Original subtitles

Emergency dispatch from Niigata Prefecture.

A parent and child went missing while hiking Mt. Kamiechio this morning.

Reported elevation

was 3,200 feet. Due to worsening weather,

rescue and police helicopters are grounded for now.

Even the mountain rescue team is stuck. The terrain is extremely rough.

A whiteout will mess up distance and alignment.

Please, just stay put.

Thank you.

Thank you.

FATHER - UESUGI SON - HITOSHI

Red cloth found. May have been used by the person in need of rescue.

Confirm using UH.

Go ahead.

North 3-7, 1-5-8-3.

East 1-3-9.2-1-5-5. 3,700 feet.

Located red cloth. Will approach to confirm.

Found a shining object.

Located ski-like object.

-Four o'clock, 120 meters. -Roger.

How long can we fly?

Max is 20 minutes but depends on the weather.

Let's hurry.

Cabin door open.

Okay. Stop!

In the darkness,

they descended with faint light.

Mr. Uesugi!

Mr. Uesugi!

Are you all right?!

Does hope exist in every world?

APRIL 4TH, 2025

SAWAI

Komaki is far this time.

Even from Nagoya, it takes a while?

About 30 minutes by train.

Let's eat.

Well, I guess it’s part of becoming a rescue officer.

Your dad’s rooting for you too.

It’s the path you chose. Give it your all for a year.

They say the training’s hellish.

Hell, huh?

That might be perfect for me.

Just make sure you look after your body.

I know, I know.

Sorry.

I'm heading out.

-Good morning. -Morning.

JAPAN AIR SELF-DEFENSE FORCE KOMAKI AIR BASE

Atten-hut forward!

RESCUE TRAINING FACILITY

I'm Horikoshi, commander of training.

First of all, congrats on passing selection.

Thank you very much!

But this is where it truly begins.

You now begin your year of training to become rescue officers.

Ah, there he is. The chief is giving his speech.

He really couldn't wait for us.

Again,

you all face a year of intense training and trials ahead.

Only then can you become rescue officers.

Hey Usami, it's too early!

JAPAN AIR SELF-DEFENSE FORCE

KOMAKI RESCUE TEAM, UH-60J PILOT TECHNICAL SERGEANT - AKARI MORINO

We are…

angels!

More like the devil.

He's the supervising instructor.

Sr. Master Sergeant Seiji Usami.

Why is he fussy about the way he arrives?

65th Class, Rescue Officer Course Candidates!

I’ve been waiting for this day!

Yes, Sir!

Staff Sergeant Shoji Yuki!

Yes, Sir!

You’re now appointed class leader!

Keep the group in line!

Yes, Sir!

He said the line meant for Commander Horikoshi…

Staff Sergeant Tomoki Shirakawa!

Yes, Sir!

What’s the motto of the Air Rescue Wing, the Pararescue Jumpers?!

"That others may live." To save others' lives!

That's right.

We, the Air Rescue Wing, face missions

that even mountain rescue teams and the Coast Guard can’t handle!

Do you know what they call us,

Staff Sergeant Tatsuya Hasebe?

Yes, Sir! "The last line of defense in life-saving!"

Of course, physical strength is essential.

But what’s truly most important?

Tell me, Staff Sergeant Mamoru Kondo.

Yes, Sir! An unbreakable will that never gives up!

To build that,

are you ready to endure one year of brutal training?

Staff Sergeant Sayaka Fujiki?

Yes, Sir! I will complete this course, no matter what!

Typically,

only 60 to 80% make it to graduation!

In the worst years, nearly half drop out!

-Airman 1st class Randy Nishitani! -Yes, Sir!

What is our mission?!

To rescue those in need!

What exactly…

are we rescuing, Airman 1st class Jin Sawai?!

Yes, Sir! Lives! We save lives!

We’re not just here to save lives!

We save hearts too!

This is the story of the Air Rescue Wing,

known as the last line of defense in life-saving.

It follows the instructors who push their trainees

through rigorous training to not only save lives, but also hearts.

-Trainee leader! Begin! -Yes, Sir!

Form up for physical training!

Yes!

Too slow! Don't drag your heels! Reset!

Back to original formation!

Yes!

I told you your voices are too quiet! Put some spirit into it!

Everyone, 50 push-ups! Right now!

Yes, Sir!

One-two!

-One! -One!

-Two! -Two!

-Three! -Three!

-Four! -Four!

-Five! -Five!

I'll do training for today.

Jump drill, number one!

Ready!

Hold it!

Trainee leader, your stance is too high.

Yes, trainee Shoji!

Okay!

Keep your stance!

Yes, Sir!

Yes, Sir!

Lowering down…

Yes, Sir!

What are you doing, Fujiki?

Your arms are dropping!

Fujiki! Yes, Sir!

Don’t feel like trying?!

Then go home!

No, Sir!

Don't limit yourself! Lower your hips!

Kondo! Yes, Sir!

Hold your head high!

Nishitani! Yes, Sir!

Lower your hips!

Shirakawa! Yes, Sir!

Starting off with a Usami Special today?

That’s overkill.

Do we need to go that far?

Right? Seriously…

All right, everyone!

Don’t think about tomorrow!

Burn through today’s energy today!

-Don't move! -Yes, Sir!

-Hold your position! -Yes, Sir!

-Don't move! -Yes, Sir!

-Don't move! Keep your stance! -Yes, Sir!

-Hey! -Yes, Sir!

What's wrong, Shoji?

All right! Got your head in the game now?!

Yes, Sir!

What’s with those whisper voices?!

Yell loud enough for the Brazilians on the other side

of the planet to hear you!

Yes, Sir!

You’re the first woman

to pass the selection exam in the history of the Air Rescue Wing.

Yes, Sir!

From the bottom of my heart, I say this…

Bravo!

Yes, Sir!

Instructor!

What?

What does spraying us with a hose even mean?

It’s a mood thing. A vibe!

That’s totally unreasonable…

Nature is far more unreasonable than I am.

Listen up!

From now on, you’ll be fighting against that unforgiving force of nature.

Remember that!

-Yes, Sir! -Yes, Sir!

-One-one-two! -Let's go!

-One-one-two! -Let's go!

Looks like rescue officer training hell has begun again this year.

-One-one-one-two! -Let's go!

Today’s approach was perfect.

2nd Lieutenant Morino. I offer you this dessert!

Thank you.

But it was during Commander Horikoshi’s address.

Got those kids fired up from me rappelling from the UH-60.

That's a lot of sauce.

I’m not here for the croquette. I’m here for the sauce.

Let's eat.

Let's eat.

Let's eat.

Wait, wait!

What was that? Hey, you guys!

At ease.

You surprised me!

Do you think gratitude spoken that softly will reach anyone?

Send it all the way to Brazil, on the other side of the planet!

Who are you even thanking? Kondo, you answer.

The kitchen staff, Sir!

-Correct. Hasebe? -Yes!

The farmers, maybe?

-That’s also correct. Randy? -Yes!

The people who made the tableware too!

Yeah. That's right. That kind of thinking is good.

Let's have a grateful heart and express it with everything we’ve got!

Yes, Sir!

Eat!

Let's eat!

Continue!

Chief Instructor!

May I ask something?

What is it?

Earlier you told us to yell loud enough for Brazil to hear.

Yeah.

However, the country directly opposite Japan is Uruguay!

What?

It’s Uruguay, even if you check.

It… It was an example! To raise your voices that loud!

You got it?

Yes, Sir!

Eat!

Hey, Usami.

I'm Nogi now, okay?

Call it whatever you want,

but that’s too much vinegar.

I’m not eating ankake. I’m eating vinegar.

No one eats condiments.

He broke his shoulder and leg…

Seriously, I always think…

these people bring it on themselves.

Fuel costs are up and prices are soaring.

We’re flying helicopters for people who get lost as a hobby?

That’s a waste of taxes.

Quick march!

Right face! Halt!

-Fall out! -Yes, Sir!

We can't walk outside, right?

I’m still digesting breakfast, you know?

That’s the discipline the Rescue Wing demands.

You need resolve if you want to save lives.

I’ve got resolve.

-I don’t agree with the chief instructor. -I know.

I don’t know what he’s saying.

Really? For me, it all made sense.

Especially about saving not just lives, but hearts.

That gave me chills.

You guys understood that?

You don't think. You feel!

I actually liked how intense and free-spirited he was!

Right? Good?

That kind of closeness makes me uncomfortable.

Couldn’t agree more, Mrs. Fujiki.

Still, that fast descent from the chopper? That was impressive.

-Yeah… true. -For sure.

I’ll look after Sayaka Fujiki.

Well, we can’t exactly enter the women’s dorm.

Right, Section Leader?

There might be things she struggles with that we can’t help with.

Would you mind supporting her outside of training?

Understood.

Still, Fujiki must have serious resolve.

She’s the first woman to pass the selection exam.

Yeah. She really made it through…

65TH RESCUE OFFICER COURSE CANDIDATE SELECTION EXAMINATION

She cleared the toughest standards in the SDF,

and ranked among the top seven out of 50 candidates.

Okay!

Fujiki stood out,

but the others are all pretty capable too.

All right!

-Let's go! -Yes!

It’s up to us to see how far we can push them.

It depends on our instruction.

Yes, Sir!

Do you think we can get all of them to graduate?

Sr. Master Sergeant Usami.

We’re counting on you to graduate the entire 65th class.

Let’s aim for a no-dropout term this time.

Yes, Sir. Absolutely.

-Thanks for your work. -Thanks.

Ouch!

-You okay? -Okay?

I’m fine.

Hasebe, you okay? Your face is pale.

I keep thinking about the descent training…

You're not afraid of heights, right?

Come on. Did you see the training tower?

It’s brutal.

There’s a quote I love.

"If I walk this path, what lies ahead?"

That’s Inoki. "The first step becomes the path."

Actually, that’s originally from the philosopher Tetsuo Kiyozawa.

"Don’t hesitate. Walk, and you’ll understand."

Let’s go!

That’s definitely Inoki by the end.

That's Inoki.

But…

if you really hesitate, you’ll fall behind.

There’s no time to hesitate. It's okay.

They said nearly half drop out, right?

You mean some of us won’t make it?

That’s not a given.

Let’s all graduate together. As the 65th class.

Yeah!

Yeah! Let’s do this!

Yeah, right?

All right! Let’s do this!

-Yeah! -Yeah!

Mr. Uesugi! Come on!

Father…

Roll call. Wake up!

-Keep your voices down. -Instructor Usami!

Yeah. Put on your tracksuits. Assemble outside the dorm.

Yes, sir!

Keep your voices down.

Yes, Sir.

-Fujiki, it's 5:00 a.m. -Yes!

-Keep your voice down. -I'm sorry.

-One, two, three… -One, two, three…

-Five, six… -Five, six…

-Seven… -Five, six…

-Five… -Five…

Seven, eight…

Stretch in pairs.

-Yes! -Yes!

-Sawai. Want to make it three? -I’m fine solo.

Thank you very much!

Keep your voice down.

All right! Wake-up call! Let me hear your voices.

Yes, Sir!

Forward, march!

Double time, go!

-One, one, one, two! -Let's go!

All right! Now take off your tops!

Yes, Sir!

-One, one, one, two! -Let's go!

-One, one, one, two! -Let's go!

-One, one, one, two! -Let's go!

-Let's go! -One, one, one, two!

Left face! Halt!

The sun is the ultimate nutrient!

Stretch your arms and soak it all in!

Yes, Sir!

Now, grab the hands of the person next to you!

Yes, Sir!

Repeat after me! Glorious sun! Sunshine!

Glorious sun! Sunshine!

Your glory…

What are we even doing right now…?

Just stop thinking. Accept it.

My strength…

Let’s give it our all today!

Let’s give it our all today!

This tower is 11 meters tall!

That’s the exact height at which humans feel fear!

If you can’t overcome that fear,

you’ll never survive a jump from 4,000 feet!

Yes, Sir!

We’re not starting with a vertical drop.

You’ll first practice on a slope to get used to it.

-Yes, Sir! -Yes, Sir!

Who’s going first?!

Yes, Sir! I’ll go first!

-Get into position. -Get into position.

-Report! -Report!

Trainee Sawai…

-Trainee Shirakawa. -Commencing rappelling descent!

Commencing rappelling descent!

-Descend! -Descending!

-Descending! -Descending!

One, two…

-Keep your hips low. -Yes, Sir!

One, two, one, two.

One, two, one…

-One, two, one, two, -One…

Completed!

Trainee Sawai, rappelling descent, round one, requesting evaluation!

We're not competing. Next!

Yes, Sir!

Doesn't look good, Kondo.

Although we're not good, let’s go together.

-Descending! One, two, one two. -One, two.

-One, two… -One, two…

I thought you were possessed by a mountain monkey!

I used my experience from when I was in the climbing club.

You're the best so far.

Yes, Sir! Thank you very much!

Thank you!

Staff Surgent--

Sergeant!

I'm sorry!

What are you so scared of?! Just go already!

Yes, Sir!

Descending!

-One, two… -Lower your hips!

Think he’ll make it?

Hasebe!

Take a deep breath and breathe out!

Look down slowly…

One, two, one, two…

-One, two… -Do that from the beginning!

Honestly, the chief instructor

is all about mood. Runs on vibes.

-That’s not true. -Really?

I feel his passion, though.

Yeah. You can feel it, right?

He’s not annoying?

Well, he is the chief instructor.

He’s intense, but we just have to accept it.

-Seriously? -There’s a saying,

"When in Rome, do as the Romans do."

Trainee Sawai, grab the flag. Let’s go.

Yes.

JIN SAWAI REPORT

I was rescued by the Air Rescue Wing as a child,

so I wanted to be a rescue officer.

Even if it costs me my life…

Picture this!

Someone relieves themselves in a perfectly clean toilet

first thing in the morning and feels amazing.

Clean it like you’re doing it for them!

Yes, Sir!

To put it simply, you’re not doing this for yourself,

but for someone else.

Yes, Sir!

Take initiative. Do what others don’t want to do.

Stop thinking in terms of "me."

That others--

That others may live!

That was my line!

We carry out our mission

without regard for danger, for the sake of others!

Even cleaning is the same. Do it for someone else!

Yes, Sir!

If you clean with sincerity,

you polish your own heart too.

All right, get to it!

Yes, Sir!

Fujiki, women’s restroom.

Yes.

Regarding the earlier disaster dispatch,

the Governor of Gifu requested

for our unit to deploy for disaster relief.

All assigned personnel, report to operations.

Trainees, move to self-study after cleaning.

-Nishina. -Yes.

2nd Lieutenant Morino.

Instructors go on disaster deployments too?

We do.

-Oyama, status of the mountain subunit? -It's ready.

Only the external supply kit is packed.

This is a training unit, but if support is needed, we head out to the field.

Rescuers ready?

Just need to change.

Take off at 14:30.

Start pickups in Minokunicho, the area with the deepest floodwaters. Questions?

None!

Don’t push yourselves too hard.

Yes, Sir!

Deploy!

Deploying!

Take care!

See you soon!

-Is everything okay? -Ready to go!

The instructors here are top-tier rescue officers.

They’re counted on as active assets in real missions too.

Let’s give it everything.

Let’s do this!

JAPAN AIR SELF-DEFENSE FORCE

Assets, huh?

Can’t wait to get out there on a real mission.

Gifu prefecture has requested support to JSDF.

Rescue operations are underway by JSDF members from Komaki Air Base.

A couple in their fifties who had evacuated to a hilltop

were successfully rescued.

USAMI'S EX WIFE MAKO NOGI

Wow you seem really busy.

Yeah. I’m working on training materials for the interns.

You could delegate that. You're the head nurse.

I hate asking for help

or relying on others.

Huh? From someone who orders delivery instead of cooking?

-You like that, right? -Wow…

Huh?

-Something about Komaki Air Base. -They were…

-Do you think Dad… -All saved…

might show up on TV?

That’s what you focus on?

But the SDF really gives that heroic rescue impression.

But in a real crisis, they’d be sent to the battlefield.

That’s true.

That’s probably why our relatives

praise your father so much. They say he's amazing.

I’ve never thought that, not even once. Even when I was a kid.

Leaving your family behind to go save strangers?

I just don’t get it.

I don’t want to say this either…

Honestly, I’m sorry. Just endure one year.

Take care of Kakeru for me.

I know, but it’s tough on me too.

I’m sorry. My bad.

Shoji? Everyone's gone to training…

Okay.

We’ve got training. See you, Kakeru.

Shoji, you're a father?

Yeah.

Cute, right?

Is your wife doing okay?

We hardly get to see each other, so I’m putting a burden on my family.

Unlike you, I only passed on my third try.

What if you end up in a war zone? What would you do?

Huh?

Would you be prepared to die?

Prepared to die? We live to save lives.

But people have died during training too.

-Forgot about training… -I’m going to do some solo training.

Yeah.

Thank you for your work!

Oh, good work. What is it?

May I ask about today’s disaster rescue?

Mission successful. The victim was safe.

I see.

If you want to become a rescue officer,

remember you’ll always be working side by side with death.

I’m always ready to die if I have to.

That’s not what I call resolve.

YUNA

JAPAN AIR - SELF DEFENSE FORCE KOMAKI AIR BASE

What's up?

Rare for you to call.

Are you doing well?

All good here.

-You good? -Yes.

Can we talk for a bit?

Maybe for five minutes?

No.

I mean in person.

Person…

It’s about my graduation thesis.

Graduation thesis?

Wait, you're graduating college?

Yes.

Is that so? Congrats!

Well, in March next year.

Oh, I see.

I still have to finish my thesis.

I want to write it on the Air Rescue Wing.

Huh?

But if that’s not possible, I understand.

It's possible.

So, when can we meet?

Can I observe your training?

I’d need permits and maybe ask about accommodation.

Sure. That’s fine.

Thanks.

I’ll be in touch then.

Ah--

-Report! -Report!

-Trainee Fujiki! Rappelling, round 10! -Trainee Sawai! Rappelling, round 10!

-Descend! -Descend!

-Descending! -Descending!

One, two.

-One, two. -Lower your hips!

-Yes! -One, two…

Are you okay?

I’m fine.

Recovery!

Recovery!

You lost focus!

-Remove your gear! -Yes, I'm sorry.

Fujiki. Are you okay?

Jin, are you okay?

Jin!

Shouldn’t you get surgery?

Huh?

Idiot!

But if I get surgery, I won’t be able to fly.

It’s just in your head.

The ladder climb is a backup skill

for when the hoist fails. You use it to return to the helicopter.

Climbing it head-on in mid-air makes it sway.

That’s why you climb it sideways.

Yes, Sir!

Remember the three-point technique.

Move your foot, then your hand. Repeat that.

-Yes! -Yes!

-Trainee Sawai! Climbing! -Trainee Shirakawa! Climbing!

KOMAKI AIR BASE

SAVE!

We don’t just save lives!

We save hearts too!

Sawai.

Yes, Sir! Thank you for your hard work!

Why do you always push yourself?

Yes, Sir!

Because saving lives is a matter of seconds.

Your top priority is your own safety.

At this rate, you won't save anyone.

One, one, one…

Chief Instructor!

May I have a moment?

What is it?

You once said to "save hearts"!

But I don’t understand what that means!

Sawai! Watch what you're--

And?

Also, you said safety comes first.

But how can we save people with that mindset?!

Isn’t our motto "To save others"?

Can someone who only worries about their own life really save others?!

Sawai…

I’m sorry!

I’m sorry!

You…

You’ve got more fight in you than I thought.

If you’ve got that much energy,

then how about a match?

Huh?

But if I win, you’re out of the program.

You're done.

All right.

Let’s do this.

Trainee Sawai!

Beginning ascent!

Three rounds? Five? I’m good for as many as you want.

Please let me keep going until I win!

It's over there.

Thank you very much!

What’s wrong, Sawai? You already spent all your energy?

Damn it!

All right, next round!

Sixth round.

Trainee Sawai! Beginning Ascent!

What are you doing? Get back up, no matter the situation!

This fight isn’t over yet.

Go!

I lost.

Don’t try to cover it up with that fake smile.

I want to see your true self.

That has nothing to do with you.

Nothing to do with me?

You're here now. That means your life is my responsibility too.

Why did you come here?

What are you really here to do?

I'm here.

I…

want to speak to the real you, the one inside you.

The real you…

deep down…

What is it saying?

Jin!

Father!

Sorry. It was because I fell.

Don't worry about it.

Sorry. It's my fault. I'm sorry.

Don't cry, Jin!

It'll be okay.

It was all…

my fault.

I’m the one who destroyed our family.

Because of me, we lost Dad.

And yet here I am, living like nothing happened.

Someone like me doesn’t deserve happiness.

It was me. I killed my father!

That’s why…

I have to become a rescue officer!

Even if it means

throwing away my own life,

I have to save someone!

Sawai, are you sure it’s not that

you want to be saved yourself?

Have you ever thought about that?

I've met many people in need of rescue.

Even if we try to save them,

there are still lives we can’t save.

But I know

those who've died

while trying to save others.

I know how

to the very end…

To the very end,

they gave everything they had

to save the ones they loved.

They wanted them to live.

They wanted to protect them.

Seeing you now, how do you think your dad feels?

Looking at you who is saying you can't be happy…

how does he feel?

Your life doesn’t belong

to just you.

Don’t…

waste your life.

I wanted… I wanted to be like the person who once saved me…

That kind of a rescue officer…

If you truly believe that, from the bottom of your heart,

can you survive one year like your life depends on it?

‪If you can,‬

I’ll make you

a full-fledged rescue officer.

So… please…

forgive yourself.

ALARM 4:50 A.M.

-Morning. -Morning.

-All right! -All right!

Let’s give it our all today too!

Yeah!

No shouting!

He's quick.

-Randy. Let's go. -Yes.

One, two…

Okay!

-Let's go! -Yes!

Okay!

Twelve.

Twelve.

All right! It's 6:00 a.m. Let's shout it out!

Yes! Forward, march!

Double-down! March!

-One, one, one, two. -Let's go!

Repeat after me!

Yes, Sir!

We’ve got giant wings to fly!

We’ve got giant wings to fly!

Grow your small self big!

Grow your small self big!

Sharpen your guts and soul!

Sharpen your guts and soul!

Bring on the storm! Bring on hell!

Bring on the storm! Bring on hell!

-Para! -Para!

-Rescue! -Rescue!

-We are… -We are…

PJ 65! PJ go!

PJ 65! PJ go!

-What is this? -Written by

-the Chief Instructor. -Kinda catchy though.

All right! One more time!

Yes, Sir!

PREVIEW

Don’t set limits on your own!

People are watching you as the first female PJ trainee.

Don't look down on me because I'm a girl.

Fujiki is building that gender wall.

I think I’m near my limit.

You said to save hearts. What did you mean by that?

I want to play catch.