Water Boys (ウォーターボーイズ)

During summer two years back, in a small town,

five enthusiastic high school students stirred up a frenzy

Girls possess privileged rights to water ballet

The five of them defied orthodox perceptions and...

took up the challenge of male synchronized swimming

With their overwhelming passion, they overcame numerous obstacles,

and touched thousands of hearts

Heartwarming applause was received in the town

After two years,

they disappeared from the school campus

However, their passion for the sport has been inherited by their juniors

The exciting summer atmosphere once again surrounds Tadano High School

Male synchronized swimming has even attracted foreign tour groups

It has evolved into one of the most popular events in Tadano

Before summer holidays arrive, Tadano High School's swimmers...

are already undergoing rigorous training from morning till night,

preparing hard for the Tadano Festival in September this year

I'll definitely attend the festival to give my utmost support

Has everyone arrived? The balloting will commence soon

Listen here! This is God's right hand!

God is about to select the lead swimmer of this year's swim team!

The result is out. The lead swimmer for this year is...

Shindo Kankuro!

Please come forward, Shindo!

Where is Shindo?

Madam, Shindo is...

Sorry to disrupt the training

You have been selected as the lead swimmer of synchronized swimming

- Who me? - That's right. All the best!

However, I don't possess leadership qualities, nor a commanding presence

- I am extremely indecisive too - His swimming is one of the worst

He didn't participate in the performance last year

He had diarrhea!

Balloting is a fair method. It is God's choice, right?

It's decided then. Please say a few words, Lead Swimmer!

I'm at a loss for words

I personally know that I'm an unreliable leader

When I was a 1st year student, I was awed by the synchronized swim team

That spurred me to join swimming, though I did not know how to swim

However, I exude boundless confidence and I can beat the rest in that

Anyway, since I have been elected, I will give it my best shot

Perhaps synchronized swimming will not be performed this year

I beg your pardon?

Sir, what's happening?

I'm not sure either. Yesterday, the Education Panel expressed some views

Supervisor wasn't pleased

Don't worry, we just need some negotiation. Right, Lead Swimmer?

Lead Swimmer...

I'm representing them?

Of course. You are the lead swimmer. Come on

During this examination period, swimming trainings have deprived...

students of their precious studying time

A carnival would attract many visitors and the media,

and cause severe traffic congestion

However, the carnival has also livened up streets in the area

Principal, are your comments befitting an educator?

You're mistaken. I'm merely trying to explain the situation to Yamaoka

I understand totally, but it has been decided by the Education Panel

- Sorry for the intrusion! - What's the world coming to?

The lead swimmer has something to say about the Tadano Festival

- You are the lead swimmer? - What is your name?

I'm Shindo Kankuro, a 3rd Year Class 3 student

Come on, speak up

School regulations state that students are entitled to...

autonomy regarding students' extra-curricular activities

I'm concerned about your future

For the past two years, none of the swimmers could make it to university

If you start working diligently now, history will not repeat itself

Some of you are capable of excellent grades...

and even have the potential of scrapping through to university

Hence, is it worth it to jeopardize your futures...

for the sake of synchronized swimming?

Please calm down. No matter what the school regulations are,

why not conduct a discussion with the rest of the swimmers first?

All right, we shall hold a discussion after school today

School's starting soon. Go get changed!

All right, go for your classes now

You should know jolly well, Principal

No matter what their decision is, don't oppose the Education Panel

Lead Swimmer, you're responsible for the fate of synchronized swimming

We have sold tickets to Sakuragi Girls' High School

I arranged a date because of that

That's a feat! I want a date too

It will not be terminated, right?

I don't think so. This is the last Tadano Fest

Let's go

Good morning, everyone. This is kind of abrupt...

considering that final examinations are around the corner

We have a transfer student here

Hi everyone! I just moved here.

My name is Tatematsu Norio. You can call me Tate!

Victory, Tate! Come on!

You're not showing me support. Anyway, have a good day!

I guess he is overly excited. Please take care of him

Take a seat there

Please give me your advice!

He hopes to join swimming. Have fun together, Lead Swimmer!

- Lead Swimmer? - That's right, he is the lead swimmer

It's so boring being in an all boys' school

For you, my treat

This is sensationally sizzling!

Not easy being a lead swimmer, right, Shindo-chan?

Please do not add a "chan"

Why not? Don't be so aloof, Shindo-chan

This is my application form

I'm part of synchronized swimming now

I was hesitating whether to transfer school, now that I'm in Year 3

However, I was inspired by video clips of...

the school's synchronized swim team on television

It gives me an up close and personal feeling

Hence, I transferred here because of synchronized swimming

- I'm sorry, but you can't join us - Why not?

We've reached our membership quota. Even the reserves are outstanding

There's no vacancy for newcomers

Are you kidding me, Shindo-chan? Why did I transfer school then?

No point asking me

Careful, Shindo-chan...

You've eaten my treat

So what?

We're holding an urgent meeting to discuss if we should...

accept the Education Panel's verdict on the synchronized swimming team

Before that, the lead swimmer shall introduce a new member,

Tatematsu Norio

New members, please step aside. We need to discuss the verdict now

- Is this meeting necessary? - Precisely

Let's discuss another issue then. Our formation for the performance

- Can I air my view as a captain? - Go ahead

I'd wish to perform synchronized swimming too

However, I doubt the Education Panel will retract their verdict

For the inter-school competition, we have mixed and free relay teams

The three star swimmers have high chances of attaining medals

There's also someone to co-ordinate the intensive training

Just abide by the Board's wishes?

- Don't interrupt - The teaching supervisor is right

We should not repeat our studies because of the carnival

Let's scrap the idea of synchronized swimming

Wait a moment. You're planning to abandon this golden opportunity?

- That's right - Happiness is short-lived

- We're but supporting roles - Absolutely right

Our popularity with girls stems from synchronized swimming

- You want a girlfriend, am I right? - That's not the point!

I'm joining synchronized swimming no matter what!

Shut up, newbie. We'll focus on the inter-school competition now

What's your decision, Shindo?

The lead swimmer has a say now

Since there are conflicting opinions, I'd like to conduct...

a polling session to determine the fate of synchronized swimming

Great idea!

The majority has decided to opt out of this year's performance

Fabulous!

Any problems?

The inter-school team is having its training session now

Non-participants, kindly leave the swimming pool

So what are we going to do now?

I presume the rest could render some volunteer work

Are we seriously going back?

His tone commanded us to do so

Why practice when synchronized swimming has been cancelled?

What shall we do?

But he asked us to render some voluntary help

Why are you standing there? Let's go!

I shall leave now then

Come on, last 50 m

- Are you happy doing this? - Competition's about to commence

The three star swimmers are in tip-top condition

They belong to a famous swimming family in the town

They are touted to be future Olympic athletes

You are indeed Mr. Nice

Don't be so depressed

You won't be able to understand my feelings

Of course I can. I joined swimming because of synchronized swimming too

Why are you giving it up so easily then?

Aren't you the lead swimmer?

It's against my wish. Moreover, the polling results are final

It's been terminated? That's marvelous!

Mom's the education section head in this town

I always felt ashamed to tell others my son is into synchronized swimming

I thought the tourism board had plans to prosper the town...

by promoting the synchronized swimming team

Seems more of an amateur game to me, with the swimmers' feet on the ground

You can concentrate on your examinations now

Register for supplementary lessons. Is that fine, Hubby?

Good idea, but we need to seek Kankuro's opinion too

But we're supposed to guide him, right?

Our neighbor, Asako, has already registered

Please follow her example, Kankuro

- I've had my fill - You're done with your meal?

Great! He hasn't eaten his beef patty!

Hitomi!

"The Caribbean Ocean is just behind me,"

"and the glaring sun is rising above my tanned body"

"I seem to have submerged myself in the Caribbean Ocean"

"How shall I describe this art of conserving one's vital powers?"

Synchro team...

The highlight of 2002 Tadano Festival shall be brought to you soon

Male synchronized swimming!

Forget about it, Shindo

No, I must perform no matter what

You'd be a laughing stock if you pass motion during the performance

The synchronized swimming performance has ended!