Look at this, Koji! This doll's hair grows.
Really?
Twenty on the scare meter.
What a bore you are. At least act a little scared.
You are a kid, after all.
Lady Mayonaka is way scarier.
Who's Lady Mayonaka?
She's a woman with really long hair
who stands at the shrine in the middle of the night.
This woman, she holds a doll.
If you look closely at the doll,
its face is exactly like the woman's!
-It's Lady Mayonaka! -It's Lady Mayonaka!
Really? That's Lady Mayonaka?
My friends at school saw her.
A long-haired woman?
The doll's hair grows.
The doll's hair grows?
They still make shows like this?
-Mr. Hirayama. -What?
-Your head. -What?
Your head.
My hair… It's growing!
It's growing!
It's seaweed.
-Seaweed? -Seaweed.
Yes, it is seaweed.
What do you want so early?
-Time for a meeting. -What for?
We're Nobuta's producers, right?
Yes, I did say that, but it doesn't mean you can come to my house.
How come? We're best friends.
I told you. We're not best friends.
Hey, wait up, man!
Come on! Wait up!
Hey. Excuse me, please.
Hanging out with a guy like you doesn't do me any good at all.
There's only one thing I'm after.
To play the popular guy, Shuji, while enjoying life at school.
Morning four meters!
-There it is! A new record! -There it is! A new record!
-Hey, Shuji. -Yes?
You know Lady Mayonaka?
You bet. She's that woman with a doll at the shrine.
-Oh, man! You know? -Of course.
Did you know this? Who is Lady Mayonaka for real?
-Who is it? -I heard it's Nobuko Kotani.
-For real? -Seriously?
Are you sure?
Lady Mayonaka!
CURSED
Turn this bullied girl into the most popular girl in school?
I can't believe I promised to do that.
DIE
Why the heck did I say that?
This…
Sucks.
PARENT-TEACHER CONFERENCE NOTICE
-Dad? -What?
Why are you wearing that?
Oh, yes.
Pretty cool, right?
-You're going to work in that? -I sure am.
-No way! That's so totally tacky! -Morning.
Quit whining! What's wrong with it?
-What crazy clothes! -What?
Oh, just cut it out.
Kids don't know what's good.
Yes, we do. That's just plain weird. Right?
-Yes. It's awful. -Just awful.
I'll have you guys know, I'm going to the parent-teacher conference in this.
No way! It's too early for that!
Please don't! I'll die!
Hey.
-Shuji. -What?
Someone's downstairs asking for you.
It's way too early for this.
That's for sure.
Shuji!
Yip yip!
Before rumors of Lady Mayonaka spread, we need to put an end to it.
Do you have a plan?
Well, I do have something.
Excellent. I always knew you had it in you.
Oh, yeah. But first, this.
I made some rules to follow to make you popular.
Nice.
"One! Absolutely never mention that we're producing you!"
It's best if you read it out loud yourself. Okay?
Right.
"One. Absolutely never mention that we're producing you.
Two. You can never refuse to do what the producers tell you to do.
Three. Never act without permission.
Four. Our contract ends when you become popular.
Quitting isn't allowed as hereinbefore."
At the very least, we need you to follow those rules.
I know this is sudden, but let's chop off that hair.
What?
What are you so surprised about?
But a woman's hair is her pride. Right?
You mean you like your hair that way?
Actually, I hate it.
Then let's do it.
Split ends.
Why not?
I just can't do it on my own.
-Look. Split ends. -What?
This hair is cursed!
She totally said it was cursed.
I was totally touching her cursed split ends!
Whoa! That's awesome!
Shuji!
Your lady's here.
-I made meatballs today. -What?
By the way, with girls…
Cutting your hair is a pretty serious thing, right?
You bet it's serious.
Is that right?
But if you wanted me to cut it, Shuji, then I would.
-Want me to cut it? -No.
-Want me to cut it? -Shuji.
Shuji.
The mystery's been solved.
I know what the curse is!
"Curse"?
What? Hey!
-I'll be back in a second. -That's good!
-I'll be right back. -What is that? It's great!
-Red miso? White miso? -Forget that!
-Blue miso? No such thing! -Don't cut your hair!
-See you! -Don't cut it! If you cut it, I'll cry!
I'll cry until I ran out of tears!
Hello!
I knew it. You're Lady Mayonaka.
Is this why you won't cut your hair?
It has to be just like hers.
It totally looks like you.
She's my one and only friend.
What? This is your friend?
Your friend is a doll? Hilarious.
She's seen all the times I've been bullied.
She's always encouraged me.
But that's still no reason to always keep it around.
I've tried to get rid of it and took it to a shrine,
but I couldn't let go of it.
That's no curse. It's a spell you put on yourself.
I can't change and leave her behind.
I see.
Okay. I've got an idea.
Is this about the length you want?
How about it? Is this good?
Can you make it a little more shaggy?
-Shaggy? Okay. -One shaggy, coming up!
Akiko Yada, please.
-Like Akiko Yada? -Yes, Akiko Yada.
She doesn't know what that means.
It's done! Smooch!
How pretty.
You bet.
You can cut your hair now, right?
-What? -Wait!
Hey!
I thought you said it had to be like the doll's.
-But I still don't want to get it cut. -Why?
I don't think I can do something different than what I like.
Then what do you like?
If this rumor keeps spreading, you'll be treated like a monster forever.
Now just calm down, Shuji.
What?
All right…
Would you wear that?
-What? -We couldn't wear that.
To me, cutting my hair is the same as you doing that.
Fine. Whatever.
Let's end this.
End what?
This whole thing about producing her.
What?
There's no point if she won't follow the rules.
Hold on there.
Hey!
Hey, both of you!
Wait!
He called me "Jaiko"!
"Jaiko"? For a nickname?
That would make anyone mad.
It ticked me off.
How could someone say that?
That's awful.
Why am I hiding?
Yes, that's hilarious.
And you know what? Shuji said he'd cry if I cut my hair.
Then cut it and make him cry.
Good idea! I'll make him cry!
This sucks.
What will you buy?
Roasted green tea? Whole green tea?
Or maybe refined green tea?
The one I want to cut her hair won't
and the one who doesn't need to will.
What the heck's going on?
Maybe I will cry!
I'm home.
-You're home early today? -Yes.
What's the matter?
That. Everybody totally hated it.
Well, of course, they did.
Shuji.
Wear what you want while you can.
When you grow up, things like people's opinions, common sense,
a good image, your boss's mood, your impression on clients…
All those things weigh you down so you can't wear what you like.
Dad.
Wear that to the parent-teacher conference.
Okay.
What?
I can?
Well, I don't really like it though.
-Then forget it. -It's okay.
It is?
Wear it to the parent-teacher conference.
Maybe I shouldn't go saying stuff about other people's taste.
Get your act together, people!
Show some spirit, even if it's fake!
Oh, dear!
-Bye! -Bye!
Kusano! Show some spirit!
-Can I borrow your deodorant? -Sure!
Bando. You sure you've taken enough PE to graduate?
-Everyone says that. Is it bad? -Yes, it's really bad.
I guess I can't use that excuse anymore.
Yes, you can't. No way.
-You sure can't. You got deodorant? -Yes, I do.
-Can I use it? -Sure.
-You've skipped a lot too. -No, I've done PE plenty.
You're just leaving me behind and throwing away…
-Kiritani. -Here.
-Kusano. -Here.
Kotani.
-Kondo. -Here.
Wait.
Where's Kotani?
She was here this morning. Anyone know where she is?
Well, all right then. Sato.
-Here. -Takada.
No way. That sucks.
Who would do that?
I bet it was those guys.
In fact, they're the only ones who would.
Hey, you bitches!
Don't blame every damn thing on us!
We never did that shit!
-What's going on? -Misaki and Nami are screwed!
-Attack, Shuji! -What? Why me?
What? What's going on?
-They're ticking us off! -What for?
They painted "ugly pig" on Kotani's uniform!
You did that?
The fuck we did! We wouldn't do that!
-That's right! The hell we did! -Anyone could have done it!
All right. All right.
You're right. You've got a bad attitude and bad looks, but you'd never lie.
I told you. We didn't do it!
-That's right! -They say they didn't.
-Did you? -I told you, no!
We didn't do it!
"We didn't do it!"
What're we going to do about being her producers?
I told you. Buzz off!
Dang it! What about being her producers?
Hey, come on.
Whoa! No U-turns!
I told you. Watch out!
Come on, Shuji. Where we going?
Tell me!
Watch out.
Can I ask a favor?
Can I borrow some money?
Sure.
Thank you. I'll pay you back.
Yip yip.
Nobuta!
Say…
Let's cut your hair.
Cut your hair and show everyone you're not an ugly pig.
You know, any way you look at it, yours is way prettier.
They're the same!
-I mean, this thing is pink! -Yes, but mine's green.
Roar!
Zip this up. Hurry. Zip it up.
What's wrong?
That's how she looks when she smiles.
She's smiling!
Poke.
We got a smile!
I…
I'll cut my hair.
Please.
Sure thing.
UGLY PIG
Right when we were going to change her image,
this sure won't help.
You know, I was thinking, and this could be our chance.
"This"? You mean this?
Let's see…
"Students must wear their uniform.
However, if the uniform is unable to be worn for some reason,
immediately submit an application for wearing ordinary clothes.
Only upon approval may ordinary clothes be worn."
Clearly, you can't wear this.
Isn't that right?
In other words, as long as they give approval,
you can wear ordinary clothes to school.
Right. So you should wear totally pretty clothes to school.
Then the school would go crazy.
This really is awful.
And you don't have any idea who did this?
I see.
And there's no way we can figure out who did it.
Anyway, I'll report to the principal that this happened.
Go on.
I need approval.
Yes. Oh, yes.
Oh, darn. The principal went home.
Is tomorrow all right?
-Mr. Yokoyama. -Yes?
You want her to wear that to school again tomorrow?
But we need the principal's seal.
If someone painted "coward" on your suit, could you teach like that?
"Coward"?
I'll take responsibility.
Oh, thank you.
Here.
Wear the prettiest clothes you can tomorrow.
And give the finger to whoever did that.
Yes!
This is what I recommend.
It would go nice with jeans too.
-Over there… -What?
There's an expensive book there. Be careful with it.
-There's an expensive book. -An expensive book?
I wonder which one it is.
PRICE: 100,000,000 YEN (TAX NOT INCLUDED)
A hundred million yen?
A hundred million?
It's by Delphine Sakurada.
-You know them? -No.
That's my pen name.
Delphine?
Oui.
-Holy cow! We'll choose from these? -Yes.
First, we need to decide how you want people to see you.
How about like this, the honor-student type?
Teachers and parents would really like you.
Right? Okay.
Or if you want to look cute, angel style.
If you want to express individuality, this little-devil style.
I like this!
This looks like a total slut. No way. Nothing slutty.
Rejected.
I didn't realize
there were so many styles.
Really? It's the same with guys.
I mean, there are crew cuts, but…
there's the classy crew cut done at a hair salon, right?
Then there's the country bumpkin crew cut for guys who don't want to bother.
And there's the refreshing crew cut for guys into sports.
And the frightening crew cut for guys who stare you down.
How do you want people to see you, Nobuta?
I've never thought about it.
Listen.
That's the only thing that everyone at school thinks about.
"I want to be liked."
"I don't want to be made fun of."
"I want everyone to pay attention to me."
Everyone's focusing totally on that stuff.
So you also need to think about that kind of stuff,
even just a little bit. Okay?
Of course you want guys to like you,
but if girls don't like you too, you'll never make points.
You bet. I thought up a plan too. Have a look.
Here. See?
Nice. Awesome!
Want to do this?
I don't think anyone's actually got self-confidence.
We're all timid.
We can barely handle dealing with ourselves.
We don't have time to think about others.
So there's no need to be afraid.
First, don't worry about getting people to like you.
Get everyone to realize that you just exist.
No way!
Okay. Put your chest out!
More! Stand up straight.
When you greet people, speak up!
Remember that.
Okay. Go on now.
Stand up straighter.
Bye.
Listen.
You exist. That's all you need to think about.
Morning.
-Good morning. -Morning.
Good morning.
Morning.
Good morning.
"Good morning"?
Good morning.
Good morning!
I exist!
Good morning!
Good…
How cute!
I like it!
-She's so pretty! -I totally like it!
-Kotani! Good morning! -Holy crap!
Why is she in ordinary clothes?
-Hey, baby! -Nice!
Who are you?
That's Kotani!
Hey, look at this.
That's this jacket in another color.
-No way! -25,200 yen?
-No way! -Let's ask!
Wait!
Was that jacket 25,200 yen?
I knew it! That's it!
It's way better than the photo!
Totally!
Hello!
Kotani!
She cut her hair.
If she were sushi, she'd be otoro from the Indian Ocean!
-Otoro! -Good morning!
The king of toro!
I can't hear you!
-This is incredible! -Holy cow!
Hello!
-Did you see? -I sure did! Everyone did!
I never thought Kotani could undergo such a transformation!
It's a miracle!
Cute! Totally cute!
Nobuko, you're pretty! Nobuko!
Holy cow!
Glug…
SWEET GOODNESS
That's awesome.
THIS IS SOYMILK!
Awesome!
-You know those clothes that Kotani wore? -Yes?
They were a lot like those clothes that I suggested.
-Really? Is that right? -Yes.
I totally didn't notice. You've got a good eye.
What's more, those fundamentals I talked about,
she had them down to a tee without missing a thing.
Kotani's got such great fashion sense, why was she the way she was?
Right?
-Let's get monjayaki! -Yes! Let's!
Let's go!
Shit…
-Your treat. -You bet!
-You want rice cakes on it? -Yes!
DANI
-Good morning. -Morning.
Morning.
Can I wear ordinary clothes from tomorrow?
I guess you'll have to.
Morn…
Principal Iehara, can I get your seal on these?
Okay.
-What is it? -Can you wait a second?
What's this?
A picture of a raccoon dog?
That's not a raccoon dog. That's Hello Kitty.
-You idiot. -What?
What's going on?
How can you know that if you didn't draw it?
I just thought that's what it looked like.
See that? She's wearing a ribbon.
We cannot authorize it if you drew it yourselves!
-You've got to be kidding! -You've got to be kidding!
Chie!
-We didn't get approval! -We didn't get approval!
No way! I just painted on mine!
What will I tell my mom?
Let's get our parents help. Get photos with our phones.
She drew it herself. "Proof"?
I don't have any.
Sorry.
Sorry. Bye.
A parent, right? What'd they say?
"It's unfair just one kid gets to wear ordinary clothes."
Everyone in class is getting upset!
You let one person wear ordinary clothes, but nobody else? That's just not right.
-Right? -That's right!
Let us wear ordinary clothes too!
I can't wear this uniform!
Without even trying to understand how the bullied person feels,
you're trying to take advantage of what she got.
I won't stand for that kind of attitude.
How do you know that Kotani didn't paint it herself?
That's right.
-You don't have proof. -Yes! That's right!
Just looking at it. You can tell!
Isn't that just your personal view?
That's not scientific.
That's right.
At any rate, we cannot give approval if you ruined your uniform yourself.
From now on,
you're deeply mistaken if you think you can get away with tricks like that!
I'm not going to back down.
Quiet down now!
Kotani. What's wrong?
Well…
I…
I'll wear my uniform from tomorrow.
Is that really what you want?
Is everyone else fine with that?
Is this the fairness that you're all clamoring for?
Well, since it is what Kotani wants,
we won't be approving ordinary clothes for anyone.
Whoever painted on her uniform must be very pleased right now.
Buta! What'll you do now?
It's okay.
What's okay?
I'll dress cool like I did with ordinary clothes.
You know that's impossible.
That's right. It says "ugly pig" all across the back.
What's that?
This boy is wearing the PE uniform I wore in elementary school.
You're right.
TICK
Her name's been changed to "tick."
The bullying then was the worst.
I wanted…
to die.
-Tick! -Tick!
-Give it here! -Don't!
Tick! Tick!
Give it back!
Stop it!
The PE uniform I threw out somehow ended up
worn by a boy in Africa.
What's more, he's smiling while wearing it.
I bet
he'd be happy no matter what he wears.
He can live life happily.
Someone down there painted on her uniform.
"The culprit is among you!" Like that?
I don't think I can stand for it to end like this.
You got another idea?
Hit me with it! Come on!
Morning.
-Morning. -Good morning.
Morning.
-Good morning. -Morning.
Good morning.
Morning.
-Good morning. -Good morning.
UGLY PIG
Okay.
Those guys are such idiots!
They really and truly are idiots!
SNOB
MORON
One, two, three, four.
Good morning.
Eight days a week, hello!
-What do you think? -What's that?
-I'm going to start a fad. -That'll never be a fad!
Morning!
-I'll turn it into a huge fad! -Don't run in the hall!
Look! One idiot already copied me!
It's a fad. No doubt about it!
Good morning.
Morning.
Good morning.
Morning.
I'm not sure why, but after that,
it became a huge fad at our school.
-Whoa! That's really nice! -Whoa! That's really nice!
-We're in sync. This must be destiny! -We're in sync. This must be destiny!
-Uniforms are the best! -Uniforms are the best!
Look! It's like Hermès.
I heard that Yamagata Prefecture grows the most.
Seriously.
LOVESICK
MANABU SATO
SURVIVAL OF THE FITTEST
Things have gone crazy, right?
What'll we do about this?
Leave them be. They'll get sick of it soon.
Like Catherine said, the fad died out fast.
-Here! Look at this. -Mr. Hirayama.
That's not a fad anymore.
What? You're kidding!
No, I'm not kidding.
But two or three people still wear this stuff, right?
Not a single person does.
Back to work then.
My dad showed up to the parent-teacher conference dressed like the mafia.
Mr. Yokoyama, good…
Have a seat.
Nobuta is still as sulky as ever.
She's practicing how to smile now.
Hey, quit making that disgusting face, Kotani.
And it's your fault that everyone blamed us for all that.
Hey, Kotani. Apologize!
Apologize, you ugly pig!
Ugly pig!
We're just saying what's true!
Ugly pig!
You ugly pig. Say something!
SUMIDAGAWA HIGH SCHOOL FESTIVAL
The festival?
I secretly sneered at people who want to make memories at the school festival.
NINE DAYS UNTIL SUMIDAGAWA HIGH FESTIVAL
But this year's festival was special.
It was a festival
where everything was special…
and hair-curling.
Oh, nice. A haunted house.
If Nobuta's a success at the festival, everyone will see her differently.
Make it couples only!
Kotani's the type that holds a grudge.
What are you going to do, producer Shuji Kiritani?
Subtitle translation by: Brian Athey