Original subtitles

Yoko proposed donuts

as an inexpensive overtime snack for the suijo inmates.

But the other inmates complained that it was special treatment,

stirring up trouble.

Yoko responds by adding donuts to the regular menu

to everyone's delight.

Soon after, former suijo inmate Umekawa was released.

Yoko believed he would rebuild his life. If only that were true...

Hey.

Saw the news of his arrest?

Oh yeah, saw it all right.

That was super unexpected.

Nah, I called it.

I knew he'd do it again.

Big Bro was sure scary.

His eyes were never smiling.

Soul doesn't change, right? From three to a hundred.

-Big Bro's a triplet? -No.

It's from a proverb that means people don't change.

Three of him? That's too much, am I right?

Uh, sorry. Who're we talking about?

RYOTA SAKURABA

Right, you weren't here when he was.

There was this guy, Umekawa.

He was released right when you came in.

-But he's coming right back. -Shoot.

Bet his family's so over it.

Well, it's hard for people to change, right?

Sure feels real when you say it, Takeda.

This is your...?

-Fifth time. -Damn!

A regular, this one!

I'm amazed by your family though.

You guys are still close.

My daughter's fed up, but deep down, she's still waiting for me.

What can I say, I'm a kind person.

They love me.

"... I GOT FRUSTRATED AND PUNCHED HIM."

RYUJI UMEKAWA ARRESTED FOR ASSAULTING CUSTOMER

Thank you for everything.

The anko donut was delicious.

I want to make one for my son someday.

That's the 7th time

you sighed.

I can't help it.

And there's the 8th.

Doesn't it bother you, Mr. Sugiyama? The news about Umekawa.

It's nothing new.

One in three inmates is a repeat offender

and wind up in prison again.

It says things weren't going well after his release.

Society's cold?

Of course.

Those men wouldn't be welcomed.

But they still have to persevere.

All right, that's enough moping. Time to focus on your work.

Aren't you shocked, Mr. Sugiyama?

You were trying so hard to reform him.

You've been here less than a year, so you may be shocked.

But I'm no rookie.

If I let it affect me every time, I'd get no work done.

I swear, his mind's made out of steel.

EPISODE 4: HELLO, CHICKEN (A 5-EPISODE SERIES)

Welcome! Two people?

Akari?!

Why are you here?

Oh, did I not tell you?

I started part-time from last week.

You never told me.

Ah, so you must be the famous Akari?

Oh, this is my daughter, Akari.

This is Mamiko, my colleague.

Thanks for taking care of my mom.

That table's open. Follow me.

Huh.

But why here?

I wanted to experience different gigs before I decided on what's next.

You know, it's pretty rewarding and fun.

What can I get you?

A draft beer for me.

Me too, thanks.

You got it.

-Two draft beers, please. -Coming right up.

Spontaneity is definitely her strong suit.

She's gleaming with potential. Just look at her.

I just can't understand.

It was his chance to start again.

It is what it is.

That's it?

Doesn't it drive you up a wall after watching him try to reform?

Of course, I'm disappointed.

"I'm only human."

Well said, like a poet.

But I think Sugiyama's in more shock than me.

He said he's used to it, but I'm sure it's affecting him.

I think our worst enemy on this job...

is emptiness.

Emptiness?

No matter how much you wish for their reintegration,

sometimes they can't get back on track.

That's when emptiness consumes you.

So I guess Mr. Sugiyama's in his feels right now...

I bet he's somewhere out there, soldiering on.

Oh, Mr. Sugiyama.

Excuse me, another highball, please!

A highball, please!

He's here?!

Hey, Mr. Sugiyama!

You've had way too much to drink.

Are you okay?

Oh my...

I'm totally okay.

I'm...

so used to all this.

So you do have a cute side to you.

But look, he's drowning in emptiness.

Come back, Sugiyama!

Get it together, Sugiyama!

You're not alone! We're here for you!

Here's your highball.

Sugiyama!

HAMAZAKI PRISON

Oof.

-Good morning. -Good morning.

Are you hungover?

What about you? Aren't you hungover?

That's unprofessional.

You need to know your limit.

Says the guy who went overboard and cried like a baby.

What are you talking about? I don't recall this.

So not cute.

DECEMBER MENU

Is Christmas really next month already?

The year's going by too quickly.

We try to have a Christmas-themed menu every year.

Any ideas for this year?

I wonder what everyone wants to eat.

I bet if it's those guys...

Woohoo!

It's Christmas!

It's the special Christmas menu!

Here we go.

-I say Christmas, you say... -Turkey!

You say turkey, I say meat!

You say meat, I say fried chicken!

You say fried chicken, I say meat!

When you say meat, I say meat!

You say meat, I say meat!

-Meat! -Meat!

Woohoo!

I'm craving some meat.

Meat, right.

It has to be budget friendly too. Any ideas?

Hm...

Karaage fried chicken?

Oh, we've done karaage chicken before.

Well, frozen ones.

These will be handmade.

That should be cheaper as well.

That could work.

It's settled. Karaage chicken it is.

Rejected!

But why?

Why make it from scratch? Just use the frozen ones like before.

That's right.

Based on my calculations, homemade would be cheaper.

Plus, it's way juicier that way.

That crispy exterior...

That dense, succulent chicken...

The overflowing juices...

Add in the aroma of the spices holding everything together.

That's a true...

masterpiece.

Well, I think we're sold, right?

No, we've never done it before. Right, Associate Warden Irie?

Making it from scratch seems fine.

I told you...

Wait, what?!

Huh?

It's within the budget, correct?

Y-yes?

Then, I don't see any issues.

Right. No issues.

But make sure the meals are distributed without delay.

To stay disciplined.

Yes, sir.

By the way...

what are the flavors?

Sorry?

The karaage chicken.

Is it salt and pepper?

Ginger? Curry?

Oh... I'm thinking classic flavors of garlic, ginger, and soy sauce.

And sprinkling on some special spices at the end...

S-sprinkle them and...?

Say hello to Hamazaki Prison's super juicy karaage chicken.

Well, hello... Whew.

Um.

Associate Warden Irie, is karaage chicken something you--

No other agenda? Let's close this meeting.

May I, Warden Natori?

Sounds good to me.

Ms. Ginbayashi, I'm looking forward to your Christmas menu.

Yes, sir.

I bet

Associate Warden Irie loves karaage chicken.

That reminds me of this one time we all went out for drinks.

He was in pure bliss savoring a piece of karaage chicken.

Mm, delicious.

This is seriously good.

If your karaage chicken somehow doesn't meet his standards...

Oh, you just wait.

It's going to be so good, he'll be speechless.

Really...?

Karaage chicken?

What? You don't like it?

It's not very good here.

The meat is dry and the crust is soggy.

Yep, 'cause they use frozen.

Don't worry.

Mine are homemade and tasty even after they've gone cold.

I'll teach you all the steps.

But are we even capable of making homemade karaage chicken?

I've made it before. For my daughter.

Oh, you have?

I asked what birthday meal she wanted

and she said, "Your karaage chicken. Yours are the best."

Aw, how touching.

See, we even have someone with experience.

We got this, guys!

Let's do it.

-Yes, ma'am. -You got this.

Hey there.

Were you shocked about Umekawa?

You guys were close right, Kawaguchi?

I was thinking about what you said.

Hm?

About how people don't change easily.

Right.

If that's true,

what's the point of us even being here right now?

Listen, Kawaguchi. You're still really young.

You must have someone waiting for you, right?

It's for them too--

I don't. I have no one.

I never meant to kill him.

-Hey, Shinpei. -Yes?

A FEW YEARS AGO

It's still a bit thick. Trim it down more.

Right there.

My boss

taught me all about work and etiquette, since I didn't have any family.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Have a good day.

-You too. -Thank you.

Hey, Shinpei!

Hey, you're home.

-Let's play catch. -Me?

Wait Kazuma, you don't want to play with me?

You want Shinpei?

Yeah, you're not very good, Dad.

Okay, let's see it.

Good job, Kazuma! Keep it up.

-Shinpei's a really good teacher. -Sure is.

From elbow to wrist...

-No, no. -What?

My boss was like...

a real father to me.

Hey, Boss.

How's it going?

Even if we weren't connected by blood

I still thought we were family.

But...

What? You're firing me?

I'm sorry, Shinpei.

We're cash-strapped.

I have to do this to protect my family.

I realized...

I wasn't family.

What about me?

You don't care what happens to me?

Shinpei...

You'll let me die in the streets?

-Shinpei! -Boss!

-Let me explain! -Boss!

It'd be hard for me to find work without a solid education.

My boss knew that.

Ah...

B-boss...?

Dad...?

What should I have done?

I still don't know.

What can I do to make amends...

to his wife and to Kazuma?

I have no idea.

Kawaguchi, I know how you feel.

-You have no idea. -Huh...?

You have your family. You have your daughter.

Actually...

That's a lie.

I've been caught many times for theft.

I think this was during my 3rd sentence.

My daughter visited me and said,

"From now on, I'll just pretend you died, Dad."

She cut me off a long time ago.

Who would want a father like me? You're better off without one.

If Santa was real, I'd ask him for a present.

A present?

Over here!

Is there something you want?

A new me.

I'd be this sophisticated gentleman.

A father my daughter would be proud of.

That's what I would wish for.

And you, Kawaguchi?

Is there anything you want or want to become?

I don't know.

I don't know, but...

I'll try looking.

HIGH SCHOOL ENTRANCE EXAM PREP MATH WORKBOOK

Masaki, you'll eat with us, right?

Oh... yes.

Thank you.

You've got a great appetite.

It was worth all the cooking.

Come eat with us again.

Do you have any requests?

- Karaage chicken? -Nice idea.

Ah, karaage chicken.

Got it, next time then.

Nice.

I'll go here.

You can only move diagonally, dummy.

A letter, huh?

Oh... it's nothing.

Ah, my bad.

CHRISTMAS EVE

Good morning.

Good morning.

Karaage chicken, here we come.

INGREDIENTS AND INSTRUCTIONS

-Let's sing our little song now. -Okay.

Ready?

CHRISTMAS PARTY

I was not expecting that!

Rock, paper, scissors... Look this way!

Way too close.

-Ms. Ginbayashi. -Hm?

They're asking for you.

-On the phone. -Oh?

Sorry for the wait. This is Ginbayashi.

Sho did what?

I'm so sorry.

Thank you for your call.

What happened?

They said my son shoplifted.

What?

Dietitian, you're leaving?

I'm sorry, something urgent came up.

We're doing a new menu on our own?

The dietitian's out, we're freakin' out Holy night!

We can't do it ourselves. It's impossible!

That's true, if this were before. But things are different now.

You guys have changed!

You've grown so much since I first got here.

You hold a knife properly. You're more efficient.

I feel so confident in your skills.

-Really? We've changed? -Yes.

So then... Do I look like a gentleman?

Look like a gentleman? That, I don't quite know.

But whether you realize it or not,

I see the growth in each of you.

You have what it takes to do it. Got it?

Be confident!

Y-yes, ma'am.

Understood.

We'll do it together-- I mean, on our own.

We'll make delicious karaage chicken.

Thank you.

The steps are all here.

Takeda, I want you to support everyone with your experience.

Kawaguchi and Tsuji, you'll work on the batter.

Kuga and Sakuraba, you'll be frying.

The secret spices at the end will be done by...

Mishima.

Me?!

Wait, but... I-I'm clumsy.

You can do it. Believe in yourself.

Takeda.

I hope you remember this recipe

and make it for your daughter someday.

Yes, ma'am.

I'll leave the rest to you, then.

Understood.

All right.

We'll prove we can do this even without the dietitian.

Yes, sir.

I'm coming for you, Sho!

The finish is on me... The finish is on me...

It's all down to these hands.

YAOETSU GROCER

It was a misunderstanding?

Yes. I'm terribly sorry.

What misunderstanding?

When I rewatched the footage

your son hadn't stolen anything.

Oh, thank goodness.

However, I caught his friend doing it.

But he's not the type of kid to do that.

Well, it's all on camera.

We can't reach his parents, so...

I guess I'll have to call the police.

The police?

You're massaging it too hard.

Be more gentle, like this.

-Permission to use knife. -Approved.

Six...

Seven...

The number you have dialed is currently out of coverage or switched off--

When does your dad get off from work?

Why don't you just wait at our place?

Right, Mom?

Think about your son.

It's best you cut ties with that kid.

Excuse me?

You become who you surround yourself with.

Mom?

-Mom. -Huh?

-You listening? -It's okay.

I'm gonna go home.

Sorry for everything.

Why didn't you just invite him over?

Well, I have to go back to work.

You never hesitated before.

Listen.

They could have called the cops on you guys.

We were lucky this time because we could prove your innocence.

But they could've easily believed that you were guilty too.

Your point is?

My point?

My point is...

I don't want you to get in trouble or get involved in any way.

So, don't hang out with Masaki?

That's not what I said.

Do you even care about Masaki?

I'll make sure to talk with his dad.

He says his parents hardly ever come home.

When we go to the convenience store, he never buys stuff.

I don't think he has any money.

Maybe he stole because he was hungry. Did you think about that?

Is that Masaki's fault?

Is he the bad guy?

What the heck!

Kawaguchi, what's this?

Settle down.

Remember what the dietitian said.

Yes, sir.

Once we batter the chicken, then we move onto the first fry.

Yes, sir.

For the first fry,

set the oil temperature to 170°C.

Okay?

-Next. -Yes, sir.

Once you fry them, let them rest.

For about five minutes.

By letting them rest to cook through and cool down

the internal moisture moves to the surface.

Okay, onto the second fry.

Yes, sir.

The second fry is around 190°C.

This will give it a crust that stays crispy

while the inside is juicy.

Yes, sir.

Whoa!

Keep moving.

Yes, sir.

I'm just clumsy.

Clock's ticking.

Yes, sir.

Yes, sir.

Oh my... Oh no!

Oh...!

Oh no!

Ah...

-Come in. -Thank you.

Dinner distributions were late by two minutes.

Oh, just two minutes?

That's late enough.

I thought I made myself clear. There must be no delays.

But they didn't do it on purpose, right?

It was an oversight on our part.

Sorry, sir.

Sorry.

Wait.

I was the one who gave them instructions.

I underestimated the prep time.

I wanted to serve them tasty karaage chicken.

That is far less important

than distributing meals on time.

The strict discipline here

is what protects the inmates.

Protects them?

When meals aren't served on time, they eat late.

That delay can snowball

and trigger a much bigger incident.

Ms. Ginbayashi.

I'm sure you have your own principles.

But ask yourself. Is that really serving the inmates?

You should do some self-reflection.

Ms. Ginbayashi.

Here.

It's from today's sampling.

You should try it.

Thank you.

Wow, it's good.

They really gave it their all.

Just like you taught them.

At the very end,

Mishima spilled the spices.

But still,

thanks to everybody's help, we kept the delay to two minutes.

I see...

When they ate it,

they kept saying, "Oh man, it's so good," and gobbled it up.

You're right.

They are changing for the better.

I agree.

I believe...

it was good they challenged themselves.

Thanks for saying that.

WARDEN'S OFFICE

I sincerely apologize.

Here, discipline and order have utmost importance

and must be upheld at all costs.

Yes, sir.

I used to think like Associate Warden Irie too.

-Please. -Oh, thank you.

In prison, there are many perpetrators that have hurt others.

That's why we should be strict with them.

That is the only way to reform them.

I, too, believed that's my duty.

If I may say so myself,

I was one tough officer.

One time, an inmate rebelled against the strict discipline.

Hey, what are you doing?

Hey, let go!

Hey, what's going on?

-Stop! -Stop it!

-Don't! -Let go!

-You'll hurt someone! -Let go!

Ow...

You fool!

Hold still!

After the ordeal, that inmate told me something.

"Life in prison is like reliving my childhood."

"I walked on eggshells around my dad,"

"bracing myself for his next hit. It's the same here."

He said that we were trying to control and hurt him.

You're just like my dad!

You guys are no better than him.

As he talked through his tears,

I looked at his hands.

And then it hit me.

He had scars from his parents slashing him with a knife

and burning him with cigarettes.

I remember how it felt to hold his hands.

That's when I realized for the first time.

That young man...

Before he ever harmed anyone,

he had been hurt himself.

Of course,

that's no excuse to condone his crimes.

But... among the inmates

are those who were victims, those who bore scars first themselves.

We group them all as criminals

and turn a blind eye to their scars.

If we did that, nothing would change.

Turn a blind eye...

Why didn't you just invite him over?

I don't want you to get in trouble or get involved in any way.

Is that Masaki's fault?

Is he the bad guy?

Ms. Ginbayashi.

Yes?

Don't let this get you down.

I have my trust in you.

Thank you, sir.

Today's karaage chicken was delicious.

I'm glad you liked it.

-Well then. -Yes.

Counting on you.

Yes, sir.

Thank you for your time.

All right.

BUY YOURSELF A MEAL WITH THIS

Hey, Masaki.

Masaki?

Oh... my parents aren't back yet.

Masaki, I'm sorry.

What?

Earlier, I hesitated inviting you over.

I'm sorry.

Come with me.

Come over to our place.

Let's eat together.

But...

I promised you, remember? That I'd make you karaage chicken.

Nice.

Oh, be careful.

-Slide the knife forward and down. -Okay.

-Slice it thinner, it'll cook faster. -Got it.

Good job, that's it.

That's the perfect thickness.

Throw it all in.

-All of it? -Yup.

You can put in anything you have into a miso soup.

Plus, it's nutritious.

Nice! Now, for the final step.

You could go all in

by making broth and dissolving miso.

But this makes things easy on the go.

You'll have more time to study for your entrance exams.

All right.

There you have it, a hearty miso soup.

-Yay! -Yay!

Let's eat.

Yum.

Yeah, that's yummy.

Isn't miso soup so comforting?

Think you can make it on your own?

I think so, it's pretty easy.

Awesome.

All right, here you guys go.

- Karaage chicken's ready. -Whoa!

Dig in.

Looks amazing.

-It's hot! -Careful.

Yum!

Really?

So tasty.

Yeah? I'm so glad.

Okay, time to try this.

-It's so good. -Too good.

-Really? -Yup.

Oh, that's it. Not bad, not bad.

-Today's karaage chicken was tasty. -I know.

Wish G-Rice got to taste it.

So today...

let's do pick-up tiles?

Sure. I'm real good at it.

Bring it on.

Oh.

Today's karaage chicken was so tasty, you know.

It made me think of what G-Rice said.

I want to make that for my daughter once I'm out.

When they release me,

I want to do better next time.

I think that's great.

Really.

T-Thanks.

You suck, bro.

Now watch how it's done.

Thank you for today.

Wait. Take this.

I made too much karaage chicken . Have some.

Whenever you're hungry or out of food just come over, okay?

Anytime.

So, promise me.

You'll never repeat what you did today.

Good.

Thank you.

-See ya. -See ya.

Merry Christmas.

Okay, let's go.

Yup.

Wonder how Dad's doing.

What made you think of him?

-I mean, it's Christmas. -True.

DEAR MISAKI

Argh.

It's almost lights out.

Why not try again tomorrow?

You're right.

Yeah, I'll do it tomorrow.

DEAR MR. SUGIYAMA THIS IS KEIGO SAIKI.

Wake up!

Takeda, time to get up.

Takeda?

Hey, wake up.

Takeda?

Takeda?!

I need help!

Officer! Over here!

Help!

Stand back. Sit down.

Hey! Takeda?

Takeda? Get the gurney!

Takeda!

I found Takeda's file.

Medical history and medications. Now.

Yes, sir.

-Good morning. -Good morning.

Thank you for yesterday.

What happened?

Are you hungover?

Let's see here...

We lost him.

What?

We lost Takeda.

We're talking to each of his roommates

about what happened.

How could he...

What happened?

We think it happened while he was asleep.

A sudden death.

They took him to the hospital.

We'll be notifying his family.

DEAR MISAKI

Maison Prison three stars!

It's your TV debut.

Someone's having fun!

It's going viral.

You've put the public against us.

I prohibit your access to the suijo .

Is there anything we can do?

You guys taught me that people can change for the better.

EPISODE 4: HELLO, CHICKEN (A 5-EPISODE SERIES)