[gentle piano music playing]
-[people chatting] -[camera clicking]
[interviewer] You're participating in the Miss International Queen pageant.
Please tell our audience how you feel.
I'm so nervous, but I'm so excited to take the throne today.
-[camera clicking] -You're really sure about yourself?
-[contestant] Yes. -[woman 1] Let me get one brush.
-[woman 2] Water? -[man1] No. Right here. One more touch.
[woman 3] All right. No problem.
[gentle music builds]
Excuse me! Move aside, please! Move aside!
Large object coming through!
You found it.
-Excuse me. -[costumes jangling]
-[woman 4] Excuse me. -[man 2] That's your chair.
-[music soars] -[chatting indistinctly]
[whooshing]
[exhales]
[insects chittering]
[kids playing in distance]
[upbeat pop music fading in]
[boy singing along in Japanese] ♪ I got a new hairdo… ♪
SEIKO MATSUDA
♪ You say I look so different ♪
-♪ You're looking pretty bashful… ♪ -[food sizzling]
♪ As you walk past me… ♪
[in English] What are you doing? Hurry up. Let's go.
-[sizzling continues] -You heard your father. Go change.
Hmm… You stupid-head!
It's almost over, let him finish.
[in Japanese] ♪ You're always hesitating… ♪
-♪ It's like you're behind a wall… ♪ -[full band joins in]
-[in English] ♪ Fresh, fresh, fresh! ♪ -[kids shout encouragement]
[in Japanese] ♪ Open the door to summer ♪
♪ And whisk me away somewhere ♪
[in English] ♪ Fresh, fresh, fresh! ♪
[in Japanese] ♪ Summer's gonna Open the door ♪
♪ And take us just the way we are… ♪
[in English] Man-woman!
You are so weird!
Okama!
Why are you all laughing?
I'm just singing a song that I really like.
-Stop making fun of all my clothes. -[laughing]
KENJI ONISHI KIDS AMATEUR SINGING CONTEST
Run!
[pop music continues]
[man] Okay, next!
Ready,
set…
[whistle blows]
[in Japanese] ♪ A car passes by… ♪
[panting]
♪ We are on separate streets… ♪
[girl 1 in English] We both think that you should ask him out.
[girl 2] What are you waiting for? Just do it.
I got a new bra yesterday. It's really cute.
-[girl 1] What color? -[girl 2] Pink.
-[girl 1] Pink looks so good on you. -[girl 3] Yeah.
[in Japanese] ♪ You say you love me… ♪
DEAR TAKESHI, YOU'RE ALWAYS SO POSITIVE
♪ Are you serious? ♪
FROM KENJI
TO TAKESHI
♪ But everyone's watching me… ♪
[muffled dialogue]
♪ How could you do that to me? ♪
[in English] ♪ Fresh, fresh, fresh! ♪
It's the man-woman!
DROP DEAD, LADYBOY
-[boy 1] You're so weird. -[boy 2] He's an okama.
[boys laughing]
[boy 3] Look at that!
Hey, Kenji!
[kids playing in distance]
[Kenji] Why does everybody laugh at me?
[tender piano music playing]
[sniffling]
[sobbing quietly]
I don't get it.
What the heck even am I?
What the hell am I?
[man 1] Hey.
-You're drinking too much, Wada. -[man 2] You're a doctor, remember?
A doctor, huh?
[chuckling] A guy like me?
Hey, didn't you quit the police hospital right after you signed up?
[men laughing]
You're pretty odd for a skilled surgeon.
Hey! Did something happen?
[sobbing]
[man 1] All right, fine, I'll give you one…
-Nothing happened. -[men laughing]
It's just…
surgeons don't care about the patients they operate on.
All they care about is the surgery.
[men chatting, chuckling]
You people only care about
the body parts.
The meat.
[all laughing]
So tell us. What's your plan now, Wada?
Cosmetic surgery, I heard.
-Work for someone else. -[all laughing]
[indistinct chatter]
It's true. You're right.
I can't save a single patient.
I just… I just make people look good. I'm a fake doctor.
[men chatter]
Tell me.
What is a doctor?
And medicine?
-I bet I think about that more than you! -[men] Whoa!
-Hey, now! -[men laugh, grumble]
-Oh! So much meat here. -[man] Don't throw that!
-There's so much meat to… cut up! -[men grumbling]
[all chattering]
-[man 1] Hey, get away! -[man 2] I'm gonna kill you!
[woman chuckles] Oh, wow.
This place is so lively.
-[man] It's so loud. -[woman] Is that right?
-Hey. -[woman] Hmm? What is it?
Can I, uh… skip school tomorrow?
My stomach hurts.
It's not gonna hurt tomorrow.
Should I rub your tummy?
-[chuckles] -[woman] Hmm?
Go to school. Skipping can become a habit.
-All right. -Mm.
What, where are you going? School?
The bathroom, stupid.
You should eat more. You hardly had any.
[all clamoring]
[clamoring continues]
Shut up and die!
-[boy 1] Shut up and die! -[screaming]
-[boy 2] Cry all you want! -[boy 3] Crybaby!
[boy 2] Come on! Show us! Still!
Do you have a dick or not?
-[boy 1] Yeah! -[boy 2] Stop squirming.
[boy 3] Look at all that makeup! Look at him! I can get these!
[screaming becomes muffled]
[coughs]
-[poignant music playing] -[woman] What's wrong?
[Kenji] Ma'am…
[rain pattering]
Can you… please help me?
I can't take it anymore.
Onishi.
I'm sure you must have some part in all of this.
-[Kenji cries softly] -Stop being so fragile.
Try to be more masculine, all right?
[poignant music continues]
But I didn't do anything.
I was just being myself.
What am I?
Someone please help.
[footsteps echoing]
[mysterious music playing]
[gasps softly]
SHOW HOUSE JORDAN PUB
♪ Clouds drifting by ♪
♪ You're part of me ♪
♪ Eagle up in the sky ♪
[lip-synching] ♪ You're part of me ♪
♪ Rainbow above ♪
♪ You're part of me… ♪
-[gasps] -♪ It's my journey ♪
♪ My life and my love ♪
♪ If you know what I mean ♪
♪ If you know what mean, yeah-ah-ah-ah ♪
♪ Yeah-ah-ah-ah, yeah-ah-ah ♪
-♪ Clouds drifting way up high… ♪ -[groans]
-Hey, stop the music! -[music stops]
-Come on, Megumi. You gotta smile more. -All right.
-[woman] Jennifer, learn the choreography. -Yep.
[woman] Marumi, you are doing way too much.
-Okay. -[woman] All right, start from the top.
Who's this?
Who are you?
[gasps]
[Kenji] I just thought you were so beautiful.
But I… had a feeling you weren't a regular woman.
-So I got curious. -[laughs]
You're sharp, kid.
Most people rarely ever notice that I have a dick.
I really…
My dream is to be an idol like Seiko.
What are you talking about?
Do you think I could come work here for you?
I want to be up on stage. I want to dance and I want to sing.
I've never…
experienced anything like it.
Ever since…
Ever since I was little, I've always wanted to wear pretty skirts,
but I had to wear pants because I was a boy.
Everybody in my class… calls me "okama."
[crying] They call me a man-woman.
It's been painful.
I started to think that I wasn't even human.
Stop with the tragic heroine victim act.
It's the same for all of us.
Everybody has their own sob story, a lot of them worse than yours.
You're not special.
And if you pretend you are, you've already lost.
I know it hurts but you'll be fine.
I'll show you the ropes.
-[gasps] You mean that? -An okama always keeps their word.
[chuckles] Never mind. They don't always.
Listen. I'll make one thing very clear.
It doesn't matter how much you do here,
you'll never become a real woman.
Okay.
Instead, what you can become is what we call a "newhalf." Got it?
[gasps] Thank you very much.
[TV sportscaster] It's the top of the fourth inning,
and the Giants are up to bat.
Neither team has managed to score any runs…
We get more surprise tests than all the other classes.
-It's unbearable. -[woman laughs]
So my friends… want to study at the library after school.
-[woman chuckles] -Study at the library?
Yeah, me and my friends want to study there.
[woman] Mm.
[laughs]
[TV continues chattering in background]
That's fine.
You're a man. Do it right.
I will.
Really? You've never studied in your life. Not that I know of.
You better shut up.
[boy laughs]
Mm.
[chuckles] Your kimpira is delicious, Mom.
-[mom chuckles] -Kenji, you're so dedicated.
Let's see.
Will my grandson be a doctor? A minister?
-[chuckles] Do your best. -[boy] That's impossible.
[woman] Hey now. Don't say that to him. He's trying as hard as he can.
[hopeful music playing]
[sighs] I'm sorry, Grandma.
I don't think… I'm going to become a doctor or a minister.
I'm going to be a newhalf.
-[Megumi] Did you get another boob job? -Hah, You're just jealous of me, babe.
-Yeah, right. -I picked up my prescription yesterday--
-Come on! -[pills rattle]
[Megumi] How many pills are you taking?
-Five a day. -[all] What?!
-Five? Are you feeling okay? -That's a reaction.
-I'm throwing up every day. -I bet you are.
-[woman 1] That's awful. -But my boobs are growing. See?
-Dream come true. -[woman 2 humming]
-[woman 3] You feel like a real woman. -[woman 4] It's worth it!
[woman 1] I get it, girl!
Oh yeah? Wow, this doesn't sound like you at all.
[woman 1] It may not look like it, but I get hormone shots
like a machine gun.
I still prefer my hormones from eating yakiniku rather than pills though.
Hormones, hormones, hormones!
[all] Hormones, hormones, hormones, hormones!
Place this carefully backstage, then go to Aki's place.
Then… and then… um…
[sharp inhale]
Hey, newbie.
Take this.
It's for our prescriptions.
Oh. O… okay.
[cars passing by]
-[background chatter] -[music playing in distance]
-[passersby chattering loudly] -[bicycle bell ringing]
I'm so pretty!
-Hey, what a cutie! -Oh, you're right.
[upbeat pop music playing]
[announcer] Please enjoy Miss Yamashita Kumiko's
"Sekido Komachi Doki."
[in Japanese] ♪ The crimson sun ♪
-♪ She scorches, she burns… ♪ -[man whistles]
[in English] Hey Miss! Wanna grab some tea?
[in Japanese] ♪ Even the shimmering heat ♪
-♪ Comes alive when she walks by… ♪ -[men cheering]
♪ With her prim little face ♪
-♪ Her gaze… ♪ -[laughing]
♪ Is the mirror image of summer ♪
♪ Tilting her chic sunglasses ♪
♪ Her eyes meet yours… ♪
-[in English] Okay! -Ooh!
[in Japanese] ♪ And she's got you Burning with nerves ♪
♪ She derails your train of thought ♪
-♪ She's gonna set your fuse on fire… ♪ -[crowd cheering]
♪ Your jagged heart Might tear apart in a jagged way ♪
[all singing along] ♪ She's the belle of the equator ♪
♪ Love is the sweltering subtropics ♪
♪ She's the belle of the equator… ♪
[all] Whoo!
♪ Watch out for her burning embrace ♪
♪ My heart! It pounds! ♪
-[girl in English] Here you go. -Thank you!
-♪ Ba-dump! Ba-dump! ♪ -[all cheering]
[all singing along in Japanese] ♪ She's the belle of the equator ♪
♪ Love is the sweltering subtropics ♪
♪ She's the belle of the equator… ♪
[all] Whoo! Whoo!
♪ Watch out for her burning embrace ♪
♪ My heart! It pounds! ♪
[giggling]
♪ Ba-dump! Ba-dump! ♪
-[all cheering] -[music ends]
[giggling]
[humming happily]
[somber music playing]
WADA PLASTIC SURGERY CLINIC COSMETIC AND PLASTIC SURGERY
[ominous tones droning]
[gasps]
[woman in English] I already told you I'm fine with that!
[Wada] I'll repeat myself again.
There's no point in messing with your eyes any further.
If anything, your eyes will stay as swollen as they are now.
Would you rather have pig eyelids or double eyelids?
[woman] I told you my whole story.
And that's all you have to say to me? Give me a better answer!
I'm giving you this advice for your own good!
Who did this work on your nose, anyway?
Sue them, get compensation, and then I'll try to fix it.
We're done here.
You're the worst ever!
I'll find a different doctor!
Think it over. They'll just take your money!
[footsteps retreating]
Great.
[woman] I'm sorry.
[Wada sighs]
WADA PLASTIC SURGERY CLINIC PREMARIN - JORDAN PUB
We are so beautiful, don't you think? [chuckles]
That's a stupid question.
-It was rhetorical. -What?
I was talking to myself in the mirror.
You finally found someone who will listen to you? [laughing]
You should try to be more like me. [laughing]
-[Megumi laughs] No, thanks. -[Jennifer] Oh, please. This girl.
I swear.
I'm sorry.
I heard an uncomfortable conversation…
I got scared, so I left our card.
You bailed?
-Well, that doctor's kind of rude. -[gasps] Okay, girl!
The dress is cute on you! Right?
Thank you very much!
-[Jennifer] Mm-hmm. -You better enjoy it while you can.
Won't be long before you're bulging everywhere.
I was as thin as you are. Before.
The ones who bloom slowly at first tend to grow a lot later on.
-[Jennifer] You grew way too much. -[Marumi] Who, me?
[Jennifer] You know.
[Marumi] You said that!
[Jennifer] What did you eat to get that big?
[wistful music playing]
[sighs]
[pills rattling]
[gagging]
[gasping]
[retching]
[gasping]
[toilet flushes]
[mom] What's wrong, Kenji?
Do you feel sick?
I ate something bad.
I feel a lot better now.
-But you look pale. -[Kenji] I'll be fine.
Please get some rest. Good night.
Hey, kid. You've had way too much.
I'm not talking about alcohol. The pill.
It'll mess you up.
[sniffs]
I'm sorry.
I'll be careful.
As long as you understand.
Lecture's over. Go on.
Wait, kid. Come back. I have more to say.
What is it?
Your debut. You've been selected.
[exhales] Do you mean that?
"Ai." How about that?
Ai?
It's your new name.
Kenji never really suited you.
I want "Ai" to be truly loved, kid.
Ai.
-[knife chopping] -Where's Kenji?
He's been coming home really late.
[TV chattering]
[dad] He even dropped out of high school. What's he thinking?
[mom] Ask him yourself if you're so worried.
Idiot. That's a mother's job.
[boy] Is this yours, Mom?
-Hmm? -[boy] I found it on the floor.
[TV continues chattering softly]
-I don't own anything this flashy. -[boy] What?
Well I guess…
No, no, no, not mine.
I would never.
Nope, I'm determined never to cheat on you. Yeah--
-Why would you say that? -[laughs] Can't believe dad said that.
[sighs]
[indistinct chatter]
-[distinct music echoing] -[whooping]
[cheering]
[lively music playing with female vocal]
[loud pop]
[crowd cheering, applauding]
[loud pop]
[crowd cheering, whistling]
-[loud pop] -[laughter]
[loud pop]
-[song ends] -[crowd cheering]
Will you all pardon me?
I know y'all want my balls!
[laughter]
What a weird place.
[upbeat pop music playing]
[lip-synching to lyrics in Japanese] ♪ Single footsteps in the sand ♪
♪ A little free time to myself ♪
♪ I turn around ♪
♪ To a strange figure Off in the distance ♪
♪ He rushes toward me on the shore ♪
♪ Suddenly a chill runs down my back ♪
♪ It is the sweet premonition of love ♪
♪ Coming over me ♪
♪ Our rendezvous ♪
♪ Is in slow motion ♪
♪ With a touch of giddy ♪
♪ And beckoning us in ♪
♪ Our rendezvous ♪
♪ Is in slow motion ♪
♪ In my eyes ♪
♪ This vision of you ♪
[music fades]
[indistinct chatter]
Can you tell me what you do for work?
I'm a doctor.
Amazing.
[chuckles]
Hey. Hey, doctor.
How was my performance?
How was it?
It's just… today was my debut.
It was…
You shined so brightly.
Shining like a star.
You seemed so true to yourself.
It was like you were born to be on stage.
[chuckles]
I'm a little drunk. [laughs]
[muffled retching]
[retching]
[coughing, gasping]
-[wistful music playing] -[delicate chime tinkling]
[panting, shuddering]
[crying]
[indistinct chatter]
[Ai] My mom made me a beautiful skirt to wear.
[Wada] Really?
You actually wore it to the singing contest?
Yeah, and the boys were all laughing.
They called me "gross."
And said I was a weirdo.
Weird.
What?
Well,
I think
being weird means that nobody accepts you.
So if even one person accepts you… you're not weird.
[chuckles]
That sounds cheesy.
I've never heard anything as nice as that.
Doctor, I kind of have a favor to ask you.
Okay, go ahead.
-I can't lend money, but something else-- -No, that's not it.
-Cut my balls off. -[chokes]
Your balls?
Uh, you mean testicles.
Mm.
I looked it up.
I read that… male hormones are made there, aren't they?
Which would mean…
they're what makes me masculine.
If that's true… getting rid of them--
Will make you more feminine.
Will you?
Well, technically… it's not impossible.
But you're thinking about this too simply.
There's the Eugenic Protection Law.
Orchiectomies aren't common.
Doctors have been arrested for operating without permission.
Well I don't want you to get arrested.
I just kind of…
I always hoped that someday
those balls hanging from my body would fall off.
That's when I would become my true self.
But they haven't yet.
It's just that no matter how much time passes, they won't.
I'm even growing a beard now.
[sighs]
And my voice deepened.
I can't handle it.
I hate it.
I can't live like this.
It's awful.
[gentle music playing]
[brake engages]
[engine stops]
Doctor.
[Wada] Why are you here?
Obviously, I want to get a surgery consultation.
I just need a little more time, okay?
Doctor!
[water trickling]
[Ai giggles]
Doctor. The surgery.
You can't do this on whim! Understand?
-[sighs] -[music fades]
[tender piano music playing]
This is the end of your treatment. You did a great job.
Wait. Doctor.
-You're releasing me as your patient? -Hmm. That's right.
You can't leave me like this.
Please fix it.
[voice breaking] My face isn't done yet!
[doctor] The surgery was a success.
You should be grateful that you survived.
Not like this.
[sobbing] I can't live like this! I can't!
[sobbing continues]
[music fades]
Doctor, is there something wrong? You look so serious.
What does it mean
to save someone's life?
[woman] What?
No, never mind. I'm sorry.
[Ai] Doctor.
Ai.
I'll do it.
I'll do your surgery.
You mean it?
Knowing you, you'll keep pestering me until I agree.
But there are conditions.
Conditions?
You're going to have to tell your parents, Ai.
Even if you can't tell them about the operation,
you must tell them about how you feel.
[soft music playing over PA]
[man] This is so sweet.
I'm so gonna… get hit.
-What? What'd ya do? -Nothing. Just keep eating, all right?
[snickers] Something's going on. I don't know what.
-[entry bell jangles] -Yum.
[door closes]
-Hey. -[brother] Hey.
Dad? Where's Mom?
Oh, she said she has a neighborhood meeting.
-Got it. -[dad] Mm.
[sighs]
Hey, um…
Can you go to that seat over there?
Why?
Can I order a cream anmitsu?
-Yeah. [chuckles] -All right!
What did you want to tell me? Hurry up, the race is about to start.
Okay. I'll say it quick then.
I uh…
Yes?
-This might kinda surprise you… -Uh-huh?
I, uh…
I want to live as a girl.
I know I was born a boy,
but I want to live as a girl from now on.
[bellows]
Do what you want.
You've already made your decision.
So do it.
Wait a sec.
Did you know already?
I am your father. No matter what.
I thought you'd be more… masculine if I made you play baseball.
I'm sorry.
Just promise me one thing.
What is it?
Never regret your decision, all right?
And take care of yourself.
If you're a man, then be the best man!
That's three things to promise, not one.
And…
I just told you I'm going to live as a girl.
-Huh?! -All right, fine.
I promise it all.
Oh and…
[exhales] …don't tell… your mother about this.
I think it'll break her.
Are you having second thoughts?
No.
Except…
I feel bad for my mom.
She gave birth to a healthy baby.
We can stop.
Mm-mm.
I'll apologize to her someday.
Doctor.
Hmm?
I'm glad you said that you'd help.
There's no one else I would want here.
Why me?
Because of what you said.
Hmm.
That I shine like a star.
And that…
[laughs softly] …made me really happy.
I want you to know something.
In my eyes, you're not weird.
[chuckles]
I'm really glad to hear that.
I want to be…
Ai, the idol.
Like Seiko, who's my idol.
To be an idol of idols.
[tender music playing]
-[air hissing] -[monitor beeping]
[exhales]
You'll be one.
Because you're you.
[breathing echoes]
[music intensifies]
[all gasp]
[Megumi] Oh, it's swollen like a balloon.
Even if you take the balls, the sack's still there.
-My God. It looks like that… -[Marumi] What?
-You know that… -What?
-I've got a picture of it. -What?
It doesn't look like anything.
-You wait. -[Marumi] What does it look like?
[Jennifer] Where did I put that picture? Where is it? Where did I…
What's going on here?
[Megumi] Ai took out her balls.
-Get a good look, isn't this special? -[Aki] Ha.
-[Megumi] Come here! -There you are.
Aw! It looks just like that… you girls know, that raccoon dog!
-[Jennifer] That's what I thought! -Oh yeah!
-[Jennifer] This! -[all laughing]
[Aki] They look exactly the same!
No, wait! Please don't say that!
Ai.
How's it make you feel, huh?
How do I feel?
[breathing heavily]
It's like I've been liberated!
-Oh really?! -[all laughing]
[Marumi] You said that!
-[Aki] Let's go out for drinks! -[all whooping]
[upbeat pop music playing]
[woman on recording vocalizing]
[all chanting] Ai! Ai! Ai! Ai! Ai! Ai!
-[Jennifer] Go, Ai! Go, Ai! Go, Ai! -[woman] Yes, queen!
[liquid bubbling]
[crowd cheering]
[lip-synching to lyrics in Japanese] ♪ Dipping my feet in the icy fountain ♪
♪ Looking up at the skyscrapers ♪
♪ Wearing my favorite clothes ♪
♪ There's nothing wrong with that ♪
♪ Gripping the golden handlebars Racing through the town ♪
♪ Doing all these fun things ♪
♪ I want to see What it really looks like ♪
♪ And not just through an old TV screen… ♪
[clamoring]
♪ The moment the needle drops ♪
♪ Is the moment my heart skips… ♪
[in English] Doctor, you removed Ai's balls, right?
So you're the famous doctor who treats us "newhalfs."
All the Kansai okama, they're all coming here
because you're great!
Hold still. I need it to be aligned.
[in Japanese] ♪ Even if I'm tired, hated, Or growing old, I just can't stop… ♪
-[Jennifer in English] Your hair! -[Marumi] You're so cute.
I could just butter you up and eat you!
[in Japanese] ♪ They're like diamonds… ♪
[screaming, cheering]
♪ Every which way I look ♪
♪ I can't quite put it into words ♪
♪ But they are treasures ♪
♪ My hunch was right ♪
♪ It's exactly how I thought it would be ♪
♪ It's setting me in motion ♪
-♪ This feeling of mine ♪ -Oh! Oh!
-[whirring] -[all scream]
[in English] It's your fault! You are guilty!
[cars passing]
Oh, Doctor.
WHAT ABOUT NORMAL PATIENTS?
DIE
[sighs] Why do people do this?
Our clients fight so hard just to survive.
A lot more than these jerks.
Excuse me. Are you with the clinic?
Yes, I am.
I'm Detective Tsuruku.
We've been getting a lot of complaints
about the noise coming from the lines at your clinic.
I guess… those unique people talk a lot.
I apologize.
I'll make sure we keep the noise down.
Appreciate it.
Isn't it tough to keep control of so many strange freaks?
Don't call them that.
[laughs] Well then.
-[indistinct chatter] -[muffled music playing]
Ai, you're unbelievably cute, ya know.
-Takuya, you do know, right? -Huh?
I'm not… a normal kinda girl.
I don't care about that.
[Ai moaning softly]
Ah!
I want you so bad right now.
Wanna live together?
-Mm-hmm. -Yes!
-[Ai giggling] -Really?!
-You promise? -Uh-huh. [laughing]
-[crowd cheering] -[Takuya] Oh. I'm on. See you later, okay?
-[Ai] Okay. -All right!
[Ai] Mm.
-I'm serious! [grunts] -[Ai giggling]
Sorry! [blows kiss]
[Aki] Ai.
Aki.
I'm just meddling here.
But all the men who mess with newhalf… always go back to women.
You should be prepared for that.
[kids clamoring, playing]
[grandma] Well… I'll come visit.
-Oh! I'll be lonely without you here. -[sizzling]
-[laughs] -He's not going abroad.
I know.
-Yeah. You better… come by sometimes. -You got it.
Hey! Aren't you coming out?
-Kenji's leaving. -[sizzling continues]
I'm a little busy.
-See you later. -[grandma] Mm.
-Take care. Mm. -[Ai chuckles]
[door closes]
[kids continue playing outside]
[sharp inhale]
[Ai laughs softly]
[rock music playing]
Takuya!
-[in Japanese] ♪ Her and me! ♪ -[both] Ah!
♪ It's a scandal! ♪
[both laughing]
-[grunts] Ha! -[Ai laughs]
[in English] Nice!
-Yeah, I did! -[in Japanese] ♪ A deadly game of love ♪
♪ A forbidden scandal ♪
♪ No matter how much I love you… ♪
-[in English] Stop! -Come on, scaredy-cat!
[Ai and Takuya] Let's eat!
[in Japanese] ♪ We kissed by the pool ♪
-♪ And then you cried… ♪ -[laughing]
[in English] Oh, no. There's ketchup on your face.
-Do you want seconds? -Oh my God! Yeah!
[in Japanese] ♪ I can't stop loving you ♪
♪ Even if it's forbidden ♪
♪ If only I could let you go ♪
♪ Then you wouldn't have to-- ♪
[doorbell rings]
-[Takuya] Uh? -[Ai] Hmm?
-[in English] Who's that? -You don't have to answer that.
Yes, I do.
-It's all right. -Coming!
Uh…
Hello?
[train clacking]
Who is it?
-A ding-dong ditch? -Maybe a neighbor.
-We were loud, you know. -It's fine. Come on!
Come on and do what?
-Make out, duh! -[giggles]
[rain pattering]
You know…
I think I'm the happiest I've ever been.
Me too, Takuya.
-Really? -Mm-hmm.
[Ai sighs] Hmm.
[Ai moaning softly]
Ai.
Can we… do it tonight?
What?
-I don't… -I'll be gentle.
-Trust me. -Huh? Wait, hold on.
No, wait.
-Takuya… -It'll be fine.
[Ai] Stop.
-It didn't work last time, remember? -It's fine.
[Ai groaning]
-[Takuya] Don't worry. -[Ai] It won't go in!
Ow! It hurts! [moans]
[gasps]
[Ai gasps] I'm sorry.
[rain continues pattering]
[Takuya exhales]
Well, that kinda
killed the mood, huh?
It is what it is.
You are
who you are, Ai.
[sighs] I'm going to sleep.
[somber music playing]
[crying softly]
[thunder rumbling]
-Good work today. -You too.
You should go home.
Uh-huh.
[woman screams]
[gasps]
What's wrong?
Dr. Wada.
Can you make me a woman?
A woman?
Oh, no, no, no.
I don't have that kind of relationship with her.
Ai?
It's not that simple.
This is much more difficult compared to just removing testicles.
You have to cut and invert the penis, then create a vagina.
You don't just remove it.
You have to maintain the excretory functions.
And the vagina needs to withstand intercourse.
It's like we're playing God here.
And…
There's a chance you might not wake from the anesthesia.
I wonder why I missed.
What?
I had a fifty percent chance, but I missed it.
If I were born a woman, I wouldn't feel like this.
I wanna gamble not waking up.
Just make me the woman I am.
Even if I might die.
DOCTORS WHO PERFORMED SEX CHANGE SURGERY
IN VIOLATION OF THE EUGENIC PREVENTION LAW
ARE TRANSSEXUAL ALLIES CRIMINALS?
[page turning]
FOUND GUILTY OF PERFORMING SEX REASSIGNMENT SURGERY
[woman] Excuse me, Doctor.
[distant siren wailing]
What do you plan to do?
Wow.
If you perform the surgery, you might lose your license.
You might even get arrested.
[Wada] I want to do it for her if I can.
I don't have the confidence yet.
I don't know if I'm capable.
[upbeat pop music playing]
[audience cheering]
[cheering builds]
[audience clapping along]
[in Japanese] ♪ It's all coming To me now ♪
♪ I am a new me ♪
♪ As the vessel rushes on ♪
♪ The white waves dance in its wake ♪
♪ I made a promise with you ♪
♪ And I'm gonna keep it… ♪
[Wada in English] I'll place the urethra inside.
Natural lubrication could be possible.
[in Japanese] ♪ The flower Of love in my heart ♪
♪ Will be accepted by you ♪
♪ The blue sky where the swallows fly ♪
♪ Is a canvas For our dreams of the future ♪
♪ Free lines, free colors ♪
♪ We'll paint it together ♪
[song fades]
[indistinct chatter]
[in English] I was…
scared.
Why?
If I do operate,
you might die in the middle of surgery.
But I realized something.
You might live your whole life in a man's body.
And being trapped in that body could someday kill both your heart and soul.
I could possibly save you from that.
But I have to gather up the courage.
I have to ensure it will be a successful outcome.
Ai…
I'll…
I'll do it.
Doctor…
Let me save… your life…
your soul… and your heart.
I'd be honored to do it.
Thank you.
Hmm.
Thank you so much.
[poignant piano music playing]
[mom] Are you okay Kenji?
You don't usually call.
Mom, you know that I…
What is it?
I uh…
I…forgot.
I can't remember what I wanted to say.
What's with you?
Is this a prank?
It's a prank call, you're right.
[crying softly]
I'm hanging up now.
My kinpira will burn.
I love your kinpira.
I really do.
Make me some later?
[crying softly]
It's just thrown together.
You really have no sense of taste.
I'm hanging up.
[music fades]
[machines hissing]
It's almost time.
Do you have any doubts?
Of course. A lot.
[chuckles softly]
Ai… you were born in a man's body.
God just made a small mistake.
[putting on surgical gloves]
I'm going to fix that for you.
When you wake up,
you will finally be your true self.
Hey, Doctor.
Yes?
I want…
I wanna go back in time to tell my past self this…
"Everything is going to be okay."
"One day, you will become a woman. "
Okay. You ready?
[in Japanese] ♪ I got a new ♪
♪ Hairdo ♪
♪ You say I look so different ♪
-♪ You're looking… ♪ -[water rippling]
♪ Pretty bashful ♪
♪ As you walk past me ♪
[solemn music playing]
[distant screaming]
[boy] Show us!
-Shut up and die! -[screaming continues]
[screaming fades]
[distant coughing]
[coughing, retching]
[solemn music builds]
[crying softly]
[boys yelling]
[boy] It's the man-woman!
So weird!
[boys cackling]
[music intensifies]
[boy] Hey, Kenji…
[footsteps splashing]
[music subsides]
[air gusting]
[music fades]
-[rhythmic thrusting] -[Ai moaning]
[Takuya] Ai. It feels so good.
[Ai] Takuya…
[both moaning]
[distant traffic buzzing]
You were great.
You're really a woman.
What's wrong?
Tears of joy?
They're not.
Huh? They're not?
Did it hurt that bad?
Maybe I'm jealous.
Jealous?
What are you jealous of?
-Because, Takuya… -Yeah?
You looked like you were really feeling good.
It made me think, "He wants a girl."
"He prefers women's bodies."
I wondered
what if you actually didn't like me in my body before?
Ai, no way!
-Get that out of your head. -I know it's stupid.
But I can't help…
I can't help it if I'm jealous.
Women are very lucky.
[tender music playing]
They have bodies that men love without doing anything special.
Hey.
Hey, Ai. Did you not enjoy it… 'cause you're a woman?
You idiot.
I'm really happy now.
That's how I feel.
I'm really happy too… being with the real you, Ai.
[chuckles softly]
[crying] Takuya…
[gentle music playing]
[respirator hissing]
[Wada] Vitals?
[woman] Pulse is 80, blood pressure of 126-over-73 and breathing is stable.
[Wada] Let's begin.
-[Wada] Scalpel. -[woman] Scalpel.
I have performed many sex change operations,
but I believe that preventing adhesions after surgery is a major issue.
For example, in Thailand,
they form a hard candle and insert it into the vagina,
but it has little effect and is a burden on the patient.
In order to protect the patients' bodies,
I would like to use your silicone manufacturing technology.
I ask for your cooperation in the joint development
of a dilator to prevent the vagina from closing.
I believe that this is the key to opening this field's advancement.
Thank you all for your consideration.
[pop music playing faintly over car stereo]
[Takuya] Hey, my mom and dad are happy.
They've been bugging me to let them meet you, you know.
-Are you sure they want me there? -Yeah. They'll be glad I brought you.
I mean, it's not gonna be formal or anything.
-[Ai] Hmm. -Relatives will be there with their kids.
[group chatting, laughing]
[Takuya] That's when I was a kid!
Takuya's always been such a sensitive crybaby, hasn't he?
I wouldn't have guessed that. He hasn't shown me that side.
Come on. That's enough of that.
Oh yeah. I have plans with my friends.
-[Ai] Hmm? -I'll be back.
-Mm-hmm. -You can chill here.
-Be safe. -[woman] Careful.
-All right, all right. See you later. -[all] Bye-bye!
[Takuya] Bye.
[men laughing]
This is delicious.
[chuckles] Oh-ho-ho! Thank you.
It's time.
[all chatting]
You kids, go play outside for a bit.
[kids] Okay!
All right, let's go.
[child] All right.
[kids chatting]
It's just…
Please, Ai…
break up with Takuya.
What?
You're wonderful. You're a really good person.
I love who you are. [chuckles]
You're beautiful and kind.
Except… you can't have children.
[crying] Sorry about this.
Takuya… loves children.
But if you and Takuya get married one day…
he'll have one less reason to smile.
I'm sorry.
Please, Ai.
[low rushing sound]
[water burbling]
-[Jennifer] With handcuffs. -[Megumi] Where'd this happen?
-His sister's house. -[Megumi] Is her house a police station?
-[laughing] -[Marumi] You said that, queen!
-[indistinct chatter] -[distant music playing]
[sighs deeply]
[sniffs]
[footsteps approaching]
-What's wrong? -[indistinct background chatter continues]
Is it Takuya?
[sniffles]
[sighs] Can't hide anything from you, Aki.
Okama eyes are omnipresent you know.
What's going on?
I'll be fine.
This is something I have to do on my own.
Okay.
-[Jennifer] Right? I said that! -[Megumi] You said that.
[Jennifer] I want to make out! Long! Yeah!
-[laughs] -[Marumi] Maybe you should call--
[phone ringing]
[phone beeps]
[sniffs]
Ai speaking.
[children shouting, playing]
Kenji.
Where's Grandma?
She's in her room.
Kenji.
Grandma?
[shudders]
[exhales]
Grandma.
[crying]
Grandma…
always asked how you were doing. [chuckles]
-Oh, really? -[brother chuckles]
Yeah, she really did.
[poignant music playing]
[brother] She used to say this one thing.
[Ai] What did she say?
[brother] That you were strong.
SEIKO MATSUDA IDOL BOOK
And that you should always live your life the way you want to.
-Hey. What does that mean? -Takuya, I just told you everything.
Why are you packing?
-You didn't tell me everything-- -I'm packing because we're done.
I'm going to Tokyo.
Hold on! What? Hey, wait!
Ai… Do you not love me anymore or what?
Takuya.
What we had was an immature mistake.
An immature mistake?
Goodbye.
[Takuya] Ai, wait! Hey!
You're just gonna leave like this?
[running footsteps recede]
[wistful music playing]
[birds twittering]
[in Japanese] ♪ When I'm all alone ♪
♪ I listen to my favorite song ♪
♪ Because Olivia ♪
♪ Comforts my lonely heart ♪
♪ My cup of jasmine tea ♪
♪ This sedative, lulling me to sleep ♪
♪ I want my day to end ♪
♪ The way I want it to tonight ♪
♪ When we first met ♪
♪ Never could I have imagined ♪
♪ A day like this would come ♪
[in English] ♪ Making good things better ♪
[in Japanese] ♪ No, it's already done ♪
♪ It's just that time has passed ♪
♪ You are exhausted from loving ♪
♪ A phantom version of me ♪
[distant hum of traffic]
1998 TOKYO
[gentle music playing]
I'll work very hard. I'll do anything!
You were a man before?
You're not right for our agency.
I can sing and I can dance.
We would welcome you, but you're not a woman.
Mm.
You'll never find anyone more motivated.
[chuckles] I like you a lot.
I'll introduce you to a good agency.
-Amazing! -[man] Mm-hmm!
A sexy place. They eat up cuties like you there.
What?
There's plenty of customers with unique tastes. Hmm.
[hum of traffic]
[gasps] Really? That's great news!
I'm still asking around, though.
If it all works out, I can help people like you for much cheaper.
[chuckles softly]
Awesome. You're doing so good.
[chuckles]What've you been up to?
How's Tokyo treating you?
It's treating me well. I've been getting so many jobs.
People in Tokyo don't scare me at all.
That's good to hear.
[two knocks on door]
Oh, they need me. Sorry.
No worries. We'll talk soon.
Bye.
[distant siren wailing]
[sighs]
I'm not getting any jobs.
[doorbell rings]
Who is it?
Who is it? A prank?
Mom?
Thank you.
I'm surprised to see you.
We're divorcing.
Your dad was cheating.
He was?
I couldn't take it anymore, so I left.
I've been reflecting on a lot of things.
Even though your dad should be the one doing that.
Are you… just here to tell me that?
You're our child.
I think you can understand.
You know how I feel
as a woman.
What?
You… you always… were a woman, yes?
You don't have to hide it from me. Not anymore.
I'm sorry.
I gave birth to you like that.
In the wrong body.
What are you saying?
Mom, it's not your fault.
All parents are responsible for their kids.
When your grandma passed away, my heart was crushed when I saw you.
You tried so hard to dress up like a man in that suit.
You tried so hard to kill your true self for so long.
I realized that I was the one who made you feel that way.
But I couldn't deal with it.
That's why…
I couldn't be around you at all.
I did that a lot actually.
I'd been turning away from you since you were little.
[Ai] Have you always known?
I'm your mother. Of course I did.
All this time…
I thought you hated everything about me.
Of course not.
I even went to your apartment.
I wanted… to talk about everything.
I wanted to face you properly.
[rings doorbell]
-[Ai] Who's that? -[Takuya] You don't have to answer that.
[Ai] Yes, I do.
Coming!
Hello?
-[train clacking] -[Takuya] Who is it?
-A ding-dong ditch? -[Ai] Maybe a neighbor.
-We were loud, you know. -[Takuya] It's fine. Come on.
-[Ai] Come on and do what? -[Takuya] Make out!
[sighs]
I couldn't give this to you then.
I know it's your favorite.
I'm sorry I was such a… awful mother.
I'm sorry.
Why are you sorry?
I'm the one who should…
who should be sorry.
[sniffles]
I…
[crying]
You went through so much to give birth to my body and I--
Don't apologize.
Whether you're a man… or a woman,
you will always be my child.
My beautiful, precious child.
[both crying]
-Mom… -[gentle ballad playing]
[sniffling, crying]
[vocalizing]
Do me a favor, will you, Ai?
[in Japanese] ♪ It's a nostalgic pain… ♪
[in English] What is it?
You called me… "Ai."
You didn't call me… "Kenji."
Will you… do my makeup?
Makeup?
Yes, Ai. I came to see you… when you performed at the club.
[laughs] You did?
[chuckles]
Yes, I did.
You were so cute in your makeup.
I am so proud of you.
[both laugh emotionally]
I admired you.
Ai, I think that you're beautiful.
[in Japanese] ♪ Why must the dreams Lost to time ♪
♪ Always appear so beautiful? ♪
♪ That affection ♪
♪ Of the past is still ♪
♪ A sweet memory ♪
[in English] ♪ Sweet memories ♪
[music fades]
The files for tomorrow's counseling.
Oh. Thank you.
Doctor, aren't you tired?
You must be too.
Oh, I'm sorry, we're--
It seems like you're going all out with this thing, huh?
What do you mean?
With all those okama.
Listen, if you just mess with them a little, it's not a big deal.
[exhales]
You're doing too much.
How many dicks have you cut off this month, huh?
-Please be careful with your words. -Apologies.
It slipped.
As far as we are concerned, Wada,
we're not going to drop this.
This is a legitimate medical procedure to save our patients.
That's not something that's up to you to decide.
It's up to the state.
[woman laughs] What?! You used to be a man?
Don't you think that maybe it would be better to hide that in this business?
[chuckles softly] I want to be an idol. And I want to do things honestly.
Mm-hmm.
I like your spunk. We're happy to bring you on.
Mark my words. You'll be working a lot!
[gasps] Thank you very much!
[woman chuckling]
Oh, how cute!
-[giggling] -[woman laughing]
-[pop music playing over PA] -Hi, all! [giggles]
I just love seeing every one of you here today!
I'll introduce myself.
I'm Ai, and I'm here from Osaka, now in Tokyo.
And I'm doing my best!
[kids chattering, playing]
MATSUZAKAYA FREE CHARITY MUSIC FESTIVAL
[kids chattering in Japanese]
-[people chattering] -[bugs chittering]
[people continue chattering]
[girl] I wanna do something fun!
What is this?!
I'm not wearing this.
[man] I don't know what to tell you.
I cleared it with your agency.
An okama doesn't get embarrassed. Just wear it.
BOYS OVER BALLS
[woman] It's taking forever.
[wistful music playing]
What the hell am I?
-[panting] -[monitor's alarm ringing]
-Doctor, I need you. Doctor! -[Wada mumbles]
-[ringing continues] -[Wada] What's wrong?
Doctor! It's a code blue!
-Step aside. -[tense music playing]
-Open the IV. Defib. Epinephrine. -[woman 1] Can you hear me? I'm here.
[woman 2] Okay!
[woman 1] Can you hear me? I don't feel a pulse.
-Is the defib ready yet? -Almost! I'm starting the ambu bag.
[alarm continues ringing]
[flatline tone drones]
[music intensifies]
[flatline tone fades into tense music]
[Tsuruku] Can you explain all of this?
Medical terms are so difficult to understand for the average person.
[chuckles] I don't get 'em.
[music fades]
Tell me why… an okama you were operating on
suddenly died during a procedure you perform a lot?
We haven't determined the cause of death quite yet.
Oh…
If I had to guess,
it was a complication called ARDS from the anesthesia.
The cause of ARDS is often unknown, so there's no way to prevent it.
Wada… are you telling me that it's not your fault?
What I'm telling you is that that is my best guess.
As of now, that's the best I can do for my deceased patient.
Interesting.
[inhales sharply]
Very interesting.
By the way, doctor,
I've been… wondering about something.
Why would you befriend those people?
Are you into that sort of thing too?
Or maybe…
You get your rocks off with this kind of stuff, hmm?
[pounding on table]
You like cutting off men's dicks?
[laughs]
Not speaking now?
I've got all day for this.
[chuckling]
ANGEL NEST
[Megumi] Sangen-jaya? Wow. Isn't that expensive?
I heard it's great there. There's a lot of them. [laughs]
[laughs] So it's different from where you live!
[Jennifer] I mean it. What are you laughing about?
By the way, Ai, this place is nice. It's really cute here, I like it.
[chuckles] I was asked to work here.
I'm only part-time because I'm busy in entertainment.
That's good. Things are going well.
Tokyo has been really great.
All right.
I have something I want to show you, Ai.
-[Jennifer] Hmm? -It's this.
-Ah. -Go ahead. Look.
-Miss International… Queen? -[Megumi] Yep. Uh-huh.
They decide who's the most beautiful trans woman in the world.
[gasps] Ai. You're adorable. You should enter.
-Right? -She Should!
-I'm interested, but I'm kinda busy. -Then I'll enter!
-I will represent Japan! -[Jennifer] No, please. You can't!
Japan will sink. [laughing]
[Marumi] Hey girl, what did you just say to me?!
You said that, queen!
Not again! She's been saying that forever.
[all laughing]
[Megumi] Ai, did you hear about Dr. Wada?
Hear what?
Someone died during one of his operations.
Are you serious?
[Jennifer] People have been saying it wasn't Dr. Wada's fault,
so it should be fine.
[Megumi and Marumi] Mm-hmm.
-[Marumi] Girl, your bubbles are flat. -[Jennifer] You made them flat!
[Marumi] Oh, no.
[indistinct chatter]
-[woman] He's here! -Dr. Wada's here!
-[man] Dr. Wada! -[all clamoring]
[cameras clicking]
[clamoring continues]
What do you think about sex change surgery?
[man] We need to know! People need to know about it!
-[reporters] Dr. Wada! -Excuse me.
-[door opens] -[Wada sighs]
Are you okay?
Yeah.
Who knows when we'll open with all this going on.
Doctor, here.
-What? -The list of patients who want surgery.
It's increased since the beginning of this month.
This many?
Yes.
THANK YOU, DR. WADA
I'M GOING TO SHINE BRIGHT - FROM AI
[crowd cheering on TV]
[woman on TV in Japanese] Is everyone well?
-[crowd on TV cheering] -[woman laughs]
[lip-synching to woman on TV] You are? I wonder why.
Hey, guess what?
That's right. I finally made it to Nagoya.
[woman on TV giggles]
Thank you.
[TV audience cheering, applauding]
I go on tour each and every summer,
but I was a little late this year, and now we're in chilly November.
It's so cold, so, like, the only thing to do now is to warm ourselves back up.
-Isn't that right? -[in English] Hey there. [chuckles]
-Ah! Sorry about that! [chuckles] -It's been a while.
Aw, I'm so happy you came!
So am I. What were you lip-synching for?
Were you practicing? Kyon Kyon, huh?
-[Ai] Yeah. -You remembered it perfectly.
I memorized it because it was on every day.
Wow, you memorized it like a pro.
Oh! You should do it as a bit. It'd be funny if you did other people too.
Who, me?
It'd be funny. I'd laugh. [chuckles]
Oh! You're gonna be an idol, so you don't need to be funny or anything.
Sorry if I said something unnecessary. I forgot.
Hmm. What should I have?
Now then. Shall we get started today?
[Wada laughs]
What is it?
This time would be better used for surgeries.
You just want to make me the bad guy, don't you?
Without even proper investigation,
you're trying to make the cause of death an overdose of anesthesia
because it's the most obvious.
I'm really shocked.
Do you actually think of us that way?
You know what?
I've finally realized something.
Go on.
It's not doctors who save patients.
It's the opposite.
Doctors are being kept alive by the power of the patients' desire to live.
Right.
As a way to say thanks,
we take our jobs seriously and try to reduce patients' suffering,
even if only a little.
Simply curing illnesses and injuries isn't what saves them from suffering.
It's something far more important than that.
Doctors face each and every patient
and do our best to support them in every way!
That's the sole reason doctors exist as a profession!
[breathing heavily]
Doctors and medical care… have always existed
since the birth of humanity.
Long before countries and laws came to be created.
And that is exactly why we will always be the winners in the end.
[distant siren wailing]
[gentle music playing]
It's impossible.
I can't become an idol.
But I really wanted it.
-[door opens] -[door bells jangle]
Doctor.
[gentle music continues]
[Wada] I had some business in Tokyo.
[Ai] Are you all right?
The clinic had an accident.
[Wada] Hmm.
How about you?
Are you doing okay?
[Ai chuckles] Of course I am. Everything's amazing.
That's great.
You made the right decision.
You're shining in Tokyo, too, then.
I'm not shining at all.
I think my light may have burned out.
[chuckles softly]
I've been struggling…
since I came to Tokyo.
What am I doing with my life?
You know, Ai…
you're the one who led me on my path.
The orchiectomy.
The sex change surgery.
I'm on my path because you shined your light on it.
Although…
your path has only led you here.
You know, I…
I caused the death…
of a precious patient
who put their trust in me.
Were we doing the right thing? Or the wrong thing?
The right thing Doctor! Absolutely!
None of it was wrong.
Neither of us made any mistakes!
You have to keep going, Doctor.
I can still do more.
I'm gonna do more and more and more until I die!
[sobs]
We can shine.
[crying]
[Wada] I'm leaving.
I'm sorry for getting sentimental.
I've decided to resume the surgeries tomorrow.
That's why I wanted to see you.
Bye.
[door bells jangle]
[door closes]
[pensive music playing]
[monitor beeping]
[Wada] It's over there.
[woman] Here.
-[Wada] Clip it. -[woman] Okay.
[Kyon Kyon on TV] I still have a long way to go.
[Ai whispering along] So if you look from the side like this,
you can see how they built things up one by one.
Like this.
And, you know, all those people are standing tall,
And they are so amazing, and well,
what I'm doing is just placing some things somewhere out on the ground.
It's so low, you can't see the shape of it.
And you might start to wonder what I'm doing. But…
[pensive music continues]
[sighs]
"NEWHALF" FOUND DECEASED
IN A BOTCHED UNDERGROUND SEX CHANGE SURGERY
[closes publication]
[sniffs]
[music fades]
-[man 1] Let's do it. -[man 2] Let's go home.
You're just stressed because you're left-handed.
[man 1] "Because you're left-handed?"
[man 2] My right elbow is stressing you out?
[muffled conversation]
-[man 1] Who's gonna die? Not me. -[man 2]Scary.
-[man 3] Yeah, you. -[man 2 laughs]
-[Ai yelps] Ah! -I'm not scared of whatever you're--
-[men chattering] -Hi, may I help you?
Hey, who is this? What? You're on your way here?
-[man 1] What? What? -[Ai] I'm so excited!
Yes! I can't wait till you get here! [laughing]
-[man 1] What are you excited about? -[man 2] Who's coming?
Listen up.
Get presentable, everyone.
A famous idol is coming here!
-[man 1] Huh? -[man 2, man 3] What?
I'm sure she'll be arriving any minute now.
-[man 2 laughs] I don't think so. Whoa. -[man 3] Who is she?
-I wasn't told. Were you? -[laughs] You're excited.
-Idol… -What?
-[large audience cheering over PA] -[men chattering]
[upbeat pop music playing over PA]
[lip-synching to Japanese lyrics] ♪ I can't decide! Sexy? Cute? ♪
♪ Which do you prefer? ♪
♪ I can't decide! ♪
[men chattering]
♪ Because I am A purehearted fair maiden ♪
♪ Because I love you… ♪
[audience on TV chanting in English] Hey! Hey! Hey! Hey!
Yeah! [uproarious cheering]
[lip-synching to woman speaking Japanese] Hello, Tokyo.
It is I. Aya Matsuura!
-[in English] She's Ayaya! -I got it, I got it.
The idol, yeah.
[in Japanese] This morning…
[man chuckles]
I think…
I woke up at 9:00.
So I went to wash up.
I have my toothpaste,
and next to the toothpaste
is my face cleanser.
I grabbed the tube
and started washing my face.
[men laugh]
And I thought to myself…
-Yo, this cleanser feels different. -[laughing]
-[in English] Her face! -Her face is funny.
And that's when it dawned on me.
Oopsie! Wrong one.
"Yeah! It's a holiday!"
♪ Yeah! It's a holiday! ♪
♪ That's my joyful wish this summer ♪
♪ Yeah! Jump into summertime ♪
♪ I wanna fall in love… ♪
Yeah!
[bar patrons cheering, whooping]
Ai! Ai!
[in English] Come here!
Why are you doing this if you want to be an idol?
-I've been thinking. -Yeah?
I should only do what I can do, right?
[slurring] That's cool, I love it.
It wasn't only cool, it was amazing! Oh! Can I pitch you to my boss for a show?
I think you're gonna be a sensation!
-Oh my God! -[man in glasses] I'm not lying!
-I'm for real! -[laughing]
[upbeat pop music playing]
[lip-synching to Japanese lyrics] ♪ I can't decide! Sexy? Cute? ♪
-[laughter] -♪ Which do you prefer? ♪
♪ I can't decide! I wanna catch your eye ♪
♪ Because I am A purehearted fair maiden ♪
♪ Because I love you… ♪
[audience clapping along]
[laughter]
-[laughs] -[in English] She's the next big thing.
Yes, definitely. The next big thing.
[audience cheering, applauding]
-[in Japanese] "Yeah! It's a holiday!" -[performers laughing]
♪ Yeah! It's a holiday! ♪
-♪ That's my joyful wish this summer… ♪ -[laughing]
-♪ Yeah! Jump into summertime… ♪ -[brother laughing]
-♪ I wanna fall in love… ♪ -[Ai's brother in English] She's a hit.
-[both laughing] -[TV audience laughing]
-She's hilarious. Never would've thought. -[man on TV] Welcome!
Nice to meet you. Please welcome our special guest today, Haruna Ai!
Good evening. I'm Haruna Ai.
-It's so nice to meet you all! -[man chuckles] Nice to meet you!
-Wow. You are so cute. -[poignant music playing]
-Really? -I would date you in a second.
She was actually born a boy.
[man] Oh, you're an okama. Never mind then.
Oh, you said that! [laughing]
[chuckling]
-[man on TV] You really can't tell. -She's great.
If you didn't know, you'd think she was born a woman.
[Ai] Yeah, I might just follow a guy like you home.
-[man 2] Well, well, well. -[man 1] No, I changed my mind.
[Ai] There you go again! You just said you liked me. He's just shy.
-[laughter] -[man 1] There must a be a lot going on…
-[poignant music continues] -[Wada writing]
[music builds]
[sighs]
TO TENMA WEST POLICE
OFFICIAL OPINION WADA PLASTIC SURGERY CLINIC
REGARDING THE CAUSE OF DEATH, IT IS MY OFFICIAL OPINION THAT…
[sighs deeply]
I DID WHAT I COULD.
IF I AM TO BE TRIED FOR NOT BEING ABLE TO SAVE A LIFE…
-[poignant music continues] -[TV mute]
[music fades]
-[keys jangle] -[sniffs]
[distant chattering]
[faint hum of traffic]
-[taps papers on desk] -[sighs]
There we go.
Another mess.
Morning.
Time to wake up.
[equipment humming]
Doctor?
-Wow, wow, wow! -[Ai laughing]
You know, Ai, you were amazing tonight.
Another huge laugh after last week.
-It's exciting. -[laughs]
Everyone is loving your act, Ai.
Not just the audience.
I think that you've won the production's hearts as well!
-[man] Yes! -All thanks to you, Ms. Fuji, and you.
[Fuji] You're the best, Ai. Can't wait to see what else you bring.
-I'm looking forward to it. -So am I.
-Great work. See you next week! -Thanks so much!
-See you next week! -Have a good night.
-[man] Thank you! -Thanks so much!
[phone ringing]
[phone beeps]
Ai speaking.
Hello. This is Kiyomiya from Wada Clinic.
Hi! It's been a while.
[somber music playing]
DR. KOJI WADA HAS PASSED AWAY.
THE CLINIC IS CLOSED.
DR. WADA
[buzz of traffic]
-[pedestrians chattering] -[bicycle bell rings]
[music fades]
My girls and I,
we're all in shock too.
Things must have been exhausting after that incident.
Poor guy.
He didn't even have a lawyer to defend him.
He wanted to tell the truth himself.
In the end… [sighs]
…charges were filed for what they said was improper use of anesthesia.
It's unfortunate.
There were still a lot of patients waiting for him.
So he was doing these surgeries without even sleeping.
He was so tired.
But he couldn't sleep a wink.
He started using anesthesia to fall asleep.
[laughs]
I guess he got the dosage wrong.
He made a lot of women cry.
What a bad man.
Aki.
Dr. Wada visited my bar after the accident.
I told him that we weren't a mistake.
I told him that we could shine even brighter.
I really wanted to show the doctor…
how much brighter I could shine.
-But he already saw you shine-- -Not how I wanted!
This isn't all I have. [sniffs]
[sniffs]
I don't want to stop halfway.
I want to go all the way.
I'm gonna put my all into shining brighter.
Do you think Wada will know?
Absolutely, he will.
I bet his eyes'll be wide open watching from the other side.
He's gonna get dry eyes. All 'cause of Ai.
[poignant music playing]
[man over PA] What a wonderful evening it's been.
So many smiles, so much passion,
and incredible stories from around the world.
Each one reminds us true beauty shines in so many ways.
-[Jennifer] No. -[man] And we celebrate them all.
-Next, representing Japan. -We made it.
[man] She lights up every heart with her warmth and joyful spirit.
Please welcome Haruna Ai!
-[upbeat pop music playing] -[audience cheering]
[in Japanese] ♪ I got a new hairdo ♪
♪ You say I look so different ♪
♪ You're looking pretty bashful ♪
♪ As you're walking past me ♪
-♪ I wish you had told me ♪ -♪ Ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh-ooh ♪
♪ You think I look pretty ♪
♪ You're always hesitating ♪
♪ It's like you're behind a veil… ♪
Ai!
[in English] ♪ Fresh, fresh, fresh! ♪
[in Japanese] ♪ Open up that door To summer ♪
♪ And whisk me away somewhere ♪
[in English] ♪ Fresh, fresh, fresh! ♪
[in Japanese] ♪ Summer's gonna Open the door ♪
♪ And take us just the way we are… ♪
[uproarious cheering]
[song subsides]
[solemn music playing]
[sobs]
[exhales]
[music intensifies]
[cheering continues]
KOJI WADA 1953-2007
[inhales]
Doctor,
are you impressed?
I'm the best in the world.
But you're beyond this world.
You'll always be more amazing than me, though.
You've performed over 600 surgeries.
That's the most impressive thing ever.
It all started with me, huh?
My operations.
I was your first patient for both.
Guess what?
I'll always hold that in my heart.
Will you watch me shine?
I'm gonna sing
and I'm gonna dance.
Watch me, okay?
This performance is for you.
You let me shine.
Thank you, Doctor.
You're the reason that I…
If I hadn't met you…
[sniffles]
[crying]
Thank you.
[upbeat pop music playing]
[in Japanese] ♪ Goodbye, sweet pain ♪
♪ Those nights spent With my chin in my hands ♪
♪ Ended yesterday ♪
♪ I want to make sure ♪
♪ That we met meant something ♪
♪ So I open my eyes in the darkness ♪
♪ Footsteps race Along the emergency stairs ♪
♪ I want them to echo ♪
♪ In a world that's fast asleep ♪
♪ A motorbike abandoned in a vacant lot ♪
♪ Graffiti on the wall ♪
♪ I look up to it all… ♪
[women] Ai!
♪ True grief ♪
♪ Can only be healed from within ♪
♪ I'm beginning To understand my revolution ♪
♪ I'm gonna shake things up for tomorrow ♪
♪ I want someone to understand ♪
[in English] ♪ My tears, my dreams ♪
[in Japanese] ♪ Right away ♪
♪ If you're gonna chase your dreams ♪
♪ You can't just go bursting into tears ♪
♪ This is what you taught me ♪
[in English] ♪ My fears, my dreams ♪
[in Japanese] ♪ I set them free ♪
♪ Feel my heartache ♪
♪ I'm surrounded by smiles ♪
♪ But the lonely nights are hard ♪
♪ I want to share it ♪
♪ The words scribbled In the margins of my textbook ♪
♪ Are coming to life… ♪
DR. KOJI WADA OFFERED
AFFORDABLE GENDER-AFFIRMING CARE WITH GREAT DEDICATION
TO MANY PEOPLE EXPERIENCING GENDER DYSPHORIA.
HE PERFORMED OVER 600 OPERATIONS THROUGHOUT HIS LIFETIME.
♪ There is a strength to being alone ♪
♪ And I don't want to lose it In the throngs of this city ♪
♪ I'd like to keep seeking my revolution ♪
♪ I'm gonna make tomorrow different ♪
♪ I want someone to understand ♪
[in English] ♪ My tears, my dreams
[in Japanese] ♪ Right away ♪
♪ This is how I live my life ♪
♪ Nobody can tell me how to live it ♪
♪ I want to watch it with you ♪
[in English] ♪ My fears, my dreams ♪
[in Japanese] ♪ I want To hold them tight ♪
♪ I'm beginning To understand my revolution ♪
♪ I'm gonna shake things up for tomorrow ♪
♪ I want someone to understand ♪
[in English] ♪ My tears, my dreams ♪
[in Japanese] ♪ Right away ♪
♪ If you're gonna chase your dreams ♪
♪ You can't just go bursting into tears ♪
♪ This is what you taught me ♪
[in English] ♪ My fears, my dreams ♪
[in Japanese] ♪ I set them free ♪
[music fades]
[gentle music playing]
Subtitle Translation by: Rychelle Brittain