Must you go?
I've promised.
I said I'd go to him.
But you'll never make it back!
Thank you.
Don't go! Please!
"I've always...'
An earthquake!
You OK, Boss?
Yeah.
We're ready. The van's loaded.
Be right there.
CHIYOKO MILLENNIAL ACTRESS
Production:CHIYOKO COMMITTEE
Planning: Masao Maruyama Original Story: Satoshi Kon
Screenplay: Sadayuki Murai Satoshi Kon
Character Designers: Takeshi Honda Satoshi Kon
Animation Directors: Takeshi Honda
Toshiyuki Inoue Hideki Hamasu Kenichi Konishi Shogo Furuya
Art Director: Nobutaka Ike Color Stylist: Satoshi Hashimoto
Direction: Ko Matsuo Photography: Hisao Shirai
Original Music: Susumu Hirasawa Sound Director: Masafumi Mima
Co-Producers: Yasuaki Iwase Masao Morosawa Production Manager: Satoki Toyoda
Executive Producer: Taro Maki
Animation Production: GENCO Animation Studio: MAD HOUSE
Director: Satoshi Kon
Ginei Studios
It is with regret that Ginei Studios, Ltd...
...announces its studio facility is obsolete and will be closed.
This project celebrates its greatest star, Fujiwara Chiyoko...
...who sustained it through much of its 70-year history...
This is voice-over! I can't be in the shot!
If you'd gotten permission to interview her sooner...
...we wouldn't have to fake it!
She's not a performer any more!
Then you should have shot this 30 years ago!
The crazy old biddy...hiding herself away like some hermit!
Next time I kill you!
But no matter how big a star she was, she's over 70 now.
I mean...she's old!
Look!
There it is!
Let's not expect too much, eh? We don't even know...
...what she looks like now.
She'll never grow old!
Um...
Missus!
Does Miss Fujiwara live here alone?
She has for years...her friends are her books and her garden.
This is her own home-made herb tea.
But you're very lucky...
...she's agreed to let you interview her.
We went to a great deal of trouble finding her.
It's a great honor.
But you said you had something to give her?
Uh, yes...
Before she'll meet anyone new, usually the earth has to move.
What has to move, Mino?
"The earth moves', Missus.
"Earthquake'...that one this morning.
Wasn't that something!
I thought my time had come!
How do you do. I'm Fujiwara Chiyoko.
This is truly a great day. We are most deeply honored.
Oh, don't be so formal.
You're from Studio...
..."Rootasu'.
It means "lotus'.
Oh, I love lotuses!
I'm aware of that. Thus the name of our studio...
They'll be in flower soon out back.
In poetry they symbolize...
Yes! "Simple purity'.
Well, Mr Tachibana... you mentioned "something'...
Oh, yes! I'm sorry...
I've kept this...
...to give it to you when I found where you were.
All the while I meant to for get it...
Was that the key to something important?
To the most important thing there is.
Thank you, Mr Tachibana. But where did you get this?
Uh...well, many years ago someone at Ginei Studios found it.
I never thought I'd hold it in my hand again.
Well, I guess the earth is telling us to get started.
Uh, certainly.
My fate seems to be tied to earthquakes.
I was born during one, in 1923.
The Great Kanto Earthquake...
My father had so wanted a child! He was killed, and it was if...
...his life had been traded for mine.
But the shop he left behind...
...allowed my mother and I to live well.
I grew up in a dangerous world of one gamble after another...
...everything always veering to the right.
But girls' magazines were more important to me, I guess.
I'd gaze at the pictures and dream of the day I'd meet my prince.
Was that when...
...the studio discovered you?
I'll never know...
...what the managing director of Ginei Studios...
...saw in a snub-nosed little girl on her way to school.
Is there nothing I can say?
Nothing.
My mother here...
...thinks that being an actress is a dubious profession.
"Dubious', she called it?
Madame!
Our new film is set in Manchuria. It will cheer on our soldiers there...
...and encourage all the people of our nation!
Surely...
...Chiyoko wants to be of service to her country!
Um...
Perhaps, but this child is far too timid to ever be an actress!
She will find a husband and succeed me in our store.
Isn't that right?
Does a sweetshop matter more than a nation?!
Does a woman not serve her nation by staying home and bearing children?
National Health Week Your Nation Needs You!
Um...
What are we filming?
Chiyoko!
I feel like a stalker!
Sorry!
I was hurrying.
Something's going on...
Keep out of it!
He's not here!
Go that way!
Did a man come this way? Carrying something in a cloth?
He ran that way.
Go!
Hey...
It takes guts to shelter someone like that!
Who is that guy?!
May I see?
It's just a sketch.
I'll finish it when I get home.
In winter there it's white with snow as far as you can see.
I want to set up my easel in all that snow...
...and finish the painting while I'm so cold it hurts.
In that pure white landscape...
...you feel like you're on some strange, distant world.
I'd love to go there.
Yeah...
To thank you, I'll invite you there when peace comes.
The full moon...
Not till tomorrow.
But I like this moon best.
After the full moon it starts to wane.
But with the 14th night, there's still tomorrow...and hope.
I have to leave.
But you're hurt!
My friends are fighting in Manchuria. A paint-brush isn't much help, though.
This? It's the key to the most important thing there is.
The most important thing?
Guess.
I don't know. But don't tell me. Give me till tomorrow.
Promise?
Tell us!
You're in love with someone!
First love!
I...
Isn't that sweet!
Even old people were young once.
Isn't that the key you brought her?
He can't have gone far! Keep looking!
Miss!
Thank heavens you're all right! There was a thief in the storeroom!
He's OK. He made it to the station.
I'm so glad you're not hurt!
The Chief Clerk! Yes!
This is hard work!
Wait!
I'll come!
I'll come to you!
Now that's drama!
I cried 53 times at this scene!
When did this turn into a movie?!
That's when I started making films.
I see.
How did that start?
Well, you remember the managing director said...
...his film was set in Manchuria...
Manchuria! Of course!
Thank you, Chiyoko.
I knew you'd say yes!
Well, I should serve my country...
...shouldn't I?
I see...
You were just following that man!
Yes!
I didn't care about movies!
Chiyoko!
Chiyoko's playing the title role.
How do you do.
I'm sure you recognize...
...Shimao Eiko, our biggest star...
Hello, Chieko.
Aren't we pensive!
Hey!
I know him!
Give it back!
Looks like Dad found me an actress!
Well! You work fast, "sonny'.
"Chizuko', wasn't it?
"Chiyoko.'
This is "Mr Otaki', the managing director's son.
A promising young director.
He loves auditioning actresses.
Sorry. I shouldn't tease.
Someone left it with me.
If I see him in Manchuria, I want to give it back.
We're not going there for fun.
Who is he? What's his name?
I don't know.
Then how will you find him?
He paints.
Paints what?
I don't know.
Not even that?
But...
...I'm sure he's in Manchuria!
Never heard of anyone like that.
I know this!
But I'm sure he's around here!
I don't need amateurs hanging around!
I'm not leaving!
I've crossed a whole ocean...
...to get here, and...
...I...
Director! What's going on here?!
This girl doesn't know her lines!
OK, OK!
Once you've made yourself into your character...
...the lines will come welling up naturally from inside.
Yes, sir.
I told you this was no role for a rank amateur!
I...I just want to see him, even once!
Great! Let's do a take!
Well done.
That was great.
You can act.
What's wrong with you?
So...any clues to the guy who owns the key?
You still haven't given up?
Why not try a fortune-teller?
There's one near here they say is very good.
Divination
The man you seek is in the north.
He paints. He's tall.
And would he happen to be searching for a key?
Do you know him?
If that's the man...
Tell me! Please! Where is he?!
Leaving the shoot?! That's unprofessional!
You just don't understand women.
And you do?
Mass Round-Up Of Activists In North Manchuria
But he's a lucky guy, if she's willing to follow him this far.
Would that it were me!
Chiyoko! Chiyoko!
Nationalists?
Communists?
Look!
Bandits!
Miss Fujiwara! Chiyoko!
Hey! This is really happening!
Chiyoko! Speak to me!
Oh...excuse me.
Boss! Let's get out of here!
Where'd the bandits go?!
What's the meaning of this?!
That's what I'd like to know!
Where did Manchuria go?!
Your Highness!
Where is he?
Milord is in the castle!
Your Highness! You mustn't!
Milord!
Why would you not wait for me?!
I...I...
You cried at all her films?
Stay your dagger.
Wraith! Do you haunt this castle?
Call me what you will.
Since before you were born I have known you.
What do you wish?
To assist at my death?
Drink!
What may not be in this world will be in the next.
So I must die...
There he awaits.
That is Thousand-Year Tea!
Now you will burn forever in the flames of eternal love!
I am deceived?!
I hate you! More than I can bear!
And I love you! More than I can bear!
One day you will understand!
Boss! No!
Genemon, Marshal of Nagato, at your service!
Since when?!
I will lay down my life to save Your Highness!
I will not leave Milord.
Wraith! Be damned!
I regret to say Milord has been taken captive.
Milord?! Does he yet live?!
You must return to your lands!
I come for the Prince!
Onward, Torakichi!
Who?!
Your Highness!
I will go to him!
Your Highness!
Nagato!
Your Highness!
I will not forget your loyalty!
May fortune be yours!
It seems like yesterday.
You don't mind?
Not at all, Miss Fujiwara! Any way you like.
Thank you.
Where was I?
Breaking through the enemy...
Where Nagato gets stabbed.
Oh, yes...
If he was a prisoner, I just had to help him somehow.
What the...?!
Villainy!
Guard the prisoner!
I'm here to save you!
You'll never get the better of me!
Could a princess do that?
Behind you!
Finish her off!
Wait.
Who are you?!
Give me a break!
My name is of no importance.
You! You followed me!
Cut him down!
I'm good at being stubborn.
Why do you care about me?
I can't help it. I like you.
The same reason you insist on going to save him.
But I love him!
Stop talking and go.
Leave this fight to me.
I don't need any thanks.
I've always thought I'd like to die...
...for the woman I loved.
Maybe I should get myself fired...
Have at me, knaves! All of you at once!
Here comes help!
You little imp!
Where is he?!
Humph! They weren't so tough!
Wait for me, Chiyoko! I'm coming!
By now his head's on display in the capital!
Kyoto?!
For you, the road ends here!
He's in Kyoto!
Have pity!
No! I won't let you go!
I'll come back!
I just want to see him and give him what's his!
How nice of you!
A man about to be executed is in need of nothing now.
You poor fool!
Pursue him as long and as far as you may...
...you cannot escape your fate.
Neither you, nor her!
Don't just stand there! Bring her!
On your feet!
Let me go! Please! Let me go!
I must go to him!
I promise I'll come back! Let me go!
Now we're in Kyoto...faster than a speeding bullet train!
Another age, too...
Torakichi!
Where's Chiyoko?
You're not dressed for this era.
Don't you glare at me!
I taught you everything you know, and now you've shamed me!
You'll learn to listen to reason!
The fool! Making Eiko mad!
It serves her right! Chiyo doesn't know her place.
A few men like her and she thinks she's a geisha!
Watch her! Make sure she doesn't run away again!
Wasn't this supposed to be a documentary?
Damn right!
"The Seven Specters: The Legend of Fujiwara Chiyoko'!
Old people these days!
Are you all right, Miss?
I'm fine.
Leave this to me.
Come this way.
He's in the city, isn't he?
Surely you don't think I'd keep you locked in here!
I won't for get this!
When you first came here, I felt I knew you already.
And I thought that some day I'd like to help you.
And ever since then...
Chiyoko!
Pay attention!
A jailbreak?!
Some rebel samurai got away!
Spread out!
Sorry.
It's me! Don't you remember?
We met on a winter's day, just like this!
I've searched and searched for you!
To give this back to you...
Go around that way! Don't let any escape!
Wait!
Your key!
Keep it will we meet.
Over there! Hurry!
You saw a samurai run past here, didn't you.
Where did he go?
That way.
I've seen you before...
You're hiding something.
Tell us. You know which way he went.
Whoops!
Have no fear, Miss.
And here he comes at last!
You're a damned anti-government rebel!
And you're fools who don't know when your time has gone.
Get on, Miss...
...and leave the rest to...
Be careful! You'll strain yourself!
Such kindness to a humble man!
Miss! I'll never for get...
Playing truant, are we?
Off to meet a certain "human-rights' agitator?
I don't understand...
We have proof!
He left you a little memento on your storeroom wall.
He did?!
So you do know him.
That's all I need to know. We'll continue at the station.
You can tell us everything there.
Another stubborn one!
Tell them what they want to know.
I can't tell them what I don't know.