I'm taking this upstairs.
Thanks.
Hey, Kinichi, stop playing around.
We're opening soon.
Ah, okay!
Ah...
Hagimoto Kinichi
Okay...
Toyo Theatre is one of the most popular theaters in Asakusa.
Popular dancers and comedians took the stage every day.
Sumiko, the theater's dancer and Asakusa's most popular actress.
Good evening.
As a newcomer,
I couldn't even talk to her, let alone make eye contact with her.
She was truly above the clouds.
So beautiful.
Oh, I should go to bed.
I have an early morning tomorrow.
I can't see a thing.
She's still beautiful after all.
Kin-chan's Sumi-chan. The woman who loved Hagimoto Kinichi
What? I can go on stage?
Yeah, you play a villager.
Come on, you can do this much.
Yes! Thank you very much!
I'm counting on you.
Yes, sir.
Villager...
Oh.
Please give me dumplings.
Uhm, please give me dumplings!
Hey, you're too noisy.
Ah... excuse me.
You want some dumplings, right?
Hurry up and bring that girl over.
Yes, I understand.
My lady, can I talk to you for a minute?
Yes, what is it?
Uhm...
Ah.... eh.....
Uhm, uhm...
Eh, er...
Uhm, uhm...
You! By any chance...
Do you want to say, “Please give me dumplings”?
Ah, yes! That's right.
P-P-Please give me some dumplings!
I'm not the owner of the dumpling shop!
The dumpling shop is over there.
Oh, is that right? I'm sorry.
Ah~!
After that, I performed on stage several times.
But many of those days didn't go very well.
Good night!
Kinichi, can I talk to you for a minute?
Oh, yes.
If you're going to quit, you'd better do it soon.
Huh?
To be frank, I don't think you're cut out to be a comedian.
Good night.
Even the star Sumiko is working so hard.
Thinking that,
I felt ashamed of myself for being so depressed.
Hey, I'd like to ask you something.
I'm busy. Can you come back later?
Uhm...
- Uhm..! - Huh?
How do you become a good comedian?
Even a fool can figure it out after 10 years.
I can't wait 10 years. Please tell me.
Absolutely not.
Uhm..! Excuse me, sir...
- Yamada-san! - What is it?
How can I be funny?
There's no textbook on comedy. Figure it out yourself!
"I can't calm down."
"That's mine. Give it back quickly."
"How could you lie like that? It's me."
“This is a high-end..."
Are you imitating a pigeon?
Azuma-san!
This is Azuma Hachiro.
The most popular comedian in Asakusa.
You're a funny guy.
Thank you very much.
Kinbo, you thought that move was funny, right?
Ah, yes.
You're a comedian, right?
What are you going to do next?
Huh?
Ah...
How rare, it has a cute animal pattern on it.
The real owner would know the pattern, right?
It's cute, right? It's a cat. It's a cat.
It's a dog. A dog! It's a dog, right?
A fox! It's a fox. That's why I bought it.
Show me that it's a raccoon!
It's a pigeon!
I thought it was an animal, but it's dirt.
It's not a pattern!
The real owner would know what this animal looks like, right?
It's cute, right? It's a cat. It's a cat.
It's a dog. A dog! It's a dog, right?
A fox! It's a fox. That's why I bought it.
Show me that it's a raccoon!
It's a pigeon! It's definitely a pigeon.
Is anyone there?
This was probably the first time I made someone laugh on stage.
I was just practicing, and I didn't even know who was laughing.
Pigeons. Pigeons.
One month later
Er, Ishida needs to take the day off today.
- What? - That's no good.
Hacchan, could you take over?
Sure, but who's going to play my role?
Hacchan's role will be...
- Yours. - E-eh?
And your role will be....yours.
Me?
Midorikawa-san.
Then everyone would have to relearn their lines, and the play wouldn't work.
Wouldn't it be better to just replace the lead and have everyone support the lead?
Oh, right.
Does anyone remember all the leading actors' lines?
I do.
You don't need to raise your hand.
Ah...
Midorikawa-san, even if he's bad, the play will flow if he remembers the lines.
Can't we let him do it today?
No, Azuma-san. It's impossible.
You're right.
Kinichi, give it a try.
Ah... yes!
This is high class.
And so I, a novice, suddenly got the lead role.
Would my performance garner thunderous applause....?
The real owner would know the pattern of this animal, right?
Or not....
I'm terrible at this.
Azuma-san and my seniors helped me.
It's a pigeon! Pigeon!
Oh, this isn't an animal, it's just dirt.
It's not a pattern or anything.
You're all liars.
Ah...
Well done~!
Thanks for your hard work.
- Oh, I'm sorry for earlier. - Why are you apologizing so quickly?
Because I couldn't meet your expectations, Azuma-san.
I didn't have any expectations from the start.
Don't you know?
A comedian's job is to make people laugh,
not apologize to them.
If you have time to apologize, think of something funny.
Hehehe.
- YES!! - Ah~ you scared me.
Oh, I'm sorry.
It has a cute animal pattern on it.
From there, I spent every waking moment practicing.
A pigeon, definitely pigeon.
I kept thinking of interesting things to be as close as possible to my seniors.
As a result...
Until then, the main performers of Toyo Theatre
were Shinichi Ike, Azuma Hachiro, and Ishida Eiji,
who were on the billboard.
For some reason, I was added to them.
- Please to meet you. - Oh hello.
It was about 3 years after I started performing on stage.
Hey, Kinbo.
Oh, yes.
Maybe it's time for you to go on tour.
Ah... yes.
It was the custom for comedians of Toyo Theatre to travel around the country
after gaining a certain amount of experience.
I'll do my best.
- Good luck~! - Cheers!
- The day before my departure - Thank you very much.
My friends threw me a farewell party.
Hey...
Good luck!
Yes, yes, I've invited someone special for Kinichi today.
Oh? Who's that?
Hahaha..!
Excuse me, please come in.
It's Sumiko-san!
Take a seat, please~!
Kinichi! Kinichi, move over.
Yo~!
W-Why are you here, Sumiko-san?
I happened to be free.
Ah...
Even offstage Sumiko's beautiful huh~?
Thank you very much.
Can I buy you a beer?
I'd would love one.
Boss, a glass.
Here you go.
You don't drink?
Oh, I'm sorry.
I'm sorry for saying “sorry”.
Uh... I can't...
Boss! He can't drink, so grill some squid.
Sure.
The squid here is delicious.
Ah...
Thank you.
Kinbo! Do your best out there.
Hey, don't disgrace the name of Toyo Theatre.
Yes, sir!
Ah...
I'll do my best then!
See you.
Good luck.
Kin-chan.
Sumiko-san!
Uhm... what's wrong?
For you...
W-What's this?
If you're in need of money, you can pawn it.
N-No, I can't take this.
It's fine, I want you to have it.
Make a lot of people laugh out there, too.
Yes.
Thank you very much.
Bye then.
Kin-chan.
Have a safe trip.
I'm off.
I'M OFF!!
Don't need to be so loud.
Ahaha...
I'm off.
Dear customer, where did you come from?
Did you come from a place you can't talk about?
Prison?
Hey..!
Are you looking for a fight, you son of a bitch?
Go home! Go home, go home!
You're not funny!
I always kept the necklace Sumiko gave me as a good luck charm.
It made me think, “Ah, Sumiko's here.”
It helped me to keep going a little more.
All right.
Six months later
After six months on the road,
I'm back in Asakusa.
Thanks for your hard work.
But I still couldn't talk to Sumiko.
It was forbidden for comedians to speak with dancers.
If she was seen talking to me, there'll be trouble.
Ah, miss, miss...
Yes.
Wanna have a drink together?
No way! Drinking outside like this.
Outside?
Well, well... this park is like my home.
- Home? - Yeah, yeah...
This is my living room.
Living room?
Recently,
Sakagami Jiro, has been on a roll at the theater lately.
Let's sit in the living room then.
No, I don't want to sit in this dirty place.
Well, that's a problem.
Jiro~!
Sumiko, after the last show, let's all go out to dinner.
Ah~ that sounds good.
Really? Yay~! Hahaha..!
- I'll be waiting for you at Adachiya then. - Okay.
What's with that Sakagami guy?
I hate people like that the most.
Damn~!
- Kin-chan! - What? S-S-Sumiko-san...
Just call me Sumi-chan, Kin-chan.
- Sumi-chan... - Here!
Hey, Kin-chan, why didn't you come to Sakagami-san's party today?
Well, he didn't invite me.
Huh~. I thought you'd come.
I'm too tired to go home.
- Can I sleep here? - Eh? W-wait... Sumiko-san!
Ah, no....
Sumi, Sumi-san, Sumi, Sumi-chan...
Eh.... Sumi-chan?
Sumiko-san?
- Can you go back to normal? - Eh?
The way you call me.
Ah...
Sumi... chan.
Hey, Kin-chan, do you like miso soup?
Ah, yes.
It's almost ready, so wait a while.
Thank you very much.
Bon appétit.
Ahh....
Delicious!
It's delicious!
Hey, Kin-chan, what do you think of my dance?
“What do I think?” Of course I like it.
Ever since I started working at Toyo Theatre,
Sumiko-san...
I'm a fan of Sumi-chan.
Sumi-chan's dance makes everyone feel good.
Ah...
[whispering]
What?
No, it's nothing.
Ah.
But you have pretty empty room.
I've never seen such a dreary room.
I'm sorry...
Oh, I'm apologizing again.
There's nothing to apologize for.
Hahaha...
I'm sorry.
Hahahaha...
You guys have a problem because there's nothing on the ground, right?
I notice everything.
- A handyman? - Yeah.
Ah~ Then you've come to the right place.
- Then, can I borrow one of your mats? - Haha~ here!
- Here it is! - Oh~.
This one here. Two people can sit together.
- The price is... - Ah... but...
But, Mr. handyman, this isn't very comfortable, is it?
Oh, that's right. Can I borrow a futon and pillow?
Ah~ Uhm, it's okay if you don't have any.
I always hated this Sakagami Jiro.
Every time he would improvise, doing whatever he wanted.
I'd end up competing with him, and we'd end up in an ad-lib battle.
I see... It's a bit high though.
Haha, high?
How about I stretch my legs like this?
This way, you both can lie down together.
- It may be a little stiff, though. - Do you have something softer?
Eh~ Soft?
Then I'll lie down.
- Here, please! - Looks good!
Okay.
Well, if you'll excuse me.
What is it?
A delivery.
A delivery?
No, I didn't order this.
- It's heavy. Can I come in? - No, no, no, wait a minute...
I ordered it.
What? Sumi-chan.
What's this?
A TV.
What?
Where should I put it?
Okay, in the corner there.
It's okay to move the futon over.
This is the age of TV, everybody's watching it.
But isn't this expensive?
Pay me when you're promoted... okay?
What?
Sumi-chan!
Comedians have to be fit. They have to eat well.
What? Eh, eh, eh... eh?
Welcome.
- What's that? - Because it's so dreary.
Comedians must enrich their minds with this kind of thing.
Ah.
Thank you for everything.
Don't thank me.
I'm doing this on my own.
Kin-chan will be a star for sure.
I wonder...
You think I can?
You can.
Kin-chan will be one, for sure.
"I'll be a star for sure."
I guess those words reached God...
because a while later, my life took a turn for the better.
- Kinbo. - Yes, yes.
Who is it?
He said he's Sakagami.
- Sakagami? - Yes, yes.
Hello.
Hello? Kinichi? Are you free?
Well, I'm free.
Then, do you want to play Mahjong?
Sure.
Are you writing a script?
Yes, I am.
Do you need any help with that?
Huh?
Kinichi.
Want to work with me?
Sure, just once.
Really?
Yes! Hahaha..!
RON!
In Japanese Mahjong, “Ron” is a call made by a player who is in tenpai (one tile away from winning) when another player discards the tile they need to complete their winning hand. When “Ron” is called, the player who discarded the tile must pay the points to the player who called "Ron".
In Japanese Mahjong, “大三元” (Daisangen) is a special winning hand known as a yakuman (役満), which is the highest category of hands in terms of points. To achieve 大三元, a player must complete a hand that includes all three dragon tiles (白, 發, 中) as triplets (刻子) or quads (槓子)123. This hand is highly valuable and relatively rare, making it a significant accomplishment in the game.
Great Three Dragons.
No way..! You cheated! Cheated!
- I'm not cheating. - No, you're cheating~!
It couldn't be helped.
We formed this duo just this once.
Would you like some tea~?
Why am I selling bento?
It's just that we became more popular than we'd imagined.
We promised it would be a one-time thing...
but we ended up performing on stage several times.
Thank you for your hard work.
You guys...
The dressing room is empty.
Huh?
When you're performing,
all the other comedians are watching from backstage,
so there's no one in the dressing room.
It's been a while since someone emptied the dressing room.
SOLD OUT
As for my relationship with Sumi-chan...
Here you go.
Thank you.
You're making waves this year.
Sumi-chan.
This kind of thing...
feels like we're married, huh.
No, it's not.
I'm just supporting Kin-chan.
Huh?
When you get more famous,
get a pretty girl as a bride.
Why are you saying that?
If I'm here, it'll hinder your career, right?
What do you think about me, Sumi-chan?
Little brother.
What?
I'm cheering for you because you're like my brother.
Let's eat.
Sumi-chan, I...
Aren't you going to answer it?
It's okay for now.
I want to talk about something important now.
Sumi-chan, I...
I... I...
Come on!
Answer it.
It might be an important call.
- What? - Here.
Yes, this is Hagimoto.
Oh, yes.
I know who you are.
Eh? You want me to go to NTV now?
Go, go.
Yes, I'll be there.
Yes. Excuse me.
Have a safe trip.
I'm off.
Cont no. 55
Kin-chan is the producer and Jiro is the writer.
Live variety,
Cont No. 55! Blows away the backstage shows.”
Gradually, my TV appearances on Cont No. 55 increased,
there were days when I didn't have any time off at all.
The story is very different when I'm not here, isn't it?
But then, for the first time in three months, I had a day off, so...
Hello.
Ah~ Kin-chan.
- I saw it. - Thank you very much.
I finally got to go see Sumi-chan.
- She quit? - Yeah.
Why?
I don't know the reason why.
She suddenly quit Toyo Theater and disappeared.
Oh, I'm sorry.
Uhm, have you been in touch with Hatakeyama Sumiko ?
No, I haven't.
Did you hear where she's going after she quit?
No, I haven't heard.
I asked everyone at the theater about where she went.
I contacted everyone I could think of, but they were all dead ends.
Even so, I really wanted to see Sumi-chan again.
Sigh...
After that, I concentrated on my work,
wanting to be on TV more,
wanting to be more famous,
believing that if I did that,
Sumi-chan might see me and come to me again...
Or so I believed.
Kin-chan!
Good morning, ladies and gentlemen!
In 1971, “A Star is Born” began airing on NTV.
Good-bye. Good-bye.
Mori Masako.
Ishino Masako, and others.
became stars from this program.
A Star is Born! Hagimoto Kinichi
Even on days when I was too busy to sleep,
Sumi-chan was always there in my heart.
Whenever I had a bad day at work or got tired,
I'd think of her.
Where should I put this?
The porch? That's a good idea.
Because it's so dreary.
Comedians must enrich their minds with this kind of thing.
Sumi-chan?
Sumi-chan!
Why did you leave without saying anything?
Because we live in different worlds now.
Eh...?
Kin-chan is a star, and I'm an ordinary person.
We live in completely different worlds.
We're not different.
You and I are both here now.
If...
If you say we live in different worlds,
I will go to Sumi-chan's world.
And say the words I couldn't say 6 years ago.
Ever since that time,
Sumi-chan, I...
love you.
That's why we should be together.
I want to be with you.
With me?
You're the one for me Sumi-chan.
There's no one else but Sumi-chan.
After that, I started going to Sumi-chan's house after work.
Here you go.
Oh, okay.
Thank you, thank you.
This really hits the spot!
Hahaha...
- No, it's really delicious. - Thank you.
I kicked Jiro-san as hard as I could.
Eh..! Hehe...
- And then he got a big kick out of it. - Oh, I see.
Well then, I'm off.
Okay, have a safe trip.
I'm off.
Come in.
Incidentally, a new manager was assigned to me at that time.
Jiro-san, my deepest apologies.
What is it?
Management has informed me
Manager Sato
I am no longer your manager.
Thank you for everything you've done for me.
It's a shame because I was a fan of yours.
I see... Who will you be taking charge of next?
Starting today, I'll be looking forward to working with you.
You're managing Kinichi?
I'm a big fan of Kin-chan, so I'm happy.
Wait, wait... you weren't a fan of mine?
A former fan.
I'm shocked!
Yes?
How was your former talent?
He was a bad mahjong player.
You had to take care of a lot.
It was hard.
You can say that when I'm not around!
Must have been tough.
It was HARD.
I know~ I know, I know.
It's really surprising.
“Why are you like that?"
Thanks to Manager Sato's marketing efforts
work increased more and more.
Why haven't I heard of you?
"Who are you..."?
“Who are you?" Can't you tell just by looking at me?
Oh, are you Chico-san?
The word "Cochi" is labeled on his shirt. So he's reading it in reverse.
Sumi-chan.
Come here for a while...
Now that I'm famous and money's coming in, I want to return the favor.
I was able to continue being a comedian because of you.
I don't need anything.
That was never my intention.
No, but...
I'm fine the way I am now.
If I can be with you like this, that's all I need.
Sumi-chan!
Sumi-chan.
Some time later, I found out Sumi-chan was pregnant.
But...
I'll be late again today.
Okay, I understand.
Have a safe trip.
I'm off.
We're in trouble!
Look at this article!
Cont No 55's Kin-chan and a former female dancer, living together!?
Ah...
I've been found out, huh?
What?
It's true.
Why didn't you tell me?
If you told me, I would've done something about it!
Sorry, sorry.
Please don't suddenly get married or something.
You have to answer to sponsors, then the TV station, and so on.
There's an order to this kind of thing!
I know that.
What are you going to do..!
Kin-chan..!
“Dear Kin-chan, I'll take responsibility for raising the child. Be well, Sumiko."
She suddenly disappeared from my sight.
Kin-chan, you'll start the opening with some free talk.
And in the next scene...
Kin-chan?
Oh, sorry.
Can you explain one more time?
Yes.
The opening scene is free talk by Kin-chan.
And in the next scene, the other cast members...
Can I have a spring roll?
- You want it? - Thank you.
They look delicious.
Oh, Kin-chan, have you ever wanted to quit your job?
Of course I have.
Oh, you have?
When I was at the Toyo Theatre, I was told I wasn't cut out to be a comedian.
Then why did you continue?
That's because...
That's because?
It's a secret!
Please tell me! Please tell me!
Here you go.
Ise lobster with chili sauce.
Ise lobsters! Wow! Let's have it! Let's have it!
I'll go first! Sorry! This way, this way...
I'll take some, I'll take some...
Me too, I'll take it..!
If you're in need of money, you can pawn it.
Make a lot of people laugh out there, too.
Ahh... Delicious~!
It's delicious!
This is the age of TV, everybody's watching it.
But isn't this expensive?
Pay me when you're promoted... okay?
Kin-chan will be a star for sure.
I wonder...
You think I can?
You can.
Kin-chan will be one, for sure.
- Good work, sir. - Good work.
- Good work.
I'm going to hold a press conference.
Call the reporters.
Yes, I understand.
What's the press conference about?
- A wedding press conference. - Oh, a wedding press conference...
EH!? W-What do you mean?
No... there's nothing to worry about.
We're having a wedding press conference because we're getting married.
We're having a baby too.
BABY!?....
I'm sorry.
I'm sorry for keeping it a secret for so long.
It's not good.
If you suddenly announce something like that, it'll affect your public image..!
And if you tell the media that you've been hiding it, I don't know what they'll write about...!
Take care of it.
We're in so much trouble...
What kind of press conference is this?
Who knows.
It's just that it's so sudden.
It might be a big announcement.
They're all here.
Thanks for everything...
What do you mean by that?
Huh...
We'll lose our jobs.
Sato, you really worked hard.
That's why I told the office to assign you to the position you want next time.
Okay...
There's no need for that!
Next assignment?
No way that's happening!
I want to be in charge of Kin-chan forever!
Yeah but...
if I lose my job...
I wouldn't even need a manager.
You won't lose your job!
I'll just find you another one.
Key stations, local stations, radio... oh, there's the stage too!
I know a guy who manages events at amusement parks.
I can ask him for jobs.
No matter what Kin-chan's situation is,
I'll follow you for the rest of your life!
For the rest of my life...
You'll get in my way.
I'll follow you even if I get in your way.
Thank you.
Hagimoto Kinichi's press conference will begin soon.
One question per company, please.
- Just one? - One, huh...
Hey, he's coming, he's coming.
Here he comes.
Kin-chan, what's this press conference all about?
For all of you who have always taken care of me
there's something I have to tell you.
What is it?
What is it? Is it something serious?
- Oh my... - Please calm down...
- Th-This person... - I'll tell you everything right now.
Sister! Kin-chan's doing a press conference!
Can I at least drink some water?
Uh.... Actually...
I'm married.
Oh, no, no, I'm...
...getting married.
- Eh? - Huh?
Eh, with who?
What do you mean, “getting married”?
Ah~... about that...
Well, actually...
We also have a child.
What does he mean, a child?
Who is your partner?
Ah...
You know, before...
the article about me living together with a former dancer in Asakusa?
Hehe, that person.
What's the name of your partner?
It's Sumiko.
- How do you write her name? - What?
Add the water radical to the word "climb", for "Sumi".
Sumiko (澄子) is the combination of Sumi (澄), which is made from combining the water radical 水 with "climb" (登) and Ko (子), which is from "child/kodomo" (子供)
and "ko" from child, for “Sumiko”.
By the way, what is her last name? Eh?
Oh... since she's getting married, so it'll be Hagimoto.
Hagimoto Sumiko.
We've already decided on the child's name.
The "I" in Kinichi and “Child”
Ichido (一童) the a combination of Ichi (一) from Kinichi (欽一) and "child/warabe" (童)
“Ichido”.
A normal child, all the way.
Even as an adult, he/she will still be a child.
It's a good name, right?
Idiot...
I wish I could have told you sooner.
I'm really sorry for not telling you until now!
I'm really sorry.
Why are you apologizing?
We would never write an article that would humiliate someone
who's working so hard!
Right!?
That's right! That's right!
Congratulations on your marriage!
Congratulations!
I hadn't even told my sponsors, and I was ready to retire,
but contrary to expectations...
The media took it very well.
Why did you lie about being married?
Because I wanted to marry you, Sumi-chan.
If you don't like it,
I'm willing to quit show business.
You shouldn't say such a thing now that you've made a name for yourself.
I finally realized that.
If it wasn't for Sumi-chan, I wouldn't be here.
I wouldn't be here now.
Even though I didn't have the talent,
I was able to do my best
because I saw Sumi-chan working hard.
The reason I didn't run away during my tour
was also because of Sumi-chan.
Because Sumi-chan was always with me,
I could continue to be a comedian.
Thanks to Sumi-chan,
I was able to become the person I am today.
That's why I want to be
with Sumi-chan now and in the future...
Together always.
Will you marry me?
Yes.
Sorry for making you wait.
In October of that year,
“Kin-chan’s How Far Will You Go?" started,
and thankfully, shows with my name on them aired on TV every day.
You want some?
But don't separate them..!
- Good evening, everyone. - Good evening.
We're finally here.
Many of you came to the venue like this.
For the next 24 hours... right, Shinobu-chan?
Until 8:00 tomorrow night!
Let's work hard together.
In 1978, “24 Hour TV” started
I was chosen as its host.
Thank you very much!
The broadcast itself had a great response...
Kin-chan
stop with the hypocrisy already
Before the third “24 Hour TV” aired,
my third child was born.
When the baby was born, he wasn't breathing well.
So I am not sure if it will continue to grow.
Please put your finger in the baby's hand.
If the baby has the will to live, the two of you will feel it.
Yes.
Do you want to continue hosting “24 Hour TV”?
Yes.
It's a job that I have to do.
I think it's a job that only I can do.
That's right.
Only Kin-chan can do this job.
I'll let NTV know.
I continued to appear on "24 Hour TV".
Okay...
Meanwhile, in between jobs,
I went to the hospital every day and put my fingers in my son's hands.
And then...
Ah...
Kin-chan...
I named my third son Seikuro, with the wish that he would conquer hardship.
Seikuro (征九郎) is a combination of similar sounding words "Life/Sei" (生) and "Hardship/Kurou" (苦労)
Thank you, thank you, thank you.
Because of Seikuro, the third “24 Hour TV” was a particularly memorable broadcast.
Around that time,
the Hagimoto family moved to the mountains of Kanagawa Prefecture
so that Seikuro could live a full life.
Hey, don't do anything dangerous.
But at the same time, my work became busier and busier,
and I didn't come home very often.
On December 31, 1979, the “1st All Japan Costume Awards” was broadcast.
You did it! You did it!
Congratulations! You passed!
The Devil of Guam, it's decided! It's decided!
Passed! Passed!
I'm looking forward to it.
It was getting harder and harder for me to spend time with my family,
and even if I did get some time off...
All right, we're going to play as much as we can!
Oh~..! Oh~!
Kin-chan, take a picture with me!
Kin-chan, take a picture with me! Kin-chan!
Oh... oh, let's go over there then.
Yay!
It can't be helped, Kin-chan's a popular guy.
I often disappointed the kids.
We're here, both of you.
Don't worry about it.
What are you talking about?
You love your job, so you don't have
to worry about your family or your kids.
You do whatever you want, as long as you want.
Yeah.
From then on, I came home once a week,
and then about three times a year.
Good.
Sometimes I'd finish work early and call home, but...
Oh, it's me.
I finished early for the first time in a while, so I'm going home.
You're busy, so you don't have to force yourself.
But if I miss it today, I don't know when I'll be back next time.
I'm home.
I told you you don't have to come home.
Oh, don't say that.
Do you want some miso soup?
Sure.
Here you go.
Thank you.
Bon appétit.
Ahh..... It's delicious.
Are you done? Yes, it's fine.
Sorry for everything.
For what?
I'm always working with Kin-chan.
It's not something you should apologize for, is it?
- No, but... - It's fine.
I'm sorry for making you apologize all the time.
No, it's okay. I'll apologize as many times as necessary.
I love Kin-chan very much as well.
- Sato-kun. - Yes, we're leaving!
Have a safe trip.
I'm off.
In this way, Sumi-chan took care of most of the housework,
and I began to concentrate more and more on my work.
- Let's fight with the Golden Golds! - Oh~!
Let's play some baseball!
Oh~! Okay!
Even after I turned 60.
I was still doing what I wanted to do,
and in 2005, I formed and coached a baseball club team, the Ibaraki Golden Golds.
Go!
Kin-chan's 24-hour marathon has just started!
In 2007, I ran the marathon on “24 Hours TV”...
Goal!
Hagimoto Kinichi, 66 years,
3 months and 13 days old!
In 2015, at the age of 73,
I entered Komazawa University and started campus life,
doing everything I wanted to do, that's how I lived my life.
November 10, 2016
In 2016,
when Sumi-chan was 78 years old...
- she was diagnosed with lung cancer - Metastasis was found in the bones.
- At that time, she was already in stage 4. - Small metastases were found.
The longest it would take is half a year.
Maybe even shorter than that.
Even when she was told she doesn't have long to live, Sumi-chan...
Oh~ I see.
I will fight as hard as I can.
Even at a time like this, Sumi-chan...
smiled at me saying that.
November 10, 2016
Sister.
Kin-chan is already here.
Yo.
Kin-chan.
- Thanks for everything, Aki-chan. - Not at all.
How are you feeling?
Yeah.
But the anti-cancer drugs and radiation treatments started,
and she couldn't eat much anymore,
and her body got weaker little by little.
Thank you.
What?
Thank you.
Hahahaha...
Sumi-chan just said "Thank you".
Words like that from such a sweet wife
makes me the happiest.
You're exaggerating.
No, I'm not exaggerating!
Yo.
I really want to thank you.
I got a “really” today.
I'm so happy.
It's like a happy disease for me.
Ah...
This...
It's always been my good luck charm.
From now on, make it your good luck charm, Sumi-chan.
Thank you.
Kin-chan.
Hmm?
I have one favor to ask.
What?
About the funeral.
You're fine...
Let's not talk about that.
But it's important.
I don't want it to be fancy, so just have a normal funeral.
Please.
Okay.
Even so, Sumi-chan continued to fight
and kept her illness at bay for more than three years.
July 28, 2020
One month before Sumi passed away,
the kids suggested we take a two-shot photo.
I have a good one.
I have a nice one.
- Oh, that's nice. - It's a string.
"Himo" is a string, but it also means a man who is financially dependent on a woman
It won't break with this string, right?
We decided to tie our hands together with a red string,
but we didn't want the string to break,
so we got a thicker string and tied them together.
What do you think?
Hehehe.
Eh?
I'm not a dog.
That's right, it's usually attached to the pinky finger.
- Oh, I see... you should've told me first. - You should know that, right?
I'll take a picture, Sis.
Smile, Mom!
Smile, smile!
Say cheese.
After that, I started going to see Sumi-chan every day.
It was 4 days before she passed away
that I couldn't hear her say “thank you” anymore.
Sumi-chan.
No “thank you” today?
Ah...
It came.
The "Thank you".
I'm so happy.
I got three today.
I can go home now.
August 27, 2020
Sumi-chan~.
I can't go home without hearing those happy words.
Ah...
That's right.
I want to say “thank you” too.
Sumi-chan.
Thank you.
Kin-chan...
Hmm?
[whispering]
The next day,
Sumi-chan
quietly passed away.
At that time,
the last words Sumi said to me
were the same words I'd heard from her hundreds
and thousands of times before she died.
But I still didn't understand
why she said those last words.
All right....
My sister always asked me to do it for her.
My sister always asked me to put on makeup for her.
She said she wanted to look good in front of you.
And...
Why do you love Kin-chan?
I've been his fan for a long time.
I was the first to become a fan,
and I was the last.
The Kin-chan that enjoys doing what he does,
is the one I love the most.
I want him to go out there and live life.
Here.
It's a dog. A dog! It's a dog, right?
A fox! It's a fox. That's why I bought it.
It's a pigeon! It's definitely a pigeon.
Is anyone there?
The real owner would know what this animal looks like, right?
It's cute, right? It's a cat. It's a cat.
Oh, this isn't an animal, it's just dirt. It's not a pattern or anything. You're all liars.
Good luck on your travels!
- Good luck! - Cheers!
Thank you very much.
Yes, yes, I've invited someone special for Kinichi today.
Oh? Who's that?
Excuse me, please come in.
It's Sumiko-san!
W-Why are you here, Sumiko-san?
I happened to be free.
- Boss, a glass. - Here you go.
Ever since I started working at Toyo Theatre,
Sumiko-san...
I'm a fan of Sumi-chan.
Sumi-chan's dance makes everyone feel good.
I'm your fan too.
What?
No, it's nothing.
But if I miss it today, I don't know when I'll be back next time.
I told you you don't have to come back.
Oh, don't say that.
Do you want some miso soup?
Sure.
Sumi-chan.
Thank you.
Kin-chan...
Hmm?
Have a safe trip....
Have a safe trip.
I'm off.
Kin-chan!
Even now, he's on stage every month.
A man on stage has to stand up and do it.
That's important.
But I have a chair, so I sit.
What we're going to do today is easy.
All you have to do today is say, “I'm home.”
Say your wife's name and come in.
Give a convincing "I'm home"
As the Katsumata family.
Sumiko, I'm home.
That's my wife's name.
It's the same.
What?
She has the same name?
My wife's name is Sumiko too.
Sumi-chan?
Yes.
I'm lonely. Can I borrow her?
Even at 83, Kin-chan is still innocently chasing his dreams.
Because Kin-chan's Sumi-chan loved...
Sumi-chan's Kin-chan who loved doing what he wanted to do.
This picture was drawn and gifted by Katori Shingo, a dear friend of the actual Hagimoto Kinichi, who also plays Manager Sato in this drama.