Sakuna: Of Rice and Ruin (天穂のサクナヒメ)

So this is rice.

It's so warm.

The smell of the earth and grass feels so comforting.

A rich feeling that fills the heart.

So this is my mother's...

Sakuna.

Sakuna.

Sakuna.

Kokorowa?

Why would you wake someone who's sleeping so comfortably?

Tama, water.

Tama is out.

The Floating Bridge of Heaven just appeared,

and some humans crossed over.

Humans?

What is this place?

I can't see anything in this fog.

Turn back. Turn back!

-What? -What is this voice?

Uninvited guests, the Lofty Realm lies beyond this point.

This is not a place for humans.

Turn back. Turn back!

I finally found you, Katsura.

Ishimaru.

Ishimaru, why won't you leave us alone?

I doubt you realize it since you left the group, but we're scraping by.

I can't allow those kids or a traitor like you to walk free.

Then you leave me with no choice.

What are you being so weak-kneed for?

And you call yourself a samurai.

No matter. Let's settle this.

Who are you?

Don't mind me. Carry on with what you were doing.

You're humans, aren't you?

You're trying to kill each other here?

How amusing.

Go on. Keep going.

That's a nice kimono you've got there.

Even a lowly fellow like you can recognize its quality?

This fabric is expensive.

It's worthy of Princess Sakuna, the harvest goddess.

Harvest goddess?

I was wondering what you'd say, but a goddess?

You're just a kid, but you smell like sake.

What did you say? I am...

a grown adult!

His insolence ruined my buzz.

Humans, beyond this point is the Lofty Realm, the domain of the gods.

This bridge will vanish eventually.

You should turn back before it does.

The domain of the gods?

Yanato has two realms?

Look.

You kicked him out?

The human?

Yes, for his insolence.

He got what he deserved.

How many times have I told you?

This is the Lofty Realm, where the many gods of Yanato reside.

You should act more like a goddess, Your Highness.

Your Highness!

I know! Shut up.

Sakuna, you've returned.

Yeah. Kokorowa, you missed out on the fun.

There was an insolent human.

When I kicked him, he went flying like a grain of rice.

Then the Floating Bridge of Heaven really does connect

the Lofty Realm to the Lowly Realm where humans reside.

The bridge...

The Floating Bridge of Heaven suddenly appears and suddenly vanishes.

Even Lady Kamuhitsuki said it's difficult to manage.

Lady Kamuhitsuki has arrived!

Lady Kamuhitsuki has arrived!

I am pleased to have my accession to the throne

celebrated again this year with such a marvelous banquet.

This is because of all of you. I am very grateful.

Lady Kamuhitsuki is as big as ever.

She'll hear you.

I shall now announce your duties for the year.

I was wondering what this meeting was for.

I'm sure I'll get it again.

Official duties are assigned according to offerings.

Your Highness, show some respect.

I shall now assign the first of the duties.

Princess Sakuna, step forward.

See?

You have my deepest gratitude.

The flavor of your rice offering was impressive indeed.

I look forward to another year of such.

Of course!

Princess Sakuna again?

It'll be her for a while.

She's still got a mountain of rice stored.

This is exhausting.

What's this automaton?

It's my offering this year.

It's perfect for guarding a shrine.

Impressive.

It'll be nice if you're assigned an official duty someday.

Now let's go.

Apparently, those who received duties this year receive new rooms.

New rooms?

They're supposed to be pretty high up. Let's go check it out.

Now this is impressive.

Look! You can see so far into the distance.

And it's huge.

You can roll around all you want and never bump into anything.

It's certainly impressive that they have rooms like this.

You can come hang out anytime.

I think I'll drink while enjoying this scenery.

Tama, bring me sake.

There's something we should discuss first.

We can talk later. Sake comes first.

Your Highness!

Make it quick.

Very well.

The rice you have been offering as tribute

was grown and harvested through the efforts of your mother

and former harvest goddess Lady Toyohana.

It was grown far away on the Isle of Demons with Lord Takeribi.

Have you not been offering this stored rice every year

without doing anything yourself?

So what if I am?

My mother and father's rice belongs to me.

Now that they're missing, I should do as I see fit.

But the other gods know this.

Some frown upon the way you receive an official post every year

without breaking a sweat yourself.

You should mend your ways and be more like your mother...

Are you finished?

No, I am not finished! In the first place...

I'm not a dog!

What are you, if not a little round dog?

I may look like one,

but I'm the spirit of the Blade of Hoshidama

that was once your father's.

I look like this since only a part of it

turned into a spirit when the blade was broken.

What's wrong?

It seems to have detected intruders.

What?!

What's going on?

Look.

What is that?

That huge puppet is moving!

Wow, how marvelous!

Run!

Impressive. I'd expect no less from Kokorowa, goddess of inventions.

More importantly, what are those humans doing here?

I thought you kicked them off the bridge.

One of them.

I told them to turn back!

If Lady Kamuhitsuki finds out I let humans in here,

I'll be in big trouble.

What are you going to do?

I'm going to catch them and throw them into the clouds

before this becomes a big deal.

So violent!

Oh, shut up.

This is no time to worry about that.

I'm gonna fall!

Kinta!