Summer, 2016
[21st Kanto Brass Band Competition]
Bravo! Bravo! Bravo!
Up next...
- Here they come! - From Kanagawa, Misaki Public High School's Brass Band.
Set piece 1, free choice.
The Hounds of Spring, by Alfred Reed.
Sensei, are you watching?
One more step... In one more step...
Bravo, Misaki High School!
[Aim for the National Competition! Ring out! Misaki sound!]
You're in the way, and you're too early.
Sensei, if you compare it to back then...
[Rehearsal Notebook. Ring out, Misaki sound.]
This is like a dream.
Sensei...
You can see this too, can't you sensei?
Conducting is Hikuma Natsuki-sensei.
Sensei, your heart...
... remains even now in us.
Early summer, 2015
With spirit.
But carefully, okay?
That's it, you're getting better.
Time.
Wait a minute.
What's wrong, Ryota-kun?
I can't do it, so I hate it.
What?
You're giving up already?
Don't give up, let's play a bit more.
If you don't do it, you can't. That goes for everything.
Please let me do it.
You?
How can you say that so proudly?
[Violent incident at Misaki High School 3 male students apprehended, music teacher seriously injured]
Since the start of this year there have been 3 cases of violence, 5 cases of damage to property...
The number of traffic disturbance complaints because of the students is uncountable.
Far from being resolved, isn't the ruin of our school getting worse?
But...
Sorry?
One more year.
Please let me work hard on this...
... for at least one more year.
In that case...
Please get rid of every trace of the problem!
Not yet, sensei?
Please wait.
See, we practised this, right?
Put your lips together...
Let's just move on.
Come on, aren't you all friends?
Those who abandon their friends are free to leave.
Now, let's try it.
Umm...
Please let me quit.
It's fine. You can play it.
Listen.
Most things in the world can be done with effort.
There's nothing you can't do.
Right?
Try using more strength in your stomach to blow.
- Don't let your cheeks expand. - You can do it!
You can do it!
See, they're all saying so.
Try it.
That's good, try it again.
One more time.
Okay. Calm down and give it another go.
You made a sound!
Amazing!
See, you did it! That's amazing.
If you don't give up, you can do it. See?
- Yes. - Alright!
Then, let's shake.
A handshake is a sign of trust.
Hand-shake!
All of you shake hands too.
Bye.
Take care.
That was really something.
Huh?
"Most things in the world can be done with effort" ... was it?
Yes...
Oh, I am...
... the principal of Misaki High School.
My name is Odagiri.
Right... I'm Hikuma.
Higuma-san...
No, it's Hikuma.
A-ah, Hikuma-san...
Seeing the way you teach, sensei...
Well, I really learnt a lot.
- It's called the child's standpoint, right? - Sensei.
- Let's go home together. - Okay, I'm going now.
- And so... -Sensei!
- Yes. Then, excuse me. - Ah, yes...
Umm...
Please take a look at our brass club too sometime.
Wasn't that good today?
Yes.
But you know...
We're totally a famous school now.
They call us Triple A.
Triple A?
Stupid. [atama warui]
Committing every evil. [akugyou zanmai]
Untouchable! [antacchaburu]
Yes!
What does 'untouchable' mean?
I'm stupid so how should I know?
Right, Aoshima?
Don't touch!
That's what it means.
'Untouchable'.
- That's right! That's right! - You can't say that!
[Hikuma Koichi (Saxophonist)]
[Hikuma Music School]
Dad!
It's ready.
Natsuki.
Yes?
These are from Ryota-kun's mother.
- Mum liked them, didn't she? - Yeah.
Oh yeah.
Have you heard of Misaki High School?
- Misaki? - Yeah.
I know them. Why?
I just met their principal by chance...
It's a famous school.
In the worst way.
Oh...
As I thought.
Good morning.
You're an early riser, Hikuma-san.
Good morning.
About my request yesterday...
Huh?
I did think you didn't hear me.
Actually...
I would earnestly like to borrow your strength.
Eh?
Ah... I'm sleepy.
Hey. Isn't that the principal?
He sure is carefree.
What'll you do Hiroto?
Go to school?
I'm hungry.
[Soup made with sake lees]
- Kasujiru. - What, you're gonna eat that?
I'm starving!
Kasujiru?
I haven't had any carbs either.
Me... a teacher?
Yes, by all means.
Won't you please teach our students?
You have a teaching license, don't you?
But why me?
It's your spirit to never give up.
Your lesson the other day. A heart that doesn't give up.
Since seeing that,
I think you're the only one who can save our students, Hikuma-san.
Please wait a moment.
What do you mean 'save'?
Ah...
You might already be aware, but...
My school is famous as the most ill-bred in Kanagawa.
It would seem so.
You really did know?
Society makes fun of these students, that they're menacing and dropouts...
But they must have been good pure kids when they were young, right?
- Uh, Principal... - So they think they lose at studying, lose at athletics...
And try to escape to the wrong tracks of life.
Are they that bad?
No, of course, inside they are diligent kids.
Inside?
To tell the truth,
I'm of retirement age this year.
But I don't want to abandon my students and leave the school like this.
Please, lend me your strength.
No, but...
Handshake.
A handshake is a sign of trust, right?
Right, Hikuma-san?
And so...
You accepted it?
No...
Because he was too pushy,
I just said I'd go check out the school once.
Then what will you do?
What will I do?
What are you going to do?
Won't you come eat with us?
- Won't you? - Won't you??
Isn't that Misaki High School?
That school isn't sweet!
[Kanagawa Public Misaki High School]
So this is it?
What's that?
Out of the way!
Get outta the way!
Hey!
Live long, old man!
Old man!
What's with them?
Hello.
Oh...
Uh, where is the principal's office?
It's just past the courtyard.
Thank you.
Ah.
There's no need to scrub that reed so hard.
Okay...
Hm?
Hot! It's hot, it's hot!
Ah, it's hot!
Damn it.
Shall we do it?
Ow!
Who threw this away?
Who?
Was it you?
I'm asking you who threw away this cigarette.
So?
Hurry up and put that out.
It's against the law for minors to smoke.
Shut up!
Gramps.
We're the law here.
Let's go.
Wait right there.
Rather than your law,
there's something more important as a human.
To show respect to your superiors.
Come on, you don't need this...
Don't touch me!
Aoshima!
Let's go.
Later!
But who was that guy?
Just some suspicious person.
Aoshima, you shouldn't have punched him.
But it felt good.
Well, yeah.
Are you alright?
That hurt.
Did those five get you?
No...
It was an accident in passing each other.
Didn't your legs just give out?
It's not a big deal.
Even so, it is a terrible school.
But that means it's worth doing it.
- Yeah. - Huh?
So, when should I start?
Ehh?
Thank you very much!
Handshake!
Come on.
- Ah, ow ow ow... - Are your knees really okay?
I have a mandarin, though.
Why would I want a mandarin?
I'm fine.
Hikuma Koichi-sensei is a former pro saxophonist.
He joined the Japan Philharmonic Brass Band,
and went on to be active in many orchestras representing Japan for a long time.
What about the sax?
Don't lie!
Quiet, please!
Silence!
- Come on! - Quiet!
As a part-time lecturer,
- he will be responsible for music. - Nagisa, he's...
Our saviour.
Hey, they said he's a pro musician!
Please, Hikuma-sensei.
I'm Hikuma Koichi.
Good morning.
What's wrong, everyone?
Have you forgotten how to greet someone?
Good morning!
I'd like to ask all of you one thing.
Right now, do you have something to engross yourself in?
When I asked the principal,
I found out about half of the students aren't in any club activities.
Isn't because you don't have something to be engrossed in,
that you look so bored?
Why not start from saying greetings and joining clubs?
Speaking of the 3 years of high school...
It's the time in life that you can shine the most.
The first years, who will be spending 3 years here from now on.
The second years, with only two years more.
And the third years, with just one year left.
Won't you treasure this time we call 'now' more,
and live engrossed in something?
That person...
... really is our saviour.
What?
It's that old man.
You're late.
Good morning.
Hey.
Are you running away?
I won't run away.
If you kids will face me with heart.
What's heart?
- That's called 'shinzou'! - Is this the Showa era?
Life is heart.
Socialising is heart too.
Let's make our hearts resound, together!
I told you not to run away!
Wait! Wait!
Pro musicians are really passionate!
- I said wait! - Sensei!
It's fine to leave them alone.
Why?
A teacher can't leave students alone, can they?
Those guys are dangerous.
Please don't make a fuss.
- Let me go. - No, I won't.
Sensei!
Please become our advisor.
What?
The brass band.
Please become the advisor of the brass band.
Please!
Please listen.
This is "American Patrol".
Hey, what is that?
It's a terrible sound.
Listening to that talentless noise makes my rhythm go weird.
- But you don't even do music anymore. - Neither do you!
Ah...
What do you think?
Would you teach us music?
Pl... Please wait a moment.
Shoot.
What?
- He's shitting. - What?
He's fast!
Hey...
Sorry for the wait.
What do you think?
You were quite sloppy.
Like this, a primary school kid's performance is better.
How long do you kids practise a day?
About two hours... sir.
That's a lie, isn't it?
With instruments...
If you don't always touch them and love them,
they get angry and don't give you a very good sound.
If you treat them roughly and try to perform,
you won't get anything other than a spiritless sound.
But if you perform with heart,
I think it will definitely be revived.
Just to warn you...
I am strict.
Eh? Then...
You'll teach us?
I look forward to working with you.
Please take care of us!
Brass band?
It looks like he'll be their advisor.
Right. If you perform with heart, it'll be revived.
That sort of rubbish.
Hmm.
And apparently that old man's a former pro who played sax in an orchestra.
Oh, he was a pro?
Isn't that amazing, Hiroto?
Yeah.
You're even going to advise the brass band?
That isn't paid, right?
All of them were crummy, though.
But when they were playing they had great smiles.
Oh, that's right!
I have to get them on stage at least once.
If you're going that far, will your health be alright?
It's fine, it's fine.
What about the music school students?
I'll do both properly.
There's no way you can!
Hello?
Is this the Ozawa residence?
- My name is Hikuma. - He doesn't listen to what anyone says.
Oh, Natsuki.
Starting tomorrow, make breakfast an hour earlier.
What? Why?
Because-- oh!
Hello. Is this Ozawa-sensei?
It's Hikuma.
It's been a while.
Actually, I have a request for you, sensei...
Good morning.
Are you in a club?
- Yes, I do basketball. - Oh, you play basketball?
Good morning.
Are you in a club?
Hey.
Umm... what was your name again?
Hikuma-sensei.
Oh. Good morning.
What are you doing here?
It's my early summer greeting campaign.
Move it! Coming through!
Watch out!
Stop!
That's dangerous! Move!
- Good morning. - I'll run you over!
Here.
What?
What are you doing? Hey!
Commuting by motorbike is against school regulations.
- What? - That's right, isn't it, principal?
Yes...
Hey!
What the hell?
You guys...
Are you in a club?
Shut up, just unlock it already.
Then how about the track and field club?
What?
You don't have to pay for petrol,
and you can run as much as you want and get your mind off things.
You think I can run, idiot?
Of course you can.
What?
Oh, good morning!
- Where are you going? - Good morning!
Hello. Good morning.
He didn't need to do that...
- Good morning, good morning. - Let's go.
Gaasu.
- What are you doing? - Shuddup.
Higuma locked it.
That damn old man wouldn't shut up about joining a club!
So, shall we?
Huh? Do what?
It's dangerous to do such showy things.
Please stop doing what's uncalled for.
Dangerous, you say?
No matter what you think, aren't they still just kids?
You don't understand.
That's why I want to understand them.
Hikuma-sensei, trouble!
What's wrong?
Sorry.
I can't get any good tiles.
You said to join a club, right?
So we came to join.
Right.
That's fine.
You're all very welcome.
Sensei...
Then I'll quit.
Wait.
There's nothing better than playing brass with so many people.
There's no way these people are serious!
What are you saying, bastard?
Buchou. [club head]
Please get a broom and dustpan.
I'll go.
This is the music room.
Why don't we all play music together?
Give me the key for the chain!
You want to do something, right?
That's right, isn't it?
Enough, gimme the key!
Since you made the effort to come,
why don't we do something that can only be done now?
While sweating together with everyone, trying our utmost best,
facing frustration, laughing and encouraging eachother.
Nah.
We only came to observe.
Right?
In the first place...
There's no way we'd do anything as stupid as brass band, right?
When I look at you closely...
Your mouth is suited for the trombone.
What?
Someone bring one here.
Just give me the key already!
Gramps...
I don't approve of you.
So we'll take a majority vote of the whole brass band.
Those who don't approve of this old man as advisor...
Raise your hands.
It's a majority.
You quit.
Quit! Quit!
All of you, back to your classrooms!
Now, back to class!
I told you.
We're the law.
If you do any more, you won't be able to graduate.
Aoshima!
What meaning is there in graduating from this kind of school?
Aoshima.
Why not just make it something meaningful?
If you want to do music,
you're welcome to.
Please stay quiet, Hikuma-sensei!
Get out!
All of you, right now!
Come on.
- Let's go. - Don't touch me.
Careful.
Hiroto didn't use to be like that.
Aoshima Hiroto.
Those 5 were in a band.
A band?
They were pretty popular, Hiroto and the others' band.
And yet...
During the school festival in our first year...
Our seniors...
Stop this noise!
I told you to shut up!
Bastard!
Hey!
Quit it!
Hiroto!
Aoshima!
Because Hiroto injured his hand,
he couldn't play guitar well...
Then Ren and the others got worried about Hiroto, and quit the band.
They were surprisingly cool though.
Oh there you are, Aoshima-kun!
Sorry but I need your help again.
Quit music, huh?
Dad?
Ozawa-sensei from the music school is on the phone.
Okay.
That phone's a phoney.
What an old pun.
- Why do you have to say that? - You're annoying.
Gramps is still here.
Morning, Kibe-kun.
Have you decided on a club already?
It's okay to worry, young man.
- Oh, good morning. - Good morning.
They don't even answer him.
Ren.
Alright, alright.
Good morning.
Morning.
Good morning.
[Ozawa Music School Spring Concert ← Recital Brass Band - Free Entry]
Umm...
This is next week, isn't it?
Someone I know's music school is doing a recital,
so I forced my way in.
And you're the grand last act.
That soon?
Right?
We'll do it!
What?
I'll work hard!
Yeah.
Let's do our best!
Oh, Furushou!
B... b... b... buchou...
What?
What's wrong?
What's that?
I was tricked...
Who tricked you?
Two each, so that's 6000 yen per person.
- Thank you for your patronage. - 10000 yen.
- Thank you. - The change...
So you get two each.
Hey, what are you doing?
Huh?
Give back their money.
I just handed them the tickets.
The money...
- The money. - Hello.
Hey.
- Give back that money. Hey! - Kin-chan, run!
Wait! Hey, wait!
You're sure energetic for your age.
Run!
Come on, Kin-chan!
Stop following us!
Wait!
Stop right there!
Don't leave me behind!
Hurry, Kin-chan!
What's wrong with him?
Let's take a break.
Crap.
Run, Kin-chan!
No, I put 130 yen in!
Who cares, come on!
Hey, wait.
Hey!
Wait!
A recital?
Damn! I lost 130 yen!
Hey.
He's still following us.
I said wait!
Hey!
- You're going in there, Kin-chan? - Hey!
Seriously?
What are you doing, Abo?
Well, the trombone...
Oh, no...
That old man, right?
He put a notice that they're doing a recital up, I got kinda curious.
A recital?
Hiroto.
I sold half the tickets.
Thanks.
But the rest'll be tough.
Hikuma got in the way.
He kept following us.
Such a pain.
Sorry I'm a pain.
What are you doing here?
Please return the money.
This is a legitimate business.
You're practically extorting people...
Don't your hearts ache?
Or don't you guys have hearts?
If you want to make money with music...
Try earning it with your own performance.
I'm not going to do music.
You like music, don't you?
Don't keep sulking like this.
Why not try standing on stage with everyone again?
Hiroto!
Take this!
Aoshima.
Aoshima Hiroto.
Even if you can't play guitar,
you can still play trumpet.
Kitora Ren.
I heard you played sax?
How about it? Won't you play with the brass band?
Abo Keita.
You played keyboard, right?
Then you must have great sense of pitch.
You can play trombone.
Yes.
Kuwata Yuuji... bass, was it?
Yeah.
For bass, that'd be the tuba.
- Tu... what? - Yeah.
And for Takamoku Kinya, the timpani.
Hey, what about my reason?
You played the drums, right?
The drums and the timpani are both percussion instruments.
You have to fix what you destroyed yourself by yourself.
I know that all too well.
You're still young.
You can start over as many times as you want.
One more year.
I will support you guys.
So...
Let's chase a new dream together.
You're annoying.
- Look at that! - Isn't it awesome?
There's a certain trick to it.
- I really can't skip stones. - T-i-m-p-a-n-i...
So this is the timpani.
What, you wanna do it?
As if!
If I was going to do that sort of thing, I'd be in a band.
Right?
Wanna try it again?
I won't do it.
Of course.
Hey!
Don't look up such useless things!
Hey!
You jerk!
Hey, I wonder why that old man quit being a pro.
Why did he quit?
Rehearsal notebook?
Yes.
After a day of rehearsal,
anything's fine, but everyone please write
something you felt or want to fix in this book.
[Rehearsal Notebook. Ring out, Misaki sound.]
What's 'Misaki sound'?
Right.
It's something like a dream, that we'll all make from now on.
A dream...
It's true for both orchestras and brass bands, but...
What's most difficult in an ensemble,
is to make everyone's pitch become one.
If everyone's hearts become one,
it will definitely reach the hearts of the people watching you.
That's the dream we're chasing.
It's Misaki sound.
That's what I thought up.
Um, sensei?
Hm?
I'd love to hear your saxophone.
Huh?
I want to hear a pro play.
Please play too, sensei.
That's fine.
Some day, okay?
Oh, more importantly...
About the piece for the recital...
I've thought of a fitting song for all of you right now.
Huh?
It's a special piece.
1, 2, 3, 4...
- Hey, guys. - Hey, what's up?
Hey, how are you?
Good morning. Good morning.
Good morning, Kibe-kun.
Good morning, sir.
Huh?
It's the first time you've gotten a greeting, right?
Yes.
[Hikuma Koichi]
Your sound isn't together.
Focus more.
[National Symphony Orchestra 27th Regular Concert]
Okay, that's it.
Your sound's come together.
The recital...
In two days time, was it?
[Let's all work hard to reach our goal!]
You somehow just managed to keep it together.
Everyone.
Each of you put your hand to your chest.
Excuse me.
Not someone else's, your own chest.
Listen.
You're using your mouths and fingers to play,
but what I really want to hear...
... is your hearts.
Music is something played with the heart.
If you get nervous or anxious,
please put your hand to your chest again and remember this.
It's alright.
Tomorrow will definitely be alright.
It will definitely be a great first performance.
It's alright.
Alright, attention please.
What?
Can I have a moment?
Then, later.
The assembly time was 10, right?
Yeah.
Sensei!
Good morning.
Sorry I'm late.
Good morning.
Natsuki, bring Arima-san to the rehearsal room.
I'll wait for everyone here.
Alright.
The others aren't here yet?
You're the first to arrive, Arima.
Ah...
Then, shall we go?
Okay.
Here.
Thank you.
Everyone's late, huh?
I'll go have a look.
Sensei!
This is strange.
Can you call everyone?
I'll go get them.
Hey!
Sensei, please wait here!
Wait.
Are our students here?
They haven't yet.
Did something happen?
I don't know.
My name is Arima, from Misaki High School.
Is Miwa-san home?
Up next, playing Mendelssohn's Violin Concerto, 1st movement,
this is Wakita Ryoko-san.
Dad.
Oh.
Hikuma-sensei.
I'm sorry.
Could you wait a bit longer?
But to make the guests wait would be...
Planned to proceed last today, Misaki High School's performance...
... will be called off due to circumstance.
For the trouble I have caused everyone,
I offer my deepest apologies.
Arima.
Aren't you soaked?
Come on.
I'm sorry.
I couldn't get everyone to come...
Come on.
What happened?
Arima.
Yesterday...
Hiroto and the others...
Aoshima?
They threatened us.
Huh?
Do you know why that guy quit being a pro?
He dropped out of a big concert last minute,
and ran without apologising to anyone.
What are you guys saying?
I heard from his old orchestra colleagues.
He said he probably hasn't touched an instrument since dropping out.
In the end...
He's someone who ran from music.
Will you keep being taught,
by someone like that from now on?
So tomorrow...
I'll kill anyone who goes.
So...
I'm sorry.
It's my fault.
I'm sorry.
Sensei...
But...
I was really scared of coming here too.
Even if we go on stage...
We'll just embarrass ourselves...
Part of me thought that.
So everyone else too...
They must have just used you as an excuse.
When I think really,
they didn't have the courage to come here.
We ended up satisfied with just playing in the music room.
Even though we actually wanted someone to listen.
Even though we aren't good...
Even though we love music...
And our high school life...
Even though we only have a year left...
Even so...
Why can't we give it everything we've got?
Like this...
Something like Misaki sound...
... will be impossible, huh?
Somehow, it's frustrating.
Sensei.
Arima...
I don't want to lose.
I don't want to lose...
I'm sorry.
- Morning! - Morning!
In 1853,
the American East India Squadron's Commander-in-Chief,
who, as you all know, is Perry,
led four black ships in June...
Only two each. Please line up.
I wonder what happened to that old man.
Since we unmasked his true nature, he's lost all face.
If it was me, there's no way I'd go to school.
Uh... The weather is fine today.
One, two...
This is part-time lecturer Hikuma.
No, he is here!
I am currently looking for great applications.
What for?
Sensei.
You have to say what kind of applications.
Oh, I see.
We're taking applications for the brass band.
Those with confidence in their stamina, lung capacity or sense of rhythm,
please gather in the music room now.
Also...
All the club members who didn't come yesterday, please make sure to come today.
Let's stop with the last minute cancellations.
Also...
Aoshima, Kitora, Abo, Kuwata and Takamoku, those five. Please be sure to come.
What?
I'll be waiting in the music room.
That's all.
What do we do?
Check it out?
What's up?
Ornette Coleman.
What's that?
A black sax player.
He's playing.
Hiroto...
I was wrong to say such proud things the other day.
I'm sorry.
The truth is, just like you,
I too ran from music.
Five years ago, I had a traffic accident.
And I couldn't play this as I wanted to.
I couldn't approve of it at all.
I made myself useless.
And I couldn't stand on stage anymore.
You got what you deserved, right?
That's why I reflected.
Saying I would never again lose to myself.
Sensei.
You came.
The song I just played...
Was by the artist who drove the jazz world in the 1960s...
Ornette Coleman.
You know your stuff.
Coleman was born into a poor family,
and couldn't have a proper music education.
Even so, he self-studied sax,
And established an original genre called free jazz.
Even in circumstances any normal person would give up in...
He took action.
It wasn't anything big.
He started looking forward a bit.
From there...
The dream started.
Is this a roundabout lecture?
It's fine, just listen quietly.
Following Coleman's example,
I think I will dream too.
At that age?
Can I not dream at my age?
My current dream is...
For everyone here to have a dream.
You guys too.
Club registration?
You're too persistent.
I told you not to worry about us.
I want to worry about you, looking at you.
Old man...
If you want to hit me then do it.
But even if you do, nothing will change, you know.
I'll accompany you the whole way, so will you try joining me?
Huh?
If you give it everything, from this music room,
you'll see a wide world you've never seen before.
Won't you try jumping out into that wide world?
Alright, Aoshima?
If you find something to be engrossed in,
even graduation will become meaningful.
Until that day,
won't you let me look after you?
A wide world, huh?
That could be interesting.
I see.
Then, let's shake.
A handshake is a sign of trust.
Then...
Show me that so-called 'wide world'!
Huh?
What does this mean?
There's no way I'd join.
Idiot.
You...
I'll be waiting.
Let me take care of your last year.
I won't give up!
Sensei...
You said so, didn't you?
That if you had given up then...
You would have spent the last days of your life in regret.