Although this film was inspired by actual events that took place in Tokyo,
the details and characters portrayed in this film are entirely fictional.
KORE-ERA Hirokazu
Hello.
We've just moved into 203. We're the Fukushimas.
I wanted to meet the landlord.
- It's just a token gift. - Thank you for taking the trouble.
It's very nice to meet you.
My husband's abroad, you see...
so really, it's just the two of us.
- I hope you'll look out for us. - I see. Don't hesitate to ask.
Thank you very much. Introduce yourself.
- I'm Fukushima Akira. - I see, are you in junior high?
- I'm in sixth grade. - You're so big.
Once you get to this age, it's fine, but little ones...
other tenants tend to complain about them.
He's very mature. He'll be no trouble.
Fortunately, he takes after his father...
and he's a really good student.
But now that he's in sixth grade, he's ready to learn English.
Mother.
Hold on.
In the back room, please.
- The living room? - Yes.
You just know that landlord remarried.
His first wife, I bet you his first wife died...
and he went and married again.
- Just hold on, Shigeru. - What is this!
Just hold on.
Here goes.
You Okay?
- Was it hot? - It's hot.
You did a great job.
- It was hot. - This is your new home.
Just hold on, Shigeru. Shall we let Shigeru out?
- I'll let you out. - Here comes the noisy boy.
- Was it hot? - Super hot.
You did a great job.
We're here.
Okay!
A huge success.
What floor is this?
Our new home is on the second floor.
Apartment 203.
Get back inside, Shigeru.
What if they see you?
We'll have to move all over again. Get inside.
Get in here!
Akira.
Get back inside.
Shigeru, you've got to unpack your own toys.
I'll go pick up Kyoko at the station.
Be careful, off you go.
- You know the way? - I know.
- I'm off. - Okay, off you go, then.
Did you wait?
- You're late. - l'm sorry.
- Is the apartment big? - Yeah, it's three rooms. Pretty big.
- The washing machine? - On the veranda.
The veranda, huh?
Kyoko.
We're home.
I think I know how to make the soup.
- I know how to make the soup. - Okay, then, you make it.
- Such big chopsticks! - I'll eat with these.
Yeah! My favorite.
Tasty?
May I have everyone's attention?
Now that we've moved into a new home...
I'm going to explain the rules to you, one more time.
Let's promise to keep them...
okay?
How many are there?
Okay, first of all, no loud voices or screaming.
- Can you do that? - I can.
Next, no going outside.
- I know. - Can you do that?
Not even out on the veranda.
Okay?
- Can you keep that promise? - Sure!
Can you do it, little Shige-monster?
You're the one that has to promise hardest.
Absolutely no going outside.
Can you do that?
Bet you can-can.
- He didn't raise his hand. - That's right, remember our old home...
we had to leave because you always threw such tantrums.
So, now that we've found a nice new home...
you've got to promise. Can you?
How's Kyoko supposed to do the laundry?
For the laundry, there's no choice, but for Kyoko...
to sneak out quietly for the laundry.
Don't go out with her, Shigeru.
And Akira, you already know all this...
but Mom's sometimes late, so you'll be in charge.
That's okay, right? And study a lot.
You really have to get it, Shigeru.
Do you get it?
- If you don't... - I want to laugh.
It's an enema for you!
Not an enema, green peppers.
- Green peppers? - Why!
Make him eat peppers.
That's it, then.
We'll give Shigeru the pepper punishment, got that?
Next time you're up for a tantrum, get in the suitcase.
Shut up!
- Like l... - That's the time to climb in.
That's right.
What a great idea.
- Put him there when he's noisy, okay? - We'll all put him in.
Mother.
These tatami mats smell good.
The tatami?
What do they smell like?
Like leaves in nature.
That's a nice smell, isn't it?
The tatami are still new, they're still green.
Make you sleep well?
Good night.
- Will you be late? - Today?
Let's see...
what's today?
I guess I might. Maybe I'll be late.
You want dinner?
Dinner...
what's for dinner tonight?
- Maybe curry. - Curry? I want curry. Save me some curry.
Please.
Maybe I'll eat it.
Off you go.
- Did Mom leave already? - She just left.
Dangerous.
The piano...
I'm going shopping.
- Off you go. - Get me an "Apollo Choco."
150 yen.
Shall I buy persimmons...
No Apollo Choco.
There's a video arcade...
"lnageya Hardware Store."
"Near and far-sighted..."
Apollo Choco
Found it.
No bag, right?
Out of 100 yen, then?
Thank you very much.
Save them for later...
- You okay? - l'm fine.
The bath's ready, brother.
- You can go first. - Okay.
- Are there carrots? - There are carrots.
- None for me. - No, you have to eat them.
Dinner's ready, Kyoko.
Shigeru left the carrots again.
Elementary Japanese
Look, Mother's home.
- There, I'm back. - Welcome home.
It's damned cold out there. Warm in here.
Weren't you in bed yet?
- I was hanging the laundry. - What a good girl. Thank you.
And what do we have here?
Can I have some?
- Damn, it's cold. - Welcome home.
I'm home.
- Got it? - I can't.
No way.
It clicked, but went out.
All yours.
- Did I get this right? - What's this?
"A nation that flourished...
"in about 300 CC."
- What don't you understand? - I just wondered if I got it right.
No, it should be "300 B.C."
When you don't know, you look it up in here.
That way, you'll learn.
Is this Shigeru's?
What's this?
This yours?
Kyoko's?
I hate math.
Six times six...
is...
Six-six...
Hurry.
Six-six.
I can do it.
Six-six is thirty-six...
Hello...
Yes,
It's noisy there.
Awful noisy.
Where are you?
Karaoke?
Not now...
it's too late.
What? Who's there?
Really? What a shame...
And-a two.
- And-a three. - No.
And-a one...
and-a three.
And-a four.
Me? And-a two.
No, I'm the loser who has to go without dinner!
You won't get sleepy.
If there's no lid on...
what could be inside?
You can't tell.
See, if you close your eyes and put it in...
If you put it in, but you don't know...
Mother.
I want to go to school.
School?
You wouldn't have any fun at school.
Besides, when you don't have a daddy...
they bully you at school.
You don't need to go to school.
Feels really great. Great smell, did you smell it?
Stinks of sunlight.
Stinks of sunlight?
Stinks of sunlight. What a beautiful day.
Your mother...
is in love with someone now.
Again?
Not again. This guy's really sweet...
and serious.
I think he's really looking out for me.
So...
if he promises to really...
To really marry me...
then we can all live in a big house...
and you can all go to school and Kyoko can play the piano...
So just hang on a little longer.
I really think this time probably...
I'm home.
Here we are, sushi.
I'm home.
Meow.
Were you asleep? Come on, guys...
the sushi was a present.
A sushi present, come on.
You wake up?
You wake up? You mad?
Come on over, come over, Yuki.
She stinks of booze.
Aren't you cold?
Were you asleep? I'm sorry.
It's just that your mommy had a pretty good time today.
- Here you are, Mom. - Thank you.
Akira.
Listen, Akira...
He's starting to look just like his father.
He's got his father's eyes, exactly.
Your brother's father...
used to work at Haneda.
You know what Haneda is?
It's a place with lots of airplanes.
You know, right, Shigeru? That's where he used to work.
I know, listen, Akira.
- Remember going to see your father? - I don't.
We took the monorail to get to Haneda airport.
You forget? Yeah.
Kyoko, your father was...
a music producer...
I know! Let's give Kyoko's pretty hands...
a nice manicure.
Your mother...
Actually...
I wanted to be a singer.
And I really made it. Part way.
With your father, Kyoko.
Way too much.
I was going to cut a record...
and we were almost ready...
when the deal fell apart.
Your mother really wanted to, but...
Dear Akira, your mother's going away for a little while.
Please look after Kyoko, Shigeru and Yuki.
- I'm going shopping. - Sure, off you go, then.
And also, Mother won't be coming back for a while.
- Why not? - Something to do with work, I think.
- I'm off. - Off you go.
Indicate the account number...
for your transfer.
The rent, electricity bill...
phone and gas...
and also...
tissues...
Let's go to my office.
- Do you always do this? - No, I don't.
- Your first time? - I didn't take anything.
Then what's all this doing here?
- Your name? - Fukushima Akira.
Fukushima Akira.
School?
- Your father's name? - I don't have a father.
No father?
Your mother, then?
She's gone away to work for a while.
Where did she go?
If you won't tell me, I'll have to call the police.
Sir...
I don't think this boy stole that.
I think the boys reading comics over there put them in his bag.
- It wasn't him? - No, I don't think so.
- Why didn't you speak up? - l'm sorry.
Don't "I'm sorry" me.
This is just between us, okay?
The meat buns are a little bonus.
Hurry, give it to him.
Thank you very much.
- Is that a plus sign? - That's right.
9,824 yen.
9,824 yen?
I forgot to add this...
Hello.
Isn't this your day off?
I'm driving again tonight. No use staying home.
- How's your mom? - She hasn't been home in a month.
For real?
- How old are you, Akira? - l'm 12.
And Yuki?
Yuki's fine.
She take after me?
Yes, she does.
For real...
Akira!
Shit, I'm 10 yen short, lend me 10 yen.
What, 10 yen?
- What's with that damned big wallet? - It's a hand-me-down from my mother.
- From who? - From my mother...
You moved, right?
The new place big?
- Any pubic hair, yet? - No.
Liar, I got mine in fifth grade.
No way.
That's the truth.
It's just...
What are you smirking about?
It's just that since Mother's gone...
it's just, there's no money.
For real? I don't have any money.
- What've you got left? - About 10,000 yen.
10,000 yen is enough.
I'm in a hell of a jam, myself.
My girlfriend, you know...
she totally maxed out my credit cards.
I'm in credit card hell, man.
So I'm working my ass off, slowly paying it down, man.
This is all I've got on me. This is it, the last time.
Thank you.
All right, I'm off.
By the way, Yuki's not my kid.
Every time I did it with your mom, I used a condom. Bye, then.
Bye, then.
Thanks for this.
Bye.
No, I'm hopeless.
So cold.
I spent 674 yen at the supermarket.
I have 650 yen left in my wallet.
How many yen were in my wallet to begin with?
"Soon, I came across Bubu the Pig...
planting turnip seeds in a field.
What a nice bag you have there.
My mother made it for me."
Where is it?
- You can't go out, Shigeru. - l'm not out.
I'm not out.
- I'm home! - Welcome home.
How've you guys been?
See, I'm home.
Look, presents.
- This one's for Yuki. - Thank you.
For you, Shigeru.
I'm home.
Akira.
It's been a while.
Shall I open it for you?
You can carry it on your back.
- It's cute. - Carry it? Like a backpack.
You can put your things inside, and do that...
The sides? Your ears? Out?
Ears out?
You look so neat.
He looks better with short hair.
Which is more becoming, Yuki?
- Long or... - Long.
You like him better with long hair? No, but I'll cut it anyway.
A little bit shorter's okay, right?
What's that face for? Don't tell me.
I cut your bangs too short. You're fine, right? Too short?
I don't believe it.
Anyway, it'll grow right back out.
Don't act so cool. You look cute.
I mean it.
Here goes!
Maribo!
A chop! The pits!
Chop Maribo!
What are you doing? Kyoko.
What are you doing?
Don't touch my things.
It's your fault.
It won't come out.
Where were you, really, Mother?
I told you I was working.
A whole month?
I was in Osaka. It was just too far.
I told you not to touch my things.
What are you doing?
You see, today, your mother has to step out...
so I'm getting ready.
- You're going already? - Your mother's...busy today.
But listen, I'll be back for Christmas.
Only 5,000 yen?
He could've lent you a little more, I mean, you're little kids in a jam.
But pachinko parlors and taxis...
don't draw customers in such hard times.
But you go back to him if you need to.
It's cold.
And the Wind's blowing so hard. It's so cold.
Did you tell the man you're seeing about us?
I told you, I'll tell him eventually...
Sugar...
you've got sugar there.
God, you're irritating.
Listen, I keep asking you...
when will you let us go to school?
What's this, school this, school that? Who needs to go to school, anyway?
Plenty of famous people never even went to school in the first place.
Like who?
How should I know. But plenty of them...
You're so selfish, Mother.
How can you say that?
Selfish? You want to know who's really selfish?
Your father's the one who's selfish, up and disappearing like that.
What is this?
I'm not allowed to be happy?
What is this?
I know someone famous.
Prime Minister Tanaka.
Ever heard of him?
- Never. - You're too young.
How about...the wrestler, Antonio lnoki?
I bet he never went to school. I'm not sure, but...
Sure, he did.
Man, you're a drag. Hurry up and finish eating.
I'll send you money, soon.
- You'll come home for Christmas? - Sure, I'll come home.
I'll be right home. You take care of them, too.
Is Totoro really real?
- Don't you know how big Totoro is? - I know.
I know, he's really big.
It'd be a real mess if he was walking around.
The police would've caught him.
- Think there are U.F.O.'s? - Nope.
If Martians exist, so do U.F.O.'s.
Martians are...
What about real zombies? Scary zombies?
- You think Santa Claus is real? - He is.
He is.
You think? There's only one Santa, right?
He can't cover Japan all by himself, can he?
But he can. Santa Claus can manage it.
That's right, there are all kinds.
Mother didn't come back, did she?
Her work kept her away longer.
- Because I was so mean to Mom? - No, that's not true.
Hello, this is the Sanwa Department Store.
May I speak to Fukushima Keiko in Menswear?
Excuse me...
This is her son.
Please hold a moment.
I'm terribly sorry...
but Ms. Fukushima resigned last month.
How may I help you?
- How many minutes, Shigeru? - Not yet.
Not yet. How many more minutes?
- One more minute, maybe. - Maybe?
Maybe?
Not ready yet?
- It's about ready, I think. - You think?
Let's eat, then.
Thanks for the food.
Off you go, then.
Thanks for the food.
I have to lick the lid.
- Taste good? - Tastes good.
The super-duper best.
Excuse me, I'm looking for a phone number.
Kanagawa prefecture, Kawasaki City, Nakahara Ku.
Hello, this is the Yamamotos.
Hello...
Hello?
Wonder who this is. They aren't talking.
Good evening. Have a Happy New Year.
Kyoko's next.
With the "kyo" like in Tokyo.
Akira.
That's right...
Mom sent us all New Year's presents.
Look.
For you, Yuki.
- Thank you. - Shigeru.
Kyoko.
- That's for you. - Thanks.
4,000 yen.
4,000 yen! No way. It's 2,000 yen.
1,000 yen.
4,000 yen.
- What do you want, Yuki? - A doll.
- Shigeru? - Roller blades.
Roller blades?
You, Kyoko?
I'm saving mine up for a piano.
You, brother?
A baseball glove.
No, I'm going to meet Mommy at the station.
She's not coming home today.
I'm sure she's coming home.
She'll be back next week.
She's really coming next week?
- She really will. - How do you know?
I just do.
She's coming home next week.
It's Yuki's birthday, today.
These?
Just hang on.
Okay, let's go.
Good evening.
Stepping out?
- Where to? - To the station to meet my mommy.
I see, what's your name?
- Yuki. - Yuki, I see.
- How old are you, Yuki? - I'm five.
Five years old? I see.
She's our cousin, just staying overnight.
I see...
- Off you go, then. - Off we go, then.
Adorable little girl.
Tomato...
daikon, broccoli, squash, carrot mushrooms...
plates...cups...
the butcher's.
Only one left?
The last one.
There's the monorail.
It goes to Haneda airport.
Someday, let's get on and go see the airplanes.
Yeah...
let's do that.
Dear Kyoko
To Kyoko
No, it turns on one, two, three, four, five, idiot.
No, it's one, two, three, four, five, six.
- No, I swear it's on five. - No, I swear it's six.
Listen, man.
You couldn't even do it on that Kamehama thing.
Yes I could.
Go! No, that's too far-ish.
Damn, you did it.
You're a genius, man.
- Using the brake? - No brake.
Cool.
You got to crash it.
That one already burned...
Welcome.
Your friends?
Yeah, friends.
That's 197 yen.
Get off.
Thanks.
- Let's go. - Bye, then.
Thank you.
See you tomorrow.
Bye, then.
Indicate the amount of your transfer.
Excuse us.
This one, huh? Let's do it.
Are you ready?
Start!
All right, perfect, max.
What!
Take that!
- Coke and what? - Coke and orange and CC lemon.
- I'm home. We bought stuff. - You're late.
How far did you go?
- Coke for me. - Me, too.
Somebody attacked.
You jerk, you let them in.
But this person attacked.
Your gas bill is overdue
Get away, you jerk.
Okay, nice.
Go away.
Okay, nice.
Told you so, damn it.
You'll never get it that way.
Butt out.
Let's go to the store, Akira.
I'm hungry, treat us.
Sure.
- I want to go, too. - No, you stay home. Don't touch the game.
Don't touch it.
What are you doing?
Isn't this great?
Her tits are huge.
Great, huh?
Isn't it great?
You swipe it?
Your turn, Akira.
We're friends, right? Go.
Let's go.
Hey, wait.
He's not your type?
No way! He's way too passionate-like.
I like a cool-like guy.
But that's what's so cool.
Been a while.
- Been a while. - How you been?
Yeah, fine.
They're too big for me. They don't fit.
Mom says I'll grow anyway, so take the big ones.
I hate them.
Been a while.
How you been? What's up?
I bought a new game, why don't you come over?
I'll come over when I have time.
See you 'round.
I've got cram school, sorry.
- See you. - See you, then.
Who was that?
Take me along to play.
- Yeah, but his house stinks. - No way, stinks of what?
Stinks of garbage. The place is a real mess.
Like rotting?
Here she comes.
To Mizuguchi Saki In Heaven.
Got it.
Hello there...
Fukushima san.
Don't worry, he's gone.
- How old are you? - I'm 12.
You can't start working part-time until you're 16.
Shouldn't you contact the police or child welfare or something?
If I do, the four of us won't be able to stay together.
That happened before and it was an awful mess.
I see...
You need it for your piano.
It's okay.
Let's race.
Don't beat me, Akira.
Welcome.
Did your mother come back?
Who's taller?
We're the same.
There are seeds here, too.
- Really? - Take them.
- I'll take these, too. - Okay, I'll take these.
Look, Akira, seeds.
Somebody just left them behind.
Poor things.
Two, three, four...
Amazing, for real.
Paper, scissors, rock.
First is rock.
Paper, scissors, rock.
I can't stop.
- Akira, got dirt? - Got it.
Shige! Shigeru!
Shigeru.
The bag.
It came out funny.
I'll go get some water.
Brother, the lights don't work.
Not in the bathroom, either.
Mr. String, Mr. String, where are you?
What are you doing?
- Not going to school? - No...
I'm not either.
- There's a cicada hole here, did you know? - No, I didn't.
And again.
Pineapple.
First is rock. Paper, scissors, rock.
Chocolate.
First is rock. Paper, scissors, rock.
And again!
We have suspended your water service.
What are you doing?
Nothing special.
Did you catch cold?
- Your voice sounds weird. - Shut up.
Are you washing your hair?
Yesterday, at the park.
Nice and cool?
When's your mother coming back?
She's never coming back.
Probably.
I'm not hot.
I'm hot.
I said, I'm not hot, I'm not.
Thank you.
Eat the inari sushi first.
Shigeru.
No salmon?
No, just what's there.
No fair.
This was Shigeru's, it died.
She fell asleep.
Excuse me, the door was unlocked...
I'm the landlord from the third floor, here about the rent.
Where's your mother?
She's working in Osaka.
Are you cousins?
I'll go make some money.
What? How?
- Here! - No.
Why not? I just sang karaoke with him.
No!
What are you eating?
Spit it out.
What is that?
Paper.
That's 287 yen.
Exactly, thank you.
How'd the semester go?
His report card, you mean? A total disaster.
He got a terrible grade in Japanese.
My child did badly, too.
Wish I could find something.
Where's Shigeru?
Don't know.
What are you doing?
- Where's Shigeru? - Don't know.
Shige!
You said you wanted noodles so I got some!
What do you want!
You watch it, buster.
- Don't bother coming home. - Don't take it out on things.
Did it break?
- Amazing power. - He's just an idiot.
Cut it out, Yuki.
I have to pee.
Why didn't you pee in the park, before?
Go pee by the bath.
Don't want to.
Is Saki coming back?
Shigeru! You can't just use up all the water!
There's none left to drink.
- Is Saki coming to play again? - Never.
What are you doing?
I'm selling these.
Don't need them anymore.
- Stop it. - Cut it out.
- Let go! - Shut up!
- Give me that. - Move.
Don't touch it!
She's never coming back.
Who cares! Stay in there! Idiot!
Miyauchi!
Don't move your legs too much!
Kato!
- Where's Yano today? - Cram school.
Man, we're short.
What year are you?
Akira, number nine, right field.
Line up!
We're starting a game between the White Bears and the Kenzan Fighters.
- Let's go! - Bow.
Let's go!
Akira, hold your hands closer, like this.
When the ball comes...
take a real hard slice at it.
Just swing at it.
That's fine, nice swing...
A big, big, homerun, homerun
Grandpa and grandma
Yuki.
Yuki won't get up.
She fell off the chair.
Yes, hello?
Is Fukushima Keiko there?
Just a minute, I'll go get her.
Mommy.
A big...
big...
homerun...
in heaven...
so surprised...
Grandpa and grandma.
A big...
homerun in heaven.
Akira.
What happened?
That money...can I borrow it?
I want to show Yuki...the airplanes.
You all off for a picnic?
Looks like fun.
That'll be 1,895 yen.
Okay, thanks.
Kyoko, what's this?
It just arrived.
To Akira, give them my best.
I'm counting on you, Mother.
She doesn't fit.
Guess Yuki...grew.
Is it goodbye?
When I touched Yuki this morning...
she was so cold, it was awful.
It just felt so...
It was just so... ;820 ;02:12:58,236 --> 02:13:02,878 ;When I ask the midnight sky ;821 ;02:13:06,044 --> 02:13:08,422 ;The stars just shine ;822 ;02:13:14,019 --> 02:13:18,297 ;Into the black fake of my molten heart ;823 ;02:13:21,727 --> 02:13:24,003 ;I can only flow ;824 ;02:13:29,634 --> 02:13:34,310 ;Will the angel even give me ;a backward glance? ;825 ;02:13:37,209 --> 02:13:41,089 ;Want to splash around in my heart? ;826 ;02:13:44,649 --> 02:13:49,359 ;The winds of the coming winter lap ;at the waves ;827 ;02:13:52,491 --> 02:13:55,665 ;Calling me into the dark ;828 ;02:13:59,731 --> 02:14:03,907 ;With eyes as wilted as ice ;829 ;02:14:07,105 --> 02:14:09,608 ;I'm growing up ;830 ;02:14:14,546 --> 02:14:18,995 ;A jewel pungent with a stench ;831 ;02:14:22,187 --> 02:14:26,829 ;That brooks no one's approach
Thanks.
Found one!