Ikigami: The Ultimate Limit (イキガミ)

In this land there is freedom, peace, and wealth.

But suddenly one day, without mercy...

...the nation discards a handful of its citizens.

Resistance is futile. One can only accept the fate...

...our nation imposes.

Kamoi, Yosuke

Time to death:

One Hour

You're not drunk enough!

Interoffice memo: I need elixir!

Shimoyama!

Yeah?

It's been a while.

What is it?

You don't remember me?

Huh?

I'm Yosuke Kamoi.

What are you talking about? That was years ago!

I'm sorry! Forgive me!

I didn't mean it!

It was just a game!

A game?

You call that a game?

Forgive me! I'll do whatever you say!

No.

Kill me and you'll go to jail!

Jail? I won't be going there!

Congratulations on your first day of school.

I hope you'll all study hard...

...and grow up to be fine, upstanding people.

But first I have something important to tell you.

Between the ages of 18 and 24, a number of today's Grade 1 pupils...

...will die for our nation.

We don't know who they will be.

It could even be one of you.

But don't be afraid. Those who die serve the nation.

It is a very great honor.

Do you all understand?

Yes!

We will now take attendance.

Speak right up when your name is called.

When I was 6, before I understood, I was given the injection.

And then last year I got through my 'period of service'.

I turned 25.

I became one of those who had fulfilled his duty.

As you know, the 'Maintenance of National Prosperity Law'...

...implants the fear of death...

...in the citizens of a nation at peace.

By reaffirming the value of life...

...it is the cornerstone of our nation.

All citizens, upon entering elementary school...

...are required to be inoculated.

Mixed in with 0.1 per cent of these injections...

...is a special nano-capsule.

It is injected into one person in a thousand.

When that person is between 18 and 24, at a specified date and time...

...the capsule shatters in the pulmonary artery.

There is no way of knowing if you carry the capsule.

It could be anyone.

This risk heightens awareness of the value of life.

It promotes civic-mindedness...

...morality...

...and the desire to be a productive citizen.

Are you OK?

Since this law was instituted, the national suicide rate...

...and crime rates have fallen remarkably.

Our stagnant productivity and GDP have risen dramatically.

It is because of the Prosperity Law that our nation leads the world...

It's wrong!

The law is wrong!

That law stole my girlfriend's life!

The state forced a senseless death on her!

Your girlfriend...

...was sacrificed for the state.

No! There's something wrong with this country! It's crazy!

You all think so!

Why won't anyone speak up?!

You think so, don't you?

Hey! What's going on?! Let go of me!

Help me!

Help!

Let go of me!

Hey, what are you doing?!

There is one decadent thinker in every year's intake.

Take great care in what you say and do.

To continue...

Those young people with the capsule in their bodies...

...receive a notification of their impending death...

...24 hours before it takes place.

These letters are known as ikigami.

This is a service rendered by the state...

...to ensure recipients and families a meaningful final 24 hours.

Your task following this training will be to deliver these letters.

You are an elite, chosen by the state.

There is honor in this work.

Do it with pride.

We will now offer a silent prayer to those on whose deaths...

...our prosperity rests.

Pray!

'Fujimoto', isn't it?

Yes, sir.

What's going to happen to him?

The state treats thought crime in an appropriate manner.

You needn't be concerned.

From that day on, death notifications were my job.

A job vital to the prosperity of the state.

Honorable work, a job to be proud of.

Fujimoto...

Chief...

Good morning.

Good morning.

January Deaths: 65

May they rest in peace.

Only 65 last month?

That's not many.

Take care of this, please.

It's for tonight.

Make sure you deliver it.

Tanabe, Tsubasa Time of Death: 8 p.m.

Yes?

Excuse this late hour.

Is Tsubasa Tanabe at home?

He's not back yet. Can I help you?

This is a death notification.

The subject is granted free transportation, food, and lodging.

The family will receive a pension from the National Prosperity Fund.

However, should the subject commit a crime...

...the pension will go to compensate the victims.

I don't know him!

Mrs Tanabe!

He's not my son. Go away, please.

Mrs Tanabe...

Get out.

Get out, I said!

I'm a single mother. He's my only son.

Please...

Please don't kill him!

His death will be the foundation of national prosperity.

May he rest in peace.

Get out!

Get out, now!

Tanabe, Tsubasa.

Time to death: 23 hours, 56 minutes.

From this moment begins the last day...

...in a young mars life.

Hey!

Play it right!

Are you into this or not?

I played it right.

Have you got a problem?

Not especially.

Sorry, can we take a break?

Your face.

The look on it.

Do something about it.

Sing looking like that and they'll leave in droves.

Like this?

Yeah. Just hold that goofy grin.

How did I get stuck with him?!

Sounds good.

Hello.

How's it going, Tatsuhiko?

Not too good.

It's Tanabe.

I'm selling you two hard. Hang in a bit, OK?

Tomorrow's big.

Yeah.

Tanabe...

Yes?

The T-Birds' future is riding on tomorrow.

Yes.

Live TV is tricky.

Play good and you're a star. Mess up and you're history.

It's Tatsuhiko's show. You just stand there and grin.

He's the one who's brought you this far.

I know my place.

I'm beat!

So, Hidekazu... what are your plans?

What do you want to do with your life?

No plans.

You've got to focus, or you'll end up like me, going nowhere.

I'm back.

Mom?

What are you doing sitting there in the dark?

Tomorrow's our big break.

Then we'll be able to move out of here.

What's wrong?

Did something happen?

This can't be right!

I couldn't do anything...

...but accept it.

Yeah, but...

...where does that leave me?

I'm sorry!

Komatsuna Live!

Thank you! That was 'Signpost', written by Hidekazu Morio.

Lead vocal, Tsubasa Tanabe.

Tsubasa!

Hey, don't take it all! You always do that!

Do you think we'll ever get our big break?