RAMEN FIGHTER MIKI
You may stammer when you speak, but deep in your heart...
...you've got instincts that burn in a blaze of glory.
I know it's in you.
In love and at play somehow you have a reserved kind of common sense.
I'm sure that at this rate it'll just be an everyday prototype of life.
Boys and girls, round and round Dance a radical dance
It's a delusion that you want to dance it, so shout.
Live de Dive, Wild Spice
If you can just fly for a second
You want to lay claim to your dreams
Go forth into the invincible present! Get up and go!
CLOSED
When I'm working...
...I always wish I could get some time off.
But now that we're off for the day, I don't know what to do.
I don't have a TV, and I don't have a game console...
And sleeping the day away would be a waste.
Okay!
Why don't I just do a typical girl-thing, and go shopping?
Dressed like that?
Whenever I get all pumped up to do something, I somehow...
...end up wearing this outfit!
LET'S SET THE RECORD STRAIGHT
Hey! That brings back memories!
It's the Piggy my mom bought me when I was a kid!
I always had it with me, when I played, and when I slept...
But one day it fell apart, and I guess it got tossed in the trash.
Okay, I'm gonna buy it! Looks like it's the last one left...
Hold on, how much money do I have?
Just barely, but it's enough.
You'll have to take this one because it's the last. Is that all right?
Oh, yes!
That will be 3,150 yen.
I'm stopping this transaction!
Are you out of your mind?
Snatching the item I was just about to buy!
Hey, that's exactly what I should be saying to you!
First of all, what about your shop?
We're off today.
You too, then?
The plushie I sleep with every night is all worn out...
...so I came here on my day off to buy another one.
You mean you're gonna sleep with this thing?
I most certainly am. Is there a problem?
I was so sure you were gonna use it for target practice!
Yes! If I hit him in the eyeballs that's full points!
I would never do such a thing! What's your reason?
My reason? Actually, I did have one, but...
Now that I know you want it so bad, I can't wait to rip it out of your hands!
So cruel...
Anyway, this piggy belongs to me!
No, it belongs to ME!
I got it!
Looks like it's mine!
I only have this large bill. Please hurry and...
As if I'd let that happen!
How dangerous! What are you going to do if you hit Piggy instead?
That would be extremely uncool.
So use yourself as a shield and protect that Piggy!
What you're saying is absolutely insane!
Wait!
Take this!
Ouch, ouch...
Oh!
Oh, no...
Hey, thanks again!
Ohta-san, what's that?
Hey! It's Piggy!
What are you doing with this?
Those are prizes.
It's coming up, remember? The annual...
That's right! The Community Sumo Contest!
All right! That means the piggy has my name on it!
I'm so going to win again this year!
Bring it on!
But the sumo contest will be canceled after this year.
Why?
Canceled? How stupid!
That sumo contest is the biggest event this town has ever known!
So why the hell are they canceling it?
Why are they canceling it, you ask?
It's because...
...you took part last year!
For real?
All right, listen to me now.
Traditionally, sumo is only open to males.
So until 2 years ago, we never invited women to participate.
But such a policy would only limit the number of people who could enjoy the contest.
So starting last year, the city council began inviting women to join in.
However...
...it was this decision that brought on last year's tragedy.
Wounded: 50.
Missing: 1.
In addition, one of the casualties was a professional wrestler in his prime.
Since you could say his life as an athlete was over, Mortalities: 1.
Then, there isn't going to be one this year? A Sumo Contest?
Well, it's a yearly community event. You can't do away with it so easily.
What do you mean?
I mean we're holding it this year too... the Sumo Contest.
Really! That's awesome!
However it'll be the kind of sumo that won't...
...generate casualties even if you take part.
The kind of sumo that won't generate casualties even if I take part?
That's right. For example...
Thumb wrestling!
May I ask why you borrowed me for this?
The most important thing is to make sure nobody will get hurt.
Ready?
Since you're so delicate, Megumi...
...if you can get out of this unhurt, I can guarantee the safety of this event.
At least, it will give me a reference point.
Although let's face it, how could anyone injure herself thumb-wrestling?
Save me! I'm going to lose every finger but my thumb!
Okay, I got it.
We can't try any kind of sumo that requires physical competition.
You figured that out too late!
Then how about... You figured that out too late!
Paper Sumo?
Well, I did think it was a good suggestion, but...
Man, I can't take anymore of this tedious crap!
Just as I thought!
A competition where I can guarantee both safety and fairness...
...does such a thing even exist in this world?
If we just create an event that exposes Onimaru-san's weaknesses...
...it would give the other contestants a great advantage!
Hey, that's it!
Hey, Miki-chan, tell us what your weak point is!
A single blow from Mom.
Even if your skull splits, you might not die
This is our big annual event...
Even if your skull splits, you might not die
Who Can Take The Hostess's Punch Better Than Anyone Else?
The population will go down!
Well, no matter what kind of event you come up with, no one can beat me.
The piggy prize is as good as mine
Piggy!
No, I shall be the one to take home that Piggy!
Piggy?
That's it! There is something else that Onimaru-san's not good at!
If my guess is correct...
...then Onimaru-san must find it difficult to stifle her laughter!
To stifle her laughter?
I don't know what kind of event they dreamed up, but I know...
...I'm gonna sail to victory this year again!
I wouldn't be too sure about that!
What?
Just look over there.
First Hanami-cho Facial Sumo Contest
Facial Sumo? What's that?
Allow me to explain! In Facial Sumo, contestants will try...
...to make their opponent laugh by making silly faces!
What the hell? It's just a staring contest, basically.
The rules are simple. Each contestant will fill their mouths with water...
...and whoever spits out the water from his mouth first loses!
Now then, here's today's main event!
Onimaru Miki vs. Kannazuki Megumi!
Ready... go!
This is bad. I'm gonna lose, I'm gonna lose, I'm gonna lose!
I'm gonna lose to that Megumi of all people!
I see. So Megumi's deduction was correct.
For the life of her, Miki-chan can't hold back her laughter!
How impudent!
Until now, any type of sumo contest she competed in...
...Miki has always proven herself to be invincible.
But the status quo is just about to be reversed!
That's right...
We are on the brink of witnessing a moment that will go down in history!
If I don't do something quick, I'm gonna lose!
It's no good... I'm gonna spray it all out!
I win!
That's quite low of you.
Whoever laughs and spits out the water from her mouth loses.
But, there's no rule saying you can't spray it out of your eyes or ears!
So I win, fair and square!
Well... you're right.
I lost!
Does this mean there's no one who can possibly beat Miki in a sumo contest?
So, ladies and gentlemen, the winner of this memorable...
...First Annual Facial Sumo Contest is...
...Tomoka Kayahara!
We will now present Ms. Kayahara with the grand prize, a TV set and a plushie!
There's no way that she would ever crack a smile unless she's eating ramen.
Damn!
How could I have lost? I even resorted to tickling tactics!
But that was against the rules.
Congratulations!
Oh, man... my little Piggy plushie!
Please feel free to eat as many bowls as you want! It's all on me, okay?
You mean it's on the shop!
Don't think I'm not going to make you work extra to pay it all back!
Come on, gimme a break!
YOU'RE MY SPRINGBOARD!!
Megumi!
What on earth is the problem?
"Miki blew off work and went to play baseball!"
"Miki was seen spreading malicious gossip about the bakery!"
How dare you circulate these lies about me!
But they're all true!
And besides, you're the one who should be charged with slander!
I don't want such a vicious battle this early in the morning!
But there's no telling what she'll do to me if I'm caught!
Just where do you think you're going?
If you're climbing to heaven, I'll be happy to help you!
Sorry to inform you, but by climbing this scaffold, I can...
...access a direct route back to my own house!
What did you say?
So fast!
Come back here!
What are we doing running in a place like this?
This isn't good. I've got to do something or I'll be caught!
Ow... ow... ow...
Well, looks like I've caught you at last!
You really are cruel.
Well, say your prayers... there's no way out for you now!
Wait, but in terms of there being no way out...
...it seems you're in the same boat!
Huh? What is this place?
It's closed off on all sides.
I had no idea that such a place existed in this town surrounded on...
...all sides by buildings.
Oh, boy... and the closest thing to a way out...
...seems to be this rusty ladder.
But...
I certainly don't like the way it's been broken.
It's so high that even if I jumped, I probably couldn't reach it.
If only there was something I could use as a springboard...
You're right, if only I had something to use as a springboard...
Something I could use as a springboard...
Hey! Found it... something I can use as a springboard!
I, too, have discovered something!
Looks like you and I have the same thing in mind, eh?
It certainly appears that way!
Let me use you as a springboard! And I'll get some help for you once I'm out!
Don't be ridiculous.
Once you're out of this place, you'll leave me for dead and bury the truth, won't you?
Of course I will!
So cruel...
What's your problem? Who cares if you just rot away here?
The bakery will be understaffed and have to shut down!
You don't honestly think that's a compelling argument, do you?
Anyway, the very idea is too absurd!
Should you leave me here to perish, the covert puncturing of your bike tires...
...the blatant broadcasting of your nefarious antics...
In other words, all of my sneaky efforts to bring you down will have been for nothing!
Ah, what a terrible thought!
I'm gonna burn you up!
Listen, your problem is you're just too sneaky!
Nobody else ever sees a glimmer of your evil side...
You're always acting like such a goody-goody!
If you ask me, the way you storm about no matter...
...where you are is far more ridiculous!
What did you say?
Even if I have to turn you into a corpse first, I'll use you as my springboard!
And then I'm gonna get myself home - alive!
So that I can do my job, got that?
That is precisely my intention, as well!
Hold it right there, Nya!
So heartless of you, Miki Onimaru!
Dueling with someone else behind my back!
I'm the one who's supposed to take you out! I, Nishiyama Kanku...
All right! Now we've got...
...something to use as a springboard!
Nya!
No good!
This springboard's not high enough.
That means...
Miki-chan! Megumi-chan!
So this is where you've been?
I've been looking all over for you... The hostess asked me to.
I'm going to rescue you now, so... huh?
All right! This should get us up there!
But since Ohta-san did bring along a rope...
...perhaps we should've just allowed him to rescue us.
Oh, but what does it matter now?
CHOMP
Toshiyuki?
Toshiyuki? Time to eat!
Not you again! I was this close to saving myself, for crying out loud!
Who are you to talk when you just killed my attempt to rescue you?
That's right, Nya!
How are we gonna get out of here, Nya?
I suppose we have no choice.
Right, at this point there's only one way out of here.
And that's to eliminate everyone here besides myself...
...and then stack up all the bodies to use as a springboard!
In other words... Battle Royale!
Why does it have to come to that?
Didn't it ever occur to you that we could all join forces and escape together?
Nope!
It's hopeless, Akihiko.
Our top priority should be figuring out how to survive this ordeal, Nya.
What?
Looks like they're planning to get rid of us first, Nya.
You mean they're serious?
That's right. So we've got to take them out before they take us out, Nya!
Yeah, but I'm really no match for this group...
That's true. Akihiko is an amateur when it comes to combat.
He's hopelessly outmatched, Nya.
Wait! I know, Nya!
Hey, Akihiko, it's almost time for the Star Rangers show, Nya!
What?
Did you say it's almost time for the Star Rangers show?
I've been so wrapped up in this bizarre situation, I completely forgot!
I've been putting my life on the line to watch this superhero squadron show.
I can't be stuck here in a place like this!
Star Ranger!
Let's get these people out of the way...
...and go home to watch Star Rangers, Nya!
Change!
Red Star!
Okay! Now we've got a chance to win!
Let's go, Blue!
Right!
Bamboo poles for sale!
So you turned out to be my toughest competition after all.
That inexhaustible power of yours, that shows no decline!
I guess I should take my hat off to your strength.
Take this! The Ultimate Technique!
Onimaru-style Burial Technique!
Fist of Compassion for All Living Things!
Oh, no... I'm already out of stamina...
I see, so you were pretty much wiped out, too.
You may be my enemy, but I gotta give you props!
And that other enemy of mine, who gets no props at all...
I'm talking about you!
Why, you kept yourself out of the battle...
...and just sat back and watched, didn't you?
Remember, we're playing Battle Royale!
No matter what tactics are used, whoever is left standing at the end wins!
I can't believe you'd sink that low...
Say what you will.
Onimaru-san, you've already reached the limits of your stamina.
By now, it must be all you can do just to stay on your feet!
Let me have the pleasure of delivering the death blow!
Struggle all you want... it won't do any good.
Just do as I say and let me use you as my springboard!
It appeared!
The vengeful spirit!
Vengeful spirit?
Kayahara-sensei, how long have you been sitting there?
Since yesterday.
Uh, yesterday?
Anyway, I don't know what to do. I don't have the energy to jump anymore.
How am I gonna get home?
Would you like me to go get the hostess or somebody?
Huh? But how will you do that?
Don't worry. This is one of my favorite spots.
It's like my own backyard.
Whoa... that's incredible!
Oh, my God! It's a ghost!
Augh! A vengeful spirit!
Um, Kayahara-sensei?
Please don't talk to me for a while.
Toshiyuki!
Really! Where did he run off to, anyway?
Sensei, not yet?
Not yet.
As you go running into the sunset, you can only see what's in front of you.
And you go past me like the wind So I can't take my eyes off you.
Even when I'm focusing on going home... Whenever I'm lost and want to cry...
I know you're going to make a mess of everything...
...by laughing out loud and jumping around.
You don't care what others may think. And you also hate what's not fair.
After you've run off there's a breeze left behind...
A breeze made of your smile.
You're invincible and bouncy... When you're serious, you're wonderful.
You're awkward and you're a bad liar. But even so, I love you.
You're invincible and bouncy...
When you're serious, you're wonderful.
I love that smile of yours, so someday I'll look out for you...
Mom, did you ever compete in the Sumo Contest?
I took part just once... although I was disqualified.
And it was just my luck that the following year, they started banning women.
That sucks.