cabbage, take care of him, okay?

You're always dwelling on things...

but after all that fretting,

in the end, you find the right answer.

These are the beautiful things about you.

Please hold on to these all your life.

With these, you'll find happiness

and no doubt, you'll make others happy, too.

I hope your uniqueness

will stay with you forever.

Photo time.

Thank you.

Why thank me?

Thanks to you,

I realize the world is made up of so many beautiful things.

Which means...

no need to get rid of cats.

Of course I'm scared to die.

But now I know my life span,

and I can accept death calmly.

I figure this is a happy place to be.

You're me, right?

Another aspect of my hidden self.

I've been talking to myself all along?

The me who couldn't accept death...

I see...

"Thank you" isn't a bad way to end life.

His hands are shaking.

Morning, Cabbage.

It's our last morning together.

"To My Father"

Was it you who posted Mom's letter?

I held on to it for her.

She said to send it when things got bad for you.

I tried to refuse but...

she said just the thought of someone having it ready

put her mind at ease.

Is that right...

I'm so glad we met.

What can I say in this situation?

"You're never really done for, as long as

you've got a good story and someone to tell it to."

From "The Legend of 1900".

I'm so glad...

...that I loved movies.

Movies gave me...

...a best friend.

Dear Father...

If all the world's cats were to vanish how would the world change?

If I were to suddenly disappear,

who on earth would grieve for me?

Let's go, Cabbage.

If I am to disappear from this world,

I'll leave behind unfulfilled dreams...

...things I never got to do...

that will remain as regrets.

But I want to believe in a difference

between a world with or without me.

It could be something tiny,

but even that would be proof of my existence.

I'm going to live my life!

I'm going to live life...

Proof that I struggled, suffered and lived.

"Kitten for Adoption"

Keep it a secret from your mom.

Looks just like Lettuce.

"Cabbage" this time, eh?

Welcome

Cabbage

I'm home.

You didn't visit me once.

I fixed it...

Look...

Thank you

...for coming into this world

Thank you.

Takeru Satoh

Aoi Miyazaki

Gaku Hamada

Eiji Okuda

Mieko Harada

Based on the original novel

"SEKAI KARA NEKO GA KIETA NARA" by Genki Kawamura

Screenplay: Yoshikazu Okada

Directed by Akira Nagai