Abandoned artificial satellites. Tanks jettisoned from shuttles.
Refuse generated during space station construction.
This vast amount of junk floating in space, space debris, is a very serious threat.
This is a story of 2075, a time in which this space garbage has become a problem.
Soshite hito wa toki wo koeta yume wo miru
And people dream dreams that transcend time.
seijyaku no umi ni idakarete
Held in the depths of the sea.
tori ya kumo wo miagete wa
As they look up at the stars and clouds.
hakanai inochi moyashita ikusen no asa ni
It set their ephemeral souls on fire on a thousand mornings.
hikari ga mukau basho he habataku darou
I bet they're taking right to where the light is headed.
daichi wo ima tori yoku kette
Now kickoff from the ground like a bird.
hatenaki yume wo noseta furontia he
Off into the frontier that is carrying boundless dreams.
tooku tooku dive in the sky
Farther and farther dive in the sky.
Phase 3
Return Trajectory
Senpai, what should I write here?
What are you asking me for?
Everybody says that you've sent in more written apologies than anyone else, so I thought...
They did, huh?
Senpai...
Yeah, fine. Write down what I say.
Sure.
"Sorry about nearly screwing up your flight."
"But we might end up doing it again, so bear with us, okay?"
Senpai, you'll never be popular with the girls with that attitude.
Nobody asked you. The girls with an eye for quality are lookin'.
They go, "I've had my eye on you for ages!"
"I've worried myself sick with you working such a dangerous job!"
It was like this during the "my spaceship" incident, too.
Why are all of your fantasies like something out of a comic book?
Look here, rookie! How about showing your senpai a little...
- Hello there, Hoshino Hachirota-san!
Um... And you are...?
I've had my eye on you for ages.
I worry myself sick with you working such a dangerous job.
There are so many things I want you to tell me about yourself.
S-Sure, if there's anything I can do to help...
Then, would you mind signing this?
You mustn't let your guard down just because you're young!
Outer space is full of dangers!
Cosmic Life Insurance is there for life's little surprises. Right?
Insurance?
GET OUT!
Oh, I love how you play hard to get!
Wow, there's insurance solicitation even in space...
Especially at this time of year.
This time of year?
Accidents are covered, naturally, as are all of your family's medical expenses!
I already have insurance.
That's not true at all, sir!
My company's insurance is unlike any insurance that's come before!
They say that, but it's the same old thing every year.
- Can I have one?
- Have them all if you like.
Hachi, this one's yours.
- In that case...
Man, what a pain in the ass...
Just use the one I turned in last year.
Company policy is that you make a new one every year.
And one for you, Tanabe-kun.
What's this for?
Your last will and testament.
Once you've written it, put it in the envelope, seal it, and turn it in.
The deadline is the end of the week, okay?
Last will and testament?
W-Wait, you mean that thing you write for when you die?!
That's right.
In this job, there's no telling when you might die.
Yeah, you almost died a while back, remember?
You're kidding...
That's right! Life insurance is for those "You're kidding" times in life.
Preparedness is peace of mind. Satisfaction once you're signed up.
And it lowers your tax bill, too.
Um, what should I do about insurance?
It's your call.
"Will Season" is when they make their money, so I'm sure they'll be happy to tell you all about it.
It's also a good opportunity to give some thought to what'll happen after you die and stuff like that.
You give insurance salesmen a bad name!
All insurance company personnel, please make sure to register with reception.
Permits are valid for all one-G and zero-G blocks, so long as they are under Technora jurisdiction.
A small premium will give you lifelong coverage!
It'll give you peace of mind in your golden years!
You'll recoup your investment once it reaches maturity,
...so you get the best deal by signing up for these things while you're still young!
Oh, and how about you, young man?
No thanks. I'm with Vega Corp, so l...
Oh! I'll see you next month, then!
Please, for heaven's sake!
My company is rated triple-A, so choose mine!
Three months! Just for three months! I'll give you all the little gifts I have!
Well, if it's just three months, maybe I could...
Thank you!
C-Can't breathe...!
I'm sorry!
Hey, wait!
But I have a quota to meet!
- Thank you so much!
The most annoying season of the year is upon us once again, isn't it, Chief?
When you listen to those agents give their spiel, you end up signing something somehow.
We're in Debris Section, but we mostly do desk work...
I'm about ready to retire, so I don't need insurance that costs that much...
I have got a great idea, Chief! I call it...
..."Operation See no Evil, Speak no Evil, Hear no Evil."
If we do that, they can't sell us anything, right?
Hey, that's a good idea!
Isn't it, though? I was up all last night coming up with it.
Lavie! Look down! Look down!
I'm so sorry!
Forget about that, just put that back!
Yes, sir!
"Dear Mom and Dad, please forgive the sadness I've caused by dying before you."
"Dear Dad. Rock music doesn't work with funerals, so don't..."
No, that's no good...
"Write out your last will," they say...
What's this?
Hey.
Who said you could look at that?
I was just, uh... What is this?
My last will.
You were told to write one, too, remember? They said to turn it in by the end of the week.
Your last will? Seriously?
What, you got a problem with that or something?
But a will is supposed to have things like parting words for parents or friends, or thanks for...
I don't have anything to say.
Of course you do!
You're saying goodbye! You're dead!
It doesn't matter what I write. Once I'm dead, it's all over for me.
That's the coldest thing I've ever heard!
If they saw a will like this, the people you leave behind would break down in tears!
You think so? I kinda think they'd bust out laughing.
This is no good! Rewrite it!
Unbelievable... What did I ever do to deserve being lectured by the likes of you?
Here. Happy now?
Oh, forget it.
All this stuff about last wills just isn't hitting home for me, to tell you the truth.
It's not like we go out into space all that often.
But my section does go out, so it makes me think...
What are the other Debris Section people writing in theirs?
Like that diaper guy, for instance.
Oh, Sketch Boy, you mean...
Sketch Boy?
The jerk drew a sketch as his last will!
Don't you normally write down heartfelt words for the people who were important to you?
Well, in the end, a last will is a personal thing.
I still don't think it's right.
It must be love.
That person is on your mind a lot, isn't he?
Lucie, why are you trying to turn this into a love affair?
Because I don't believe that men and women can be "just friends."
And what about all those insurance salesmen, huh?
Yeah, that's right! I got suckered into a married couple's plan!
You're getting married?
No, I'm not!
I don't date coworkers.
I dunno, I might.
Who, that pilot?
Yeah, Cheng-Shin-san!
That's the last of our interior maintenance work, right?
Yep. Oh, and about my chief's parakeet... Could I leave him with you again?
You mean MacEnroe? Sure, no problem.
Sorry to keep pushing him off on you.
Yuri.
Yes?
I'm gonna go ahead and send out a second Fishbone. There's just too much debris.
See you.
I understand. Miss Tanabe probably can't handle one yet, so I'll take it out.
Thanks, that's a big help.
So, is our little Tanabe still writing her last will?
Yes, she seems to be agonizing over it.
Shall I offer her some advice?
No, leave her be.
What's important isn't what she writes, but that she learns that this is a job that might get her killed.
Senpai, about our last wills...
What, you're still racking your brain over that?
Go with your gut with this stuff. You gotta clear your head and start writing.
I can't do that.
When I start thinking about what I'll leave to my parents and friends, or what I should leave, I...
Leave behind, huh?
What they want you to leave them is money. Am I right?
Hey, you're...
Not again...
So, have you thought it over?
I'll pass.
Like she said just now, deciding what to leave your loved ones is a difficult question, isn't it?
But with money they can convert it into all sorts of things, such as goods, but also medical treatment or an education.
Um... I guess.
What will make a person happy varies from person to person, right?
So don't you think the best thing is to leave it up to the person who's going to use it?
Um... Sure.
That's not right at all!
You think so?
Personally, I think it's better than giving someone something they don't want and having it go to waste.
This isn't a question of gaining or losing things!
I'm saying that leaving money behind when you die is too sad for words!
Oh, you think so? What do you plan on leaving to your loved ones, then?
I'll leave them love!
Love...?
Hey! That's it! I should leave behind love!
Love is insurance enough, too!
I see. Well, to each his own, I suppose.
I'll see you again, Hachirota-san. Think it over, okay?
Maybe if I get a bonus.
That's it... Love was the answer all along...
Y'know, in a sense, you're amazing.
What?
Or at least unpretentious.
I was impressed, I have to tell you.
She'll leave love, huh? That girl is a real find.
You're only laughing 'cause you don't have to work with her.
That girl is seriously scary.
I think she's right, though. You should put some thought into it when you're writing your will.
Maybe, but I sorta think they're both wrong.
Money or words or whatever, that's not what I want to leave when I'm gone.
But when somebody asks me what I'm gonna leave behind, I don't have an answer...
Rest assured, sir! We're rated number one in the industry!
I'm begging you! If I don't meet my quota this month, they'll... Chief?
Chief!
Hang in there... Hang in there... I just need to make it through this one last season.
Remember, Chief, I was the one who came up with this nice little plan.
Chief, this paperwork is all right, isn't it?
This way, I won't sign up for insurance that I don't need!
Chief?
Recommend me as your replacement once you retire, okay?
You can check this, too, Manager.
Do some work, damn it...
Senpai, about that will...
Crap, you're persistent!
I mean yours!
I've been thinking, and, well, does a last will have to be words?
Why do you think I drew a picture?
No, what about a movie letter or something?
With words, you sound formal, but with a movie letter,
...you could be lighthearted about it, like you were calling your mom or dad.
I can't do that! I can't call my old man!
I'm sorry, I didn't know...
Nah, he's alive. Alive, kicking, and then some.
Did you have a falling out? Shouldn't you have outgrown your rebellious phase by now?
You shouldn't make your father worry...
Shut up!
A stupid coworker doesn't have any right to butt into my family life!
You're getting on my damn nerves with all your nagging!
Yuri, I'm glad we had you come out here to help.
There's too much to handle with just me and the rookie.
Guys, could I talk you into some overtime?
Sorry for the short notice, but there's a piece of debris that I want you to pick up.
Looks like something that was on a short-period cometary orbit got grabbed by Earth's gravity.
I bet it's just scrap metal or something, but still...
We've already got a pretty big haul as it is...
They say there's a research agency that wants it. Plus, you're already in the neighborhood.
Save the complaints. It's for research, so...
What is that?
Preparedness is peace of mind! Satisfaction once you're signed up!
Accidents are covered, of course, as are you're family's...
Three months, that's all I ask!
We're rated number one in the industry!
Our company offers 300% peace of mind!
Please, just look it over...
Hello there, Miss! Have you settled on an insurance company yet?
No, I'm a temp worker.
Oh, is that so? Well, I'll leave a pamphlet on the desk just in case.
I don't need any, you jerk.
I'm sorry, Chief, but I'm abandoning ship...
How about it? Shouldn't you think of your children's future?
Our tuition plan was put together with exactly that in mind!
It's a bargain.
How many of you people are there?
Just as I thought...
What is that thing?
Take a look.
I-lt's a...
Holy crap, would you look at that expression?
He's smiling.
Is that seriously a...
A coffin from a space burial.
It's written right here. "Astronaut lbn Fadlan."
"In accordance with his final wishes, he set sail into the infinite sea. 2024."
That was right before space burials were banned.
It's a corpse from more than 50 years ago.
He must've been launched on a heading to leave the solar system,
...but it looks like he came back.
He must've wanted to reach the edge of the universe,
...but he couldn't break free of gravity.
The odds against this are incredible. It's damn near a miracle.
On that orbit, his next rendezvous with Earth wouldn't have been for another 700 years.
What's going to be done with the body?
Don't know, don't care.
Our job's to collect debris, end of story.
What do you mean, debris? That's a person's body!
Any useless object floating around in space is debris, you know?
How can you be so coldhearted?
It's proof that he was alive once!
You're unbelievable, treating that man like a thing!
How many times am I gonna have to spell out your job description before it sinks in?
Good work, everyone.
Fee-san, what's gonna happen to that body?
Control Section is contacting his next of kin as we speak.
They said that legally speaking, the body is the property of the next of kin.
This is Seven Delivery. You are cleared for flight to Baikonur...
You're certain that it's my father?
Yes, ma'am. This is a most unusual case.
As far as burials conducted prior to 2028 are concerned,
...you would be able to re-bury him as a special exception.
Um...
Ma'am?
Would it be possible for me to speak with the people who recovered him?
Astronaut Fadlan's daughter?
Yes. She says she'd like to speak with you face to face, so I'm going to patch her through.
You copy?
I copy.
I'm Fee Carmichael, captain of the DS-12, the ship that recovered Astronaut Fadlan's body.
Um... This is an awkward question, but how did my father's body look?
I'm ashamed to say it, but I never looked at my father's body.
He was smiling. He must've had a full life.
I see.
Is something the matter?
Father... My father was an astronaut through and through.
He was extremely proud of his work as the pilot of a spaceplane,
...and he seldom returned to the home where we were waiting for him.
But he grew sick from cosmic radiation,
...and soon after he retired, he passed away.
He stated in his will that he didn't want to be buried on Earth.
I suppose I was afraid to look at my father's face.
I knew that once we held the space burial, I would never be able to see him again,
...but when I wondered to myself what sort of expression he had on his face, I...
The truth is, my mother and I were not mentioned at all in his will.
He was a man whose eyes were always on the horizon,
...and even when he did look at me, they were always focused on a point far beyond me.
Father's eyes were always locked on deep space.
Is that true...? So, Father was smiling, was he?
Father... Please send Father back into space.
I understand. In that case, we'll see to re-burying him ourselves.
Thank you for all your trouble.
I think this is what my father would have wanted.
No, you can't do that!
What are you saying?!
Calm down, Tanabe!
You can't send your father back into space!
You're his family, so he should be with you!
Hey, rookie, you haven't been in space that long, so don't start talking like you own the place!
Your father's precious to you, isn't he?
Whether he's in Earth or space, that doesn't change!
Tanabe!
Aw, just let that little twerp go.
What she says does make some sense, though.
Unbelievable... What is it with astronauts and trying to act tough?!
All right, then. Our company will ship him to the moon,
...where we'll fire him towards extra-solar space using the mass driver there.
Is that all right?
Yes, that's fine.
Very well, then.
Hachi, we're heading for the graveyard orbit. Pass word to Tanabe.
Sure. Hey, rookie! How long are you gonna keep sulking?
What's wrong?
That little idiot opened the cargo container!
What the hell is that rookie thinking?
We're gonna have to wring her neck to let her know who's boss around here.
Tanabe, come back! Tanabe!
Damn it, girl, answer me!
Get your ass back in here, damn it!
Hey!
What are you trying to pull, rookie?!
Don't come near me!
If you come any closer, I'll chuck this thing into the atmosphere!
W-What are you saying?
I'm serious!
Um...
You're an idiot. A bottomless pit of stupidity.
What good is that gonna do?
Look at that will you wrote! You're the one with the problem!
Why can't you understand?! We can't send this man back into space!
That's not up to you to decide!
That man wanted to be buried in space!
As a fellow astronaut, I understand how he feels.
Let's give him what he wants!
You're wrong! Mr. Fadlan regretted his decision!
He was drifting in space and he said to himself, "I want to go back!"
How can you say that?!
Don't ignore the man's wishes and force your own dreams on him!
But Mr. Fadlan came back! Against astronomical odds!
You yourself said it was a miracle!
A miracle? What are you...
And why do you suppose that miracle happened?
Because Mr. Fadlan wished for it!
He wanted it so bad that it made a miracle happen!
He said, "I want to go back to Earth! I want to go back to my family!"
You're wrong! It was just a coincidence!
It was a miracle!
Don't you go saying what you want to hear, Senpai!
Why are you doing this?! It was his own choice to live alone and die alone!
And it was the wrong decision!
For one thing, Fadlan-sama is loved by people, isn't he?!
By his wife, his daughter, and I bet even his parents and friends, too!
A man like that can't be selfish and decide to turn into a mummy at the ends of the universe!
He should go back to Earth! Isn't that what love's all about?
If it were me, I'd want to go back and be with my loved ones, even if I was dead!
Living alone and dying alone...
Alone...
How could anyone be satisfied with that?
It's stupid...
Space is too big to face all alone.
Um... Captain?
Put the coffin down, Tanabe. His daughter says she wants to claim the body.
What?
But I've already sent the forms over to Welfare Section...
Yes, sir, I understand.
What's the matter?
There's a lot of hoops to jump through to send a body back to Earth.
Still, after all those things she said, she has to be the one to deal with it.
The written report? I'm submitting it to INTO, so...
It's not written properly?
Hang on... It was around here...
Thank you so much for the contracts!
Forgive me, Mother...!
What do I need with a student loan?!
Hm?
Hey. Looks like you got your contracts.
I still haven't got one from you, though. How about this, then?
It's our top of the line item. The "Double Plan for Lovers."
"Love," my ass...
I don't buy it.
No way in hell is the universe that sentimental!
gutto mizu wo nomihoshi
We gulp down some water
gutto mizu wo nomihoshi
We gulp down some water
yuuyakegumo miageru no sa
and look up at the evening clouds.
yuuyakegumo miageru no sa
and look up at the evening clouds.
kyou mo ichinichi ga owatte
Let's wind our way home under the roadside trees as another day ends.
kyou mo ichinichi ga owatte
Let's wind our way home under the roadside trees as another day ends.
gairoju no shita wo kaerou
yaru koto darake de tenpatte
Even if life's so hectic that our tempers flare,
yaru koto darake de tenpatte
Even if life's so hectic that our tempers flare,
muri wo shite tsumazuite mo
we push ourselves too hard, and we stumble,
muri wo shite tsumazuite mo
we push ourselves too hard, and we stumble,
nani ka kanarazu tsukanderu sa
I know there'll be something to grab hold of.
nani ka kanarazu tsukanderu sa
I know there'll be something to grab hold of.
kiraku ni ikou ze
Let's move on without a care in our hearts.
kiraku ni ikou ze
Let's move on without a care in our hearts.
subarashii jinsei dakara
It's a wonderful life.
subarashii jinsei dakara
It's a wonderful life.
jibun wo aisuru yuuki wo motou
So let's have the courage to love ourselves.
jibun wo aisuru yuuki wo motou
So let's have the courage to love ourselves.
atarashii doa tataite
Let's take it one step at a time,
atarashii doa tataite
Let's take it one step at a time,
hitotsu hitotsu aruite yukou
knocking on new doors on the way.
hitotsu hitotsu aruite yukou
knocking on new doors on the way.
subarashii jinsei na no sa
It's a wonderful life.
subarashii jinsei na no sa
It's a wonderful life.
kimi mo boku mo subete no hito mo
You and I and everyone else
kimi mo boku mo subete no hito mo
You and I and everyone else
yorokobi to kanashimi no imi
Keep on searching for the meaning
yorokobi to kanashimi no imi
Keep on searching for the meaning
sagashitsuzukete so just on my way
Of joy and sadness, so just on my way.
sagashitsuzukete so just on my way
Of joy and sadness, so just on my way.
Next Time
Part of the Job
Could you please stop with that "rookie" stuff?
I'm Colin Clifford. Maybe you've heard of me.
Why does it have to be us? Go make the PR Section do it!
We're doing this to help you.
That way, your parents would never know that you collect garbage in space.
You do the same pathetic job, day in and day out.
Debris collectors are as cool as they come!