Presented by: PUG POINT
Produced by: Cinema Shimokitazawa, Jun Ichikawa Office
For about three years now, my older sister
seems to have been keeping one of those ten-year diaries.
To see whether this day, the one last year and the one two years ago
are similar or not.
I don't really understand
why my older sister is keeping such a gloomy diary.
THE WHISPERED CITY
I'd like to ask for your signature, please.
Sure.
Yoshio Harada
- Right here, please. - All right.
- Welcome! - Hello.
Thank you very much!
- Is this okay? - Thanks!
- Thanks for your work! - I see you got a glass window.
Tomoko Kitagawa Yukiyoshi Ozawa
- Come again for a drink! Thank you! - I'll excuse myself now.
- You got a glass window. - Yes, to keep the flying oil.
Oh, is this a poem written on it?
It's a poem by someone named Kerouac.
- Good morning! - Oh, morning.
Oh, you're here today, too, huh?
Lily
- Can you keep it up? - Yeah...
Ah, it's the newcomer.
- What is this thing? - Oh, welcome!
It's a dog!
A dog?
- Sorry, it's just something I picked up. - You found this?
You can have it.
Executive producers: Motohiro Hatanaka, Suzuko Hatanaka, Reiko Arakawa, Yoshiyuki Honda, Mitsuo Harada
Producers: Masae Miyamoto, Keiko Yagi
It's so hot today. Here, cold water.
Oh, sorry...
- Thank you for your work. - Good job.
- Hey, Yamaoka. - Yes?
Your dragonfly was a bit slow.
Screenwriter: Shinsuke Sato
I'll practice some more.
What are you guys finding so funny? I'll cut you down!
Cinematography: Takahiro Tsutai Add. Photography: Takeshi Nakasu
Art Direction: Mitsuo Harada Recording: Yasuo Hashimoto
Directed by: Jun Ichikawa
- I like you! - Huh?
Thank you for your appreciation.
Granny, would you like an autograph?
I don't need it!
Damn old hag!
- Tanaka, did you get a part-time job? - Not yet, not yet...
What is this thing? A monkey?
They told me it's a dog.
A dog? Who told you? Did they sell this to you?
Are you kidding me?
When did that happen?
Yesterday, the manager suddenly said something, it took me by surprise.
But, you know, Hayashi, quitting MoodsVille was a good thing...
During the six months our parents were away due to a job transfer,
my older sister started working at a café called KARASS,
located right by the Shimokitazawa station.
Thank you for coming. Thank you.
My older sister said it was fun,
but it was a strangely bustling and odd shop.
- Do you want to eat? - Yeah, get me something.
- Is yakisoba okay? - Sure.
Do you only know how to make yakisoba?
But it's delicious! KARASS specializes in yakisoba.
But it's very tough for Mr. Tsutsui.
Let's drop the topic about Tsutsui, it's starting to dampen the mood here.
Where is Tsutsui planning to move?
His shop's been around since this area was surrounded by nothing but fields.
Huh?
Where to? Ibaraki... to his family's home in Ibaraki.
That's nice, being able to go back to your family's home.
Having that as your only option is a loss.
If that happens to me, I might go to Okinawa...
There are habu snakes there!
Yuki! Yuki!
♪ The flowers are flowing, where are they headed to?
That's such a good song.
♪ The people are also flowing, where are they headed to?
♪ When such a flow reaches you
♪ I want to let you bloom as a flower, as a flower
Yes, together with you.
♪ Go ahead and cry, go ahead and laugh
♪ I want to let you bloom as a flower, as a flower
Please stand behind the yellow line marking until the train arrives.
The Odawara-bound express train has arrived.
- Here you have. - What is this?
- A present. - What is it?
- Nothing. - What do you mean?
A present for an ordinary day.
Oh, leftover inventory, huh?
- I'm serious, you know? - About what?
I'm going to negotiate my part-time job payment.
- It's no use. - You fool!
That kind of tolerant attitude is what creates the next victim.
It's the same in your case. Since Miya didn't oppose the manager,
you became the next victim.
How did you put that ball in the hole?
The game is over.
What's up with that thing you've been holding? Show me.
- Come on, let me play. - Line them up.
This feels good...
- Welcome! - I'm so tired!
Where have you been?
I was accompanying Mia for shopping.
- It took a while! - Is Mia shopping again?
Hey, this thing here...
Isn't this a Tengu, rather than a dog?
A Tengu, you say?
The great Tengu of Shimokitazawa.
What do you mean?
Don't you know about it?
Hey, want to go see it now?
Oh, you're here! I bought an egg burger.
I thought I asked for a bacon lettuce one.
I thought you said "egg".
I said "lettuce". Well, I guess it's fine...
Hey, that's the thing I mentioned earlier.
You were right!
It's huge!
This is so nostalgic. It's been a while since I've come here.
It's amazing!
Not like that. Like this!
Oh, yeah, now that you mention it, they're similar.
Yeah, don't their noses resemble each other?
Its origin story is written here.
Hey, can you give me that?
I want to have it.
Could that be a good luck charm?
If it's a Tengu, I guess so.
Let me see it.
It's so strange.
Hey, would you mind lending me this?
I have my driver's license test next week, you know?
You can have it.
It might bring good luck.
Kyushiro, you look cool!
Isn't it a nice poster, Mr. Hayakawa?
The design is by Tadanori Yoko, maybe?
You're pronouncing it wrong. It's Tadanori Yokoo.
It does give off a sense of a time warp.
Yeah, it's a major anachronism. That's just a shitty play.
But lots of people are coming to see it.
It's not a matter of spectators though, silly!
Yuki seems to be a lost cause as well.
Falling for that striped mosquito looking fellow...
You say that now, but you and Fukuko
also used to argue a lot while squatting over there.
I'm not sure what you mean. I forgot!
- It's exactly 6.000 yen - Thank you for the meal.
Thank you very much. Excuse me. Come back again. See you.
Welcome!
Ah, life is just like a mosquito coil.
While you space out, the coil keeps getting smaller.
Before realizing it, there are less things that you can do.
There's certainly less things you can do today than yesterday.
Even now, it's burning bit by bit, turning into ashes and falling down.
In the end, mine also will arrive to the very center,
and when it finally reaches the support,
I will cease to exist.
Vanish just like that.
My mosquito coil is probably just a straight line.
So straight to the point that it feels empty.
- Long time no see, Tatsuya. - Yo!
- Oh, it's a kimono! - Why so surprised?
- It suits you! - It does. Great color.
Really? Do you think the color suits me?
- It really does! - Are you serious?
- So, have you been working all day? - No, just during the day.
- Just during the day? - Right...
- Let's take a picture as a memento. - Tatsuya, you're also in a suit...
Come on, what's so special about it? It's just a suit...
Okay, are you ready?
Oh, Hayashi, join us, too. Let's take it with a self-timer.
Tatsuya applied for an interview and landed a job as an apprentice employee
in the photography department at a certain publishing company.
I hope he does well there.
Okay, get ready!
But it's quite interesting, you know?
That manga for teen girls.
Don't forget to smile.
You pervert...
"You, young folks, are as vibrant as the 8 AM sun."
Huh? What are you on about?
Apparently, that's something
Mao Zedong used to say to encourage the Red Guards.
When I genuinely consider embarking on something new,
these words inexplicably come to mind.
As vibrant as the 8 AM sun...
It should be that way for us, too, right?
Excuse me, I'd like to leave some flyers here if that's okay.
Oh, sure, we'll take them.
- Thank you. - You're welcome.
I always see your plays.
Are you an actor?
No, I'm a writer.
You should try being an actor.
- Keep doing your best. - Thanks.
If you excuse me.
Thank you very much!
Thank you for coming.
I wonder where the person who used to live with Mr. Kyushiro is now?
You mean, Fukuko? Well, I wonder where she is?
Shall I ask Kyushiro about it?
I bet he'll say he forgot about it.
Could I have a glass of water, please? Thank you.
Oh, good morning.
Oh, this one is for the flowers.
Give him a glass of water, too.
I think there's still a lot of lingering attachment.
Despite appearances, he's the type to hold onto things.
Even though he said they're over each other, I feel like Kyushiro
might have some kind of grand plan for a sudden reversal.
- It's closing time - I'll take my leave, then.
- Oh, thanks for coming, and take care. - Thanks for your service.
If he has a plan like that,
he should discuss it with me first, right?
If it were me, I wouldn't consult with you...
A sudden reversal, huh?
Yuki!
Reiko!
- Long time no see! - Indeed.
Is that Kanda?
Yes, it's Kanda.
That must be hard...
Yes, it is.
But Kanda is still himself...
See you!
"If you work diligently, good things will happen."
That's what was written on the fortune-telling slips.
Whether it's great fortune, moderate fortune, or great misfortune,
in the end, they're all the same.
Yuki has arrived!
I'll place the tea over here.
Thank you very much!
- Excuse me. - I'll come again the day after tomorrow.
Hello.
Meow meow, come here. Meow meow.
Meow meow, come here.
Oh my...
Come here.
She ran away...
Let's have some tea together.
Sure.
Come here, Miyako.
- Here you go. - Thank you so much.
Here you go.
Hey... come here.
Hey, wait... Do you like this?
She's eating it...
Oh, she was born in 1981...
- Huh? 1981... - She's already 19, soon to be 20.
That's amazing.
Usually, cats and dogs tend to pass away around 14 years old.
This one is exceptional, she was very lucky.
Right? Please, live a long life.
- Hello? - Hey... hello?
- Huh? - It's me.
- Yes, what is it? - What are you doing right now?
- Oh, right now I'm at Aunt Fujiko's place. - I see...
I have something I want to talk about, can we meet somewhere?
What about your work, Tatsuya?
Huh? I haven't been there since yesterday.
- Why is that? - I feel sluggish.
I'm considering quitting.
- And why is that? - You're being annoying...
I'm not being annoying.
What are you doing?
- What do you want? - Huh?
What do you want?
They mean soup, but it's totally a different word.
- That's true. - The 'O' and 'U' are reversed.
- They're reversed. - Yeah, right.
- It's a mistake... - You guys, shut your mouth!
- We're sorry. - Just leave!
- I'm sorry. - Forgive us.
All right, let's leave.
That was scary!
Oh, I quit that company.
- You quit? - Yup.
- So, you're unemployed now? - That's right.
- Oh, really? So, we're in the same boat. - Really?
- Can you lend me some money? - It's a good feeling...
What are you talking about? I have no money.
- What are you going to do, then? - About what?
How do you eat if you have no money?
Don't worry about it. I'll tell you next time.
You're wearing nice clothes.
You have no money, yet you're wearing expensive clothes.
I know, right? I'll tell you the trick next time.
Welcome.
You've arrived early.
Have you had lunch?
No, not yet, but I made an appointment with a friend.
Oh, I see.
You know, I got my driver's license recently.
How about going for a drive sometime?
- Here you have. - Thank you!
- What car are you planning to buy? - I wonder what should I choose?
Ah, it's so like you, Mia.
Oh, since you have money, why not consider an Alfa Romeo?
Yes, that might be good.
Mia really had money.
You're wondering how come?
♪ And what if I were to suddenly kidnap you
♪ And keep you safe forever
♪ If I were to do that to you
♪ It would be very bothersome and self-serving of me...
What are you doing?
Huh? I tried putting music to this.
That's great.
Then, from the beginning, shall we?
Hold on...
♪ Even the pouring rain
♪ Would start dancing with you with the frolicking...
♪ Lately, I've had enough of your self-indulgent behavior
♪ If you don't like me that much, let's say good-bye right here
♪ I hate it
♪ Like Like Like Let's go to the Love
♪ Understand this feeling, please
♪ Even the pouring rain would start dancing with you
♪ With the frolicking light, you would walk hand in hand
♪ Even the swaying flowers would start speaking to you
♪ That's a world my heart can't reach
They're selling like hotcakes, like hotcakes!
This is not what you promised me, huh?
I'm in a tight spot, do you hear me?
It's been a while since she broke up with that musician.
One, ten, hundred, thousand, ten thousand, one hundred thousand, mil...
Even with money, there's nothing particular for her to do.
Sleeping, waking up, and playing PlayStation...
Given the spare time, she'll keep working part-time at the sundries shop.
That's how Mia spends her days.
Hey, I'll give you this.
- What is this? - A good luck charm.
I passed my driver's license test with this. I don't need it anymore.
A good luck charm? This?
- That's right. - What's the title again?
I've said countless times, it's "The Seven Entertainers".
- Didn't you tell him? - I sure did.
- Entertainers? - Yes, entertainers!
It's a story about enjoying life as if it were a side-show.
- That's fine, I guess. - You'll definitely cry.
- Cry? - If you go see it, you'll laugh, too.
- Go once, that's all I'm asking for. - You'll see if you go.
I'll go, I promise.
- Hey, what's up with that guy? - Beats me.
Did something happen to him?
Tatsuya?
Hello!
Hello.
You don't have to hurry.
Thank you!
There's still stime.
That was a great meal, thank you.
All right, please come on!
Welcome! Welcome!
Ah, this one?
- It's very cute. - Yes, it's adorable!
Hello, is there something specific you're looking for?
This one seems interesting.
It's 500 yen.
Would you like to take it? Very well, thank you very much.
Welcome!
Since I haven't worn this much, feel free to take a look.
Do you find that interesting?
- Is this a pelican? - That's right.
Ah, that's actually the light for the bicycle.
- How much is this? - It's 100 yen.
Really? That's crazily cheap.
Oh, I received it as a gift.
Sad memories are in there.
Sad memories, you say?
I would pay 100 yen to have it taken away.
That works out perfectly. I'll take this, then.
Really now? Thank you very much.
I'll put it in a bag for you.
Well then, I shall contribute to that story with this.
Ah, 100 yen would be fine, I mean it.
- Ah, it's totally fine. - I'm sorry about this...
- You can supress your sad memories now. - Thank you!
- Invite me to the theater once in a while. - Invite who?
- Me. - Who is that?
DREAMS has auspiciously...
- Auspiciously? - It's not auspicious, it's inauspicious.
Has inauspiciously ended up shutting down.
Uh, well...
For now, Poco will sing,
so, after that...
Poco! Poco!
- Let me sing, too! - What are you saying?
- I'd prefer something easy to handle. - Well, yeah, like soccer?
Soccer?!
- You have to be a runner for that. - But there's also defenders.
Even defenders have to run, though.
- How about bowling? - Isn't that expensive?
It's a place where people gather. They also sell accessories and stuff.
- Ah, is that so? - Well, we should go there next time.
Please, come by all means.
- Should we head home now? - I guess so.
I'm sorry for intruding.
Well, Mr. Tsukimura, thank you for having us.
You're more than welcome!
- Thank you very much. - We'll visit again.
Please, be sure to come again.
- Yes, thanks again. - You're welcome.
- Please visit again. - Thank you for the meal.
I know this might come out of the blue,
but have you heard of the tatami edge dance?
- Huh? - Tatami edge dance.
- I don't know about it. - There's no way you'd know about it, I guess.
Well, you see, he was my father, uhm...
So, he's your great-grandfather.
- He's part of our family line. - How old were you, grandpa?
The Great Kanto Earthquake occured in 1923.
- So, that means I was 10 at the time. - Really?
I remember the earthquake quite well.
Uhm, it was like a makeshift hut...
Well, it was something my grandfather and his father worked hard to make.
You see, to the naked eye, it didn't look habitable...
But we were really happy about it.
When the roof was finished,
the whole family celebrated like it was a festival.
I see.
That's where this is.
- Are you ready now? - For what?
The place has been rebuilt several times,
and thus has become this house.
I understand now.
- It'll just take a moment. - Don't worry, I'll wait.
Okay.
- How are you? - Well...
Have you been well?
I've been okay, I guess.
Yes... How about you?
- Well, so-so, I'd say. - Huh?
- So-so. - So-so, huh?
But let me ask you this. I assume you like her, right?
- Huh? - Well.
- You like Yuki, am I right? - Ah, well...
- I guess she's cute... - Indeed, indeed.
We have been living in Shimokitazawa
since our great-grandfather's generation.
Fair deal...
Back when Shimokitazawa was a district full of mahjong parlors and bars,
we kicked around the dry ice that the ice delivery person had dropped...
Fair deal...
I often walked through the shopping district with my older sister.
Towards where am I walking?
"Lets make it to that road turn for now."
That's what I think while walking.
Young people are looking forward to the next road turn.
I'm scared of road turns already.
Phew, I managed to safely pass this road turn.
Oh, hey...
- Ah, hello! - How have you been?
- Fine, thank you. How about you? - Are you doing well?
Ah, I'd say so, thanks for asking.
Your complexion looks much better now.
- You think so? - You look healthy.
Ah, I see.
- How much is it? - It's 320 yen.
Here.
- Okay, see you next time. - Thank you very much.
Please come again!
The chaotic structure of a city
that was left to spread aimlessly can sometimes look very beautiful,
just like a bird eating a flower,
or a cat skilfully leaping down.
It may seem like a human cluttered mess,
but I feel it's actually a clean part of the humans' unconsciousness.
When starting something new,
it's often rough at first.
But things eventually start flowing,
becoming part of your natural routine, getting smoothly carried out.
Ah, it's been a while. Are you on a walk?
A little.
- Have you been well? - Yes, fortunately.
- Be sure to come again. - Yes.
Ah, thank you.
- Thank you for the meal. - Yes.
Yuki, give me some beer.
Isn't your performance today?
Is it okay if you drink?
Then, shochu will do.
What are you even saying, Kyushiro? Come on...
Okay, I'll serve you just one beer.
I can't do it sober, anyways.
Here's your beer.
Will it be okay if you drink?
Of course.
Ah, aren't you Mr. Kyushiro?
Yeah, I am.
Ah, can I have your autograph, please?
Ah, sure, that's fine.
Are you coming to see a drunken performance, Yuki?
- I really want to go. - Don't come!
- Welcome! - Welcome!
Excuse me, this is...
I see, this is an invitation.
Next customer, please proceed to the front.
Excuse me, could you please line up towards the back in the last row?
Big sister was very moved by that play.
Maybe my sister had never met someone
like Mr. Kyushiro in her entire life until now.
- Thank you for your hard work. - Good job!
- Good job, everyone! - Good job!
- Good work! - Good work!
- Good job! - Good job!
- Thank you for your work. - Well done.
- Good job! - Likewise.
- Nice job! - Hey.
Huh? Do you want me to open it?
Huh?
- Hey, Yan! - Yes?
- The third act seems too premature... - Yes.
- That's what I told you. - You're too late!
I'm so sorry!
Ah, Kyushiro, that was great!
- Thank you! - Karakawa's plays are still good, after all.
Ah, they're really good. We plan on doing more from now on.
- You're right. - We have some good ideas.
- Domon! - Yes?
- Try to open this for me. - Sure.
I opened it. Let me serve it for you.
Ah, should I quit being an actor?
Non-burnable... Non-burnable trash is on Saturdays!
Do you really think he's going to quit acting?
How would I know that?
Hey, Yoko. Why don't you try asking him that?
No, don't get me involved.
- Hey there. - Oh, here you have.
Can you sign here, please?
Here.
Takato, you don't seem to be doing well.
No, I've just been very busy.
- Did your toothache get better? - Yes, I'm fine.
Until recently, Takato, the successor to the liquor store, was quite depressed.
Uhm... that song just now, it was your request, right?
Takato had an unrequited love.
The person in cause is the widow Shizuko, from the antique store.
Uhm...
Don't you plan to remarry, Mrs. Shizuko?
If there was someone out there who wouldn't mind me...
I wouldn't mind.
- Huh? - Ah... It was just a joke.
No, it wasn't a joke, really.
I'm sorry...
Even so, words can be a frightening thing.
Shizuko's "I'm sorry" inadvertently caused Takato's wisdom tooth to throb.
I heard a rumor.
Enough already.
Seems like she was talking about you.
- I don't want to hear it... - However,
it seems like Mrs. Shizuko said, "If only I were ten years younger".
- What? - I'm serious.
- Are you serious? - Yes, I am.
- For real? - That's what Matsuo said.
- Matsuo said that? - Matsuo, from that yakitori restaurant.
Are you sure?
Welcome.
You know... I heard that having this brings good fortune.
I don't need any more good things in my life,
so I'll give it to you.
Ah, thank you very much.
And just like that, Takato is now taking alto saxophone lessons.
I didn't get it.
I really didn't get it.
- Yuki, did you get it? - I didn't.
You didn't, right?
I'll be right back.
Uhm, that play the other day was really good.
No, that one was terrible.
I thought it was amazing.
- Is that so? - Yes.
It's also because lots of young people gather there.
It's a bit different from places like Shibuya or Harajuku, you know?
Maybe it's because of the waterside ambiance or something.
In the past, there was a time when people used to climb mountains.
The ironclad rule when mountain climbing is, you see,
when you lose your way,
or when you have gotten lost,
the first thing you do is look for a stream.
Looking for one is the ironclad rule.
And you do that by listening to the sound of flowing water.
Then, if you walk down along the stream of water,
you are bound to find a way out.
So, maybe the reason all the young people gather here
is because they all have gotten lost.
It's as if everyone who has gotten lost gathered here.
Shimokitazawa does feel like it has that kind of vibe, right?
Doesn't it seem like everyone here has gotten lost?
Recently, there was this weird old guy who said to me,
"You've never even seen Shinzan race before!"
It's true that I've never seen Shinzan or Haiseiko race before.
However, I can clearly tell you right now
that in five-ten years from now,
I'll be able to tell someone: "I saw this horse right in front of me."
"You guys have never even seen El Condor Pasa race before!"
- I'm definitely thinking about saying it. - Hey, want to work part-time here?
- I want to quit. - Can you understand my feelings?
I'm talking about our part-time jobs.
- No, I'm good. - I'm fine as well.
- What about you? - Me?
It's definitely a good deal. Yeah, I guarantee it.
Ishida, please come here.
Yes... Huh? But that's why I... Yeah...
I come from a good upbringing, so...
Please stop doing that.
Mr. Hayashi, who started
a part-time job cleaning the town hall because the hourly wage was good,
had a slightly unusual love affair.
Oh, thank you so much. I'm always grateful for your help.
Is this perhaps your painting?
- Are you into younger girls? - It's because her eyes are so pretty.
They're shining so bright, unlike ours who are a bit murky and not so sparkly.
You can't be serious.
But when those eyes gaze at you,
it's like you could also become clean and serene.
I'm fine... I'm fine...
Excuse me, were you talking about Aki, the elementary school student...
- Yes, that's right. - Why do you ask?
Ah, no, uhm, since we talked a bit about art,
I was thinking it would be nice to visit her and offer my support.
Oh, is that so?
- Where is she being hospitalized? - Right next door.
Hello!
How are you feeling?
The flowers are so pretty.
Don't hesitate to call if you need me. Excuse me now.
I wonder what that round picture is? Maybe a lunchbox?
- An amusement park. - What? An amusement park? Really?
Does an amusement park have a round shape?
It can be round, right? Very round.
I guess it makes sense.
- Yo! - Tatsuya.
Make it big.
- What are you guys doing here uninvited? - Oh, hey!
I was thinking it was about time to expose
MoodsVille for embezzlement of part-time job fees.
- Hey, move away. - Ah, sorry.
- Quick, move out of the way. - Let's go, okay?
You can go just the two of you.
Wait, didn't we promise to go together, all three of us?
- Don't put that on it! - Oh, sorry, sorry.
- Don't put that on... - Hey, let's go there today, okay?
Let's do that other time.
Hey, if you keep postponing it,
it's just going to keep dragging on and on.
- Hey. - This goes in there.
Ken!
Oh, hello. Please, come inside.
"If you plan on living on your own,"
"you might as well do it farther away." That's what my father told me.
Sorry about the mess.
I just couldn't bring myself to move away from Shimokitazawa,
where I have so many cinephile friends.
- Hey, hey, Kenichi! - Huh?
Kenichi, wake up, your sister's here.
What is it?
I brought the chair I talked about the other day.
Ah, right... thank you.
I received a fax from Dad.
What did it say?
"You should ask your sister to make you dinner every now and then."
I ended up pulling an all-nighter for a school assignment.
Oh, it's Shosuke.
He's in charge of the music.
Just because I'm free.
Shosuke was being groomed by his parents
to take over an old-fashioned café.
However, he wanted to become a DJ.
Of course, his father was strongly against it.
Shosuke! Hey! Shosuke!
- Good luck. - Yeah... hold on a moment.
"I understand. I'll take over," he said.
In return, he asked if he could renovate it to have a club-like atmosphere.
- Look! - It's hopeless!
Hold on!
Come on, let's go to Toriyoshi for drinks!
- Look here! - What are you on about?
- I'm looking, now what? - You're not looking!
Oh, stop it!
We'll go when I give the go.
Oh, no, you shouldn't be littering!
Be kind to the Earth.
I have no idea what they're thinking at all.
Young people these days...
However, it might be better for your place to be a bit more stylish...
Like ours. It could be profitable.
Places like ours appeal
to those cool, sophisticated youngsters, you know?
- What's so sophisticated about it? - No, no, I mean it!
- Old man! - Huh?
- Let's have a talk. - Hi there.
Hayashi?
But it's better to walk than force yourself to run.
Yuki... long time no see.
Hey, wanna chat? Just once more.
- We have nothing to chat about. - Come on, let's go.
- Wait a moment, hold on! - Stop it...
- What is it? - Can't you see she's unwilling?
- No, I just want to talk. - You're being annoying!
- Let's go! - Stop it!
You're being persistent. What's your problem?
- Yuki... - Who are you?
Hey, who are you?
- He's someone I used to date. - You liar.
It's true.
That's just a kid...
Sorry for the wait. Here's the simmered chicken.
Ah, much appreciated.
What do you think? "Formulary of Shit-eating Adjudications".
This new year, let's go all in with this.
Just adding "Shit-eating" to it doesn't make this better.
But, I mean, Karakawa stuff is popular with the customers.
Please, okay?
Anyway, let's start the new year with this, all right?
There's nothing to start.
How many times must I tell you that I'm not doing Karakawa stuff anymore?
But...
Thank you for waiting. Here's the oden.
Did you order more food?
- Is this a cooking class or something? - Come on, eat it...
Hey, hey! Anyway, even Iida seems enthusiastic about this new play.
I'm begging you, okay?
- Hey, Jingu! - Yes?
Your old self is laughing at you.
It's true that I wanted to become a poet, but...
Your husband is noisy.
I'm sorry. Thank you very much for coming.
You really don't understand business.
Honey, why are you always so noisy?
Today, he's a bit...
I think that's from when I was around 10 years old.
I'm surprised that I kept this until now.
It's so cute.
Lately, you seem a bit off. Is something bothering you?
Did something happen?
Did you figure it out?
Everyone seems to have some money now.
Back when I was in girls' school,
I used to eat with my eyes when I went to a coffee shop.
I didn't have that kind of money.
So, seeing today's female students, all stylishly dressed
going into restaurants like that...
When I saw that in Shimokitazawa, I was so amazed.
What do you like so much about Shimokitazawa?
Because there's so many young people, just watching them makes me feel youthful.
Whenever I go to other neighborhoods, I notice a lot of older folks,
and it makes me feel a bit self-conscious.
Wherever humans go, they tend to encroach,
leaving less space for animals and their habitats.
I pity them.
Dogs and cats are not allowed anywhere you go.
That's the only bad thing about it, unlike in Germany,
where nowadays, the law says that no matter how many cats you have,
landlords can't complain about it.
That's something we're currently advocating for as well.
But talks about evictions come and go every year.
Does that mean
that everything around here will be gone?
That's right.
Ah, that's such a shame...
- It's really nice here. - Yeah...
By the way, Owner, we should change the subject...
- Ah, Mrs. Sakaino, it's been a while. - Hello! Long time no see!
- Welcome! - Hello!
Excuse me.
I like the look in his eyes. Do you think he'll come work for our troupe?
I'm going to read it.
"Dear Recipient, how are you?"
"Are you still living there?"
"I am currently living in Kumamoto."
"I have business in Tokyo at the end of this month."
"If you're available, would you like to meet at that shop on the 30th?"
"If you are still living there and this letter reaches you..."
Ah, stop it, stop it. That's enough!
- Don't you want to meet her? - Don't joke around, you foolish woman!
But the name of the shop is even written here.
I'm not going. Who would go, anyway?
- Are you performing at that time? - It's not that.
If I go, I might hit her.
I can't hit her, I just can't.
It's hot, it's hot!
But thanks to that, we can't go to MoodsVille anymore.
- Huh? - You can't go, can you?
- I guess so... - You sure are persistent, right?
Lousy amateurs...
Tatsuya, where are you going?
You can't just do as you please.
He won't be bothering you anymore.
I hope you didn't punch him...
So what if I did? He's got nothing to do with you anymore.
- Did you punch him? - Of course I didn't!
We had a discussion.
Here you go, orange juice for you.
- What are you doing? - Playing Sevens.
Oh, then let's play together.
- Next. - Four of spades.
How about saying something?
Well...
Meeting like this again... it seems there's nothing much to talk about.
Right.
You were still in the same place.
I threw away some of your stuff, you know.
I only kept this.
It says, "On the 11th, Mr. Yamamoto, 7 PM."
I didn't go.
Mr. Yamamoto must have been upset about it, right?
Right...
You need to clear that for the King.
The King of Hearts goes there.
- Say. - Yes?
- How old is he? - Almost six years old.
- Oh, he's in elementary school? - Yes.
Being clingy is unattractive, you know?
- Say, Tatsuya. - Yeah?
Do you want to break up?
See you.
Take care not to catch a cold.
♪ Like Like Like Like Let's go to the Love
♪ Understand this feeling, please
♪ While waiting for me with a cute face, sitting all alone
♪ What if I don't show up and leave just like that?
I love this song.
♪ Nice Nice Nice Let's go to the Love
The miso soup is so delicious.
I see... You should do that.
It's totally fine if you want to quit.
Yes.
So, what about it?
That was the New Year's Eve bell ringing one month early.
Nobody else seemed to have heard it.
It was a bell sound that only my big sister, Tatsuya, and Mr. Kyushiro heard.
Come here, you bastard!
Wait!
Oh, Ishida!
Wait!
Mr. Kyushiro...
Ah, Kyushiro, hi there!
- Let me go! - Ishida!
Hey, hey, let me pass...
Hold him down! Hold him down!
Isn't that Takemitsu?
Huh? What's that?
Oh, it's coming down at my feet.
What's this?
Here's a celebration gift.
Thank you. I'm so happy.
You remember, right?
You look like you're finally just starting out.
Is that so?
It's your time now, right?
I know that having expectations can lead to disappointment.
But that's fine.
As long as dreams outnumber disappointments by one.
Right.
Basically, as long as life is enjoyable, that's what matters.
At least, that's what I think.
Even I still have a spare dream, you know.
- Thank you. - Is there more?
There's a small cardboard box over there.
Oh, it's Grandpa.
- Take care of yourself. - See you. You, too.
- I'm going to send her off. - Okay.
- See you next time. - Goodbye.
Take care of yourself.
Oh, we used to go here often, right?
The food is delicious here!
The spaghetti is yummy, right?
Perhaps the one who understood best the reason
why my big sister wanted to leave Shimokitazawa for a little bit was me.
There's something about the fun atmosphere of this town
that kind of softens people up, just like soaking in a hot spring.
Shogi is the best after all, isn't it?
That's because you can't lose as long as everyone sticks together, right?
Ah, Yumiko?
Oh, Kenichi!
- What are you doing here? - Well, I'm selling cauliflower.
- Oh, really? - It's in season right now.
- Would you like to buy it? - I might.
- See you, big sister! - See you!
I expressed my gratitude to Shimokitazawa.
Shimokitazawa responded with its usual bustling noise and commotion.
All this commotion will never disappear,
and it won't merge into one either.
Kyushiro: Yoshio Harada
Yuki: Tomoko Kitagawa
Tatsuya: Yukiyoshi Ozawa
- Come have fun next time, okay? - I will.
I wonder what this is.
I heard having this brings good luck.
I'll give it to you as a present.
Because something good happened to us, too.
So, if something good happens, you have to pass it on to the next person,
or else it'll bring bad luck.
I see... Thank you.
Directed by: Jun Ichikawa