Original subtitles

-I hope they're alive. -If they're alive, it would be a miracle, wouldn't it?

But this time, I'm going to see it through to the end no matter what happens.

The First Research Expedition built Showa Station from scratch and

actually lived in Antarctica for a year making preparations for us.

To carry on their legacy,

let's make sure we get to shore and make this cross-winter expedition a success.

Himuro.

They're alive. I believe that too.

There will be a miracle.

January 1959,

Soya was sailing south on the Indian Ocean

with the Third Antarctic Expedition on board.

Usually, Riki here ran as the leader.

The others are Shiro, Kuma from Monbetsu, and the brothers Taro and Jiro...

Taro, Jiro...

We're all hoping that they're alive.

The first time we all gathered, Shirasaki-san said that

bringing the dogs back was one of our important mission too.

-Sensei said that? -Yes.

An enormous swell approaching ahead!

-Here it comes... -Here it comes...? What?

Wait. What? What do you mean?

-We'll be in storm zone for a while. Watch out. -Storm zone?

-Starboard helm! -Starboard helm!

-Both sides full speed! -No matter how much revamping's been done,

this is never easy, is it?

Do you think he got to see Riki?

I don't think they've arrived yet.

Anyway, you're going to be late.

-Haruka, let's go.

Ryo, Haruka.

You know, I'm sure he'll get to see him.

-Good morning. -Good morning, Sensei.

-Good morning. -Sensei,

do you think Onii-san got to the see dogs?

Well...

But I'm sure...

Were they serious when they said they were going for the dogs?

Yes.

They can't possibly be still alive.

If they are, it would be a miracle, but

Kuramochi sincerely believes that.

I do too.

Thank you...

-Hey! -Port the helm!

Port the helm! Port side 15 degrees.

Look.

The swaying stopped.

Is this...

...the midnight sun?

We've entered the Antarctic Circle.

Alright!

This is where the real battle begins.

Although we are now in the Antarctic Circle, we're still

180km from land.

As you know, we were trapped by ice and blizzards last time

and couldn't even get close to shore.

And so this time, having learned from our experience,

as we head towards shore on Soya, we will be

transporting the crew members and essential supplies by air.

If Showa Station should happen to be destroyed,

it may not be possible to winter over. First, we'll send out a surveillance aircraft

to scope out the situation. Therefore,

when the weather recovers and we're within a safe distance,

Kuramochi-kun,

please go assess the condition of the station.

-Who, me? -You're the one who's most familiar

with the station. Please go there first.

Yes, will do.

Each person will start getting ready what he can. Dismissed.

Sensei.

I want to find out

about the dogs as soon as possible too.

-I'm counting on you. -Got it.

We're almost there.

Wait for me.

We'll let you know as soon as we hear from them.

-Please. Thank you. -Thank you.

Utsumi-san.

Has the Third Expedition reached shore?

No...

Apparently, they're being held back by ice and blizzards again.

In the worst case, it's possible they may not get there again then?

-They'll work something out. -But...

The first...

and the second expeditions made the third expedition possible.

Japan is no longer inexperienced in Antarctica.

We have a bag full of experience to draw from.

We're having a hard time moving forward in this thick ice.

Can't you send out the helicopter?

Not in this blizzard.

Besides, we're still too far from the station for the helicopter.

300km round trip is as far as the helicopter can go.

The fuel capacity is just barely enough from here.

To be on the safe side, I'd like to be at least 50km closer to the station.

I think we can make the round trip if we're careful with the fuel.

No, in any case...

I can't let the helicopter fly out in this condition.

I cannot allow the Cessna to fly out in this condition.

Just once. Let me go to those guys.

Once is all I'm asking for! Please have the Cessna fly out.

Third Antarctic Expedition Still Unable to Reach Shore.

Thick Coastal Ice Making Headway Difficult

-They might not make it again, huh? -Maybe.

-They're gonna make it. -Huh?

They gotta get there

-no matter what this time. -Sure looks like they won't.

They'll make it!

They'll make it!

The blizzard appears to have died down.

How far are we from the continent?

160km. We're getting closer to the safe zone for the helicopter.

160km...

-Shirasaki-san. -What's the matter?

The ship is being swept out to sea along with the ice.

What?!

Just like the last time...

Ongul Island

Sensei.

The blizzard's died down.

But all we can do is wait for now, right?

We had this conversation

several times last time too, didn't we?

Oh, this...

Furutachi-san's grandkids made it for Riki.

-Riki? -He's like family

to those kids.

Is that right.

Riki,

running hard

with that slender body of his,

the other dogs...

I betrayed all of them.

At that time...

I thought that was our only choice.

But whether that was truly the right decision,

I still wonder sometimes.

Kuramochi-kun,

will you fly out to the station when the day breaks?

But I thought we weren't in the safe zone yet...

This time, instead of being defensive, we're going to attack.

That's...

what I decided, having gone through this before.

Antarctica... the continent.

Full speed ahead!

No problems noted port side! -No problems noted starboard!

There's thin ice for 3 miles ahead.

Looks like we're going to make it too.

Kuramochi-san, there's the Showa Station.

I'll get off

and once I check out the station, I'll get back to you.

Got it.

Himuro-han, you're here too.

Hoshino-san.

I wonder how they're doing.

Those guys must be misunderstanding.

This isn't a good-bye or anything.

Be good and wait, okay?

This is loose.

We'll be right back.

Anko...

You were able to get loose, huh?

Pesu

Goro...

you guys, all this time...

Pochi...

Kuma

Jakku

Aka

Kuro...

Deri

Moku

Shiro

Kuma...

Riki...

Taro

Jiro

Please be alive...

Please...

Pochi...

You were pulling on your collar, huh?

It must've hurt...

I'm sorry...

Tomu

Moku

Mine

Taro

Jiro Riki

Where are you?

Riki

Riki!

Taro!

Jiro

Deri

The weather's changing again.

Kuramochi-kun took food with him, didn't he?

Yes. He should be fine for 4 to 5 days.

Any word from Kuramochi-kun?

We've been trying to call him, but he hasn't responded yet.

I see.

Riki...

Riki

Riki!

Ah. That dog is part Sakhalin Husky too.

-His name's Riki. -Riki.

Come on, Riki! Show us the pride of a leader!

Riki!

Riki.

Come on.

What are you doing? Wake up.

We're going home to Japan.

Haruka-chan and Ryo-kun are waiting for you.

Come on.

Open your eyes!

Damn...

But you're still warm.

Hey...

You're still warm!

Were you trying to come back? Huh?

I'm so proud of you.

Damn...

I'm sorry.

If only I came...

just a little bit sooner.

I'm sorry, Riki.

I'm sorry.

This is Soya. Showa Station, please respond.

-Please keep trying. -This is Soya. Showa Station, please respond.

This is Showa Station.

Kuramochi-kun, it's me, Shirasaki.

I'm sorry for not getting back sooner.

The station is damaged in places, but

both the generator and electrical system are fine.

What about the dogs?

I found eight of them.

Eight?

I found the remains of eight of them.

But apparently,

Riki was able to get out of his collar.

It looks like he went away once, but he was on his way back to the station.

When I found him,

his body was

still warm.

You mean

Riki was alive

until just before you found him?

I think so.

Kuramochi-kun.

Good job. Thank you.

Sensei.

I'd be lying if I said I wasn't expecting this,

but still...

Kuramochi-kun.

Are you alright, Kuramochi?

Yes, I'm fine.

-Samejima-san. -Hey.

The dogs?

They were at the station, but...

They didn't make it?

It would be a miracle if they're alive, wouldn't it?

Jakku, don't be a pain.

I'm counting on you, Shiro.

Where are you, Deri?

We came to get you, Anko.

Anko, you sure run hard, don't you?

You're with Taro and Jiro, aren't you?

Kuma...

What the hell are you doing, Kuma!

Will you let me have these two dogs?

Don't be scared. Taro, Jiro.

Come on.

Kuramochi-san.

I'm sorry.

Excuse me.

Himuro-han.

I heard.

I don't know what to say...

-Hoshino-san. But I still... -I

feel the same way too.

Riki Deceased

Taro Unknown Jiro Unknown

Shiro Unknown

Riki,

I'm really glad

I got to meet you.

Thank you.

Kuma...

Taro

Jiro

You guys were alive.

Taro!

Jiro!

Taro, Jiro

Come on.

Hey.

What's wrong?

Did you forget?

I wanted to see you guys.

I just had to see you guys.

I'm sorry for leaving you behind.

Once again,

I wanted to see you guys once again.

It's me.

Hey, it's me.

Is that right?

So Taro and Jiro

were alive, thank God.

Once the wintering over starts,

I'm planning to search for the other dogs too.

Alright.

Taro

Jiro

Wasn't Kuma from Furen with you guys?

I see.

Is that right? Hoshino-kun, thank you for calling.

We'll talk again... Bye.

He said Taro and Jiro were alive.

What about Riki?

Kuramochi-kun

found him near the station.

In the end, I think he wanted to return to the place he lived with everyone.

But more than likely, only Taro and Jiro survived.

Our work isn't done yet.

Our dogs

all lived valiantly.

We have to live valiantly as well

so that we can live up to our dogs.

Let's try to

live our life with determination.

Inuzuka.

Extra, extra! Taro and Jiro were alive.

Believe it or not, the dogs were alive!

Extra, extra!

Believe it or not, Taro and Jiro were alive!

Upon seeing the crew member, they jump on him with joy

Kuramochi...

Kuramochi~!

Taro and Jiro were alive! Extra, extra.

Kuramochi...

Onee-chan, Takeshi-san

finally got to see the comrades he's been waiting to see.

And so...

Kuramochi-kun, this is Shirasaki.

This is Kuramochi.

I'm ready.

Gentlemen,

we will now lay to rest

our precious comrades

here in Antarctica.

Kuramochi-kun.

This is Kuramochi.

Yesterday,

in front of the station,

I finally got to see

my eight comrades for the first time in a year.

They all looked like they did when they were alive,

except for their necks,

which were all raw and red from the chafing.

They must have pulled

and pulled on their collar that was connected to the chain

in their desperation to live.

I think they tried desperately

to live until the very end.

Some time ago,

I remember having

this conversation with Shirasaki Sensei.

He was hoping that 10 years from now,

this Antarctic expedition would come to symbolize "the Japan that refused to give up."

However,

the ones who

refused to give up

were not us, but them.

Therefore,

I'd like

our comrades who

refused to give up

until the very end to

watch over Japan's Antarctic expeditions

forever

and ever

here in Antarctica.

To the

souls of our precious comrades who helped pave the new road

for Japan's Antarctic expedition.

Salute.

Goro

Pochi

Kuma from Monbetsu

Kuro

Moku

I'm going to live, guys.

Aka

I'm going to live my life to the fullest for you guys too.

I promise.

Pesu

Let's meet again.

Riki.

Let's meet again for sure.

Alright?

Let's meet again with a smile.

Thank you.

Let's meet again for sure.

Until then,

wait for me, huh?

In an era known as "post war,"

believing in Japan's future,

we lived desperately.

We lived desperately.

Then, Haruo-kun.

What's your dream, Sensei?

My dream is to...

get you all prepared and send you off into the future.

Because to keep on living, to keep on moving

Don't be afraid of failure.

People were born to accumulate experiences.

Never give up.

Anyway, just give it a try.

is proof that we were here.

Wakkanai Park, Hilltop Training Center

Because it's proof that everyone lived.

Monument to Taro and Jiro

-Taro-san, it's done. -Bring it here.

We're gonna be late delivering it. Don't dilly dally, guys.

What do you think is the most important thing in mountain climbing?

What is it?

It's for everyone to come back alive.

Okay, let's get going.

To live.

-Thanks for waiting. -Put in the soup base next.

We're short on green onions too.

To live.

Get into step!

File to the left!

To live.

Icebreaker Shirase The fourth Antarctic Expedition Ship after Soya

I'm sorry, Sensei, for asking you to treat my dog too.

That's alright.

People or dogs, life is life.

To live.

At that time, just staying alive everyday was a challenge.

Someday, I'd like to study the aurora in Antarctica again.

We were definitely alive. Doctor of Science

Inuzuka Natsuo

Congressman Himuro, we'd like to hear your opinion.

Himuro Haruhiko-kun.

In order for Japan to advance in the field of science,

I am of the opinion that our country should

aggressively pursue our involvement in Antarctica.

Himuro-san, you've been to Antarctica, haven't you?

Yes. It's a wonderful place.

My friends

have lived there too.

The Antarctic Treaty

We

I'll be back.

Jiro, Taro.

lived, believing in tomorrow.

After all was done,

we believed we would meet again with a smile.

Excuse me.

I'm back.

Welcome home.

December 2011

Currently, the 52nd Antarctic Expedition is wintering over. The legacy of the Antarctic expedition is being carried on to this day.