Blue Literature
Run, Melos!
Host Sakai Masato
This time, we'll present one of Dazai Osamu's masterpieces.
"Run, Melos!"
Run, Melos!
The defining work of Dazai Osamu's middle period, published in 1940
Dazai Osamu
Sponsor: Museum of Modern Japanese Literature
This work is actually
said to be based on Dazai's debt.
Debt
Dazai managed to spend all of his money
by indulging with his fellow artist, Kazuo Dan,
Dan Kazuo
Sponsor: Museum of Modern Japanese Literature
at an inn in Atami.
Dazai left Dan at the inn and went to his master Masuji Ibuse's house
to borrow money for the hotel charges.
Ibuse Masuji
But several days had passed and he didn't come back.
Dan, who got tired of waiting, went to Ibuse's house.
It turned out Dazai was unable to ask for a loan and was playing shogi with Ibuse.
Dazai said to the angry Dan:
My dear Dan, is it more painful to wait,
or to make someone wait?
The masterpieces are blue.
The masterpieces are blue
Please watch the first episode of "Run, Melos!"
May 1950
Is it more painful to wait?
Or to make someone wait?
Run, Melos!
One Month Ago
Yes?
It's the switchboard operator.
Are you free to talk now?
Yeah, sure.
Please wait.
Takada?
Good morning.
Ah, good morning.
You were still sleeping, right?
So, the play you wrote recently was really well-received.
The place was packed,
and there were even standing guests on the final day.
Well, that place isn't really big to begin with.
Oh, come on.
There's another job I'd like you to do.
Yeah?
It's a Greek story compiled during the Roman times.
It's quite the masterpiece.
We're thinking of "Run, Melos!" as the title for it.
"Run, Melos!"?
We're already negotiating with the troupe.
We'd like to start rehearsing as soon as the script is done.
I see.
The deadline is quite close though.
But you always write so quickly.
Is that so?
Yeah, it is.
I'm sure it'll be popular.
I wasn't interested in this job.
I was reading that masterpiece in the train on the way back. It was set in pre-era Sicily.
Although it was eagerly recommended to me under the assumption I would like it,
I don't really get it.
I don't really like stories about friendship.
Still, I was quite pleased that I was asked to write this.
It's not like anything else was worth my attention.
Of course, I used to have something I wanted to write.
But if you keep doing this kind of job, such thoughts fade away by themselves.
It's my distant past now.
Having said that,
I don't consider myself an unhappy man.
Of course, I'm not a happy man either.
A happy man wouldn't write plays and novels to begin with.
I write while savoring my unhappiness. It's like I can taste it.
Melos was...
Melos was enraged.
He resolved to face that evil and tyrannical king.
You would not even be able to kill a bug with such skill.
I shall save the town with my own hands!
Yours?
You are a hopeless man.
You would not understand my loneliness.
Don't say that!
Doubting people's hearts is a shameful vice!
You are the ones who taught me to doubting is right!
People's hearts are unreliable.
You can't believe them.
You can't believe them...
Dionys imposed a death penalty upon Melos.
And Melos said he was ready to accept it.
However, he requested it be postponed for three days
so he could attend the marriage of his sister whom he left in his hometown.
Such a fool.
What an outrageous lie.
Would a bird come back once you let it flee?
Yes! I'll come back!
I'll keep my promise.
If you really don't believe me...
All right...
There is a stonemason named Selinuntius in this town.
He is my only friend.
Take him as a hostage here.
If I don't come back here in three days by sunset,
please hang him!
The king chuckled softly with cruel thoughts on his mind.
He will most certainly not come back anyway.
Therefore, it might be amusing to pretend that I was cheated by that liar.
Then it will feel nice to kill the substitute in three days.
This is why you can't trust people.
I'll put on a sad face and crucify the substitute.
I'd love to show that to those who call themselves honest.
Selinuntius was...
Selinuntius was summoned to the royal castle late at night.
Forgive me, Selinuntius!
There is nothing to apologize for.
Aren't we childhood friends?
Don't worry about it.
No matter what happens, I believe in you.
I thank you, my beloved friend!
I swear on Zeus' name that I, Melos, will be back here in three days by sunset!
I know.
I doubt you not.
For the safety of your trip.
I heard your wish.
Come back here in three days by sunset.
If you are late, I will kill your substitute.
There's nothing wrong with coming a little late.
I'll forgive your sin forever.
What... What are you saying?!
I know it.
If you value your life, come late!
I know your heart!
People's hearts are unreliable.
You can't believe them.
If you value your life, come late!
I know your heart!
I know it...
I know it.
I know it!
Traitor!
Shit!
Yeah...
I used to have a dear friend in my hometown too.
Only one.
Run, Melos!
Blue Literature
Run, Melos!
15 Years Ago
He jests at scars that never felt a wound.
Wait.
But, soft! what light through yonder window breaks?
It is the east.
And Juliet is the Sun.
Arise, fair sun,
and kill the envious moon.
You are mine.
My lover!
If only she could understand my heart...
Romeo, Romeo.
Wherefore art thou, Romeo.
Deny thy father and refuse thy name.
And for that name which is no part of thee, take all myself.
I take thee at thy word:
Call me but love,
and I'll be new baptized;
Henceforth I never will be Romeo.
What man art thou that thus bescreen'd...
What man art thou that thus bescreen'd in night so stumblest on my counsel?
By a name, I know not how to tell thee who I am:
My name, dear saint, is hateful to myself, because it is an enemy to thee.
I know the sound: Art thou not Romeo?
How camest thou hither, tell me, and wherefore?
With love's light wings did I o'er-perch these walls;
for stony limits cannot hold love out,
and what love can do that dares love attempt...
Hey!
"Hey" is for horses!
Would Juliet ever say that? You're a terrible actor.
Give me a break!
I have no performance talent anyway.
Talent, huh?
In that case, is our Takada's new work done yet?
Well, it doesn't matter anymore.
Why not?
I can't really write it well.
It's impossible anyway.
Because that show is...
Takada.
You don't need to write well.
Just write.
Keep writing till the end.
I don't want to read a good book.
I want to read it because it's your book.
Joshima!
That looks good on you!
Amazing!
We don't have much at home besides clothing material.
Romeo!
My Romeo!
We were friends.
Although...
He was just so much more talented than me.
Men like him have been favored by the heavens since birth.
I was like one of the numerous planets that fly around the sun reaching for its light.
A planet that reaches for the immaculate light of the sun.
Not even the moon can shine by itself.
It shines so brightly because it receives light from the sun.
How noisy!
You dumbass!
Don't waste manuscripts!
Your hand is on fire!
It's hot!
Joshima!
I...
Impressive, Takada!
Congratulations, Takada!
Congratulations!
Thank you!
I can't believe it.
My work is being made into a show...
What are you saying?
Doesn't it make perfect sense?
Why?
Why now?
It was fifteen years ago.
I buried both his words and smile into the depths of my memories,
and starting living alone in Tokyo.
I managed to fill the crevice in my heart by continuing to fill the squares on my manuscript paper.
And yet...
I feel my chest swelling up with pain again.
It stings my heart like a fresh wound.
How long does he have to make me suffer before he's satisfied?
Shit!
Brother!
Welcome home, brother!
I'm home.
I'm glad.
I was worried since you were quite late.
Sorry.
Did something happen, brother?
No.
Nothing.
You lie!
Something happened, right?
I'm not gonna be a child forever.
I still have some important things to do in the town.
Let's have your wedding tomorrow.
Tomorrow?
The sooner the better.
Also...
I bought you a wedding dress.
Great!
Thank you, Brother!
Now hurry up and tell everyone in the village.
Yeah, yeah.
Brother, I'll shout and tell everyone!
Be blessed by the goddess Artemis.
We shall make the vow of marriage here today.
Congratulations!
Congratulations on your marriage.
Thank you, Brother.
Don't cry.
Tears don't look good on a happy bride.
I have to go now.
I have important things to do.
What your brother hates the most is doubting and lying.
You know that, right?
I'll leave my sister in your hands.
Okay!
And now for the feast!
People merrily clapped their hands, sang and danced.
The feast became more and more flashy.
I want to stay here forever.
I want to spend my life with these good people.
Melos still felt attached to his life.
But that feeling wouldn't get the better of him.
Here it is.
Hey, Joshima.
Jeez.
I laughed so hard I started crying.
Were you crying?
Takada.
I'm going to Tokyo.
I'm leaving my home.
I don't want to live at home anymore.
Will you go with me?
Let's do theater together in Tokyo.
You'll write and I'll perform.
His father ran a big used clothing store in his hometown.
That used clothing store also lent people money.
He was like the town magnate.
As the only child,
I think Joshima had an argument with his father about his future career
and decided to go to Tokyo.
As soon as I heard his words, I made up my mind immediately.
If he goes, I'll go too.
There was no wonder or doubt in my mind.
The train comes at ten.
Wait for me.
But I don't have a watch with me.
I see.
Take this.
People can say anything pure with their mouths.
I can see their true motives.
I'll prove to the king that you can believe in people!
Then I'll laugh as he crucifies me!
The harshest snow of winter came on the day we were to go to Tokyo.
Even though I was freezing under my flannel coat,
there was a warm pulsation in my chest I had never felt before.
I felt like I could go anywhere with him.
Be it heaven or hell.
Or the end of the world with no one else in sight.
I shall be killed tonight.
I shall run to get killed!
I shall run to rescue my friend! My substitute!
I shall run to defeat the deception and trickery of the king!
I must run!
Farewell, dear hometown!
I'll prove that you can believe in people!
That's... an utter lie.
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".
Next Time
Run, Melos!
Finale
Next Time
Run, Melos!
Finale