Akira, they're coming!
Here they come!
Quick!
Go! Go!
Go!
Shiro!
Mom!
Misako!
Hey!
It's your fault!
Mom might die, you know!
Go away!
Just go away!
I'll see you
Akira!
I hate to give him back, but Akira's really upset
I see...
How's Misako?
No change
Here, Shiro. Time to eat
Eat lots and lots
Delivery!
Coming
A box of fruit from Aomori. I'll just set it down here
Here, Shiro! This way!
Shiro...
"WASAO"
Gone again!
Looks like a good catch, Hiroshi
So-so
Thanks a lot!
Kazue!
Give me a hand
So-so, huh?
Maybe to him
Everyone has their own special talent, huh?
What happened to you?
You should talk!
Good morning!
Sayo! Sayo!
Sayo!
Thank your mother for the grapes, will you?
OK
See you
Off you go!
'Morning
That's all I have today. Something tore up my field
What did that?!
I don't know
What's wrong?
I don't know
Nancy!
'Morning!
'Morning, Akira
Where's Nagisa?
She didn't seem too good this morning, so she's skipping her walk
I'll drop in after school, then
Take care!
Hiroshi should be home soon
Kikuya
What did I tell you? Right on time!
Hi, there!
Hi
How was it?
So-so
So-so, huh?
Come on
Here we go
You're hungry, right?
You'll love this
There...
There, Monchan
Monchan?
Hm?
Catch anything?
Yeah
You won't believe this!
No? Show me
OK, here
What, is that all?
No, what you won't believe...
I saw a lion
A white one
Like the Jungle King?
No, meaner and uglier than that
A lion, huh?
Don't fall for Shigeo's stories. The more you do, the wilder they get
It's not a story!
Well, then...
...if there was something out there...
...and the media got hold of it, we'd get some tourists...
...and put some life in this town
I'm all for anything that'll put life in the place
Forget it!
Here
This?
Kazue, look
Shall we deep-fry it?
Hello
Welcome!
A grilled squid, please
That's ?300
There
Thank you! Take care
Nagisa?
Can't you eat?
Let's see...
Your nose...
It's all dry!
I'm going to the vet
Right
Watch the front
Tanioka Animal Hospital
Good dog!
Very good!
She's getting old
If anything happens, let me know
Ok
A firecracker?
She probably swallowed it with some dirt
Animals eat soil to replenish their minerals
They do?
So I hope everyone's careful to pick up after themselves
Good dog!
She should be fine
Thank you
I'll check her stomach
Tatsuya!
Hi, Setsuko
What a mess!
It sure is
It threw around everything it could find
A bear?
Maybe, or monkeys
It'd take a big dog to do this
Something starving in the woods?
Will you report it?
I have to
What a mess!
Look at all these!
Just leave that
What a waste!
Hello!
Hi!
Hello!
Pipi!
Huh? Where's Nagisa?
Didn't Setsuko take her for a walk?
Monchan!
Monchan's going to have puppies!
What?!
Are you sure?
I've seen it before
You have?
Setsuko!
Are you here?
It's us again!
Sayo! Tomoya! Yohei!
Are you all studying hard?
Yohei's getting ready for high-school entrance exams
Hirosaki High?
Yep
That's a hard school to get into
It sure is
Hello. Is Akira here?
Hello!
Hello
Akira!
Sis!
Let's go see Mom
Monchan doesn't want people touching her now
OK
'Bye!
See you tomorrow, Akira
'Bye, Akira
Come tomorrow, OK?
See you!
Is Nagisa OK?
Sure
Don't touch her too much. She's pregnant and she'll get upset
Akira said that
Is she sick?
We just came back from the vet
You did? Is she sick?
Did you tell Akira about Monchan?
No
He noticed it first. He said he's seen pups being born
So Akira knew about it...
Goodbye!
Akira! Maki!
Take care!
It's a toss-up whether you're ugly or cute
Setsuko!
We'll see you
Take care!
Business Development Section
Two more fields have been ripped up just today
There's lots of wild dogs around
It didn't look like dog tracks
Then deer or monkeys, probably
No
A bear, maybe
A bear means real trouble!
Do something, will you!
Of course!
We just don't really have anyone right now...
Don't wreck the place!
Yeah, you're right
A woman who says she'll marry me might change her mind now
You're getting married?! Congratulations!
I asked her, but with this she might not!
If there's a bear, we can't have the triathlon
Sure we can! The triathlon will go ahead as planned
I hope you'll all help out
Help out, huh?
I can let off fireworks
There's no budget for that!
We haven't had fireworks in years
No one does anything now
We can't just rot away
If we all do that, the town falls apart
If no one takes that first step, nothing changes
We should go in it
You're right! That's a great idea
You too, Mitsugu
Me? The triathlon?
Yes, please!
But we can't tell everyone they might run into a bear!
We'll call a hunting club
People running around with rifles...
...will scare everyone away
I understand how you all feel...
...but if something were to happen...
I know someone
A traditional hunter
Yeah...
It is a toss-up
Setsuko!
Hi!
Hello
You know a lot about the local animal life...
...right?
I'm sorry?
They say there's a bear around here. Have you seen anything?
If it came anywhere near the beach, the dogs would go crazy
They've all had their shots?
Of course
I'm supposed to put down any wild dogs or anything I find
If it's a bear with cubs, will you still shoot it?
Well, at first we'll try and chase it away
Killing's a last resort
I'll see you
We're all just doing our best to get by
Right?
You want some?
No?
That big furry dog's quite something
He must be, to run away
Furry...he sure is that!
The Kikuyas are having pups
I sent Shiro to Tokyo
He must be pretty mad, right?
Grandpa?
Get in the house!
Good morning
Thank you for coming
This way, please
Here, Kazue
Bears are scary
Yeah
They've brought in a pro to get rid of it
I don't like depending on people to solve my problems
I'm not depending on anyone
A bear wrecks your field, and you leave it to others
It's not the same!
Tatsuya, why don't you try that?
The triathlon?
The three old guys are doing it to help bring the town back to life
They are?
They're people who knew the town when times were better
And people like us mean to stay here, right?
I'm not moving away
I've got fields to look after
Then you help out, too
Tell you what: if you're the best in the triathlon, I'll marry you
Shirakami Cup The 25th Ajigasawa Triathlon
He'll be here
No, he won't
There!
Eat!
Nagisa!
No!
Yes! Wasao!
That'll be your name, 'cause you're furry
OK?
Bear Alert
Faster! Faster!
Good work
Go for it!
What's that?
A white bear
No, it's not!
Discretion's the better part of valor. Let's call it a day
Yes, let's
Time to go
We try again tomorrow
Tatsuya! You're working hard
My whole life rides on this!
His whole life? That's really something
I couldn't do that
Another three minutes and my life would've been over
Well, in ten minutes we can have a beer at Naoko's
Good thing I didn't drop dead
Hello
That was Wasao, I'll bet
That white bear?
That's one big dog!
Which means...
I guess he likes it here
The dog does?
I doubt it
No, maybe he does
And soon...
Setsuko
She couldn't take in a dog that big
Sure she could
She looks after three bigger ones
She means us?
I guess so
He'll end up at Setsuko's
He's a funny-looking dog, but he's kind of appealing
You're right!
Come in here
Hi, Sayo. What's up?
Something
I'm putting my name in
For what? One of the cram schools?
For that
The triathlon?
The festival
The one after the triathlon. You guys do it, too
Us?
We can make a great float, and be in the band, too
I'll play the flute, and you can drum
Who says you decide?
That sounds like work!
Then go in the triathlon
And have primary-school kids beat me? No way!
The festival, then
Aw, man!
Akira, you make sure they don't slack off
OK. I'll help, too
Bring us some water!
Nagisa! Are you still alive?
Hang in there!
You're older than we are
Here you go
Thanks
Want to come?
You're late!
They're waiting! Hurry it up! Come on, run!
Hello
Hi
You're going to drum?
Uh, yeah...
Right!
Give it a try
I'll say when
Sayo...
You, too
Now!
Well, you made a noise...
It's not from the arms. It comes from your back and hips
OK
Watch me
Hi!
Meeting someone?
Yeah
Would you like some squid?
Thanks!
Hello
Those two are late?
Monchan's a lot bigger
A lot
You had a dog too, didn't you?
Yeah, Shiro
But he went to my aunt's
It's sad when you have to be apart
Subtitles by Syful Noa Bluebiru
I shouldn't have asked
We were always together, and I told him to go away
I don't know why I said that...
..but I did
When that car hit Mom...
...I blamed Shiro
He was still a puppy...
...but...
Hello
Hi!
You're late!
You don't keep a lady waiting
Only Dr Tanioka can do that
'Bye!
I'm told Sayo's parents are splitting up
What?
It's in court now
Hello!
Hi, Shige!
Who's that?
The hunter
There's another one
Where is it?
What do you mean?
I found this...
...at a broken shed
Wasao wouldn't do that
A bear is dangerous, but so is a wild dog
And a dog that tangles with a bear can get badly hurt
If this is one of your dogs, keep him tied up
Tie him up
Hi
Some squash
We can use them
I'll have one
Hello
A grilled squid, please
That's ?300
Thank you
Here you go
He's always been alone, hasn't he
Abandoned, I think
But now he's got you to look after him
I've been taking in strays for over 20 years, now I think of it
They don't live that long, but they all live full lives
I've always figured no one was going to look after me
That was OK. I was resigned to it
But you know, Setsuko...
What?
There's someone I want to look after!
She wants to get married to me!
I'm sure you'll be fine together, Tatsuya
Won't they?
Sayo!
Hi, Setsuko
Were you at practice?
Everyone has troubles...
...but then you realize people are concerned about you
Wasao did, and so should you
Hang in a bit more. You've still got lots to see
He's like a lion!
Yeah!
The white bear?
That's Wasao
I'd love to see him!
You will. I see him in town
And he comes to the Kikuya sometimes
His face made me happy
He's funny-looking, though
I'm starving
Yeah!
Me, too
Tomi!
Let's take a break
Shall we get a bit to eat, then?
Her strength has come back, and her condition's stable
We can send her to Hirosaki for the operation now
If you would, please
Wasao!
You're Akira's dog?
Wasao?
Mom...
I'll be on my way
Thank you
Good night
Thanks
Nagisa?
Nagisa...thank you
Thank you
Nagisa's gone?
Yeah
Wasao?
Wasao was here for her...
What's wrong?
Nothing
No?
It's just...
...you know one day you'll have to say goodbye...
...but it's hard
Yep
It is
Nagisa!
Thank you!
The 25th Ajigasawa Triathlon
Welcome to Ajigasawamachi in the Shirakami Mountains...
...and thank you very much for coming
When you reach the goal, we promise...
...you can eat your fill of the country's best apples!
Try! Try!
There
Aw, man!
I'm beat!
You know what retire means in a race?
Nothing stops me!
What's wrong, Tatsuya?
This is bad!
Shall we all retire?
Never!
My whole life rides on this!
Right!
Nothing stops me!
Shall we?
You mean it?
Here he comes!
Tatsuya! Go!
Tatsuya!
Go!
Keep going!
Go!
I'm afraid he's closer to last than first
That doesn't matter. I said if he's best
It's the same thing
He's trying the best
Mom!
I'll phone when it's done
Thank you
She'll be OK. Don't worry
Mom'll be back, won't she?
Of course
The doctor said she'd be fine
So let's go home and wait
You were the best, Takuya!
I'll keep my promise
You did great!
Really great!
Calling your grand-kids?
No
I consider this my reward to myself
Your fireworks!
It's been a long time!
Next time, there'll be even more
Yeah...
When we come in with the leaders
Now the fireworks are laughing at us
You're right!
Akira?
Akira!
Akira?
Mom...
Tatsuya, that was great
Hello!
Beer
Tatsuya looked really great today!
He did?
No, I didn't!
What are you all smiles about?
Monchan had her pups
She did? Isn't that nice!
A toast!
You too, Kazue
Cheers!
Gone again!
Akira?
Akira! Where are you going?
Where's he going?
A bear?!
Bear!
Akira!
Get out of there! Look out!
Setsuko!
Has Akira been here?
What's wrong?
Whatever's the matter?
It's Akira...
Mom...
Surgery
Trouble!
A bear!
Not again!
You're kidding, right?
No! On Narusawa Mountain. Akira's there!
Akira?
I saw Akira walk by, and then Wasao went by...
..and then Wasao met the bear, and then...
I swear! It's the truth!
And then?
And then...
...And then...
...I don't know
You don't know?!
Call Setsuko!
Get everyone!
Kazue! Call everyone!
Excuse me!
What's the problem?
Someone come with me!
Akira...
...went after Mom
He thinks she won't be back, just like Shiro
What do we do?!
It's OK
It'll be fine
Hiroshi!
Where's Akira?
Up in the mountains
We're going to look for him. There's a bear
I'll come too
Setsuko!
You wait here
Setsuko, wait!
Take me with you
Sure
Akira!
We'll go this way. You go over there!
Here's the bike. That way
Hello?
What?!
Tatsuya! Where's Akira?
Is that what's been tearing up the village?
I think so
The dog's probably hurt bad, too
That's the one that was with Akira
Akira!
Hello!
Akira!
Shout if you're here!
Akira!
Shout if you're here!
Akira!
He's here!
We found him!
I'm sorry!
It's OK!
You're safe!
There was a bear...
I was scared
Then this big white dog...
...came and saved me
Akira!
Are you here?
Akira!
Hey! Hey! Hey!
Tatsuya!
Maki!
We found Akira!
You did?!
This way!
Wasao?
Shiro...
Maki!
Where's Akira?
He's fine. He just needs to rest
He's gone to sleep
Akira!
Great!
Could I have one?
This one, maybe?
If you take care of him
You don't mind?
I know you will
Thank you!
Then again...
...no
He'll be lonely without his mother
Hello!
Akira! Come here
You little rat! I'm glad you're OK!
Setsuko!
Thank you very much
Not at all
You're all better now?
Great!
Your mom?
The operation was a success. The doctor says she's fine
Will she be home tomorrow?
No, not that soon
She'll be home before you know it
That's right!
Where are the puppies?
They're so cute!
Akira...
Come with me
What?
Hey, that's...
It's a magic ball
Whatever happens, it always comes back to you
Throw it
Shiro?
You wanted to see Akira
That's why you came back, right?
All this time, Akira's been waiting for you, too!
Shiro?
It's you, isn't it
I missed you!
Shiro!
Shiro...
Shiro!
Shiro, that tickles!
Shiro!
Isn't that great, Wasao?
Subtitles by Syful Noa Bluebiru
Wasao!