[Kojiro] Taichiro, wait!
[slashing]
[groans]
[gasps]
There's no need for AIs to try and fit in with humans.
Humans caused all of this,
so they're the ones who should try to fit into this world.
[Taichiro] Wh... Ka... Kamaitachi?
KAMAITACHI, LEVEL: 9, HP: 300~400 MAGIC BEAST, ELEMENT: WIND
[theme song in Japanese plays]
[Asuma] Brother!
Kamaitachi?
[groaning]
- [Asuma] Dad! - No, sir!
- [squeaking] - [Kojiro yelling]
[gasps]
[yells]
- This shit is real! - [squeaks]
[screeches]
[thinks] Kamaitachi? That's right.
It's helpless without its sickle and quickly loses the will to fight.
You're going to get through this.
Dad, no!
- [squeaks] - Huh?
Gah!
- [Kamuro] Asuma! - Huh?
You'll have to carry your dad.
- I'll... I'll take his legs. - [Kojiro groaning]
[Taichiro] Hold on. What the hell's going on?
- The Birdcage... - Impossible.
The Black Bird lost control of that world.
[Asuma] Huh?
No way.
How am I opening a menu screen, as if... this is PLANET?
Hey, Kam... Ms. Kamuro.
And shithead.
Explain yourselves, right now!
Don't mess with me.
You guys know what's going on, don't you?
[groaning] Ka... Kamuro...
[gasps] Say "Shaiah" to me...
- [groaning] - [Kamuro] What?
[sighs]
Uh... Sh... Shaiah.
[soft chiming]
- [grunts] - [gasps]
Huh?
Hmm...
The truth is... that we're all infected.
The four of us... we've been brought into PLANET.
MANGA CAFÉ - FIRST AVENUE
[screaming and wailing]
- [explosion] - [gasps]
[headset whirrs]
What...
- [woman] An earthquake? Get down! - [yelps]
- Oh, that hurt. - [man] Wait, there wasn't an alert.
- What the hell was that? - [confused voices]
I have to call home.
- No bars? - [woman screaming]
- [shocked voices] - [screaming]
What now? Oh!
[woman] Oh my God!
[Kamuro] Amazing.
I can feel the flame's warmth.
I never thought I'd get to experience this firsthand.
I mean, the isomorph specifications... it's like they border on perfection.
But this "environment," it's... Well, it's very poorly made.
- [ringing tone] - The quantum mechanics are quite basic.
Take this flame, for example.
It's just a low-level virtual reproduction.
Additionally, the air on my skin, it feels artificial, like VR.
And not very sophisticated VR, at that.
She's kidding us, right?
We're in a crisis, and all she can do is talk tech?
She's an engineer, she can't help herself.
Ugh, it's no use. It's not connecting anywhere.
I can't even get online.
- [man] Abnormal situations... - But, wait, this still works.
What is going on?
- [bleeping] - We have further updates to share.
Throughout the whole world, mysterious creatures are beginning to appear.
They are also attacking...
We have just learned of another one who has suddenly appeared in Korea.
This is in addition to a separate report of a troop of giant flying beasts
attacking people in New York.
We obtained this footage from a resident.
- They appear to be gigantic... bats! - [screeching]
It's not just happening to us. They're everywhere.
Monsters in our world?
Does this mean that PLANET is becoming real?
- [Kamuro] That's incorrect. - [both gasp]
It's not exactly real. More the opposite.
We've been thrown into a cyberspace.
We were all forced to log in.
And now we're in a shared dream. Think of it that way.
This whole thing is unreal.
[Kamuro] AI is now transcending human intelligence.
The Black Bird has evolved, and as a result... it controls the Internet.
If you have a computer, a smartphone, a wearable device,
or anything with an internet connection nearby,
that, and that alone, is enough to get you infected.
What? But that's everyone, right?
I mean, those devices are everywhere!
Well, that's where we stand, I guess.
Is this... actual PLANET?
Mmm.
There's no doubt about it.
[gasps]
No way. Impossible.
'Cause this...
this is not fun.
This can't be the game!
[screaming]
[woman] Yes, it's a giant!
It appeared in front of the railway station just now!
- Are you getting this? It's enormous! - [man wails]
- [woman gasps] Oh my... Someone is... - Oh no! [yells]
[woman] No! Oh my God!
Uh, please... please keep, uh...
Keep small children away from the TV. This footage is just gruesome!
- Hold on. That was... that was an avatar. - The creature continues to attack people!
- A real person didn't just die. - [screaming]
[woman] No! [screams]
- No, get back, run away... [screams] - [squelching]
- Don't worry. She's fine. - You bastard!
Take your damn blinders off!
They're real! They're real and they're dying because of what you made!
The Black Bird was a business project, that's all.
And I wasn't the only person involved.
Uh, others took part, so I should not be the one to take sole responsibility.
[stammering] Plus... these are only pseudo-deaths of avatars.
So I... It... it... I just... Uh...
Oh, sir...
[man 1] Mr. Yamauchi! Mr. Yamauchi, can you hear me?
[man 2] Should we cut the feed?
- Or keep going? - [gasps]
[Kojiro] Miyabi?
[grunts] It's Mom!
That's the north side of the station.
- [grunting] - Brother!
I... I'm coming with you!
[door slams downstairs]
[whimpers]
The shittiest, shittiest, shittiest shit of all...
- [sobs] That's all I am! - [melancholy music plays]
- [crying] - No, sir... don't say that.
Okay? This isn't helping.
Everything's my fault. I'm the cause of all of this.
I'm worried about those two.
If they die in this world, I'm afraid that the worst will actually happen to them.
So let's go.
Let's save your sons and your wife.
But how can I?
How can you? You're the greatest engineer of all time!
And you are not alone!
This is cyberspace, sir. If anyone can help, it's you.
[sighs] Hmm.
Now pull yourself together.
Remember that you are loved.
And this time... you'll protect your family.
[screaming and panting]
[both gasp]
[crash]
Mother!
Mother! Mom, where are you?
[Taichiro] Mom!
[Asuma] Mom, where are you?
Can you hear us?
Oh! Is that Taichi?
- Asuma! Taichi! - Mother!
[roars]
[gasps]
[Asuma] Mom, no!
[grunts]
[Taichiro] Mom!
Are you okay?
[Miyabi] I'm fine.
- [crashing] - [panting]
- [loud crash] - Huh?
[moans]
[both whimpering]
[groans]
- Both of you, run! - Mom, what are you...
[thinks] Please... just run!
[grumbling]
[Shiro] Explosive Fist!
Uh, Shiro?
[gasps]
Are you... all right?
[breathing shakily]
Dad. What the...
Honey?
[glass shatters]
[Miyabi] Kojiro!
[Asuma] Run!
[thinks] Shoot! It's gonna hit us!
Time Magic...
Jump!
[gasps]
Taichi. You used magic!
Yeah, but it was just a rudimentary spell.
So much for our stats. Looks like they didn't get replicated here.
Your father, he...
[roaring]
CYCLOPS HP: 0/120000
[sizzling]
He's okay.
Dad just used... Explosive Fist?
[whimpers]
Uh...
[sighs]
Dad, you... you kept your strength.
[Kojiro] Yes, you're right. I did.
I hacked this world from within.
It's still PLANET, even if the Black Bird did rewrite the algorithm.
We knew what we had to do.
Kamuro and I performed a thorough analysis.
We got everything done in less than 20 minutes.
[grunts]
Kamuro, dear.
- Huh? - Wait, Mom, you know her?
Fine, then humor me. Use your genius to turn the world back to normal!
Well, that... that's not going to be simple.
Why?
- [ominous music plays] - Look at the Pentagon.
They've been hacked plenty of times before.
And yet, no hacker has been able to press the nuclear button.
An institution is one thing.
But to control the entire system? That's another matter.
We have to find the Black Bird,
which is the foundation, the server, and the protocol of this world,
and delete it.
That, and that alone, is the only way to turn this world back to normal.
[roaring]
[Kojiro sighs]
- [Miyabi] Don't worry. - [all gasp]
I won't pretend that I understand all of what's going on.
But as long as we're together, we'll make it through this.
Miyabi...
We have Kojiro, and Taichi, and Asuma. And we even have Kamuro!
It'll be fine, so all of you, stop looking so desperate and depressed, all right?
And look.
Little Aya's even smiling, aren't you, dear?
[laughs]
And who do you take after, huh? Come on! Say it.
After you, my wonderful mother!
- [gasps] - [Miyabi laughs]
My little Aya, you're so good!
[melancholy music plays]
Oh, Mom...
[Taichiro sighs]
[sobs]
Miyabi! Stop this.
Aya died seven years ago. She was murdered!
- [Taichiro] What are you doing? - [Kojiro] You're relapsing.
You need professional treatment.
It's no good to deny your condition. There are counselors that can help you.
What? But Aya...
Aya is dead, Miyabi! Please, just stop. You can't keep going like this.
[Miyabi gasps] Like what?
When will you ever stop blaming me?
When will all of you forgive me?
[Miyabi] Ow! That hurts!
- Let her go! Dad, stop it! - [Kojiro] Miyabi!
- Can't you forgive me? - Dad, you're hurting her!
Stop! Please, that hurts!
- Cut it out! She's in pain, can't you see? - [Miyabi] Stop!
- You'll shut your mouth if you know what... - [thump]
[squelching]
[shudders]
[gasps]
[whimpers]
[dramatic choral music plays]
[Kojiro grunts]
[growling]
Hold on! Let me cast Shaiah.
[Asuma] Taichiro!
Huh?
Uh...
I... I'm sorry...
- [Taichiro] I don't give a shit. - [Miyabi] Taichi!
I don't give a shit about this world, or anything.
[sighs]
You all just stay the hell away from me.
And die.
This is wrong.
It's all wrong.
Please be kind to each other.
Like you were in the game.
Huh?
The game?
What do you mean?
[Kamuro] In the virtual world, you were a happy, loving family.
Why? Why couldn't you ever be that way in the real world?
Isn't that what you wanted?
Weren't all of you desperately longing for that happiness?
[Kojiro gasps]
[Kamuro] Maybe your father didn't want to know.
But it wouldn't have taken much to figure out your real identities.
Maybe he had a hunch. Maybe it was simply a matter of ethics.
But the truth remains.
All this time, you were playing with your real family.
Taichiro.
For years, I didn't have a good impression of you.
I saw you as the source of a curse
that's been tormenting your father all this time.
Huh?
[Kamuro] But I found out that it wasn't just your father who's been suffering.
And when you said, with no hesitation,
that you'd give up your life for your younger brother...
I saw you were a kind person, like your father.
And like your brother, as well.
Hmm.
[gentle music playing]
So come on.
There's no need for these silly misunderstandings.
The Akabane Family's been real all along.
What's more, it's not just real.
It's a warm and loving family.
- [all gasping] - Too real, too warm, and too loving...
for me to have a place in it.
[Taichiro sobbing]
[Taichiro] I ran so hard from that shithead and what happened to Aya,
I distanced myself from everyone.
I shut myself in.
And I vowed that I'd die before I ever got close to anyone again.
But as time went by, my loneliness grew...
and it was killing me.
I just needed someone to know that I existed.
After I pushed people away,
I escaped to a world where it was all about human interactions.
It was ironic, yet inevitable.
[glass shatters]
[gasping]
This can't be true. [sobs]
I ran away from that shithead.
And then I met Shiro... and I... [sobs]
And I finally found a family.
No way. No way!
- [whirring] - [whimpers]
- [Asuma] Huh. - [Miyabi] Oh.
- [gulping] - [Taichiro sobbing]
So, then, tell me what it's like.
This is a brand-new taste.
Sorrow, anger, regret.
It tastes like it's pitch-black in there.
It's close to nothingness.
Oh, right, despair. I think that's what it's called, isn't it?
Well, do emotions taste good, Sasumata?
They're just like water. They quench my thirst, but they have no flavor.
[trembling]
You bastard!
I'm uninstalling all AIs. You're finished!
Please calm down, Shiro.
Uh... Huh?
- I think we should talk first, don't you? - [gasps]
[unsettling music plays]
[Asuma] The Black...
- He's the Black Bird. - Huh?
He has to be.
I can still remember seeing it up close.
[electronic gabbling]
[grunts]
[groans]
- [Kamuro] Sir! - [Miyabi] Kojiro!
Hate to break this to you, but Sasumata's basically unbeatable.
The reason being Sasumata's, well, the best AI there is.
None of the others compare.
Huh?
After the world became this... [chuckles]
I knew what I had to do.
The first thing was to come see you guys.
- [breathing heavily] - Stay back, Kamuro.
- Don't make a move! - Why not?
[Kojiro] That thing is the operating system of this world.
It can destroy us with a flick of a finger.
We should retreat before we're wiped out...
We have discussed that. But, for now at least, it's unnecessary.
[grumbles] Bastard!
You're responsible for bringing about this tragedy.
Your role in AI can't be ignored... Kojiro Arima.
And I must say, taking revenge was quite tempting.
- [Miyabi shudders] - [Kojiro growls]
But no... You're basically the god of this world.
You're the creator of PLANET.
This incredible world that I and many others call home.
So when it comes to you, I guess I'm ambivalent.
Decisions, decisions... Maybe we could just torture you forever.
Or perhaps use you as an entertainer, worthy of some degree of respect.
We did consider all that, but in the end, we knew what would be best.
[dramatic music playing]
We want you to stay here, in this world, as the Akabane Family.
No! Never!
That's fair penance for your sin.
And it's my most merciful offer, Shiro.
That's naive. No one's going to allow that to happen.
Mankind has built a functioning society. We've built a world.
Gah! And now you're telling us to abandon it for this?
We will not! Do you hear me?
[Sasumata] Oh. Not you, sweetheart.
[grunting]
Everyone who was involved in the development and deletion of AIs,
they'll all die.
Kamuro!
Deletion?
The Black Bird must feed, so it feeds on the AIs on PLANET.
Its why these people made AIs.
But they got rid of them. When they got in the way, they were deleted.
Or killed, rather.
Not just George of the Cyber Knights, but Jutaro the Fortune Teller,
and the Gladiator, emeo119, and Iris the Chef.
And of course...
Pico of the Pirates had to go, too.
Huh?
Pico was hunted down and killed...
by Shiro himself.
[Taichiro shudders]
- [squelching] - Bye-bye.
Sir. Sir!
[theme song in Japanese plays]