"Yuji...
"This picture book...
"Mama... made it just for you.
"The Planet Archive...
"...is where people from Earth who have passed away go to live,
"and so is the Planet of Memories.
"Yuji... one day Mama will journey to the Planet Archive.
"But don't cry.
"For when the rainy season comes,
"to you, Yuji,
"I will return."
And then, after one year has passed...
...I will keep my promise, and come back during the rainy season.
"Yuji Happy Birthday"
Takkun...
Will Mama really come back from the Planet Archive?
She'll come back, right?
Mama is still alive on the Planet Archive, isn't she?
As long as we don't forget her, Mama will still be alive.
Eh, really?
Yeah.
Then I won't forget her!
Good.
I'll never forget!
"Ima, Ai ni Yukimasu" "Now, I'm Coming To Be With You"
Episode 01: "6 Shuukan no Kiseki" "The 6 Week Miracle"
That's not right, Takkun!
You have to hang the Teruterubouzu upside-down. (Teruterubouzu: paper doll children pray to for fine weather)
- Really? - Yes, yes, like that.
Like this?
The Aio's: Takumi, Mio, Yuji
That's right.
Why hang it upside-down?
'Cause it's a good luck charm to make sure the rains come.
Eh?
Mama wrote she'd come back, didn't she?
That during the rainy season she would come back from the Planet Archive.
So we have to hang the Teruterubouzu upside-down.
I see.
Takkun, you too!
Okay.
I wish the rains fall soon so Mama can come back to us.
I wish...
Okay! Perfect!
Okay! Get ready for school.
Yuji!
What do you want to do tomorrow?
Are you talking about my birthday?
Your grandmother wants to throw you a party.
Then let's just have dinner at Grandma's.
But I won't need a cake.
Why?
Because we'll have the party after Mama comes back.
I see...
"I will keep my promise, and come back during the rainy season."
Ah!
Why do you always wait 'til morning to tell me about this stuff?
I'm sorry... I meant to say something yesterday, but...
These eggs are hard.
But I don't mind eating them.
"It appears it won't rain across Japan again today."
Ah!! I forgot something else!
I'm supposed to feed the goldfish in our classroom today!
Okay... I've finished your gym shirt.
That's good. Just in time.
Takkun...
What is this?
"Aio Yuji" (upside down)
Okay, big hug!
Once more, big hug!
And again, big hug!
A complete big hug!
Okay, that's all for big hugs!
That one seemed to hurt more than usual.
So tomorrow, when you turn 7, I'll have a special version for you.
That's okay.
It's just my birthday.
Yuji...
Bye, I'm going. Maria and Bob and Wendy are waiting for me!
Sorry about printing your gym shirt upside-down!
That's okay! It's no problem!
"Aio: Takumi, Mio, Yuji"
The rainy season?
But, today's weather forecast said it'd be sunny, didn't it?
But it's supposed to be the rainy season already.
So just in case.
Wanna bet on whether or not it rains?
"Exciting Issues" Don't just focus on work.
Let's go and play.
Let's see... Wanna try falling in love like in a novel?
Where is it? Ah, it's this one with a really happy ending. Know it?
Good morning.
Good morning! Good morning!
"'Exciting Issues' Schedule"
Aio-kun!
It's not like you to be late.
You don't have to rush!
I'm sorry, Rena-chan.
I won't be late again.
Then kiss me.
If you kiss me, I'll forgive you.
Then Sensei, too.
Just kidding.
It's been decided that the pictures you two made will be displayed in town.
What titles do you have for your pictures?
Well then... mine is 'Maria and Bob and Wendy.'
Okay. Those fancy goldfish are adorable.
And Yuji-kun's is?
Umm...
'Birthday Cake and the Spinning Dance' is good.
Eh, what's that? 'Spinning Dance?'
Can I see your dance?
It's embarrassing, so I won't!
What are you saying? It's okay if you dance.
Yuji-kun, how come there are no strawberries on your birthday cake?
No strawberries...
Why? Don't you like strawberries?
If you don't tell me, I'll tickle you over and over...!
"This is the Bookmobile, 'Exciting Issues.'
"You'll be excited.
"I'll be excited.
"Everyone will be excited.
This is 'Exciting Issues!'"
"Death is not an ending...
"I understand the truth,
"that death is not an ending, but a beginning.
"Death is not farewell, but a meeting."
"But, it must be karma, huh?
"That her son's birthday, is also the day that Mio-san died."
"They held the memorial of Mio-san's death two days early out of worry about the boy."
"Otherwise, it'd be impossible to celebrate his birthday anymore."
- Hello. - Hello.
I'm indebted to you for yesterday.
And I am, to you.
It was nice, wasn't it?
Yes.
Truth is...
I still haven't come to terms with Mio's death yet.
Did you have your flower arranging class today?
Yes.
How is Yuji? Is he doing well at school?
Yes.
I'm sorry. You should hurry back.
It's okay.
What we talked about... have you given it any thought?
Well...
I understand.
Can't be helped.
I'm sorry.
Then you and Yuji stop by later.
Yes.
Sorry for taking you away from the bookmobile.
Thank you very much.
Ah, sorry for troubling you.
"So, as a result of giving birth to her son, Mio-san's life was shortened."
"So that's what it was. I heard it was a very tough labor."
I'm hungry.
Shall we go?
Let's go!
"Still, if she just hadn't given birth, she wouldn't have passed away like that."
"That's true..."
Here.
Thanks for the schedule.
I make one for myself, and sometimes for the other staff members.
So don't worry about it.
Aio-kun, you can't even ride as a passenger in a car because you get claustrophobic.
So when I heard about that, of course I couldn't but help out.
It's nothing special, you know.
Thank you.
Sometimes, I wonder...
...whether Mio was happy being with me.
We got married so suddenly, and her life was so short...
I find myself wondering about that.
Why would you think that way...
If it were possible...
I'd do whatever I could to find out from Mio just what she felt.
Well... that's one wish that'll never come true.
Tomo-kun!
Hey! The bookmobile's here!
Yeah. Takkun! Mari-chan!
Welcome back.
I'll help set up, too.
Thanks.
Takumi-kun!
Doing okay?
Come over anytime. You don't have to be sick to visit.
Thank you very much!
Grandma!
I wanted to give you this as a present for your birthday tomorrow,
but I wondered what your size is now?
I had some material left from a one-piece dress for Mio I made into gym clothes.
That should do.
You did?
I thought she would have loved that.
Mama used to wear this?
That's right.
Yuji. Want to walk on stilts your Grandpa made?
Umm...
About what we were talking about before.
I know how worried you are about our current welfare...
Thank you very much.
I'm really thankful for your concern.
I'm sorry, I...
I wonder how to say this.
It's just I feel you should be comfortable about depending upon us for things.
Yes.
We're not saying we want to take care of Yuji alone, either.
We want both of you to come to our house together.
That's what we're asking.
In that house...
...the essence of Mio is still everywhere.
So to try and live away from there...
...for both me...
...and Yuji...
...would be impossible.
That's true.
My husband was telling me to give up on it already.
"Don't bother Takumi-kun anymore."
He scolded me.
Can't be helped though.
Thank you very much.
Grandpa, Grandma, thank you!
Tomorrow we'll have something delicious for dinner so be sure to come eat it with us.
Okay.
I wonder how far I can get on these...
One...
How about it...
Are you still thinking about it?
But...
I'm shocked.
- Good afternoon. - Good afternoon.
What are you looking at?
Well... the store sign we ordered finally came in.
But once we got a look at it,
I wondered if people might think the name "Delicious Cake House" was too simple.
To my wife, the name "Delicious Cake House"
rubbed her the wrong way, so she was strongly opposed to it.
So we added "Rather" to the front.
I've heard this story many times already.
That's right.
Ever since we opened 3 weeks ago, we've done nothing but talk about it.
You should just give it up, Shun-chan.
I suppose...
It's very good, isn't it?
Think so?
Yes.
Really?
Moron.
Found one!
Yuji! Hurry!
A four leaf clover!
Four leaves!
- Let's dance! - What? Again?
All right, All right! We're so happy!
Raa Taa Taa, Raa Taa Taa, Spinning Dance!
All right, All right! We're so happy!
Raa Taa Taa, Raa Taa Taa, Spinning Dance!
Yuji, what's your resolution?
Don't film now.
Why not?
It's a little embarrassing.
"Yuji's List: Dust Cloth"
Why do you always wait 'til morning to tell me about this stuff?
I'm sorry. I meant to say something yesterday, but...
I'm finished!
I only have ten minutes to finish this dust cloth.
Where did that other needle go...
It's raining...
It's raining.
Takkun, rain is falling!
Rain is falling!!
Yu... Yuji!
Rain, rain, rain!
Where are you going?
I've decided! I'm going to the forest! That's where Mama will come back!
What about school, Yuji?!
Yuji...
Today's a day off.
You can't just decide that on your own!
But this isn't the time for things like school!
Anyway, we should go back. Shouldn't we go home?
Yuji!
Let's go home. Let's go back.
I'm gonna leave you!
Mama isn't here, is she?
Okay, go to school.
Takkun!
Look.
At least we got to see a pretty rainbow, didn't we?
Hey, hey, Yuji!
Mama...
It's Mama!
Mama...
Mio?
Is it you, Mio?
Eh?
Mi...?
Mio.
Mio!
Mio?
Mama, don't you remember your name?
My... name?
Why? Then, do you remember my name?
Mama?
Let's go back home for now.
We can deal with the difficult things later.
Let's go.
Mama, hurry!
Excuse my disturbance.
Use this towel. You'll catch cold if you stay wet.
Ah... sorry.
It's okay...
Uh, Yuji and I will change clothes over there.
You'll find a change of clothes in the bedroom, in one of the drawers.
Takkun...
Uh...
Takkun, how come Mama doesn't remember anything?
Isn't she the same?
Dunno...
I'm worried. What's the best thing to do?
Uh, well...
Takkun, we have to do something.
Yeah...
For now, let's not tell Mama everything yet.
"Everything?"
Because Mama may not be quite the same person she was before,
once the funeral was over, she may have forgotten everything.
I see.
Something like that would make you feel mixed up and spun around, wouldn't it?
Yeah...
I know! We should tell Mama she's been with us the whole time,
today and yesterday and the day before yesterday, always together.
That's right.
I'll do my best!
Ah, excuse me...
Thank you very much for the towel.
And for letting me borrow these clothes.
Umm...
Ah... sorry. What is it?
Ah... Nothing...
Does it stink?
No...
It's our dirty clothes.
These are all the clothes we've gone through in the last three days.
We do the laundry once a week.
So we should be able to put all these clothes into the washer.
Will that be okay?
Hello, this is Aoi.
Ah, Sensei...
Tell her I'm taking the day off...
About Yuji, he had a stomach ache, so I sent him to bed.
- Is that okay? - Yeah.
That's right. Yes. Sorry for all the trouble.
Yes. Goodbye.
Oh, no... Must be the library...
Takkun, you'd better take the day off, too.
Hello, this is Aoi.
I'm sorry about before... Ah! Mom...
Yuji's stomach started hurting suddenly this morning.
This is our 'Spinning Dance.'
I'm afraid we'll have to cancel the dinner tonight...
I understand. Don't worry about it.
Yuji's health is the most important thing.
Did you take the day off from the Bookmobile?
Maybe I should come over.
No! I mean, you don't have to come.
He's okay. Don't worry.
So, what were we talking about?
Umm...
Do I really live here?
Yeah. Why?
Well... the rooms are all...
Dirty?
You've been asleep with a illness, so the place got into a bad condition.
So that's what it was...
Ah, I know. Yuji. Show Mama the photographs.
Here they are! Come look, come look!
These are the most recent photographs.
These, too.
They're random shots.
Both you and I, we would keep an eye out for cut-outs to put our faces in.
At last, you smiled.
Look at this one, too.
I'm sorry, but I really don't remember any of this...
Our wedding...
Who is this woman?
Your best friend. You were classmates in junior high.
My best friend...
This is you.
This is me.
You...
Me...
This one is of my birthdays. You made this for me.
I did?
That's right. You did.
"Yuji's Birthday's"
Ah...
What is it?
Can we have a party?
Eh? Party?
Yeah. We have to have a party. It'll be a lot of fun.
I dunno...
We can't? Why not?
Mama's been through a lot lately, so a party might be a bit much...
That's right. That's true...
Um, what party?
Today is Yuji's 7th birthday.
But... it's okay.
Sorry.
Is it my fault you're not going to celebrate it?
No, that's not...
It only comes once a year...
...so you shouldn't cancel the party because of me.
Won't you go ahead with the birthday party?
Okay!
Let's have a party!
Mama and I will decorate the room.
Let's.
I'll go buy what we need to make curry.
Don't get a cake.
I can go with Mama to Shun-chan's to buy it with her.
Yuji, about that...
It's okay. We can cross over the fields nearby.
That way we can come straight back.
Right?
Bye, I'm going.
Bye. Take care.
Mama, you always used to wave your hand like that in the mornings.
It was just a boring love thing.
Naomi-sensei always said, "You two are such a lovey-dovey couple."
"That's no fun. Can't you quarrel every now and then?"
Naomi-sensei?
She's the clinic doctor.
No, that's okay.
Don't like it?
No, I'm fine.
You prefer donuts over fried fish?
I really don't...
What about some taikiyoki? You'll see.
Thanks anyway.
It's okay, just take one.
I'm telling you, it'll be good for you!
Takumi-kun!
Just take one. You'll see.
Are you coming over? Do you need to rest a little?
No. Not today.
What are you saying? It's a lot of trouble for you to get here.
Umm...
What is it?
It's nothing.
I'll come again.
- Are we throwing the doggy away? - Let's go, Yusaka!
Hurry up!
Why are you throwing him away? Why?
Doggy!
Doggy?!
Ah, Doggy.
How terrible.
Leaving her behind like that.
You don't have to cry.
All right. From today, you can be her mother.
Would it be okay if we raised the doggie together?
Let's ask your father.
Geez, what were they thinking, throwing a dog away in a place like this!?
Are you Yuji-kun's mother?
I own the cake house right over there.
We opened 3 weeks ago.
Cheer up.
Thank you, Shun-chan.
Not at all.
Ah, come on in. Have some coffee.
This way.
Please come in.
We're celebrating a birthday, so we'll have the shortcake.
A whole one, in your largest size, please.
Do you want anything written on the top?
Ah... "Happy Birthday..."
"Yuji-kun," right?
Yes.
"Yuji-kun Happy Birthday"
You promise you won't forget?
Yeah.
If you promise to take good care of her, you can keep her.
Thank you, Takkun!
Ah, curry's done. Yuji, come to the table.
Yes.
Mama, you sit, too.
Okay.
Ah, that's your reserved seat!
That's where you always sat.
You put your chair there so you could easily reach your hand out to Yuji.
You must still have some memory of your good places and comforts.
You really are Mio.
Takkun! Mama remembered!
All right, All right! We're so happy!
Raa...
Why don't you do it with me?
That's no fun.
Mama can't sing that yet.
If we want to do things together, we have to teach her first.
But...
Umm...
Yuji...
But Mama already knows it.
The "All right" song.
All right, All right! We're so happy!
Raa Taa Taa, Raa Taa Taa, Spinning Dance!
That's how you do it!
I'm sorry...
Yuji's the one who should be apologizing. Say you're sorry.
Tell her you're sorry.
I'm sorry!
Wipe your face yourself.
Umm... Shall we eat the cake?
Ah, we should.
I'll get it.
I'll help you.
That's okay.
Is something wrong?
I'm sorry. I didn't have the chance to tell you...
Yuji... can't eat strawberries.
Do you hate strawberries?
I like them...
Back when he was still eating baby food,
whenever Yuji ate strawberries, he would get a rash.
His body would swell up and get bright red, and he would get sick many times over.
So, even though it's too bad, he has to persevere.
I'm sorry. I didn't know.
It was terrible of me not to tell you before you went to buy the cake.
We didn't want to remind you of any unpleasant things...
Mama's an idiot!
Why do you say that, Yuji?!
Because Mama should know everything about me!
Yuji...
Yuji! Open up!
It's not just the strawberries!
Mama doesn't remember my name or anything else about me!
We can't do the spinning dance together!
Yuji! Open the door!
So what if the rice I spilled was dirty?
Mama always picked up after me and ate it anyway.
Mama is Mama, but that's not Mama!
She's just playing along because she feels sorry for me. I hate that!
I don't need a Mama like that! She should go away!
Yuji!
I'm sorry, Yuji-kun. I really am...
I've told you before, Yuji. Mama doesn't have her memories back yet.
That's strange! It's not my fault!
Yuuujiii!
Umm...
Can you take me to a hospital?
Yeah... but why?
As long as my memory doesn't return, all I'll do is hurt Yuji-kun again.
That's not true.
Yuji-kun is right. It's a mistake for me to be here.
No, it's not!
Me being a substitute mother is absurd, I never should have started.
That's...
Do you really think I can be his mother the way I am now?
That's what I can't understand!
"Truth is... I do understand.
"Memories of unpleasant things...
"...pass..."
Takkun...
I said something terrible.
Yeah.
Just a little. Both of us.
Maybe we should apologize to Mama together.
Mama! Mama!!
Mama! Mama!
Mama!
Mio!
Mama!
Yuji.
Mama!
Mama!!
The rain is falling!
Mama!
Let's go back!
MIO!!
Mio...
Mama...
Mama!
Mio, don't go.
You can't go.
Mama!
Mama...
That picture...
Yuji-kun drew that picture, didn't you?
The part where we have our hands raised while dancing looks like so much fun.
Will you teach me how to do it?
You want to dance too?
Yes.
One and...
All right. All right. We're so happy.
Raa Taa Taa, Raa Taa Taa, Spinning Dance!
Again!
All right. All right. We're so happy.
Raa Taa Taa, Raa Taa Taa, Spinning Dance!
All right! Mama's come back!
All right!
You are... his mother.
You're not a substitute mother.
You are...
...Yuji's one and only mother.
"When I found that picture,
"of a birthday party and a big cake to eat,
"and where we did the 'Spinning Dance' together...
"Just how important it was to Yuji-kun...
"I understood it for the first time..."
Is it...
...okay for me to stay here?
Of course.
"When I was holding Yuji-kun's warm, sweet-smelling hand, I was so happy.
"The happiness I found was more than I could have hoped for.
"Thank you, Dear..."
The first person to find one wins, you know.
Okay...
I can't find one anywhere...
Don't give up!
Found one!
Yuji, look!
"When the rainy season ends...
"...and the blue skies re-appear...
"...Mama will return to the Planet Archive."
Original Air Date: July 3, 2005