Original subtitles

KIBA: The Fangs of Fiction

"Kunpu Review Best New Writer Award entry"

Slow down!

Hey, slow down!

Slow down!

Sorry!

The late Kinosuke Iba ran Kunpu, one of Japan's foremost publishers,

and was a key figure in the golden age of publishing.

Yes.

"Arisa Kutani Literary critic"

However, magazine sales have more than halved since then.

This endangers Japan's unique distribution system,

in which novels are shipped with bestselling magazines.

Along with Amazon's growth, Iba's death symbolizes a crisis in publishing.

I see. Kunpu losing the charismatic Iba means a management reshuffle.

His son Koretaka has the backing of managing director Kudo,

but he lacks experience.

In that sense, Iba's wife Ayako would seem to hold the key.

But why isn't she his funeral's chief mourner?

Ayako is Iba's second wife, and not Koretaka's mother.

Smells fishy, right?

The front runner is thought to be director Tomatsu, a sales veteran.

For the last 10 years, his tenacity has kept the company afloat.

He'd be the first non-Iba family CEO. "Tomatsu the Tank Engine."

Pardon me?

His nickname.

Takano.

Get more gifts.

Oh, sure.

We're running out.

Thank you.

Interesting, huh?

Junior's being shunted off to New York?

I bet Mr. Kudo's peeved.

It was our late CEO's decision.

What'll he do? Study English?

Takano.

Want your mind blown?

Tomatsu the Tank Engine and Junior are half-bro...

Ma'am. Enough jokes for today.

Show her in.

- See ya. - Thank you.

- Hayami's inside? - Hayami?

Oh, never mind.

Ms. Enami, time to leave.

You should've booked.

I thought I did! I'm sorry!

Oh, Hayami.

Want to share?

Hop in.

Excuse me.

Thank you.

Why not reschedule the party? Mr. Nikaido's a hard nut to crack.

It was our request. He'll attend the service tomorrow.

He'll be checking which editors arrive first.

He will? Sorry...

The rear'll be quicker. Driver, back up.

But that's the wrong way.

I know shortcuts. Mapped them at an old job.

Driver.

Thank you. Please lift your heads.

Now, Daisaku Nikaido will say a few words.

Mr. Iba and I

were comrades who fought for our lives on the literary battlefield.

Mr. Iba.

Both I, and our kindred spirits gathered here today,

shall not fail to carry on your work.

Like you, we shall love, nurture, and protect Japanese literature.

"'Wolf of the Styx' by Daisaku Nikaido"

"'Zodiac' by Daisaku Nikaido"

Sorry about the timing.

And for asking you all to help out.

It's fine. We at Kunpu treasure you.

"Daisaku Nikaido 40 Years of Writing"

As did the late Mr. Iba.

Corton-Charlemagne, 1980 vintage. You did well to find it.

I knew you'd notice.

Matured in the bottle, for as long as I've been writing.

Mmm, exquisite depth.

Let us take drops of your writing, to place in a new vessel.

Sir, it's time we discussed your next work.

Mr. Nikaido!

Lobster. I grabbed the tastiest-looking bits.

Don't jump the line.

Hey, us doing it together is better for Mr. Nikaido.

Sir, it's been quite a while.

You...

Yes, I've switched from Media Cargo to Kunpu.

Since September, I edit culture mag Trinity.

You've met him, sir?

Yes. A long time ago, when he edited an anime magazine.

Sorry about back then.

It's a bit late.

You're still mad?

Hayami.

Well, I asked him to write an essay about himself and anime.

He wrote about Godzilla and Daimajin. I said "That's tokusatsu, not anime."

Close enough.

I had to point out your mistake. Your editors must be lousy...

How rude.

Of course, I'm not referring to Kunpu Review.

How about you?

What's your editorial view?

Be blunt. Mr. Nikaido's sick of hearing routine praise.

Only chief editor Enami checks Mr. Nikaido's writing.

Enough tomfoolery.

Let him speak. A special treat for my 40th anniversary.

"Gunshot Range" is a dynamic story on an international scale.

Plus, its female sidekicks are charming.

Well...

What?

About that. If I may be so bold,

the hero's view of women is outdated at times.

Not at all. It's natural for an old-fashioned spy.

That's why it could use a more self-critical perspective...

"Takano Bookstore"

Want one?

Eat at home, okay?

Sorry.

Damn, gotta go.

I'll download that.

Thanks.

It's really cool.

Take care.

Hi.

Hi.

Closing up? I'll help.

I can do it.

I keep telling you to close early. They never buy anyway.

I'll get the bath ready.

"Kunpu"

Hey, don't get me wrong. I'm a fan of Mr. Nikaido...

Just stay away from him.

You'll disgrace Kunpu.

Yes?

Excuse me.

Come in.

Excuse me.

I heard you really laid into Nikaido.

It seems Kudo's furious.

The managing director?

Oh, we gave out these.

"Nikaido Rice Cakes"

300 boxes. You'd think business was booming.

Bookworm Kudo's folly.

Last month's issue. How many copies sold?

About 60,000...

44,950 copies.

45,000 copies. I'll get my relatives to buy 50 more.

60% sold. That's far from good.

But Ms. Kutani's essay book comes out next month.

If Trinity shuts down, other mags will shape up.

Shut down Trinity? You can't be serious.

Oh? You think I'm joking?

Come on. I only just took this job.

Give me more time. My plans are in motion.

He insulted Mr. Nikaido awfully.

We were right there...

He's like Tomatsu.

He's got a reputation for killing off all kinds of magazines.

Survival's his only talent. We must stop him.

Yes sir.

Kunpu Review must continue to protect the Kunpu spirit.

Stay calm and do your job.

Koretaka in the US wants that.

Thank you.

Trinity is still able to lay eggs.

Like a chicken?

Don't get complacent.

I got here by stomping chickens.

Can I be a thoroughbred?

People often say I've got a face like a horse.

Then let's see how you run.

I can't wait.

It's soul food for workers all year around.

Good-old standing noodle joints.

They could advertise with us.

Next.

That's all?

I read your last three years' features.

Travel. Food. Entertainment. Travel. Food. Entertainment.

You just rotated them.

Our sales are stable.

Stably deteriorating.

It's the only way to maintain sales.

Our features are make or break.

But they're... kinda boring.

I hear you. So, for this renewal,

no more focus on features. We need solid regular items.

At least three.

Three? Could we hire more staff? We're stretched to the limit as it is.

Is it true the new CEO wants to drop some mags?

If so, we're safe for now, right?

It's totally possible. Apart from the 5th floor.

Kunpu Review is sacred.

"Sacred"? We all work for the same company.

Alright, so Mr. Aoba's "Follow the Wake" progresses?

Next, Hijiri Yashiro's "Say Bye and Die a Little."

This one's my suggestion.

It is an unprecedented type of novel, but...

Perfect for Best New Writer.

New isn't everything.

I know! I just hope the judges will consider it.

Balance is the issue.

Balance?

Regardless of its quality, if it ends up eclipsing other finalists,

it could complicate the judging.

It's our responsibility to ensure a smooth process for the judges.

Is that a consideration worth denying new talent for?

Old, new... Such thoughtless criteria

cannot uphold Kunpu Review's dignity.

By a majority decision, I am Kunpu's new CEO.

"Welcome Home, Christa McAuliffe"

Watch out for the walls.

Take it right out the back.

Now, let's drink to your appointment, and full-scale restructuring.

They think I'm just a stopgap.

This is your chance.

Books aren't selling, but content has potential.

After all, Eiichi Kamukura's works are being reappraised overseas.

Keep only what has future value and cut the rest. Kunpu'll be fine.

Including real estate, please allow me to help.

There's one stubborn obstacle though.

That 40-year literary vet.

Junior's guardian won't budge easily.

Kudo's the reason the project we discussed has stalled.

What's it called...

KIBA.

"Project KIBA: Proposal"

A publishing/distribution base, "bypassing distributors to deliver direc

to stores and readers." Bravo.

Kunpu has to be ambitious to survive.

Using that land in Yokohama for a literary museum is insane.

Kudo calls it "Kunpu's sacred birthplace."

Even though your literature division's been in the red for 20 years.

Our hurdle will be securing a majority of shares.

May I ask you something?

About you and Koretaka being half-brothers...

Is that a mere rumor?

If it were true, restructuring would be a lot easier.

Yes it would...

Excuse me.

Your guest.

Oh, she's here.

Pardon my lateness.

You sure don't waste time.

I'm Ayako Iba.

"From: Ryuji Tomatsu To: staff"

This is unacceptable.

How can Tomatsu turn Kunpu Review into a quarterly?!

And simultaneously announce it internally and to the media?

He must explain it to the board.

Too weak.

He's going straight for your throat.

My deepest apologies for this.

This means war.

It's an outrage.

Kunpu Review is no ordinary magazine.

It's a lynchpin of literary history. A cultural monument.

Why corrupt over 100 years of tradition on a whim?

However, as the publishing crisis worsens,

some say maintaining it as a quarterly is a pragmatic decision.

You don't get it.

What of Kunpu's brand value? Explain yourself.

As I said before, it is my impartial decision as CEO.

Making staff pay the price

for managerial failures desecrates Japan's literary legacy.

I repeat. Once something's broken, you can't un-break it.

We authors are powerless as individuals.

Therefore, we must unite, to rebuke executives

who disregard literature's value.

Literature lovers everywhere, let us fight together.

The author's association is planning a boycott of Kunpu.

Young writers gotta eat.

Nikaido's a scrappy raccoon dog.

Heard of "Tomatsu the Tank Engine"?

Shut the raccoon dog up.

Huh? Is that a job for a thoroughbred?

Until we're monthly again,

I want you to hang tight in sales management.

Is this transfer...

because of what I said to Mr. Nikaido?

I'll go now.

Takano. I rate you highly.

You might not believe me...

Is "Daruma and Tengu" sold out?

Oh, it is. I'm sorry. Shall I order a copy?

I was late buying it as a birthday present.

When is it?

Well, tomorrow.

Don't worry. I can get it.

Really? Then please do!

Aren't you lucky?

See you!

Thank you so much!

Hello.

It'll never arrive tomorrow. What'll you do?

Secret weapon.

A book token? You'll go buy it?

At Kinokuniya. Well, I might have to try other stores.

Don't worry. I bought this for 100 yen off.

And how much will hunting that book cost?

I know. But she came to our store wanting to buy it.

Can't let her down.

I heard about stores pulling stunts like that.

Don't make it sound bad.

Get your company to put out another bestseller.

Like Eiichi Kamukura's. Got it?

Hey, can we talk?

Later. Gotta go.

Take care.

Why...

Hey there.

Why are you here?

House call.

Where'd you get my address? HR?

Takano.

Yes?

Bathroom.

- That way. - Thanks.

Up and to the right.

Man, good bookstores make me want to take a big dump. You too?

Thanks for the compliment.

I wish I had one like this in my 'hood.

Gimme this.

1,870 yen. Er, would you like a cover?

Yes please.

Tough times, huh?

So, why are you here?

What about you? Got sacked?

Not sacked. Temporarily transferred.

They held it against you? The Nikaido incident.

"Incident"? That was your fault.

But it was funny.

Bookseller's DNA, huh?

More than editor's DNA, I guess.

Edit a novel for us.

"Us"?

Trinity. We need staff badly.

Excuse me! Excuse me! I'm getting on!

Excuse me...

Hey. You realize you made her lose face?

I'm sorry. But Ms. Enami...

I think adding maps and guides to novel locations will draw interest.

Are tours still popular?

I go on every one.

What about abroad? Like Kamukura's "Welcome Home, Christa McAuliffe."

I went to the U.S., to Concord...

Her grave? I love that scene. I bawled my eyes out.

Wow, 7 million copies sold.

Don't you know? It paid for Kunpu's annex.

Wow. So things weren't always so bad.

But aren't novels old hat?

Not if Trinity boosts interest and sales.

Using Ms. Kutani might work.

Get her to rate locations from novels on a five-star scale.

Interesting.

That's no compliment. "Interesting" doesn't sell mags.

I thought you'd stun us with something exciting.

You're thinking, "You try it," right?

Right.

Mr. Nikaido?

We'll get him.

Now? A serialized novel?

Wait a minute. He'd never say yes. He does Kunpu Review.

It's once every three months now. He can double up.

Is he our color?

"Color"? Who gives a crap?

The timing's amusing and controversial. We'll save on advertising.

You're new here, so you must be unaware,

but Mr. Nikaido's a money pit.

He goes overseas on research often.

Yes, he does...

France, Italy, Chile?

How do you...

Wine.

I'm against it. Who'll do that impossible mission?

That's obvious.

"Start without me"

Good evening. Thank you so much for coming...

Where's Tomatsu?

The CEO...

No Aizawa either? Not even Hayami, even though he called me?

I was told Tomatsu wants to apologize for what he did to Kunpu Review.

- Hayami is coming... - Enough.

The other day... The other day...

I voiced my thoughtless opinion about "Gunshot Range." I'm truly sorry.

Never mind me...

Go ahead.

Thank you.

For today's red, we have a 1993 Haut-Brion.

Haut-Brion? Lovely. Bring it on.

It's time.

Time?

From grape to glass, untold time is devoted to making wine.

Those who cannot envision that have no right to drink it.

Get my meaning?

Old, new... I'm sick of such superficial criticism.

I'm glad you were wise enough to see that.

I gladly accept your apology.

My apology?

Not so much an apology.

At that event, I could only convey fragments of how I felt.

That's what I apologized for.

But afterwards, I re-read "Gunshot Range."

Sure, it's got universal appeal.

But as a novel for today with an outdated view of gender relations,

readers won't relate.

If something can be updated, it should be updated.

I'm sorry.

Hayami sure is late. I'll call him...

Oh, I'm so sorry!

Hayami's not coming.

Sorry? Sorry?

It's his style. A witty form of apology.

Wait, you've completely lost me.

Strangely enough, your sassiness is growing on me.

I feel like cracking the shell of a fragrant unripe fruit, and savoring it.

I feel sick...

Mmm. Magnificent.

I'm glad it pleases you.

Hayami...

I acquired that very special wine you had tonight.

At the local booze shop.

I was a little unsure, but your palate proved my point.

Cheap or new, tasty is tasty.

You brought me here to harass me?

No. As an editor, I've paid you the ultimate compliment.

The ultimate compliment?

This is the best possible wine we can offer you right now.

This is 10 years of expenditure and revenue for serializing "Gunshot Range."

Quite a drop-off in recent years.

If you'd ordered Haut-Brion, we'd be 75,000 yen in the red.

Or would you care to pay?

How dare you!

Don't you know how much I've done for Kunpu over the years?!

Snap out of it.

None of that matters now.

We all want to be intrigued.

I'm sure no one is more aware of that than you.

Mr. Nikaido, when was the last time a Kunpu editor revised your work?

I knew it.

Even if you butt heads, an editor discusses and polishes your work.

Kunpu neglected their responsibility. Except her!

The great Daisaku Nikaido shouldn't get caught up in corporate power games.

This is our proposal.

You had this in mind all along?

Now, let's make a toast with Haut-Brion.

To our new venture together.

Walk, walk.

Walk.

Can you?

He started gulping it down, that old raccoon dog.

Will Kunpu cover it?

Hayami... Was I raccoon dog bait?

You got startlingly drunk.

Look. Here's your taxi.

My head hurts...

Sorry, she's all yours. Take care.

Pull yourself together!

Oh no! Put that in my bag!

Careful now. Driver, Koganei please.

Good night...

"Daisaku Nikaido's 'Ninja Ambition' becomes a manga!"

Its prose is a little classical,

but its structure and action ideas are unbeatable.

He'll be a big help in adapting it.

A manga reboot?

Yes. It'll be our centerpiece. Thanks to Ms. Takano!

Way to go. I better step up.

What the...

Next is this. After Mr. Nikaido's, we'll start this from February,

and tease it in January.

Hey, w-wait...

Hijiri Yashiro. A total unknown. Make copies of it.

What's the skinny?

Too thick for that.

The skinny is, Osamu Dazai and Raymond Chandler save the world.

It's not that simple!

- Cool! - Science fiction?

Post-modern.

Running a manga and a debut novel together is too unbalanced.

Balance is for the birds.

I bet you've all got pet projects.

If they're good, we'll run them all.

Chief! You took my manuscript?

By chance.

That's not fair.

Contacted Yashiro yet?

I called but he won't answer.

Really...

Wait a minute.

It should be in Kunpu Rev...

A literary magazine.

It lost Best New Writer. No returns.

No major award eligibility then.

Oh? A culture mag helping it to win'd be a coup.

Is a coup good? Or bad?

Alright, put me in charge. I want to revise it.

I'll revise it, and make sure it has a perfect debut.

Wait, Chief!

I was able to talk frankly with CEO Tomatsu,

and clear up misunderstandings.

We'll provide more support than ever, to usher in a new future for literature.

Thank you.

"Based on Daisaku Nikaido's novel"

Satisfied?

No, not yet.

Listen here.

Tomatsu is a cultural ignoramus. He's a vandal.

You may think he's your ally, but he'll dump you in a flash.

Tomatsu's just a placeholder until Koretaka returns.

"Saki Jojima"

More light this way.

Smile towards me.

Cute!

Very cute.

That's a Glock 17. Oh, sorry.

Or is it a 19? The length of the slide.

No, 17's right...

I knew it! Its cold-looking form's irresistible.

It's cute and underestimated, but still a pro.

Have you seen "In the Line of Fire"? That actor. Who was it... Um...

John Malkovich.

Yeah! He used a 17. Do you empathize with his character too?

I do.

I feel like, "Assassinate that president!"

Who's this? You know him?

Pardon me.

I edit Trinity magazine for Kunpu. I'm Hayami.

Oh, hello!

You know guns?

I just play airsoft.

If you'd like an interview, let me know.

Actually, I've got a proposal.

Oh, let's talk.

Saki, you're up.

Saki.

Saki Jojima's your real name?

Yes.

- Excuse me. - Yes?

Do you have any books by "Shinza"?

One moment please.

Here.

Wow! This is the one!

It's "Kamukura." I misread his name too. He's outstanding.

Kinda mysterious, right?

Right. No new books for about 20 years...

Can I ask you something?

Sure.

Why are you interested?

Well, there's no movie or TV series, so I have to read the book.

Thank you for making time.

It's fine. I owe Hayami a lot anyway.

And he owes me. I forget who owes who what.

Kamukura, huh?

Haven't met him since one of my first interviews.

No one seems to know him.

Maybe the late CEO was the only one at Kunpu who did.

In the last 10 years, I heard he's a hunter in Hokkaido,

a priest in Manila,

and worst of all, a drug-addled derelict.

Basically, all tall tales.

People love a story. He's "the world-famous Kamukura."

So, do you know the reason why he disappeared?

You haven't heard?

From the beginning, Kamukura never revised his work.

Or let editors do it.

But with "Christa McAuliffe," he revised it over and over again.

After the 50th draft, he collapsed.

Kunpu couldn't wait any longer, so they published it.

"1st Draft"

Then Kamukura vanished.

Kunpu betrayed him, and built an annex.

So, it'll be quite a mission to drag him back.

No trespassing!

Mr. Kamukura got his pilot's license here?

Huh? Who?

Where's Mr. Kamukura's plane?

What?

Which one is Mr. Kamukura's?

What the hell...

Mr. Kamukura!

Hey! It's dangerous there!

Mr. Kamukura!

Mr. Kamukura! I'm from Kunpu!

No no! Don't go there!

Kunpu! Trinity! I'm Takano!

Trinity...

Saki looks tired.

Social media trolls are hounding her lately. We can't cope either.

Like stalkers?

Let's go again.

We're thinking of using this copy.

How about it?

"Fight with stories"

How about softening it, and brightening it up a bit?

I see.

One moment please.

Morishita, could you go buy me some canned coffee?

- What, now? - A sweet one.

Sure.

Why have you got this?

"Flowers and Gunsmoke"

I used to edit a military mag.

One reader's submissions

were so intriguing and out-there, I tried to track them down.

Then...

I found this.

George Masaki.

Jojima Saki.

My agency doesn't know...

Saki, why not write for us? Whatever you want.

A novel, an essay, or illustrations.

Sorry.

Hello? Speaking.

Huh?

Sorry for the trouble.

Anyway, let's go.

Why didn't you tell me?

So you wouldn't snatch it again.

Snatch it? We're on the same team.

How'd you find him?

This is Kamukura's 22-year-old "Christa McAuliffe" manuscript.

With every new draft, the piloting scenes change.

From the 28th draft, they become especially realistic.

I thought Kamukura might actually fly planes, so I investigated.

Draft 28 was from January and February '97,

when licenses could be gained at 22 airfields.

Three airfields were near a lake and a substation, like in draft 33.

Then, as in draft 40,

during landings, the sun sets on the left only there.

That part isn't in the book.

But Mr. Kamukura...

won't ever go back there again.

Well, we know he's in Japan now, thanks to you.

When I was little, our store was rumored to get "Christa McAuliffe" early.

It was like that back then.

Then, one morning, around dawn,

I heard voices outside. People lined up to get into our store.

All the way to the station! I got scared and asked my dad,

"Did you do a bad thing?"

He said, "We've got good things here, so lots of people have come."

That laugh again!

Listen up!

Get anyone. Each of you, for the renewal.

Ask people you've always wanted to collaborate with.

Catch your own Hijiri Yashiro, or Saki Jojima.

Dancers, musicians, YouTubers, cosplayers, fun people, whoever!

"Fake Music Theory"

Every editor's hiding one!

"Loud and Prosthetic"

Talented but disregarded by Trinity management.

"I Love Kawaii!"

Not just new writers.

Photographers, designers...

If they hesitate, say...

Saki Jojima's writing too.

Saki Jojima's writing too.

Saki Jojima will be writing too.

With new talent, magazines can fight on!

Exciting, isn't it?

Er, can I help you?

Sorry sorry sorry.

I'll introduce him.

Hijiri Yashiro. "Say Bye and Die a Little."

I'm Yashiro. Nice to meet you.

I'm Takano. I was with Kunpu Review.

I'll do my best to help you...

You were hard to find! She discovered you.

Better thank her.

Thank you.

My pleasure.

He's not a talker. Okay, I'll show him around.

Oh... S-See you later!

Great to work with you!

Yashiro's here.

Hijiri Yashiro? What for?

How can I put it... He's popular.

The division with the most women.

Let's go this way.

They do music and art magazines.

It's like he's going through our trash. Has he no shame?

"Yashiro: a rising star"

Arisa Kutani is praising that trash.

Since when?

Since we let our guard down.

Thank you sir.

Thank you sir. For you.

Hello again! Can we talk for a moment?

Well, it's about this. Your protagonist Dazai is a little inconsistent.

Oddly ethical, and disciplined...

Mr. Yashiro! Thank you for waiting.

So, his attitude to women...

Oh, let's continue later!

Go get 'em.

No need to rush.

Mr. Hayami, seen this?

It was only private karaoke till 3am.

It's too much. Ease off, Mr. Hayami.

Is it obvious it's her?

"Saki and Hijiri's secret date"

See you.

Tomorrow at 9.

- Ready to check. - Oh, thanks.

Chief. How's this?

I like it, I like it.

Maeda's design works great.

Fortunately.

Well done.

Chief. Chief!

Saki Jojima was...

Why, dammit?!

Stop this... Please...

Why do you make me do this?!

As suspect Jojima returned to her apartment building after 11pm,

a knife-wielding assailant

caused her to take out a concealed gun and fire it at him.

She was being stalked, and the creep had a knife.

It was self-defense.

It's illegal firearm possession.

3D-printing a gun is banned too.

Police are investigating Jojima's link to the assailant,

and her motive for making the gun...

Let's switch the cover.

We can switch her writing too.

Chief.

Takano, calculate our break-even sales target

in case of losing all ads.

No way. You'll sink Trinity!

Takano, hurry.

Okay.

Are you out of your mind?!

Enter.

We'll go with it.

Not this time. Pull it.

No. Her writing stays.

Hayami...

Got a plan?

Just like you do now. A gambit entailing risk and return.

For you, sir.

We haven't contacted advertisers, but zero ads'll lose us 36 million yen.

Print run?

100,000.

We won't recover!

Not just financially. We'll tarnish the Kunpu brand!

It's true she broke the law. That's undeniable.

But many people are sympathetic because the stalker made her do it.

That changes nothing.

What I'm saying is, we can push that narrative.

There's still a chance to make it work.

Print 50,000 more. 150,000 copies. Sell 90%, we break even.

More? Have you gone mad?

Kudo's about to make the CEO take the blame!

Then we'll go on the attack.

A defensive play would lose much more than Trinity.

Attack how?

That's unthinkable. Not just business-wise, but morally too.

I'm not suggesting we defend a criminal. However...

However, we'll make it very clear that

a law-breaker and her writing's value are separate.

A law-breaker and her writing's value are separate.

The public won't agree. What of our social responsibility?

Kudo. At the risk of preaching to the choir, literature...

Literature must not be bound by conventional rules.

Is it our job to use the darkness behind that young woman's beauty

to condemn and scandalize her, crushing her talent?

It is not.

Absolutely not.

Nonsense!

The responsibility lies entirely with me.

Yes?

Understood.

It's a go.

Any words for Ms. Jojima?

I want you all to know

how much fear and despair she felt, fighting alone.

As a consequence, she felt she had no choice.

I was close to her, but I couldn't help her.

I truly, deeply regret that.

Okay, sorry! That's all for today...

Well done...

Being stalked is so scary.

She's cute, but messed up.

It's a publicity stunt.

"Freedom of expression! Fight on, Trinity!"

"Fight, stories."

Boss...

An old habit from my sales days. I need to see reader's faces.

That girl'll buy Trinity.

No... He'll beat her to it.

Go, red backpack.

Go, blondie.

Red backpack, drop that.

Go!

Hey, wrong way!

Alrighty.

Go, go! No detours.

Go, blondie!

Red backpack...

Buy it!

Go blondie!

- Come back! - Line up!

Red backpack!

Huh?

Whoa, you're kidding me...

Shinjuku Kinokuniya, sold out. Junkudo, two left.

Stock level?

Sales is checking now.

Amazon wants more too.

Ask about printing more.

Hello, Takano from Trinity here.

Got it. Well done.

Boss, thanks for everything.

Get this straight. I only backed a sure winner. It was a once-only thing.

Was it mere chance?

As long as you know that.

Chance is important for a magazine, I'd say.

Chance doesn't intrigue me anymore.

You'll be the same, soon enough.

You'll want to gamble somewhere bigger than a magazine.

You sure like to gamble, Boss.

It was you who told me to attack.

Was it?

That bluff means you're not done racing yet.

"'Left-Hand Crime, Right-Hand Punishment' by Saki Jojima"

"'Say Bye and Die a Little' by Hijiri Yashiro"

Hello?

Oh, hello, it's Takano. About Yashiro's serialization.

Hey. Like I said, leave it to me for now.

Fine, but let me join your team.

I want to make it better.

Would you mind telling Yashiro for me?

Yeah yeah. Let me think.

Oh, er...

"Number withheld"

Hello?

Still at it?

Oh, hi.

Hi.

It's amazing. Trinity sold out for once.

Well, we only got three copies though.

Still, I'm really glad for you.

- Octopus balls. - I'm closing next month.

Hold the mayo?

What did you just say?

I'm closing the store next month.

You're sure?

Well, we tried our best.

Now I'll just look forward to meeting your kids.

Dad?

Dad?

Hello?

Thanks for calling.

How's your dad?

The surgery went well. He'll pull through.

He will?

We're fine here. Stay with him for now.

Thank you.

Take care.

I will. Goodbye.

Your father's insurance card.

"Book Token 5,000 yen"

This is it?

It looks good.

Anything else?

Hayami. I didn't write my novel to dress like this.

I know how you feel, but it's necessary.

He's not Saki Jojima.

I hear you. The one before was cute, right?

Managing director's a boring job.

Being an editor suited me best, debating with writers here all night.

The only one at Kunpu following in my footsteps is Enami here.

I'm not a patch on you, but I'm honored.

What a new writer needs most is an editor who truly knows literature.

Trinity has none. Sorry to say it, Shibazaki.

No, you're quite right sir.

The only outlet worthy of your talent is Kunpu Review.

I see that now. Let's work together.

Thank you.

All the best.

Excuse me.

Kudo'll hold a press con.

What the hell's this?

A "major announcement." Know anything?

"Kunpu Review press conference"

Yashiro won't pick up.

It was you, huh?

Visiting him's pointless.

Is Kudo involved?

Yashiro's happy with his choice.

Stealing a writer... This 4th floor-5th floor war is dumb.

You stole his book in the first place, Hayami.

So Shibazaki, you hate my guts?

Trinity is not your toy.

Why not treat it as a toy, if we all share it?

Please. Don't drag Mr. Yashiro into this mess.

I suggested him before but you rejected him.

Things have changed since then.

Now it's best for his work to run in Kunpu Review.

Takano, enough.

Mr. Yashiro, if you go ahead with this, you'll regret it.

Mr. Yashiro.

Ms. Takano, thanks for everything.

Thank you for making time to join us today.

As explained in your press kits, Mr. Hijiri Yashiro's debut novel,

"Say Bye and Die a Little," will be featured in Kunpu Review from April.

As you know, this novel has been a hot topic within our industry,

and we're confident it will usher in a new era in Japanese literature.

I'm Kunpu managing director Kazuo Kudo.

I'd like to clarify the events leading to this day.

Mr. Yashiro himself brought the novel to Kunpu Review last September.

We rated it very highly, and explored various publication options.

However, due to some internal confusion,

Hayami, editor of our culture magazine Trinity,

gained the manuscript somehow, and arbitrarily tried to serialize it.

This lapse was brought on by the same kind of lax morality

and obsession with sales as seen in our recent scandal.

We'll find who is to blame, but for now,

we present a new literary masterpiece as it should be presented.

Now then, let's hear from Mr. Yashiro.

Good day.

Kunpu Review and I...

I'm sorry.

I'd like to make an important announcement.

"Say Bye and Die a Little"

was not written by me.

W-What are you...

This novel was written by a friend of mine.

I can't go into detail, but he went missing years ago.

I found it in his room,

added my name, and took it to Kunpu.

Mr. Y-Yashiro...

Why did I do that? I don't know anymore.

However, Mr. Kudo here told me,

"We'll make sure you win the Akutagawa Prize."

No no no! That's...

"It'll be easy with Kunpu Review's power."

I never said that!

No no no, he's mistaken!

Oh, was I wrong to reveal that?

Anyway, after I heard those words,

I truly regretted what I'd done.

I hereby decline serialization, and from today...

I shall retreat from public life.

Yashiro! Are you insane?!

My deepest apologies...

Mr. Kudo, you were aware of this?

Er, no, I wasn't. I wasn't at all.

Isn't that irresponsible?

Kunpu Review didn't check?

How exactly did you intend to "win him a prize"?

No more questions.

We're not done!

End of conference. Please leave.

Explain yourself! Kunpu's reputation is in the toilet!

Who said that?!

Hayami!

Idiot.

Idiot!

Hurry!

Come in.

That was close.

Stop stop stop! I get it! I get it...

Cut it out.

Yashiro! Get water!

Here.

Hello.

I'm Hijiri Yashiro.

Yeah right. Don't complicate this more.

Oh. Sorry about that thing at the airfield.

Mr... Kamukura?!

Well, it was...

like a test flight.

After such a long blank, to see if I'd improved, or deteriorated.

I tried to do something new, but...

Putting my name on it would've been... you know.

Hayami, you...

instantly knew he wrote it?

No. On my second read.

But hey, you appraised it objectively as a novel.

That's what matters most. Thanks.

He's right. Chin up.

Says who?!

It blew me away,

when I saw the face of the fake author I created.

After all, he's a young hunk.

At first, I got a kick out of watching it,

then it pissed me off.

I wanted to complain.

Hello?

Then,

I fell into this guy's trap.

Bait...

My name's Hirata. I'm an actor, sort of.

I met Hirata when...

You edited an audition mag too?

You sure are quick!

What'll you do now? It's a crazy situation.

Oh, I'll quit acting and take over my family's business. I had fun.

What business?

Growing mandarins.

I love 'em. Send me some.

Sure!

Was it so enjoyable?

Deceiving people.

Was it?

Managing director Kudo realized the weight of his actions,

and submitted his resignation. I accepted it.

Now, our first agenda item.

We'll finally embark on drastic reform of our profit structure,

by cutting unprofitable departments.

Kunpu Review will be suspended indefinitely.

Those in favor, raise your hands.

The ayes have it. The motion is passed. Thank you.

Next, our second agenda item.

As previously announced two meetings ago,

the Yokohama production/distribution center construction project.

Kunpu's new venture, Project KIBA.

The name KIBA is derived from these three themes.

Kotoba (word), Image, and BA (place)

By redeveloping the museum site,

we'll ensure Kunpu's future for the next 50 to 100 years.

A CG studio to develop our content for the world,

an integral distribution center and bindery plant...

Excuse me.

Thanks.

The KIBA pyramid.

Now then, how will these facilities function and effect change?

Hey, is Hayami in?

He's away at the moment.

How could he drag me into all that then go silent?

Ah, he's definitely avoiding me.

I bet he's secretly plotting something again.

He always does that before gambling big.

Yeah.

Who was that?

An advisor for KIBA.

That smug-looking guy?

That's him.

From now on, I want you involved in management, in charge of KIBA.

Interesting.

So, what'll happen to Trinity?

We gave it a good shot,

but the cost risk is too high.

Arrange for it to be discontinued within a year.

Let me guess. You saw this coming?

What? I'm in a meeting.

Who?

Mr. Tomatsu. Good to see you.

When did you return?

Just now. An important deal is almost in place.

A deal?

Correct.

It was a shame about Kudo.

No, it was unavoidable.

Do you know Hayami? From Trinity.

I've always been a fan, of his magazine work.

He was editing a music mag before,

but it slammed a major artist's new album,

and the record company and affiliates pulled their ads.

All it did was say crap was crap.

But mags shrivel up without ads.

The company demoted him to reconcile.

So he quit?

No. He wrote a report on management and gave it to his boss.

It was so scathing, his boss went nuclear. Then...

It was a great magazine.

Abrasive, without punching down. Miraculous balance.

It died after Hayami left though.

So, I reached out, and offered him a job.

What kind of report?

"Major publishers rely on magazines, which rely on advertising.

When advertising dictates content, sales inevitably decline."

That's a rough summary.

It's rough alright.

Sometimes a rough approach is the only way.

It intrigued me, so I had him meet my father.

The late CEO?

Mr. Tomatsu, is it true you gave KIBA the green light?

I intended to inform you.

And create a new post for you.

You say that, but you convinced Ayako to become your ally,

to separate the Iba family from Kunpu, even using some dubious fund.

You misunderstand.

Well, pushing ahead with both KIBA and restructuring is

something only you can do.

Hope helps us to withstand pain.

If that hope is genuine.

What does that mean?

KIBA is terminated.

Terminated? It can't be. The late CEO approved it.

I spent five years...

Five years too long.

By the time he realized, he was too weak to stop you.

Tomatsu, it's like this. Time flows faster than we think.

To avoid falling behind, we have to do what seems hardest.

I learned that through experience.

A souvenir from the U.S.

I finally gained a provisional contract.

Ayako loves this souvenir too.

This is... This is impossible!

Impossible is intriguing.

The late CEO said that about KIBA. "Impossible is intriguing."

The late CEO...

used me to get rid of Kudo.

On your advice?

He asked for my advice, but I think he believed in Koretaka.

His potential.

Tomatsu, without your talents, we wouldn't have gotten this far.

Thank you.

Hayami.

The thoroughbred wasn't you.

I had to do all the running.

I'll take this.

Thank you.

Hello.

Ms. Enami...

I'm sorry... for everything.

Why apologize?

What's next for you?

General Affairs for now.

But they won't want me. A veteran who only knows editing.

For the first time, I know how it feels to be relieved of a burden.

110 years of history weighed a ton.

I did what I thought was right for Kunpu Review,

but for you, I wasn't a good boss.

I'm sorry.

Make great books, Takano. I can't wait to read them.

We're surrendering?

Don't put it that way.

Selling out then?

Comprehensive partnership.

Comprehensive?

Look it up yourselves.

The way I see it, we leap while we have the momentum.

For the time being, Amazon has exclusive sales rights.

Eventually, we'll utilize their data to co-develop new content.

It's a new approach for them too.

Koretaka Iba spent six months negotiating in the U.S.

It's a win-win all around.

What about us?

And the magazine?

Half gone for now, half web-only next year.

Trinity's seen as a hub for new talent.

You used Trinity to achieve your objective.

I did. I used it.

"So what"?

Not at all.

I hope we all get used.

By Trinity, Kunpu, and Amazon.

We're used to doing things a certain way.

A dying way.

How would you know?

Being defensive is a drag.

You tried out your ideas and got promoted, so what do you care?

If Hayami's powerful, Trinity's safe?

My ass. Switching to the web means staff cuts.

It won't be easy, but it's a trial worth going through.

A ticket to the major leagues.

Oh, count me out. Can't we just play in Japan?

If it's not intriguing, forget it.

If it's not, we're dead.

To make us realize that, he'll even drag the world to us. Our chief editor.

Over there. That construction site. Remember what it was?

Oh... I'm not sure.

You really think this'll work?

Honestly, I don't know.

But we'll do it.

Resorting to blind faith? That's unlike you.

So, you're afraid too?

This better be worth it.

It is. Eiichi Kamukura's comeback after 22 years.

He's rewriting "Say Bye."

It'll be big.

Right? I want you to be his editor. You discovered him.

What about you?

Once this partnership takes off, I'll find something new and intriguing.

You'll quit Kunpu?

My heart's freelance.

There's more than books and magazines.

Like what?

Like...

the world.

Just kidding.

Just kidding, I said.

Oh, that's what it was!

It was a public bathhouse. Remember the chimney?

Of course. Why didn't it come to me earlier?

Landscapes don't stay the same.

A landscape without a bookstore feels kind of empty.

If that's just nostalgia talking,

I'll make sure you forget it.

What?

Come on, Hayami...

Too much swagger, I know.

Like you've got swagger-it is.

Remember when you came to our store?

That was... just chance, wasn't it?

It was chance that you came,

saw me, and thought of bringing me to Trinity, wasn't it?

I was looking for a standing bar, and found a cool-looking bookstore.

That's so... unfair.

"Resignation"

"Megumi Takano"

December 23rd

Seven months later

You used to be just a regular bookstore?

- Right. - What made you change?

Up till six months ago, I worked in publishing,

and thought about the difficult situation.

If you can buy anything, anywhere, right away from Amazon,

then making and selling books you can only get at a certain place

could be just as exciting.

You're a micropublisher?

No, just a bookstore that publishes too.

Still, success didn't come easily. It's costly.

Sure. It came because I was lucky to start with the right author.

December 25th

Mr. Kamukura, if you'll put your name to it,

then you should at least...

revise that part.

What do you say?

I pretty much agree.

I'd feel bad for Hayami though...

For now, I'll put it on the back burner.

Truth be told,

I've got another one that's nearly done. How about it?

Well, your plan sounds more challenging, and interesting.

At this rate, our partner might change the deal...

Hayami, I'm counting on your next gambit.

I won't let you go.

"'The Fangs of Null-A' by Eiichi Kamukura, Takano Books"

It's quite a gamble.

35,000 yen a copy.

Well, it is Kamukura's first book in 22 years.

Sell it proudly!

I will.

Thank you.

Boss!

Sit down, please.

That's her!

Welcome.

Welcome.

A bold challenge for a small bookstore.

If you're small, and defend, but don't attack,

that's not intriguing.

Why not write for us now?

Whatever you want. What only you can write.

Let us read the remarkable life story of Saki Jojima.

I don't want to write anything.

That's not true.

It is.

You know the truth.

Writing's your only salvation.

It's all you can do. It'll give your life purpose.

How do you know that?

Sadly, making people write is all I can do.

Sorry for making this.

Let's do a screen version too. Streamed to 200 countries.

Emma Stone's interested.

No way...

After all, who else is as extraordinary as Saki Jojima?

Would it...

really be intriguing?

I think... it'll be mind-blowing.

Yo Oizumi

Mayu Matsuoka

Hio Miyazawa

Elaiza Ikeda

Takumi Saitoh

Tomoya Nakamura

Shiro Sano

Lily Franky

Shinya Tsukamoto

Jun Kunimura

Yoshino Kimura

Satomi Kobayashi

Koichi Sato

Original Story by Takeshi Shiota

Screenplay by Ichiro Kusuno ďź Daihachi Yoshida

Music by LITE

Directed by Daihachi Yoshida

English subtitles by Don Brown