This is my hometown. Kurouzu.
The stories I'm about to tell you...
...are about all the many strange events that happened here.
Hey, Shuichi !
Welcome back.
Hey, Kirie...
Would you ever consider leaving this town together ?
What do you mean ? Like run away ?
Haven't you noticed, what's happening here ?
Whirlpools keep forming in this stream lately.
- Yeah. I guess so. - That's not all.
I've noticed a rise of whirlwinds here recently too.
This town is affecting my dad.
He's been acting weird ever since this started.
He's ditching work.
And I noticed he's been spending all day in his study lately.
He just sits there, staring for hours at his sprawling collection of spirals.
And it's in those moments, his eyes...
Start spinning around and around...
... independently of each other.
The way they move is weirdly smooth.
His right and left eye... Independently ?
There was also this one time at dinner...
He was furious because there weren't spiral fishcakes in his miso soup.
Anyway. He can't calm down without his spirals.
Even when he bathes he needs to make a whirlpool.
It's ok, I don't blame you for laughing.
Until you've seen it yourself you can't understand how terrifying it is.
- Already 5:00... - I hate that sound.
It feels like it's stabbing my ears on a damn loop.
That gloomy sea... And that sinister lighthouse.
Insidious mountain and looming cityscape.
Every inch of this place gets under my skin.
That's it ! This place is actually driving me insane.
Winding me up. It's making me spiral...
Everywhere I look, spirals are taking over.
What did you just say ?
I'm home !
Anything with a spiral, it's all I can think about these days.
What's Shuichi's dad doing here ?
Just the very act of molding clay on a wheel.
It's like you're embodying the art of the spiral !
"Embodying the art of the spiral ?" You're talking about the pottery wheel.
Yes, it makes me quite dizzy sometimes, you know.
Yes, exactly ! Could I possibly commission a piece from you ?
One particularly made to give me that dizzy feeling !
Would you mind painting the front for me with a nice spiral design ?
Like this, swirling inward... Yes, I can see it so clearly.
A black spiral would be perfect !
The thing is, Mr. Goshima...
I find there to be something deeply enigmatic about spirals.
I'm convinced there's a wondrous power inside each and every one of them !
Isn't the spiral wonderful ! It is the most sublime art form of all !
And you, sir, are a premier artisan for crafting such wonders !
Really ? So, your boyfriend goes to Midoriyama High School ?
He was at Kurouzu till middle school, so we were together almost every day.
That sounds tough on both of you. I'm jealous, though.
There's not really anyone here that's my type.
What, really ? But you're so pretty, it seems like you could get any guy.
This thing ? When I was a kid,
I was trying to impress this boy I had a crush on.
I got this scar when I fell pretending to be a tightrope walker.
Funny thing is, after all that, we ended up becoming closer friends.
Since then, every boy I've had a crush on has liked me too.
It's kinda strange,
but maybe this scar really is what makes them so attracted to me.
So, tell me. What's your boyfriend like, Kirie ?
You've probably seen him around. You might've walked by him at the station.
Yeah, maybe.
- That's Azami Kurotani ! - She's beautiful...
Shuichi !
Welcome back.
I want you to meet my friend, Azami Kurotani.
She does the opposite of your commute.
She lives in Midoriyama-city, but goes to school here with me.
- It's nice to meet you. I'm Azami. - Likewise.
Sorry, we're late for something !
What's going on, Shuichi ?
- Didn't you feel that, Kirie ? - What ?!
It was a spiral ! I could feel its presence coming from your friend.
You have to be careful, you hear me ?! That girl is a spiral !
Shuichi...
- I'm home... - Hey, Kirie !
I've just finished the piece that Mr. Saito commissioned.
Could you deliver it for me ?
I'm sorry to trouble you. But I don't really need it anymore.
It finally dawned on me, you see.
I've realized that you can manifest spirals yourself.
Look what I can do ! You'll be amazed !
Delivery from Tanaka Coopery !
I've got the custom-made item that you ordered, sir.
I'm so excited.
Most guys I know all end up wrapped around my finger, but you...
Why are you the only one who rejects me ?
Shuichi, please...
You... What are you hiding on your forehead ?
Forehead ? That... Are you referring to my crescent-shaped scar ?
Kirie must have told you. But I'm glad she did.
Take a look, and you might just fall for me.
- I knew it ! It's a spiral ! - A spiral ?
It started out as a crescent-shaped scar ?!
That's right. Because of this scar, I've always been able to...
That's it ! The ends of your scar, they've grown out to form a spiral !
It's all tied to this town and it's recent spiral contamination.
Go ! Get out of Kurouzu Town before everything gets worse !
How can you say that to me ?! Leave town ?
When I can't stop thinking about you ? I've never felt this way before !
I'm saying this for your own good ! Listen to me !
You have to get out of this town before it's too late !
Get out of this town before it's too late...
Shuichi !
Kirie... Don't you want to know what happened ?
- I mean about how my dad died ? - I heard that he fell down the stairs.
That's just what we told everyone ! But it was a lie.
My father was deteriorating mentally and physically.
Mom and I had gone to a specialized hospital in Midoriyama-city
to consider admitting him there.
When we got home late that night there was no sign of my dad.
The whole house was empty.
Except...
In the middle of his study...
Was this huge, strange-looking tub sitting there.
When did he get this...
My dad had crammed into that tub to turn himself into a spiral !
And it broke every bone in his body until he died.
What's that over there ?!
What the hell is that thing ?
- Where ? - Right up there ! Look at the sky !
My dad's cremation smoke...
It's forming a spiral ! Never seen that before !
This has to be some kind of a bad omen !
Wait a second ! Looks like the smoke is settling !
It's going into Dragonfly Pond !
My love, you have to stop this ! Enough is enough !
Mrs. Saito, please calm down.
- Mom, what's wrong ? - Shuichi ! I can see him so clearly.
That's your father up there !
Mom !
We need an ambulance right away !
I called a taxi when I heard.
Azami ? Are you okay? What are you doing here ?
Sorry for crashing. I was worried about you for some reason.
Thanks, Azami. You're so sweet.
Azami... Your forehead...
Wait !
Mrs. Saito ! The doctor's coming, just hold on !
Should we page him again ?
Mom, please !
Hi, Azami !
It's me, Okada from Class C. I was wondering...
- Will you go out with me ? - Not you again. Answer's still no.
Yeah, I know... But there's something about you,
something that just keeps pulling me in.
I really can't explain it or resist it.
You can keep turning me down, but I won't give up.
I'll do anything for you !
Alright ! Everyone, open your textbooks to page 37.
For crying out loud, Katayama. Do you have any idea what time it is ?
Sorry, I'm late.
Hey teach ! Katayama's a slow-poke !
In a race between him and a snail, then guess who my money's on !
Settle down, kids. That's enough of that !
Katayama, I see you're soaking wet again.
Haven't I told you to use an umbrella in the rain ?
And why is it that you only show up to class when it's pouring ?
I'm sorry...
Okay, it's fine ! Just take your seat.
Okay.
Come on, slowpoke ! Is your head in the game or not ?!
Man, just looking at you pisses me off.
Can't really breathe, Tsumura...
You think we're friends or something ?
You're even slow at changing your clothes !
But don't worry, we can help you with that !
- Come on, guys, don't do that... - Off they go !
What're you doing to him ?!
Everybody, look at him !
Since the funeral, she can't see a spiral without breaking down.
A spiral !
She was so scared of her own hair whorl, that she shaved her head.
And then...
Spirals...
She cut off the tips of her fingers and toes to remove the prints !
All she keeps saying is that every single spiral she sees...
... triggers the memory of discovering my dad's broken body.
And then he...
My love. Become one with me in the spiral.
She says he calls out to her.
I have to hide my fingertips and even my hair.
I also had to warn the doctors and nurses to do the same thing.
At least, she's finally calmed down a little.
Enough for her to be able to eat and get some sleep again.
Azami ! Azami, wait ! It's you, isn't it ?
Where'd you go ? I've been really worried about you !
Hi, Kirie... Something's wrong.
My right eye can't seem to focus.
Can you take a quick look at my face ?
So what is this all about ? Where is Kirie ?
- Well, Kirie isn't actually coming. - What do you mean ?
I'm sorry. But that was the deal we made.
There you are. You've been on my mind, Shuichi.
OK, Azami.
You'll keep your word and go on a date with me now, right ?
I don't think so. I don't really have a use for you anymore. Bye, now.
But why ? You said if I brought him...
... then you would be my girlfriend !
Silly. The only one I wanted to see is Shuichi.
You bitch ! You lied !
Azami ?
What the hell happened to you ?!
- Kirie ! - Shuichi, where...
Up here !
- What are you doing up there ? - A guy just got sucked in !
- What ? - Azami swallowed him alive !
Look !
Azami ?
And now she's being sucked in by the spiral that appeared on her body.
What we hadn't realized yet
was that all the horrors we faced, everything that happened...
... was just the beginning of our descent into the spiral.
END OF EPISODE 1
Subtitling FAST TITLES MEDIA