Original subtitles

DIRTY AND DISGUSTING

SHUT DOWN ALREADY!

THEY SERVE BUG RAMEN

UNSANITARY DON'T GO HERE

DIRTY, GROSS, RIP-OFF

RAMEN SETOYA

I'm sorry. I'm really sorry.

Sis.

I'll drop out and work.

What?

I know we don't have any money.

I decided long ago.

Don't you want to study?

I don't care about studying!

I'm an idiot anyway.

Here.

Everyone has gotten much better in a short period. Well done.

Seto, you improved a lot.

I'll deal with our debt somehow.

BALANCE SHEET

SAKURAGI

I'm broke…

Why the stupid face?

Whose fault do you think that is?

Who?

All of these are your receipts and invoices.

I really might have to take out a loan.

Don't borrow from a sketchy place.

This is your problem too.

Oh, yeah.

This one too.

Give me a break!

Ramen Eiraku?

You didn't go to Setoya.

Setoya was closed.

You went?

Sir?

What happened to Seto?

He's been away for three days. Isn't that strange?

He leaves all my messages on read.

He hasn't updated his YouTube since that day.

What's this?

They borrowed from loan sharks.

Oh, no. Sir, we have to help them.

No, loan sharks these days know how to stay hidden.

They use clever tactics.

-But we can't leave him… -Leave him.

How coldhearted!

Your job is to get our students into UTokyo.

This isn't about that. Seto is…

You asked me to come here.

Do you remember? How did you convince me to come?

Answer in five words.

Revitalize the school, make bank, Toranomon.

That's six.

Good grief.

Don't worry about Seto. Focus on your studies.

-Huh? -Isn't that coldhearted?

Hayase, what are the rules of the UTokyo Special Course?

Don't tell your parents.

And?

Even if you can't understand the reason, do what the teacher says.

Then focus on your studies.

Yes sir…

Listen, everyone. We're trying something new from today.

What is the most important thing to win a battle?

Amano.

Ambition.

Um, yeah, that too.

Iwasaki.

If it were me,

I'd research my opponent's weak points,

and attack them relentlessly, I guess?

You're right!

To win a battle,

you must understand the weak points.

Your own weak points.

Our own weak points?

Overcome your weak points through repetition.

That's the shortcut to passing the exam.

Oh is that it?

Just studying hard is a waste of time.

All of you, your starting line

is several hundred meters back.

But I don't know what I don't know… I mean…

Yeah, there's so much I don't know!

That's where this comes in.

-Mizuno? -This.

A smartphone?

Study Sapuri.

Study Sapuri looks at your study history,

and what you understand and don't understand

is made into data.

You can visualize your strong and weak areas.

You can see it at a glance, so you can study efficiently.

Isn't that just for taking online classes?

Using an app to study seems lazy.

That's nonsense!

He who masters IT, masters the exam! That's common sense.

Use Study Sapuri to root out your weaknesses.

Oh yeah, I almost forgot.

Today,

Mizuno has a special present for you all.

-Huh? -Bring them out.

Ma'am, you're so kind!

Okay.

So, what's happening?

With the Elite University Course.

Well…

Fujii has really taken the loss hard.

He seems to be studying very hard.

This honorific, "mogana" is an ending particle indicating desire.

It indicates a wish for something. This also…

Fujii is a jerk but he can study.

But Chairman!

The idea to stop the Top Uni Course and make the Elite University Course

was brilliant!

As long as no more students join the UTokyo Course, it doesn't matter.

Make sure Sakuragi doesn't do anything weird.

Keep an eye on him.

Ugly and stupid can go to UTokyo!

Yes, ma'am.

IDIOT

I-Idiot?

This is our present?

Yes.

Whenever there are problems you can't solve,

we'll have you study with these "idiot" headbands.

-Huh? -We'll wear this?!

It is a headband after all.

If you solve the problem, you can take it off.

And if you find another you can't solve,

you put on the headband.

Once you learn it, take it off. And if you keep repeating that,

you will have no problems you can't solve.

It's not that simple.

I did this very thing and got into UTokyo.

Really?

It's embarrassing, isn't it?

Of course it is.

I also think this is too…

That's why it works. When it comes to motivation for effort,

negative emotions have more power than positive emotions.

You don't want to look silly,

so you work hard at the problems.

When you solve them, you can remove the headband.

That eventually becomes pleasurable, and before you know it,

you have a positive attitude towards studying.

That may be theoretically true, but…

Kaede?

Fine.

Huh? Then, me too.

Okay! I'll put it on you.

Wow! It looks good.

Ready?

Idiots!

They're acting weird at the UTokyo Special Course.

Really? What's that?

No way, that's crazy!

Hey, look! They're really doing it!

Are they that serious about getting into UTokyo? So cringe!

"Hinemosu."

I'm embarrassed!

"Hinemosu" is a strange word.

"So as to" means "in order to."

"So as to," "in order to."

They're looking at us…

In reflection transformations, plus and minus are reversed.

You're welcome anytime.

Go to UTokyo and your life will change dramatically!

Hey, Fujii.

-Did you come to see? -Shut up.

Watch as much as you like.

A job?

I'll do anything. Could you hire me?

-No way. -Why?

You're a Tatsumi student.

They're banned from working. If I hired you, it'd be my neck.

These "idiot" headbands really are embarrassing.

That's for sure.

How about you? Aren't you embarrassed?

If it means my grades go up, I don't mind.

Nobody's looking anyway.

Everyone was looking! You were really concentrating…

Hey, you wanna go?

-Huh? -Go? Go where?

Don't think about it, just do it!

Everyone's really gotten into the groove.

You're still so naive.

Yeah, yeah.

I'm hungry.

I want some gyoza.

This is a bad idea.

Huh? What's wrong with it?

Our teacher told us to forget about Seto.

You really are heartless. I bet you don't have any friends.

I don't! I don't, but…

What're you doing in front of my house?

Seto!

Long time no see.

-Yeah. -We came to have some ramen.

Thanks! That was delicious!

What are you doing?

I'm posting it on my hip schoolgirl Twitter account.

You're keeping it up!

Of course I am! Thanks to this, we beat Fujii after all.

Yeah. It could be thanks to my YouTube too.

Yeah it was!

You had your ramen, now get out of here.

How rude!

We came because we're worried about you!

Look, I even promoted your restaurant.

Nobody asked you to worry about me.

You only have 13 followers, so how does that help anyway?

Go on, go home.

Worrying was a waste of time! Let's go!

Thanks for the food!

You're coming back to class, right?

Once things settle down.

Welcome!

Welcome!

We've got customers, so go.

Thanks for the food.

Kaede, what is it?

-Nothing. -Ah.

Ah!

-Oh no! Let's go! -Yeah.

-Kaede! Hurry! -It's bad!

What? Hey, what is it?

-It's Mr. Sakuragi! -What? Oh no!

-Pardon me. -Yes?

-This was in my food. -Mine had this.

I almost ate it!

I'm sorry.

But that's not ours.

-Even so, it was in there. -You talk to customers like that?

This place has a bad attitude!

There's no way that was in there!

I'm very sorry!

-You don't have to apologize to them! -Akira!

Hey, hey! That's terrible customer service.

Everyone!

Watch out!

This place puts stuff in the food!

There!

Forcible obstruction of business.

Shouting false information in a restaurant.

Causing a fuss.

-Right? -Huh?

Ah, yes, article 234 of the penal code.

Who are you two?

Hey. Let's go.

One more thing. Those papers that were put up.

That was you guys, right?

That's fraudulent obstruction of business.

Article 233 of the penal code.

So you admit it.

-Let's go. -Yeah.

-Hey! -Leave it.

It doesn't matter what you say.

They're just hired by the loan sharks.

Yes, sir.

This is terrible.

Why are you here?

I came to eat ramen at a ramen restaurant!

Sis?!

Sis?!

Are you okay?

I'm just a little tired.

Go rest in the back.

This is so good.

You've got good skills.

At a time like this?

Seto, are you okay?

I've worked at my family's restaurant so I know what it's like.

You can talk to us.

When our parents died three years ago, they had debt.

My sister worked hard to pay it off,

but she couldn't meet the deadlines.

Half a year ago, she found a finance company that would lend us money.

She was going to pay it right back.

But that million yen debt just kept growing,

and now we can't keep up at all.

-So what will you do? -That's why…

I'm looking for a job. All I can do is work.

Our school bans students from working.

If I don't work, my family is finished!

Idiot. You could never earn enough to make a dent in that debt.

This is my problem. I don't want to bother anyone else.

You're up against a loan shark!

We're lawyers.

We can help you.

I told you. I don't want to bother anyone!

So you're giving up on UTokyo?

I could never get into UTokyo anyway.

Okay, I got it.

Sir!

Don't tell the others.

Don't interrupt their studies.

Please.

Thanks for the food.

Wait, sir!

Sir! Wait!

What is it?

Why won't you help Seto?

I can't if he feels that way.

But we're lawyers.

Loan sharks are professional criminals.

Play on their field,

and Tatsumi Gakuen will be affected next.

This badge means at any time, under any circumstances,

we aim for freedom and justice, fairness and equality.

Ignoring this goes against what a lawyer should do.

Harassing people at work is their modus operandi.

The chairman would be chased out. The Special Course, too.

And your ambitions!

That's not what Seto wants.

But we can't just do nothing…

Stop worrying about Seto and think about them!

I've got an early day tomorrow.

I'm going home to sleep. Don't call me.

Hang on, wait!

Math is so hard!

NAO I SEARCHED SETO'S…

I searched Seto's ramen place online.

There are some really bad reviews.

Huh?

RAMEN SETOYA

This place serves ramen with bugs in it.

Setoya is the worst in Japan.

This place is terrible!

Their service is so bad, even if you go…

NAO MAYBE SOMEONE HAS…

Maybe someone has a grudge?

Nao, I'm coming in.

Don't just barge in like that.

Lately, whenever you're home,

you always just hide in your room.

I'm just studying.

"Idiot"?

It's nothing!

Forget about it, just go!

-Nao… -Okay, okay.

Hey bro, how's the UTokyo Special Course going?

You could knock.

Hang on, how do you know about that?

My old buddy goes to Tatsumi, and he told me.

Promise you won't tell mom.

Why?

It's a UTokyo Special Course rule.

So heavy.

Iwasaki, what is it?

Oh, nothing.

Kaede is worried about Seto.

What? You guys should forget about Seto.

And focus on studying. As I told you.

I know that.

But I have a bad feeling.

Is he really okay?

Well…

Pardon me. Mr. Sakuragi!

We have trouble!

What?

-You going to class? -Nope.

-This is good! -Yeah, it's good!

They came to the school? But why?

They want to talk to the UTokyo Special Course teachers.

Anyway, they seemed very angry. Hurry!

Pardon me.

Pardon me.

"These guys are trying for UTokyo," it says.

How much of a jerk can Fujii be?

Whoa, it's got so many retweets.

It really does…

If she sees this, my mom will freak out.

My mom would be against it too, I know it.

What should we do?

Why is my child trying out for UTokyo?

Is there a problem?

My Nao could never get into UTokyo!

Could never get in?

Well, what do you think, Mrs. Amano?

He did poorly on his junior high exam and got into Tatsumi Gakuen.

I don't want it to happen again in high school!

Are you saying Koichiro will do poorly?

Yes, he will! It's UTokyo!

Are you toying with our children?

-That's not our intention… -Then what's this?

You made them wear this!

If you're not toying with them, then what?

I demand an explanation!

I see.

Then shall we include the students in this discussion?

I'm not sure the children should hear…

It's their lives we're talking about.

They have a right to hear.

Hayase and Amano's mothers have come to the Special Course.

The excitement never stops, does it?

They might demand they leave the Special Course.

I would appreciate it if they did.

Pardon me.

That was dangerous!

Don't run in the halls! Don't run!

Is that…?

You said I was toying with Nao and Koichiro.

But I have no intention of that.

I'm serious.

-But… -Here's why.

When we started the Special Course,

I mocked all of the students.

But out of all of them, only Nao and Koichiro

came and said "We want to go to UTokyo."

Just two out of 645 students.

Don't you think that's amazing?

My Nao?

People who accomplish great things are all like this.

No matter how steep the road,

they have the strong will to push forward.

Those two have that.

They already have what they need most to pass the UTokyo entrance exam.

But why did they keep it from us?

I told them to.

Huh?

And the thing you just said is the reason why.

"She could never get in."

"He'll do poorly again."

I'm saying, parents don't trust their children.

How rude! I trust Koichiro very much.

So why do you think failing is a foregone conclusion?

Are you trying to stop him from trying?

That's…

The way to crush a child's strong will

is a parent's rejection.

I'm not rejecting anything.

When a teen consults with their parents,

the result is nearly always a rejection.

You two just said,

"My child could never get into UTokyo."

Didn't you?

But it's UTokyo after all.

Okay, one question.

Many people come to Japan from Taiwan for sightseeing.

What areas of Japan would be popular tourist destinations?

Other than Kyoto and Nara, answer with some locations.

-What is this, suddenly? -A quiz at a time like this?

I would say Chiba.

What's the reason?

That's where Disneyland is.

We have USJ too, so Osaka is also probably good.

You're right.

Amano?

I think it's Hokkaido.

Your reason?

Snow doesn't fall in Taiwan, so leisure spots with snow

are popular, I heard.

That's correct too.

Like I said, a quiz? We're here to talk to you.

-This isn't a quiz. -Huh?

That was a geography question on the 2010 UTokyo entrance exam.

-A UTokyo question? -That?

-I knew it. -I thought so.

And both of them got it right. The reasoning just needs to be clear.

Yay!

It was like the question on our test the other day.

Your test the other day?

These two studied for just three weeks,

battled the top student in their year, and won.

Is that true?

My Koichiro?

The biggest enemy of an entrance exam is the preconceived idea that you'll fail.

That rigid way of thinking.

And who are the ones worst at instilling that mindset?

Parents.

Can you trust your own children?

How rude. I always trust Nao.

My second son, a first-year high schooler, is aiming for UTokyo.

Plus I think Koichiro has higher abilities than those other kids.

"Those other kids"?

For the two of you, I have something I want you to follow.

Mizuno.

"Ten Family Rules for Getting into UTokyo."

That sounds impressive.

You three read it for us.

1. Eat breakfast together.

2. Have them do some housework.

3. Make them get some exercise.

4. Have them take a bath at the same time every day.

5. Let them rest when they're not well.

6. Keep the living room tidy.

7. Don't hassle them about studying.

8. Get along as husband and wife.

9. Eat out once a month as a family.

10. Share these rules with the father.

It's nothing special.

The normal lifestyle of a normal family.

Just do that.

By obeying these ten rules for a year,

your children can definitely get into UTokyo.

Rule two, about housework.

My child is a boy.

Housework isn't for boys or girls.

Have him do what he can.

Clean the foyer every morning, or the tub every evening.

Anyhow, there's a lot he can do.

The important thing about entrance exams is preserving your daily life.

Daily life?

Entrance exams make people want to study all the time.

The family gets disrupted.

Children are sensitive.

They feel bad for burdening their family.

And that becomes pressure.

They could even abandon the exam.

In order to avoid that sort of mistake, the family's daily life

should not be changed.

It seems difficult.

For example, if you go on holiday every summer,

you should still go, even for a short time.

-Really? It's okay? -It's fine! Go on!

We don't really take holidays.

You can eat breakfast together.

Take a bath at the same time every day. That's plenty.

A regular lifestyle develops good habits.

And the study cycle is created.

Studying will become natural.

Victory is certain.

Students who value daily life,

will beat the exam.

By the way, rule eight.

Get along as husband and wife.

The foundation of a peaceful daily life is harmony between husband and wife.

That's one thing we can't control.

So I leave it to you.

If you have questions about anything else, come anytime.

Okay.

Is that acceptable? Then if you don't mind, class is starting,

so please be on your way.

-Hey, new hire! -Yes, sir.

There's a customer. Stop spacing out.

-Do it right! -I'm sorry.

Welcome! Fill up the tank?

A special math instructor, Tetsunosuke Yanagi.

Sorry to keep you waiting. We had a sudden interruption.

Always working the elderly so hard.

Mr. Yanagi, long time no see.

-Is that you, Mizuno? -Yes, sir.

He's like a wizard.

He looks frail…

What?

He's scary.

So intimidating.

I have a bad feeling about this…

Let's begin.

You did your Study Sapuri,

and you were all very weak in math.

The basics are very important in math.

You've got to solidify your basics early.

-Amano, what do you think we should do? -Huh?

Go back to what we don't know and review?

Go back to when?

High school first year?

No. Hayase.

Junior high third year?

-Iwasaki. -It's not that?

Not… junior high first year?

No. Mizuno.

Elementary fifth grade.

You're going back

to elementary second grade.

-Second grade? -Yes.

You're re-learning math from second grade.

That's taking the idiot thing too far.

We're not that stupid.

The reason why you can't do math

is because your calculation abilities are lacking.

And the turning point for that is in the second grade.

If you're good at elementary second grade math,

you'll be able to study.

What should we do?

This is why I invited the legendary math instructor Mr. Yanagi here.

This old grandpa?

Nice to meet you.

My teaching methods are Spartan.

I don't care about the changing times or different study methods.

I'm going to cram it into you!

Cramming is true education.

This is the Spartan you wanted. Be grateful.

Didn't you say this was behind the times, Mr. Sakuragi?

To get your math up to speed, you need a period of Spartan study.

Training thoroughly is the most effective way.

Mr. Yanagi drilled it into me too.

I got it.

Let's do it.

Kaede…

No fair.

Let's begin. Mizuno, hand those out.

I made these myself. A hundred practice questions.

I'll accept no less than 100%.

What?!

But this is easy.

Oh, it is.

Let's begin.

You have three minutes.

Three minutes?!

Ready, start!

The questions are second-grade level, but 100 in three minutes is tough.

And to get them all right…

98-14=84, 62-29=33…

Ugh, I still have over half left.

81-9=72, 1008-14=984…

I made a mistake.

3x7=21, 2x6=12…

Man, I have so many left!

Stop!

I didn't finish in time.

It's no good…

I don't even need to say this,

but you're far from 100%.

But you're not especially inferior.

-Huh? -However.

You must focus or you won't acquire a tacit knowledge of numbers.

Tacit knowledge? What's that?

The power to do it by feeling, without thinking.

I don't really get it.

Do you think about riding a bike every time you do it?

You don't.

You need to be able to do math without thinking about it.

That's tacit knowledge of numbers.

If you work on these elementary level problems,

by summer you'll reach high school level.

Okay, let's push through!

No, you'll power through!

Here, dum-dum.

Ready, start!

Stop!

Start!

Start!

Take care.

I can't… I'm dying.

I'm tired.

I'm done…

That's what I like to see.

That makes me so mad.

It's good. Studying is anger.

Get mad at yourself.

I'm starving.

Yeah, I want to eat ramen at Setoya.

Sir, is Seto going to be okay?

Seto is fine.

-You all focus on studying. -But I can't help…

Why can't you believe in Seto?

He's stubborn.

He just takes a little longer than you.

But right now,

he's doing what he can, using his own abilities.

-He's taking responsibility. -But sir…

I got it.

Kaede?

I'll focus on studying.

It's our lives after all.

I don't want to give up again.

Alright, I'll do it one more time.

Okay, let's do it.

Let's power through.

-Ma'am -Okay.

Ready, start.

Sir?

I'm going out for some cigarettes.

-Hey new hire. -Yes, sir?

-The manager wants you. -Right away, sir.

Hey, Akira!

-Long time no see. -Hey.

What are you guys doing?

You joined the UTokyo Special Course. Right?

We figured we should try studying.

We probably can't get into UTokyo.

But Keio or Waseda should be a cinch!

Mr. Sakuragi said it.

If you don't want adults to take advantage and exploit you, study!

Yeah, we're a little too shy to join the Special Course though.

Hello?

Huh?

Why?!

Why are you here?

Don't make me say it again.

I came to eat ramen at a ramen restaurant.

Why so glum?

You get fired from your job?

How did you know?

I happened to see you working at the gas station.

It was you! You ratted.

I am employed by Tatsumi Gakuen.

I can't accept work that is banned by the school.

-That's bullshit! -I've got something better.

I've got a good offer for you.

I'll tell you about a job that pays 4000 yen per hour.

Four thousand per hour? There's no such thing.

There is. You go back to the Special Course and study.

What are you saying?

UTokyo graduates earn about 500,000,000 yen in their lifetimes.

If you calculate that into one year of study,

it's like a job that pays 4000 yen per hour.

I don't want to hear what-ifs.

Then, you're not coming back to the Special Course?

You don't want to study?

You don't make me say it again!

If I don't work, we can't repay our debt!

Seto, you lost both your parents, and you grew up poor.

Everyone will sympathize with you.

But Seto.

If you want to change,

you have to use your head, and don't accept the status quo!

Listen, Seto. If you pass the entrance exam,

even if you're poor, even if you have no parents,

you can go to a top university.

You don't want to bother others?

That shitty pride isn't worth one yen.

Even a dumb kid nearly swallowed up by society's darkness,

if they pass the exam, can go to a top university.

You can fix your life!

But the debt!

I can't bother anyone!

If we can't pay them, they'll go to the school! If that happens--

-It's okay! -Huh?

Look…

PAID IN FULL

ONE MILLION YEN

What's this…

How?

Mr. Sakuragi…

He got it all back.

Huh?

The loan shark you borrowed from was a little too forceful.

I looked into it, and I was right.

There were piles of evidence of their illegal activity.

I used that to threaten to stop their business.

And it was an easy negotiation.

Negotiation?

Loan sharks these days use clever tricks to avoid being caught.

But you can't get away with crime if you're stupid.

You're scarier than a loan shark.

Don't be ridiculous. I'm a kind lawyer.

Your sister's loan from the loan sharks,

your debt of one million yen is paid.

The loan shark your sister used

was collecting interest at illegal rates.

Using tricks so you'd never pay it off.

So legally,

they can't ask for more money than you borrowed.

So your sister had already paid more than she owed.

She didn't need to pay any more.

That means…

You have no reason to work.

Sir… Thank you so much.

Really… Truly…

Thank you so much.

Your ramen is good.

Ah, my noodles are soggy now thanks to you.

This one's on you.

Pardon me.

Oh, right.

This is the extra money.

I got it back.

Seto.

Depend on people more.

Huh?

I can give it back tomorrow.

Stand.

Bow.

Sit.

Let's get started.

Yes, sir.

What's this? A newcomer?

I ironed it for you.

IDIOT

I'm Akira Seto.

I'm joining the UTokyo Special Course today.

Nice to meet you!

Mizuno.

Yes, sir.

Okay, let's begin.

Ready,

start!

Everything turned out well!

Not everything. We still only have four students.

We need one more for our goal.

Oh right…

If we can't get five students into UTokyo,

we won't be able to pay this.

It was for a student.

INVOICE KAORI KISHIMOTO LAW OFFICE

Yes, but…

Sakuragi!

Thank you very much.

What are you saying? I just helped with some research.

Thank you so much.

He seems well, Mr. Sakuragi. He's back!

He's a little too enthusiastic, even for me.

Do your best to back him up.

I will. Let me complain to you some time.

Sure.

Pardon me. You have a visitor.

I have a visitor. I'll call again.

Okay, goodbye.

Long time no see.

Yes.

It's been a long time.

Mari, Mari! A butterfly!

Mari, a butterfly.

-Hello. -Hi.

Let's go, Kenta.

Another contest?

It would be hard for you to win as you are now.

The Special Course would really be eliminated!

Our secret weapon.

-You've got to pass. -I'll try.

That one person still hasn't changed.

What's 145 times three?

435.

Spartan training in these modern times? Gives me the creeps.

You're torturing him with forced study!

I don't know what he's thinking.

When they're ready, students will bloom.

Change society.

Break the mold.

You have to make that world.

Subtitle translation by: Claire Tanaka