Metamorphosis (化身)

A TOEI PRESENTATION

The wind won't stop.

That's right, it's always windy when you come.

METAMORPHOSIS

Planning and Production: Tsuneo Seto, Katsuhiro Maeda

Original Novel: Junichi Watanabe

Screenplay: Machiko Nasu

Cinematography: Koichi Kawakami

Lighting: Shigeru Umetani Art Direction: Kotaru Ima

Music: Takashi Kako Recording: Yukio Kubota

- I'm off. - I'll see you later.

Cast

Tatsuya Fuji

Excuse me sir, but you're Prof. Akiba, the literary critic, are you not?

Yes.

If you don't mind, can you please sign this for me?

Hitomi Kuroki

Okay.

Are you on a business trip?

Yoko Aki

Yes, to Kyoto.

Tatsuo Umemiya

Hiroko Aota Sakura Kamo

What is hidden is more beautiful when exposed.

Yoshiko Mita

That was the underlying message of the Noh Theater.

I believe the uniquely Japanese aesthetic was conceived

Chikage Awashima

through the Noh Theater.

Directed by: Yoichi Higashi

Tokyo, Tokyo. Thank you for choosing to travel with us.

Please make sure you have all your belongings.

Hi, Akiba.

Oh, tonight?

After 9 PM is okay.

What was her name? She's not too refined,

and she told you she wanted to eat mackerel in miso.

Satomi?

I think it's Satomi from "Manon".

Yes, yes. Alright, then let's go there.

Here is Satomi as per your request. Please take good care of her.

- Thank you. - Welcome.

Have a seat.

I was here the other day with Nomura.

Yes, you were sitting there, right?

That's right. You were sitting in front of me but didn't talk much.

You were like a statue.

- Where were you born? - Hokkaido.

Hokkaido, huh? That's why you're so tan...

Um... Your skin is beautiful.

That was an awkward compliment.

Do you like clothes like that?

Is it strange?

No, not really.

- I'm sorry. - No problem.

- Did you wait? - No, no.

- Welcome. - Oh, I'm glad you're here.

It's fine, just stay there. I'm gonna go make a phone call.

- Yeah? - I'll be right back.

- He's always so busy. - It's so true.

Satomi, do you want to go eat mackerel in miso with me?

- What? - You don't want to?

It's not that. It was so sudden and funny...

You're right, it was funny.

It's funny, but we're going to eat mackerel in miso together.

Let's see. This Saturday at the restaurant at Nikko Hotel at 6 PM.

It's finalized.

Koro! Koro!

How is that? Say something.

- Welcome home. - Oh, thanks.

Kyoko came to visit today.

Kyoko? How is she?

She seemed to want to talk to you about a job.

A job, huh? She's graduating, I guess.

She should just get married, right?

She's seen her parents get divorced.

She said, "Men have no imagination".

Thank you for dinner tonight.

- Was it good? - Yes, very.

What is it?

I didn't think we would really be eating mackerel in miso.

You must go out to dinner with other clients from the club.

No, this is my first time.

- Your first time? - Yes.

Really? It's your first time, huh?

I'll be going home now.

Are you going home?

I think I've had too much to drink.

There's a hotel bar just up the street. Why don't we have something refreshing to drink there?

But...

It'll be fine. I'll take you home.

Do you have a room?

What?

- You. - Yes?

What happened to the girl?

She left.

Why didn't you stop her?

Oh, what's wrong?

I just went for a walk.

- Do you not feel well? - No, I'm fine.

This hotel is very nice.

It must be nice to stay at a place like this.

Do you want to stay over?

Huh?

Are we really going to the room?

Come in.

Is it really that rare of an experience?

So pretty!

I like you.

I like you.

Satomi.

No!

Do you want me?

Huh?

If you want me, be kind to me.

Yes, I'll be kind.

I'll take off my clothes, so please turn off the lights.

I'll turn off the lights.

Oh? Did you fall asleep?

It's in the back.

Back? Oh, I see.

Hey.

How is it? Do you feel anything?

Huh?

Please, be gentle with me.

Okay, I'll be gentle.

How is it? Are you feeling anything?

Just a little bit.

Just a little bit, huh?

That's it for today.

I'm going home.

Going home? What do you mean?

What?

But it's 11:30 PM.

- But I'm going home. - Hey, hey.

By the way...

What is your name? Your real name?

Kiriko Yajima.

"Kiri" as in...?

- It means mist. - I see.

Kiriko, huh?

Can we meet again?

Excuse me. Good bye.

- Professor, excuse us. - Yes?

Do you have time to spare?

I'll be here next week. Can it be next week?

My bad, I'm sorry!

Take me to Kyoto Station.

That's strange.

Momentarily, on track 14...

Kodama 421, departing at 2:07...

Hey, hey.

- I thought you weren't coming. - Hello.

Hello!

I'm glad you came.

Excuse me.

Yes, hello?

There's a phone call from Ms. Tabe in Tokyo. Shall I connect?

Oh, please wait.

You!

Can you please go downstairs and get some cigarettes?

Yes.

I ran out of them.

There's a store by the front desk.

Thanks.

Yes, please connect the call.

Hello?

Yes.

So, you're there. You won't be coming home tonight?

Oh, tonight... um... I'm seeing some friends from college.

Did you want something?

No, not really.

So, I guess we won't be able to eat together tonight.

Oh, I forgot about that. I'm sorry.

Um... this friend I'm seeing tonight, he's going to America soon.

So, I can't say no.

Please enjoy your night in Kyoto, then.

Oh my!

It looks great on you.

Yes, it does. You look wonderful.

Really?

Your face is elegant to begin with, so this type of clothes suit you better.

Shoes. Shoes and a bag.

We're going to change your hair style.

- What? - Yeah.

Everybody coming from the opposite direction is looking at you.

- What? - They're all looking at you.

So, have more confidence. Lift up your head.

Yes.

Is there someone you're interested in right now?

Not really.

I see. What did you do before working at "Manon"?

I was working at a supermarket in a town called Kimitsu.

It's close to Kisaratsu.

Supermarket, huh?

Your father must have been a big romanticist.

What?

That's right. Someone who would name their child "Kiriko" has to be a real romanticist.

You are too, Professor.

- Me? - Yes.