Asuka Kuraku.
Founder of the sole member, Asuka Group.
ASUKA KURAKU
Miko Domoto.
Nishi-ku's Stray Sukeban.
MIKO DOMOTO
Harumi Kozuki.
Private Taizan Academy, Student Body President.
HARUMI KOZUKI
This is a story of love and friendship among girls
who challenge the evil Zenchura organization,
to battle for control
of middle schools across Japan.
Asuka Group, present!
THE GLORIOUS ASUKA GROUP!
WEEKLY BULLETIN EDITORIAL DEPARTMENT
Yeah, I got it.
Just hurry, okay?
This is the Weekly Bulletin...
Hey, Kaji, what are you poking your nose into this time?
Editor-in-Chief, take a look.
Have you ever heard of Zenchura?
Nope.
It's a national middle school undercover federation.
A major organization that hasn't been fully publicized yet.
These articles don't seem to be related in any way,
but I feel they all hold a connection.
You mean, to that organization thing?
Well, I'm not certain of it yet.
I've got something interesting to show you.
Each of their leaders has been assigned a territory.
I initially saw it as a world of kids,
but it's got an underlying layer of the adult world.
These are the territories that the leaders are in charge of.
And what's this?
Seems like these districts are giving Zenchura a hard time,
but I can't quite get what's happening.
Well, they're an entity going against a national organization,
so we'll surely catch wind of something.
Getting the scoop on a conflict like this'd be quite something!
Keep your eyes peeled.
Hey, old timer!
What are you doing, old man?
Aren't you gonna help her?
That'd interfere with my job.
Hey, hey...
Say something!
Who're you!?
Who the hell...!?
STORY OF THE AGES ASUKA'S SECRET
Hey, miss! You got a minute?
WEEKLY BULLETIN OSAMU KAJITANI
So those girls from earlier,
I believe they're part of "Zenchura," am I right?
Well, am I?
And what about it?
So you're fine with targeting them like that?
Sure am.
-But what if they retaliate? -I'll return the favor.
-All by your lonesome? -Yup.
I get it now...
Get what?
Perhaps you're part of that other organization.
What "other organization"?
The one fighting against this Zenchura.
Nailed it, right?
That doesn't exist.
If that is true, your actions earlier don't add up.
The thing is, according to my research,
Zenchura's a national undercover federation,
-and one group's competing... -Listen, old timer!
You'll get burned if you enter a kid's world.
So treat carefully.
Thanks for the meal.
TAIZAN ACADEMY
-Yo! -Yo!
A reporter's trying to get a story on Zenchura.
He's been in contact with several Sukebans.
ZENCHURA'S EXISTENCE MUST REMAIN TOP-SECRET
I'm on it.
Miko Domoto. Nishi-ku's Stray Sukeban.
Harumi Kozuki.
Private Taizan Academy's, Student Body President.
Lastly, Asuka Kuraku.
What!? Say that again!
She's Yoichiro Shinomiya's granddaughter!?
The one linked to the influential group in business and politics?
Got it. I'll get back to you.
Yo.
-Old timer! -Hey.
Asuka Group, Stray Sukeban, Miko Domoto.
What's going on in your world of kids?
-What is it to you? -I want to go public with it.
For the money?
To help the adults understand the challenges you're all facing.
I've been digging into this Zenchura organization.
I was surprised to discover its substantial influence.
I was also surprised to find a group out there
actively opposing it.
This Asuka Group that you're in must have a considerable size.
How many members are part of it?
-Just one. -One?
Does that mean there's a larger organization helping it?
Isn't that your job to find out, old timer?
Say, can you set up a meeting with Asuka Kuraku?
I'm all done here! If you'll excuse me.
You little raccoon dog.
Asuka Kuraku, age 15.
In her second year at the private Taizan Academy.
Did excellent in elementary,
and has been a student council officer for five terms.
She used to be an energetic, and bright girl.
Until after she entered middle school,
where the bullying began.
The reason appears to be
her attempt to defy Zenchura's rule.
This resulted in a suicide attempt,
admission to the neurology ward,
repeated vomiting, and seizures.
She was discharged three months later.
Following that,
she cut her hair short,
and, presumably, launched the Asuka Group.
You all belong to the Asuka Group?
Or perhaps you girls ride with Zenchura?
What are you digging for?
I'm after intel about Zenchura and the Asuka Group.
There's no such thing!
I believe a month back,
Shinjuku 2-chome, known as "Nakai-ku" by you guys.
There was a skirmish in a park there--
Hey, that's mine!
No, don't do that!
Neither Zenchura nor the Asuka Group exist!
If you keep poking around, you'll end up like your notebook.
Are we clear?
Hold it one second!
Please hear me out!
You stated not to mention Zenchura, correct?
Yes, ma'am.
If he reveals what the Asuka Group is all about
and publicizes them as a delinquent group of misfits,
the public will take notice and they'll be crushed.
Can he be trusted?
I made it very clear what'd happen to him
if he wrote about Zenchura or betrayed our trust.
The more I dig into Zenchura's horrors,
the bigger the Asuka Group seems to me.
But they're skilled at staying hidden.
Weekly Bulletin, Editorial Dept.
Kaji, it's for you.
Got it.
-Yes, it's me. -Do we have your word?
Yeah, you got my word.
In that case, keep your eyes on Miko Domoto for now.
Miko?
She'll lead you to that Asuka Group, full of misfits.
However, if Zenchura is even subtly hinted in your article...
I know.
HANAZONO MIDDLE SCHOOL
I told her to be here at two.
What are you trying to do by calling Asuka!?
-We'll sell her off. -Sell her off?
Sell her off where? To a foreign country?
To the public. As a group of misfits.
The public?
Right, so that's how it is, huh?
That reporter set this up, didn't he?
Hey, you two-bit reporter! I know you're nearby!
You'd do anything for a story, wouldn't you!?
Show yourself, newshound!
Aren't you ashamed to do this!?
Shut it!
Aren't you ashamed to prey on kids!?
Shut up! You bitch!
Hold it!
-Who're you? -Be quiet and watch.
You want a story on Asuka, don't you?
She'll be here, guaranteed.
Take a look! This is what Zenchura is all about!
I said, shut the hell up!
I never asked you to do that to her.
You invaded our world first...
So don't tell us how to run things!
It's almost four o'clock.
Are you sure the Asuka Group will be here?
At this rate, you guys'll be the ones
who failed to keep your word.
What's going on with Asuka? You sure you called her?
Yes, I told her to come at two.
You and Asuka are not at odds, right?
You dunce.
Our bond is far deeper than you can imagine!
Minister Kasuga!
The Asuka Group!
Where's Asuka!?
Minister Kasuga!
Ludicrous.
Asuka Group, present!
-You okay, Miko? -Yeah.
The Asuka Group is supposed to be just one person!
M-Minister Kasuga!
We better call it a day...
Come on out, worthless pressman!
You guys are all from the Asuka Group?
But how come?
How come I couldn't find this sole member Asuka Group?
That Asuka Group isn't a thing.
Don't you get it? Some reporter you are.
You can't write a good story like that.
The Asuka Group lies inside the core of all of us.
Inside the core?
If your eyes haven't rotted yet,
muster the courage to take a gander straight ahead!
We all dare to fight, even if we're by ourselves.
That's how we're all part of the sole member Asuka Group.
Do you get it now, old timer?
The Asuka Group isn't as fragile as Zenchura.
The Asuka Group lies within here.
THE ASUKA GROUP EXISTS IN THE CORE OF THOSE...
WHO HAVE THE COURAGE TO STAND ON THEIR OWN
Maybe you still have...
some of that inside you.
Wait!
Just tell me one thing.
What made you change?
I just stopped trying so hard.
Do I have some of the Asuka Group inside me, too?
You think you can get us a story for next week?
I couldn't find anything of note.
What?
That was the best article I ever wrote...
I wonder if that reporter will write an article about us.
Good question.
If he has some of the Asuka Group on the inside, I doubt he will.
I wonder what Asuka's face looks like on the inside?
Fool, there's no face!
I bet it's like this!
That's not even close!
TO BE CONTINUED
I want to keep our hearts together
STARRING
MEGUMI ODAKA: ASUKA
For the imprints of time, I wish to divide between us
NATSUKI OZAWA: MIKO
HIKARI ISHIDA: HARUMI
TAKURO TATSUMI
As twilight falls, with you, I paused and stared
EMI NAGAOKA KOJI YAMANAKA
The sky, slightly overcast, seems melancholic
RISA HONDA RYO NAKANISHI: NARRATOR
Let's gather our solitude, and let it drift in the wind
SHIORI SAKURA: HIBARI
The words seem to somehow stumble and falter
CREATED BY SATOSUMI TAKAGUCHI
To you, from me, let me say just this
WRITTEN BY KAZUHIKO GODO
To you, from me, for you whom I love
MUSIC BY TOSHIAKI TSUSHIMA
I want to shoulder all worries, believe in me
"KANASHI GEDA NE" SONG BY ASUKA-GUMI
I want to intertwine our hearts
So that even the sting of pain may find solace
I want to intertwine our hearts
I want to live the same youth
DIRECTED BY HIDEO TANAKA
PRODUCED BY TOEI COMPANY IN COLLABORATION WITH FUJI TELEVISION
NEXT TIME
Japan's best strategist, Himeko.
Asuka, it's a trap!
You'll get caught!
I can read Asuka like a book.
Asuka!
THIS STORY IS FICTION Subtitles by: @GEO9875_SUBS
I'll show you how to fight!