Look up at the stars
An infinite number of scattered lights
Floating above the ring
Today rainbow-coloured sweat will fly
It's not bright tonight! My life
At this moment is only small
Like a lit firework
Our red faces flare up
I don't understand tonight! Now I'm
Suited for this lonely smell
Hit the waves and break them
Things like kindness have no meaning
Autumn in Tokyo
Last winter, Toru Rikiishi died.
In memory of the boxer Toru Rikiishi,
the gong will be rung 10 times.
I ask you to please stand.
Something the matter, grandfather?
No, it's just that I thought that he might be here.
He isn't here, I'm sure of it.
Toru Rikiishi
Toru Rikiishi Versus Joe Yabuki
Episode 1: And Then, He Returned...
It's over... Everything's over now.
7...
8...
9...
10!
No, Joe! Don't stand back up! Stay on the ground!
Well done, Rikiishi.
Congratulations! You've finally done it.
You surprised me, Rikiishi.
I wasn't expecting that last uppercut.
But I'm not surprised about you. Well done.
The hit was very severe on Rikiishi,
Yabuki's right punch on the temple during the 6th round
was followed by a violent impact to the head
which caused a brain bleed.
That was the cause of death after the autopsy.
Hey, man! Go loll around somewhere else!
Where will the customers sit?
Bridge of Tears
Tange Boxing Club
Grandpa! Grandpa Kenkichi!
No news. Nothing at all.
- No postcard? - No.
- No telegram? - No.
A phone call?
Stupid, we don't have a phone.
Still, it's been more than 6 months...
He could give us some news...
Give up. It's useless to wait.
That guy is a real vagabond.
He has to prowl about somewhere.
And even if he was in the ring, he killed a man.
He will never come back to such a tragedy.
Liar!
Then why do you stitch up your punching bag everyday?
You clean the ring too.
The other day, you polished
Joe's training gloves. I saw you!
You're a liar, grandpa!
You know too that Joe is going to come back.
And you tell me to give up. That's not right!
Stupid!
He must understand me. Everyone has the right to dream.
The right to hope... We all need it.
Joe! Where are you? What's become of you?
A fight! A fight between yakuzas!
You making wisecracks on our territory?
Your territory? Since when does it belong to you?
You taking it like that? Very well.
You looking for a fight?
That's right. We have a good reason to...
Bro, your turn!
Who is this guy?
Bro, let them admire your face.
Yes. He's an ex-champion bantamweight, amateur category.
We're now seeing the champion of the world: Wolf Kanagushi.
Surely you remember his epic fight against Yabuki,
he became the new celebrity after the death of Rikiishi.
Wow! That's him, that's Wolf Kanagushi.
He had to stop because Yabuki broke his jaw.
Now, he is a henchman of the yakuzas.
Geez...
Well done, bro! That was amazing!
You're really impressive!
They should avoid hanging around that corner for a while.
I am sure...
that during that fight against Yabuki...
I could have K.O'd him if there had been a 2nd round.
Of course, bro. I'm convinced.
I would now be taking on the world championship.
Yes, the world championship. I'm sure of it.
Waitress! Another beer!
And then it would be you who Rikiishi would face.
Not that wimp Yabuki.
My beer! Are you deaf!? Bring me 5 or 6.
Boss...
Why are you talking about Rikiishi!
We were talking about me!
Of course, bro. We were talking about you, all about you.
Hmm, did I say the name Rikiishi? I don't even remember.
Here are your beers.
Idiot! I didn't ask for anything!
A little stone...
is enough to make you stumble. Yabuki was my little stone.
I have no luck at all.
The fate of a boxer can be decided
on a single punch, it's either shitty or miraculous.
Bro, I remember your fight against Yabuki
and your spectacular cross-counters.
It was truly incredible!
I was an inch... Don't you get it?
An inch closer and I could have...
You amaze me!
You again? Haven't you had enough pain?
It won't be like that again. We have reinforcement this time.
What?
Come on, Gondo Goromaki.
Understood.
What does Goromaki mean?
Goromaki means fighting, Wolf.
He goes from city to city offering his services as a henchman.
He's a professional street fighter.
Please stand up, Wolf.
I would like to see
if my fighting technique is a match
for that of a real boxer.
You think you can measure up?
I don't know... I'll have to try.
Alright. Whenever you're ready. I'm waiting.
Very well.
I wish to compliment the punch of an ex-champion,
but even if you were both bantamweight,
you wouldn't have been able to kill Rikiishi, unlike Yabuki.
Bastard!
I still haven't revealed all my Goromaki technique.
Wait!
Goromaki! Do you want to kill him or what?
That's enough. He's already beaten.
Who the hell are you?
Doesn't matter. But if you continue to clobber him
I will have to intervene.
- What? - What did you say?
Wait, guys. Don't mess with him.
But, Gondo...
It's best you walk away. This kid is strong.
Even 10 against 1 you couldn't beat him.
Hey, you cowards over there!
Yes?
This is no time to daydream! Take Wolf to the hospital.
Otherwise his chin won't heal correctly.
O-okay.
Bro, hold on!
Tell me if I'm wrong...
But you're Joe Yabuki, aren't you?
I knew it.
- Who? Him? That's Yabuki? - That's who killed Rikiishi?
Yes, it's him! It's really Joe Yabuki!
Wait, I'm not looking to fight you.
You are much stronger than me.
I won't fight when I know I'll lose.
What? You were sure you'd win against Wolf then?
He was a professional boxer like me.
Indeed. But that means nothing, "professional boxer".
There is a big difference between you two.
He has a pathetic look.
I only saw the nostalgia of his past glory.
When I saw those eyes I was sure I could win.
I don't like it. Why are you massacring someone
that you know you'll beat?
Because I don't like his type.
They lose once and fall apart.
I don't like it!
One more word about Wolf
and I swear I'll kill you on the spot.
That affected me. Impressive.
That's how it should be, the punch of a real boxer.
This way.
It should be alright now.
Where are you thinking of going now?
I haven't decided yet.
I see...
To be good at my job, if it is one,
I have to watch combatants, boxers, I mean.
It seems the rain is stopping.
Well, I'll take my leave.
I hope to see you in the ring.
Excuse me! Please stop. Stop for me here.
What's wrong, Yoko?
Yoko?
I saw him, for a moment...
Him? You mean Yabuki?
Yes, it was Yabuki.
He was running.
The man who cried after the death of Rikiishi
and disappeared...
It's unbelievable, but he was running, almost flying.
You must be mistaken... again.
Again?
Yes, just like last time...
Damn... I came too late.
Take this!
I should go see them, it's been a while ...
It's time... to get to work.
Stupid! Idiot!
How many times do I have to tell you? Be quiet when going downstairs!
- Grandpa! - What?
Come down here for a sec...
What? You break your tailbone or something?
No! Look there! Look there!
How's it goin', Nishi and Grandpa?
Joe!
Sad memories are hidden by your shoulders
You are walking alone in life
Now sweet comfort
Shouldn't hurt your back
Bitter tears overflow
Just pretend you don't notice
Bitter tears overflow
Just pretend you don't notice