Aren't I the odd one out?
Everyone else is male...
Now, now.
It was fate that we ran into each other at the station.
Please stick around a little longer.
Thanks to you, my first day off in a while is ruined.
You're this close to workplace harassment.
Kazari-kun...
What?
I'm really excited right now. Like a little boy.
That makes it closer to sexual harassment.
It's starting.
Morgan! Drew! Morgan! Drew!
What are those?
Look, Kazari-kun!
Drew and Morgan.
They are Japan's world-class giant robots!
Huh?
In response to an increase in heinous crimes,
a new movement is picking up steam in police and security forces around the world.
This is the story of the services performed by ACTIVE in Japan.
File 6: Dreams Beyond the Twilight
I see...
Special Exhibit Robots of Legend Howls of Steel
And here I was hoping you'd become a fellow fan.
When you're from a different generation, different things have nostalgic value.
Nostalgic value?
Japan used to be at the bleeding edge of robotics,
and their expertise with giant robots, in particular, was unparalleled.
You could say Drew and Morgan symbolize that.
Actually,
many years ago, I once rode on Drew's palm.
You did?
Aren't you jealous?
But why was it necessary for them to appear out of the water?
Because that's how it was
traditionally done in anime.
Huh? Anime?
Back in the day, there were lots of anime series with robots.
Kids who loved that stuff grew up
and worked to make their dreams of developing robots come true.
Their dreams fueled an entire genre's growth.
Is that seriously true?
Growing up, my dream was
to become a robot pilot.
Huh...
These are the scientists and small factory artisans who devoted their lives
to giant-robot development.
Small factories?
Without their superior technique
and passion for their work,
Drew and Morgan would have never seen the light of day.
This was a while ago,
but I once rode on Drew's palm—
You already told me that.
Ah.
Twilight Technology
But in the end, giant robots were...
Yes.
Though it was hoped they'd be optimal for dangerous work,
such as construction or excavation, or for disaster relief,
fuel inefficiency was their weakness.
And the damning strike was...
Willwears.
Right. With greater functionality and cost effectiveness,
the Willwears' emergence sealed the robots' fate.
Development of giant humanoid robots went rapidly into decline.
The final blow was the Third Quicksand Phenomenon.
The Third Quicksand Phenomenon
The Kanto Bottomless Belt, right?
Yes.
The area with a high small-factory concentration
is now an evacuation zone.
Can they still move?
Morgan can.
But they couldn't figure out what was wrong with Drew.
The technology's too old.
Hey!
Back away from the railing!
It's not safe.
Hey!
Jeez...
It's that geezer again.
The rivets are crying.
The rivets are crying...
Are you okay? Are you hurt?
We've told you many times.
The rivets are crying...
What's the matter?
Oh, he's from a nearby hospice.
Hospice?
This isn't his first time here.
We keep warning him, but...
Well, he's quite advanced in years.
Let's go, Grandpa.
Wait a minute.
Are you, by chance, Dr. Kasumigaseki?
You know who this is?
I'm certain that he's the father of Drew and Morgan...
Huh?
Dr. Kasumigaseki!
Nursing Home Light of Musashi
On good days, he can recall a lot.
That's when he's absolutely amazing!
He'll take apart broken TVs and vacuum cleaners in a flash,
and fix them like magic!
Does he have any family?
No, he doesn't seem to.
But I think he has a visitor sometimes,
one of his old colleagues.
Yes, that would be me.
I'm the only one who lives nearby now.
I thought Dr. Kasumigaseki was still tasked
with Drew and Morgan's maintenance,
even after robot development was canceled.
It was the government.
When the area around his factory became a designated evacuation zone,
the government confiscated the robots.
I heard it was some moneymaking scheme by the officials.
Where did the artisans involved in robot development go?
They switched to careers in industries
where they could still apply their skills, like rail transport and aeronautics.
Just like I did.
These clocks are becoming bygone artifacts,
but I do get repair requests once in a while.
I see.
We...
We were all putting our hearts and souls into careers we believed in.
We never thought we'd see a whole field disappear.
Now I wonder what our dreams even were...
I'm sorry to have kept you so long.
You can go now, Kazari-kun.
What about you, Funasaka-san?
I'll ask around to see if Dr. Kasumigaseki can maintain those robots again.
There's nothing to lose.
You really want to go that far?
He is a great scientist and a national treasure.
That isn't the only reason, though.
Back then, I was sneaking into the factory
almost every night because I wanted to see Drew.
But...
I-It moved!
You're trespassing. I'm calling the police.
You're the one who's been sneaking into the factory every night, aren't you?
Well, yeah. The security here sucks.
Lemme go, mister.
Don't call me "mister."
I'm a doctor.
Dr. Kasumigaseki.
I love robots!
Just once in my life, I'd love to pilot one!
Hmph. Then you should seriously pursue becoming a pilot.
A pilot?
That's right.
You should try to become Drew's pilot.
And don't slack off.
Study hard and work toward your dreams!
Study?
If that doesn't appeal to you, I'll report trespass—
Um, wait!
Not that, please!
So will you do it or not?
Me, a pilot?
Okay, that doesn't sound bad.
All right, doc.
I'll become Drew's pilot.
I promise!
I'll be waiting for you, boy.
Okay!
To him, it might have been a trivial lecture.
But having a dream to work toward
is a big deal for boys.
I'm only here today
because he gave me a dream that day.
I couldn't fulfill my promise from back then,
but I'd like to repay him, at least.
Is that strange?
Damn this robot exhibit.
They took Morgan from me.
Logos?
They're the ones who sent me a weird e-mail before.
Hey! What the hell?!
It's on autopilot?
Wh-What the...
What's this?
No way... It was true?
We open at 10 AM.
We open at—
The fuel tank is full. There's an overseas escape route. Come on Morgan.
Logos is more hardworking than I thought.
Sorry to keep you waiting, Morgan.
Mo (Fury)
Let's launch!
What?
We're up against a giant humanoid heavy machine?
This has to be a joke.
It's at least twenty meters tall.
Are you sure it's still working?
Funasaka-san...
Morgan was stolen?
The stolen giant humanoid heavy machine
is moving from Okachimachi to Akihabara along the Yamanote Break Water.
It's not responding to any contact.
Kazari-kun, do we have any security camera footage from the area?
Putting on main screen.
It's Morgan!
It's about to pass by the Third Anime Center.
Local authorities seem to have placed a cordon, but...
Stop! Stop! Are you listening to us?
As soon as we arrive at Akihabara's special use platform,
Kuroki-kun and Sena-kun are to suit up, understood?
Roger.
You can count on us!
Boss...
I have a request.
Vitals, all green.
Lock.
Inner unit, begin output.
Oscar II, set strike interceptor unit.
Understood. You are free to act as you wish.
Asami-chan, please provide backup support.
Huh?
Okay, going ahead.
Heh.
So what if it's a giant humanoid machine?
It's just an antique with nothing but sheer size.
It's no match for us.
Though I hate to admit it, I agree.
But its sheer mass is a problem.
Let's deal with it before there's any more collateral damage.
Got it!
This is the police. Power down the humanoid machine immediately.
There you are, Willwear.
Pests!
Wh-Why am I so sleepy?
Oscar II!
Oscar I, cut external monitors,
and put some distance between you and the machine!
What?
The humanoid machine has a sleep-induction device
developed by Nemuron.
A sleep-induction device?
It works by using vibrations at a specific wavelength
to deliver sleep-inducers to the brain.
It's limiter's been removed. It's very dangerous.
Wake up, Oscar II!
Oscar II!
Even asleep, you lack class!
The vibration's effective range is approximately fifty meters.
Then I'll just maintain range and attack.
I think that'd be a bad idea.
What?
Why?
That machine's heavily armored to the extreme.
With no data on it, it's impossible to deduce good targets.
A mistake could lead to collateral damage to the city from ricochets.
Using civilians as hostages...
Funasaka-san, Madoka-chan found what you requested.
This is the suspect. We're pretty sure he's the perp.
Shimura Makoto, age fifty-two.
He received official pilot training back then.
He was supposed to be Morgan's pilot.
Morgan's official pilot...
But the project was canceled,
Name: Shimura Makoto Place of Birth: Bunkyou Ward, Tokyo Prefecture Profession: Unemployed You're throwing the word "legend" around, but what is the legend exactly? Legends are only born once robot and pilot become one. If you're going to trot out Morgan, you should let me, the official pilot, on it. Otherwise, the legend is a big fat lie! I'm the best pilot for Morgan! You're desecrating Morgan by removing me and activating Morgan. You should stop this exhibit immediately.
and his life thereafter is the picture of a downward spiral.
He's also suspected of sending numerous harassing e-mails
intended to prevent the robot exhibit.
What's this?
Shimura's apartment.
I had local authorities stream their feed.
An unforgotten dream, huh?
Boss, can you get permission to launch Drew, stat?
Okay, got it.
Why Drew?
Because only Drew can stop Morgan now.
But Drew's broken.
Even if it could start up,
once it gets close to Morgan, the sleep-induction will...
That won't happen.
If I were him,
I wouldn't turn down a chance at a robot battle.
Ever!
You're sure confident!
Please, doctor...
The Morgan you created
is being used for evil by a thoughtless individual!
Only Drew can save us from this crisis.
You can do this...
No, only you can do this,
Dr. Kasumigaseki!
Please!
Doc!
You're the one from the clock shop.
I've gathered the old crew.
We'll help, doc!
Let's do this, doc!
Let's bring Drew back to life!
Thank you all for your help!
My lab coat.
My lab coat! Hurry up!
Dr. Kasumigaseki!
Doc!
First, remove the rusted rivets.
Yes, sir!
I have a pretty good idea what the issue is.
It's just one part. Don't dawdle! Hurry!
Oscar II to command vehicle.
Good morning.
Oscar II, your priority is to minimize damage.
Lure the target to the mud zone as best you can.
Roger!
We'll do our best.
Carry it!
Hurry up and link it up!
Funasaka-san?
By the way, who's going to pilot Drew?
I will, of course.
You?
When I was a boy, I wanted to be a pilot.
I still remember how to pilot it as clear as day.
It was just an online course, though.
An online course?
I'm counting on you, young Funasaka!
Yes,
doc!
It activated.
Good.
Drew,
launch!
Now that I've wreaked havoc, I have no regrets.
All I have to do now is reach the location Logos designated and escape.
Stop right there, Morgan!
Hey, that voice...
Funasaka-san?
I won't let you have your way any longer!
Drew! Great idea!
Command vehicle, sending live footage.
Funasaka-san, are you okay?
Command vehicle, we think we can apprehend the perp now.
Let Funasaka-san handle it.
Don't make any rash moves.
I will not let anyone use robots for evil!
Drew Drill Punch!
Get off your high horse!
Morgan Shovel!
Funasaka-san!
Morgan is more powerful!
Admit defeat before this power!
Full action, huh?
This isn't good. If we don't do something...
Take this steel-clad metal fist!
And now...
Funasaka-san!
Funasaka-san, don't lose!
Goodbye, Drew.
The world's best robot pilot
is me.
Run, Funasaka-san!
What's wrong, Morgan?
Why won't you move?
Why?!
It's out of fuel?
Bingo!
Perp apprehended.
Funasaka-san...
You'll only last so long at full action.
You should have known
that this fuel inefficiency
drove the giant robots into ruin.
Yesterday evening, in an unprecedented case,
a giant humanoid heavy machine on display at the robot exhibit was stolen,
Former Pilot Involved Giant Humanoid Heavy Machine Stolen from Robot Exhibit
and another humanoid heavy machine
was deployed to bring it under control.
Shimura Makoto, age fifty-two and unemployed, was arrested...
Nursing Home Light of Musashi
I'm sure the doctor will be thrilled
to learn he can work with robots again.
What strings did you have to pull?
That's a trade secret.
Our success in this case helped, as well.
Oh... Thank you for your help yesterday.
Can we see Dr. Kasumigaseki?
Well...
It happened early this morning.
Oh, no...
But look at his face.
He looks so happy.
Doctor...
Next Episode Preview
Ohakonyapachininko!
File 7: Long Rail Life
Thanks to all the Haruka-san fans for your patience!
As far as I can tell, she'll play a big role next week!
I think, probably...
Sorry if I'm wrong.
"Long Rail Life."
Let's watch together again next time!