"No! I don't care if you are my big brother!"
"I'm not listening to you!"
"Don't talk to me like that!"
"I'm saying this to you for your own good..."
Hmm.
- Something on your mind? - Uh--
Oh, just our Charlotte.
What's this I see? Charlotte, are you playing with dolls?
Huh? No, I'm not!
It's just that she said something awful to her big brother!
Oh my, that's a troublesome little sister.
She was causing trouble. That's why he was scolding her.
Hmm.
Do be sure to teach her a lesson.
I will!
It's easy to forget Charlotte is a fair bit younger than we are.
She still has that childlike spirit.
And I imagine that's why she likes to play alone.
Mmm. Like her dolls, this too is a story about a brother and sister.
But the two in the story must work together with courage to survive.
Mama and Papa wake us up every day.
After eating breakfast, Papa teaches us lessons in the classroom.
Mama cleans and does laundry for us.
If we get too close to the fence, we'll get sent to the detention room.
On Mondays, Gretel is in a bad mood, so I don't really speak to her.
On Tuesdays, I'm in a bad mood, so try again Wednesday.
Good morning. Rise and shine.
It's a new day. Time to wake up.
Now, Fritz, what's the matter?
Ah, you've wet yourself again, have you?
You're six years old, and you still can't make it to the restroom on your own.
Because I heard a story about someone watching from the darkness...
Fritz.
- You must not mix up reality with fiction. - Hansel.
Gretel.
It's time for breakfast. Go to the cafeteria.
Yes, Papa.
- Thank you for the food. - Thank you for the food.
Fritz is strange, isn't he?
Believing dumb stories. He's so gullible.
Renate. A lady should always maintain her composure.
- Always be mindful of that. - Yes, Mama.
Please open your textbooks, children.
But, Papa, I can't read what it says. My page is all torn up.
These things happen.
For now, why don't you go ahead and share Mira's book with her?
Yes, Papa.
Ulrich.
That's a broken watch.
Hmm.
Put that away during class.
Let us begin.
Mira. When hydrogen goes through nuclear fusion, it becomes helium.
So, then, what happens when helium goes through nuclear fusion?
Yes, Papa. it becomes carbon.
Then, what eventually happens when carbon goes through nuclear fusion?
- It becomes iron. - Yes, Papa, it becomes iron.
Very good.
Technically speaking, when helium goes through a combustion process,
beryllium is formed, and the triple-alpha process...
If the ball goes too far out of bounds,
don't worry, I will go fetch it.
I repeat, should that happen, do not go chase after it. Stay put.
Do you understand me?
Karl.
- Stay where you are. - Uh...
- Karl, you're out! - Huh?
Get out of the court.
No, hold on. You were stepping on the line.
- I was not! - Yeah, you were!
Hanna, you were stepping on the line of the court.
Karl's correct, he isn't out.
- Yes! - How boring.
You're telling me.
Hanna. Do not be impolite. Mind your manners.
Yes, Mama.
Do you understand? Have we learned a lesson?
Yes, Mama.
- Crap! - Gretel, run!
I've warned you about this, have I not?
I told you sneaking out of your bed
without our permission after lights-out time
will impair your growth.
Gretel begged me to go to the bathroom with her.
Begged? I invited you for a walk since you said you couldn't sleep, Hansel.
Either way, there's no crayons in the bathroom.
Yes, Papa.
Your list of infractions is getting longer and longer.
- Um, well... - It's pretty long, yeah...
You have snuck out of your bed a total of 53 times.
You have been absent from my class 39 times.
And you refused to finish your meal a total of 76 times.
- I didn't not finish it! - I just threw it away!
Then let's correct that and say
that you were picky about your food and discarded your meal 76 times.
Picky's a strong word!
I'm not picky, I just didn't wanna eat it!
On top of that, this is the 42nd time
you've been sent to the detention room
for defying our rules and making Mama and Papa angry at night.
Are you listening to us?
It truly pains Mama and Papa to have to do this.
But you leave us no choice.
Detention clearly isn't getting through to you.
Tonight, you will not be allowed to sleep in your bed.
Instead, you'll be spending the night in the forest.
- Huh? In the forest? - Huh?
Understood?
Yes, Mama.
You are not allowed to return to this side of this fence
until the morning comes.
You said we can't go inside, but are we allowed to stay by the fence?
You are free to do so.
You will still be expected to attend class as usual tomorrow.
So make sure to get some sleep.
How can we sleep in the forest?
You'll just have to use what you learned in class, won't you?
This is all a part of your punishment.
Well, then. Come on.
Uh... uh...
What are we doing? Why are we going this far out?
Let's turn back, Gretel.
We're not going back yet.
Mama told us we're free to do as we like.
So let's go as far as we can.
Gretel, this is crazy. We shouldn't wander.
We have class early in the morning,
and if we go too far, we'll be late.
That's not new, we're late all the time.
I think you're scared of Mama and Papa.
- That's not true! At all! - Of course it's not.
I'm not scared of them, okay?
Hold on. I think there's a building up ahead.
A building?
That's silly. I've never heard of there being a building in the forest before.
Yeah, well, there is one. See?
You're right. This is great! Maybe we won't have to sleep outside.
Let's go check it out.
Is... that a good idea?
Oh.
Huh?
- Sweets! - Wait, Gretel. Slow down, would you?
Ah!
Whee!
Oh, yummy!
Don't just stand there. You should try some!
- Well... - Ah! Mmm!
Hmm...
- It is good. - Mmm!
But what is this place doing in the middle of the forest?
Maybe Mama and Papa built it as a new classroom.
What class would it be for?
A class on not being a baby and having a tummy ache when you eat too much candy?
Yeah, I don't think that's it.
Is it tasty?
Uh...
Most children find my confections impossible to resist.
Like moths to a flame.
They are very tasty!
I've never seen sweets like these before!
I'm sorry to have come in without your permission.
Someone taught you good manners, didn't they?
And to top it off, you seem rather bright.
Uh...
But unfortunately, that won't be enough.
- Huh? - Hear that? Just being smart isn't enough.
Hey! Do you think she might let us stay here for the night?
Oh yeah. That's right.
Excuse me, but is it possible to sleep here for the night?
You're more than welcome to stay,
but won't your parents be worried about you?
Mama and Papa kicked us out, actually.
Goodness, what a shame.
Well, make yourself at home.
You're welcome to stay here as long as you like. Don't be shy.
Thank you!
One night'll be fine. But we appreciate your hospitality.
Are you hungry? Have you eaten dinner yet?
Yes, we already ate.
Well, I say you can never have too much warmth in your belly.
I'll go get you something.
- Doesn't something feel off here? - What do you mean?
We broke into her house, even ate her food, and she's okay with it.
You have a good point.
We showed up late at night, unannounced, and she's letting us stay?
And is even warming up something for us to eat?
- It's weird and I don't like it. - Maybe she's just nice.
Yeah, we'll see.
What was that? Huh?
We weren't talking about anything.
What is this?
What do you think it is, dear?
- It smells good. - Soup?
Maybe. Go ahead and try it.
What does it taste like, then?
I guess you'll just have to taste it to find out.
Mm.
It's kinda sweet, but also bitter.
A chalky texture. Slightly thick and creamy.
Uh...
It's good!
So, do you still think it's soup?
No, I'd say it's less of a soup, and more a drink, maybe?
Not food, but good.
I knew you were bright. It's hot cocoa, a beloved traditional drink.
There seems to be a lot you don't know about the world.
All right, maybe. But there's even more we do know.
Uh... yeah. That's right!
The Peltier effect, the Seebeck effect,
extracting nitric acid, mitochondria and stuff.
Oh yeah, and the Reynolds number.
The Fourier transform, Euler's formula,
the standard deviation, and the sieve of Eratosthenes.
- There! - Impressive.
Those were a bunch of nice big words, but there's much more important knowledge.
What knowledge could be more important?
The ends of this world are more important than textbooks.
- The ends? - The world doesn't have an end.
- There aren't any edges. - Oh, is that so, young man?
It is. The world we live on is a giant sphere.
If you kept walking, you'd end up back where you started.
That's not true at all. In this world, you'll find dead ends all over.
Believe me, there are ends.
That can't be true. You're lying.
Now, why would I lie to you?
You just explained to me that the world is a sphere,
but have you ever seen it with your own two eyes?
I haven't, but...
See?
I've certainly never seen a dead end, either.
Have you seen it?
I have seen it many a time.
- Really? - That's a lie.
Now, what possible reason would I have for lying to you?
I'm not one for peddling fairy tales.
Let me teach you.
It's actually extremely easy to verify where the ends of the Earth are.
I'm sure you play ball from time to time at your school?
- Yeah, we play a lot. - We do, but...
If the ball were to go beyond the boundaries of the fence,
all you would need to do is chase after it on your own two feet.
- What are you saying? - That doesn't prove anything.
You say that with so much authority, when you haven't even tried it.
Well, do as you like.
I'm not going to force you to try anything out of your comfort zone.
- Ah! - Ow!
- Ah! - Huh?
It's so pretty! What is this?
Is it another candy? And why'd she have to throw it?
Excuse me, lady. Is this another candy...
- Huh? - She disappeared.
What?
What was that all about?
A dream?
No way. Two people can't be in the same dream together.
You think? Do you believe the old lady?
Next time we're playing outside
and the ball happens to fly up and over the fence...
let's test it out.
You must like getting yelled at, huh?
All right. But we'll have to lay low until then.
If we're sent to the detention room again,
then we won't be able to play ball with the others.
So until then, that weird old lady and the ends of the world
will have to stay our little secret.
Okay, we'll keep it secret.
Mama and Papa wake us up every day.
After eating breakfast, Papa teaches us lessons in the classroom.
Mama cleans and does laundry for us.
If we get too close to the fence, we'll get sent to the detention room.
On Wednesdays, we read our book out loud.
Gretel and I always keep quiet.
On Thursdays, we practice singing.
Gretel and I always keep quiet then, too.
Which means for us, Fridays are always spent in the detention room.
Gretel and I hate Fridays anyway, so that's just fine with me.
There!
Let me teach you.
It's actually extremely easy to verify where the ends of the Earth are.
I'm sure you play ball from time to time at your school?
If the ball were to go beyond the fence,
all you would need to do is chase after it on your own two feet.
- Go, Hansel. - Mmm.
Hansel, you're forbidden from going any further.
It's the end of... the world.
Hansel.
Mama.
I told you, I'll fetch the ball when it goes near the fence.
I'm sorry.
You know I must report this to Papa now.
Yes.
Hansel. Did you see anything while you were over here?
See anything? What do you mean?
If you didn't, then don't concern yourself.
Let's get back quickly.
Mama.
There was nothing over here, like I said.
But since I... I disobeyed your order,
that means... I have to be punished, right?
You didn't need to be punished with me, Gretel.
Well, you know, I felt bad leaving you alone.
And I figured you'd be scared.
You know what...
Actually, I am.
Because I really saw the end of the world.
So you came back for more, did you?
Earlier today, when we were playing outside,
I chased after the ball like you suggested.
Was there an end to the world?
The ball bounced off of something.
As if there... was an invisible wall.
Then yes, you found it. That's the end.
Mama didn't mention anything about it.
She didn't? I wonder why.
Well, no matter what anyone says or doesn't say,
you don't need someone else to confirm what you've confirmed is real.
So do you know... what's real?
Of course I do. Do you want to know?
Very much.
My, you're becoming bolder, aren't you?
Because I've never experienced anything like this.
No one at school or any textbook ever told me about the ends of the world.
So tell me everything! I'm ready to learn what's real.
Yes, as you wish.
But while we're on the matter of wish fulfillment,
I'd like your help fulfilling mine as well.
All right. So what's your wish?
Oh, I can't tell you that quite yet.
For now, I simply need you to get back to school
and keep a close eye out for things that are unusual.
Unusual how?
I'm not going to hand it to you on a silver platter.
Think for yourself a little.
It's rather apparent that you don't even notice it.
But pay attention. Unusual things happen all the time.
That doesn't make any sense at all, lady.
If they happen all the time, they're not that unusual.
Enough back talk! I've told you what you need to know.
Now use your head to figure out the rest.
- Ah, yes, and don't forget to take these. - Are those...
These are the same things you hit Hansel in the forehead with last time.
They look similar. Yeah, you're right. These are the same things!
All you need to know about them is that they will be your guideposts out there.
Make sure to hold onto them, all right?
Once you eat them, they're gone. So use them wisely.
What do you mean, guideposts?
I'm saying that they are going to lead you.
I know what a guidepost is, but...
You'll understand what I mean when the moment comes.
Okay...
Uh...
Hey!
Ah, man, she disappeared again!
Well, then... should we put out the fire?
Hello. Welcome home.
Did you happen to see anything unusual out there last night?
Nothing out of the ordinary.
Since you've started having to sleep in the forest, you've grown up a little bit.
I'm quite pleased to see it.
Mama and Papa are both quite impressed with you.
Thank you, Mama, Papa.
My only hope is that you continue
to progress and improve at your current rate.
- Yes. - Yes.
Mama and Papa wake us up every day.
After eating breakfast, Papa teaches us lessons in the classroom.
Mama cleans and does laundry for us.
On Saturdays, we take pictures.
Gretel and I always run away.
On Sundays, we burn garbage.
Nothing is left.
I don't see Fritz.
Well, maybe they sent him to the detention room
like they always do to us.
But Fritz is too young, he's still a child.
Hmm.
Fritz?
Oh, him. The bed-wetter, you mean.
I figured Mama and Papa sent him to the detention room,
since he just can't stop wetting the bed.
He's still little, so that's bound to happen from time to time.
And how on Earth is detention going to fix bed-wetting?
Hey, what's gotten into you lately, Hansel?
No one's noticed Fritz is missing.
We have no idea where he is right now, and you're not the least bit concerned?
I mean, you know...
People have gone missing in the past, but...
It's weird. I guess I never really paid much attention to it.
Now that you mention it, Fritz isn't the first one to disappear.
You know, now that I think about it,
there are actually a lot of other children who have gone missing over time.
You know, like, um... There was Greta. And Thomas, too.
And then... who else? Oh yeah, Ulrich!
I forgot all about Ulrich. The one who used to dismantle watches, right?
All of them were kids who got in trouble at one point or another
for not obeying Mama and Papa's rules.
Then maybe... they were all kicked out into the forest as punishment?
Maybe they ran off
and didn't pay attention to Papa's lessons,
so they didn't know how to get back.
That can't be it.
To begin with, you get sent to the forest
only if you don't fix your ways after being sent to the detention room.
- Wait, really? - How should I know that?
I mean, Hansel, you get sent there all the time.
You're the expert on stuff like that.
Hey, don't you guys find it a little strange here?
- I mean-- - We mustn't dally any longer.
Head inside the classroom, children.
Yes, Papa.
- Let's go. - Sure.
Hey, Hansel. Don't get too obsessed over it, all right? Really.
We'll talk more later.
"Unusual things are happening around us all the time." She's right.
Just like Karl and the other boys said.
It's Fritz. And so many more.
A lot of children have disappeared.
Why did I never notice it?
Maybe deep down you did.
We noticed more and more beds had become unoccupied.
All right, so then, if I knew about it,
why didn't I care about it before?
Maybe they were also punished, thrown into the forest like us.
But they got lost out there and couldn't find their way back home.
No, they could have slept by the fence.
It's hard to imagine all of them getting lost in the forest.
Plus, there's only one road, so there's not really any way to get lost.
And also, the forest is all that exists outside the school.
At least, as far as we know.
Well... and the old lady's house, of course.
And we didn't even know about that until just a few months ago.
There's no way to know where those kids have gone at this point.
There is. I know a way.
What?
No one saw you sneak out?
Gretel! How did you know I'd be sneaking out?
I know you like the back of my hand.
Yeah, that's true.
Let's go. Or were you still planning to do this all by yourself?
- Right here? - Yeah. This is the place.
The candies. Got 'em?
I got 'em right here.
She said these would show us the way.
What do you think? Is this the moment?
I'm not sure. Let's try.
Hmm?
Wh... what is this place?
I don't really know.
But I'm guessing that this is the end of the world.
Or maybe even... beyond.
Are you going? You sure?
I'm going.
It's gonna be all right. Trust me.
Come on.
Okay.
This is all so strange.
What is?
I used to be the one who would always take your hand and then lead the way.
- No, not always - Yes, always.
Your role seemed to be following me while complaining the entire time.
Yeah, yeah. We can switch roles every now and then.
What is this place?
Let's go a bit further.
Are you seeing these things? I wonder what they are.
Huh?
- What is all this? - I don't know.
Fritz. Ulrich.
- Those are the kids who have gone missing. - Right...
Hold on, I heard something.
Someone's coming. Let's hide, quickly!
It's Mama.
Come out now.
Run!
Hurry!
Huh?
Are you all right?
Uh... Yes, Mama.
Go. Go now.
Whoa. Is this space?
So it's... real?
How in the world did we even get here?
At least this gives some light.
I can't see anything in front or behind me.
Just don't let go of my hand, all right?
I won't let you go.
You promise me?
Yeah, I promise you.
Uh, hey, Gretel, do you see that? Or am I... imagining things?
I see it. Over there!
And this is where it leads.
Right.
What do we do now? Should we go back to school?
Uh...
I see. That must have been rough.
And did you learn anything on your adventure?
Nothing. I didn't learn a single thing at all.
And now, I don't know anything.
Is that right?
It's tiring, isn't it? Are you sick of being shown how much you don't know?
If so, then return to that school and everything will be back to normal.
But do you think you'd be able to unsee what you've seen?
After all you witnessed and experienced, do you think you can really go back?
I can assist you with that endeavor.
If you would like.
Here's a sweet, sweet candy that will relieve your burden.
Mmm.
No. I'm not gonna eat that.
Is that so?
Are you sure, Hansel?
There is an end of this world. I've seen it.
And then there was even another place beyond that.
And our Mama was there somehow, and then she...
Tell me, all of it.
I don't know anything, but I want to know what's real and not.
I wasn't slated to explain this to you yet,
but it seems there's been a change of plans.
But let's go back to when this all began.
Once upon a time, there was a blue planet floating amongst the stars.
This story is about your ancestors, a long time ago.
A planet? Like in outer space, then?
That's right. I'm sure you saw them outside the window earlier.
But soon, they discovered
that life was no longer going to be sustainable on that planet.
The Snowball Earth theory. You must have learned about it.
Humanity banked its hopes on different survival strategies,
ultimately deciding it was best to leave their offspring behind.
This place represents just one of those strategies.
We're tasked with taking care of and raising human children like you,
and when you're deemed strong enough to live in the outside world on your own,
I send you out to join the rest of them.
My wish is to safely send out every single one of you,
until eventually, there's no one left.
So if this is some kind of test, did we pass?
Yes, I guess you could say so. Are you happy?
It's so sudden. And kind of hard to process.
Well, you're not interested in going back to the school, are you?
Definitely not, but...
Or do you want to continue surviving in the forest?
- You learned how to do so. - I did, but...
It's a little late to be indecisive now, dear.
At this stage in the game, you only have one option left.
We're supposed to board this? I don't know how to...
You just sit comfortably, and the machine will take care of the rest.
When you wake up, you'll be in the new world.
But wait a minute. There's only one seat in here.
So where would Gretel fit?
As I thought, it appears you still have
a rather glaring issue to solve before takeoff.
I can't help you with that. You have to solve it on your own.
- Hansel. - Hmm?
I can't go with you, unfortunately.
Why?
What? What's going on?
You still haven't realized.
I'm in your head, and no one else can see me but you.
I'm not your sister, I'm you, silly.
Huh? No. That can't be.
Mama and Papa woke us up every day.
After eating breakfast, Papa taught us lessons in the classroom.
Mama cleaned and did laundry for us.
When we got too close to the fence, we were sent to the detention room.
On Monday...
Where am I going? And who am I going with?
No...
Hansel.
Sweet, timid Hansel.
I was merely borrowing your courage. I'm sorry.
But I've returned it to you. I know you felt it.
You'll be all right on your own now.
Why are you doing this? No, I'm not! I'm not all right at all!
Please, don't do this. Stay by my side.
I can't do it alone, I need you!
Yes, you can.
You wouldn't be here if you hadn't chosen this path for yourself.
You got to where you are by walking there on your own two feet.
That was you. I didn't help with any of that.
Look, I'm sure you'll feel lonely for a while.
Hansel, you're gonna board this machine and go to the outside world,
and learn all of the things you've ever wanted to know!
Hansel, you can do it. I believe in you.
All right?
Uh...
There's so much I don't understand, Gretel.
Just yesterday, I was living at the school with you.
But I can't go back to that life now.
Why did this have to happen?
I wish I never learned that you didn't exist.
Even if that's the truth.
If I knew what I know now,
I would've eaten that candy so I could forget.
Gretel...
Good job.
A lot of unexpected things happened, so I'm sure this was tough.
But thanks to you, I'm happy to say he finally embarked safely.
Let your partner handle things for now.
Meanwhile, get some rest.
Well, then, I should get ready for the next child.
I mustn't keep them waiting.
Hansel?
It really is you!
I didn't know you'd be landing here!
Come on, it's me! Your pal Fritz!
But you're...
Oh, I get it now.
You probably took a detour on your way here.
I'm glad you arrived in one piece.
The others'll be so happy to see you.
The others?
Ulrich and Thomas also descended here.
Bet you missed both of them, huh?
What am I thinking? We shouldn't pile so much on you at once.
Your body's probably all cramped up from sitting for so long.
So first, we'll take you to our base camp. You can rest up for a bit.
Okay.
Huh...
What's the matter?
Hansel?
Thank you.
And goodbye, Gretel.
Help yourself.
Most children find my confections impossible to resist.
Like moths to a flame.
- ♪ Hallelujah ♪ - ♪ Hallelujah ♪
♪ Hallelujah ♪
- ♪ Hallelujah ♪ - ♪ Hallelujah ♪
♪ Hallelujah ♪
♪ Hallelujah, hallelujah ♪
♪ Hallelujah, hallelujah Hallelujah, hallelujah ♪
♪ Hallelujah ♪