He'll be named... Kuruma Torajiro.
You're good, Tora-chan.
I haven't given you up at all.
The mother who gave birth to you is another person.
But, you see...
You're already my son.
I'm proud of you.
Mom...
[ Showa era, July 1943 ]
Tonight is the second episode of "Shonen Torajiro".
The war between the Americans has began.
The lives of the common people were severely darkened.
Speaking of Torajiro...
He's now 7 years old and on the 2nd grade.
"Nippon wa haru natsu aki fuyu no nagameno utsukushi kuni desu." [ Japan is a beautiful country with seasons of spring, summer, fall and winter. ]
"Nippon wa haru natsu aki fuyu no nagameno utsukushi kuni desu."
It's you again, Kubochin? Do you feel hungry now?
You're hungry?
It's not me but it's you.
Right. I guess it's me.
Get in!
- Thank you! - Thank you!
The two of you!
Oh, where am I going to take my seat now?
Here or here?
I forgot it because I was in the hallway.
Behold and see the principal's bald head.
Yes. Thank you for waiting. Please enjoy.
Yes. I'm coming.
I'm sorry. What's wrong, Sakura?
I guess you must be hungry now.
Okay. Okay.
She needs loincloth.
What's wrong?
Look.
I'm back!
Oh, welcome home.
Sakura!
You fool. I wonder if you've learned something at school.
What are you saying again?
Hang on, Sakura.
Oh, she stopped crying. Sakura likes Tora-chan.
Brother, I'm home.
Oh, Tora, welcome back.
Did you study your lessons well?
What are you doing?
Be careful., Tora-chan.
Sakura, you're just okay. You're with your brother.
Then.
Oh, be careful on the way. Don't go home late.
I'll cook some ganmodoki tonight.
[ Taishakuten ]
It works!
Eh, it's amazing. How did you do it?
You've been here nowadays, Gozen Sama.
What's wrong?
We haven't made our offerings.
After offering, you're going to steal and eat it?
No.
What stupidity is that?
It hurts...
Fuyuko.
Yes.
That watermelon where Kazami-san had given to me.
Please give it to Tora.
I understood.
Here, Tora-chan. Kubochin.
Have a bite.
Thank you for giving it to me.
What are you doing?
I know it. Well, please enjoy.
Thank you so much.
We're really done.
Thank you. I'll enjoy this.
Sakura, eat this.
Well, your brother is gentle.
[ Fuyuko ]
Yes.
Lend it to me.
Tora-chan is great.
Yes, I am.
You're confident that you're great?
[ Shonen Torajiro ] [ Boy Torajiro/The Confession of Torajiro ] [ Episode 2 ]
No way. I'm free.
You see.
even if you get busy, you can hardly get any sugar.
So you can't make enough money.
Say, Sakura.
Well, I guess so.
I don't know what to do now.
Speaking of which, some fools...
...seemed to be busy with a send-off party...
...for the to-be-departed soldiers.
That is the actual condition.
It's now commencing.
Pardon me.
The store we go to drink is closed...
...and our friends don't like it.
How about Katsuo-san of the clog shop?
He died.
The casualties according to an official bulletin has came.
I see...
He was the second son.
What's with that stupid person?
Anyway,
even if you go to school, you just end up standing outside.
Eh?
That's not true.
"I was just standing up."
"I forgot my seat."
Isn't that what you said?
Isn't that how my big bro is?
Ah, Uncle.
Oh, it's unusual that you came here.
Please take a seat.
Sakura-chan.
Oh, Sho-chan.
Looks like you're busy.
Are you okay?
You feel good today.
Right.
Hey, Sho-chan.
Oh, by the way. You see.
Oh, right.
I got this and brought it with me today.
I guess Sho-chan wants to eat this.
This is good for his health, right?
Thank you so much.
That's good.
Thank you. This is great. I'll use this later.
Pardon me.
It's fine.
There's just a bit of it.
Eh?
I'm talking about being a man.
The second child...
The family's second child.
What are you saying there?
What did you say when you came in?
Eh? What did I?
What did you say?
I don't remember at all.
You remembered it.
Dad said to Tora...
...that he was just standing up and forgotten his seat.
Then, Uncle said, "Isn't that how my big bro is?".
What do you mean by "Isn't that how my big bro is"?
Huh? Answer me, brother.
You keep saying brother and I don't think we're really brothers.
You don't even say too much when we were in elementary.
"He's just standing up and forgotten his seat." What a joke.
I don't remember it. No way. Then, what about you?
You're like a sly fox who's pretending to be a meek cat.
That's Tora.
Do you mean that I look like it?
I'm not joking here.
Dad doesn't look like Tora and Tora doesn't look like him.
What a joke. No way. He doesn't look like me.
You don't get it.
Shut up, brother.
You keep saying brother from a while ago.
The call up notice has came.
I mean...
The call up notice has came.
You'll also be called. It's necessary.
What's that?
The second son.
In other words, my younger brother.
That it's you.
I usually don't think about my home. I wanted to live freely. Am I not right?
What the heck are you saying?
Because you're my younger brother.
Then, you'll be driven out first in this case.
In other words, I don't have to worry about it.
That would be cruel for your side.
As usual, you...
But, you need to think for it. That's how it is.
I'm here at that time, but what about you?
Just accept it.
Stop it. What are you saying in front of the kids?
That's imprudent of you, father.
I want to...
I want to go to the battlefield.
I want to fight.
I want to fight even if I die.
But you can't do that.
In such state...
I can't live nor I can't die.
I hate it...
Stop that.
But, the truth is...
Stop that.
It goes the same for me.
I'm fighting for the country...
That's just cumbersome.
What the heck are you saying!?
Fine. I'll just go there. I'll just go.
For your country.
It's better that I'll be sent off there.
But,
I was not called to be there, so isn't that a relief?
You're a coward, brother.
What are you saying?
Isn't that right?
You don't even like brawls and conflicts, isn't it, big bro?
Don't run away, since it's significant.
You asshole...
Indeed.
What are you saying there?
Am I not right? Since I wasn't called.
So I'm telling you to be prepared.
Shut up!
You asshole. What the heck are you saying?
I'm sorry.
Shut up!
Is this the residence of Kuruma Heizo-san?
Well... Yes, sir.
Congratulations.
[ Official order to recruit military police ]
This is the official announcement.
Then, I'll excuse myself.
No way. It's really the red one.
What's this good-for-nothing comical thing?
Huh?
Let me just drink a bit of sake.
Your father is going to war.
He is fit to join on that.
Well, I think...
...he'll be of help for the country, you know.
This is just cumbersome, isn't it?
Now, let's prepare the meal.
So we can eat.
Tsune-chan, sorry to ask you, but please help me.
Tora-chan, take care of Sakura. Okay?
Sho-chan, you should eat rice.
This looks tasty.
There are many eggs. See this.
Of course, you're the one who gave me this.
Now, what am I going to cook?
Good.
Welcome.
Pardon me.
[ Chichiyo, anata wa tsuyokatta ] [lit. English translation: Father, You Were Strong by Hisao Ito ] Father, you were strong.
The armor under the scorching heat...
...lays down with the enemy's remains.
The grass sits back on the muddy water...
The two of you!
What are you doing in this critical situation?
My husband...
...has received an official call-up notice.
He will be out in 5 days.
Before that, can you just, at least, let him drink alcohol?
Just don't make loud noises.
What's wrong?
You... are really strong.
Were you waiting for someone to do this?
Let's go home.
I guess I'm drunk right now.
Would you like to have another drink somewhere?
Mitsuko, you were strong.
You made a ferocious expression to someone who'll become a military policemen.
Yes, welcome back.
Yes, well...
Say, why weren't you sleeping?
Koshi.
What are you doing?
Look. Stand up. Get up and go first over there.
Look. Get up first.
How about Mom?
Do you like your father?
That's a given...
...since they're a couple.
I see...
Is that so?
I see...
That's right.
What's up?
I don't think...
...I can see your face again, Sakura.
Right?
Sakura.
Mom.
Your dad likes eating taros.
I finally bought it.
Say, Mom.
You see, I love Dad.
So, Mom, you love Dad, right?
Then, I love you too.
Right.
Indeed.
Thank you.
That looks delicious.
Heizo will be now enlisted in the army corps.
At this time, seeing someone off in a showy way is forbidden.
That's because the enemy will...
...be informed of the number of soldiers.
Sakura.
Are you sleeping?
Kuruma Heizo-kun, banzai!
Banzai!
You're really a stupid guy.
I'm going now.
Yes.
[ 2 months later ]
The situation during the war was getting tougher.
- Here. - Here.
Hey, Masao.
What are you doing now...?
Are you doing well there?
Why haven't you called me?
Who were you thinking about?
Whom do you think?
Then, come inside.
Where's my father?
He's looking for someone to share the sugar.
Also, the people here are just wandering around.
Isn't it the same for this place?
You can't even get any red beans. This confectionery shop will suffer losses.
You're right about that.
I guess the two of you are just fine.
I...
...want to be...
...a couple like the two of you.
What do you mean by that?
In our household...
Ah... In our household, my father is a hardworking person.
He's hard to please and mostly has a stern expression.
My mom is also someone who doesn't talk much.
She just always stay in the house.
I have never seen a fight between you.
The two of you must mutually understand each other.
You're both a couple material who doesn't have no quarrels.
That's why,
like doing business with the family, I also longed for the way you live.
I want to be like you.
Always be together.
A couple who'll be together throughout the day until night.
Though we'll fight, but we're still together...
I was longing for that.
When we're on a formal marriage interview, I heard they own a dango shop.
And I thought that it's a relief.
But, my husband...
...doesn't really like to work in the shop.
He's just staggering around, just go out and have fun.
He was completely different from what I thought.
Well, seriously...
That's what has happened.
I wanted to be a couple like you, Ryuzo-san and Tsune-san.
What's wrong?
Could it be...
It came.
The red paper has came.
I need to report...
...three days later.
I see...
Tsune-chan.
Father.
I heard it.
Is that so?
Why do...
...the two members of the family have to go?
I'm sorry, father.
What are you apologizing for?
Mitsuko-san.
Let's go inside.
I'm sorry.
You don't have to apologize.
A few days later, Ryuzo went on a war.
And then...
Thank you for your service.
I'm home.
Tora-chan, welcome back.
Who's this child? What's your name?
I'm Kuruma Torajiro.
Why have that look, Tora?
Are you going to die, brother?
Can you hear me...?
That's because...
I'm leaving...
...Mom...
...and Sakura...
...to you, Tora.
You...
...have to live.
You have to live,
no matter what happens.
Okay, Tora...
You're a fool... Seriously.
You're a good person,
Tora...
You can make everyone laugh...
You can...
Father-in-law...
I'm really sorry.
During your son's absence,
my son is already dead.
What are you saying?
I'm really sorry.
Just stop that.
I'm really sorry...
I'm really...
I'm really... I'm really...
I'm really sorry...
The war is getting worse year by year.
A bomb has finally started to fall down in Tokyo.
The people need to have refuge as ordered by the air defense.
Sakura, come on.
Grandpa, are you okay?
Tora-chan. Tora-chan.
Fuyuko-san, good evening.
Tora-chan, hurry up and get in.
My mom feels sorry for herself, Gozen Sama.
My dad has went to the war.
My brother is already dead.
Say, Gozen-sama.
It doesn't matter if I'm not here.
Mom and Sakura are pitiful.
I'm the only one left...
Are you stupid?
There's no person who's not precious towards someone.
Understand?
Tora, do you understand?
Yes.
It's them again.
There are many of that recently.
Chief priest.
I will send them. Tora-chan.
Sakura...
And that day have came after a while.
On March 10,
an air raid happened in Tokyo. [ March 10, 1945 ]
Air raid warning issued! Run away as ordered by the air defense!
Air raid warning issued!
It's close.
It's like a daytime at night.
I guess so.
What's happening?
Tora-chan, don't go. It's risky.
The downtown area was on fire.
Look.
Yes. Yes. Yes.
From the night until dawn, Tora-chan couldn't even move.
Tora-chan...
Mom, I'm home...
Stupid you!
Where have you been!?
I...
I thought that you are dead.
If you go away...
If you disappear from me, I...
What am I going to do?
Stupid you!
I'm sorry...
I'm really sorry...
I'm sorry...
You fool.
Mom!
Mom, I'm really sorry...
Thank goodness.
You've came back.
Then,
let's eat breakfast now. Okay?
It's like a place of good luck.
[ Showa era, August 15, 1945 ]
It was able to endured the trials.
So we wanted to spread peace throughout the world.
What do you mean, Gozen Sama?
We're going to lose.
What on earth will happen to us?
I don't have an idea.
Come on. Come on.
Okay, everyone.
We'll start the game when I say start.
Understood?
- Yes, I have. - Yes, I have.
Start!
The war is over and soldiers from the battlefield when back in Japan.
But,
even if it's a big relief, there's still no news about Heizo-san and Ryuzo-san.
Excuse me...
I'm sorry.
Please wait for a minute.
Many people died from injury or illness on their way home.
Here.
Thank you for your hard work.
Thank you so much.
Some soldiers have run out of breath being desperate to go back even just on the doorstep of their homes.
But then, Mitsuko has heard something.
Brother.
What's wrong, Sakura?
Mom won't wake up.
She won't.
Then, see you next week.