[From November Issue 2011]
DVD cover. 121 minutes. 3,990 yen
発売・ 販売元：松竹
© 2006 「武士の一分」製作委員会Love and Honor (Directed by YAMADA Yoji)
Released in 2006, following “The Twilight Samurai” and “The Hidden Blade,” “Bushi no Ichibun” or “Love and Honor” is the final chapter of Yamada Yoji’s “Samurai Trilogy.” The main character is portrayed by KIMURA Takuya, a member of the popular idol group SMAP.
At the end of the Edo era, a lower ranking samurai named MIMURA Shinnojo lives a modest but happy life with his wife, Kayo. One day, Shinnojo tells Kayo that his job as the “food taster” for the feudal lord is “unbearable and pointless.” Then he shares his dream of opening a fencing school for village children of all castes. Sadly a few days later, Mimura eats some bad shellfish at work, and loses his eyesight.
No longer useful as a samurai, Mimura loses his will to live and even considers taking his own life with his sword. But, to his relief, his feudal lord allows him to keep his rank and he is ordered to take some time off to recuperate. With Kayo’s deep love and support from Tokuhei, who has been a servant to the Mimura family from the time Mimura’s father’s was head of the household, Shinnojo soon regains his strength and sense of humor.
However, one day Mimura finds out that Kayo is having an affair with Shimada, his boss. Mimura confronts Kayo, who confesses in tears that Shimada, her childhood friend promised her that he would ask their lord to maintain Mimura’s rank in exchange for sexual favors. Mimura tells Kayo that he will divorce her on the spot, and kicks her out into the rain.
Mimura spends a lonely life with Tokuhei. The meals that Tokuhei prepares taste awful, and the dullness of everyday life without Kayo makes them both miserable. After a while, Mimura is informed that the lord’s decision to protect his rank was not made at Shimada’s request but was a personal choice. Mimura makes a pledge on his samurai’s ichibun (pride and honor) to pay Shimada back for tricking Kayo by challenging him to a duel.
He visits his fencing master and trains to fight by listening to the sound of footsteps and by sensing his enemy’s presence. Wearing Kayo’s sash around his head as a headband, Mimura summons Shimada to a riverbank for a duel. Though in great peril, Mimura manages to cut off Shimada’s left arm, then leaves him without finishing him off. Shimada later commits seppuku and dies without revealing the name of his opponent.
One day Tokuhira hires a maid to take care of the house and instructs her to make a meal for her master. Mimura takes a bite and then calls the maid to his dinner table. He realizes that the maid is actually Kayo and tells her, “I thought I would never be able to eat your cooking again.” Her eyes filling up with tears, Kayo asks, “Does that mean I can stay by your side?” Mimura replies, “Thank you for coming back home,” and gathers her in his arms.
[2011年11月号掲載記事]
DVDジャケット。121分。3,990円。
『武士の一分』
ＤＶＤ ￥3,990（税込）/ブルーレイ ￥4,935（税込）
発売・ 販売元：松竹
© 2006 「武士の一分」製作委員会武士の一分（山田洋次 監督）
山田洋次監督の「時代劇三部作」として、「たそがれ清兵衛」「隠し剣 鬼の爪」に続いて映画化され、2006年に公開された。主役を演じる木村拓哉は、人気アイドルグループ、SMAPのメンバー。
江戸時代末期、下級武士である三村新之丞は、妻の加世と貧しいながらも幸せに暮らしている。ある日、藩主に出される食事の「毒味役」という今の仕事が「いやでたまらない。中身がない」と加世に話す。そして、身分に関係なく村の子どもたちに剣術を教える道場を開く夢を語る。だが、数日後、三村は毒味の貝の毒にあたり、失明してしまう。
もう武士としては役に立たず、生きる希望をなくした三村は、自らの刀で死ぬことまで考える。しかし、藩主からは今の身分にとどまることを許され、療養生活を送るよう命じられ、ひと安心する。加世の深い愛情と、父親の代から召使いとして働いてきた徳平の助けもあり、三村はやがて冗談が言えるくらい元気を取り戻す。
しかし、あるとき、三村は、上司の島田と加世が関係をもっていることを知る。加世に問いただすと、加世の幼なじみだった島田が、三村の身分を守ってくれるよう藩主にお願いすると約束し、引き換えに体を預けることになったと、涙ながらに話す。三村は、その場で離婚を告げ、雨の降る中、加世を追い出す。
三村は徳平とさびしい暮らしを送る。徳平の作る食事はまずく、加世のいない味気なさもあり、二人の生活からは笑いも消えてしまう。しばらくして、三村の身分が守られたのは島田の頼みではなく藩主自らの判断だったことを知らされた三村は、加世をだました島田に対し、武士としての「一分」（誇りや名誉）をかけて決闘することを誓う。
剣術の先生を訪ね、足音や気配を頼りに闘う方法を特訓してもらう。そして、河原に島田を呼び出すと、かつて加世が使っていたたすきを鉢巻き代わりに頭に巻いて、勝負を挑む。三村は危ういところで島田の左腕を切り落とすと、殺さずにその場を去る。島田はその後、決闘した相手の名を明かさないまま切腹死する。
徳平はある日、家事をする女中を雇い、食事を作らせる。それを口にした三村は、女を食卓に呼び入れる。女が加世であることに気づいた三村は「二度とお前の料理は食べられないと思った」と言う。涙を浮かべた加世が「あなたの側にいてもいいのですか？」と聞くと、三村は「よく帰ってきてくれた」と、加世を抱き寄せるのだった。
[From October Issue 2011]
Bishojo Senshi Sailor Moon: Super S Sailor 9 Senshi Shuketsu!
“Black Dream Hole no Kiseki (Miracle of the Black Dream Hole)”
(Directed by SHIBATA Hiroki)Though originally created by TAKEUCHI Naoko for young girls, in the 90s this cartoon series even became popular with male and adult female readers. The series was then adapted into an animation for TV, a musical and a live action TV drama. Both the cartoon and animation series have been translated into numerous languages and are popular all around the globe.
Heroine TSUKINO Usagi and her junior high school friends, who in the story transform into sailor-suit wearing warriors in order to fight evil, have formed the model for female protagonists in anime ever since. A key part of Sailor Moon is Usagi’s catchphrase “Tsuki-ni Kawatte Oshioki-yo! (in the name of the moon, I will punish you!).”
Her fellow Sailors include MIZUNO Ami, HINO Rei, KINO Makoto and AINO Minako who also represent Mercury, Mars and other planets in the solar system. Other characters include Usagi’s boyfriend CHIBA Mamoru who disguises himself as Tuxedo Mask to protect the Sailor Senshi (warriors) and Usagi’s future daughter, Chibiusa who comes to the present from the 30th Century.
This animated film version was released in 1995. The story begins with Usagi, Chibiusa and others baking cookies together. They make fun of the ugly cookies that Chibiusa makes. Upset, Chibiusa takes her cookies and leaves the house.
Chibiusa meets a boy named Perle in front of a sweet shop. Perle plays music on his flute, making the cookies in the window display dance. Chibiusa befriends Perle and gives him the cookies she baked when they part. In the meantime, Usagi hears the news that children all around the world are mysteriously going missing in the dead of night.
That night, led by an alluring melody played on the flute, Chibiusa sleepwalks out of the house. Usagi and the girls follow her to discover all the kidnapped children in the town embarking aboard a huge flying ship. The source of the music is a boy named Poupelin, who is Perle’s older brother. The brothers were ordered by Queen Badiane, who is planning to take over the world, to take the children away to her castle in the sky.
Queen Badiane is using their “energy” to feed her “Black Dream Hole” that will eventually engulf the whole of the Earth. Perle who started to question Queen Badiane’s orders revolts against his brother Poupelin. Poupelin attacks the girls by manipulating weapons with his flute.
Usagi and her friends transform into Sailor Senshi. They follow the ship back to the castle with Perle, and then defeat Poupelin and the evil fairies. However, Queen Badiane, protected by a charm, tries to draw all of Chibiusa’s special energy.
Sailor Moon stands up to Queen Badiane alone, while the other Sailor Senshi channel their powers through her and finally succeed in destroying the queen. Finally Chibiusa is rescued.
[2011年10月号掲載記事]
美少女戦士セーラームーン Super S
セーラー9戦士集結！ ブラック・ドリーム・ホールの奇跡
（芝田浩樹監督）武内直子による原作シリーズは、1990年代に大人気となった少女漫画だが、男女を問わず成人読者からも支持された。テレビアニメ化をはじめ、ミュージカルやテレビの実写ドラマ化もされている。漫画もアニメも数ヵ国語に翻訳され、海外でも人気を集めている。
主人公の月野うさぎと仲間の女子中学生たちがセーラー服姿の戦士に変身し悪と戦う物語で、女の子を主人公にしたアニメの原点といわれている。セーラームーンことうさぎの「月に代わっておしおきよ！」が決め台詞になっている。
仲間には水野亜美、火野レイ、木野まこと、愛野美奈子がおり、それぞれが水星や火星など惑星に由来した名前になっている。うさぎの恋人でタキシード仮面として彼女らを助ける地場衛や、30世紀の未来からやってきた、うさぎの将来の子ども、ちびうさが主な登場人物。
本作は1995年に公開された。物語は、うさぎたちがクッキーを作っている場面から始まる。ちびうさの作ったクッキーの見た目が悪く、うさぎたちが大笑いすると、怒ったちびうさはクッキーを持って家を飛び出す。
ちびうさは、菓子屋の前にいたペルルという少年に出会う。ペルルが笛を吹くと、ショーウィンドーの中のクッキーが踊り出す。ペルルのことが気に入ったちびうさは、自分が焼いたクッキーをあげて別れる。一方、うさぎは世界の子どもたちが真夜中に姿を消す事件が起きていることを、ニュースで聞く。
その晩、不思議な笛の音に導かれ、ちびうさは夢遊病者のように家を出る。それを知ったうさぎたちが後を追うと、町中の子どもたちが巨大な空飛ぶ船に乗り込んで行く。笛を吹いていたのはププランという少年で、ペルルの兄だった。彼らは、地球を支配しようとするバティヤーヌの命令で子どもたちを空に浮かぶ城に運んでいた。
バティヤーヌは子どもたちの「エナジー」を利用し、自ら操るブラック・ドリーム・ホールを成長させ、地球をのみ込もうとする。バティヤーヌの指示を疑い始めていたペルルはププランに反発する。ププランは笛を吹いて武器を操り、うさぎたちを攻撃する。
うさぎたちはセーラー戦士に変身。ペルルと共に船を追い、城に着くと、ププランと仲間たちをやっつける。だが、バティヤーヌはバリアに守られており、ちびうさの強いエナジーを欲しがり、吸い取ろうとしている。
セーラームーンは一人でバティヤーヌに立ち向かうと、他のセーラー戦士たちからパワーを送ってもらい、ようやくバティヤーヌを倒し、ちびうさは助け出される。
[From September Issue 2011]
Cupola, Where the Furnaces Glow (Directed by URAYAMA Kirio)
This is a drama set in Kawaguchi City, Saitama Prefecture, where numerous foundries stand side by side. The “cupola” in the movie’s title refers to a furnace for heating and melting metals. Released in 1962, the film is famous for having won the Blue Ribbon Award in 1962 for Best Film and YOSHINAGA Sayuri won the Blue Ribbon Award for Best Actress. That same year, the film was also entered in the Competition Category at the Cannes International Film Festival.
Kawaguchi City, Saitama Prefecture, located right across the Arakawa River to the north of Tokyo, has been known as a foundry town since the Edo period. Jun (Yoshinaga) is a third-year middle school student whose father works as a laborer at a small foundry. But the foundry is bought out, and her aging father is fired. That night, her mother gives birth to her third brother.
Her father is invited to work at an automated modern foundry, but as a proud artisan, he resists the idea and soon quits. The family cannot survive on the income from the work that her mother does at home. Moreover, it is Jun who takes care of her naughty brother, a sixth grader, instead of her mother and father.
Jun, who has good grades and likes studying, wants to go on to a prefectural high school. She tries her best to pay for her tuition by doing a part-time job, but her father, who is out of work and always drunk, objects to her going to high school, saying, “You have to work after graduating from middle school.” Feeling disgusted with her mother, who has started working as a hostess at a bar for good money, Jun gives up on taking the high school entrance exam and decides not to go on a school trip.
Before long, Jun starts skipping school, telling herself, “If I can’t go to high school, there is no point in studying.” Her homeroom teacher pays her a visit and urges her to attend night school while working, saying, “If you have the motivation, regardless of where you are, you find some way to study.” Around that time, a North Korean friend of hers decides to move to her father’s native country along with her father and younger brother.
Jun goes to the station with her teacher and classmates to see her friend off. Despite feeling sad about leaving Japan, where she was born and raised, her friend expresses concern for Jun, who has been absent from school. That encourages Jun to choose to work her way through school. At the same time, the foundry where her father used to work expands and he begins to work there again at the start of the New Year. For the first time in a long while, laughter and peace returns to the family.
Despite this, Jun tells her parents that she will work her way through school without relying on her father. Although they can’t understand Jun’s way of thinking, her parents don’t object to the idea. As he prepares to go on to middle school, her mischievous brother comes to keenly realize the difficulties confronting his sister and starts a part-time job as a newspaper delivery boy. One morning, on the way to a job interview, Jun asks her brother, who is delivering newspapers, to see her off at the station. The film ends with a shot of their silhouettes fading away as they head towards the station.
[2011年9月号掲載記事]
キューポラのある街（浦山桐郎 監督）
鋳物工場が建ち並ぶ埼玉県川口市を舞台にした人間ドラマ。タイトルの「キューポラ」は、鉄を熱して溶かす炉を意味する。1962年に公開され、ブルーリボン賞の作品賞および吉永小百合が主演女優賞を取ったことでも知られる。また、その年のカンヌ国際映画祭のコンペティション部門でも上映された。
荒川を挟んで東京都のすぐ北に位置する埼玉県川口市は、江戸時代から鋳物の街として知られる。中学3年生のジュン（吉永）の父も、小さな鋳物工場の職人として働いている。しかし、工場が買収され、年老いた父は首になってしまう。その夜、母は3番目の弟を出産する。
職人としてのプライドが高い父は、オートメーション化された近代的な工場での仕事を紹介されても、その考えに反発してすぐにやめてしまう。母の内職だけでは、生活が成り立たない。おまけに、小学校6年生の弟はいたずらばかりで、ジュンは父や母に代わって面倒を見ている。
成績がよく、勉強が好きなジュンは、県立高校への進学を希望する。アルバイトで少しでも学費を稼ごうとするが、仕事に就かず、酒浸りの父から「中学を出たら働くんだ」と進学を反対される。給料の良い飲み屋のホステスを始めた母に対する嫌悪感もあり、ジュンは高校受験をあきらめ、修学旅行も取り止めてしまう。
やがてジュンは「高校に行けないなら、勉強なんてしても意味がない」と、学校を休むようになる。担任教師がジュンをたずね、「気持ちさえあれば、どこでもどうやっても勉強はできる」と、働きながら夜間学校に通うことを勧める。そんなおり、在日朝鮮人の友人が、父親と弟と3人で、父の故郷、北朝鮮へ帰国することを決意する。
ジュンは、教師や級友たちと駅まで友人を見送りに行く。生まれ育った日本を離れる寂しさに耐え、学校を休んでいたジュンを心配する友人にはげまされ、ジュンは教師の勧め通り、働きながら学校に通う道を選ぶ。時を同じくして、父は、かつて勤めた工場の拡大にともない、年明けから再び働くことになる。久しぶりに一家に笑いと平和が戻る。
それでもジュンは父に頼らず、働いて学校に行くことを両親に告げる。ジュンの考えが理解できない両親だが、反対はしない。悪さばかりしていた弟も、中学校進学を控え、姉の苦労が身にしみるようになり、新聞配達のアルバイトを始める。ある朝、新聞配達の途中だった弟は、就職試験に向かうジュンに頼まれ、駅まで見送る。駅に向かう二人の背中が小さくなり、映画は幕を閉じる。
[From August Issue 2011]
Yunagi City, Sakura Country (Directed by SASABE Kiyoshi)
This movie is adapted from a manga written by the Hiroshima-born artist, KOUNO Fumiyo. The book received many awards, including the Tezuka Osamu Creative Award, and the translated version is published all over the world. This adaptation was released in 2007. The movie consists of two parts: Part one is about the atomic bomb survivors 13 years after the bomb was dropped on Hiroshima and part two tells the contemporary story of the next generation.
Part one is set in 1958 Hiroshima. The central character HIRANO Minami, who lives an impoverished life with her mother, Fujimi, is a survivor of the atomic bomb. In order to avoid radiation exposure, her younger brother Asahi has been placed in the care of relatives who live far away.
One day, one of Minami’s colleagues, UCHIKOSHI, confesses his love to her. Although she secretly has a crush on him, Minami cannot accept his feelings. His confession of love triggers a memory of her younger sister calling “oneechan” (older sister) out to her.
When the atomic bomb was dropped, Minami was safe inside a warehouse, but Midori was exposed to the blast. Minami found her and then carried Midori on her back as she wandered around the devastated streets. “Oneechan, you live a long life, okay?” said Midori, after which she died, while still on Minami’s back. Ever since, every time Minami feels happiness, she begins to feel guilty for surviving the bomb.
After hearing her story, Uchikoshi holds Minami in his arms and says, “Thank you for staying alive.” But soon after, Minami starts exhibiting symptoms of radiation exposure. Then, with Asahi and Uchikoshi by her side, she breathes her last and dies.
Part Two of the film is set in 2007 Tokyo. The story revolves around Asahi who has retired, his daughter Nanami, and son, Nagio. Asahi’s wife was also exposed to radiation when she was young and died when Nanami was in elementary school. One night when Nanami sees that something’s the matter with Asahi, she decides to follow him when he goes out for a walk. By chance, in front of the station, she meets Touko. Touko is her childhood friend and Nagio’s colleague (she works with him at a hospital). Touko becomes interested and joins Nanami in the chase, following her father onto a bus heading for Hiroshima.
As she tails her father, Nanami finds out that Nagio and Touko are intimate, and that Touko’s parents are against the match as Nagio is the child of a bomb survivor. After returning to Tokyo, Nanami creates an opportunity for Nagio and Touko to talk. Asahi confesses that he went to Hiroshima to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Minami’s death, and that he met Uchikoshi and other people who knew Minami. He says, “Nanami, there’s a slight resemblance between you and my sister. So it’s your turn to become happy.”
[2011年8月号掲載記事]
夕凪の街 桜の国（佐々部 清 監督）
原作は広島出身の、こうの史代による漫画。手塚治虫文化賞新生賞などを受賞し、世界中で翻訳本が出版されている。映画は2007年に公開。広島に投下された原子爆弾で被爆した人たちの13年後を描いた第1部と、現代に生きる次世代の人たちを描写した第2部からなる。
第1部の舞台は1958年の広島。主人公の平野皆実は原爆から生き延び、母・フジミと二人で貧しい暮らしを送っている。弟の旭は、遠い親戚の家に預けられていたため被爆を逃れ、そのままそこに暮らしている。
あるとき、皆実は同じ会社で働く打越から愛を告白される。密かに思いを寄せていた人なのに、その気持ちを受け入れることができない。皆実の頭に「お姉ちゃん」と言う妹・翠の声がよみがえるためだった。
原爆が落とされたとき、皆実は倉庫にいたため助かったが翠は被爆した。探し出した翠を背負って焼け野原を歩き回っているうち、翠は「お姉ちゃんは長生きしてね」と言って皆実の背中で死んでしまう。それ以来、皆実は幸せだと感じるたびに、自分は生きていていいのだろうかという思いにとらわれていた。
すべてを聞いた打越は「生きとってくれてありがとう」と言い、皆実を抱きしめる。だが、その後すぐ皆実に被爆の後遺症が出始める。そして、旭と打越の前で息を引き取る。
第2部の舞台は2007年の東京。定年退職した旭と、娘の七波、息子の凪生を描く。旭の妻は子どもの頃被爆しており、七波が小学生のとき亡くなった。ある日、旭の様子をおかしいと思った七波は、その晩、散歩に出るという父の後を尾行。偶然にも駅前で幼なじみで、凪生と同じ病院に勤める東子に会う。そして尾行に興味をもった東子と共に、広島行きの夜行バスに乗り込む父を追う。
父を追ううち、七波は、凪生と東子が交際していたこと、そしてそのことを東子の両親が反対していることを知る。理由は凪生が被爆者の子どもだからだった。東京に戻った七波は凪生と東子が話し合う機会をつくる。旭は、皆実の50回忌で広島に行ったこと、そして打越をはじめ、姉を知る人達に会っていたことを七波に明かす。そして「七波はお姉ちゃんに少し似ているような気がする。だから、お前が幸せにならないとな」と話すのだった。
[From July Issue 2011]
Soreike! Anpanman: The Tear of the Shining Star (Directed by NAGAOKA Akinori)
“S oreike! Anpanman,” (Go! Anpanman) was the first movie (1989) from the Anpanman anime series which has been broadcast on TV since 1988. This summer, the 23rd Anpanman movie will be released. The TV series, with over 1,000 episodes broadcast, was recognized in the 2009 Guinness World Records for having the highest number of characters in an anime series – the show has featured more than 1,700 characters. Anpanman, one of Japan’s most popular anime characters, appeals to young children, boys and girls alike.
Ninety-two-year-old YANASE Takashi, the creator of Anpanman, experienced food shortages during the Second World War; as a result, Anpanman lets hungry people bite off part of his head which is made of anpan (bread with sweet bean paste). When most of his head has been eaten, Anpanman can regain his strength by having his father, Jam Ojisan, bake him another anpan head.
A spaceship that has been struck by lightning crashes into the forest and Anpanman gets Jam Ojisan to fix a broken robot he has found inside. The robot, which calls itself Marude Hender, says that it has come all the way from planet Shining Star with Princess Nanda Nandar in order to recover The Tear of the Shining Star jewel stolen by the evil King Doronko. The jewel has magical powers: it will bring peace if someone with a pure heart possesses it, but it will bring darkness to the world if it falls into the hands of an evil person.
With his friends Currypanman and Shokupanman, Anpanman goes to look for The Tear of the Shining Star. Along the way they rescue Princess Nanda, who’s being held captive on Baikin UFO, Baikinman’s ship. Anpanman rips some anpan off part of his head to give to the hungry Princess Nanda. She hasn’t eaten anpan before and is grateful for Anpanman’s kindness.
Anpanman and his friends find the giant evil King Doronko. But the king, who is protected by the jewel’s power, is so formidable that they don’t stand a chance against him. However, Jam Ojisan arrives on Anpanman-go (a car made in the shape of Anpanman) and shoots flames at Doronko. Finally, Princess Nanda, who has been watching the battle, faces the Evil King Doronko herself, but unfortunately she gets tangled up in his long snake-like arms.
Princess Nanda is moved to tears as Anpanman and his friends continue to fight despite taking a beating from the evil King Doronko. As her tears fall on The Tear of the Shining Star, which is located on the head of the Evil King Doronko, the power of justice flows out of the jewel and the king melts to his death. Having recovered the jewel, Princess Nanda thanks Anpanman and the others and then flies back to planet Shooting Star.
[2011年7月号掲載記事]
それいけ！ アンパンマン キラキラ星の涙（永丘昭典 監督）
1988年からテレビ放映されている「それいけ！ アンパンマン」シリーズの劇場版映画第1作目（1989年）。この夏には23作目が上映される。テレビ版は2009年、放映回数が1,000回を超え、1,700以上のキャラクターが登場する「最もキャラクターの多いアニメシリーズ」としてギネス世界記録に認定された。男女問わず、子どもが最初に親しむアニメキャラクターの1つとしても人気がある。
現在92歳の原作者やなせたかしは、戦争を通じて食料のない時代を経験していることから、アンパンマンはお腹をすかせた人たちにあんぱんで出来ている自分の頭をちぎって食べさせるという設定である。頭の欠けたアンパンマンは、生みの親であるジャムおじさんに新しい頭となるあんぱんを焼いてもらうことで復活する。
アンパンマンは、雷に打たれて森に落ちた宇宙船から壊れたロボットを見つけ、ジャムおじさんに修理してもらう。ロボットはマルデ・ヘンダーと名乗り、ドロンコ魔王に奪われた宝石、キラキラの涙を取り返すため、ナンダ・ナンダー姫と共にキラキラ星からやって来たという。宝石には不思議な力があり、心のきれいな者が持てば平和が訪れ、悪者が手にすれば暗黒の世界が広がるという。
アンパンマンは、仲間のカレーパンマンやしょくぱんまんたちとキラキラの涙を探しに向かう。途中で、ばいきんまんの乗るバイキンUFOにとらわれたナンダ姫を見つけ、救出する。そして、アンパンマンは空腹のナンダ姫に自分の頭からあんぱんをもぎとって食べさせる。ナンダ姫は初めて食べるあんぱんの味とアンパンマンの優しさに感謝する。
やがて、アンパンマンたちは巨大なドロンコ魔王を見つけ出す。だがドロンコ魔王は宝石の力に守られていて手強く、まるで歯が立たない。ジャムおじさんもアンパンマン号を操縦し、ドロンコ魔王に炎を噴射する。ついに、戦いを見守っていたナンダ姫は自ら立ち向かうが、ドロンコ魔王の蛇のように長い手にからめとられてしまう。
ナンダ姫は、ドロンコ魔王に打ちのめされながらも挑み続けるアンパンマンたちの姿に心を打たれ、涙を流す。そしてその涙が、ドロンコ魔王の頭に置かれたキラキラの涙の上に落ちると、宝石から正義の力が放たれ、ドロンコ魔王は溶けて死んでしまう。宝石を取り戻したナンダ姫は、アンパンマンたちに感謝を告げると、キラキラ星に帰って行く。
[From June Issue 2011]
Arigato (Directed by MANDA Kunitoshi)
This feature film is based on real events that took place following the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake of 1995. The story unravels around FURUICHI Tadao, a senior professional golfer, and the strength of his family’s bonds as the city and its people tried to recover from the devastation. The educational value of the film’s subject matter was approved, and it was eventually chosen as one of the Selected Works by, the Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT). It was first released in 2006.
On January 17 at 5:46 am, a big earthquake rocked Furuichi Cameras, one of the many shops sitting along the Nagata-ku shopping avenue in Kobe, Japan. Furuichi Tadao and his wife and two daughters were fast asleep in the residential part of his shop. Once the severe jolts stopped, Tadao and his wife quickly verified their family’s safety. Meanwhile, the arcade covering the shopping avenue had collapsed, as so too did many shops and houses around them.
The fire that broke out in the distance gradually approached the shopping avenue like sea of flames. Confusion gripped the neighborhood as people just stood there panic-stricken – some pushed others aside while they ran for their lives, while others tried to rescue those desperately in need. Tadao, a member of the local fire fighting squad, instructed his wife and daughters to evacuate while he and his squad members tried to rescue people, pulling them out from beneath the rubble.
At a mass funeral nineteen days later, Tadao proclaimed to everyone in attendance that “The earthquake was no one’s fault. Natural disasters happen. We must rebuild the city to be more disaster-proof. That is what we can do on behalf of all the people who lost their lives.” Tadao then started to help the people rebuild their city.
Two years later, the Furuichi family has resumed their lives in a new house. But rather than work, Tadao continues to help rebuild the neighborhood, while relying on his wife and daughters to support their family. Finally, his wife implores him to “start thinking about ‘restoring’ his family,” after which he shows her one of the only things to have survived the fires – a golf bag. Passionately he tells her, “God left me this for a reason. So now, I’m going to become a professional golfer.”
The professional golf certification exam is extremely competitive. Usually, only 50 out of 1,800 applicants pass, with most of those still in their 20’s. At close to 60, the odds of Tadao turning pro were extremely slim. But he didn’t give up and trained vigorously. His wife tells him that while she doesn’t agree with his decision, neither will she stand in his way. But quietly she keeps watch over him.
Eventually Tadao makes it to the final round. He tells himself to “make a miracle,” as he heads onto the green. At the final hole, a problem occurs as his ball lands in the woods, but taking his caddy’s advice Tadao hits a miraculous shot to fulfill his destiny of becoming a professional golfer. He calls his wife to tell her the good news, but she just dryly replies: “good for you, but our phone bills are expensive, so I’ll hang up now,” after which she quietly starts to cry.
[2011年6月号掲載記事]
ありがとう（万田邦敏 監督）
1995年に発生した阪神淡路大震災から生まれた実話が原作。現在もシニアプロゴルファーとしてツアーに参戦している古市忠夫を中心に、震災から立ち直る人々や街の様子、そして家族のきずななどが描かれている。教育上の価値が認められ、文部科学省選定作品に選ばれた。公開は2006年。
1月17日、午前5時46分。神戸市長田区の商店街にある「古市カメラ」を大きな揺れが襲う。住居も兼ねている店では、主人公の古市忠夫と妻、二人の娘が寝ていた。激しい縦揺れが収まると、忠夫は家族の無事を確認する。商店街のアーケードは崩れ、周りの店や家も倒れている。
遠くの方で上がった火の手が、波のように商店街に押し寄せる。呆然と立ちつくす人、他人を押しのけて逃げ出す人、そして、他人を助け出そうとする人で、商店街は混乱する。消防団員でもある忠夫は妻に娘たちと一緒に避難するよう言い、団員仲間たちと救助に向かう。忠夫たちは崩れた家の下敷きになった人を助け出す。
震災から19日後、犠牲者の合同葬儀が行われる。そこで忠夫は参加者たちに誓う。「地震は誰のせいでもない。天災は必ず起こる。起こっても、耐えられる街をつくらなくては。災害に強い街をつくる。それが、亡くなった人たちへのわしらの務めだ」と。こうして忠夫は、街の人たちと協力して、震災に耐えられる街づくりに取り組む。
やがて震災から2年が経ち、古市家も新居での生活を始めている。しかし、忠夫は仕事をせず街の復興に駆け回るばかりで、生計は妻や娘たちの稼ぎで成り立っている。妻に「この家の『復興』も考えて」と頼まれるが、忠夫は震災で唯一、焼け残ったゴルフバッグを見せる。「神様がこれを自分に残してくれた。自分はプロゴルファーになる」と意気込む。
プロテストは1,800人が受けて50人しか受からないほど難しく、合格者のほとんどが20代の若者だ。間もなく60歳になる忠夫が合格することは不可能に近い。だが、忠夫は地道にトレーニングを続ける。妻も、応援しないと言いながらも反対はせず、夫を静かに見守る。
忠夫は最終テストまで残る。「奇跡を起こせ」と自分に言い聞かせてグリーンに向かう。最終ホールでは林の間にボールが落ちるアクシデントに見舞われるが、キャディーのひと言で奇跡的なショットを放つ。そして、プロテストに合格する。妻に電話で知らせると、「良かったわね。電話代がもったいないから切るわよ」と素っ気ない。しかし、受話器をおいた妻は、静かに涙を流すのだった。
[From May Issue 2011]
The Yellow Handkerchief (Directed by YAMADA Yoji)
This is director YAMADA Yoji’s film adaptation of a New York Post newspaper column written by American journalist Pete HAMILL. It was awarded the 1977 First Japan Academy Prize for Best Picture, Best Director and Best Actor in a Leading Role, among several others. The actual movie location is still preserved and the leading character’s red car can be seen on exhibit in Yubari, Hokkaido. In 2008 the movie was remade independently starring William HURT.
Kinya, who is disappointed with love, quits his job and buys a red car with his retirement money, in which he takes a ferry ride to Hokkaido. There, he unexpectedly meets Akemi with whom he enjoys a drive down to the beach. Upon their arrival, they ask Yusaku, a recent ex-convict, to take their photo. After doing so, he joins them on their ride.
They invite Yusaku, who has no immediate plans, on a trip to a hot spring. Slowly, the rashness of Kinya’s character comes to light while Akemi gradually becomes more talkative. Conversely, Yusaku seems reticent and preoccupied by something. Accidentally, Kinya and Akemi are given the same room in which he makes a pass at her, unsuccessfully. Akemi resists and starts crying. Yusaku then enters to scold Kinya for his actions.
Although they quarrel, the three continue traveling together. A few days later, Kinya gets attacked by a lowly thug, but the three escape by car with Yusaku driving. However, they are soon stopped at a police check point where it was discovered that Yusaku doesn’t have a driver’s license and that he also just got out of prison. Finally, Yusaku explains his past.
Yusaku used to work in a coal mine and had a wife named Mitsue. When she had a miscarriage, he became very distraught, started to drink heavily, eventually fighting with and killing a man. For that, he was imprisoned. A few days before the end of his six-year sentence, he wrote to his estranged wife. His message was simple: “If you will take me back, please hang a yellow handkerchief from the pole in front of our house.”
Kinya and Akemi decide to help a fearful Yusaku find out her answer by taking him to Yubari. Once there, on a high pole in front of the house that Yusaku and his wife once shared, they see dozens of yellow handkerchiefs all fluttering in the breeze. As he walked towards the house from the car, he sees Mitsue waiting for him. Then, with tears rolling down her cheeks, she helps him with his bag, as the film comes to an end.
[2011年5月号掲載記事]
幸福の黄色いハンカチ（山田洋次 監督）
アメリカ人ジャーナリスト、ピート・ハミルによるニューヨーク・ポストのコラムを山田洋次監督が映画化した。1977年に公開され、第1回日本アカデミー賞の最優秀作品賞や最優秀監督賞、最優秀主演男優賞などを受賞した。北海道夕張市では撮影現場が保存され、主人公たちが使った赤い乗用車も展示されている。2008年にはウィリアム・ハート主演でリメイク版が作られた。
失恋した欽也は仕事を辞め、退職金で買ったばかりの赤い乗用車をフェリーに乗せ、北海道へ旅立つ。そこでたまたま声をかけた女の子、朱美と一緒にドライブを楽しみながら海岸にたどり着く。その場に居合わせた、刑務所を出たばかりの勇作に写真を撮ってもらったことがきっかけで、二人は勇作を同乗させる。
行き先を決めていないという勇作を、二人は温泉に誘う。お調子者の欽也と、次第に打ちとけておしゃべりになる朱美。一方の勇作は、あまり多くを語らず、何かを悩んでいる様子だ。温泉宿でたまたま欽也と朱美が同室になり、欽也は一方的に朱美を口説こうとするが、抵抗されたあげくに泣かれてしまう。隣室の勇作が現れ、欽也を叱りつける。
けんかをしながらも、3人は旅を続ける。数日後、欽也は駐車場でチンピラ風の男に殴られるが、勇作が助けに入り、そのまま勇作の運転で3人は逃げ去る。しかし、たまたま警察の検問で止められ、勇作が無免許で刑務所から出所したばかりであることがわかる。そして、勇作は自分の過去を語り始める。
炭坑夫だった勇作には、光枝という妻がいた。あるとき、光枝の流産がもとでやけを起こし、酒に酔って街でけんかをして相手を殴り殺してしまったことが服役していた理由だった。そして6年の刑期を終えて出所した数日前、服役中に別れた妻、光枝に手紙を出していた。「俺を待っていてくれるのなら、家の前の竿に黄色いハンカチをぶらさげておいてくれ」と。
しかし、最後までそれを確かめる決心がつかない勇作を、欽也と朱美が背中を押して3人で夕張に向かう。すると、かつて光枝と暮らした家の前の高い竿に、何十枚もの黄色いハンカチが風にはためいていた。車を降りて家に向かう勇作の前には光枝が待っていた。涙でほおをぬらしながら光枝は勇作のかばんを受け取り、映画は終わる。
[From April Issue 2011]
Lupin III Episode 0: First Contact (Directed by OHARA Minoru)
Lupin III was originally based on an action-manga magazine serial that ran for about two years starting in 1967. It was then turned into an animated TV series years later, at which time the magazine resumed publishing as an accompaniment. Though comical, the Lupin III series are well-liked by all generations for the characters’ philosophies and style.
Monkey Punch, the writer of Lupin III, was inspired by Maurice LEBLANC’s “Arsène Lupin.” The series’ main character is supposed to be the original character’s grandson. He steals treasures all over the world and is hunted for by each country’s police forces. Millionaires and crime organizations want him dead. But he really isn’t a treasure hunter or collector. His raison d’être is in the art of the steal.
This program was specially broadcast in 2002. It tells of how four characters encountered one another: Lupin III, who is nimble and good with disguises, but also easily excitable with a weakness for beautiful women; JIGEN Daisuke, quiet and stubborn, but a crack shot; ISHIKAWA Goemon, a master fencer, who is a direct descendent of ISHIKAWA Goemon, a historically famous Japanese thief and, MINE Fujiko, the beauty who uses men to get money and jewels. Inspector ZENIGATA also makes an appearance as he attempts to incessantly track them all down.
The setting is New York City. At the request of a female journalist, Jigen begins to recount his encounter with Lupin. It happened while he was working as a bodyguard for the mafia boss, Galvez. Jigen spotted Lupin sneaking into Galvez’s residence to steal an unbreakable metal tube harder than diamonds. A shootout ensued and Lupin gave up, fleeing without it.
Later on, Fujiko, who is being pursued by Japanese police, successfully steals the tube with her boyfriend Brad. However, now she needs the “key” to open it. Brad is then killed by one of Galvez’s men. So, she uses Lupin to get it for her. Meanwhile, Inspector Zenigata and Goemon finally arrive in New York. Zenigata is after Fujiko while Goemon is searching for a special, steel-cutting sword.
It turns out that the sword that Goeman is after is the key to cutting open the tube. Contained within the tube are instructions detailing how to reproduce the metal’s indestructible formula. The four come into contact with one another as enemies who are all seeking the same treasure. Initially, they deceive and try to kill each other, eventually having no other choice but to join forces in order to bring down the Galvez gang while eluding Zenigata and the New York Police Department.
As Jigen finishes his story, Goemon, Fujiko and another person also named Jigen all arrive on the scene. It seems that the person the journalist was talking with was really Lupin in disguise. Quickly, the four disappear before the story’s veracity could be checked. The journalist then looks back onto the Federal Reserve Bank, where the four thieves are trying to break in, with Zenigata in hot pursuit, as the film ends.
[2011年4月号掲載記事]
ルパン三世 EPISODE ０：ファーストコンタクト（大原実監督）
原作は、1967年から約2年間、漫画雑誌に連載されたアクション漫画。数年後にテレビアニメ化され、それに合わせて漫画連載も再開された。コミカルながら、主人公たちの美学や流儀が描かれ、子どもから大人まで幅広い年齢層から支持されている。
原作者モンキー・パンチは、モーリス・ルブランの「怪盗ルパン」をヒントに作品を生み出した。主人公のルパン三世は、アルセーヌ・ルパンの孫という設定で、世界中で財宝を盗み出し、各国の警察から追われ、大富豪や犯罪組織から命を狙われている。しかし、財宝そのものより、いかに鮮やかに盗み出すかに魅力を感じている。
本作は、スペシャル番組として2002年にテレビ放映された。身軽で変装術に長けるがお調子者で美女に弱いルパン三世、もの静かで頑固な性格ながら超一流の拳銃使い次元大介、日本史に名を残す盗賊・石川五右衛門の子孫で剣豪の石川五ェ門、男を利用して金や宝石を手に入れる美女・峰不二子の４人の出会いが描かれている。彼らを追い続けることになる警視庁の銭形警部も登場する。
舞台はニューヨーク。女性記者に頼まれた次元が、ルパンとの出会いを語り始める。それは、次元がマフィアの親分ガルベスの用心棒をしていた頃のことだった。ガルベス邸に潜入し、ダイヤモンドよりも硬い金属製の筒を盗もうとしたルパンは、次元に発見される。二人は撃ち合うが勝負はつかず、ルパンは筒をあきらめて逃げる。
その後、日本の警察から追われていた不二子が、ボーイフレンドのブラッドと組んで筒を盗み出す。だが、筒を開けるには「鍵」が必要だった。ガルベスの手下にブラッドを殺された彼女は、ルパンを利用して鍵を盗ませる。そんななか、銭形警部と五ェ門がニューヨークにたどり着く。銭形は不二子を追い、五ェ門は、鋼鉄でも斬れるという斬鉄剣を追い求める。
鍵とは筒を斬るための刀であり、それこそが五ェ門が探し求める斬鉄剣であることが明かされる。そして、筒の中にはその金属の作り方が記された巻物が入っている。同じ財宝を求めて4人は敵として出会う。だまし合い、命を奪い合おうとするが、ガルベス一味を倒し、銭形とニューヨーク市警から逃れるため、協力し合うことになる。
こうして昔話を終えた次元の前に、五ェ門、不二子、そしてもう一人の次元が現れる。記者に話をしていたのは、次元に変装したルパンだったのだ。記者が話の真意を確認する間もなく、4人は姿を消す。記者が振り向いた先には連邦準備銀行がある。その銀行を襲う4人と、彼らを追う銭形の姿が映し出され、映画は終わる。
[From March Issue 2011]
Calmi Cuori Appassionati [Between Calmness and Passion]
(Directed by NAKAE Isamu)This feature film was adapted from the 1999 bestselling novel of the same name. TSUJI Hitonari and EKUNI Kaori ran alternating stories in a monthly magazine, from the points of view of a man and woman in a relationship together. TAKENOUCHI Yutaka and Hong Kong actress Kelly CHEN starred in the 2001 movie version. The film was shot in Tokyo, and in the Italian cities of Florence and Milan. The screenplay was a mixture of three languages – Japanese, English and Italian, effectively portrayed by the cast of characters.
AGATA Junsei is apprenticing at a workshop in Florence, Italy, hoping to become a fine art restorer – a Restauro. Recognizing his talent, his master entrusts him with restoring a Cigoli painting. His life, and his relationship with Japanese exchange student Memi, seems to be going perfectly. However, in his heart he still has feelings for his ex-girlfriend, Aoi.
One day, Junsei finds out that Aoi is in Milan. He goes to see her, only to find out she has a boyfriend named Marvin. She tells Junsei: “I’m over the past. I’m happy now.” Heart-broken, Junsei sadly returns to Florence. There, he learns that someone had sliced through the Cigoli painting. Without any suspects, the workshop is temporary closed. Depressed, Junsei returns to Japan.
Junsei and Aoi had attended the same college, where, at the time, she was an exchange student from Hong Kong. For some reason, Junsei was attracted to this lonesome girl, and soon an intimate relationship developed where they understood each other’s feelings, even when silent. One day Aoi suggest that they promise to climb to Florence’s Duomo cathedral together, on her 30th birthday, in 10 years time. But soon after making their promise, they broke up.
While the criminal who damaged the painting has not yet been found, the workshop reopens. Junsei, unable to let go of his feelings for Aoi, breaks up with Memi and returns to Florence. On Aoi’s 30th birthday he climbs alone to the top of the Duomo. Aoi also arrives, and they end up spending the night together in each other’s arms. But Junsei, who believes that Aoi is still with Marvin, regrets their reunion.
Meanwhile, as Aoi leaves his apartment, she tells him how grateful she is that he was a part of her life. After she’s gone, he realizes that Aoi is no longer with Marvin. He then jumps on to the next express train for Milan to catch up to her. On the Milan-bound train Aoi cries, but then sees Junsei looking for her on the station platform, smiling and waving. Relieved, Aoi returns his smile as the film comes to its end.
[2011年3月号掲載記事]
冷静と情熱のあいだ（中江 功 監督）
1999年に出版されベストセラーとなった同名恋愛小説が原作。辻仁成と江國香織が月刊誌に交互に連載し、一つの物語を主人公の男女それぞれの視点からつづっている。竹野内豊と、香港出身のケリー・チャンが共演し、2001年に公開された。撮影は、東京のほか、イタリアのフィレンツェとミラノで行われ、出演者や役柄に合わせて日本語、英語、イタリア語の3ヵ国語の台本が用意された。
阿形順正は、絵画の修復士を目指し、イタリア・フィレンツェの工房で修業している。工房の師匠からその才能を認められ、チーゴリの絵の修復を任される。日本人留学生の芽実という恋人もいて、生活は順調に見える。しかし、彼はかつての恋人、あおいが忘れられずにいた。
ある日、あおいがミラノにいると聞いた順正は彼女に会いにいくが、彼女にはマーヴという恋人がいることを知る。「昔のことは忘れたわ。幸せに暮らしてるわ」と言われ、彼はみじめな気持ちでフィレンツェに帰る。すると、修復中のチーゴリの絵が何者かによって切りさかれる事件が起きたことを知らされる。犯人はわからず、工房は一時的に閉鎖される。沈んだ気持ちで順正は帰国する。
順正とあおいは、かつて同じ大学に通っていた。香港からの留学生で、いつも一人ぼっちのあおいに順正はなぜかひかれ、いつしか何も話さなくても気持ちが通じ合う恋人同士になっていた。あるとき、あおいの提案で、10年後、彼女が30歳になる誕生日にフィレンツェの大聖堂ドゥオーモに一緒に登る約束を交わす。だが、やがて二人は別れてしまう。
チーゴリの絵を切りさいた犯人は見つからないまま、しばらくして工房は再開される。あおいに未練のある順正は芽実と別れ、一人フィレンツェに戻る。そして、あおいの30歳の誕生日に一人でドゥオーモに登る。そこへあおいも現れ、二人は一夜をともにする。だが、彼女がまだマーヴと付き合っていると思っている順正は、再会を後悔する。
一方のあおいは、順正に出逢えたことを感謝していると言い残して彼のアパートを去る。その直後、順正は彼女がマーヴとすでに別れていたことに気づく。彼は慌ててミラノ行きの高速列車に飛び乗り、あおいを追いかける。車中で涙を流しミラノに戻ったあおいは、駅のホームで順正の姿を見つける。順正は微笑み、手を振る。安心した表情を見せるあおいも笑みを返し、映画は幕を閉じる。
[From February Issue 2011]
Always: Sunset on Third Street (Directed by YAMAZAKI Takashi)
This movie is set in the middle of Tokyo in 1958 (33rd year of the Showa era) when Japan was in the midst of its rapid economic growth. It was the age when the despairs of war had finally worn off and society began to shift toward convenience. The film portrays the common people who supported each other as they strived to live each day with hopes and dreams for a happy future. This motion picture won many awards including the Picture of the Year and Director of the Year awards for the 2006 Japan Academy Prize. Later, in 2007, the sequel was also produced.
The construction of the Tokyo Tower is underway amid the nation’s ambition for it to become the world’s tallest. People and products are abundant here in downtown Tokyo where, located on one of its street corners, is “Suzuki Auto.” Mutsuko, who came to the big city following the promise of mass employment, is disappointed that her place of work is such a small automobile repair shop. However, while working as a live-in employee, she gradually discovers that the owner, his wife, and their son Ippei, are all very touching people, and her mood starts to change.
Across the street from “Suzuki Auto,” CHAGAWA Ryunosuke, who dreams of becoming a novelist, runs a candy shop while also writing stories for boys’ magazine. One night, Hiromi, the mysterious and beautiful local bar owner, asks Chagawa to “look after an acquaintance’s boy.” He agrees to watch the boy named Junnosuke just because this beautiful woman has sweetly promised to “come to check on him sometimes.”
Although still struggling, Chagawa grows happier inside as he spends more and more time with both Hiromi and Junnosuke. He even borrows some money from Suzuki to buy Junnosuke a Christmas present. Then he asks for Hiromi’s hand in marriage. But his happiness does not last long as Hiromi suddenly closes the shop and disappears. Soon after, some company president arrives declaring to be Junnosuke’s real father, and claims guardianship of his illegitimate child.
“He is a wealthy man. He’ll buy you anything. I’m so glad I’ll finally get rid of you, you’re such a serious pain in the neck,” Chagawa says with false bravado to Junnosuke, who silently climbs into his father’s car. Chagawa, realizing just how important a part of his life Junnosuke has become, rushes after the fast moving car, but tumbles down. But Junnosuke soon returns and they embrace each other tightly as tears stream down both their faces.
Hiromi, who has returned to work as a dancer to pay off her debt, is waiting on the rooftop of the theater to appear on stage. She holds up her hand against the glare of the setting sun, imagining the ring Chagawa promised her he would someday buy. The Suzuki family drops off Mutsuko at the train station where she will travel to meet her family for the New Year’s celebration. On their way home, the Suzuki family stops by the riverbank to admire the sunset. “The sunset will always be beautiful; even tomorrow, and the day after, and even 50 years from now,” Ippei says to his parents, who agree. The sunset softly washes over the family, with the freshly completed Tokyo Tower in the background, as the film comes to an end.
[2011年2月号掲載記事]
ALWAYS 三丁目の夕日（山崎貴 監督）
高度経済成長期にあった昭和33年（1958年）の東京が舞台。戦争が終わり、世の中が便利になるなかで、将来に夢や希望をもち、お互いが助け合って暮らしていた当時の人々の日常が描かれている。2006年の日本アカデミー賞では、最優秀作品賞や最優秀監督賞などを受賞し、2007年には続編も製作された。
世界一の高さを目指し、東京タワーの建設が進んでいる。人やものがあふれ活気づく東京の下町に「鈴木オート」がある。そこへ、田舎から集団就職で六子がやってくる。就職先が小さな自動車修理工場だと知って初めは落ち込むが、住み込みで働くうち、社長やその妻、彼らの息子、一平といった鈴木家の人々の情に触れ、元気を取り戻す。
鈴木オートの向かいには、少年向け雑誌に原稿を書きながら小説家を志す茶川竜之介が駄菓子屋を営んでいる。茶川はある晩、居酒屋を経営するなぞの美女、ヒロミから「知り合いの子をしばらく預かってほしい」と頼まれる。「時々、様子を見に行く」という彼女の甘い言葉に押され、彼は淳之介と名乗るその少年を引き取る。
ヒロミや淳之介と出逢い、茶川は貧しいながらも幸せを感じる。鈴木社長に借金をして淳之介にクリスマスプレゼントを贈る。親しくなったヒロミにはプロポーズをする。だが、そんな生活も一変する。ヒロミが突然、居酒屋を閉め姿を消す一方で、淳之介の父親を名乗る会社社長が現れ、愛人との間にできた淳之介を引き取りたいと申し出る。
「お金持ちの家だぞ。何でも買ってもらえるぞ。俺もやっかいごとが減って大助かりだよ」と強がり、茶川は淳之介を追い出す。淳之介は父親の車に無言で乗り込む。すぐに淳之介の大切さに気づいた茶川は、走り去る車を慌てて追うが、転んでしまう。そこへ淳之介が戻ってくる。二人は涙で顔をぬらして抱き合う。
借金を返すため、踊り子に戻っていたヒロミは劇場の屋上で出番を待っている。夕日に手をかざし、茶川がいつか買ってあげると約束した指輪を想像する。鈴木家は、年明けを実家で過ごす六子を駅まで送った帰り、川原で夕日に見とれる。「明日だって、明後日だって、50年先だって、ずっと夕日はきれいだよ」と言う一平に、両親は賛同する。夕日が彼ら親子と完成したばかりの東京タワーを優しく照らし、映画は幕を閉じる。
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