Original subtitles

When the sky was still black...

This world, surrounded by walls that reach the heavens.

This world, day and night, wrapped in smoke.

This world, not knowing what is beyond.

This world, not knowing a starry sky.

My Pops called it "Chimney Town".

Because there are a lot of chimneys.

Out of the way!

Out of the way!

On his days off, Pops would...

tell the townspeople about a world without chimneys.

The last night of The Town of Night.

It's Bruno's picture card show!

A story about a bright shiny world beyond the black smoke.

But everyone called Pops a liar...

and said, "There's no such thing as stars." No one listened to him.

Until the day this town met that Garbage Man.

This is a story of the last night of The Town of Night.

Lubicchi!

If you keep looking up, you'll slip and fall!

What did everyone get?

- I got this. - Here's mine.

Well, I got this.

How about you, Garbage Man?

- Wow! - You're this year's MVP!

I never would've thought of being a Garbage Man.

Did you go all the way to the dump to get that garbage?

He really went all out.

Here.

- Can you make a garbage costume? - No way!!

What's everyone doing?

What?

What's wrong? Did something happen?

I'm so hot! Next year I gotta get more air in there.

- Um... - You should take yours off too.

- Yeah, that costume stinks. - Take it off.

Come on!

Sorry!

He's not wearing a costume! He's a real monster!

Get away from him!

- A Garbage Man? - That's not a costume?

It's a real monster!

Does it bite?

- It's a monster! - Report it!

Wait, I'm...

- Is this your friend? - We don't know him!

He just started following us.

But...

Don't come near us!

If the Inquisitors see us with you, we'll get in trouble.

Let's go!

I'm sorry! Wait for me.

Um...

Get going. The Inquisitors are coming.

Now!

He went that way.

Burnable Trash

Lubicchi, why do you keep looking up at the sky?

You have to put your life on the line to be a Chimney Sweep.

If something happened to you, your mother would be all alone.

And Lubicchi... is it okay that you didn't go to Halloween?

I'd rather clean chimneys.

But candy's much better than soot.

Did you tell your mother you were working today?

I told her that I was out playing with friends for Halloween.

Oh my.

Look at all that soot on you.

How are you going to fool her?

Better.

I'll think of something.

"Think of something"? But you don't really have any frien-

Hey.

Please help me!

Please help me!

Oh no, oh no, oh no!

Sorry! Sorry!

Stairs, stairs!

Sorry!

Hello!

Goodbye! Stairs, stairs!

Excuse me! In the back! Someone is...

Excuse me! Excuse me!

Are you all right?

I'm not all right!

Thank you.

A monster!

- Ouch! That's hard! - Get away!

The hard ones hurt!

What are you?

I'm sorry. I'm a... um...

A Halloween costume?

- Seems that it's not a costume. - It's not?

I don't understand it myself...

What?

This is bad... right?

Yes it is! We have to get out of here.

- What? - No!

What should we do?

"What should we do?" Help me get out!

- Now! - Yes!

Oh no, oh no!

This isn't good at all!

I'm free.

Oh no, oh no!

No way!

Oh no, oh no!

That rope!

Whoa! Too high!

You too?

If we both hold on, it'll break.

- Who are you, anyway? - I'm a Garbage Man!

- Garbage goes down there! - But parts of me are recyclable!

Your breath stinks.

You're changing the subject.

Gotta get to the other side!

Okay.

- Not together! - Just this once?

Don't shake it! It's gonna break!

I told you!

That's hot!

I can't believe this! Why is this happening to me?

This is all your fault!

I thought I was helping and dove into garbage for you.

You're not even human!

I didn't need to help a Garbage Man.

I don't even know where I am.

How are you not taking responsibility for this?

What happens now is your fault.

Uh-oh.

Something fell off.

Around and around!

Hot again?!

How refreshing!

What's wrong?

We may be in trouble.

Lean to the right!

Now, the other way!

Left!

- Left! - Aye, sir!

- Duck! - Please duck!

Right!

Left!

Quiet!

Ouch.

Are you all right?

I'm tired. My feet hurt. Where's the exit?

I wonder if my mom is worried.

Why are you following me?

It's the only path.

Where are you headed?

To the exit, I guess.

You don't have anywhere to go?

No.

What are you doing after this?

Nothing in particular.

Are you alone?

Yes.

I have a favor to ask!

Will you please be my friend?

Please! Please! Be my friend! Please!

Fr...iend?

Yeah, my friend!

What is "friend"?

Um...

Someone who stays by your side.

I see.

I told my mother that I was going to play with friends today.

She'd get worried if I was working on Halloween, right?

What do I do?

You just have to be the friend I played with today and be by my side.

Just be by your side?

Yes, please!

I see.

I'll do my best as... friend.

Thank you!

Um... you're welcome.

I'm Lubicchi. Who are you?

Your name?

You don't have a name?

No.

Okay, then...

How about Poupelle?

Pou.. pe... lle?

Yeah, Poupelle.

You appeared on Halloween.

Your name is Poupelle Halloween.

Poupelle Halloween. That's my name?

Yeah. Let's head home, Poupelle.

I need to clean up before I go in the house, so...

I'll clean your stinky body too.

What was that?

So I come out here. The map must be wrong.

That Marco...

Or maybe the compass is broken?

Those are the only two possibilities.

Hold on.

If one of these is wrong...

then what am I supposed to use to dig in the...

Who are you?

Townspeople aren't allowed here.

Why are you in a mine?

Oh, I see, I get it.

You've caught me digging after hours,

and you are here to blackmail me.

"We'll keep quiet if you pay us," right?

Or did you find out that I have smokeless explosives

and now you want to divvy them up?

Or are you mine thieves too?

You're also thieves who are here after hours.

So a bunch of thieves just happened to have bumped into each other.

These are the only three possibilities.

Wait a second! You just made me tell you

three important secrets! How dare you!

- I don't know. - All three are wrong.

How can all three be wrong? And who are you?

I'm sorry, that's not fair. I haven't introduced myself.

I'm Scoop. Everyone rudely calls me "Blabbermouth Scoop".

I think I can keep secrets.

I'm a coal miner. Wait. I already told you the truth.

Yes, I'm a mine thief.

But I haven't found anything today.

I've been digging and digging...

but all I've found are plant fossils.

Sorry.

You live above ground, so you don't know what a "plant" is.

There aren't any now, but long ago, there used to be plants up there.

Plants were...

Oh no! Will you stop making me talk?

How about you two introduce yourselves?

If you'd let us.

I'm Lubicchi the Chimney Sweep.

I'm Poupelle Halloween. I'm a Garbage Man.

A Garbage Man?

Oh, right! Today is Halloween.

You're pretending to be "The Garbage Man Born on Halloween".

Pretending?

You were at the party, got lost, and ended up down here.

You better go home before the Inquisitors find you.

Wait a second! That's not right!

- Who are you talking to? - It's not fair to part ways like this.

After all, you made me tell you three important secrets.

- Let's do this. Lubicchi, Poupelle Man... - That's not my name.

Let's make a deal.

You made me tell you three important secrets.

If you solemnly promise to keep them to yourself,

I will grant you one wish.

No, three wishes!

Sounds like a win for us.

Maybe he's actually a good guy.

Now, let me hear your wishes.

Can you bring us to the exit?

That's easy. Let's go this way.

- That's a wall. - Just break it.

This is one of my tools, smokeless explosives.

As you can see, it's very effective, and without any smoke.

But, if you get the amount wrong...

you're in big trouble. It's not for amateurs.

What a day.

I'm home!

What time do you think it is?

I was playing with my friend.

A friend?

He won first place in the costume contest.

Hello.

I'm his friend and we were playing together all day.

I see. Thank you for being with my son until so late.

He's smelly, so I'm cleaning him up.

Even so, why are you so smelly?

Can't you just get used to it?

I'll make dinner for your friend too.

- Okay. - Okay.

Good!

All right!

Thanks, Poupelle!

I think this "friend" thing went well.

Yeah, I think so too.

I might be really good at "friend".

Yeah!

You wrap it around the rod like this, okay?

And then you shape it like this...

then add your own design.

Voila!

Here, try it.

- Let's try it, squirt. - It's Lubicchi.

This is harder than it looks.

Bruno wanted to do this?

Yes. He wanted to spend time with his son.

Why does smoke rise?

Why? Because it's hot.

It's hot?

When it's hot, the air expands and gets lighter.

He hasn't been getting along with his classmates.

Glass beads will eventually help Lubicchi move forward.

How are you?

Much better, thanks.

Your Starseeing is spot on. I'm delighted.

Yeah, but Bruno is still out cavorting even though you're sick.

It's fine.

He works hard at the tailor shop.

How generous!

This afternoon, a suspicious man

wearing garbage appeared at Mandala Crossing.

The Emergency Incident Committee has issued a Heretic Warning.

If you see this man, please contact officials right away.

I repeat...

What is that?

That garbage is moving.

- This is bad. - It's bad.

Are these your friends too?

We're Chimney Sweeps. His co-workers.

The Inquisitors are looking for this Garbage Man, right?

Where did you find him?

We should report him.

You can't! I rescued him and named him Poupelle.

Is he real?

That tickles.

Dan!

Let's get out of here.

Can we please hide him here?

Give him a job or something?

You've got your old man's stupidity.

What customer is gonna ask a Garbage Man to clean?

You're acquaintances?

We're friends.

- I can't let him work here. - But Dan!

You get to work. I'll take care of the rest.

Go!

Follow me.

Those other guys have families.

I don't want Inquisitors bothering them even more.

My men are a bit rough, so their clothes get torn often.

What a waste. It only needs a bit of sewing.

Learn how to use the sewing machine.

Here, you won't bump into people. You can work and live here.

Here's an advance. Use it before it rots.

The owner disappeared a year ago.

Use it however you like.

Um...

This is the first time I've seen him with a friend.

Thanks, Garbage Man.

One more thing.

You should hide yourself under a blanket or something.

I really...

don't like monsters.

They really scare me.

He's in good hands with Dan.

We captured a heretic from the Udagawa area.

A descendant of the Starseers. She will be eliminated.

How much longer are we keeping this up?

Heretics must be dealt with swiftly.

Sir, your ancestors!

We have protected this land for 250 years.

It is your duty to guard it for the next generation.

There is no outside world. This is the world.

Any threat to our peace will be eliminated.

What's this?

Hey! Those are the pants I threw out.

- This is my shirt! - Hey, it's my jacket!

This one's mine.

Who did all of this?

Poupelle, what's that?

It's a cape.

I made it myself.

And that?

Dan gave me a job.

It's a tailor shop in the underground city.

Tailor shop? Is that...

I might be really good at sewing.

I see.

Poupelle, I'll show you where I work.

Come watch me clean chimneys.

But people might see me.

No problem. I have an idea.

That was me.

That was me.

Definitely me. Achoo!

- Lubicchi! - Yes?

What happened to that Garbage Man from yesterday?

I heard Dan gave him a job-

I see. The Inquisitors have been sniffing around here.

It's best not to get involved.

Lubicchi?

Lubicchi? Thank you for worrying about me.

Thank you for worrying about me.

Lubicchi? Thank you for worrying about me.

This way, Lubicchi?

It's nothing! Nothing to see here!

Lubicchi?

This way?

What?

Really?

No, no!

What?

Lubicchi, could you possibly be afraid of heights?

Look, you're shaking.

No, I'm not!

Don't look down.

I know. Be careful you don't drop anything.

Did you drop something?

A bracelet.

A bracelet?

My Pops' bracelet. I dropped it.

Why did you bring something that precious to work?

A Chimney Sweep doesn't need a bracelet.

Could you have told me before I lost it?

Wow!

I don't like heights, but...

when I'm at the top, my heart races with excitement.

Yes, mine too.

But we can't go higher than the chimneys.

Poupelle, do you know "stars"?

"Stars"?

Above that smoke are...

shining, glittering stars.

Really?

I don't know for sure.

But I also don't know that they don't exist either.

It's a fairy tale that my Pops made up.

Chimney Town is full of chimneys.

Smoke billows out and fills the sky with black smokey smoke.

Black smokey smoke.

Day and night, it's black smokey smoke.

The people of Chimney Town are trapped in the black smoke.

They've never seen the blue sky.

They've never seen the shining stars.

It's a splendid story.

That's what everyone said in the beginning.

In a town that had forgotten to look up, one man looked up...

Is he still telling that story?

What's this "star" thing?

Hey Bruno, keep this up and the Inquisitors are gonna get you!

Say that over here, guys.

Why don't you say something?

Let him tell his tales.

Birds of a feather, flock together.

That's why we're married.

In a town that had forgotten to look up, one man looked up...

He saw the black smoke covering the town and thought...

Enough of this.

There's nothing up there. Be realistic!

Hey.

I don't care what you say about me.

But you are not gonna tell my son...

what to do!

Now you've done it!

- You liar! - Who do you think you are?

What happened?

The usual.

Whatever my kid wants to do is his business, not yours! Buzz off!

He sure is a fool sometimes.

What are you talking about?

Shoot. I lost.

You never had a chance.

Ouch. That was embarrassing.

What's in your hand, squirt?

Those idiots went too far.

You stepped on them, Pops.

It's big, but it'll do.

That's my apology. For an embarrassing day.

The doctor said the symptoms aren't improving.

Your mom will be okay. She's strong.

The doctor said there's no medicine.

There might be in the outside world.

Look up.

If you see a star through the smoke, it'll be for just a second.

If you miss your chance, you won't see it.

To see a star, you can't miss that one moment.

You gotta look longer than anybody else. Keep looking up.

You have to keep believing.

If you are looking down...

you might miss the chance for your mom to get better.

It's okay if no one else is looking.

If you believe there's light beyond that black smoke...

look for it. Find out for yourself.

Don't give in to what's normal. Believe in yourself...

even if you're alone.

Even if you're alone...

just believe in yourself and if you keep looking up...

you'll find there's a buddy by your side.

A friend.

I wonder what it's like above the smoke.

You can't tell anyone about this story or else they'll bully you.

Why would they do that? It's a beautiful story.

No! It's a big secret!

I can feel it beginning.

A step that cuts through the wind.

I found you... my friend.

My heart is beating faster.

I feel like I'm rushing past everything.

But I'm not afraid of anything now.

Even if the world laughs,

I still believe in you.

With just this voice...

In just this moment...

From the night we promised

to follow our dreams...

Everything becomes a miracle.

It was this big!

Hey, it's him.

Wait for us!

Hey, Garbage Man!

What are you doing?

I'm working.

Working?

You sound like Lubicchi.

You know Lubicchi?

Are you acquaintances with him?

No, we're not acquaintances. We're friends.

Wow, so he has time to play with a Garbage Man?

I thought he only had time for work since his dad died.

Died?

He didn't tell you? He doesn't know.

My grandpa saw it happen.

He saw Bruno walking into an off-limits area by the cliffs.

Then he saw the shadow of the monster disappear...

into the ocean with a splash.

A monster?

Bruno disappeared that night.

He was drunk, fell into the ocean, and the monster ate him.

I heard he was always out late drinking. Serves him right.

When did this happen?

A year ago.

The owner of this shop disappeared a year ago.

When you only have one parent, you gotta work.

Why didn't he take over his dad's shop?

Money, right? Chimney Sweeps make good money.

He's trying to see stars!

Lubicchi is trying to see stars. Just like his dad.

So, he chose the job with the best view.

He's afraid of heights, but he climbs chimneys every day!

Are you joking? The "stars" from Bruno's picture card show?

Yes, those!

I want to see stars with Lubicchi!

Stars aren't real!

Fairy tales aren't real!

Are you trying to spread lies and get us all in trouble?

There's no such thing as stars!

- Stop it! - That's enough! Cut it out!

You just make the world a dirtier place.

I hope you get eaten by a monster too!

He was just here but...

he got away.

The Garbage Man mentioned "stars".

He's trying to see them with Lubicchi...

What's wrong?

Mom, I saw something in the smoke.

No, never mind.

Poupelle, I tore my sleeve.

Lubicchi, is that you?

Mr. Suu?

Thought it was you.

Are you still hanging out with that Garbage Man?

Everyone's clothes were repaired and returned.

Did the Garbage Man do that?

Poupelle is a good guy!

I know. Was it Dan that gave the job to the Garbage Man?

Dan takes care of others.

Yes. Dan helped my dad too.

I see. Bruno too?

I see, I see.

But Lubicchi, this world doesn't allow blasphemy.

If you're going to be friends with the Garbage Man,

keep an eye out for Inquisitors.

I will.

Where are you, Poupelle?

What's wrong?

Why are you crying?

My hat flew away.

Isn't it on the roof?

Of course it's not.

Did you look?

No. I just know!

Don't be foolish. You gotta look before you know.

Go check.

You can do it, squirt! Keep it up! Just a little further!

You fool.

You're shaking because you look down. Look up!

Don't look down. Up! Look up! You can do it!

- I found it! - Great!

Son, you're a handful.

Cry it out, little man.

Good job, squirt.

It's Lubicchi.

Poupelle!

Lubicchi, you're here!

Your ear?

I'm fine. It's nothing.

What happened?

I seem to make the world dirty.

Who said that?

Can you hear?

I can hear from this side, so it's not a problem.

Here.

What if you put it back on?

I tried already. It didn't work.

But you didn't do anything.

It can't be helped. I'm a monster.

Where is Lubicchi?

I'd like to ask the same question. He shouldn't be out this late at night.

We've had numerous reports that he's been seen with the Garbage Man.

What is their relationship?

He mentioned something about collecting trash on Halloween.

He volunteers on holidays. He's a good kid, isn't he?

He's trying to see "stars".

Tell him to be careful or else he might drown in the ocean.

Like Bruno.

You? Did you kill Bruno?

You... Bruno!

Don't ask questions.

Mom.

Did they really...

Please, don't stand out anymore.

I can't lose any more family.

He's the only one left, Sir Letter.

Do it quietly.

Yes, sir.

It's a shame.

He wasn't a bad person.

But, well...

it's not good to try to see the outside world.

He'll have to disappear.

Dan!

An ambulance already?

Over here! Hurry!

Step back everyone!

Move back! Move back!

- Out of the way! - Dorothy?

Help me carry him! Now!

What are you doing? Stop that! We have to treat him!

We'll take care of Dan!

Wait, what are you doing?

Stop right there!

Intensive Care

How's Dan, Grampa?

Thank goodness.

Dan wouldn't slip and fall.

Those guys back there, they weren't paramedics.

Dan was targeted.

The Garbage Man.

Lubicchi brought that monster here and look what's happened.

- Wait, that's not fair! - Yeah, it's that Garbage Man!

Lubicchi brought the Garbage Man.

Everyone, cut it out.

Toppo, say something.

Toppo!

Lubicchi!

What happened to the Garbage Man?

He probably drifted to the garbage dump.

What if he comes back?

Hey!

I heard there's been a lot of asthma patients lately.

I bet it's because of that Garbage Man's germs.

That's what my mom has.

It's because of the smoke from the chimneys.

Poupelle doesn't have any germs. I bathe him every day!

You're a liar. The Garbage Man was stinky yesterday.

You're not washing him every day.

You and your dad, you're both liars.

You should stop hanging out with him.

Hang out with us! Don't you get it?

Or are you still trying to look for "stars"?

The Garbage Man told us that

you are looking for stars.

Poupelle said that?

Yeah, that's what he was rambling about.

Why?

That was pretty harsh.

That's because he won't give up.

Why won't you?

You're here.

Your shirt.

Sorry it's a little late.

You're stinky again.

Why are you already smelly when I wash you every day?

I'm sorry.

They're calling me a liar.

I wash you and wash you, but you're always smelly.

I'm sorry.

You told Antonio about the stars, didn't you?

You promised you wouldn't tell anyone!

No, no that was...

So, you think I'm stupid too.

No! That was...

Dan fell from his chimney.

It was wrong for us to help a Garbage Man.

You only bring bad luck.

Why did you show up in my life?

No, no...

Lubicchi.

When you've found something important...

You don't want it taken away.

No one likes being a child forever.

But your dreams are still floating in that sky.

You and I make two.

Let's walk the path we made together.

What does it look like to you?

You have to believe in yourself first.

My heart is darker than the night but...

I'm always looking for stars.

Because I believe they are you.

Hold onto me a little longer.

I still have so much to tell you.

Why can't I do anything right?

Why can't I do anything right?

Why can't I do anything right?

I want to tell you with my garbage-shaped heart.

How many things don't change?

Can I hold them in my hands?

No one loves me right now.

But I can choose to realize my dreams with my own hands.

Our hearts will call out.

We were already hurting each other,

before we were born.

We already had seen enough dreams.

A world only we can see.

We weren't sure but we believed.

It may not mean anything to someone else but...

Even now, I can't let go of my dreams.

I see a glimmer of my dreams right here.

Who is it?

I understand. I didn't come to ask you to forgive me.

But I have something to give you.

That sewage canal flows to the landfill, so I thought I might find it there.

Your bracelet.

I was born in the landfill, so I'm used to going through garbage.

I thought I would find it right away and give it to you the next day,

but it took me longer than I thought.

You're stinky again.

Why are you already smelly when I wash you every day?

So that's why you smell...

I'm sorry. I said some horrible things without knowing.

It's all right.

We're friends.

In the end, I didn't find it in the landfill.

I'm such a fool. I should've noticed sooner.

It was always right here.

I completely forgot to search myself.

Let me give this back to you.

Wait!

Don't take it off! It could be your brain.

If you take it off, you might...

You can let go.

If I keep it, the townspeople will eventually get to it

and then it will really be gone.

Then...

let's run away together if that happens.

No.

If anyone sees us together, you'll get into a lot of trouble again.

You shouldn't be hanging around me.

Don't tell me what to do!

I want to be with you. Let's stay together.

That way I can still see my Pops' bracelet everyday.

So, let's stay friends.

Thank you. You're making me blush.

Pops?

You're Pops, aren't you?

It's you, right?

Lubicchi?

You came back?

Why did you suddenly go away?

I've wanted to talk to you so badly!

Pops.

Pops, were you really eaten by a monster?

Or killed?

What did you do? Tell me!

I'm sorry, Lubicchi. I'm Poupelle Halloween.

I'm just a Garbage Man.

I'm sorry.

I really don't know anything.

I'm sorry.

I'm very sorry.

What's going on?

- I don't know. - Are you okay?

I don't know, but my heart is calling out very strongly!

To what?

To garbage. A very big piece of garbage.

Poupelle, what did you call?

I don't know.

It's a monster.

A sea monster.

That's not a monster.

Don't you remember?

Why?

Why is that here?

Lubicchi?

Make way!

What is going on?

It returned on the current.

How does a ship we sunk end up back here?

I don't know.

Maybe we should just tell the truth.

Do not worry, Sir Letter.

They don't know what a ship is. Let's keep it here and deepen

the people's fear of the ocean.

There is no outside world.

I see now.

Pops' story wasn't a fairy tale!

That ship was in his story!

The picture card show was his story!

Maybe Pops actually saw them!

Poupelle!

Yes?

Help me!

We have to tell everyone what Pops wanted us to know.

Are we going to see stars?

Not just see them...

We'll show the stars to everyone!

What's troubling you first thing in the morning?

Are you here to blackmail me again? Give me a break.

I took you to the exit as promised. We're even.

We still have two wishes left.

You said you'd grant any wish.

Yes, you still have two wishes left.

Let us use your smokeless explosives!

No. Absolutely not.

I promised that I'd grant you any wish.

But these are my tools.

They have a specific purpose.

I know. This is a good opportunity to tell you my philosophy.

Why do I use something

so dangerous to keep digging and risk my neck?

One reason. For the adventure.

There's no freedom up above.

The Inquisitors enforce the laws. You try anything and...

No one can speak out.

But down here, there's adventure. The dirt is packed with history.

The dirt teaches me. I'm always discovering new things.

I'm a mine thief, but I don't do it for the money.

I want the thrill. And this little guy thrills me!

You can't use this for trivial purposes.

I'm exploding the smoke from the sky.

I'm blasting away all the smoke with your explosives

so that everyone can see the world above.

You've realized the secret of this world.

My Pops told me through his picture card show.

So you're Bruno's son. It all makes sense now.

It's in your blood.

I don't know if this is all true but

there's an old story passed down by the miners.

It's the story of how this town came to be.

Please, tell me.

250 years ago, there was a town across the sea in utter chaos.

Theft and murder were a daily occurrence.

The people's lives were ruled by money.

Money controlled their hearts, and the people fought over it.

The town's economist, Silvio Letter, put a stop to the chaos.

Letter realized that things rot with time

and that's how they lose value.

He thought about why money doesn't lose value, too.

Those with money had more power instead of those with meat or fish.

He knew this caused the fighting.

That's when Silvio Letter created money that rots over time, the "L".

As time passes, the L rots, losing its value.

His solution worked, brilliantly.

It was useless to hoard money, so the people used the L freely.

Everyone prospered.

But not for long.

The expiring currency was an inconvenience to some.

Especially, the Central Bank.

This town is finally free,

liberated from enslavement by money.

Why are you stopping that?

Don't ask us. This is a direct order from Central.

Fools.

Don't ask questions.

You have a family, right?

You're coming with us.

Father!

The L that miraculously brought peace disappeared.

Letter was put to death for causing chaos.

The town fell into turmoil again.

That's when Letter's son took a stand.

Led by him,

his family and allies vowed to bring back the L.

They decided to find a new place to live

where the Central Bank would not interfere with their use of the L.

And that new place was here?

That's right.

They established a town here.

They forbade all from going out to sea

and closed off the outside world.

And the monster in the ocean?

Just a myth to discourage the townspeople.

They are scared that we would want to leave

if we were to find out about the outside world.

Then we would meet outsiders, and the Central Bank would find us.

The Letter Family has had one job:

to make sure the townspeople forget the outside world.

How?

With smoke.

They built chimneys so smoke would cover the sky

and then the outside world wouldn't exist.

My grandfather told me this story and warned me never to tell anyone.

But then one day I was at a bar and I accidentally told a guy there.

Who?

Your dad.

Lubicchi, the explosion has to be in the middle to be effective.

Can you do that?

Yes!

Will this...

be enough?

Lubicchi.

What's beyond the smoke?

Stars!

Now, that's exciting!

I've always had dreams I wanted to believe in.

I didn't have the courage to keep believing.

I don't stand strong because I'm weak.

You can't lie to yourself.

Somewhere...

That is not here.

Let's go see if we can...

Change the future.

Let's go beyond those towering walls where...

Our destiny will be...

Waiting for us to open our eyes.

Is being perfect the only way? I don't think so.

Your fears are in the way. Leave them behind.

Let's go!

They found us! But we're not ready.

The Inquisitors have gathered!

- The beach! - What's going on?

They found the Garbage Man!

Capture them.

Hurry!

Don't worry.

Excuse me.

Do you all know about worker ants?

I'm sure you do, but not the details!

With a name like "worker" ant, you'd think they work hard, right?

Alas, no. 20% of worker ants don't actually work.

He's buying us some time. The third wish.

Have you ever observed a hundred ants? It's very interesting.

20% work really hard, 60% just work, and 20% skip work.

Garbage Man?

Lubicchi?

Poupelle!

Of the twenty, 20% work really hard, 60% just work, and 20% skip work.

No matter the situation or combination of workers

hard, normal, and lazy worker ants are

in a 2:6:2 ratio.

And under these rules, ants haven't gone extinct, right?

So aren't the 20% that are lazy actually necessary for survival?

Why don't you all be lazy too?

Do you know the best way to stop hiccups?

Say you're on a date or in a meeting

and you can't stop your hiccups.

You! Get out of the way!

My apologies. Was this topic boring you?

Then I can reveal my secret method of

filling holes left behind by thumbtacks!

Move! They're trying to head out to sea.

What are you talking about? They're not going out to sea.

They're going up to show everyone the stars.

Or not.

"Stars"?

He let it slip.

Let's hurry!

Did he say "stars"?

Well, you see...

That's it for me! I'm Scoop! Good night!

"Star"?

What's "star"?

Lubicchi!

- "Star" as in... - From Bruno's picture card show?

Are they serious?

There's no such thing. Give me a break.

Stop dreaming!

They're trying to see stars.

You're joking, right? There's no way they exist.

Have you seen them?

Have you seen them?!

- You're making a scene! - Yeah!

Who's seen it?

Who's seen what's beyond the smoke? No one!

That means no one knows for sure!

No one knows if stars exist or if they don't exist.

If we keep looking away and turning away from the unknown...

we'll never start anything new!

I'm sorry.

Don't apologize!

Don't apologize, Lubicchi!

Nothing you've said is wrong.

You're just like your father.

Mom.

Like father, like son.

"We won't know unless we go there"?

What are you talking about?

When your father was happy, he roared with laughter and...

when he was sad, he cried loudly. When he was hungry, he was cranky.

When he was angry, he punched people.

He was the biggest fool.

Do you think a fool like that can lie?

If your Pops said there are stars...

then there are stars!

You are your father's son.

I know better than anyone that it's useless to try to stop you now.

If you wanna go, get going already!

But promise your mother one thing.

You will come back to me.

I will!

What are you doing? Capture the heretics!

Hey, don't touch me!

You won't get away with this! Capture him too!

What is the meaning of this? Heretics must be captured!

Heretic?

That's not quite right.

This is the voice of the people...

who weren't able to act on...

their suspicions!

This is exciting!

Capture them!

They're catching up. Go!

I can't believe this.

If you find stars...

If you find stars...

I'll feel stupid for giving up that day!

You'll find stars! I've seen them with my own eyes!

Stop wasting time! Go see them for yourselves!

Aw, c'mon! This is no time to cry!

If we all help it'll go faster!

We did it!

Antonio!

Lubicchi!

Let's go, Poupelle!

Let's go see what my Pops saw!

Yes!

Go!

Hold on tight!

What's the next story, Pops?

Well... you know how we're not allowed in the ocean?

This is about a man who built a ship and went out to sea.

The Adventures of Poupelle.

Poupelle sets sail in his ship. And what does he find?

An infinitely vast world

on the other side of all that smoke.

What's out there?

The stars.

Chimney Town is full of chimneys.

Smoke billows and fills the sky with black smokey smoke.

Black smokey smoke.

Day and night, black smokey smoke.

The people of Chimney Town are trapped in the black smoke.

They've never seen the blue sky.

They've never seen the shining stars.

In a town that had forgotten to look up, one man looked up...

into the smoke that had always covered his town.

He had met a talkative mole who inspired him with a story.

A story of a world beyond the smoke.

A story of a glittering world.

A place that couldn't possibly exist,

but you can't say for sure.

Because no one's been there.

No one knows.

The man shouted about the world

above and beyond the smoke,

over and over, even though...

people would call him stupid.

The people called him a liar and shunned him.

But what did the man do?

Who did he hurt?

There was no reason.

In the town that had forgotten to look up...

"Don't Stand Out" was the motto.

In the town that had forgotten to look up...

you'd be laughed at if you spoke of your dreams...

and put in your place if you took action.

The black smoke swallowed the town and blocked the sunlight.

The black smoke swallowed the people and stole their courage.

Despite this, the man raised his voice and...

boarded his ship, even though his legs were trembling with fear.

He set sail into the dark, scary ocean.

No one was there with him.

No one was there with him.

A story of a world beyond the smoke.

A story of a glittering world.

A place that couldn't possibly exist,

but you can't say for sure.

Because no one's been there.

No one knows.

You can't have the answer if you've never seen it.

We won't be swallowed up by this smoke.

The ship crested the first wave, then the second.

Then came a storm... and fear.

No port to return to.

No friends to rely on.

The next thing he knows, his ship is full of holes.

If he stops rowing, he'll sink.

His ship is barely afloat and...

stuck, hardly moving forward.

Does he just stop here?

Does he just stop here?

Does he just stop here?

The man mustered all his courage...

and untied the rope on his provisions.

Don't give up!

He dumped all of his fear into the sea.

He dumped all of those excuses into the sea.

He was left with just a bit of food...

and unshakable determination, ready to...

battle against the waves once more.

You're almost there!

You're shaking because you look down. Look up!

You fool! You're shaking because you look down.

Look up!

You can do it.

You can do it.

Ladies and gentlemen, step right up and see the show!

Let's all give a round of applause for...

the last night of The Town of...

Night!

The man was traveling beyond the dark night sky and beyond even that.

He rowed and rowed by himself.

He believed and believed and kept believing...

so the boat kept going and going until...

it broke through the black smoke and...

was in a sea of light.

What a beautiful sight.

The light was so very bright.

This uncontrollable thrill...

in this infinite world.

In this moment when the world is about to change.

This moment is for everyone.

Tell all the townspeople.

Tell all the townspeople.

Chimney Town is full of chimneys.

Smoke billows and...

fills the sky with black smokey smoke.

Black smokey smoke.

Day and night, black smokey smoke.

But above the smoke of Chimney Town was...

a blue sky and...

shimmering stars.

Son, you're a handful.

Cry it out, little man.

Good job, squirt.

It's Lubicchi.

Thanks...

Pops.

Lubicchi!

- I'm back! - Welcome home!

Look!

Sir Letter.

Let's stop the smoke.

It's time for us to face our future.

You're shaking because you look down.

Look up!

He came on Halloween night. A man made of garbage, the Garbage Man.

Chimney Town is in a panic. He smells awful.

Bullied because you smell, you became an outsider.

The lonely Garbage Man. But what is that?

Deep within the garbage is...

Masataka Kubota Poupelle Mana Ashida Lubicchi

a beautiful heart.

Bruno Shinosuke Tatekawa Lola Eiko Koike

a beautiful heart.

Scoop Shingo Fujimori Dan Jun Kunimura

Your pure eyes and words...

taught me courage and true strength.

Hello hello hello Halloween Pou-pe-pou-pou-Poupelle.

The kind Garbage Man.

Hello hello hello Halloween Pou-pe-pou-pou-Poupelle.

You are my friend.

Translation by Junko Goda

Subtitles Produced by Geoffrey Wexler

Subtitles by AURA

Dreams were laughed at, voices were crushed.

In a town where you can't look up, what about me?

The smoke has swallowed up the stars.

Even if you can't see tomorrow...

let's go beyond the stormy seas to a shining world.

You can hear it. The cries of courage born.

Hello hello hello Halloween Pou-pe-pou-pou-Poupelle.

A miracle approaches.

Hello hello hello Halloween Pou-pe-pou-pou-Poupelle.

The story of Chimney Town.

Deep within the garbage is...

the smell from that day.

Your pure eyes and words...

taught us courage, and helped us stand, strong.

Hello hello hello Halloween Pou-pe-pou-pou-Poupelle.

Gather your courage.

Hello hello hello Halloween Pou-pe-pou-pou-Poupelle.

The long smokey night.

Hello hello hello Halloween Pou-pe-pou-pou-Poupelle.

A miracle approaches.

Hello hello hello Halloween Pou-pe-pou-pou-Poupelle.

The story comes full circle.

Hello hello hello Halloween Pou-pe-pou-pou-Poupelle.

The kind Garbage Man.

Hello hello hello Halloween Pou-pe-pou-pou-Poupelle.

I am your friend.

Hello hello hello Halloween Pou-pe-pou-pou-Poupelle.

A miracle approaches.

Hello hello hello Halloween Pou-pe-pou-pou-Poupelle.

The story of Chimney Town.

The story of Chimney Town.