Father, have you ever seen a dragon?
Well, just once, when I was little.
During a terrible drought, the elders asked one to make rain.
Are dragons scary?
They are scary,
but they're good spirits.
Really...
Fool, you can't eat fireflies!
Dragons are scary, but now humans are more scary.
They're coming!
I'll talk to them, you hide in the grasses nearby.
What?! I want to stay with you.
No. I'll call you after I finish talking to them.
And then...
This?
Right. Bring it when I call, and you can give it to them.
This carp looks so tasty! I'd love to receive this!
Some day you'll catch ones like this.
Really?
Sure.
Quick, hide over there.
OK.
Get lower.
Be careful, Father, something feels strange tonight.
I know, our head dishes dry terribly fast tonight.
Well, I'm pleasantly drunk!
I'm sorry to have pushed you.
Not at all, I overstayed.
What nonsense, please visit again any time.
A few visits could make you wealthy...
Oh no, that's not my intention.
It's easy to cheat the records, but suspicions may arise.
The officials are strict lately.
Be careful.
It's not enough to be noticed,
but we're developing farmland that we shouldn't be.
We're the ones getting rich, not the farmers.
Exactly!
Good evening.
I didn't mean to surprise you, please forgive me.
I won't take long, but please allow me to speak.
To be honest, I have a request for the official.
A request?
Yes. We live in the Dragon Swamp.
I've heard there are plans to drain it,
and talk of making it into a rice field.
Well...
Is it possible to reconsider the matter?
If our swamp is taken we won't be able to live.
Will you please reconsider?
This creature is pushing its luck.
Ahh, excuse my rudeness, please forgive me!
Hey, 'water sprite',
have you been listening to us?
No, I don't know what you talked about,
but it seemed to be enjoyable.
You are lying!
If I don't stop this plan, you'll report what you heard!
Well?! Isn't that right?
Please wait! What talk...? I have heard nothing.
Don't pretend! Threatening a samurai is a terrible offense!
Forgive him! Forgive him!
Fool! Stay back!
Father, give this! Give this!
It's fine, go back!
Samurai, sir, I'll give you this carp, don't be angry!
Please forgive my father!
Be quiet!
Lord Shimizu, be careful! There may be others!
There is no one but us.
Let's run for it.
It may be too late, they're coming!
Official, sir, please calm down.
Father...?
Father!
It's a curse!
SUMMER DAYS WITH COO
Wow! Bali Island.
Hokkaido for us.
We'll go to Dad's home town.
I can't believe we're the only ones with no plan.
What a mess! It's July, almost summer holidays.
What about your parents' home towns?
They're both from Saitama, it's too close to here.
Hey, where is Bali Island?
I don't know, maybe south.
What's there?
The ocean...
Stupid, that's all you know!
I'll know after going.
Come on!
Yuck, Kikuchi. Loser.
Koichi, you like Kikuchi?
Get out of here! No way.
See you.
I'm off.
Ouch!
A turtle...fossil?
Amazing!
Uehara, what's that?
It's nothing.
Can you climb up?
Are you OK?
It's because you were walking along there!
You're a snob! Ugly!
Brother's home!
You should check.
Who is it, please?
Me.
He's a real mess!
What?!
Koichi.
Well, I fell...
Stop doing that! It's already a problem that laundry won't dry.
Don't get more clothes dirty!
Little brat.
Understand?
Mhm.
Not 'mhm'.
Yes.
Get changed quickly.
Alright.
Huh?
What...?
What are you doing?
None of your business.
Just go away!
Koichi, what are you doing?
Well...
The door's locked. Open it!
I'm not doing anything.
I'm just washing an unusual rock I found.
Why was the door locked?
She gets in the way.
I do not!
Do so!
I just watch.
What?! What?!
What is it?
Ahh, it's awful! Awful...awful...awww...
Awful!
Quick! Quick! Go throw it away somewhere!
Ahh, horrible! Quick!
Maybe a 'water sprite'?
A 'kappa'?!
Can it be true?
I see, you'll come home early for this...
Hitomi, where's the 'kappa'?
I don't know!
Dad, you're early!
So, this is it!
It does look like a 'water sprite'.
It is a 'kappa'.
It sure looks like one.
I told you.
Where did you find it?
Black-Eye River.
Be careful.
It has such a cute face.
Yeah.
It was smaller, but got bigger in water.
Sometimes it makes a 'coo' sound.
So, I think I'll name it "Coo."
Hang on! A name? You'll keep it as a pet?
Can I keep it, Dad?
Huh? Well...
No way! You're not keeping that creepy thing here!
I hate it too!
Mom, don't just hate it, look closer.
No!
It's really cute.
No!
No, don't come near me!
It's awful!
Stop or I'll get mad!
Don't kill me...
Huh?!
Don't kill me...
Help me.
Koichi, put it back in the water!
OK.
Hey, did it just talk?!
Yeah...
Put water in its head dish. A kappa gets weak if that dries.
So, that's really true?
Well...hey, quickly!
So, you can talk.
Did you feed it something?
I heard kappa like cucumbers, so I gave it some...
It ate a bit.
It's not an insect, it needs something for strength.
Like what?
Well...something...
Maybe it'll eat sashimi?
Look!
It ate it!
You always know best!
Of course...
What'll we do?
Koichi, you'll really be responsible?
Yeah, I will, I will!
Koichi, let's keep the kappa a secret for now.
Huh, why?
A big fuss would be tough while it's not strong.
OK.
Hey, you'll keep it?
Your brother says he wants to.
It seems rather weak, let's help it.
Stop it...
Loser.
Get out of here.
Hah!
After all he said last night!
I'm coming in.
Here's your dinner.
Can you eat it by yourself?
Thank you very much.
You're welcome.
Where...am I?
What?
Near Black-Eyes River?
Black-Eye River used to be called Black-Eyes River.
How long ago was that?
Long ago, the Edo era.
Really?
Coo, were you born over 200 years ago?
Hey, 'topknot', 'topknot'.
What are you doing?
Samurai sword...
Hey, something's wrong.
What's wrong?
Are you OK?
Samurai?! You're afraid of samurai?
A samurai killed my father with a sword.
Really? How terrible.
Then there was an earthquake...
I fell into a crack and was buried alive.
Until now?!
You survived well!
You're safe, Coo, there are no samurai now.
Why not?
Why? Well...
A lot happened, but the samurai era ended over 100 years ago.
STUPID KAPPA DIE
I am very indebted to all of you.
Thanks to you, my health has recovered.
I'll bring fish to you sometime.
Thank you very much.
I'll return to Dragon Swamp.
Hey, Koichi.
Coo! Just wait!
This way?
You're going outside? You can stay here.
Father says kappa and humans can't live together.
That may be, but the world outside has really changed since your era.
- There are many dangers. - Right.
Are there samurai?
None at all, none!
Guys try so hard...
Don't go outside.
Well, maybe I'll stay a bit longer.
Please do! Please.
Isn't your dish dry?
It is dry.
Get water! Not tap water, mineral water!
OK.
Good water. It must be from a spring.
Can you tell?
Yeah.
What's your real name, Coo?
I won't tell you.
They said if I tell a human, I'll become dirty and be cursed.
That's not true.
I spent so long in the earth that I forgot my real name!
Cheer up, you'll remember sometime.
Until then, can I call you 'Coo'?
In the end, I do look after him.
And also the cost of food...
I don't mean you!
Ayana, Hitomi, goodbye.
Goodbye.
Bye.
What's that?
Snails.
Ossan.
Move!
Hitomi, don't be mean!
This is my place.
Oh, 'maimai'.
Snails. Stupid!
He's not stupid, they're also called 'maimai'.
Don't!
He ate it! He ate the snail!
You didn't bring it to eat? Humans don't eat 'maimai'?
Well, they do eat them...
But not raw! They're cooked and called 'escargot'.
I don't serve it at home.
'Escargot' are really good. Let's go try them sometime.
No way, no way...
Coo, what kinds of insects do you eat?
Enough of that!
Diving beetles, water bugs and dragonflies are good.
And earthworms...
Koichi, what's this?!
Don't, you have to hide.
It's a bicycle, for riding.
Keep your head down, be quiet.
Koichi, something's coming.
It's a car.
It's to ride in, don't worry.
This is where I found you.
Buried in that hole.
Is this Black-Eyes River?
Yeah, but now it's called Black-Eye River.
This is Dragon Swamp?!
What's that building? Where is the swamp?
You're too loud. Is this the place?
Yeah, my father and I lived here.
Maybe it's been filled in. No swamps near here...
Coo, a train!
That! It's a big thing to ride.
This area hasn't changed much, right?
Can I get out?
No, there are people and houses.
People are everywhere.
Of course.
But none of us?
Huh?
No kappa.
There's no choice, hundreds of years have passed.
Where should I go?
Just stay with us.
Humans killed mother too.
I won't do that. And my family...
You'll be safe with us, honestly.
Koichi, dinner!
Eat, you'll feel better.
Dad, you're home early lately.
Don't be so rough with him!
He's OK.
Coo, it's your chair.
What's wrong with Coo? Is he sick?
No, I took him outside today.
Did anybody see you?
No, I don't think so.
'Think so' won't do!
Whaa...it's mine, it's mine!
Don't be so loud!
You don't use it, lend it to him.
No!
Hitomi!
Don't do that.
What's going on?
What's wrong, Coo?
Sumo wrestling?
I see, he thinks it's sumo.
Kappa really like sumo.
I read that somewhere.
It seems to be true.
Hah, you're so weak, Hitomi!
Wow, you're strong, Coo!
It's nothing special.
That's surprising, he's so small.
Now try it with me!
Come on!
Wait a minute!
Mom, you want to fight first?!
No, let's eat first.
You too, Hitomi.
Let's eat, get strong, and wrestle!
Let's do it!
OK, are you ready?
Come on!
Be careful.
Right, in position.
Ready...
Go!
It can't be! I lost focus. Another match.
Alright.
What's wrong, Koichi? One more match.
I'm defeated...
No way! Stupid brother!
Shut up. It can't be helped.
Coo is too strong.
Come on, Dad...
Alright, I'll fight.
You will?
Right, in position.
Ready...
Go!
Strength alone isn't good.
I lost. Coo is really strong.
Unbelievable.
Mom, you're next.
Never, never.
Don't tease Coo, you'll be thrown again.
Is that good?
Have a bit, for your victory.
Don't do that.
I'll pour a bit in your dish.
OK.
Congratulations.
Wow, this water perks you up!
I feel really good.
The alcohol went into him...
What?!
Wow, he's bright red.
Look what you've done.
Well, I didn't expect...
- Dragon Spirit, please... - Is he drunk?
My dish is dry Rain, fall on me
Yoi yoi korasa Heh heh rah heh...
Coo!
Oh, no!
Water! And ice!
Coo, are you OK?
Just pushing won't open it.
Do what I tell you to do.
Hi.
So, it's you.
Keep your voice down. They'll hear you.
We'll talk in our minds.
I don't know how.
Just try it.
Can you hear me?
Yeah.
Really?!
I hear you just fine.
Lots of my kind have this power,
but I've never used it.
Maybe because I was in the earth for so long.
But I didn't know dogs can also do it.
Some dogs can.
Don't tell this family about this power.
OK, I understand.
I'm glad about this nice rain.
You like the rain, that's unusual.
I'm going to take a walk over there.
Make sure the humans don't see you.
OK. Do you want to undo that and go along?
No, I have my duties here, I can't take it off.
You're not so free.
That's not so.
It means I get meals here, it's better than being stray.
Hey, make sure you come back.
They're not bad people to live with.
OK. And you're here too.
Really? It's that scary?
Seems you'll just tremble.
What? It's just a movie.
That's true, but...
A kappa...
Huh?
Or some kind of pet like that?
What about a kappa?
Hitomi told Ayana something about it.
She says you have a kappa...
What?!
I did scold her about it,
but we can't hide it forever.
We have to decide what to do with Coo...
Hah! You don't care at all.
Why should I worry?!
At least let us see... the kappa.
Please.
Please!
There is no kappa.
You're lying.
It's all over the Internet... the kappa at your house.
Sorry, there isn't one...
You're keeping it for yourself.
Forget it. Let's go.
Hey!
What's going on?
Let's go, let's go.
I wonder if there is a kappa?
That would be funny!
Let's go home.
Dropping by anywhere?
Oh, sorry.
Loser.
Kikuchi, get mad at them.
If you ignore them, they'll get even worse.
No, it's OK.
Why?
She's gloomy.
Uehara...
Was it a kappa you found that time?
Beats me.
Protect it.
Loser. Ugly!
Second floor's hot! I can't stand it.
Coo! Let's do sumo!
Come on!
You must be frozen.
Will you forgive me?
Those guys!
Take that!
You're too noisy!
I said no sumo on the second floor!
I'm sorry.
Sorry.
Hah! Right at the best part!
Oh yeah, Koichi, read that to me.
Isn't this a kappa? Isn't it about kappa?
It is. Where is this?
"The home of the folk tale...Enno."
"Meet kappa on a trip."?!
Really?
Meet kappa in Enno?!
It's not 'Enno', it's 'Tono'.
Of course you can't. Just you and Coo travel that far?!
What? Please.
The magazine says that, but there won't be any kappa...
But if Coo goes there he might find some kind of clue.
Well, let's all go for our summer holidays, we had no plans.
Right?
What? It's better if we all go.
Hitomi, want to go?
Train station stamp rally!
You can do that anytime.
Well?
Well, my job is uncertain...
Come on, Dad, let us go.
No way! Do you know how to get to Tono?!
I can find out.
Never. Never.
What's 'uncertain' work?
Come on, Dad...
Don't forget anything.
I'm checking.
Got your cell phone?
Tickets?
Got 'em.
Well, I'm off.
Hope you find others.
Yeah.
See you.
Don't push yourself. Don't expose Coo.
OK.
That's all you think of.
Well, I'm off.
Call when you get there.
OK.
Mom keeps saying the same thing over and over!
Don't say that about your mother.
Quiet, you'll be noticed.
He didn't look back.
He feels awkward.
What?
What's wrong?
Don't come out!
Stay in a bit longer.
Look outside.
It's fast,
the scenery flies past.
Rice fields.
Rice fields, Koichi, like around Dragon Swamp!
Oh, it used to be like this where I live.
Maybe there are kappa.
Yeah.
Shin-Hanamaki. Shin-Hanamaki. Change here for...
It really has become warm.
It sure has.
The train will soon arrive on Platform 2.
TONO STATION
Hello, hello.
Kappa everywhere!
We did it!
You should have called when you arrived.
Oh, kappa?
Don't waste time. Rent a bike soon and watch out for cars.
I know.
The guys arrived safely.
Hmm! I hope he throws Coo away!
Don't say such things.
We've arrived at 'Kappa-buchi'.
We've arrived?
Stay hidden!
Can I come out?
No, there are lots of people around.
Seem to be any kappa?
You see that camera over there?
It records the river 24 hours a day, you can watch it on the Internet.
We'll know right away if there are kappa.
If you catch a kappa there's a prize of 10 million yen!
But don't injure it.
Catch a kappa?
Kappa?!
Right. I'm researching kappa for my summer project.
I see. Places where kappa might be...?
Toshio, know anyplace?
If I knew, I'd catch one and collect the 10 million yen!
No kappa is dumb enough to be caught by you.
I'll tell you. Show me your map.
Of course.
Thank you.
Good luck.
Thanks.
It's hot!
That felt great. Pour on some more.
Really?
Does it say kappa are here?
No, not that.
Maybe near here.
Nice river.
Smells like fish!
Are you here, kappa?
Can I come out?
Can I?
OK, I'll put you down.
Uh oh, he's still in there. This isn't good.
Ahh, live fish taste great.
It's been a long time since I swam, it felt good. Nice river.
Yeah.
Come and swim with me, Koichi. Come swimming!
Hurry up!
Wish I had my swimsuit...
It's cold.
What's wrong, you're like a girl!
How about the kappa fart-swim?
I drank the water!
Coo, you're an amazing swimmer!
All kappa swim like that.
Kappa are great, I'm impressed!
None here.
It's the kind of river kappa would be in...
I was told of several places, we'll go and look there tomorrow.
OK.
This 'curved house' is from near the end of the Edo era.
'Curved house'? It's beautiful.
I can see Tokyo kids are different.
Huh? Not at all... I'm just a regular...
I don't deserve praise...
I live in Tokyo, but my place is surrounded by rice fields.
This is it.
Do you know what a 'house spirit child' is?
Yes, kind of. It's a ghost, right?
It's said that there's the spirit of a girl living here.
What?
Don't be afraid if you see one.
They bring wealth to the house, and are good spirits.
Also...where is the curved part of a 'curved house'?
You came from Tokyo alone?!
Tokyo children can do such things.
It's nothing special.
No, it's really something.
Really something.
I don't deserve praise...
And you eat heartily.
Really well.
A kappa, that's odd.
Aren't you a 'house spirit child'?
Yes.
I'm looking for other kappa, but can't find any.
Do you know where they are?
I haven't seen any for about 100 years.
Did the kappa move away, or did they all die?
Flowers bloom, winds blow
Snowflakes dance
Everything has disappeared
But still I am here
Somehow you are here too
Fall asleep, fall asleep Past and present, future too
Tomorrow must surely come It is the will of the spirits
Go to sleep
Sleep, go to sleep.
I hope we find kappa today.
Koichi.
Let's go home.
You don't know if the 'house spirit child' told the truth.
I do know.
Maybe if we search more...
Koichi, we don't tell lies among ourselves.
Only humans lie.
Koichi, let's go home.
We have to wait for the evening Bullet Train.
Coo, have you left your home before?
No, it's my first trip.
Okay!
KAMAISHI STATION
Koichi, where are we going?
You'll see, you'll see.
Koichi, don't be so rough!
Wow...amazing, what a big pond!
It's the ocean.
Ocean.
Go and swim.
Yeah.
Water! Water, quick! Water!
It stings. The water is so salty.
There can't be fish in that water.
There are lots.
I bet they're salty fish!
What?! The fish you eat come from the ocean.
After going home, let's go look for kappa somewhere else.
I guess.
I'm going for another sting.
Are you Koichi Uehara?
My card, I'm a reporter.
I want to ask about the kappa.
A quick look...
Isn't this it?!
Excuse me.
Get a shot!
What are you doing?!
Not me, it did something!
What's wrong?
They took a picture!
Coo?
Photographers came during the day. They must have waited for you.
I don't want them shown.
Coo can really swim!
He can jump like a dolphin.
Really?
Yeah. Right, Coo?
What's a dolphin?
A fish, stupid!
Hey!
Who's stupid? Dolphins are animals! Stupid!
Koichi, stop.
You're lying. Dolphins are fish!
Right, Mom?
Dolphins are animals.
I'll show you later.
It's true, Coo is amazing! He can fart-swim!
Huh?
What's so funny, at a time like this!?
Coo can fart-swim!
Hey, Coo's going to be in a magazine. All Japan will know!
Don't take it out on us. Think about our next move!
Oh yeah! My souvenir for Hitomi.
I found this pretty stone in the ocean.
In return for the 'maimai' that I ate.
It is pretty.
Hitomi, say thanks.
Isn't it just glass?
Sorry. Thank you.
It's OK.
So, you like her?
Let's go!
What?! After I tried to set you up!
Hah! Still a boy.
Well, Koichi isn't ready yet.
But why doesn't he talk with her?
Humans are just troublesome creatures.
You really know about humans.
Well, I've lived with them for quite a while.
Sometimes humans do scary things.
That's true.
EXCLUSIVE! REAL LIVE KAPPA PHOTO!
Mr. Uehara! Can you tell us...
Oh, he looks old, and his hair is weird.
Not again!
Hello.
Yes.
- I'm sorry, I can't... - Sorry to disappoint you...
Come on, be firm!
Well... he is very frightened...
and I must refuse your coverage...
Does "he" mean the kappa?
Excuse me.
Coo, you're a hit. On TV...
I'm scared...of those people, and that big eye thing.
I'm sorry to cause all this uproar.
Don't worry, it's really exciting.
Hey, did you really break that camera?
I don't know.
I was afraid that big eye and flashing light would eat me,
and I was just terrified.
It would be cool if you had that ability.
What about your job?
I'll take today off.
...since the camera was damaged by some force...
What?
Nothing.
...to have some special ability.
Not watching?
No.
We'll stay inside.
Someone's here.
Oh, no...
Let's go.
That's the house!
I'm just outside.
Yeah, near the kappa house. You coming?
What else does the kappa eat?
Well, cucumbers...
Cucumbers! It's really true that kappa eat cucumbers!
I look so old.
Of course, you are old.
It's good that you and Dad get to be on TV.
We don't want to be. It was so embarrassing.
It's my fault.
Because of me... Yukari's gotten old.
I'm just joking.
Look, I'm still young. See how smooth my skin is?
What's so funny?
That's rude.
But why won't they let us see it?
What's his name, Uehara? How can we know if it's really there?
It's received all this attention, so we need to see it to be sure.
Anyway, a kappa is a spirit.
You don't have to go on TV, but can we make a video at home?
Yasuo, it's tough for you.
Well...
You can do it. I've already caused you so much trouble.
Really? Thanks.
TODAY'S TOPIC: KAPPA
Coo, lower your head.
Like this?
Right.This is the dish.
Can we see your back?
There's a shell on the back.
You should be used to it by now.
Spread your fingers.
The hands are webbed.
Well, we've seen the kappa. Any comments, Mr. Kawakami?
What a surprise!
It appears that kappa are real creatures.
I want to see it in person even more now.
Well, I'm off.
Be careful.
Excuse me, let me pass.
Mr. Uehara, let Coo star in our movie!
In our commercial!
A TV drama!
A book of photos!
Ready, set...
Coo! Look over here!
Coo!
Don't disturb the neighbors. Please keep your voices down!
You're the noisy ones!
Coo, come out!
Yeah! Show your head at least!
Please don't shout!
They asked us to have...
your family and Coo appear on the show that they sponsor.
They are an important client to us. We're counting on you.
Alright...
I'll do it.
Really?
I owe all of you so much.
I can't be afraid forever.
Great! On TV! Yes!
OK? Don't answer, just ignore them.
OK.
Excuse me, my child's leaving.
No pictures, please.
Go ahead.
Please let him pass.
Koichi, is Coo fine?
Some questions!
Koichi!
Wait, Koichi!
Hi!
I got away.
I was stuck at home...
Farting kappa.
Uehara...
That dog I saw is called Ossan, right?
Yeah.
I met him at your place while in first or second grade.
Right...
Why'd you name him 'Ossan'?
When we found him, his face made me think 'old man.'
Did you take a trip anywhere?
Well, Tono.
Oh, and Hanamaki?
Just changed trains.
I see...
What's in Hanamaki?
Kenji Miyazawa's birthplace.
Oh, you like Kenji Miyazawa?
Yeah, I do.
You haven't read him?
Not really.
NIGHT ON THE GALACTIC RAILROAD BY K. MIYAZAWA
Please don't shove!
Coo has just emerged!
Are you OK?
Ask them to take me along.
What's wrong?
Can't we take Ossan too?
Huh?
What's wrong?
Coo wants to take Ossan.
What?
Please bring him!
Hey, quit shoving!
Car leaving!
Move back, please.
Don't push.
Back up, coming through!
Wow, he fell!
Amazing!
Don't be so afraid, it's OK.
Koichi's strange.
A bit giddy. Humans can change quite quickly.
My previous owner was like that.
What happened?
We got along well when he was a boy.
We often played together.
I really liked him,
and he was kind to me.
But then, at some point...
he started being bullied by his group.
It seemed that there was no one he could bully except me.
He beat me every day, and I guess he was beaten too.
I can't understand why that happened to him.
I was so sad.
I hated to be beaten, and hated to see him like that.
I ran away.
I ran and ran until I collapsed,
and then Koichi came.
Koichi was like my first owner was as a boy.
Why do humans change?
I wonder why...
Good morning.
This way, please.
Please wait for your time.
Until then.
What'll we do with the lower body...
We can't show his privates.
Do you think so?
No way, we can't show his privates.
What happened to the kids?
Oh, they went to see Uehara's kappa on TV.
Really, is that today?
Nobody will come today.
Let's watch it too.
Sounds good.
And now, our special guest,
Coo the kappa will come on-stage!
Please come out.
- He's cute! - Really!
COO THE KAPPA: TV DEBUT!
This way please.
Thank you for coming. Welcome to the show.
It's Coo!
It really is!
It's not a robot?
No, it's real.
Really, right now!
That boy...
Ten million yen...
Isn't it that boy?!
How are you feeling? He's a bit nervous, take your time...
Wow, I'm thrilled!
What is it?
You smell bad.
What?!
Your perfume.
Coo dislikes perfume.
I don't smell bad.
Where...
Smells bad!
And now, let's introduce our guest.
The ethnologist who proposed that kappa actually exist,
Sumio Shimizu.
Enter, please.
Over here, please.
Welcome.
Thank you.
And now we'll explore the enigma of the kappa.
Mr. Shimizu, many years of research...
What's wrong?
He looks like the man who killed my father.
What?!
I'm overwhelmed.
My heartfelt thanks to Coo.
Were you confident of your theory?
Yes.
I have proof passed down through generations.
What kind of proof?
A kappa arm.
A kappa arm?!
When my samurai ancestor...
disposed of a troublesome kappa,
this item resulted.
Because I had this in my house,
I couldn't accept kappa as fictional spirits.
Mr. Shimizu, will you show it to us?
Yes.
I suppose that Coo prefers not look...
I want to see.
Father!
What?!
Are you saying that is your father's arm?
It can't be...it's not...
Coo, is that true? ls that your father's arm?
It really is, it's my father's arm.
How do you know that?
I know because I know!
Even if you say so...
But...what can I do...
Are you done? It's a precious item.
Your ancestor killed my father!
My father wasn't a troublesome kappa!
A good fisherman,
very kind,
a wonderful kappa!
Father just tried to stop them...
from making our home, Dragon Swamp, into a rice field.
Your ancestor suddenly drew his sword and cut him down!
The father I loved so much...
Can it be true?
Such coincidence...
Mr. Shimizu, can what Coo has said be true?
No, it's...
It would be in the Edo era...
Oh, that's true.
Coo...
Perhaps Coo has...
Don't cry.
...some special ability to know about things from the past?
Stop it!
What?!
Studio OK?
Hey, stop!
Commercial!
Coo, calm down.
I'll take the arm...
What are you doing! Quick, help him!
Damn!
Don't be afraid.
We won't hurt you.
Jump on!
Stop!
He got away!
We're on the air!
Huh, kappa and dog?
Catch them!
Where'll we go?
A quiet place with no humans.
Got it!
It's Coo!
Cars and people everywhere!
It's an arm!
Shut up!
What is it?!
It's dangerous! Real scary place!
Coo!
Ossan, you're tired. You can stop.
No way, not yet. Feels great to run again!
Wait! Coo!
Wait!
Hey, isn't that a kappa?
It's Coo!
Oh, Coo!
It's Coo!
Coo!
Stay away!
Chase them!
Is that Coo?
It's Coo!
Oh, no!
Ossan!
Are you OK?
Sorry, I tripped.
I'm in bad shape, go on without me.
I won't, get up.
It hurts...damn.
It's because of me. It's my fault.
I wonder if he's still alive?
Maybe I was better off getting beaten...
Then his mood might have improved, and then...
Like in the good old days...
Ossan! Ossan!
Poor thing. Did it die?
How terribly sad.
Hey, there's meat!
Eat it before the guts rot.
Let's eat! And that runt too!
What happened?!
Coo, it's dangerous!
Come down!
You have to be careful!
Watch out!
He's climbing!
Somebody help him!
That kappa, Coo!
He's climbing Tokyo Tower!
Did Ossan die?
Why...
Up there! Coo!
Where?
There!
Coo!
There are stairs, let's get closer.
Can we get to the girders from the stairs?
Yes, there's access for maintenance.
Excuse me, we're Coo's family.
Look!
Father...
there aren't quiet places here without humans.
It's just like a human nest.
There are no more kappa.
The humans killed them all.
It's totally dry.
My strength is gone.
Father, what should I do?
I'm tired out.
I want to go where Father is.
If I fall from here, I could go there.
Father, help me.
Father, Father!
Father!
Coo, stay there, don't move!
We're coming to help you.
Tie the rope there!
Hurry!
Quick, the lock.
Right.
Coo!
Answer me!
Look at that cloud.
It's creepy.
What?!
I understand, Father!
You don't want me to come there yet.
Coo!
Stay there!
We won't do things that upset you.
Please, don't run away.
Grab hold.
Ossan wanted to save Coo.
He did what we couldn't do.
Many people claim to have seen the dragon,
but no images of it were recorded by camera or video.
The link between the dragon and Coo is unknown,
but regarding Coo's special ability,
people say we should unravel it.
Next, move your foot out and twist.
Like this?
I see... right, one more round.
Sure.
Coo, it's finished.
Ah, nice!
Great.
I got something really nice.
Don't mention it.
I want one too.
I knew you'd ask.
Look.
It's for the glass...
I mean the stone, that Coo gave you.
Hitomi, stop putting things there.
Alright.
What are you doing?
Hah, you don't belong!
Hah!
Did you want one too?
Not especially.
You do so!
Shut up!
Why, you...!
Hey, your Dad said...
"it's meaningless to sneak around,"
"we should go to a nice river our next holiday."
Really? Great!
Where will we go?
It's not decided yet.
Have a picnic!
Let's do that.
Can I catch fish?
Of course.
The TV people will follow,
but Dad says it's OK.
Sounds like fun.
Everybody wants to see Coo now,
but they'll get used to him someday.
Then you can have a normal life.
Yeah.
I wanted to see the dragon too,
but there was no time, and I just didn't notice.
Why not ask Coo?
I did ask him to call it.
But he said it wasn't him, but his father that called it.
Who knows what's true?
Coo and his dad are great.
Huh?
Hey hey, Koichi's in love!
Sweetheart club?
It's not like that.
Gloomy Miss-Fortune and Kappa Buddy, makes a nice pair.
Isn't it dangerous if it uses its special ability?
It was scary seeing it hug a mummy arm and cry!
That's because it's the arm of its murdered father.
How do you know? Did they do a DNA check?
That's right!
Coo is able to tell.
What?!
I don't get it.
Maybe kappa germs made you strange!
What's that, kappa germs?
That's what my dad says.
A kappa is like an alien.
Maybe it has some strange germs!
Scary!
Kappa germs!
Stop that!
Miss-Fortune is mad.
That time of the month?
Your old man had an affair and took off.
None of your business!
And what's that about your mother...?
Shut up! Stupid! Quit it.
Hey!
We can see everything!
Why so mad, stupid?
Kappa germs infect you too?
Right?
Go on, go on! Do it!
Alright, I'm sorry!
You're strong.
Coo taught me.
He's good at sumo.
Really?
That's my first fight.
It's better not to.
Yeah.
This is that place...
Huh?
You found Coo near here.
I guess.
There isn't much trace now.
It's been quite a while.
Uehara, you know...
I'm going to move.
My parents broke up, I'm going to Mom's family.
I'll move the day after tomorrow,
so I'll go to a new school next term.
I see...
Thanks for talking to me.
Hey, don't cry.
Things happen, but we'll get through it.
Well...I'll be going...
Bye.
You should go home now too.
What?
Coo says he's going to leave.
Why?
He received a letter.
He read it and suddenly got excited.
Koichi!
Look at this!
COME HERE. COME SOON. GET SENT AS A PARCEL.
It may be a hoax.
Koichi, it wasn't written by a human.
What do you think?
What's wrong? Did something happen?
Not really.
How can you know?
What if it's just a hoax?
I'll know if I see. That's the best way.
I'm leaving tomorrow.
Tomorrow!
You don't need to rush.
We planned to go to the river tomorrow.
You looked forward to it.
I'm sorry.
Stupid Coo!
Just go away somewhere!
Hitomi.
This all happened so suddenly.
Coo is going on a trip tomorrow.
It's not so much, a little farewell party.
Well then, to Coo's future prospects!
Dad, why don't you stop him?
Why do you just let him go?
Koichi, when you went to the river in Tono...
you told me how full of life Coo was.
Well, yeah...
Coo is different than us.
Where we live, and how we live.
So let's go to such places.
We planned to go.
But we can't go every day.
Coo lived in such a place every day.
Living here is not natural for Coo.
My father said that...
humans take our water and land,
and some day will take the wind and sky...
and sacred places for themselves.
But in return they lose their souls.
I thought that humans were creatures that were like monsters.
We must seem like it to your kind.
But after living with you,
I understood that all humans aren't like that.
In that case, just stay here.
If I stay here, I have to live like humans.
After I die someday,
I'll go where mother, father and my ancestors are waiting.
At that time, if I forget the kappa way of living,
I won't be able to face them.
And if I stay here longer,
it will be too tough to leave all of you,
that's why I'm leaving.
Well, let's eat!
Yeah.
It's good!
Ready. Focus.
Quick, quick!
OK, look at the camera.
One more shot.
Coo, is the flash OK?
Yeah, I'm not afraid of this one.
Is this enough water and food?
It's plenty.
Take the photos too. It includes yesterday's.
I'll treasure them.
OK, well let's get going.
OK.
Let's go.
Hey, when are you coming again?
Hitomi, Coo is...
When are you coming again?
Hitomi, don't cry.
I don't know when, but I'll come and see all of you again.
Kappa don't lie, so believe me.
Take care.
I'm sorry it's come to this.
Thanks for staying with us.
Not at all. Thanks for everything too.
Bottom of the 9th, 2 outs. One hit and it's all over.
Into the batter box, Number 4, Suzuki...
Hey!
He's carrying something.
To all of you in the press,
we are going to stop trying to raise Coo in this environment.
We're sending Coo to a place suitable for kappa to live.
Please end your observation of our house today.
Coo?
You mean right now?
Where is he going?
We're not making a mistake, right?
It's not a mistake.
Until now has been the mistake.
He's leaving, hey!
Quick, don't be so slow! Come on, let's go!
Quick, quick!
They're sending Coo somewhere else!
Good, they're all gone. Koichi!
Be careful.
OK.
I'm dropping you.
OK.
Coo, I want to drop by somewhere.
I thought you'd have some plan.
Go ahead.
Yes.
Is Sayoko home?
Uehara?!
What's wrong?
Coo.
Huh?
Come in.
OK.
Are you alone?
Come on.
OK.
I'm going to send Coo away. So, I thought first...
Who is she?
Kikuchi.
A pleasure to meet you.
Nice to meet you.
Coo, I haven't told you until now,
but I found you thanks to Kikuchi.
So, I also owe you for saving my life.
Thank you very much.
No, it's my pleasure. I'm glad I could meet you.
Kikuchi is strong.
No one looks out for her, but she keeps on alone.
I've been mean to her also.
She's moving away tomorrow.
Before that, I wanted to introduce her to you.
She understood your feelings long before I did.
Thank you.
We'd better go before it gets too late.
OK.
Just in case, we're going to Kiyose.
Can I go to the station?
Well...OK.
OK, let's go, Coo.
Koichi, Kikuchi.
I'm glad that you're the ones that found me.
It was just by chance.
It wasn't chance.
I'm sure it was decided long ago.
Huh?
Thank you.
I thought I had no place to live,
but that was just my thinking.
I'll try my best at the new place, like Coo.
If I don't, nothing will change.
Yeah.
Sorry if I've said something strange.
It's fine.
Can I write to you?
Huh. OK, I'll definitely write back.
Oh, you know my address?
Yeah, I still have your New Year's card.
See you.
Coo, I have to do some things to send you.
I see.
Are you OK?
I'm fine.
Well, this is as far as I go...
I want to send this box.
Fill this out.
Alright.
Please send it as 'fragile'.
It's done.
When will it be picked up?
That?
Yes.
After one hour.
Thanks.
Koichi.
Huh?
Sorry to startle you.
I could always hear you speaking from your spirit.
Koichi, don't blame yourself.
I have no regrets.
I had fun living with you.
That's not a lie.
Coo...
I...I...still wanted to...
It's OK, Koichi.
Someday, we'll meet again.
Hey, Koichi.
I'm glad I didn't die.
Koichi,
I'm going to treasure the life that you gave to me.
What the hell...!
Are you OK?
Hey, pull yourself together.
Water, water.
I'm revived now!
Everything OK?
Yeah.
You're not human, right?
So why do you have human form?
The best way to deceive humans is to become like one.
I'm Kijimuna. I'm like a relative to kappa.
Someday I'll teach you to take human form.
It's very useful.
You can enter clubs where young ladies are.
Where is this place?
It's Yanbaru, in Okinawa.
Really...
You were really in danger.
I saw you on TV. I thought I had to do something.
You're welcome here.
Stay as long as you want.
Humans almost never come here.
Slowly let your heart and body rest.
Thank you.
I'll depend on you, Kijimuna.
Don't be so formal.
You can call me Ossan.
OK.
I'm Coo.
The humans gave me that name.
OK.
Coo.
Go and swim in the river in the forest behind here.
I'd love to swim!
To the spirits of this land,
permit me and my father to stay here for a while.
Allow me to take fish from this river,
but I'll catch only what I need to survive.
Does it feel good, Father?
Father,
just like Kijimuna-Ossan,
there may be kappa that take the form of humans to live.
After resting here for a while,
I think I'll take a trip to search for kappa.
I'll also go and visit Koichi and his family.
Father,
I'm sorry,
I've made friends with humans.
Directed by Keiichi Hara
Based on the book by Masao Kogure