Despite all these fish,
my workplace isn't a fish market.
Despite all this scrubbing,
it's not a public bath.
- Hey, idiot! - Yes!
If rubbish gets blown into the pool,
a dolphin could eat it and die!
I'm sorry!
Despite the yelling,
it's not the army.
My boyfriend dumped me,
I was branded a slut,
falsely accused of a mistake at work,
and seconded to an aquarium.
You're in the way.
This is the dolphin trainer, Kaji Ry?hei.
Otherwise known as the shark man.
Perhaps you're here to investigate the business.
You're kidding!
Despite being trapped in the freezer and nearly dying,
thanks to unbelievable beginner's luck
I revived the phantom C1 jump,
which only C1,
the bad boy dolphin can do...
I'm going to make this the world's best aquarium!
I made a dominating speech
to my boss from headquarters
in a brief moment of exhilaration...
I won't acknowledge you.
And incurred the wrath of the shark man.
- Do all these, too. - Eh?!
I wonder if I can swim away
without being eaten by the shark man.
Aquarium Girl
Subtitles by Candylemon
Morning training is about finished.
Episode 2
"Preparing a Thousand Fish"
Sorry I'm late!
Morning training...
- Just finished. - Huh?!
You seem frustrated.
Kaji-san, are you harassing me?
Harassing?
You told me to start at 8 am
and prepare 1,000 fish as food
for all every animal here before coming to training.
I did.
But training starts at 8:30.
I don't think I could do it
even if I started at 7 am.
Plus you added more today.
Don't blame me for your slow work.
I bet it's physically impossible.
Don't you want to let me train?
Shima-san, let's calm down for now.
If you can't do it all by 8:30,
you can't be at training.
This isn't some dumping ground
for OLs kicked out of headquarters.
I haven't acknowledged you as a keeper,
and that C1 jump was just a fluke.
Don't you forget that!
Kaji's harsh with the newcomer.
Even more than usual.
But it's true an animal keeper
can't have an irresponsible attitude.
We're entrusted with so many lives.
But the people from headquarters
stick their noses in
with no regard for the animals or circumstances here.
I know how Kaji feels.
The jellyfish tank needs draining by Golden Week.
If the water temperature controller isn't checked
it could fail before summer.
Will you take responsibility then?
But didn't I tell you?
The jellyfish aren't well right now.
What will happen if they die
being moved for water drainage now?
There it is.
You keepers always go on
about things threatening creatures' lives.
Machines have their own lifespans,
just paying the electric bill isn't enough.
- I'll complain to headquarters if you... - Inoda-san.
For now, please leave this matter to me.
Do what you want.
I don't care if the jellyfish live or die.
If they die, you can always catch more.
Just get some more.
It's true jellyfish are primitive organisms,
that survive without a head
and only live up to a year.
But for any individual,
we can't face them thinking
we can just catch more if they die.
When they reached retirement age,
the fish chief and marine mammals chief
were replaced by this inflexible pair.
I wonder if things will be okay.
Anyway, by Golden Week,
the jellyfish tank needs draining.
I'm counting on you, chiefs.
It's definitely harassment.
Kaji-san bullies me for stress relief!
Don't complain to me, it's annoying.
Don't you have any advice?
At this rate I'll never be a trainer.
I don't care!
Preparing 1,000 fish is the first obstacle for a rookie.
Lots of beginners flee when faced with that.
Flee...
Ah...
There might be one way.
What is it?
Don't worry, until you feel better
I won't let the water be drained, Emilia.
Which one is Emilia?
Y-you're wrong, I haven't named them.
- But you just said... - I didn't!
We don't name the creatures here.
I came to ask a favour.
A favour?
Yoshizaki-san told me
you're faster than anyone at preparing food.
- Please teach me! - No.
I thought you'd say that, so I brought a bribe.
"Ocean Friends" series,
the latest figure...
Lumpfish!
Yoshizaki-neesan told you?
What's more, if you help me...
Ah~ Something rare!
I'll initiate you in the mystery.
What'll you do to placate Inoda-san?
He's an old colleague who gives us a good rate,
and he's more skilled than the alternative vendors.
We'll be in trouble if that relationship sours.
I know.
Being chief of fish is too much for Imada.
He may have the knowledge,
but he can't cope in a crisis.
I will deal with that.
You've got your hands full with your own work.
Before you talk about work here,
sort out the guys from headquarters.
Wan-tan-men!
Wan-tan-men! Wan-tan-men!
- Wan-tan-men! - Hey.
- Wan-tan-men! - Hey!
What's that racket for?
It's a secret technique Imada-san taught me.
When cutting fish, it's important to keep a constant rhythm.
In my mind,
I repeat "wan-tan-men" as I cut.
Wan-tan-men?
Wan-tan-men.
If you cut without breaking that rhythm,
you can finish at 8:30.
Really?
So it's wan-tan-men!
Seriously?
There's no way that'll make you faster!
Ignoring the shark man's sneers,
I practised for three days with wan-tan-men.
Wan-tan-men! Wan-tan-men!
Wan-tan-men!
Three more minutes!
Wan-tan-men! Wan-tan-men!
Morning team, report the changes in temperature.
Let's begin morning training.
I've finished preparing 1,000 fish!
The shark man may think it's foolish.
I thought the same at first.
But look, shark man!
I'll teach you the dolphin jump signal.
Come on.
Okay!
Just as humans will work hard for a meal,
dolphins don't understand words, but they learn with fish.
The moment they move well, blow the whistle.
Then give them fish.
They realise they get food when they hear the whistle.
This is called "association".
- You try it. - Right.
You moved too slowly!
Your elbow is bent!
Right, sorry.
C1 will jump over the white bar.
What's going on?
Bar!
Put it down.
Don't space out in the middle of a show!
I'll be careful. Sorry!
I'm sorry!
Kaji!
Yes, what is it?
I apologise for the other day.
Ah... That.
That was a dolphin welcome, right?
I'm glad. It felt good.
A nice wash.
He's lying.
We examined the report you sent
regarding everyone's current overtime,
and you're taking too much.
Living things need care 24 hours a day.
If they're unwell,
we have no choice but to work overtime.
Whether it can be helped is irrelevant.
If you can reduce the overtime,
the money can be spent on events.
We want to make improvements,
so please submit a roster of all staff.
For the past three years will be enough.
What...will you use it for?
Any staff working excessive overtime
will be interviewed and cautioned.
Cautioned?
Punished.
Something like cutting our pay.
- Wait a minute. - Oh, I'm sorry.
We have other places to visit.
There's just one more thing. Yagami.
Yes, sir.
We've aggregated the results
of an online visitor survey carried out by headquarters.
Many have said,
"Compared with other aquariums it's boring",
"It's old",
"The exhibitions are too serious and no fun",
and, "It's unsuitable for dates".
Many visitors
record their opinions online,
so without projects like this
you'll never be the world's best aquarium.
Right, Shima-san?
For this facility to survive the redevelopment,
it's necessary to have
projects that will produce visible results.
It's absurd to demand a new plan
two weeks before the holiday.
Don't worry,
we've already thought of a plan.
Huh?
"Let's play with dolphins! Petting Park"?
That crappy boss' daughter
had fun playing with dolphins at an aquarium while travelling.
That's what all this madness is about?
He doesn't have a clue what it's like here.
But we have to do it now, right?
They said their piece and then left.
Kaji-kun.
I just heard from Chief Kurano.
Will it be a struggle?
Yes.
The holiday week means more shows.
If we need staff for the petting park,
there won't be enough for the shows.
It's physically impossible.
Shima-san, what do you currently do
in the dolphin shows?
Organise the venue and fetch props.
I see.
How about this then?
While learning to be a trainer,
how about Shima becomes MC for the dolphin shows?
I can't be an MC, no way.
No, it may sound like you'd be the star,
but that's not the case.
It's actually the stage before becoming a trainer.
In other words, it's beginners' work.
You observe the shows as MC,
until the skills of a trainer
become second nature to you.
Hooray! A superb jump.
Next up is the dolphins' speciality ball event.
Huh?
It's not that ball!
This?
Ah... Sorry.
Hooray!
A flawless performance!
You're doing well for your first time.
Really?
Now you just need to memorise the script.
Please let me do it.
- Three days. - Three days?
I'll let you MC a show in three days.
Golden Week will be a week after that.
We'll need to make adjustments for the increase in visitors.
Right!
Yuka.
Taku. Ah...
Yagami-san.
Call me Taku.
I'd like a chat.
Get in.
Is it work you want to talk about?
You were very caustic with the chief.
That gave me quite a shock.
I don't believe he's fully in the right.
Taku...
What do you think about the aquarium?
Meaning?
Do you think
it doesn't matter if it's destroyed by the redevelopment?
The people there
may take everything we say badly,
but compared with headquarters
it needs more careful management to run.
The current management framework is outdated
and there are problems that don't show.
The development is a long-term plan.
I plan to take on the leadership.
Eh?
You and I
can revive the aquarium together.
Yuka.
Could you bring me a roster
of all the staff who've worked there?
It's for the aquarium's sake.
Chief Kurano is afraid we'll cut overtime pay,
so he won't give it to me.
That's a little...
Take your time and think about it.
I won't let the aquarium be disadvantaged.
I promise.
High jump!
No, it's a somersault!
Somersault!
A beautiful forward somersault.
Next it's F3's turn.
Somersault!
Ah, somersault!
Your timing's off!
The show's tomorrow!
Sorry.
Now let's look at...
the body of the dolphin.
I'll introduce the three types of fin.
First, the pectoral fins,
then the dorsal fin,
tail fin...
It's morning~.
Good morning.
Ow!
Ah, I'm sorry.
You're fully prepared for today's show?
Ah, I wonder if the prop is ready.
I'll go and fetch it.
- Director, good morning. - Good morning.
I've finished the repairs.
The ball.
Thank you.
Ah...
Today's your MC debut, isn't it?
Are you feeling ready?
I've learned the procedure...
Mm.
It's a live show with living creatures.
The immediacy will captivate the audience.
Please try to relax.
Yes.
- Shima-san. - Yes?
There are site guide booklets in that cardboard box.
- Take them to storage. - Oka~y.
Could you bring me a roster
of all the staff who've worked here?
It's for the aquarium's sake.
- Excuse me... - Yes?
Um... Is Shima-san...?
Ah, Yuka!
Kumiko, you came?
What was that email about yesterday?
"I messed up badly, what do I do?"
You're such a wimp.
- I came to see you work. - Thank you.
We're looking forward to your MC debut.
Good luck with it.
Ah, sorry.
Could you go on ahead to your seats?
- Oka~y. - Thanks.
There are some good fish here.
That's my sworn enemy, the shark man.
- But they agree... - So cool.
You don't know what he's like.
- Imada-san. - Yes?
This is our chief of fish, Imada-san.
This is my colleague from headquarters, Koshiba Kumiko.
Pleased to meet you.
P-pleased to m-meet you.
It's time. Let's go.
I'll introduce you later.
- Good luck! - Thanks!
Straight away, the dolphins show off their lively jumping.
This is C1.
This one is F3.
Now it's the dolphins' turn to greet you.
Everyone, let's enjoy today's show!
Yuka's looking good!
The dolphins will shoot towards everyone.
Now, C1, give it your best shot!
Ah!
Ah~ It went out.
Home ru~n!
Home run!
C1 hit a powerful home run!
Everyone, a round of applause for C1!
Somersault!
A beautiful forward somersault!
Next it's F3's turn.
What?
C1 is interfering with F3.
A fight?
This has never happened before.
Distraction!
What does that mean?
C1!
Calm down, calm down!
- Kaji! - Hold this!
Hold onto the float, I'll pull you in.
Why didn't you listen to what I said?
I was in a panic and didn't understand.
You're bad at Japanese, too?
I'm sorry.
I thought C1 and F3 were fighting...
It can't be helped.
They were mating.
You don't know what mating is?
- It's se... - I know that!
Is that right?
It's a problem in early spring.
They start suddenly.
While it's happening, they won't perform.
They finish quickly
once their concentration is broken.
What do we do then?
"The dolphins are dancing together!"
Say something to distract people.
I get it.
You can reflect later, you two need baths now.
You'll catch cold.
Going in together?
- No way! - No way!
My first MC job was a disaster...
This is awful.
Huh?
Eh?
Come in.
You'll be late for the next show! Hurry!
I seem to have lost my whistle.
Your whistle? Where?
Probably in the dolphin pool...
Your whistle fell in the pool?!
Yes...
- Is that true? - Yes...
Idiot!
If a dolphin swallows it, we're in trouble!
Ah... I'm sorry!
For now, we'd better search the pool.
I'll cancel the next show and look.
Hey, you lost your whistle?
- Yes. - Is it there?
It's not.
So it is in the pool?
What will happen if a dolphin swallows it?
They might spit it out,
but otherwise it has to be removed from the stomach with forceps.
- How'd it go? - It wasn't in the pool.
- How about here? - I can't find it.
As a precaution,
I'll give C1 and F3 an endoscopic examination tomorrow.
If one of them swallowed it,
it could clog or damage the digestive organs
and prove fatal.
I'm sorry...
I'm so sorry!
I really am!
You're no longer an MC.
We can't get through Golden Week without Yuka-chan as MC.
I'll think of something for Golden Week.
Having someone thoughtless around endangers lives.
Don't just get in our way.
Go home for today.
But we still haven't found the whistle.
You're in the way!
Everyone, gather round.
We're changing the shifts.
Everyone needs a turn in her place.
- There go our breaks. - It's not fair.
We're busier than normal.
- Hello. - Oh, is that Yuka?
Dad, what's up?
What's up?
You sound gloomy.
Not really...
Why are you calling?
If you've got a boyfriend, I want to meet him.
What's this, suddenly? I haven't.
We've been getting your sister's engagement gift.
That bastard is getting our daughter,
but he demanded something from Thailand
for an engagement gift!
For some reason, Dad has always
hated every sea creature there is.
If I told him I'm working at an aquarium,
he'd only cause trouble.
Sorry, I'm a bit tired. Call again.
Wait.
Wanna tell her your bit?
Ah, Yuka?
It's Mama. How are you?
I'm fine, but a bit tired.
I see. I'll be quick then.
For Golden Week,
Papa and I will be visiting the Skytree. Counting on you to guide us.
Whoa whoa... I can't do that.
I'm the only one around here who hasn't seen it.
I want to see where you work, too.
No no, Golden Week is busy season here.
At a trading company?
They sound bad employers.
Anyway, you can't come now, so don't!
See you!
She fell in the pool?
Poor girl.
She's dragging everyone there down...
I'd be so humiliated I'd quit.
Yagami, has Chief Kurano sent the roster?
Not yet.
You're going to the redevelopment site nearby.
Pay Shima a visit.
You're worried.
Understood.
Yagami-san!
What?
Listen...
Maybe it's not my place to say this,
but even if the chief tells you to
please don't get involved with Yuka unless you want to.
When you suddenly dumped her,
she may have acted fine around people
but she was really depressed...
So please...
So it's fine if I want to?
You're still searching this late?
I still haven't found it.
That's enough, go home.
Headquarters are nagging us about working hours...
I'm the one they'll complain to.
- Come on. - I'm sorry.
Yuka.
Ah, I didn't have overtime, I...
I heard.
About yesterday's dolphin show.
You tried so hard...
It must have hurt.
Thank you for driving me.
I don't want to see
those grouches at the aquarium give you a hard time like this.
Eh?
You don't have to let them use you.
You belong at headquarters.
We're the ones who manage them.
I'll help you!
We're fine.
Will Yuka-chan be okay?
Without Yuka, everyone has extra shifts
so they may be cold to her...
It's her own fault.
Kaji.
Aren't you being too hard on her?
One careless moment could cost a life.
Someone thoughtless like her is dangerous.
Have you sorted things with Inoda and Sh?ta?
No, Inoda-san is determined
the jellyfish tank has to be drained in Golden Week.
You've been here eight years now, right?
Yes.
You always try to do everything yourself.
Do you have to be such a masochist?
It's already been nine years since then.
Can't you forgive yourself?
Hey, move.
Sorry.
Wow, that's great!
You like sea lions?
- Is that bad? - No no...
I'm Shima Yuka, pleased to meet you.
From the show before.
Hm?
That was terrible.
I'm sorry.
Dolphins are friendlier than sea lions.
Since they live in water, dolphins have poor eyesight.
Instead they use echolocation
to recognise the shapes and positions of things.
Some people believe
they can detect the wounds in people's hearts
and have the power to heal them.
It's called dolphin therapy.
I've heard of that.
Dolphins read people's minds.
They know yours better than anyone.
Thank you.
I'm sorry, there's a branch I can't reach.
I don't mind.
- We should do what we can. - Ah, there it is.
Next, let's see how accurately the dolphins can jump!
They're going to jump through this hoop!
If they don't do it...
Oh? They jumped outside the hoop...
In her case,
she's used diaries and past videos
to see how to deal with problems,
and secretly practises every day.
Hooray! A perfect jump through the hoop!
Tomorrow's the first day of Golden Week.
Do you think she could be an MC again?
I can't trust her.
It's because I trust you
that I made you chief of marine mammals.
I'll leave her up to you.
Here, trim that branch for me.
The next challenge is surfing with a boogie board.
Whatever you do, it's no good.
I've reflected
on how I put the dolphins' lives in danger.
Please let me join the show again.
You don't deserve to be in it.
I know everyone resents
the unreasonable demands from headquarters,
but I can't just not do anything.
Whatever you say, you won't fool me.
You pretend to be on our side,
but you'll pass everything to headquarters.
Why are you
so determined to believe the worst?
I only just came here.
But I'm serious about wanting to protect this place.
If I could mediate with headquarters...
Don't make me laugh.
If you're told to go back, you'll trot back wagging your tail.
Don't pretend you're a saint!
Don't go thinking
you're the only who cares about this place!
Yuka?
Taku...
At 7 am tomorrow,
could you come to the side door of the aquarium?
The roster?
Thank you, Yuka.
Hey!
Kaji-san...
So I was right.
Could you stop going behind our backs like this?
I'm not going behind you.
You didn't give me what I asked for,
so I did what I had to do.
Give that to me.
- No, that's... - Let go.
- No! You can't have it! - Let go!
What the hell?
Don't look!
"The people of this aquarium
"are more compassionate than they seem."
The people of this aquarium
are more compassionate than they seem.
Yoshizaki-san gently feeds fish to the penguins.
Her fingertips
have countless scars from their pecks.
Imada-san makes handwritten posts
so children can easily understand,
rewriting them may times to improve clarity.
Chief Kurano is a cost-cutting demon.
But he's not stingy,
every week he buys flowers himself
to decorate the office.
After I lost my whistle, Isokawa-sensei
gave up his break times
to carefully examine C1 and F3.
The director starts work early,
to neatly trim a tree at the back
that everyone else forgets.
This...
This isn't a roster!
I summarised the good points of the people here.
Here's an old in-house magazine.
Yoshizaki-san told me there's lots in here.
Taku, a roster may be important
for investigating people's work
to improve management.
But rather than just data,
I believe people at headquarters
should see things here with their own eyes.
You work for headquarters, too.
I work for this aquarium.
It's true I didn't want to come here.
You dumped me,
I was abandoned by headquarters,
and I lost everything.
But...
I've decided to do the best I can here.
So I belong here now.
I'll report this to the chief.
Hey.
What's this?
"Chief Kaji is incredibly mean,
"but he loves all the creatures of this aquarium."
Incredibly mean, am I?
I thought I should write my honest impressions.
I thought it would make them smile.
The show begins as soon as you've finished preparing fish.
- There's not much time. - Eh? But...
- Don't you wanna be MC? - Yes, but my whistle...
Where was it?!
In my coat pocket.
You put it in mine by mistake.
What a relief~!
Don't space out.
If you don't get the fish done, you can't be MC!
Okay!
Now, for the finale the dolphins
will show off their synchronised jumping.
You give the signal to C.
Right.
Kaji-kun may have realised
she has a good affinity with C1.
Because she revived it...
The C1 jump.
Those who'll be participating in the petting park
please gather at the front.
You'll drain the water tomorrow, right?
Inoda-san!
What?
You like fishing, don't you?
Eh?
Please join our next fishing collection trip.
We'll be catching more fish to exhibit.
But I'm not a staff member here...
It would really help to have someone good at fishing.
- Also... - What?
Please sing us "Ky?dai Bune" on the boat.
I love that song, too!
I don't know who told you,
but you understand a lot for a youngster.
Also...
regarding the drainage,
I'm very sorry, but
could you wait two more weeks?
The jellyfish will be well by then.
Please!
Can't be helped.
I've got a full schedule next month,
but I'll adjust things somehow.
Thank you very much!
Kaji... Thank you!
- It wasn't me. - Eh?
Inoda-san from the equipment company
is a gruff but dependable pro.
He has a great love of fishing,
and sings "Ky?dai Bune" at karaoke.
We aim to be Japan's most enjoyable aquarium.
Now, everyone,
smile again today.
Bring the visitors back with your smiles.
For the last day of Golden Week,
let's do our best again!
Let's work hard together.
Ah, Yuka? It's me.
We're at the Skytree right now.
You came?!
You said you had to work.
We go back tomorrow,
but we want to see you first.
Are you at work?
We'll pick you up and have a meal together.
- Whereabouts do you work? - Ah, wait, that's...
- Hello? - Shima-san.
Sorry.
I'll speak later.
The director has one final thing to say.
Yes.
Everyone,
it's not easy for me to say this,
but a notice came from headquarters yesterday.
Due to personnel reduction,
one member of staff
will be made redundant.
Redundant?