Lost Man Found (2022–…): Season 1, Episode 5 - Episode #1.5 - full transcript
-Roll film!
-Okay!
-We're rolling.
-Good.
And... action!
Have you seen this man?
He's gone missing.
Sorry, doesn't ring a bell.
What's his name?
When my brother ran away from home,
our family was in the middle of dinner.
-What do you know?
-I know everything!
After 13 years together,
I finally realized...
-Realized what?
-This guy...
He's this!
No, you idiot! I'm this!
I knew it all along!
-That guy...
-Are you sure?
He doesn't look that way.
-How does he look then?
-Huh? He looks normal.
What's "normal"?
Normal's normal!
Yeah, but what does "normal" mean?
I told ya! Normal's normal!
Shut up, already!
-What are you talking about?
-Come on...
Get off me.
-He really is this!
-This is lame.
-You're wrong!
-What's up?
It's super lame!
Come on...
Don't try to kiss me!
Without another word,
my brother left home.
Yay!
I'd always hated having
to share a room with him,
so I was actually happy that he was gone.
But then... I was also attracted
by the idea of running away...
Satoru! Where ya goin'?
I'm runnin' away!
Good luck!
-Alright, catch this!
-Got it! There...
Hey kid, what's up? Where ya goin'
with all that stuff?
-Well?
-What's going on here?
-I'm runnin' away!
-You're what?
-Just leave me alone!
-Are you sure you're okay?
Man, it's cold... Really cold.
I'm hungry, too.
NOMOTO UDON RESTAURANT
Why would you run away from home?
Oh, shut up! My brother ran away too!
-Thanks for the meal!
-Come again!
You shouldn't make your parents worry.
You call those "parents"? Besides, Sugita!
Why are you here, anyway?
I ran away too.
Enough already. Drink this and go home!
Everyone's worried sick!
That includes your mom, Sugita!
And your mom, Matsudo!
-That hurt!
-Oh no, it didn't.
You stupid idiot! Where the hell were you?
If you do that again,
you won't get off easy. Now go to bed!
Huh? How come you're here?
THE SHADOW
So lame...
Our short time as runaways came to an end,
but I still wonder...
where did my brother go that night?
THE YEAR 2005
ANONYMOUS MAN
EPISODE 4
BEGINNER'S LUCK
So how's the story turn out?
He'll win Ito's love in the end, right?
Man... I only watched it to see you,
but I ended up getting hooked!
With a regular role in a popular TV drama,
I'd helped launch
an otaku boom across Japan!
I can't believe it.
You're a real celebrity now!
Hey, why do all celebrities
eat yakiniku together?
How should I know?
It's not like I want to be
a celebrity or anything.
It churns my stomach...
but I'll master back these for you.
Thanks.
I'll bet your girlfriend's happy.
I suppose.
However...
You know, it still feels weird.
Seeing you on TV every week like this...
Weird?
Well, it makes you seem
like a hot property.
When really,
you barely leave the apartment.
Why haven't I gotten any offers?
You will, eventually.
Look how funny you are, Matsun.
-I'm funny?
-Yeah.
Funny how?
Huh? Well... you're just funny.
Here we go!
"Just funny" isn't going to get me work.
Turn it off while we're eating.
It's my mom.
Hello?
Hello?
We were watching too! Your otaku show...
You've gotten really good!
You don't have to call
over little stuff like that.
I ain't calling about "little stuff"...
It's about your grandma.
Her health has gotten worse,
Is it that bad?
She's developed pneumonia.
She's gettin' old, too.
You better come home and say hello!
Well... I'll come home
the next chance I get.
What's wrong?
My grandma.
It seems she's pretty sick.
-Will she be okay?
-Well...
Oh! Why don't I go with you?
Huh? The two of us?
Yeah. It's fine, right?
I want to meet your parents too.
It was a reluctant trip home...
"To be continued."
TO BE CONTINUED
We're here!
Look at all this! It's amazing!
Why's the station built like a bridge?
Look! Over there! That's my place.
The apartment complex is called
"Rainbow Town."
It was a dream home at one time.
Wow!
Whoa! This is impressive, too!
-Pretty rare, right?
-Really rare!
It's more like a town
than an apartment complex.
There's an elementary, junior high,
and high school, all inside the complex.
Really?
Oh, man. I'm starting to get nervous.
Coming!
Irasshai!
This is the story of a lost man
who is destined to be found
again and again.
It's a TV drama,
based on one hell of a true story,
but the names of characters
and organizations who appear
have mostly been changed.
Well, I'm just a lowly
electrical engineer.
But I did graduate
from the National Institute of Technology.
Have you heard of it?
It's a national college.
Only for smart people.
But this kid was real...
not dumb exactly, but...
Somewhere along the way,
he took a wrong turn!
But Satoru's TV drama has gotten
really good reviews!
You call that a TV drama?
They're all nonsense these days.
There ain't no shows
for adults anymore, am I right?
How should I know?
I'm sorry about this!
He got nervous when he heard
you were coming, Yui.
He started drinking at noon and now
he's a bit drunk.
Who's drunk, huh?
Not me!
Right?
So, tell me. Where did you
find a loser like him?
We work part-time at the same store.
-Part-time?
-He taught me all about the job
and he's well-liked by everyone.
Really?
He's grown into a pleasant young man,
it seems!
Unlike his brother.
Will I meet his brother today?
He lives in America right now.
He went to study computer
something-or-other.
Really? Wow!
That reminds me, Satoru...
Takeshi's University...
Don't bring that up now!
Eat up. Here's some futomaki.
This futomaki
is a Matsudo Family tradition!
If you eat it all at once
without a word...
All your wishes will come true!
You don't have to.
-I'd love some.
-Eat up.
I'll pray that he becomes a star.
That wish ain't ever comin' true!
Look at you... you're amazing.
You've been on TV, huh?
Just a little. A minor part.
Say...
get me Ryotaro Sugi's autograph, will you?
Next time.
Today, I, uh... I brought my girlfriend.
This is Yui.
Pleased to meet you. I'm Yui Higa.
Oh...
Is Takeshi... coming too?
-He's in America.
-Mom!
Forget about Takeshi.
Say hello to Yui.
She's a really nice girl!
Satoru doesn't deserve her!
Oh...
Do you think Takeshi
has found someone nice too?
I'll bet he's lonely there in America.
There's no futomaki there.
Or the Koshien high school
baseball tournament.
No Hanshin Tigers, either.
He can find all that stuff in America.
They have baseball stadiums.
And the Tigers...
I think there's a team called that.
Oh...
That reminds me... Kiku, dear,
open that drawer for me.
Here it is. This...
Right?
Some allowance for you.
Ain't much, though...
You don't have to. I'm not a kid anymore.
Take it with you!
Takeshi too... before he left for America,
I gave him some allowance.
One million yen, ya know.
-Huh?
-One million?
She's joking.
Satoru, can I have a moment?
Takeshi... dropped out of school.
Dropped out?
The papers came from his university.
I couldn't read all the English, but...
it seems he quit.
Since then, no matter how many times
I email him, he ain't replied.
Still, you heard that "Takeshi, Takeshi"
stuff from your grandma, right?
Do you... think you could...
try and contact him?
No way. He'll ignore any messages from me.
Come on, I'm begging you.
Here's his email address.
That girl... Yui...
If you make her cry, you'll answer to me.
It's time you got a proper job.
I know...
Oh, no, Mom!
You've only got two hours to live!
Bring Takeshi too, okay?
Once a month...
we'd have picnics at this riverbank.
Our whole family would eat futomaki.
Really? Sounds nice...
I got so sick of it...
Maybe that's why I wanted to run away.
Let's go eat udon!
There's someone I want you to meet.
Oh?
NOMOTO UDON RESTAURANT
Whoa, Nomoto! It's really you!
How'd you get so pretty? Plastic surgery?
No way! I'm all natural!
No one's naturally that pretty. Right?
Come on, you're embarrassing me. Right?
But that's not even the real surprise.
You married him?
Sorry to keep you waiting!
Thank you for the meal.
What the hell is this, Sugita?
-Look at you!
-Alright, alright. Sit down.
Come on, sit.
You know, after I moved out...
I, uh... I got abandoned by Yoshiko...
and I actually went back
to your apartment!
But to my surprise, you had a wo--
Not a woman! Yui, right? Yui!
You had Yui with you! Eat up, Yui.
Thank you for the meal.
I thought,
"Now I really have nowhere to go!"
So I came back here.
I hadn't been to this restaurant in ages,
but when I showed up
on the verge of death,
she treated me to plain udon with broth.
Don't lie, you jerk! It was beef udon!
This is the best plain udon I've ever had.
-Thanks!
-You like plain udon, huh?
But of all people... why Sugita?
You really piss me off.
Sugita's the only one who didn't mind
that she's got no breasts! Right?
There were others!
Still, hearing about
breast cancer is a pain, right?
But, uh... I'll bore you
with the details another time.
Switching topics... what about you, Yui?
What did you like about Matsudo?
Everything, of course.
I don't know about everything...
But uh... Matsun is really good
at the video store job.
-You call him "Matsun"?
-Matsun?
-That's so cute!
-Matsun!
"Matsun"?
-Come on. Tell them more.
-Well, uh...
He, uh... he takes me to record stores...
and carries heavy boxes for me...
and treats me to dinner,
even though it's his birthday.
Oh, and he really listens
to what I have to say.
That's all ordinary stuff! What the hell?
But it sounds like
you really do like everything.
That does it. You better hurry up
and get married too.
Moron!
It's too soon!
Better earn enough money from acting.
That's right. Hurry up
and become like Etsushi Toyokawa!
I should get your autograph
while I still can.
-I'll give you an autograph any time!
-Please.
We don't want it yet!
Not until you really make it.
Huh?
So work hard until then!
Oh, yeah?
When I make it big,
you might not have the chance to get it.
I'm looking forward to that day!
Got it? Hurry up and make it big,
so you can provide for Yui. Okay?
That's rich coming from you!
-Welcome!
-Are you open?
-Let's eat.
-Right.
Man...
Ow! That hurts!
Ow!
Thinking that I had to become
a real man and provide for Yui,
I took on a new challenge.
SPECIAL SKILLS:
MIXED MARTIAL ARTS
Somehow... it looks good, right?
Yeah. I'd cast you.
-Here, Matsudo.
-Huh?
Is it a role?
You idiot. It's an audition.
Listen, just because you were
a glorified extra on a TV series...
-Don't get a big head!
-Sorry!
I wasn't bad.
-In fact, it was made for me.
-Do it over there!
Oh, right.
I'm thinking of...
making this my last try.
I'm not trying to get you to stop me
or anything like that.
You can't wait for me any longer...
and making you wait is killing me!
Don't talk like that.
I know you'll be okay.
I know you can make your dream come true!
Dreams don't exist to be "had."
They exist to be "realized."
It's not just your dream.
It's not just your life.
Don't go thinking you're in this alone!
Don't you dare give up on your dreams!
This girl is kind of weird, right?
-You think so?
-Yeah.
Well, actually, hearing someone say
"it's not just your life..."
-It kind of hits me here.
-Seriously?
I could never say "Dreams don't exist
to be had, they exist to be realized..."
Say it, please! Let me have it!
Huh? That's what you want?
Dear Takeshi,
It's been a while. How have you been?
Grandma really wants to see you.
Can't you come home for just a while?
Mother and father are worried too.
I really believe that no one
goes through life alone.
Your life... does not belong only to you.
Wow.
DEAR TAKESHI
I'll be waiting to hear from you.
Signed, Satoru.
SENDING MESSAGE
MESSAGE SENT.
Dreams don't exist to be had.
They exist to be realized.
It's not just your dream.
-How creepy.
-It's not just your life!
Don't go thinking you're in this alone!
That guy's scary! Should we tell someone?
It's really scary, isn't it?
It really is...
a lot of pressure.
You can't wait for me any longer
and making you wait is killing me!
You can't wait for me any longer
and making you wait is killing me!
You lack humanity! It sounds fake!
"It's killing me... it's killing me...
it's killing me..."
Do you even know what it means
to die for a woman?
I do! Right now--
Don't say it unless you really mean it!
Plus...
You never know if a woman will be
good or bad for you, anyway.
-Do it again!
-That girl... Yui...
If you make her cry, you'll answer to me.
Hurry up and make it big,
so you can provide for Yui. Okay?
I'm thinking of making this my last--
You're clenching your fists!
Palms open!
Sorry...
Everything is riding on this audition.
-Okay... I'm off.
-Right.
Give my back a slap!
-There! Now go!
-Ow! Ow!
-Here goes nothing.
-Bye!
Matsun!
Itterashai!
Okay. Next group, please.
Please...
Make a left, up ahead.
Thank you for coming.
Please... if it's in your power...
don't let Matsun get hurt.
We'll begin with self-introductions.
Start from the right.
Yes!
Good afternoon! I'm from FMC!
My name's Matsu...
If it's in your power...
don't let Matsun get hurt.
Matsud... Matsu...
SATORU MATSUDO
Matsun!
Hey! Get back here!
And... action.
I'm...
I'm...
I'm...
You can use the script.
Oh, that's not...
Um, it's okay. I know the lines.
One more time... please!
Just read from the script.
We don't have all day.
Understood!
I'm thinking of making this my last try.
I'm not trying to get you to stop me
or anything like that.
You can't wait for me any longer...
and making you wait is killing me!
Don't talk like that.
I know you'll be okay.
You can make your dream come true!
Dreams don't exist to be had,
they exist to be realized.
It's not just your dream.
It's not just your life.
Don't go thinking you're in this alone!
Don't you dare give up on your dreams.
Akemi, I'm going to do it!
I'm going to pass my next audition
and make it big!
And then...
I won't make you settle for a toy.
A real diamond ring!
I'll buy you a real diamond ring!
A big diamond... would be nice!
Who do you think you're talking to?
I'll buy you one as big
as a gorilla's boogers!
You might want to hand him
his walking papers, soon.
He's doing the best he can...
but it won't get any easier.
He has a lot of advances to pay back, too.
Hitachi, what do you think?
RESUME
SATORU MATSUDO
Matsun!
Thank god...
-Matsun...
-Would you stop calling me that?
Huh?
After all that practice...
I couldn't even say my name.
I could only manage "Matsun..."
I'm sorry.
I kept thinking
it would work out, somehow.
Isn't it supposed to work out? For me?
What does it mean that it doesn't?
Thinking about it, I got really scared...
Maybe I'm not good at acting...
but I'm not good at anything else, either.
You'll give up on me eventually, too.
I imagined what it would be like...
to die all alone, a wreck.
Matsun...
I'd like to pummel
whoever made you feel this way.
But...
It's going to be rough from here on, too.
I don't want to see you in pain like this.
-Matsun!
-Don't call me that!
Matsun!
Make your dream come true!
It's true. Dreams don't exist to be had.
You realize them!
It's not just your dream!
It's not just your life!
Don't go thinking you're in this alone!
Don't you dare give up on your dream!
You want to be an actor, right?
But...
But what if it doesn't happen?
-Ow!
-That ain't an option!
It ain't!
I ain't gonna tell you
that you're fine the way you are!
Sentimental crap like that...
you ain't gonna hear it from me!
Ow! Ow!
Ow! Ow!
Ow! Ow!
-Ow! Ow!
-While things weren't working out...
While I buckled down and kept at it...
My grandma died.
Grandma, I'm sorry...
For not bringing Takeshi home...
I'm sorry...
For not bringing you Ryotaro Sugi's
autograph, I'm really sorry.
Your only choice now
is to become him yourself.
You'll become the next Ryotaro Sugi.
I apologize for the lack of reply.
How is Grandma doing?
I do want to see her,
but I'm too busy to come there right away.
DEAR SATORU
But I promise I will go see her.
SIGNED, TAKESHI
Tomorrow... head here.
Put a suit on and look your best.
-A little...
-Wait a second, really?
Um, excuse me...
I don't actually have a suit.
Huh?
Thank you very much!
Don't come back without a part!
Yes, ma'am.
You look good.
What's your name?
Can you tell us your name?
Satoru...
Matsudo.
There. It's a good name.
All you've got to do is say it.
Just how pathetic am I?
Break a leg.
Good morning.
Good morning!
Thank you for coming, today.
Thank you!
First things first,
we'd like to begin with an etude.
You five are co-workers
and you've come
to the cafeteria to eat udon.
You've had udon for four days straight...
and this is the fifth day.
Perform with that in mind.
Yes, sir.
And... action!
I knew it. Udon again!
-What do you expect?
-Plain udon...
-A big bowl!
-What else?
-What else is there?
-Huh? What's wrong?
-Something besides udon...
-That's all there is.
What are you talking about?
I thought... maybe something else.
-Why?
-Yeah, why?
Didn't we make a promise?
That we'd eat udon every day for a week...
-And then we'd eat soba...
-Right.
...and think about how they're different!
-You're right.
-He is.
But to learn more
about what's different...
I thought maybe in between--
-We won't learn anything, then.
-Are you sure?
-Get it together. We all--
-What else would you eat, then?
-Something besides udon.
-Give me an example.
-Anything other than udon!
-Calm down...
We all feel the same as you.
-Look at everyone's faces.
-It's udon.
-Udon.
-Udon?
They've ordered already.
Udon, it is.
Make it udon.
Right. Plain udon.
-Plain udon.
-Right, plain.
Let's go.
-Plain udon, please.
-Plain.
Curry udon, please.
-Piping hot...
-But...
-Sounds good.
-But you said...
-We'd all eat plain...
-With no noodles!
-Make it curry and rice, please!
-What about udon?
That will be all for today.
Thank you very much.
-Thank you very much.
-Thank you very much.
Oh, sorry I forgot!
Could we have your names?
From the right, please.
Yes.
I'm Satoru Matsudo.
In all my life, I've never said a better
"Satoru Matsudo."
Matsu...
Saroru Matsudo! Satoru!
Ma...
I'm Matusdo.
I'm from FMC.
My name's Matsu...
-Matsu... Matsudo...
-Satoru, right?
Matsu... Matsud...
What are you laughing about?
Sorry.
I'm just happy...
to have said my name right...
Good for you, huh?
-Yes!
-Do you have any special skills?
-Oh, uh... mixed martial arts.
-Could you show us?
-If you could...
-Me?
Please...
Get ready!
You're not very good, though!
That last audition...
You got the part.
What?! Do you mean it?
It's been so long!
Whoa! Yoko Maki? I'm a big fan!
She's a great actress, right?
Really?
Wait, I don't see my name...
Oh, I get it...
the part's not in the script?
YOKO MAKI
SATORU MATSUDO
What...
What the heck is this?!
Congratulations. You got third billing.
-Congratulations!
-Now you can pay us back!
Hitachi really pushed for you on this one!
"I know our Matsudo
would be perfect for this."
Oh, man...
It's all thanks to you, Yui!
It's all thanks to you, Yui!
Thank you!
You're wrong.
It's because you said your name!
Right...
You're right...
Thank god!
-Congrats!
-I'm so happy!
I'm so happy!
Aim for his back! His back!
The back! Now a triangle choke!
-Triangle choke!
-You're giving me a headache.
It's too early in the morning for this!
If I don't do it
every morning, I can't relax.
I played the part
of a gluttonous cop, on a team
that protects VIPs from terrorists.
Whoa, wait a second! You left some behind.
Thanks to its authentic action scenes,
the show became a huge hit.
Mikami!
The role fits me perfectly
and other parts came rolling in.
Next month, you'll be
going to Kyoto for two weeks.
For what?
A swashbuckling wandering samurai movie!
Don't tell me... I get to play
Suke-san or Kaku-san?
Have you lost your mind?
You're not even Hachibei!
You're just a lowly townsperson.
Even so...
there's a love scene, this time.
You have to kiss.
For real?
Of course, I'm glad you're doing so well.
As the one who found you,
I'm now certain that my eye for talent
can do no wrong.
Plus! There's that power you have
to reel in luck and fateful encounters.
That includes encountering me.
I mean, it's hard to believe.
This all started
when you found
an airline ticket I dropped!
Do you think most people
would pick that up?
They wouldn't!
Not to mention,
it was underneath a vending machine.
Would most people
go that far to pick it up?
No. They would not.
Huh? Wait...
What was I trying to say?
Oh, uh... my skill with luck and fate.
That's right.
The world is made up of luck,
fateful encounters, romance, and desire.
But the biggest prize of all
that you've gotten your hands on...
is her!
You can see everything from here!
That's right.
I see everything.
With these.
She may look like she's taking it easy,
but I'm sure she's waiting.
And you know what it is
that she's waiting for, right?
Um...
Yeah.
Huh? What's this...
Don't tell me...
-You're having second thoughts?
-No!
It's not that, it's...
Forgive me.
I just can't think of the right words.
Words?
-For a proposal!
-What?
-What is it?
-Huh?
An "I love you..."
straight from the heart
would make anyone happy.
-"I love you."
-Come on!
Who says "I love you"
out of the corner of their mouth?
Is that fun?
It's awesome.
I love you.
More!
I love you.
Oh, Matsudo, you...
Huh?
What is it?
Is this the star actor, Mr. Matsudo?
Actually, I'm at Mr. Arita's bar.
Your boss is right.
Don't hesitate
and propose to her right away.
You're making a living
as an actor now, right?
-What did you say, then?
-What did I...?
You remember, right? Of course, I said...
"Let's get married." Straight and sweet.
Right?
I'm not sure about that.
But you...
You're not thinking
of running away, are you?
Why would I...
"Why?" Well, obviously...
starting a family is tough, you know.
Enough. I can't take this...
I can't take it anymore! Bartender!
Play Roman Hiko, will you?
I just... listening to this guy
makes me sick.
-Mr. Arita, let's sing.
-Huh?
-I have to sing too?
-Just do it!
-Here goes. Roman Hiko!
-Oh!
-Play it!
-What's up?
Well...
-Nice...
-So what did he really say?
How did Sugita propose?
You heard him. Just like he said.
For real?
I was young, right?
When I lost my breasts...
I had stopped caring about anything...
It was right around that time
when we reunited.
He's kind of a doofus, right?
So I can tell him anything.
He's just easy to be around, or...
So that's what happened?
That's what happened.
In that case...
why don't you marry me?
-Huh?
-Yeah.
Let's get married.
Or rather... marry me.
My heart skipped a beat!
Aw, man... I want to make
Yui's heart skip too!
Good sir.
Sachi...
Come on!
You can't laugh!
Sorry!
I won't be able to tell
if it's you or the actress!
Oh, really?
So someone's gonna
steal your lips now, huh?
It's acting. Just acting.
I'm just a bit jealous.
It can't be helped.
Yui...
What?
When this job is over...
When I get back from Kyoto...
There's something important
that I want to tell you.
Alright. I'll be waiting.
You better not do it for real.
The only one I'm real with is you.
But in contrast to his sweet words...
Satoru is shockingly infected
by the "Kyoto sickness."
But that's a story for another...
Huh? You're not really
going to end it here?
What? Do you want to see the next chapter?
It's super erotic. Look. Like this...
Like this.
Are you a moron?
Do you think our readers are stupid?
Not that.
What about your reply to your brother?
Oh... do you really
want to know about that?
I really, really want to know.
I apologize for the lack of reply.
How is Grandma doing?
I do want to see her,
but I'm too busy to come there right away.
But I promise I will go see everyone.
Grandma passed away.
Right until the end,
she wanted to see you.
To know if you have a lover...
To know if you can watch Tigers games...
To know if you're eating futomaki...
Why couldn't you come,
even for a short time?
Are you running away
from home again, at your age?
You are no longer family,
or anything else, to me.
Consider our ties cut.
SENDING MESSAGE
MESSAGE SENT
Takeshi...
Marry me, please!
Thank you...
for not letting the connections
you've made go to waste.
It's time you focused
on acting completely.
You don't think... it could be Hollywood?
Make sure you come with me.
-What?
-This is your last day.
Are you out of your mind?
Does my life mean anything to you?
Satoru...
Satoru...
Translated by Bradley Plumb
-Okay!
-We're rolling.
-Good.
And... action!
Have you seen this man?
He's gone missing.
Sorry, doesn't ring a bell.
What's his name?
When my brother ran away from home,
our family was in the middle of dinner.
-What do you know?
-I know everything!
After 13 years together,
I finally realized...
-Realized what?
-This guy...
He's this!
No, you idiot! I'm this!
I knew it all along!
-That guy...
-Are you sure?
He doesn't look that way.
-How does he look then?
-Huh? He looks normal.
What's "normal"?
Normal's normal!
Yeah, but what does "normal" mean?
I told ya! Normal's normal!
Shut up, already!
-What are you talking about?
-Come on...
Get off me.
-He really is this!
-This is lame.
-You're wrong!
-What's up?
It's super lame!
Come on...
Don't try to kiss me!
Without another word,
my brother left home.
Yay!
I'd always hated having
to share a room with him,
so I was actually happy that he was gone.
But then... I was also attracted
by the idea of running away...
Satoru! Where ya goin'?
I'm runnin' away!
Good luck!
-Alright, catch this!
-Got it! There...
Hey kid, what's up? Where ya goin'
with all that stuff?
-Well?
-What's going on here?
-I'm runnin' away!
-You're what?
-Just leave me alone!
-Are you sure you're okay?
Man, it's cold... Really cold.
I'm hungry, too.
NOMOTO UDON RESTAURANT
Why would you run away from home?
Oh, shut up! My brother ran away too!
-Thanks for the meal!
-Come again!
You shouldn't make your parents worry.
You call those "parents"? Besides, Sugita!
Why are you here, anyway?
I ran away too.
Enough already. Drink this and go home!
Everyone's worried sick!
That includes your mom, Sugita!
And your mom, Matsudo!
-That hurt!
-Oh no, it didn't.
You stupid idiot! Where the hell were you?
If you do that again,
you won't get off easy. Now go to bed!
Huh? How come you're here?
THE SHADOW
So lame...
Our short time as runaways came to an end,
but I still wonder...
where did my brother go that night?
THE YEAR 2005
ANONYMOUS MAN
EPISODE 4
BEGINNER'S LUCK
So how's the story turn out?
He'll win Ito's love in the end, right?
Man... I only watched it to see you,
but I ended up getting hooked!
With a regular role in a popular TV drama,
I'd helped launch
an otaku boom across Japan!
I can't believe it.
You're a real celebrity now!
Hey, why do all celebrities
eat yakiniku together?
How should I know?
It's not like I want to be
a celebrity or anything.
It churns my stomach...
but I'll master back these for you.
Thanks.
I'll bet your girlfriend's happy.
I suppose.
However...
You know, it still feels weird.
Seeing you on TV every week like this...
Weird?
Well, it makes you seem
like a hot property.
When really,
you barely leave the apartment.
Why haven't I gotten any offers?
You will, eventually.
Look how funny you are, Matsun.
-I'm funny?
-Yeah.
Funny how?
Huh? Well... you're just funny.
Here we go!
"Just funny" isn't going to get me work.
Turn it off while we're eating.
It's my mom.
Hello?
Hello?
We were watching too! Your otaku show...
You've gotten really good!
You don't have to call
over little stuff like that.
I ain't calling about "little stuff"...
It's about your grandma.
Her health has gotten worse,
Is it that bad?
She's developed pneumonia.
She's gettin' old, too.
You better come home and say hello!
Well... I'll come home
the next chance I get.
What's wrong?
My grandma.
It seems she's pretty sick.
-Will she be okay?
-Well...
Oh! Why don't I go with you?
Huh? The two of us?
Yeah. It's fine, right?
I want to meet your parents too.
It was a reluctant trip home...
"To be continued."
TO BE CONTINUED
We're here!
Look at all this! It's amazing!
Why's the station built like a bridge?
Look! Over there! That's my place.
The apartment complex is called
"Rainbow Town."
It was a dream home at one time.
Wow!
Whoa! This is impressive, too!
-Pretty rare, right?
-Really rare!
It's more like a town
than an apartment complex.
There's an elementary, junior high,
and high school, all inside the complex.
Really?
Oh, man. I'm starting to get nervous.
Coming!
Irasshai!
This is the story of a lost man
who is destined to be found
again and again.
It's a TV drama,
based on one hell of a true story,
but the names of characters
and organizations who appear
have mostly been changed.
Well, I'm just a lowly
electrical engineer.
But I did graduate
from the National Institute of Technology.
Have you heard of it?
It's a national college.
Only for smart people.
But this kid was real...
not dumb exactly, but...
Somewhere along the way,
he took a wrong turn!
But Satoru's TV drama has gotten
really good reviews!
You call that a TV drama?
They're all nonsense these days.
There ain't no shows
for adults anymore, am I right?
How should I know?
I'm sorry about this!
He got nervous when he heard
you were coming, Yui.
He started drinking at noon and now
he's a bit drunk.
Who's drunk, huh?
Not me!
Right?
So, tell me. Where did you
find a loser like him?
We work part-time at the same store.
-Part-time?
-He taught me all about the job
and he's well-liked by everyone.
Really?
He's grown into a pleasant young man,
it seems!
Unlike his brother.
Will I meet his brother today?
He lives in America right now.
He went to study computer
something-or-other.
Really? Wow!
That reminds me, Satoru...
Takeshi's University...
Don't bring that up now!
Eat up. Here's some futomaki.
This futomaki
is a Matsudo Family tradition!
If you eat it all at once
without a word...
All your wishes will come true!
You don't have to.
-I'd love some.
-Eat up.
I'll pray that he becomes a star.
That wish ain't ever comin' true!
Look at you... you're amazing.
You've been on TV, huh?
Just a little. A minor part.
Say...
get me Ryotaro Sugi's autograph, will you?
Next time.
Today, I, uh... I brought my girlfriend.
This is Yui.
Pleased to meet you. I'm Yui Higa.
Oh...
Is Takeshi... coming too?
-He's in America.
-Mom!
Forget about Takeshi.
Say hello to Yui.
She's a really nice girl!
Satoru doesn't deserve her!
Oh...
Do you think Takeshi
has found someone nice too?
I'll bet he's lonely there in America.
There's no futomaki there.
Or the Koshien high school
baseball tournament.
No Hanshin Tigers, either.
He can find all that stuff in America.
They have baseball stadiums.
And the Tigers...
I think there's a team called that.
Oh...
That reminds me... Kiku, dear,
open that drawer for me.
Here it is. This...
Right?
Some allowance for you.
Ain't much, though...
You don't have to. I'm not a kid anymore.
Take it with you!
Takeshi too... before he left for America,
I gave him some allowance.
One million yen, ya know.
-Huh?
-One million?
She's joking.
Satoru, can I have a moment?
Takeshi... dropped out of school.
Dropped out?
The papers came from his university.
I couldn't read all the English, but...
it seems he quit.
Since then, no matter how many times
I email him, he ain't replied.
Still, you heard that "Takeshi, Takeshi"
stuff from your grandma, right?
Do you... think you could...
try and contact him?
No way. He'll ignore any messages from me.
Come on, I'm begging you.
Here's his email address.
That girl... Yui...
If you make her cry, you'll answer to me.
It's time you got a proper job.
I know...
Oh, no, Mom!
You've only got two hours to live!
Bring Takeshi too, okay?
Once a month...
we'd have picnics at this riverbank.
Our whole family would eat futomaki.
Really? Sounds nice...
I got so sick of it...
Maybe that's why I wanted to run away.
Let's go eat udon!
There's someone I want you to meet.
Oh?
NOMOTO UDON RESTAURANT
Whoa, Nomoto! It's really you!
How'd you get so pretty? Plastic surgery?
No way! I'm all natural!
No one's naturally that pretty. Right?
Come on, you're embarrassing me. Right?
But that's not even the real surprise.
You married him?
Sorry to keep you waiting!
Thank you for the meal.
What the hell is this, Sugita?
-Look at you!
-Alright, alright. Sit down.
Come on, sit.
You know, after I moved out...
I, uh... I got abandoned by Yoshiko...
and I actually went back
to your apartment!
But to my surprise, you had a wo--
Not a woman! Yui, right? Yui!
You had Yui with you! Eat up, Yui.
Thank you for the meal.
I thought,
"Now I really have nowhere to go!"
So I came back here.
I hadn't been to this restaurant in ages,
but when I showed up
on the verge of death,
she treated me to plain udon with broth.
Don't lie, you jerk! It was beef udon!
This is the best plain udon I've ever had.
-Thanks!
-You like plain udon, huh?
But of all people... why Sugita?
You really piss me off.
Sugita's the only one who didn't mind
that she's got no breasts! Right?
There were others!
Still, hearing about
breast cancer is a pain, right?
But, uh... I'll bore you
with the details another time.
Switching topics... what about you, Yui?
What did you like about Matsudo?
Everything, of course.
I don't know about everything...
But uh... Matsun is really good
at the video store job.
-You call him "Matsun"?
-Matsun?
-That's so cute!
-Matsun!
"Matsun"?
-Come on. Tell them more.
-Well, uh...
He, uh... he takes me to record stores...
and carries heavy boxes for me...
and treats me to dinner,
even though it's his birthday.
Oh, and he really listens
to what I have to say.
That's all ordinary stuff! What the hell?
But it sounds like
you really do like everything.
That does it. You better hurry up
and get married too.
Moron!
It's too soon!
Better earn enough money from acting.
That's right. Hurry up
and become like Etsushi Toyokawa!
I should get your autograph
while I still can.
-I'll give you an autograph any time!
-Please.
We don't want it yet!
Not until you really make it.
Huh?
So work hard until then!
Oh, yeah?
When I make it big,
you might not have the chance to get it.
I'm looking forward to that day!
Got it? Hurry up and make it big,
so you can provide for Yui. Okay?
That's rich coming from you!
-Welcome!
-Are you open?
-Let's eat.
-Right.
Man...
Ow! That hurts!
Ow!
Thinking that I had to become
a real man and provide for Yui,
I took on a new challenge.
SPECIAL SKILLS:
MIXED MARTIAL ARTS
Somehow... it looks good, right?
Yeah. I'd cast you.
-Here, Matsudo.
-Huh?
Is it a role?
You idiot. It's an audition.
Listen, just because you were
a glorified extra on a TV series...
-Don't get a big head!
-Sorry!
I wasn't bad.
-In fact, it was made for me.
-Do it over there!
Oh, right.
I'm thinking of...
making this my last try.
I'm not trying to get you to stop me
or anything like that.
You can't wait for me any longer...
and making you wait is killing me!
Don't talk like that.
I know you'll be okay.
I know you can make your dream come true!
Dreams don't exist to be "had."
They exist to be "realized."
It's not just your dream.
It's not just your life.
Don't go thinking you're in this alone!
Don't you dare give up on your dreams!
This girl is kind of weird, right?
-You think so?
-Yeah.
Well, actually, hearing someone say
"it's not just your life..."
-It kind of hits me here.
-Seriously?
I could never say "Dreams don't exist
to be had, they exist to be realized..."
Say it, please! Let me have it!
Huh? That's what you want?
Dear Takeshi,
It's been a while. How have you been?
Grandma really wants to see you.
Can't you come home for just a while?
Mother and father are worried too.
I really believe that no one
goes through life alone.
Your life... does not belong only to you.
Wow.
DEAR TAKESHI
I'll be waiting to hear from you.
Signed, Satoru.
SENDING MESSAGE
MESSAGE SENT.
Dreams don't exist to be had.
They exist to be realized.
It's not just your dream.
-How creepy.
-It's not just your life!
Don't go thinking you're in this alone!
That guy's scary! Should we tell someone?
It's really scary, isn't it?
It really is...
a lot of pressure.
You can't wait for me any longer
and making you wait is killing me!
You can't wait for me any longer
and making you wait is killing me!
You lack humanity! It sounds fake!
"It's killing me... it's killing me...
it's killing me..."
Do you even know what it means
to die for a woman?
I do! Right now--
Don't say it unless you really mean it!
Plus...
You never know if a woman will be
good or bad for you, anyway.
-Do it again!
-That girl... Yui...
If you make her cry, you'll answer to me.
Hurry up and make it big,
so you can provide for Yui. Okay?
I'm thinking of making this my last--
You're clenching your fists!
Palms open!
Sorry...
Everything is riding on this audition.
-Okay... I'm off.
-Right.
Give my back a slap!
-There! Now go!
-Ow! Ow!
-Here goes nothing.
-Bye!
Matsun!
Itterashai!
Okay. Next group, please.
Please...
Make a left, up ahead.
Thank you for coming.
Please... if it's in your power...
don't let Matsun get hurt.
We'll begin with self-introductions.
Start from the right.
Yes!
Good afternoon! I'm from FMC!
My name's Matsu...
If it's in your power...
don't let Matsun get hurt.
Matsud... Matsu...
SATORU MATSUDO
Matsun!
Hey! Get back here!
And... action.
I'm...
I'm...
I'm...
You can use the script.
Oh, that's not...
Um, it's okay. I know the lines.
One more time... please!
Just read from the script.
We don't have all day.
Understood!
I'm thinking of making this my last try.
I'm not trying to get you to stop me
or anything like that.
You can't wait for me any longer...
and making you wait is killing me!
Don't talk like that.
I know you'll be okay.
You can make your dream come true!
Dreams don't exist to be had,
they exist to be realized.
It's not just your dream.
It's not just your life.
Don't go thinking you're in this alone!
Don't you dare give up on your dreams.
Akemi, I'm going to do it!
I'm going to pass my next audition
and make it big!
And then...
I won't make you settle for a toy.
A real diamond ring!
I'll buy you a real diamond ring!
A big diamond... would be nice!
Who do you think you're talking to?
I'll buy you one as big
as a gorilla's boogers!
You might want to hand him
his walking papers, soon.
He's doing the best he can...
but it won't get any easier.
He has a lot of advances to pay back, too.
Hitachi, what do you think?
RESUME
SATORU MATSUDO
Matsun!
Thank god...
-Matsun...
-Would you stop calling me that?
Huh?
After all that practice...
I couldn't even say my name.
I could only manage "Matsun..."
I'm sorry.
I kept thinking
it would work out, somehow.
Isn't it supposed to work out? For me?
What does it mean that it doesn't?
Thinking about it, I got really scared...
Maybe I'm not good at acting...
but I'm not good at anything else, either.
You'll give up on me eventually, too.
I imagined what it would be like...
to die all alone, a wreck.
Matsun...
I'd like to pummel
whoever made you feel this way.
But...
It's going to be rough from here on, too.
I don't want to see you in pain like this.
-Matsun!
-Don't call me that!
Matsun!
Make your dream come true!
It's true. Dreams don't exist to be had.
You realize them!
It's not just your dream!
It's not just your life!
Don't go thinking you're in this alone!
Don't you dare give up on your dream!
You want to be an actor, right?
But...
But what if it doesn't happen?
-Ow!
-That ain't an option!
It ain't!
I ain't gonna tell you
that you're fine the way you are!
Sentimental crap like that...
you ain't gonna hear it from me!
Ow! Ow!
Ow! Ow!
Ow! Ow!
-Ow! Ow!
-While things weren't working out...
While I buckled down and kept at it...
My grandma died.
Grandma, I'm sorry...
For not bringing Takeshi home...
I'm sorry...
For not bringing you Ryotaro Sugi's
autograph, I'm really sorry.
Your only choice now
is to become him yourself.
You'll become the next Ryotaro Sugi.
I apologize for the lack of reply.
How is Grandma doing?
I do want to see her,
but I'm too busy to come there right away.
DEAR SATORU
But I promise I will go see her.
SIGNED, TAKESHI
Tomorrow... head here.
Put a suit on and look your best.
-A little...
-Wait a second, really?
Um, excuse me...
I don't actually have a suit.
Huh?
Thank you very much!
Don't come back without a part!
Yes, ma'am.
You look good.
What's your name?
Can you tell us your name?
Satoru...
Matsudo.
There. It's a good name.
All you've got to do is say it.
Just how pathetic am I?
Break a leg.
Good morning.
Good morning!
Thank you for coming, today.
Thank you!
First things first,
we'd like to begin with an etude.
You five are co-workers
and you've come
to the cafeteria to eat udon.
You've had udon for four days straight...
and this is the fifth day.
Perform with that in mind.
Yes, sir.
And... action!
I knew it. Udon again!
-What do you expect?
-Plain udon...
-A big bowl!
-What else?
-What else is there?
-Huh? What's wrong?
-Something besides udon...
-That's all there is.
What are you talking about?
I thought... maybe something else.
-Why?
-Yeah, why?
Didn't we make a promise?
That we'd eat udon every day for a week...
-And then we'd eat soba...
-Right.
...and think about how they're different!
-You're right.
-He is.
But to learn more
about what's different...
I thought maybe in between--
-We won't learn anything, then.
-Are you sure?
-Get it together. We all--
-What else would you eat, then?
-Something besides udon.
-Give me an example.
-Anything other than udon!
-Calm down...
We all feel the same as you.
-Look at everyone's faces.
-It's udon.
-Udon.
-Udon?
They've ordered already.
Udon, it is.
Make it udon.
Right. Plain udon.
-Plain udon.
-Right, plain.
Let's go.
-Plain udon, please.
-Plain.
Curry udon, please.
-Piping hot...
-But...
-Sounds good.
-But you said...
-We'd all eat plain...
-With no noodles!
-Make it curry and rice, please!
-What about udon?
That will be all for today.
Thank you very much.
-Thank you very much.
-Thank you very much.
Oh, sorry I forgot!
Could we have your names?
From the right, please.
Yes.
I'm Satoru Matsudo.
In all my life, I've never said a better
"Satoru Matsudo."
Matsu...
Saroru Matsudo! Satoru!
Ma...
I'm Matusdo.
I'm from FMC.
My name's Matsu...
-Matsu... Matsudo...
-Satoru, right?
Matsu... Matsud...
What are you laughing about?
Sorry.
I'm just happy...
to have said my name right...
Good for you, huh?
-Yes!
-Do you have any special skills?
-Oh, uh... mixed martial arts.
-Could you show us?
-If you could...
-Me?
Please...
Get ready!
You're not very good, though!
That last audition...
You got the part.
What?! Do you mean it?
It's been so long!
Whoa! Yoko Maki? I'm a big fan!
She's a great actress, right?
Really?
Wait, I don't see my name...
Oh, I get it...
the part's not in the script?
YOKO MAKI
SATORU MATSUDO
What...
What the heck is this?!
Congratulations. You got third billing.
-Congratulations!
-Now you can pay us back!
Hitachi really pushed for you on this one!
"I know our Matsudo
would be perfect for this."
Oh, man...
It's all thanks to you, Yui!
It's all thanks to you, Yui!
Thank you!
You're wrong.
It's because you said your name!
Right...
You're right...
Thank god!
-Congrats!
-I'm so happy!
I'm so happy!
Aim for his back! His back!
The back! Now a triangle choke!
-Triangle choke!
-You're giving me a headache.
It's too early in the morning for this!
If I don't do it
every morning, I can't relax.
I played the part
of a gluttonous cop, on a team
that protects VIPs from terrorists.
Whoa, wait a second! You left some behind.
Thanks to its authentic action scenes,
the show became a huge hit.
Mikami!
The role fits me perfectly
and other parts came rolling in.
Next month, you'll be
going to Kyoto for two weeks.
For what?
A swashbuckling wandering samurai movie!
Don't tell me... I get to play
Suke-san or Kaku-san?
Have you lost your mind?
You're not even Hachibei!
You're just a lowly townsperson.
Even so...
there's a love scene, this time.
You have to kiss.
For real?
Of course, I'm glad you're doing so well.
As the one who found you,
I'm now certain that my eye for talent
can do no wrong.
Plus! There's that power you have
to reel in luck and fateful encounters.
That includes encountering me.
I mean, it's hard to believe.
This all started
when you found
an airline ticket I dropped!
Do you think most people
would pick that up?
They wouldn't!
Not to mention,
it was underneath a vending machine.
Would most people
go that far to pick it up?
No. They would not.
Huh? Wait...
What was I trying to say?
Oh, uh... my skill with luck and fate.
That's right.
The world is made up of luck,
fateful encounters, romance, and desire.
But the biggest prize of all
that you've gotten your hands on...
is her!
You can see everything from here!
That's right.
I see everything.
With these.
She may look like she's taking it easy,
but I'm sure she's waiting.
And you know what it is
that she's waiting for, right?
Um...
Yeah.
Huh? What's this...
Don't tell me...
-You're having second thoughts?
-No!
It's not that, it's...
Forgive me.
I just can't think of the right words.
Words?
-For a proposal!
-What?
-What is it?
-Huh?
An "I love you..."
straight from the heart
would make anyone happy.
-"I love you."
-Come on!
Who says "I love you"
out of the corner of their mouth?
Is that fun?
It's awesome.
I love you.
More!
I love you.
Oh, Matsudo, you...
Huh?
What is it?
Is this the star actor, Mr. Matsudo?
Actually, I'm at Mr. Arita's bar.
Your boss is right.
Don't hesitate
and propose to her right away.
You're making a living
as an actor now, right?
-What did you say, then?
-What did I...?
You remember, right? Of course, I said...
"Let's get married." Straight and sweet.
Right?
I'm not sure about that.
But you...
You're not thinking
of running away, are you?
Why would I...
"Why?" Well, obviously...
starting a family is tough, you know.
Enough. I can't take this...
I can't take it anymore! Bartender!
Play Roman Hiko, will you?
I just... listening to this guy
makes me sick.
-Mr. Arita, let's sing.
-Huh?
-I have to sing too?
-Just do it!
-Here goes. Roman Hiko!
-Oh!
-Play it!
-What's up?
Well...
-Nice...
-So what did he really say?
How did Sugita propose?
You heard him. Just like he said.
For real?
I was young, right?
When I lost my breasts...
I had stopped caring about anything...
It was right around that time
when we reunited.
He's kind of a doofus, right?
So I can tell him anything.
He's just easy to be around, or...
So that's what happened?
That's what happened.
In that case...
why don't you marry me?
-Huh?
-Yeah.
Let's get married.
Or rather... marry me.
My heart skipped a beat!
Aw, man... I want to make
Yui's heart skip too!
Good sir.
Sachi...
Come on!
You can't laugh!
Sorry!
I won't be able to tell
if it's you or the actress!
Oh, really?
So someone's gonna
steal your lips now, huh?
It's acting. Just acting.
I'm just a bit jealous.
It can't be helped.
Yui...
What?
When this job is over...
When I get back from Kyoto...
There's something important
that I want to tell you.
Alright. I'll be waiting.
You better not do it for real.
The only one I'm real with is you.
But in contrast to his sweet words...
Satoru is shockingly infected
by the "Kyoto sickness."
But that's a story for another...
Huh? You're not really
going to end it here?
What? Do you want to see the next chapter?
It's super erotic. Look. Like this...
Like this.
Are you a moron?
Do you think our readers are stupid?
Not that.
What about your reply to your brother?
Oh... do you really
want to know about that?
I really, really want to know.
I apologize for the lack of reply.
How is Grandma doing?
I do want to see her,
but I'm too busy to come there right away.
But I promise I will go see everyone.
Grandma passed away.
Right until the end,
she wanted to see you.
To know if you have a lover...
To know if you can watch Tigers games...
To know if you're eating futomaki...
Why couldn't you come,
even for a short time?
Are you running away
from home again, at your age?
You are no longer family,
or anything else, to me.
Consider our ties cut.
SENDING MESSAGE
MESSAGE SENT
Takeshi...
Marry me, please!
Thank you...
for not letting the connections
you've made go to waste.
It's time you focused
on acting completely.
You don't think... it could be Hollywood?
Make sure you come with me.
-What?
-This is your last day.
Are you out of your mind?
Does my life mean anything to you?
Satoru...
Satoru...
Translated by Bradley Plumb