02x01 - A Legitimate Job Admired by Everyone

[bunniefuu]

Magical Girls.

Those who use magic
to protect the livelihood of everyone.

This title also includes those who support
and assist Magical Girls with their work.

They fight courageously and skillfully

to exterminate creatures called "Kaii"
that spawn out of nowhere.

Strong, cool, and agile.

A legitimate, well-paying job
admired by everyone.

That's Magical Girls.

KASUMIGASEKI STATION

This mutation stuff isn't new to us.

We can't be having meetings
for every single case.

Well, considering the EXPO incident,
you can never be too careful.

Didn't we already enhance
the safety rules after that?

Don't say that. Besides, I heard
an old member is returning from hiatus.

Good to see you again, Shigemoto.

It's been a while.

MINISTER OF HEALTH, LABOR, WELFARE

Let's begin our third meeting of the year
as Council of Magical Organizations.

The Extermination Measures Policy Meeting
for Magical Girls Fighting Kaii Mutations.

I trust some of you are familiar
with the Alice System we discussed before.

The CMO has been buzzing
about this Alice System for months.

Now, I'll turn it over to the developer,
Mr. Shigemoto of Magilumiere.

Thank you.

The Alice System helps Magical Girls
boost their response skills

by allowing engineers
to generate magic in real time.

The engineers assess the mutation's status
and create magic based on incoming data.

Then, they send it to the Magical Girls
to exterminate the Kaii.

This allows us to reduce
magic power consumption

while enabling a performance
that surpasses conventional expectations.

By adopting the Alice System
across the industry as a whole,

we can anticipate Kaii eradication
and rapid progress in our industry itself.

Realistically, wouldn't it take time
to develop talent like that?

It's too late to start now.

Indeed, it seems we're struggling
to even keep up with this Kaii outbreak.

Investing in human resources is important,

but shouldn't we prioritize developing
versatile, large-scale magic first?

We should follow AST's example.

Excessive use of magic power
will fuel the Kaii even more, though.

Hypothetically,
even if that were a possibility,

significant changes to our current system
would be too costly.

What are the costs you're referring to,
Magical Power Agency Director?

Recruitment. Budget. Risk. Everything.

All kinds of costs.

How much of a burden will we generate
upon making this change?

For bigger Kaii, we need bigger magic.

That's the logical approach.

Agreed.

I also believe that
our current system is fine as is.

MAGILUMIERE MAGICAL GIRLS INC.

Huh? Is it just me,
or has Boss Man been gone all day?

Is he playing hooky?

He went straight to a meeting
this morning. He'll be back by dusk.

If anything happens, call his cell.

What is it, a g*ng raid?
Duel? One-on-one brawl?

Boss would never...!

Is everything alright?

Meh, I'm sure Boss Man's got
everything under control.

It's a business meeting.

But we can't deny that
the Kaii are gaining power, right?

We can't ignore that, can we?

Chief Manda from the RIMT,
Research Institute for Magical Technology.

He'll argue about anything under the sun.

When he speaks up in a meeting,
it always gets complicated.

Even right after the w*r, Kaii incidents
were as minor as small fires.

And Magical Girl duties
were performed by young girls.

But Kaii forces grew and strengthened
alongside our growing economy.

The Kaii grew stronger because
the government controlled magic back then.

There's no evidence that Kaii mutation
can be suppressed by using less magic.

I cannot agree to adopt a new system
without proven results or a logical basis.

Okay, then we'll call off
full implementation of the Alice System.

Saw that coming from a mile away.

It won't happen unless
they convince that stubborn director.

So you'll consider
if we have proven results?

Chief Manda.

I understand the RIMT
has recently contained a new Kaii species.

New species?

When was that?

I've heard no such thing.

I don't think anyone
has filed a report on this, either.

We're going to exterminate it.

Oh?

Chief, please explain yourself.

Uh, well...

I heard from a certain source
on the first day of the EXPO.

During the EXPO lecture, you intended
to find a company willing to help out

with a trial extermination
on your new Kaii species.

However, a Kaii mutation incident occurred
and your trial had to be postponed.

Isn't that right?

Well, well.

I didn't expect you
to pull that card on me.

Chief Manda...

So there's really a new Kaii species?

For safety reasons,
we have it locked up in quarantine.

I'd sure like to know
how that information leaked.

Nishina, did you catch a cold?

No, it's nothing to fret about.

Really? Okay, whatever.

Geez, it sounds like
someone's spreading rumors about me.

Apparently, there are too many unknowns
surrounding the RIMT's new Kaii species.

Conventional methods may pose concerns.

In a pickle about who to ask for help,
you considered my company, didn't you?

You never beat around the bush,
do you, Shigemoto?

The CMO, including the MHLW,
doesn't get involved in private cases.

Please discuss this
amongst yourselves later.

Hang on, I object.

Just commission AST for this.

They're strong enough
to handle irregular cases--

I'll have to decline.

Research projects don't make any money.

And it would cost a fortune
to lend you my highly skilled personnel.

Magilumiere should fit the bill, no?

A reality check would be the fastest way
to shut them up about this Alice System.

Hey, now. Despite what's happened,
we're still the RIMT.

We'll provide powerful Magical Devices
for you to tackle the job with.

No need.

We can handle this on our own.

Our system is perfectly capable
of handling irregularities.

Otherwise,
we wouldn't offer in the first place.

The famous Kouji Shigemoto...

He sure is confident.

Can't argue there, can I?

Okay, work your magic.

Is the Energy Association okay with this?

Mr. Kamakura, any objections from
the New Japan Magic Energy Association?

My sole duty here
is to keep this seat warm,

so I'll agree to whatever you decide.

A fossil from the era
of government management...

With that, I hereby conclude this meeting.

Magilumiere and the RIMT shall take
responsibility for the new Kaii species.

Do as you please.

But I think it's futile.

Director...

Your daughter is thriving, you know.

I've cut ties with that girl already.

I don't have a daughter.

Please come observe
our activities sometime,

Director Koshigaya.

EMPLOYEE ID
KANA SAKURAGI, MAGICAL GIRL

I'm back.

Welcome back!

Nice to see ya, Boss Man.

What's the matter, Kana?

Um, the boss... a suit...
He's wearing... a suit...

Huh?

Why am I so surprised
to see our president wearing a suit?

I know, little Kana.
It's confusing, but you can grow from it.

Well, that was tiring.

It was a stiff meeting, after all.

What was the meeting about?

The CMO called me in.

The CMO? Like, the industry trade group?

So, Boss Man. How's my pops doing?

I gave a formal greeting,
but nothing's changed with him.

Yeah, not surprised.

Glad to hear he's okay, though.

What? Your father?

Oh yeah, good ol' Pops.

He's a CMO member
and also the Power Agency's director.

What?! Why didn't you tell me?

It's not something
I'd normally blab about.

And it's not like
I got this job from his referral.

Once you're in the work force,
it doesn't matter what your parents do!

Pops and his job
got nothin' to do with me!

That's true, but still...

I was shocked when I found out.

You have your father's eyes, kind of.

Think so?

Here's his picture.

From the Power Agency's website.
- Huh?!

The wrinkles between their eyebrows
have subtle similarities.

Ms. Koshigaya!
Let's get drinks after work today!

Okay, but what's the occasion?

Related to that,
I have work matters to discuss.

We've been ordered to exterminate
a new Kaii species discovered at the RIMT.

I proposed our Alice System to the CMO,
but they rejected it

because we lack proven results.

Therefore, the outcome of this assignment

could lead to mainstream success
for our Alice System across the industry.

It's a major opportunity.

The details I'm about to share
contain classified company secrets.

Keep it under wraps.

KOSHIGAYA

I'm home.

Welcome home, dear.

You said there was
a CMO meeting today, right?

With Mr. Shigemoto in attendance?
- Yeah.

Did he say anything about Hitomi?

No.

My pops is the definition
of the word "meticulous."

Even his dinner plate had its proper spot.
It wore a dent in the table.

Wow, that's meticulous.

Hilarious, am I right?

I often used the dent as a soy sauce bowl.

Yet his daughter turned out like this?

So yeah, when I started my career,
he was completely and utterly against it.

He pretty much cut ties with me.

Huh? Cut ties?

Well, I talk to my mom sometimes,
but I haven't been home in ages.

I still care about
my pops and the rest of the fam.

I dunno if they feel the same way, though.

That's not how it should be!

You're so amazing
at what you do, Ms. Koshigaya!

Someone who can't see how cool you are
shouldn't be directing the Power Agency!

Whoa, little Kana exploded.

You drunk, or what?

I'm not drunk!

Simmer down, simmer down.

It doesn't bother me at all.

Still, though.

Thanks, Kana.

Careful getting home, okay?
Brush those teeth.

Are you heading home?

After I hit those
late-night batting cages.

Ms. Hitomi Koshigaya.

My apologies. Here's my card.

Keyo University... Magical Research?

I'll get straight to the point.

It's about the RIMT case
your company was tasked with.

I need you to throw this fight.

Huh? What are you talking about, guy?

The streets ain't safe at night.
Scurry on home.

Your father is Director Koshigaya
from the Magical Power Agency, correct?

So what?

Are you aware of the plans
to ease magic regulations?

Currently, the use of magic power
is strictly regulated.

They're trying to ease the regulations
and make powerful magic easier to access.

Your father is spearheading this scheme.

Director Koshigaya along with
AST Corporation's President Koga.

Your company's system
is based on low-emission magic.

If deemed effective against the new Kaii,
there's no point in easing regulations.

As a result,
your father will lose his position.

Says who?

The plans to ease magic regulations
required tons of cash to pull the strings.

If the plans fall through,
someone must become a scapegoat.

That's baloney.

How long are you guys
gonna obsess over positions of power?

With all due respect,
that's exactly how this society works.

You're saying I gotta choose between
ditching my pops and sabotaging my job?

I don't need an answer from you
at this very moment.

The results of your task
will decide everything.

Please think it over carefully.

Listen up, everyone.

I've received word from the RIMT.

One of their Magical Girls
will assist us during this extermination.

Wow! A girl from the RIMT?

Does the RIMT have Magical Girls too?

It seems they mainly work in research.

They're more like engineers
than offensive forces.

Basically, we're in charge
of extermination.

Ya got that right!

This is our turf! If we rely on
their support, our reputation's cooked!

I'm still thrilled about this.

I really feel like
our Alice System is gaining traction.

We've come so far since our founding.

I'm overcome with emotion...

Silence! Enough of that.

I'm gonna cry...

Save it for later, Boss Man.

After we knock this job outta the park
and dominate with our Alice System,

you can bawl your eyes out!

She's so cool!

Okay, I won't cry yet.

Alright! Let's get 'er done.

Can't celebrate 'til we finish the job!

Ms. Koshigaya.
- Hm?

Did something happen?

I didn't expect you to get so worried.

Was I acting that weird?

No, I just noticed something subtle.

The corner of your smile
was angled lower than usual.

You're a little insane these days, Kana.

Something did happen,
and it's kind of a pain in the a*s.

Your father might lose his position?!

Yeah, "might."
I'm saying he "might" get axed.

Freakin' ridiculous though, eh?

That bone-thin, four-eyed Tsutsumi guy
thinks he can hide behind my pops...

Ms. Koshigaya,
do you want to protect your father?

Good question.

It's lame that I gotta work
with my folks weighing on my mind.

Then again, since your father
doesn't realize how incredible you are...

perhaps his demotion
will benefit our industry in the long run.

You're pretty hot today
for some reason, huh?

I understand where you're coming from.
It's not that simple, is it?

I know what's going on here.

Boss Man and Kaede are hella passionate
about that system they brought to life.

That's why I don't wanna be the reason
their effort goes down the drain.

Ms. Koshigaya.

No worries, though.

This'll be a piece of cake.

Thanks for listening.

Um, Ms. Koshigaya,
are you sure the RIMT is this way?

Should be.

The address says it's here...

Address? You mean this thing they gave us?

IN THE MOUNTAINS

I bet their chief is lazy as hell.

This world's full of lazy people, ya know?
Not everybody's like that, though.

Hey, Dad.

Hey, Dad. What's your job, anyway?

My job is to save people's lives.

We need to manage magic power so that
Magical Girls can exterminate Kaii.

Yet the government is placing
regulations on Magical Girls right now.

I don't get it.

You don't, huh?

When you grow up, you'll get it.

Hmm, okay!

Then I'll become a Magical Girl
when I grow up!

I won't allow it.

You should never become a Magical Girl.

But nobody said life was easy, right?

The bumpy road never ends.

RESEARCH INSTITUTE FOR MAGICAL TECHNOLOGY

There it is, Kana! Feast your eyes!

Wait! There's no way that's it!

No, that's totally it.

It's got a sign, doesn't it?
Looks legit to me!

Are you sure this is legit?

Of course it is!

Knock-knock, we're comin' in!

Hey! You're from Magi... something?

Welcome. Come on in.

NEXT TIME: EPISODE 2

NO LOGICAL MEANS
OF EXTERMINATING THIS KAII