Shitamachi Rocket (下町ロケット)

Despite the evaluation rife with malintent by Tomiyama, who had his eyes on the seat of post-Zaizen,

the employees of Tsukuda Manufacturing responded by uniting together and,

under the slogan of "Tsukuda Pride, Tsukuda Quality,"

crossed swords squarely and fairly with Teikoku Heavy Industries

and finally succeeded in passing the preliminary test.

However, just then, it was discovered that the trial product for the test

was replaced by a defective product by Mano, an employee who objected to Tsukuda's concept.

Just when all seemed lost, a man appeared before Tsukuda.

I'll take all responsibility.

As a result of the decision Zaizen made by risking his career, the replacement part was accepted

and safely passed the product test.

And to Mikami, his former colleague, who had recommended him for an important post at JAXS ...

I don't have to be at the research facility to make my dream come true.

I'm going to pursue my dream with my employees here at the company.

Finally, of the final part supplier tests,

only the combustion test remained. However...

We found an obvious defect in one of the valves delivered by Tsukuda Manufacturing.

There's a big problem with the measurement accuracy.

We have misgivings as to whether there's any point in continuing the test.

That's because a defective part was delivered inadvertently.

Tsukuda realized the mistake immediately and replaced it.

However, to let a defective part get mixed in with just

20 trial products, what kind of a management system...

- I suppose we'll have to call off the test. - Yes.

Please wait. If we reject them to supply the parts

because of a mistake in delivery rather than the quality of their product,

Tsukuda might harden his stance.

There's no company that would let the opportunity to make an enormous amount of money slip away.

Money's not the motive for Tsukuda Manufacturing.

It's their pride as a manufacturer.

If we fail to negotiate a deal with them, that's the end of the Stardust Project.

Can you take the responsibility for that?

Fine. I'll close my eyes to the mistake in delivery.

- But General Manager... - The test isn't over yet.

You never know what will happen at the final combustion test.

Besides, even if they manage to pass the test,

the biggest barrier still remains.

- You know what I mean, right? Zaizen. - Yes, sir.

Anyway, let's decide on our negotiation strategy depending on the results of the combustion test.

Tomiyama-kun, you're in charge of the test as before.

Yes, sir!

I was getting ready to call you myself.

Unfortunately, he turned me down.

He said he's going to stay put and pursue his dream at Tsukuda Manufacturing.

Why? If he wants to research and develop rockets,

- the research facility is the place to do it! - It's been 7 years.

7 years' time changed Tsukuda, the man who was born to be a researcher.

Tsukuda Kohei is now a respectable company president

who manages a company of 200 employees called Tsukuda Manufacturing.

The Tsukuda pride, huh?

- So, Mano, why did you do something like that? - It's like I told you already.

I can't go along anymore. With you and your pipe dream.

You know,

I think

a job is like a 2-story house.

On the first floor which supports the whole house, we eat

and earn money for our livelihood.

But you'd feel too cramped with just that, right?

That's why you need the second floor for a place to dream.

A house would collapse with dream alone, but

it would be too confining and boring if all you did was eat and sleep in that house.

- There has to be a dream in your job too. - You're the one

who destroyed my dream, President.

You invest money and manpower in R&D for rocket parts,

but the Stella engine I developed is stuck in an environment of unreasonable restrictions.

- How am I supposed to have a dream! - There's no such thing as work environment without restrictions.

You're just acting like a spoiled child.

We're not getting anywhere with this.

I understand the gravity of what I did.

Here's my resignation.

- Hey, Mano! - Suit yourself!

If you think you can have a dream by quitting, go ahead and try to find that kind of a job.

Don't you ever show your face in front of me again.

Does he think he can find a job that easily these days?

That idiot!

Besides, even if they manage to pass the test,

the biggest barrier still remains.

You know what I mean, right? Zaizen.

Say, Rina.

Why don't you try talking to Dad about how you really feel?

- What?! - Sorry. I just thought I'd surprise you.

Were you perhaps waiting for me?

- No! - Oh, that's too bad.

Hey, Dad.

Never mind. It's nothing.

It's been a while since we played. Shall we?

Badminton.

Ready? Here it goes.

Sorry, sorry.

Ready?

I remember when I used to be better than you.

What is it, all of a sudden?

I thought if I played again,

I might understand how you felt.

Rina,

why did you lie?

Even pretending you were still hurt.

Do you hate badminton that much now?

I could never hate it.

After I lucked out and placed second at the junior tournament,

I worked hard in high school too, striving to win the inter-high school tournament, but

better players than me are a dime a dozen.

No matter how hard I practiced, I couldn't catch up.

And the other day, I was finally removed from the starting lineup.

But still...

I tried to hang in there and not give up on my dream like you.

But...

the harder I tried, the worse I felt.

I felt like I was starting to hate badminton more and more.

You know, Rina.

Most of the manufacturing process for this shuttlecock

is done by hand, I heard.

If the feather comes from the goose's right wing, they apparently make one shuttle out of

16 feathers from that right wing.

Even for one shuttlecock like this,

skilled technology is being used.

Isn't it amazing?

What am I talking about.

You know...

Don't worry about winning or losing anymore.

If you enjoy it, you can continue playing badminton as long as you want.

If not, you can find plenty of other things you can get excited about.

There's no need to rush.

Take your time finding it.

Will you..

believe in me?

Of course.

What father doesn't believe in his daughter?

Then...

keep your eyes open, okay?

And watch me.

I'll find my own dream for sure, just like you and Mom.

I'll be watching.

I'll be watching with my eyes wide open.

Tsukuda Manufacturing Valve System Combustion Test Day

Codename Monotone. A high-performance engine

with thrust in vacuo of 130 tons and specific impulse of 450 seconds.

This combustion test is finally the last test, right?

- Yes. - 120 seconds until the test starts.

Tsukuda-san, Yamazaki-san. May I have a word with you?

Sure.

The thing is, in order for you to be our parts supplier,

- there's one more barrier we have to overcome. - One more?

That's not what we heard, Zaizen-san.

Is there another test?

No.

The last barrier is

the persuasion of our President, Toma.

The in-house production of all key device

has been carried out as a result of none other than Toma's strong desire.

If the President can't be persuaded, we can't procure parts from you.

What the...

I felt I needed to tell you regardless before the final test.

As long as the combustion test succeeds,

you can count on me

to persuade the President.

Zaizen-san...

10 seconds to go!

10 9 8 7 6

5 4 3 2 1

- Ignite engine. - Ignite!

20 21 22 23

Please...

Please!

30 seconds elapsed.

There's an abnormality! - Abnormality in revolution speed of turbo pump!

- Approaching critical velocity! - Pressure increasing inside the tank!

- Emergency shutdown. - Emergency shutdown!

President...President!

Take a look at this.

What the hell are these numbers?!

The valve

might have malfunctioned.

What is the meaning of this?

Inspection!

Inspection!

Why...

Why...

Therefore, we can conclude that the reason the control valve to stabilize pressure

within the liquid hydrogen tank became disabled

was due to the fact that the pressure regulator valve above it malfunctioned.

In short, there was a problem with Tsukuda's valve. Is that it?

- Yes. - Please wait.

Our inspection team took apart the valve used in the test

and thoroughly checked it out, but the cause could not be determined.

We don't want to hear "could not be determined." You have to determine the cause.

How much do you think yesterday's combustion test cost?

- What about the control program? - There's no problem with it.

Then can you let us take a look at the other parts too?

Wait, wait, everyone...

The failure was caused by our parts. Is that what you're saying?

I'm just mentioning it as a possibility.

If we can't find any problems with our valve, it's quite possible the cause lies elsewhere...

We've already inspected everything except the valve. The results showed no abnormality.

- Don't try to pass the buck. - What do you mean pass the buck...

It's your valve that malfunctioned!

If you don't stop blaming someone else

and start taking care of your own products, you're messing us up!

That's why I've been telling you there's nothing wrong with the valve!

Aren't you folks thinking that rocket engine valves are like any other consumer products?