-[pops] -[Takashi] This is something
that only special people can do.
Special people like you, Minamimaru.
[Tagaya] Even before the Gregorian calendar reached Japan,
it was already being used in Marukami Village?
It must have something to do with the purpose of the festival.
[Yoriyuki] I'm going to put an end to the nightmares.
[Aki] Nanmaru, you're too gullible.
[Nanmaru] I'm… quitting.
The way you use the power must be wrong.
[shouts] Go home!
Yoriyuki…
what exactly are you thinking?
[elder] An alien?
[Yoriyuki] How rude.
I'm Japanese, despite how I look.
Previously on Land of Tanabata
[insects chirping]
[Nanmaru] A job that suits my ability…
Office cleaning from twice a week Call center staff
[sighs]
[Nanmaru] Job hunting, huh…
[passerby 1] Excuse me! Can you call an ambulance?
Please go find the parents.
-Sorry about this. -[passerby 2] Okay. Excuse me!
-Excuse me! -[passerby 3] Excuse me!
There's a child in the car!
-Please help. -The white car over there.
-[passerby 2] In the white car! -[passerby 3] Is his mother here?
-[passerby 1] This isn't good. -[passerby 4] Won't it open?
-[passerby 1] It's locked. -[passerby 4] It's locked.
A child has heatstroke! [panting]
Somebody!
[♪ pensive music playing]
This feels wrong.
My power isn't meant for this.
I want to do things my way.
-[passerby 2] Somebody! -[passerby 1] Help!
[passerby 2] Excuse me! Is the mother here?
-Come on! This way! -Hurry!
-[passerby 3] We found the mother! -[passerby 4] Over there!
[indistinct shouts]
[passerby 1] Please open the door.
-[passerby 4] Come on! -[passerby 1] Please open the door.
-[child's mom] Are you all right? -[passerby 1] Open the door!
Hold on a little longer, okay?
It's going to be okay. Your mom's here.
-I'm sorry! -Listen!
He'll die if you leave him there in this heat!
[passerby 1] How's he doing?
-What are you filming for? -[passerby 2] Did you find the key?
-Calm down! -It's not here.
[breathing heavily]
[♪ tense music playing]
[passerby 4] Stop filming!
[♪ music fades]
[crowd clamoring]
[passerby 1] Hang in there. It'll be okay.
[passerby 2] We have to open the door quickly!
[Nanmaru] Everyone! Out of the way!
-Now's not the time, kid. -[shouts] Just move back!
[panting]
[Nanmaru breathing heavily]
[crowd murmuring]
[breathes heavily]
-[passerby 1] What's he doing? -[passerby 2] What's that?
-[pops] -[crowd gasps]
[crowd exclaiming, murmuring]
One more.
-[passerby 1] What happened? -[passerby 2] What was that?
[breathes heavily]
-[pops] -[crowd gasps]
[passerby 1] How?
But it's open!
-[passerby 2] Look, it's open. -[passerby 3] It's open.
[door lock clicks]
[crowd exclaiming]
-[passerby 1] You did so well. -[child's mom] It's all over.
Excuse me.
-[passerby 1] Here we go. -[passerby 2] Put him on his side.
One, two…
-[child's mom] I'm so sorry! -[passerby 1] It's over now.
[child's mom] Thank goodness! You're all right.
[sniffles, sobbing]
Thank you! Thank you so much!
It was nothing…
[child's mom] I'm sorry. You're okay now.
You're fine now, okay?
[♪ light music playing]
[siren wailing]
-[passerby 1] Please make way. -[passerby 2] The ambulance is here.
[indistinct chatter]
-[passerby 3] Thank goodness. Right? -[child's mom] This way. Thank you.
Thank you.
[medic] Make way please.
[♪ suspenseful music playing]
[♪ theme music playing]
Land of Tanabata
[insects chirping]
[reporter 1 on TV] First, tell us how he was rescued.
[bystander 1] It happened in an instant.
I saw a flash, then there was a hole in the window.
-[reporter 1] I see. -Yes.
Do you remember anything about the man?
Not really. Well…
[bystander 2] He was gone before I realized.
[reporter 1] Thank you very much.
-I wonder if they saved that boy? -There were many other witnesses.
Just who was that gallant young man who left without even giving his name?
Young man,
if you're watching this broadcast, then please contact us.
[host 1] Right. Where is that man now, and what might he be doing?
[host 2] Indeed. The family of the rescued boy had this to say,
"We are very grateful to this man who just happened--"
What the…
A video that shows a man
rescuing a three-year-old boy who was trapped in a car
in the parking lot of a large mall has gone viral online.
[anchor] The man used some kind of technique
to create a large hole in the car window,
allowing for the safe rescue of the boy inside.
How exactly did this man make a hole in the window?
Now for our next news item…
[Yagihara] Mr. Minamimaru, what are you playing at?
Well, it would be foolish not to use this.
[Takashi] Use it?
For what?
It's a chance to show the world that this ability exists.
How?
[Yagihara] Graffiti.
Graffiti?
[insects chirping]
[Yagihara] I say graffiti, but it's not the kind anyone can do.
[♪ ominous music playing]
Tokyo Metropolitan Third Kawamoto Junior High School
[Takashi] "Teachers cover up bullying."
"School response is non-existent."
Third Kawamoto Junior High School
Yeah, people like this are infuriating.
Right? We need to strike a good balance, Mr. Higashimaru.
First, we start with what's close.
Let's keep it going.
[Yagihara] Time to hit back at these fools who think they can get away.
[Yagihara] Let's see whose side society takes.
[♪ dramatic music playing]
Iwaki Medical University Hospital
Asagao Life Insurance
Eijitsu Film Studio
As you can see, the average wage in Japan has not increased for 30 years.
Delays in government and…
What have you been doing for 30 years?
These fools who only care about their own lives should be punished!
Don't you agree?
[♪ dramatic music continues playing]
The Gouger continues to strike.
The sign at the Ministry of Finance has been gouged in several places
with small, ball-like objects.
The Metropolitan Police is investigating this
as part of a series of acts
by someone known as "The Gouger."
On social media, many people are praising the Gouger…
[♪ music intensifies]
[♪ music stops]
Is this the mysterious hole-opening man? Could he be the Gouger!?
[student 1] Have you heard of the Gouger?
[student 2] The person who saves kids and gouges out signs?
[student 1] Exactly.
[student 2] But nobody knows who it is, right?
[indistinct laughter]
[insects chirping]
[sucks teeth, exhales deeply]
[Sakuragi exclaims] The Gouger!
-[laughs] -I'm not the Gouger!
[Sakuragi] It was just a joke.
Excuse me.
I stopped prying like you told me to…
-[door closes] -…so what is all this commotion?
It has nothing to do with this man.
The level of the ability and the way it's being used
are completely different.
It's not someone worth bothering with.
Don't you get it?
This power is a treasure.
The value of that treasure
could drop drastically.
A similar, cheaper item
has hit the shelves first.
[Yoriyuki scoffs, chuckles]
What's so funny?
You monster.
[Yoriyuki] It's just that you look at things in a funny way.
You're the real monster here.
[slurps]
Do you know who it might be?
[Yoriyuki sighs]
I do.
Several Holes in Sign at Ministry of Finance
Takashi is getting carried away.
It's Takashi's character.
-That's the real problem. -Stop.
Have you no idea
where Takashi is?
That's right. If more and more people outside the village
find out about the Ability to Reach…
The history of this village,
that is to say,
the history of the festival, goes back over 1,000 years.
[Sachiko's great-uncle] During this time, we have faced several crises,
but each time,
we've been able to overcome them without breaking the framework.
That framework,
which has never been broken, to this very day.
However,
we might be
approaching our limit.
Can you help us,
Professor Marukami?
[Professor Marukami] Let's try and make contact from here.
Sachiko…
could you do that?
[♪ light background music playing]
[Professor Marukami's wife] I've decided to sell the house.
[Emi] What?
My friend runs a flower shop.
She's letting me help out there at the moment.
But it's quite far. The commute is hard.
I see.
[Professor Marukami's wife sighs]
The divorce papers…
were sent to me.
Were you able to meet him?
Did you see his face?
Just his voice.
He told me "Goodbye."
I never…
understood what he was thinking
or what he was doing.
I never understood a thing.
But perhaps
you understand.
[♪ somber music playing]
[Professor Marukami's wife] Don't give up on him.
Won't you,
even if only you,
care for him?
I will.
[anchor on video] The man used some kind of technique
-to create a large hole in the car window… -[pops on video]
…allowing for the safe rescue of the boy inside.
How exactly did this man make a hole in the window?
What?
[student 1] Nanmaru…
You're amazing!
Who knew you had this power?
I finally learned how to use it recently.
-[exclaims] -Then, are you the Gouger too?
No! Definitely not.
But why don't you come forward? It's all over the news.
Uh… [awkward chuckle]
-Oh, I don't really feel like it. -[student 1] What?
For sure, there might not be another opportunity like this
to get people to recognize my power,
but… I just don't really feel like it.
[both chuckling]
[Nanmaru] What?
-[student 1] Oh, come off it. -[Nanmaru] What?
This isn't like you.
Let's think about how to use this power.
That's the way of the New Skills Development Research Society.
Exactly. You saved someone's life, after all.
-Right! -That's true, but…
-[student 1] You're amazing. -Oh.
Nanmaru.
[student 1] Great timing.
Let's brainstorm together.
What for?
How to use President Nanmaru's power.
Hmm?
-[student 2] That's great, that's great. -[student 1] You can do it.
[♪ exciting music playing]
-[pops] -[students grunt]
[students exclaiming]
-[student 1] Amazing! It's really gone. -[student 2] Amazing!
-[student 1] One more. -[student 2] Do another.
Another?
-[student 1] Next! -[student 2] Make this disappear.
[Nanmaru] Are we allowed to make those disappear?
[Aki] That stinks! Get it away.
[Nanmaru] Those are someone's shoes!
[indistinct chatter]
-[student 2] Amazing! -[Aki] One more! One more!
[Nanmaru] One more?
-Wait, don't make me laugh. -[Aki] Let him concentrate.
[pops]
[♪ music stops]
[exhales heavily]
[tired groan] You know,
it's a useful ability when you see it like this.
[student 1] Uh-huh.
Still, all it does is make trash vanish.
Hang on.
That's it!
[Nanmaru] What?
A "Trash Eraser,"
for the world, and for the people. Well?
Compared to scrap collection,
it's completely effortless.
And it's eco-friendly.
That's…
only something Nanmaru can do.
[Nanmaru] What?
But should I be happy just erasing trash?
-[chuckles] -Didn't I say so before?
That this power will save the world one day.
[♪ playful music playing]
-[Aki] Did you say that? -[student 2] Huh?
-[Aki] Did you say it? -[student 2] I said it.
-[student 1] He said it. -[student 2] I said it to you, Aki!
[Aki] Sorry. I don't remember that at all.
[students] No way!
Trash Eraser
[Aki] The pricing will be important.
-[student 1] Yeah. -[student 2] True.
What about half the price of scrap collection?
-Huh? -We should go with an asking price.
Things like this need to be done properly to look professional.
[student 1] Let's see. Adding 2,000 or 3,000…
Let's say 9,000, then 6,000, 3,500…
-Then 8,000, 8,000, 3,500… -[Aki] What is it, Nanmaru?
Oh, nothing. I was just thinking, this is great.
What? You should be helping us think too.
-Exactly. -[Nanmaru] All right, all right.
[student 1] Nanmaru, your blood blister.
Is it getting bigger?
What?
-You're right. -Stop!
[student 1] Oh, I know!
It's like a mark that appears when you use your powers.
[student 2] That's cool!
-Like an American comic hero! -[student 1] That's cool!
-You think so? Really? -[student 1] That's right!
[chuckles, grunts]
[indistinct chatter]
[Tagaya] Hello there.
Hello.
You've come all the way to Tokyo.
-Long journey, isn't it? -Yes.
You're Professor Emi, aren't you?
I am.
Hello. My name is Sachiko Higashimaru.
Oh, she's from Marukawa Town.
I see.
Are you… Tagaya?
Well, yes, I am…
[Sachiko] I've brought this for you.
The 400,000 yen.
[Tagaya] Huh?
Mr. Mamoru Tagaya
Masami Marukami
I'm terribly sorry.
The whole town was lying.
Professor Marukami has always been
in Marukawa Town.
I knew that.
But was hiding that fact
what Professor Marukami himself wanted?
Still…
he thought that at least you…
should know the truth.
Ms. Sayuri Emi
[♪ pensive music playing]
[paper rustling]
Dear Sayuri Emi,
Thank you for coming to Marukawa Town.
I regret not being able to see Tagaya or Sakuragi.
I know that you continued to search for me even after the students returned to Tokyo,
but we can no longer meet.
I know that you, of all people, will understand.
[sharp breath]
Thank you.
But with this letter alone,
I have no idea what research the professor is conducting in Marukawa Town.
The same goes for me.
I rarely see him.
Then, tell me this.
What does it mean when a Window opens?
What it means when a Window…
opens?
I'm sorry.
I can only explain it…
as nightmares.
That's all I can say.
Nightmares that many people
in Marukami Village see.
Nightmares that many people see?
[running footsteps approaching]
Sachiko!
[Sachiko] Nanmaru!
Did you find out?
What?
Nothing.
-[Sachiko] Nanmaru. -[Nanmaru] Hmm?
[Sachiko] If you know where my brother is, I'd like you to tell me.
[Nanmaru] Your brother?
I don't know where he lives,
but I know where you can find him.
[Sachiko] We need to stop the Gouger.
[Nanmaru] So it is him?
[Sachiko] Who else could it be?
People from the town have come too. Can you take us to him?
[Nanmaru] Sachiko.
You're his sister, so I don't really want to tell you this…
Your brother has been deceiving a lot of people,
telling them they can develop supernatural abilities.
That's just like him.
That fool.
[car alarm beeps]
[officer] Mr. Yagihara, isn't it?
Could you accompany us to the station?
[Yagihara scoffs]
What is this all of a sudden?
I haven't done a thing.
Leave me alone, would you?
Mr. Yagihara.
This isn't about the seminars.
Is that so?
Well, I've not got time for this. Excuse me.
-Mr. Yagihara! -Get off me!
Let's talk at the station.
There's nothing to talk about!
-Get off! -Calm down.
Can the police act like this?
-Calm down, Mr. Yagihara! -Hey!
How can I be calm?
-Get off! -Stop moving.
-Get off! -[officer] Stop resisting!
-[pops] -[Yagihara grunts]
[Yagihara grunts, gasps]
[♪ uneasy music playing]
[♪ ominous music playing]
[Yagihara breathing nervously]
[breathes heavily]
[♪ music intensifies]
Oh?
[pops]
[officer 1] What? Vanished?
Yagihara, our suspect for the Gouger?
Yeah.
And not only him.
Goto and Hirokawa from our division are missing too.
[officer 2] There's no point calling them.
Why not?
[operator] The number you have dialed
is either in an area with no signal
or the device is turned off.
[♪ tense music playing]
[cheers and applause]
[attendee 1] Mr. Takashi!
[attendee 2] Master!
[attendees exclaim]
Mr. Higashimaru!
You're the Gouger, aren't you?
-What are you going to gouge next? -[laughter]
Thank you for being the voice of our anger!
Please let me help with your Gouger activities!
No, no. You've got it all wrong.
Please, don't be spreading strange rumors.
[attendees exclaim]
It wouldn't be any good…
if I were to be caught.
[cheers and applause]
[indistinct chatter]
[door opens]
[footsteps approaching]
Takashi. [panting]
Stop with this Gouger nonsense.
By recklessly showing off your abilities,
you'll cause problems for everyone.
And what the heck is this seminar scam?
[cafe owner] Have some shame.
[attendees murmuring]
Sachiko?
Everyone.
I have something important to tell you today.
We all know about…
the amazing power of the Dimension Ball.
-Don't we? -[Asano] Yes!
[Takashi] But of course, there are risks too.
We are well aware of that.
That's exactly why…
we've been holding seminars.
So that you can learn to use this power safely,
and eventually use it to help society.
That's what we have been hoping for.
[Asano] That's right!
However…
that hope will come to an end today.
[attendees exclaim]
These managers, who focus solely on the risks,
have come to recommend the closure of this seminar.
What do you think about that?
[attendee 1] It's tyrannical!
[attendee 2] You can't close the seminar!
[attendees clamoring]
[shushing]
What's more…
Mr. Minamimaru is on their side!
Nanmaru, wake up!
-[attendee 1] Why did you betray us? -[attendee 2] Traitor!
-[attendees clamoring] -You've got it wrong.
I didn't betray anyone!
[attendee 3] Tell us why!
[♪ tense music playing]
[clamoring continues]
-You've got it wrong. -[clamoring stops]
Listen to me, everyone.
This person is my brother.
But he's always been happy to trick others.
That ability is inherited by those from the bloodline…
of the Marukami Village,
and only by a select few people.
[Takashi] Marukami Village?
What is that?
-A ninja village? -[attendees laughing]
What?
[Takashi] Listen up.
The Dimension Ball is not a form of ninjutsu.
It is the proof of human evolution
that will one day be understood in physical terms.
What are you saying?
Young lady,
a ninja village would suit you.
You should hurry back
and spend your life away in the mountains, moping around by yourself.
[♪ tense music playing]
You're a murderer.
What was that?
[attendee 1] He's trying to save the world with the Dimension Ball!
[attendees clamoring]
That's right! Get lost!
Please calm down.
[attendee 2] Go home already!
[clamoring continues]
[♪ ominous music playing]
[pops]
[attendees exclaiming, murmuring]
[attendee] What the…
-[♪ suspenseful music playing] -[Yoriyuki] Long time no see, Takashi.
Come down.
Yoriyuki!
Yoriyuki.
Yoriyuki?
[door opens]
[hurried footsteps approaching]
[Takashi] Yoriyuki!
[Yoriyuki] As of today, this sham seminar is finished.
But Yoriyuki…
Don't let him close down the seminar! Send him away!
-[attendee 1] Yeah! -[attendee 2] Get lost!
[attendees clamoring]
Hey, stop! Stop! I said stop! Hey!
[pops]
[♪ tense music playing]
[Yoriyuki] This ability has nothing to do with you all.
Homo sapiens couldn't do this
even after thousands or tens of thousands of years of training.
Isn't that right, Takashi?
-Right… -No way. It's a lie.
[Yoriyuki] Look at my hand.
Now you get it.
Takashi, you come with me. If you don't, I'll have you vanish.
Okay.
[Yoriyuki] Those from Marukawa Town,
I know it's been a while, but I'm a little busy now, sorry.
-Yoriyuki… -Wait!
I get that you're different from a normal human,
but is it really impossible for normal humans?
Then what about Nanmaru?
[Asano] He's obviously a normal human.
Yet he can create such a huge ball.
Be quiet!
[Yoriyuki] Nanmaru?
Minamimaru, huh? I see.
You're the famous Minamimaru.
Yes… Nice to meet you.
[Yoriyuki] It's a shame, since we've finally met,
but I don't know about you, or how I should deal with you.
So I'm sorry but…
I'll have you vanish.
[Mr. Hayano] Wait, Yoriyuki.
[cafe owner] Stop messing around.
[Yoriyuki] A Window Opener should know.
If the one who knows it intends to, I'll do it.
Nanmaru, your head!
Place your head behind mine!
Sachiko, you can't do this!
[breathes heavily]
[♪ tense music playing]
-[pops] -[crowd exclaims]
[Yoriyuki] Minamimaru, we'll meet again.
We might be able to get along next time.
[breathing heavily]
[Mr. Hayano] The person's name
is Yoriyuki Marukami.
In another era,
he would have been the lord of Marukami Village.
[Nanmaru] Why would this Lord Yoriyuki Marukami
want to make me disappear?
[Mr. Hayano sighs]
I have no idea.
Huh?
[Sachiko] Simply put, to control other telekinetics.
He eliminates those who can't be managed.
That would explain
why he took my brother away.
Even my brother
does what Yoriyuki tells him.
Won't Yoriyuki…
ever come back to Marukawa Town?
Using the power outside the village to align with other forces
is a violation of the laws
that have been passed down through generations.
[breathes deeply]
But…
why can't the power be used outside the village?
[Mr. Hayano] Why, you ask?
This power is to be kept
fundamentally secret as a rule.
Mm.
But is this really a power that people are so desperately after?
[Mr. Hayano] Huh?
[Nanmaru] In all of Marukami Village's long history,
many Within Reach telekinetics have been born, right?
Didn't any of them
try to use their power a little more constructively?
For example,
didn't they think of utilizing it in some kind of work?
Out of the question.
It's a power that must be kept fundamentally secret.
That's right.
-It ought to be kept fundamentally secret. -[Sachiko] Better yet…
You should forget all about this power.
-Now that's extreme, Sachiko. -Don't say that.
-Sachi. -Why not?
Nanmaru's not going to become a priest. He doesn't need this power--
Stop it, Sachi!
Well, isn't it natural
to jump at new opportunities whenever they arise?
You just don't get it, Nanmaru.
What can be produced by giving a knife to a baby?
Sachiko, that's enough.
-That's right. -Indeed.
[♪ pensive music playing]
Excuse me.
[♪ light background music playing]
[Nanmaru] The people of Marukawa Town told me to stay here for tonight.
I'm sorry…
for being rude to you earlier.
It's fine.
What are you doing down here?
I feel like…
I don't know where to go.
Sachiko,
shall we go out for a bit?
Right now?
-Here you are. -[Nanmaru] Oh.
-Nanmaru. -[Nanmaru] Yeah?
Shouldn't you have taken her to a better restaurant?
Why? The ramen here is the best.
-Thanks. -[soft chuckle]
Thank you for the food.
[slurping]
[soft chuckle]
Delicious.
[soft chuckle]
It's really delicious.
Right? [soft chuckle]
Thanks for the food.
[slurping]
[Nanmaru] Mmm!
[Sachiko] Wow.
It's beautiful.
[Nanmaru] I thought you might not have seen
the view of Tokyo at night before.
I haven't.
[phone chimes]
[excited chuckle] Finally!
[Sachiko] What is it?
[Nanmaru] The Trash Eraser has its first client.
New Request
Trash Eraser?
Uh…
Just before, you saw my friend at the ramen restaurant, right?
Together with him, and a few other friends from university,
I'm thinking of starting a new business, using my power to make trash vanish.
I know you're against this power,
but I think it's a good thing.
I think that…
you could think about this more positively.
Both you,
and the townspeople.
Sachiko,
what about leaving that town and coming to Tokyo?
If…
If we were together, it would be really fun.
[♪ pensive music playing]
[Sachiko] When people come to Tokyo,
they go to Tokyo Tower, right?
Then look for where they live from up top.
There they have…
their memories,
and their future.
[breathes deeply]
I have nothing.
I'm scared to realize that I have nothing.
That's why I'm fine…
to just look on from the side like this.
Nanmaru.
After this…
can I go to your room?
Sachiko,
aren't you worried about your brother?
Not at all.
If I say this,
I might hurt your feelings, but…
Go on.
The people from the town,
don't they seem really scared of something?
Beyond the Window.
Everyone is scared of it.
They've opened the Window…
and seen.
Beyond the Window…
[inhales deeply]
You know,
just before,
I was being pretentious, saying you should look at this power positively,
but even compared to the other townspeople,
you're completely negative about it.
Why is that?
What?
The other day…
I doubt this would happen much,
but I just happened
to save someone's life with this power.
That's why
I want to think about the possibilities.
But…
if I actually ended up hurting someone else,
it would be pointless.
I'm sorry.
You don't have to tell me if you don't want to.
No…
I…
came here to talk about it.
[inhales sharply]
Hang on…
[♪ uneasy music playing]
[♪ closing theme music playing]
Translated by Zak