01x23 - A Story I Won't See Coming

[bunniefuu]

[snickers]

[wailing]

There you'll learn about
the parts of him that

are unknown to you,
and about you.

And he in turn will gain
a deeper understanding of you,

and reexamine his own past.

- In other words... [grunts]
- [Fuko Izumo yelps]

[Anno]
You're going to find out why.

The reason why Andy was born,
that is!

[booming]

[whooshing]

- [booming]
- [chuckles]

Now at this very moment,

Andy's having the experience
of a second life.

A hypothetical one,

where he meets Fuko
for the first time long ago.

Of course, this won't alter
his actual life,

but still, the memories
of what if will remain

with him all the same.

And I'm sure those memories
will aid

in strengthening his heart.

So if you interrupt this,
I'll have to k*ll you.

My little guests from Under.

[giggles]

[♪ Shiyui's "Love Call" playing]

♪ Up, up, up, up ♪

♪ Down, down, down, down, down ♪

♪ Up, up, up, up ♪

♪ Down, down, down, down, down ♪

♪ Up, up, up, up, ♪

♪ Down, down, down, down, down ♪

♪ Up, up, up, up ♪

♪ Down, down, down, down, down ♪

♪ Bad ♪

[♪ Shiyui singing in Japanese]

♪ One, two ♪

[♪ singing in Japanese]

♪

♪ Good ♪

[♪ singing in Japanese]

♪

♪ Up and down ♪

[♪ singing in Japanese]

♪

♪ Repeat the ♪

[♪ singing in Japanese]

♪

♪ Lucky ♪

[♪ singing in Japanese]

♪

♪ Happy ♪

[♪ singing in Japanese]

♪

- ♪ Repeat the ♪
- [♪ singing in Japanese]

♪ Love call ♪

♪ Up, up, up, up ♪

♪ Down, down, down, down, down ♪

♪ Up, up, up, up ♪

♪ Down, down, down, down ♪

[Anno] Fuko arrives
at Andy's oldest memory.

While there she
encounters Victor,

the personality that originally
inhabited Andy's body.

Victor attempts
to regain control

from Andy by exterminating
Fuko's soul within his memories.

After being m*rder*d
multiple times,

Fuko is cornered
at the final chapter

in Andy's book of memories
but Andy appears,

powered by a new
outlook on death

to save her from peril.

Andy and Victor fight
in the memory realm.

In the bloody exchange
of techniques,

Andy shows he's grown equal
to even Victor himself.

He creates a new technique
called Unluck b*llet

which combines his own
Undead powers with

Fuko's Unluck powers

to strike back at Victor.

When the dust clears,

Victor is filled with hope
in Fuko's Unluck.

He entrusts the two

to head into the battle
against God.

Fuko's return to reality
is sparked by a kiss with Andy

and as the expansive book
of memories begins to close,

a new page begins
to be written.

[Bunny humming]

[giggling]

[clangs, booms]

We're here 'cause we want
to learn about the future.

The part of the future
you didn't draw out, that is.

You better start talkin'.

Unless you want those two you're
desperately protecting

to get all chopped up.

I refuse!

[exhales]

[Sean snickers]

[Kid Rip]
No, Sean. Not yet.

I'm over this.

All I have to do
is k*ll that brat

and then I'll be having
a seat in Under

higher than yours.

I'm through taking orders
from a guy who

sliced open my stomach.

[exhales sharply]

[snickers]

[Kid Rip] You know the past
and how it ends, right?

What good does saving
those two do for you?

That's what you think?

[laughs] Not quite.

Is that so?

[booming]

[clangs]

[Anno] Their very existence
is the reason I'm alive!

[grunts]

That's why this time

I'm going to save them!

[blow lands]



[Anno] Akira Kuno was
raised by a single mother.

A peculiar child,

he would have his mother read
him manga at bedtime.

It wasn't long before
his mother became the listener

as her son told her tales
from his imagination.

He created the characters,
wrote the stories,

and drew the pictures.

He loved how telling his stories
would always put

a smile on his mother's face.

Huh?

Wow!

A G-pen!

[giggling]

[gasps]

[gasping]

[Anno] The name of that artifact
is G-Liner.

The first who touches it

can see the past
and future events

of the current time loop
in its entirety.

At that moment,

all of the memories
of this loop

flooded into Akira Kuno's mind.

Wow!

What's this great story?

Negators? UMAs? Artifacts?

What an amazing
sci-fi-tastic spectacle!

I can't waste time
just standing here!

I need to hurry and talk to Mom!

[laughing]

[shouts]

[groans]

Sorry for bumping into you,
Mister!

I got too excited
for my own good!

Uh...

Huh?

Mister?

[Anno] And at the same time,

he also became a Negator.

[Young Akira] Gotta draw
the characters while I can!

Then I'll show 'em to Mom!

I wonder who she'll like
the best?

Rip, maybe?

I know mine for sure.

- It's gotta be...
- [front door opens]

Oh, there she is!

Akira, I'm home!

I got us take-out for dinner.

Sorry I'm late.

Mom, look!
Check out what I drew!

It's a whole bunch of cool guys.

Here, I'll give you this one.

His name's Rip
and he's got powers but...

- [Akira's Mother] Mm? Akira!
- Huh?

I got croquettes!
Fresh from the butcher!

Huh?

[Akira's Mother]
They're gonna get cold!

[gasps]

[Anno] Akira Kuno,

compulsory activation-type
Negator.

[Akira's Mother]
Yes, yes, that's right!

I've been looking everywhere
for him!

He's not at any friend's house, either.

I'm begging you.
Find my child.

My sweet Akira.

You have to find him!

[Anno] At all times,
Akira's speech, conduct,

and any attempt he made
to be seen...

[Akira's Mother]
Please, I beg you!

[Anno]
Went completely undetected

by any other living being.

No matter how hard
he tried to yell,

nor how much he tried to touch,

not a single person
noticed him.

Please find him.
You must.

Find my child!
He's out there somewhere.

Where are you?

[Young Akira]
I'm right here.

[Akira's Mother]
Are you alive?

[Young Akira]
I'm alive.

God help me.

Please, I beg of you.

[gasps]

Please let Akira be alive.

Somewhere with
a smile on his face.

And let him continue
to draw the manga...

that he loves so much.

[gasping]

[Young Akira shudders]

AKIRA KUNO

Okay.

I'm most likely a Negator,

which means this ability will
stay with me until I die.

Then, should I just die?

No.

In the story that rushed
into my brain that day...

My favorite characters
were Andy and Fuko.

They didn't run away
from their abilities.

They fought to the very end.

[Akira]
So I'll fight, too.

I'll fight with my pen!

I'll draw to make my mom's wish
come true!

And so one day everyone
can learn of the actions

of the people who taught me
this bravery!

I practiced all that I could
and drew a one-shot to submit.

I debated using Andy
and the g*ng's tale.

But I first wanted
to try penning my own story.

The title is To You, From Me.

TO YOU, FROM ME

An ordinary young
romance manga.

Now I need a pen name.

Well, no one's gonna read it,
so I'll pick whatever.

[gasps]

Nobody knows.
Unknown.

Anno Un.

There!

Perfect.

WE HAVE A WINNER!
GRAND PRIZE, ONE MILLION YEN

Huh?

"Attention, winner Anno Un."

EXTRA ISSUE
MARMALADE

"There was no contact
info provided for you."

WANTED!!

"Please contact us ASAP.

We'd like to serialize
your submission right away."

[gasps]

This means as Anno Un,

I can do this.

So long as I don't
draw anything

tying them to Akira Kuno, I...

EXTRA ISSUE MARMALADE -
CHARACTER ILLUSTRATION CONTEST

TO YOU, FROM ME
LIVE ACTION DRAMA!!

- I can get everyone...
- [giggling]

To know me!

HOSPITAL

[birds and cicadas chirping]

This is all the rage nowadays.
Ask anyone.

It's You-Me.

Would you like to read it,
Ms. Kuno?

Oh, my.

[chuckles]

The art's quite lovely.

UNDEAD
UNLUCK

"TO YOU FROM ME" - ANNO UN
NOW ON SALE! - SHUEISHA

[indistinct chatter]

SHUEISHA
EDITORIAL DEPARTMENT 3

[editor 1] Are we running out
of erasers faster lately?

[editor 2]
Now that you mention it...

[Akira] A while after my manga
got serialized...

I thought back,

recalling again the memories
from that day.

I thought about those two
and their story,

and also whether it
was all true or not.

I mean, it sure felt
real enough.

Still, I can't just believe...

[grunts]

Oh, yeah.

Come to think of it,
Andy's in Japan this August.

This is when he learns how

to use quick draw
sword techniques.

[birds and cicadas chirping]

[groaning]

If I let this chance
pass me by,

Andy won't be back in Japan
until August of 2020.

I was still skeptical,

but I relied on my memories
and rushed off

to where he would be.

Man, I need to exercise
a lot more.

[gasps]

[tree creaking]

Whoa!

[groans]

[gasps]

[breathing heavily]

- [booming]
- [gasps]

[Yusai] Well done!
That is the Gekkou-style

quick draw slash
Waxing Moon.

[Akira] It was all real!

Here's your Japanese
quick draw.

See, Josh?

[Akira] Andy's here
right before my very eyes!

[whimpering]

Andy!

[groans]

[Andy] Well, it's been fun.
Later, Yusai.

No, wait!

You've mastered all our arts

in just one short year.

You're so talented.

I won't let you slip away.

Don't you think this was fate?

Please stay here with me!

[gasps]

And, um, I do want an heir
to continue our legacy.

And my late father!

I just know he'd be so pleased.

Sick, sure.

What? Hold on!

You already have Fuko, Andy!

Only if you're able
to outlive me, that is.

[gasps]

[Andy] See ya around.

[Akira] That's right.

Negators are always suffering.

The same went for all
of the others, too.

They agonized and struggled
with Negator powers

so unreasonably thrust
upon them.

But they still fought
to k*ll God!

However, if these memories
are right...

I unfortunately already know.

They will be defeated...

By losing Andy and Fuko.

Should that be allowed
to happen?

Of course not!

None of the others know
of this fact.

The only one who does know
is me, of all people!

No.

This must be God's
way of toying with us.

Is there some way...
any way?

I can't tell them on my own.

But there must be a way for me
to relay the future to them!

[gasps]

TO YOU, FROM ME

The manga!

Under the name Anno Un,

I can get my work out
to the world!

It's a loophole in the rules!

If I use this exploit,

I can include details about
the future!

But is this really
the best I can do?

If I recreated everything
as-is,

wouldn't it also halt any growth
they're supposed to have?

Driven by a variety
of feelings,

they are all risking
their lives.

Learning, and growing.

Whether it be Andy's past,

or the details behind
Billy's betrayal.

There's meaning in the process
of learning...of knowing.

I just need to pick
the right stories!

To change the future
for the better!

My top priority will be
the Autumn battle.

That's the branching point.

A single, solitary oversight.

It's my one chance,
so I'll make sure to change it!

And to do so I'll collect
everything I need.

[Gena] Where's the encyclopedia?
It was just here!

Great, you mean you lost
it again?

[Gena] It wasn't me this time!

[Akira]
Everyone's also working hard.

And I'm a Negator
just like them!

[gasps]

This time I'll be the one
to help them!

[groans]

[Anno]
X-day, the day it all happens.

December 5th, 2020.

It's this very day!

This very moment!

[Sean] I'll go for the throat!

[glass shattering]

Andy, now!
Use Deadline!

[snickers]

Deadline! [grunts]

[both gasping]

[Sean groans]

[Anno]
December 5th, 2020.

In the future Akira Kuno saw,

while battling Autumn
with Anno Un absent,

Unseen's invisible deadly blade
silently struck

and k*lled Fuko Izumo.

But now...

[groaning]

[gasps]

[gasps] Anno!

[breathing heavily]

[whimpers]
Your right arm is...

[groans]

Hey, Fuko.

[whimpers]

[Fuko]
Who is that?

This guy is the Negator Unseen.

The one that got
scooped up by

Under, remember?

And based on where
he's laying now,

I'm certain he was aiming
to k*ll you.

If Anno hadn't spoken up,

things woulda ended a lot worse.

So get over it.

I taught ya in the book,
didn't I?

[whimpers]

You forget already?

[whimpers]

[groans, swallows]

- Helluva journey, wasn't it?
- Yep.

[whimpers] I did it.

Everything from here on
will be a story

that I won't see coming.

[♪ OKAMOTO'S' "Kono Ai
ni Kanau mon wa Nai" playing]

♪

[♪ Sho Okamoto singing in Japanese]

♪

♪

U N

♪

[booming]

Okay, Backs, you take Unluck.

Quit calling me Backs, agoo!

It's so not cute!

Ooh, that's a weal pwetty g*n
you got there!

Now give it to Bunny, agoo!

A bunny?
Do I sh**t?

No.

If they're a Negator, too,
then...

There's no holding back!

- [slaps]
- [screams]

[groaning]

Sorry! The stroke of Unluck
shouldn't be that big, though!

[wailing]

She slapped me!

Rip-woo!

I managed to steal it,
doe, agoo!

I won, agoo!

[gasps]
They got my g*n!

[chomping]

Whee!

All done!

Got the g*n, agoo!
Rip-woo!

Are you all right?

[shouts]

It's still too early
for Bunny, too, huh?

Sean and now this?
Nothing's going right.

Well, it's much easier
to handle it on my own.

[grunts]

Why don't we all work together
to catch Autumn?

- S'cuse me?
- All of us here are Negators.

Our true goal is the same.

It's to k*ll God,
isn't it?

So I'm sure it's better
to help each other, not fight!

But in order for us to k*ll God,

we first need to catch Autumn,
clear the four quests,

- and then...
- [Kid Rip] k*lling God is only

- the boss's goal.
- [Fuko gasps]

[Kid Rip] Creed's is to
take control of nations.

Feng's is collecting Artifacts.

Latla and I want Ark,

the one that your boss
is supposedly in possession of.

Our goals are all different,

but if our interests align
and only if they align,

we come together and work
as a unit.

That's how we operate.
That is Under.

If you can give us any info
on Ark, then sure,

we can fight together.

But if you can't,

then you're in the way,
and you die here.

Ark, isn't that the thing
Ms. Juiz told us she used

for the loop?

Why are you so fixated on that?

Just give up on that idea.

I know what happens.

Neither you nor Latla
are able to ride Ark.

[sighs]

Huh?

And that's not all.

You'll lose Latla as well.

[gasps]

[rain pattering]

Her life was repairable.

[whooshing]

So I'm going to use Ark
to redo it!

If it's for her sake,

then I'm willing
to risk everything!

Whether it costs both legs,
the rest of my lifespan,

or the lives of others,
I don't care!

If you understand that,

then step back
and leave Autumn for...

You're not the only one, Rip!

I'm the same way!

Don't try to hog the spotlight
for yourself!

If it means we can change things
to save her,

I'll do whatever it takes, too!

Yeah.

I know you would, Latla.

Ooh, big sissy Latla
is here, agoo?

[rumbling]

[Latla] Autumn's heading
your way right now.

That big book from earlier
is drawing it to you guys.

What's the plan?
Do we deal with it here?

We do.

[both] Autumn will belong
to us!

TO BE CONTINUED

UNDEAD
UNLUCK