Blue Literature
No Longer Human
Host Sakai Masato
In this country, there are literary works said to be masterpieces.
But aren't there many people who feel like they don't relate to these works?
To the younger generation, these are just old stories.
Old stories
To the older generation,
Stories they were forced to read long ago
these are stories they were forced to read long ago.
If you were to pick up one of them once again, you'd be in for a surprise.
Seeing the main characters worry, grieve and act reminds us of ourselves.
Worry
Grieve
Act
Furthermore, they remind us that our days are filled with pain and life.
Pain
Something we tend to forget about.
Life
For example, this "No Longer Human".
It's literary master Dazai Osamu's defining work.
Dazai Osamu Photo: Shigeru Tamura
No Longer Human
Dazai Osamu's defining work published in June 1948
With over ten million copies printed,
it has been immortalized as the most read work in Japan.
But it is by no means an old story.
The masterpieces are blue
The masterpieces are blue.
Please watch the first episode of "No Longer Human".
I've lived my life in shame.
I have no idea what a human life is.
1929
Summer
No
Longer
Human
Episode 01
Double
Suicide
in
Kamakura
I'm sorry for being late.
Were you visiting your husband again?
Yes.
We're already open.
I'll change right away.
He's going to get executed anyway.
This is Mayumi.
Her real name, as I found out later, is Tsuneko.
She's the woman I am said to have killed.
At that time, I was involved with an anti-government movement.
According to the Ministry of the Interior, there are over 100,000 unemployed people.
The cities are flooded with people who lost their jobs.
There are countless numbers of people in the villages who sell themselves!
C-Countless!
Uh...
My... My sister...
Was also sold...
To save the family budget!
She was only 16!
Student!
It's a revolution!
Now is the time to overthrow the government!
An armed uprising is drawing near!
Write your name there and join us!
I'll sign!
Me too!
Help us raise funds to buy weapons!
Collecting money is so easy.
Right, Captain?
You're quite the actor too.
I was just clowning around.
You make a perfect clown.
Oh really?
But we say it's for the poor while squeezing money from those who are even poorer...
What would they think if they found out that you're actually filthy rich?
Young master.
Your father is furious that you're still involved in illegal activities.
It's to make the world a better place.
Are you still studying art?
Your father said that if you damage his reputation as a congressman,
he'll quit giving you allowance.
If this goes on, I won't be able to protect you.
I hope this isn't the last.
Without allowance, I'd have no choice but to die.
Please tell that to my father.
Everyone is under arrest!
Freeze!
Basta...
It's the special police.
Crap!
Come quick!
Let's escape through the window!
Hey, have you checked the bathroom?
Push me harder!
Idiot! Do it now!
Hey, freeze!
Let's go!
Chase them without drawing attention.
Let's see where they go.
We stand out together.
Let's split up.
Who took our funds?
Hey, lemme borrow some cash.
Didn't you get your allowance today?
Stop it!
Don't touch me! They'll notice us.
So you did get it. Geez.
He who has is he who pays.
Later!
I've lived my life in shame.
You'll go to high school in Tokyo.
I...
Understood?
I wish to become an artist.
Shit!
Mayumi!
Welcome.
Are you alone?
Come with me when you're done.
Okay?
I'm so lonely...
I know of a nice modern bar.
I'm sure it has something that'll make you happy.
What do you think?
You'll come, won't you?
I'm sorry.
My brother came out here from the countryside.
Come with me.
Uh...
Please let me hide here for a while.
That guy just doesn't give up.
What would you like?
Anything...
Okay then...
Please bring me my bottle.
Okay.
No, I...
Don't worry.
I'm pretending like you're my brother.
Welcome.
Oh, Kosuge!
Welcome!
Oh, you're already done with work?
Where's your guest?
He went to the bathroom.
Sorry for bothering.
Come back again!
You can come out now.
How long are you gonna stay in there?!
Blue Literature
No Longer Human
Looks like you hid me instead.
Don't worry about it.
Why?
He's from the special police, isn't he?
He's a regular at the bar.
Always putting on airs...
I hate him.
And you were frightened too.
I see.
You're cute.
Uh...
We'll be in trouble if we're found.
Let's pretend to be lovers.
Sure.
Hey!
Run away!
Hey!
Let me go!
You damn whore!
Quick!
Why won't you let me go?!
I've lived my life in shame.
Nice smile, Yo.
I still don't understand anything about human behavior.
Women in particular are such mysterious creatures.
Why?
So you came back for me.
I'm happy.
You smell nostalgic.
It's probably the smell of paint.
I'm an art student.
You are?
So you're going to become an artist?
I'm not talented though.
I feel at ease.
Me too.
I should quit visiting my husband.
Is he the one in that photo?
He's serving time right now.
You wanna hear about it?
Not really.
I'm fed up with this world.
Hey, go start a revolution.
Aren't you in that movement?
No way.
I joined them 'cause I wanted to act cool.
Hell, I'm not even interested.
It's just I can't draw so I have nothing better to do.
Isn't it artistic to be rebellious?
No way.
You shouldn't act like that.
You're pure.
I can tell.
Don't you think that there's something wrong with this world?
That there's something wrong with how you live?
Why do women only see things how they want to see them?
Why do they shy away from the truth?
What's the matter?
It's nothing.
Back then, I'm sure I wanted to kill that woman.
Do I really have a way to live?
I got cut off by my parents and I have no money.
Now I have nowhere to go.
A school cap!
A sketchbook!
A book!
So Yozo also wants a book?
The store at the Asakusa shrine sells lion dance masks.
Children like to put them on and play.
Would you like one?
I think Yozo would rather have a book.
I see.
I made him angry.
I made Father angry!
There I was at the store in Asakusa.
I opened my notebook and saw "lion dance" written there.
Oh my.
And I didn't write that.
Yozo must be pulling my leg.
He's such a weird boy.
He must have changed his mind and wanted it really bad.
I broke into laughter at the toy store.
I'm so ashamed.
Of what?
My life.
I am too.
I can't go back to that bar.
I'm tired.
Will you die with me?
I borrowed this from a friend.
I see.
I feel a little sleepy.
Do you mind pushing me?
If I'm reborn,
I'd like to live more like a human.
Yeah.
Come right after me, okay?
'Kay.
He's still breathing!
Hey! Hurry up!
Get a boat!
It looks like the guy who collapsed on the rocks attempted a double suicide!
They said they found a woman's sash and sandals at the top of the cliff.
Then...
Let's look for her.
The woman might be still alive!
Cute...
Be a good boy.
Don't tell your father about this.
Your father is furious.
Would you like one?
Sleeping pills?
How many would you like?
He's such a weird boy.
You're pure.
Nice smile!
That was on purpose.
You make a perfect clown.
You're cute.
I'm fed up.
Hey!
Is that so?
I should quit visiting my husband.
Come right after me, okay?
Are you sure it was a double suicide, Inspector?
I heard he said that he killed the woman.
Who told you that?
Don't write an article based on rumors.
Inspector!
We've found the woman.
What?
Hey.
Look, he's awake.
So, is she still alive?
Well...
In order to find something...
Even if we oversleep,
we still wake up every day.
It's not too late.
We say "hello".
Put on a smile,
no matter how small it is.
Every waking moment,
this world needs you.
It's not too late.
We say "hello".
No Longer Human
Episode 02
Monster