Are you full already, Charlotte?
I don't really like meat.
You mustn't be a picky eater.
I wish someone would help me finish.
I heard a story recently about elves helping a shoemaker.
My! What kindly elves!
But they wished to help the shoemaker because he was an honest, diligent worker.
Charlotte, you must not act so spoiled.
Having the elves...
Having them eat it for me, or trying to eat it on my own...
I wonder which is better.
BAR DAIKICHI
DAIKICHI ODEN
This year, the Sumida River's Ryogoku Festival
will be renamed the Sumida River Fireworks Festival
and held for the first time in 17 years.
In other news,
along with the summer excursion season, this year...
Welcome home!
She was in a great mood today.
Thank you once again.
- About the schedule from tomorrow... - Yes?
- Mommy, my dolly broke. - Oh dear. It'll be okay.
I heard the Z family's kid failed the entrance exam.
Really?
And I heard the Xs are getting divorced.
I knew it!
Shut up!
- Huh? - Who was that?
JAPANESE DICTIONARY
14TH JONICHI PUBLICATION CULTURE AWARD CEREMONY
Mr. N.
He says hello when I see him, but...
Please be careful, Mrs. Y. Some people get mad for no reason.
You never know what they might do.
- Mommy, will you read me a book? - Later, okay?
People like that tend to vent their frustration
on those they consider weaker than they are.
That's so true, isn't it?
"Never know what they might do," huh?
IN A FIT OF RAGE, HE BEATS THE OLD LADY TO DEATH
Landlord, sir!
Listen, does that Mr. N have some serious issues?
I'm not sure if they're serious.
A grown man cooped up inside all the time?
It isn't normal. In fact, it's weird.
Well, he is a novelist after all.
A novelist? As in an author?
What has he written? Is he famous?
Have you heard of The Two in the Ruin or Ask at Midnight?
What? "The Ruin"?
I think I've heard of that.
Well, he's the one who wrote it.
Really? How long ago?
Quite a while ago.
Maybe 10 years. Or was it 20?
Wow, 20 years! And he's still writing?
So I hear.
He used to give me one of his books each year or so, but none lately.
I see.
Flowers!
Come now, behave yourself.
Anyway, he's like a closed book, and--
Well, let's head home. Let me help you.
Don't see you out and about often.
Yeah, well...
That's wonderful. Gotta gather material for your book.
Oh, I'd better head back too.
How's it my fault she thinks I'm a closed book?
When was it that I was called the darling of the literary world?
A NEW RISING STAR! "ASK AT MIDNIGHT" BY N
But that was a long time ago.
ACCOUNT BALANCE
Thanks.
Oops, sorry.
People worry I'll die alone. They even fear I might kill someone.
I'm only... No, I'm less than only human.
Hello, my name is N.
Oh, yes! Thank you for calling.
Your editor, H, transferred to another department.
- What? - It's been so busy
and H did feel bad for not telling you.
So who's my new editor?
I am S, and I'd be glad to discuss the matter with you.
About the draft of my latest work I sent last month...
Mr. N, I must apologize.
What was the title of your manuscript?
From the Shores of Stupor.
I'd like to get back to you after giving From the Shores a good read.
I'll call you again next week.
You will?
I'd appreciate that very much.
Now, if you'd excuse me.
I don't remember when it became like this.
I didn't let success go to my head.
Well, maybe a little.
But there are authors far worse than me.
And the level of my work...
Welcome.
- A large beer and cold tofu. - You got it.
The story isn't that bad.
Nothing has changed since Ask at Midnight sold 3.5 million copies.
No, my compositional and descriptive skills improved.
Is it the theme or the subject matter?
But I'd be a sell-out if I wrote a romance novel at this point.
Hey.
Hello? Anyone home?
Huh? Yes?
Looks like you're drowning your sorrows.
What?
Why drink if you don't enjoy it?
Barkeep, a sake cup for my friend.
Go on, drink up.
I don't drink sake.
Actually, I'll have some.
Good, isn't it?
Sure.
"Sure"? Where's your spirit?
Don't be like that.
And can't you even say thank you?
Thanks for the drink.
There's that grumpy look again.
Guys like you turn into sexual molesters or arsonists.
No, I won't.
Can't even manage a proper greeting.
You're angry now? You are, aren't you?
Please stop hassling me.
That was rude!
What a shitty attitude! I was trying to cheer you up!
I don't recall asking you to do that.
Huh?!
You "don't recall"?!
- It's not like I wanted to talk. - What did you say?!
I'm not some raggedy-ass geezer like you.
You bastard!
But it was his fault!
Whatever. Just don't come back.
What?!
SAKE
What's wrong with me?
A "raggedy-ass geezer."
What a shitty thing to say.
So this is what they call "cowardly self-pride."
I'm no different from him.
No, I'm worse because I'm so unproductive.
But I've convinced myself I'm special
just because I'm a writer.
"FROM THE SHORES OF STUPOR" BY N
"Having killed the old lady, the man wanders around town in a stupor."
"Women he had been involved with appear one by one to question him."
I swear I've heard this story before.
Is it an autobiography? Or a confessional?
What?
What are you trying to write?
What are you doing out at this hour?
I've been scolded.
By whom?
I've been told to be good.
Maybe you should go to the police.
Would you take me?
Um, pass?
I thought so.
Your focus is all fuzzy.
Is it the protagonist's anguish or the milieu of the era?
You can't focus on both with your writing skills.
Give it back.
The Alaskan Supermarket was awful too.
Did you get carried away with your extended fieldwork?
It's all so pretentious.
It was cloying beyond compare. Same with The Castle in the Strait.
You have a catastrophic lack of talent in selecting material.
On top of that, your character development is shallow.
You...
But you did have a period of brilliance.
You exuded youth.
Now you're utterly hopeless.
Where did you learn to speak like that?
Are you allowed to walk around alone so late?
Go on home.
You truly are mediocre.
What?
So obviously cliché.
One who wrestles with words would never be so perfunctory.
You seem to think that being an author is a big deal.
It's not like we always speak with clever turns of phrase.
That's only in our writing.
This really is disappointing.
Your turns of phrase lack life, whether in your work or in person.
Whatever, just go home. I can't stand brats like you.
Is that right? Too bad.
You have neither the ability to write nor listen. How sad.
But that is who you are, correct?
You're seriously mistaken
if you thought I'd sit here and listen to you blather on.
Kids get hurt when they mess with adults.
You'll drag me into a public bathroom, rape me,
chop me up, and throw the pieces away?
What?
I'm kidding. Goodbye.
What the hell?
Oh, my head...
This is the worst.
Huh?
"SELF-INTRODUCTION" BY N
That's my writing.
The title is Self-Introduction, huh?
A novel?
It was so strange.
A story I'd never seen, written in my own writing.
Honestly, I didn't quite get the story.
A detached portrayal of a middle-aged man's pitiful life.
It lacked dynamics.
Looking back now,
I'm not sure how I felt about the whole thing.
Confusion, a dash of despair, and anger.
That about summed it up.
MR. S CENTRAL PUBLIC OPINION CO., LTD.
I even hoped the editor would lose the manuscript again.
That way, he'd owe me one.
Maybe I'd get some cash as an apology or a story published out of pity.
I thought one of the two might happen.
I'm washed up.
IMAIZUMI STORE
There he is! Over there!
CENTRAL PUBLIC OPINION CO., LTD. S
I couldn't contain myself after reading your manuscript.
This has caught me by surprise. Is it about From the Shores of Stupor?
Of course not. It's about Self-Introduction.
It's a short story,
but it's a solid piece of work with an underlying universal theme.
I'll cut to the chase.
I'd like to open next month's issue with Self-Introduction.
It will be your big comeback, and it's guaranteed to create a stir!
Would you please allow us to publish it?
You seem quite taken with it.
That's right.
I'm quite taken. No, I'm in love!
Editors rarely come across a work they truly believe to be a masterpiece.
If there's anything you want, I'll do my best to deliver.
I don't mind you publishing it,
but could I get paid sooner than usual?
- Get paid? - Yes.
Oh, your manuscript fee!
I will speak with the editor-in-chief and accounting at once
to come up with an amount satisfactory to you!
I didn't know what was happening.
It was like there was a membrane between me and the world.
Nothing seemed real,
as if I were seeing things from underwater.
It was a strange view.
The short story no more than 20 pages was a hit and caused quite a stir.
The magazine did a reprint before it went on sale.
That was the first time in their history.
I'm sorry to come unannounced, Mr. N, but I want you to write something for us.
- Who do you think you are? - May we discuss the matter?
HAKUBUNKAN, INC. B
When did you...
But why me?
If nothing else, I have a good eye for people.
Self-Introduction deeply moved me.
I'd love to read your next work.
You'd love to read it? Show some respect!
That's how I truly feel.
I'm sure we could agree on a price that would satisfy you.
It's not just the money!
But money is important.
You two talk it over.
- Mr. N! - Mr. N!
DEPOSIT: 2,000,000 YEN
The manuscript fee was an impressive amount.
And editors started visiting me each day.
They all wanted me to write for them.
I'd be lying if I said I wasn't glad.
Actually, I should admit I was on cloud nine.
Fans are waiting for my next work.
That brought me some happiness
and gave me a sense of pride and superiority,
even if it was all thanks to a story I didn't recall writing.
I've got nothing.
What's so great about this?
The ability to analyze literature is in short supply.
They just say whatever they feel.
If someone proclaims it's interesting, everyone says the same.
And if someone slams it as boring, everyone agrees.
That's how it works.
I'm terribly sorry, but I can't accept this.
Is something troubling you?
What do you mean?
Well, there is no easy way to say this,
but I got the feeling you weren't your usual self when you wrote it.
Are you saying I've lost my mind?
That's what you meant, didn't you?
I must apologize for always prodding you to write.
I'm sure it lowered your motivation.
It's all my fault for expecting and hoping for too much.
Perhaps this was written by a student of yours?
- It's utterly artless-- - You think I had someone write this?!
I could only conclude someone else wrote it.
If that's the case, I'd understand the poor quality.
But if I were to rate the story itself--
Enough.
You guys aren't the only game in town.
I'll take it elsewhere, and you can't stop me.
Very well.
Please do as you wish with your manuscript.
I'm sorry.
I did take a look,
but short stories aren't my area.
Sounds like BS to me.
I'm really sorry.
But I'm glad you reached out. Why don't you write a long-form novel?
You're just saying that.
What would you like me to say?
Give it to me straight.
How would you rate this? What did you think?
Another editor totally trashed it, claiming someone else wrote it.
You mean Mr. S?
That's right.
You have a better eye than him.
All right.
Let's put aside whether you wrote this
and the fact that my area is long-form novels.
My impression is
rather than a novel,
it felt like being made to listen to a dream lacking an end.
Sorry, that's just my impression.
If someone else read it, I'm sure they'd feel different.
Forget it.
I didn't write Self-Introduction!
I adapted, no, plagiarized an existing work!
Mr. N, please calm down.
I know more than anyone how talented you are.
My talent dried up long ago!
Mr. N, you're not in your right mind.
It's concerning, even if you're drunk.
I'm totally fine.
After all, I'm not even writing anymore.
Damn it! It's all that kid's fault!
It all went to hell after that brat said that weird shit!
Calm down.
Mr. N!
Are you okay, Mr. N?!
What?
What a relief.
I was worried sick all last night.
I couldn't reach you and thought maybe...
Is that...
Mr. N!
Is this it? Is this why...
Huh?
Congratulations.
This is amazing!
I've only read the beginning, but I can tell.
It's a masterpiece. A work of genius!
I've never seen such passion.
"Passion"?
You delve into the heart of our age, redefining literature.
What a powerful opening!
I'm sorry to ask you this when you're so exhausted,
but I want you to meet our editor-in-chief.
Please, Mr. N, have a drink.
Please enjoy, sir.
S has already told me about your latest work.
I have absolute faith in his talent, literary analysis,
and aesthetic sense as an editor.
I haven't seen S praise a story this much
since your previous title, Self-Introduction!
I got another company to publish From the Shores of Stupor,
but it didn't generate any buzz.
No, it got slammed, if I'm being honest.
Don't be silly.
Your latest work will be a major event.
A literary phenomenon.
Right...
Please do what you will with the manuscript.
I have no intention of complaining.
I believe your apprehension toward your writing proves
you approach literature, and even the art itself, sincerely.
I'm not apprehensive.
Please put your faith in us.
It was a strange feeling.
They claimed I wrote a manuscript I couldn't remember writing
and tried to convince me about this or that.
Excuse me.
Yes?
Actually, may I see the manuscript again?
Of course.
It was a surreal experience.
The story seemed strange yet familiar at the same time.
It was my writing, but it wasn't.
I couldn't help but feel confused,
as if a mirror showed a portrait of myself rather than my reflection.
Mr. N.
I've read it.
What did you think?
It's not bad.
Indeed.
"The Elves and the Shoemaker."
It's an exquisite title full of allegory.
You're right.
It's magnificent.
Yes.
It's magnificent,
or it should be.
Yes, indeed.
This piece is wonderful.
It is, right?
You're absolutely right.
This will be my magnum opus. It's music to my ears.
Yes, that's right!
Absolutely magnificent.
How does it feel to win?
Do you see yourself in the protagonist?
Where were you all this time?
Any ideas for your next work?
THE ELVES AND THE SHOEMAKER
CONGRATULATIONS ON "THE ELVES AND THE SHOEMAKER"
MORE GROUND-SHAKING THAN HIS PREVIOUS WORK!
Mr. N, this is B.
Oh, it's you.
Thank you so much for today.
Our president was delighted to spend time with you.
We decided to do another print run of your new book before its release.
Since it was the first time our company published your work,
our sales department went all out.
Anyway, I hope you're taking good care of yourself.
You've already published five long-form novels,
and we were wondering when you'd have time to rest.
I'm getting plenty of sleep.
But thanks.
Yeah, no need to worry about me.
This is good. Let me out here.
It's already been paid for.
No worries. Take it.
As Verlaine said,
"I feel the ecstasy and the terror of having been chosen."
"Arrogant self-pride."
Or was it "shame"?
NO TRESPASSING DO NOT ENTER
It's been a while.
What's wrong?
Where am I?
The park where we met for the first time.
But I moved, first to a condo on the edge of metropolitan Tokyo,
then to a prime spot in central Tokyo.
I just dined with the president of a publishing company
and was on my way home.
There's no way I'd return to a backwater town like this.
Hey, are you almost finished?
With what?
Your novel, silly.
What's wrong?
I have one book planned for next month and two more by year's end.
Not those.
The one you showed me about a murderous young man.
What happened to it?
Didn't you rewrite it?
Not interested. I let it go.
Why?
You're the one who said it was no good!
Yes, I said something like that.
But if you don't write that story,
what exactly can you write?
What can I write?
Don't you know who I am and how many books I published since then?
Have you?
Yes, I have! Every one a bestseller!
Publishers beg for my manuscripts.
I am the number-one best-selling author, who...
Really?
Is that true?
Were they really your novels?
My novels?
What do you mean? What are you trying to say?
Are you stupid?
"Your novels" means the stories you wrote.
I have no interest in a writer who doesn't write.
How unfortunate. Goodbye.
Wait!
If they're not my work, then who wrote them?
I wake up each morning, and there it is on my desk.
A manuscript in my handwriting about stuff I might write about!
Beats me.
Won't you at least tell me I wrote them?
You know better than anyone.
I can't tell.
You can't?
It is my handwriting.
I sense myself in the phrasing and tiny quirks.
But I can't tell what's so great about them.
Even after countless reads, they're still not entertaining.
I don't even understand what they're about.
But people say they're good, a masterpiece, a work for the ages.
It's like I alone have slipped into another world.
I feel so alone.
Everyone around me is a strange creature.
Do you understand how I feel?
I'm scared. It's like I'm losing my mind.
How can I stay sane in a place like that?
I must accept my fate.
All I can do is pretend I'm the same creature as they are!
I'm sorry.
You've been content with the fate of your choosing.
And you made no attempt to resist it.
There's nothing I can do.
I was only interested in your novel after all.
Goodbye.
Welcome home.
Mommy's here.
There, there.
"FROM THE SHORES OF STUPOR" BY N
THE END
EXTERMINATE DRUNKARDS
"FROM THE SHORES OF STUPOR" BY N
BREAKING NEWS SUDDEN DEATH OF BEST-SELLING AUTHOR N
"THE ELVES AND THE SHOEMAKER" BY N
THE END
Subtitle translation by: Jason Franzman