"When I was in the darkest time of my life,
my belief that Troy did indeed exist...
ultimately did not forsake me.
How lucky I was.
Heinrich Schliemann."
While traveling without a planned destination in mind,
I chanced upon this village.
(Welcome to Jishiki Village)
Clean air and unassuming scenery.
It's the kind of hometown every Japanese wish for.
- Hello. - Hello.
(Ramen Euphoria)
Thank you for waiting.
Thank you for the food.
Sorry, is it not to your liking?
Not at all.
The flavor is so simple.
I'm sorry. Things at the countryside are...
No!
I'm touched.
This bowl of noodles contains the heart of you both.
My soul has been cleansed.
You are flattering us.
Without a beautiful heart,
it's impossible to make this dish.
The Hometown Ramen.
I want to name this bowl of ramen the Hometown Ramen!
- As you please. - As you please.
Compared to it, I'm much too dirty.
Dirty?
My life is filled with too many regrets and hate.
I couldn't tell at all.
I grew up in a terrible environment.
Maybe you should choose your friends more wisely.
I know, but...
- Excuse me. Sorry. - That's enough.
There's this horrible woman that takes advantage of people.
Do you mean me?
You can still hear me criticizing when you're asleep.
I didn't name anyone.
Of all the people I know,
there is only one idiot that would cycle...
all over the country thinking that he could find himself.
That's none of your business.
I didn't name anyone.
Let's finish up your story.
On the way back, I saw a sign outside the village.
"Hometown Mall construction site."
I got curious,
so I went back to the ramen shop to ask.
I heard you'll be able to buy the local produce there.
A famous expert on regional redevelopment is in charge.
They'd be able to revitalize the businesses here.
Make sure you come back then, young man.
- That's right! - Yes, I will!
That happened two years ago.
So did you keep your promise and go back?
Yes. I thought the village returned to its prosperous days.
But Richard...
It was all a scam by the manipulative advisor.
Don't interrupt!
The Hometown Mall was never built.
The words on the sign changed though.
"Industrial waste disposal site."
It has become even more desolate than before.
What a shame.
(Due to various reasons, we've stopped the sales of pork ramen...)
The construction of the Hometown Mall never started.
One day, they were informed that the mall has been sold...
due to unforeseen circumstances.
They were told it would be turned into a disposal site.
(Industrial waste disposal site construction notice)
It was probably the plan all along.
Everyone here is old.
We have no energy nor power to oppose them.
Even if we want to move, we don't have the money.
This village...
is done for.
It was such a beautiful village.
In short, they were cheated by a heartless advisor.
I said that already.
He is that advisor.
Hey, not bad.
With that face, he'd have no trouble tricking the village elderly.
Madarai Mitsuru.
Looks like a big catch.
The law and police turned a blind eye,
so it's our time to act.
Dako, Richard, let's stop the construction!
What did you say?
We're going to stop the construction of the disposal site.
- And? - To restore the beautiful scenery.
And?
The end.
Mr. Introspect, allow me to ask a question.
What do we get out of it?
This is not about money.
It's a fight to save the hometown.
Good night.
Dako!
This company is not a charity organization.
Anyway, what is so bad about the disposal site?
It is a necessity.
It's much more useful compared to the other thing.
They lied to the villagers!
The villagers accepted the fact so it's fine.
It's not fine!
You're so annoying!
I'm going to sleep on the bed.
Fine. Go and sleep!
I finally see who you really are.
- Richard. - Boku.
It's not that difficult if you just want to halt construction.
That's right. All you need is to dig up something.
An artifact or whatnot.
Like earthenware, pottery, clay dolls or something.
I think you included something odd.
Okay. I just need to dig up something of significance.
Richard, you said you have an amazing artifact, right?
The Jomon pottery? It's my most prized collection.
We can stop the construction if something like that is found.
But that is a very valuable item.
That's true.
It contains academic value too.
Is it really that valuable?
Of course.
How I wish I could see it.
Do you want to?
Really?
This is a flame-shaped jar...
made in the middle of the Jomon period.
The intricate details are amazing.
It's very rare to find an artifact still in complete form.
It contains the memories of thousands of years.
Thank you, Richard. I'm going to take good care of it.
No.
I'll be able to save that village with this.
It's a really valuable jar.
I'm so thankful.
(Industrial waste disposal site)
Hello, sir.
The president is here.
Good morning.
Well.
The part-timer found it.
I found it while digging over there.
Get back to work.
Yes.
Get to work.
Did Himiko really exist?
Did humans build the pyramids?
The Mu continent might be right beneath your feet.
The truth is hidden underground.
Welcome to the world of the Confidence Man.
Visit our web bagikuy.com
Subtitle by VIU & Retimmed Bagikuy
(The Confidence Man JP: The Ancient Relic)
Sorry, Richard!
How did it end up like this?
He crushed it over and over with his foot.
I will do my best to fix it.
Don't blow!
The Jomon period is flying away.
I'll pay you back. I'll replace it with something similar.
An ancient artifact's value isn't about how much it's worth.
You're here, Igarashi.
I got Igarashi to do some digging.
This is what happens when you act without a plan,
Boku.
Are you going to help me?
Money isn't the only thing I care about.
Moreover, you and I both have no hometown, right?
I understand how you feel.
Dako.
I'd like to try the Hometown Ramen too.
Thank you.
It's nothing.
Are you in too, Richard?
Yes.
It doesn't matter if we're not getting money.
Apart from killing, I'm ready to do anything.
- His demeanor changed. - His demeanor changed.
There's no way to do a good job by just listening to others.
What matters is the tradition and history of the land...
as well as local practices.
Madarai Mitsuru.
A highly sought after advisor returning from America.
Has lots of nicknames. Loves fishing for compliments.
His expertise...
lies in area redevelopment and revitalizing rural villages.
In truth, he is running false projects to acquire land...
without spending a penny.
Most of these projects never see the light of day.
Even if implemented, they will be ultimately destroyed...
and resold to become industrial waste disposal sites.
He has made connections with related businessmen,
particularly President Misumi of the waste disposal company.
The two have been good friends since their university days.
Almost every night, they have parties...
at a mansion in Daikanyama with beautiful women.
Madarai's favorite phrase is...
The village elderly are so easy to trick.
- Really? - Let's drink!
No challenge whatsoever.
You're amazing.
Hometown Mall? What a joke.
He has no knowledge of the value of artifacts.
Richard, you are wrong about that.
On the contrary, he knows too much.
Too much?
Madarai's dad used to be a pseudoarchaeologist.
Pseudo?
An amateur, basically.
The amateurs make up a big part of the archaeology findings.
If his dad was an archaeologist, how could he do that to the jar?
"In Search of Fantasy", written by Madarai Mankichi.
The dad published these with his own money,
detailing his findings.
It cost just 10 yen for three volumes.
That's not all.
I checked and there are a total of 18 volumes.
- Eighteen? - Did he write them all?
I skimmed through, but I don't understand at all.
He's just writing whatever.
Madarai's dad has surpassed being an archaeologist.
How should I put it?
He's probably just a quack.
He's shunned by others for always talking about far-fetched ideas.
He didn't care about his family or had a proper job.
He was addicted to finding relics.
He used up his savings and even borrowed money.
Dig, do the hustle!
When he was younger,
Madarai would happily follow his dad's lead.
Come on out.
But he quickly got tired of it.
Mitsuru, come and help.
(Madarai Mankichi)
Let's hear Madarai Mankichi's favorite phrase.
Wait and see.
I'm going to become Japan's Schliemann.
By Schliemann, do you mean the one who excavated Troy?
His dad died before he managed to become Japan's Schliemann,
leaving behind a pile of debt and unwanted publications.
Awful, isn't it?
"Archaeology is neither a study nor a research.
It's being possessed."
Yes, it's terrible.
To Madarai, this means...
nothing is more despicable than archaeology.
That's why it ended up like this.
- You were too careless. - You weren't any better.
It'd be hard to talk to this guy about earthenware.
It won't be easy to stop the construction.
Once the land survey is done,
the waste disposal company will officially take over.
We'll need to act before then.
Since he's a womanizer,
- I'll have to sacrifice myself. - Can you please be more serious?
"Archaeology is like being possessed."
- How brilliant. - Is that so?
I wonder what's so interesting...
about finding dirty pottery under the ground.
Schliemann was an accomplished and wealthy businessman.
What do wealthy people ultimately want?
- A family's warmth. - Beautiful women.
It's fame.
Titles, awards and the Nobel prize.
To have their photo published in textbooks...
so kids can doodle on it. That kind of fame.
Exactly.
Schliemann gambled everything he had on the excavation of Troy.
In the end, he found success and fame.
Since then, hopeful successors have not stopped trying.
But most of them end up like Mankichi.
That's where Madarai comes in.
He wants to have more fame and success than everyone else.
Does he want to become someone like Schliemann?
But he hates archaeology.
Because he knows very well that it'd lead him to tragedy...
just like his dad.
Look at this.
Did he really have to crush it into a million pieces?
Rather than hate, I'd say it's more of fear.
He's scared so he's trying hard to push it away.
The desire to become Schliemann.
That's what I think.
If he believes that the relic of Troy is before him...
He'd lose his mind.
Interesting!
Let's make Troy ruins appear at Jishiki Village.
We're going to become Schliemann!
We'll make Madarai continue his search...
and let him earn the honor of being doodled on.
Take the spade!
Dig! Do the digging!
Suddenly she's all fired up.
The key is to make him believe it's a real excavation site.
We'll need a lot of earthenware.
I'm not lending any.
Why are we making these ourselves?
We'll use the same material and techniques.
Age it adequately and it'll turn into Jomon pottery.
We'll need to infuse it with soul, the spirit of Jomon.
Rise up again, Jomon! We'll make this great!
Jomon pottery, Yayoi pottery
Which one do you like?
Jomon pottery, Yayoi pottery
Which one do you like?
They're all earthenware
Jomon pottery, Yayoi pottery
Which one do you like?
Jomon pottery, Yayoi pottery
Which one do you like?
They're all earthenware
Not bad.
They look like Jomon pottery.
They're better than I thought.
These might work.
They definitely will.
Wait! We might find more.
This place might be a huge relic site.
Huge relic site?
That's impossible.
I'm an archaeology student. We should check properly.
My professor is Ushiku Kojiro from Tobu University.
Ushiku Kojiro?
Do you know him?
I've heard his name.
He is our country's most prominent archaeologist.
Let's ask Professor Ushiku to take a look.
Who knows your name might be recorded in history.
My name?
It's your land and we found it here.
You'll be like Schliemann.
(Department of Archaeology, Tobu University)
Are there no pottery from the Middle Ages?
Hello.
This way.
No, that's not it.
It's downstairs.
(Ushiku Archaeological Research Center)
Excuse me.
(Satsukino History and Archaeology)
Professor Ushiku.
It's you. I heard you found something.
(Ushiku Archaeological Research Center)
Where did you find it?
Jishiki Village.
That place could contain artifacts.
Is it real?
I'll take a look at the site tomorrow.
Leave these to us.
We'll do some tests with...
Thank goodness we came to him.
The professor looks very excited.
I'm looking forward to the excavation tomorrow.
Awesome.
This is from the same period when love-shaped items were made...
I've learned a lot today, Professor Ushiku.
Thank you very much.
Whose lunchbox is this?
(Archaeology)
(Amazing Archaeology Findings)
(Ancient Civilizations)
Archaeology.
(In Search of Fantasy by Madarai Mankichi)
All 18 volumes of Mankichi's books.
You got them all.
As expected!
(A place to connect with the gods)
(Scientifically-advanced civilizations)
Found it!
Sir, I found a new one.
This one is from the middle period too.
Hello.
Is it true that you found relics?
Yes.
You're not allowed in.
I'm sorry. My apologies.
I'm Igarashi from Tobu News.
(Igarashi Yumeto, Tobu News)
Are those potteries?
This is amazing!
Stop taking photos!
I called him here.
When carrying out an excavation,
it's important to have a third party present to record the process.
This could be the find of the century!
Professor Ushiku.
Can I talk to you?
Artifacts are unearthed one by one.
After doing this for so long,
this is my first time finding such an impressive relic site.
Please stop the construction of the waste disposal site.
You're about to become a man of prominence...
who found an incredible relic site.
It's an honor you can't buy with money.
Enough with the act.
You're going to tell everyone that they're all fake.
I'll give you double the money here.
This isn't the first time.
I know doing archaeology is not very profitable.
Well.
I understand, so I'm going to close one eye on this.
Sir, I'm not some clueless amateur.
Flame-shaped pottery made during Middle Jomon...
and point-shaped pottery of the Early Jomon...
do not appear in the same stratum.
This is basic knowledge.
Besides, those that have been found so far look too new.
They are obviously fakes.
This probably some trick carried out to stop the waste disposal site.
Either you take the money and leave right away...
or I expose you as a liar.
You choose.
Common knowledge is the nemesis of academics.
To overthrow previous findings is why archaeology exists.
An amateur who only knows the basics...
shouldn't judge so quickly.
He found out.
We'll just end up with the same result.
That's because we didn't infuse it with soul.
Hurry up and work.
We'll need more pottery, clay dolls, figurines, wooden dolls...
and lucky cats.
We'll overwhelm him with numbers.
You mentioned something odd again.
What's this?
It's a clay doll that I made. Isn't it cute?
It seems to be doing an old man's pose.
What's this creature that I've never seen before?
It's a cat. A cat figurine.
Isn't it an old man's face?
Such a creature existed in the past.
Stop kidding around. You're doing useless things.
Don't worry.
All we need is to stop the construction.
Just wait and see.
What are you writing?
I'm not sure myself.
- We found something! - Let me see!
- You're right! - I found one.
Guys, look!
Who are these people?
They're archaeology enthusiasts.
They came after somehow getting wind of this.
It's the upper half of a clay doll.
- I've never seen such pose before! - Amazing!
This is a human-faced beast.
- Seriously? - What's that?
More annoying flies.
Hold on, excuse me.
We hired those enthusiasts, right?
Aren't they overdoing it?
These will overthrow what we've known so far,
- comrades! - They're not actors.
They're real enthusiasts who came on their own.
Real enthusiasts?
Just like the late Mankichi.
The risk of being found out is higher if things blow up.
Who on earth spread the news?
I shared it on the Internet.
(Please share. Jomon artifacts discovered at Jishiki Village.)
What were you thinking?
Dako asked me to do it.
Dako?
What on earth is she thinking?
I'm sure she has a plan.
Who's that?
It's here.
A relic site!
Yes, this is it! It's right here!
This is the site of the world's oldest civilization!
We finally found it!
Another lunatic showed up.
Tell me again.
What on earth is she planning?
I'm sure she has a plan.
You...
Are you Professor Ushiku Kojiro?
It's an honor to meet you in person.
You are...
My apologies.
I am an archaeologist.
My name is Tokoname Tomiko.
In the Tokoname ancient book...
that has been passed down for generations,
an ancient civilization named Dako was recorded.
I've spent years scouring the country for the Dako Kingdom.
I narrowed the location of the site to this area near Jishiki Village.
So I used all my savings to buy that piece of land.
I've been carrying out excavations the whole time.
I see.
She's full of energy today.
This has been handed down through generations.
The Tokoname Scroll.
Tokoname Scroll?
Is that a divine text?
Indeed.
It existed before language was created in Japan.
It's the world's most ancient script.
Every language and script in the world originated from this.
I don't know what's going on.
Look at Madarai. He's not the least bit interested.
According to my dad's studies,
- This is the end. - there existed a civilization...
- No. - called the Dako Kingdom...
- Not yet. - thousands of years ago.
My dad and I,
after going through "Records of Wei", "Ancient Times",
"Ancient Japan", "The Illiad", "Odyssey" and the Bible,
we have determined that the location of Dako is near Jishiki Village.
So you bought the hill here.
Yes! And I've been busy searching for the relics.
The titles Dako mentioned were all stated in Mankichi's books.
Is she trying to provoke Madarai by using his dad?
She's taking a gamble.
This...
It has to be.
This is a sphinx.
Sphinx?
That hill must be a pyramid!
Pyramid?
This hill is a pyramid built by the people of Dako.
This is the origin...
of the world's four biggest civilizations.
He was right.
My dad's research turned out to be right!
There will be terracotta figurines that surpass Qin Shi Huang's.
Terracotta figurines?
The Terracotta Army was inspired by this place too.
Let's do it!
We're going to unveil the relics that will change...
the history of mankind!
The sun is at that direction.
The place of worship should be...
If it's similar to Sannemurayama, the column should be...
The terrain is different from how it was then.
Whether it's good or bad, I can't wait...
I can't wait to find out.
Boku, take me there.
Where to?
Isn't it delicious? This is the real Hometown Ramen.
It's normal.
That's why it's good!
Don't you get it?
An anchovy soup base with thin noodles. This is...
Blame it on Boku for giving us such high expectations.
Young man.
Are you helping with the excavation too?
Yes, I am.
We were chatting with some of the excavators this morning.
They said it's an incredible finding.
No, we haven't found anything.
I guess they'll have to stop the construction now.
That's right. This will probably attract visitors from across Japan.
No.
People from all over the world would come to visit.
What really excites me is that such an incredible thing...
exists below this village where I live.
I'm suddenly feeling so proud.
We should tell our grandkids.
Yes!
All gone. One more, please.
I found something!
- Did you? - Amazing!
Amazing, there's more.
I've got one!
If this goes on, we'll have to postpone the construction.
I got something!
- Amazing! - Amazing!
Thank you so much.
Do you know Madarai Mankichi?
No.
He believed the same thing your family did.
He was a pseudoarchaeologist who was constantly made fun of.
People thought my dad was crazy. He died without changing anything.
Since then,
I've been digging alone on that hill.
To be honest,
I've thought many times about selling that hill...
and moving to the city.
But...
The relics appeared.
Since there are relics here, there would be some on the hill too.
My dad was right.
So was...
that Madarai Mankichi.
Both their reputations would be restored.
Are you sure they're real?
Professor Ushiku.
Are these really the real deal?
Your name will appear in the textbooks.
You'll be known as Japan's Schliemann.
Known for eternity.
He fell for it.
It's hard not to be seduced by fame.
Boku, your hometown is saved.
I heard it's an incredible finding.
What really excites me is that such an incredible thing...
exists below this village where I live.
I'm suddenly feeling so proud.
Dako.
Dako!
Dako.
There's no need to go to the hill anymore, right?
They've stopped the construction.
There's been a change.
They resumed the construction.
The real Ushiku Kojiro came.
According to our test results, all the earthenware and pottery...
are all imitations.
Which means,
this place is not a relic site.
As for the person impersonating me, please report it to the police.
That's all.
Resume work right away.
You're the one who wrote to Ushiku Kojiro, right?
Sorry for ruining it.
You're the one who wanted to do this in the first place.
"It's a fight to save the hometown," you said.
That's why we did something that was unprofitable.
I'm sorry.
It's because of the couple at the ramen shop, right?
This operation...
has affected the innocent.
So what? They're happy about it.
But it's all fake.
It's not right.
This means the waste disposal site will be built.
Even so,
I can't lie to them.
You suggested we do this.
We'll listen to what you want.
Boku is still a kid after all.
Here.
- Here. - Let's toast.
A toast for the resumption of the disposal site construction.
Cheers!
I'm glad!
I was at a loss...
when you told me that you wanted to stop the construction.
Of course, I was joking.
I knew they were fakes from the start.
- Amazing! - I knew it.
- That's how it should be. - Let me reward you with this.
- Come. - Open up.
Here.
Is it good?
Yes.
Come on, me too.
- Feed me too. - There's no helping it then.
- Sir, let's drink. - Sure.
- Come on. - Drink up.
(Let us work together to create the future of our hometown.)
(Experiences)
I found it!
This is a human-faced beast!
It's the upper half of a clay figurine.
I've never seen such a pose before!
Open up.
Here.
- Excuse me. - Come in.
- A package for you. - Okay, thank you.
(A pseudoarchaeologist)
(In Search of Fantasy, Volume 1, by Madarai Mankichi)
(Archaeology is neither a study nor a research.)
(It's being possessed.)
Being possessed.
Three hundred million yen!
What happened? Where did the money come from?
Well.
Madarai bought the hill with 300 million yen.
We bought it with 100 million yen so we made 200 million yen!
Is Madarai going to sell the hill to his partners?
No. I heard he handed his company over to somebody else.
Did he sell his company?
The relics here are fake too.
I'll have to sell this hill...
and start over in the city.
I'll buy it.
How much do you want?
But there's nothing here.
How would you know if you don't try?
- No. I don't get it. - Me neither.
He knew the excavation was all a fake.
Why did he buy it even when he knows there is nothing there?
"Archaeology is neither a study nor a research.
It's being possessed."
Boku, Richard.
Do you know what this guy meant by being possessed?
To dedicate your whole life in search of the unknown.
In other words, fame.
Wrong.
After reading all 18 volumes, I finally realized.
To be possessed is not about awards...
nor having your photo doodled on by kids on textbooks.
Fame and whatnot are just rubbish.
So what does "being possessed" mean?
It's the process of searching.
"Process of searching?"
The passion and eagerness to search for your fantasy.
That's what true happiness is to an archaeologist.
The true happiness.
Remember those excited faces of the enthusiasts.
Madarai didn't buy the hill for some relic.
It's to rediscover...
the passion of living life with a dream.
Just like Mankichi.
Come on out.
Finding nothing and being ridiculed do not matter.
Just never stop searching.
Nothing is more meaningful in life than that.
Come on out.
(Madarai Mankichi)
Come on out.
Who knows?
He might find a terracotta warrior on that hill.
So Madarai wasn't fooled. He just found his epiphany.
He found his way to be happy.
As expected.
We learned the true meaning of archaeology from Dako.
I'm impressed that you came to this conclusion.
I'm surprised myself. How did I figure it out?
No.
You said you bought the hill with 100 million yen...
and then sold it for 300 million yen, right?
- That's right. - Wait.
When did you buy the hill?
I wonder when.
This was your actual goal!
You were going to sell the hill and make a profit, right?
Saying money doesn't matter was a lie.
You never planned to stop the construction, did you?
That's not true!
It would've been nice if I could stop it.
But it's okay if I couldn't, as long as I made money.
So it's still about the money.
Boku, the only reason the construction wasn't stopped...
is because of you.
I know that.
Here. This is your share.
You can give it to them.
This will help them start a new life in a new place.
I hope I'll be able to eat that super normal ramen again.
(Welcome to Jishiki Village)
This village...
is done for.
(Ramen Euphoria)
Hello, welcome. Come in.
Ma'am, our dumplings.
It'll be right up. Just a few more minutes.
(Water is self-service.)
(Ramen, pork ramen, fried rice, rice, dumplings)
(Urgent hiring of part-timers from 11am to 5pm)
Looks like the waste disposal site is quite a large scale project.
That's why workers have flocked that village.
The village is suddenly full of life now.
I told you.
Building a waste disposal site isn't so bad.
Everybody's happy now, right?
It's not bad, I know.
So why did I do all that for?
You saved someone who hated his dad his whole life.
Even a waste disposal site...
will turn into a relic site in 1,000 years.
What a romantic image.
I'm heading out.
Where to?
Isn't it obvious?
I'm going to dig up some relics.
Troy, here I come!
Do the digging!
Let's go!
I get it.
I know how Dako figured out the true meaning of archaeology.
She's been possessed.
(The Ancient Relic, End)
The next stage will take place in the mansion of a wealthy man.
The target, Ryu Raida.
An ultimate scam...
surrounding an inheritance brought to you by A-list casts.
This has been Igarashi reporting.