Kurouzu Town, my hometown.
What I'm going to tell you
is a strange story which took place in this town.
Vortex
Lost again.
CHAPTER I: PREMONITION
Oh no!
Jesus!
Yamakuchi.
Did I scare the hell out of you?
Looks like you're scared
You can't blame me!
Are you mad? I like scaring people.
I see. What a hobby!
What?
Kirie...will you be my girl?
You scared me this time, I'm in a rush.
Kirie!
I'm not joking, I really like you.
Isn't that Shuichi's father?
How are you?
Oh.
Here you are, I won today.
The bike can only carry one at a time!
Huh?
Narumon rolls Comestibles spirals.
How are you?
Welcome back.
It's all tidied up.
I really appreciate that.
The sign is gone.
Right, it's gone.
Why do we have exams?
It must be great to be as smart as Shuichi.
When I was in junior school, as long as I attended class,
I managed to do well in the exam even without studying hard.
That's not quite the case after I went to high school.
Especially with Maths, it's an absolute puzzle.
If Really gives me a mind block.
Hey.
Yeah...oh.
Just now I saw your father in the alley.
He was filming snail shells with a video cam.
But it was kinda dark, it might have been someone else.
That's my father, he's been acting a bit funny lately.
No, it's all right.
Shuichi, you're not quite yourself lately.
Overworked because of the admission exam?
Relax.
You've always done well, you can enter any university you like.
Kirie,
Do you want to run away with me?
Run away?
You shouldn't do things like that.
There's priorities for everything ...
Never mind, let's go home, okay?
Shuichi.
480 yen, thank you.
Yes.
20 yen, thank you.
Right.
I heard that your dad won a special prize.
Yes, isn't it great?
We should now address your dad as Master Gosima.
Please don't say that.
I've prepared a gift for you.
Really?
Yes, just as a celebration.
Thank you very much.
(its) Full of vigour.
Mr. Gosima, didn't you win a prize?
It's just coinicidental.
Pottery isn't really art.
It would better be called the art of vortex.
Art of vortex?
Like a vortex! I always feel dizzy doing it!
Impressive!
Could you draw a pattern on that plate and give it to me?
A plate with a vortex pattren?
Yes, a vortex, round and round and round.
Round and round and round?
Yes.
Okay, I'll try doing that.
There's something mysterious in the vortex.
Something mysterious?
Mr. Gosima should be able to understand
a vortex is the highest form of art.
And you're the artist of this highest form of art.
Your dessert.
We're being luxurious today.
It's from the fruit shop, as a token to celebrate with.
Really?
It's all because of the lucky charm that you gave me.
It's all because of your work.
Shuichi's father was praising you too.
Keep on with the good work.
Right.
Enjoy it.
So you saw everything.
This melon is really lovely.
Yes? It's really good.
Wonderful.
Marvellous.
You're my guardian angel.
When Mom died ...
Kirie, stop crying.
Don't cry.
I will be your mother.
I don't want a boy to be my mother.
Kirie, do you want to run away with me?
Run away.
Shuichi, I'm waiting.
Good morning.
Does Shuichi want to sit the exam for the University of Tokyo?
Why?
I guess so.
Haven't you discussed it with him? That's important.
No.
That's not right.
Are you two dating now?
Not really dating.
If you go on with this wouldn't-care-less manner...
Did I scare the hell out of you?
You're hopeless with Kirie, she already has a boyfriend.
I know, Shuichi Saitou.
I really want you to be my girlfirend...
to be envied by the others.
Idiot, you're really pathetic.
Wait.
Stop bugging us.
Kirie.
Kirie, that nerd is staring at us.
I was "ambushed" by him yesterday.
"Ambushed"?
You must be careful.
A girl from another class was stalked by him.
Really?
Because that guy is ...
What?
Love crazed.
X rate contact?
Are you all right? Kirie.
I'm fine, thanks.
But it's awful to see that kind of thing.
Was he trying to perform ...
stunts on the staircase?
He's lucky.
Sekino.
Isn't it lucky to be the centre of focus?
Life is meaningless if no one pays attention to you.
It's such pleasure to be watched.
Don't you think so?
I don't like attention.
Besides, he's dead already.
He can't draw attention without being dead.
I love drawing others' attention, especially lately.
To be honest, I want to be the focus.
That's a spiral staircase.
How do you know?
A vortex.
Vortex?
What about the vortex?
Vortex patterns have a puzzling power.
Those attracted want to attract others as well.
That guy must have been attracted by the vortex.
No, I think it's just coincidental.
I have a bad feeling about this town.
Going through that tunnel always makes me dizzy.
This town is already cursed.
But I don't have any strange feeling.
Didn't my father visit your place yesterday?
He wanted my dad to make a plate with vortex pattern.
Praised by your father, Dad was vigorous and high-spirited.
So it's the vortex.
You're being imaginative.
A vortex pattern is nothing extraordinary.
You're saying that because you don't understand.
sorry.
My father is so obsessed that you could call it sick.
He doesn't go to work anymore,
he spends his time collecting things in the shape of vortexes.
He just stares at all these vortexes.
He won't answer you no matter how hard you call him,
he just looks at the vortexes.
Last night,
Father was ill.
Mom, you can't go on like this.
He'd better go to the hospital.
You must have had a long day today.
Let me have some more Narumon Roll, please?
That's all we have.
What? That's all?
I'm sorry.
You don't have to apologize.
How can you have miso soup without Narumon Roll?
Father seemed to be satisfied by that.
It's not funny.
But ...
Want to come to my place now?
When you see it, you'll understand.
Idiot.
What are you doing?
How dare you!
Please don't!
Father, what happened?
She threw away all my favourite collections.
I threw them away.
They should be.
What do you mean? What do you know?
Please go back to the old you. Please wake up.
Too bad, they're all thrown away!
A vortex is not only about a material being.
I finally came to realize this philospohy.
A vortex can be created.
Remember,
a vortex can be expressed by our bodies.
Like this.
ACT II: EROSION
What happened? You look terrible.
Haven't you seen Shuichi lately?
You guys been fighting?
He has someone else?
You're dumped?
Come on, tell me what happened.
Ishikawa.
Yes ...
You don't care if you fail again?
Mr. Katayama,
which class do you think you're having?
Sorry, I did leave home on time.
Sir,
that guy walks terribly slowly.
Worse than a snail.
Tsumura.
Snail...
Sir, you are fat...
Stop singing.
Why do you come to school only when it rains?
Come to the teachers' room after school.
It'll take him two years to go to the teachers' room.
Wouldn't we all have graduated by then?
Anyway, sit down.
I'm not siding with Tsumura, but Katayama is really slow.
Ishikawa.
Yes ...
I didn't ask you to sit down.
Disgusting.
It makes me sick to see you, fatso!
Go to hell, you make me mad.
I'm upset.
Stop it.
Oyama, Tsumura, go back to your seats.
It's all right.
Did I scare the hell out of you?
Excuse me.
Would you open it?
I can't accept.
Just open it, would you?
Happy?
Don't do this again.
Why do you hate me so much?
I don't like your so-called hobby.
Kirie, I won't give up.
You will change your feelings towards me.
Dad, I'm home.
Welcome back.
I'll prepare dinner now.
Kirie.
Could you take this plate to Shuichi's father?
Any problem?
If he doesn't like it, I can do it again.
Hello?
Shuichi?
Shuichi, are you there? Shuichi.
Shuichi?
Where are you? Shuichi ...
It's Kirie.
Kirie.
What happened? Kirie.
Kirie, what happened?
Vortex.
Do we know the cause of death?
Wasn't it a heart attack?
I heard it was suicide.
Even the families don't know why.
No autopsy?
So what exactly caused him to die?
Thank you.
Are you all right? You don't look well.
Neither do you.
It doesn't come as a surprise to me.
I worry more about Mom.
Although she said nothing,
we've plan to leave this town after the week of mourning.
Madam, what happened?
What's that?
Won't you please stop? Don't go so far.
Mom, what is it?
Shuichi!
Mom, calm down, what happened?
Shuichi, that! It's Father!
Mom!
Hey...call an ambulance.
Mom.
Dragonfly Pond.
Cheer up!
Kirie.
Leave this town as soon as you can.
It's under the curse of the vortex.
What about your mother?
She needs a few days to get over it.
Are you Shuichi Saitou?
Ichirou Tamura, Local News Section, Midoriyama Newspaper.
What happened is really ...
Do you know about my father?
A few weeks ago, your father went to our office.
Said he'd like to know about the history of this town.
I showed him some articles.
Anything peculiar in the way he acted?
You don't mind?
It's all about the vortex.
I've asked the police
about the cause of death.
What I really want to find out is
why did he kill himself in that way?
I feel that your father's death has a profound meaning.
Together with the smoke in the crematorium,
there seems to be some special association.
I hope you can trust me.
Back then ...
A tape that my father made.
It was rewound when he died.
Wait a minute, play it again.
Mirror?
That's my mom's pocket mirror.
Why did he take out the mirror? Besides ...
Let me keep the tape.
I'll let you know as soon as I get anything.
You're always with Shuichi?
Yes, we've been friends all our life.
Wonderful, life-long friendship.
He helps me all the time.
He brightens up my days.
However,
I can't do anything for Shuichi.
He has to deal with the situation himself ...
You're a great support to him.
Support ...
Have confidence, don't give up.
Yes.
Let me know when it gets near where you live.
Take the next right turn.
Right turn.
Watch out!
Dad!
Are you all right?
I'm fine.
What happened? You're all muddy.
I've brought back some mud from the pond.
Dad.
You'll catch cold!
Don't come over, go to bed now!
But ...
Don't worry, I'm okay, go to bed.
Yes.
Yes, okay.
Kirie ...
Have you studied for the Biology Test tomorrow?
You haven't forgotten, have you?
Okay, next.
Kirie, you seem to be quite distracted lately.
Hey, look.
Sekino's hair is all set and curly even in the morning.
Yes.
Impressive.
Good for you, Sekino.
You'll get tired easily, if you drink so much water.
Oyama.
Yes.
Sinking a mirror to the bottom of a pond, signifies a snake returning home to its favorite water.
Symbolism. Snake cult.
Mirror, body of a snake ... snake.
Snakes.
Mirror. Snake.
Mirror...Eye of Snake.
Snake Worship. Cult. "Toshioke" (yearly bucket)
Ancient mythology. Ancient snake cult.
Corporal transformation into a snake.
Suicide. Eternity.
Kurozu turns into 'Town of Death'. Typhoon destroys Dragonfly Pond.
Unprecedented typhoon hits Kurozu. 300 Feared dead.
Large quantity of mirrors excavated from Dragonfly Pond. Elders speak: Ancient mirrors and Snake cult.
Catastrophe:
Typhoon has caused more than...
5.000 dead already, and it's coming near Japan.
These are all for your mother ...
She likes sweets.
Thank you.
My mom can't eat this.
Sorry.
My mom ...
will think of Father when she sees things shaped like vortexes.
I'm sorry.
The hair or the fingerprints is also in the shape of a vortex.
So don't let Mom see it.
You want it?
Sorry to have you dressed like this.
I've told the hospital to pay attention to vortex-shaped things.
Mom is paying attention to vortex-shaped things on her body.
She's afriad of vortexes?
By getting rid of the vortex,
I hope she can be cured of her vortex phobia.
Mom.
Kirie.
Mr. Saitou, please go to the reception if you're in the hospital premises.
Excuse me.
Yes.
I'm Shuichi Saitou.
Mr. Tamura called, said that he'd like to contact you.
Thank you.
This is Shuichi.
I've found some important points.
I'm going to Dragonfly Pond now.
Mind if I join you?
I'm on my way.
Another one here ...
Shuichi, what are you doing?
If Mom sees this vortex, the result will be disastrous.
Mr. Tamura might have discovered something.
So it's because of this guy ...
you treat me like dirt.
Kirie, who is he?
If you've already chosen him, I can give up.
We're leaving, get lost.
Damn it, Kirie, to make you remember me always ...
Yamakuchi!
Kirie!
Kirie.
We used to play here all the time.
Kirie was very timid.
I told you there's a gigantic snake in the pond ...
girls who came here were eaten.
You were scared to tears.
Shuichi, you didn't know what to do.
You said you'd protect me,
as if things would turn out the way you wanted them.
If this is not a dream, people are really dying.
This town is cursed by a vortex.
Kirie.
Shuichi, I'm ... I'm so scared.
I'll protect you.
Shuichi.
ACT III: INVASION
Yukie...Yukie.
In fact, there's still a vortex in your body.
In the deepest part of your ear.
It wants to turn into vortex and be asleep in your ear.
Don't.
There's still a vortex in the deepest part of your ear.
There's still a vortex in your ear.
Vortex.
Don't.
Vortex again.
People in this town become black vortexes when they die.
Can you see the face?
Oh God, yes you can.
That's it, look.
Mom.
This is the latest update on the typhoon.
Due to unknown reasons, this year's climate has been abnormal.
There has been no typhoon.
Until now.
We finally have our first typhoon.
Typhoon No. 1 has landed in Japan,
With an hourly speed of 6 to 9 km...
"Bizarre, the Horror of Kurouzu Town"
Hello, I'm Chie Maruyama.
I'm in Kurouzu Town which is now being approached by the typhoon.
Recently, many bizarre incidents have occurred here.
First of all,
a gigantic snail the size of a person was found.
"Bizarre! Gigantic snails"
Wait a minute!
What's that? How cute!
It was shot by a student.
It seems to be Katayama who's in the same grade as me.
A vortex pattern has appeared on his back.
He only goes to school on rainy days.
That must be Tsumura, they're both photogenic.
Just the thought of him makes one happy.
It must be Tsumura, gobbling water like this.
He's getting slower and slower, just like Katayama.
Although my father runs a fruit and vegetable shop,
he saw "Hitomaimai" on the trail to the hill.
The gigantic snails are actually human beings.
The two so-called "Hitomaimai"s
are going in the direction of the hill.
Teenagers in this town are trying their best to search for them,
but the bizarre stories of Kurouzu Town do not end here.
Beautiful.
All the incidents have one thing in common : vortexes.
This town is finished.
Let me get Dad.
Kirie!
I'll go with you.
How much longer will it take?
We're almost there, the tunnel is just up ahead.
Great, next time let's get a better car.
That's weird, I can't find the exit.
A vortex.
Just now he was here.
Is he at Tsuyomi's place?
Dad?
Where is he?
Dad.
What happened? Shuichi.
Kirie...l'm also surrounded by a vortex.
Don't come over.
Run, I'm done.
No, we said we'd run together.
Kirie ...
Sorry, I can't protect you anymore.
Don't say that, hold on.
Kirie, I like you very much.
Shuichi?
Don't, didn't we have a deal?
Didn't you say you'd protect me?
Don't die.
Be a vortex too.
Kirie.
ACT IV: TRANSMIGRATION
Kurouzu Town, my hometown.
What I'm going to tell you ...