Here.
Kamiya-san! Why are you...
I was worried about you guys, so I came back.
Let's work together as a team again.
What?! Are you serious?!
I'm glad... I'm so glad.
UNLOCK SCREEN
Damn it.
I couldn't even stay asleep for half an hour.
It's been a month since Kamiya-san resigned, huh?
(LEFT TO RIGHT: KOU YATANI, YUSUKE KAMIYA, HARUKI TOTSUKA)
"Three of today's hottest young creators have gone independent."
"Yusuke Kamiya, age 34."
"The company name, 'Untrace,'"
signifies an untraceable originality that cannot be copied, and...
Oho, I see you guys are workin' it.
Some food for ya.
EPISODE 8: DON'T YOU DARE TAKE THIS JOB LIGHTLY
Company R needs a logo for its new business.
Check their brief for further details.
Have a rough draft by Monday.
Company B is asking for station posters. See the brief for details.
PRODUCTION HQ, CREATIVE DEPT., 3RD DIVISION, TEAM YANAGI: CD HAJIME YANAGI
Have that done by Monday too.
Oh, here's a good one.
Company Q's commercial competition.
This one's also due Monday.
Yanagi-san, there's just not enough time.
You know, when I was about your age,
I never turned down a job, even if it killed me.
My, aren't ya living the good life?
Just sittin' in the nest waiting for food to come,
and now you have the audacity to be picky about it?
But it's fine. It doesn't necessarily have to be you.
Kamiya certainly didn't have what it takes to mentor someone.
Quitting was a good call for him.
Oh? You've got some balls to be looking at me like that
when you're empty-handed.
Empty-handed?
You've got no title, no achievements to your name,
no connections... Nothing at all.
You're empty-handed, aren't ya?
Um, Yanagi-san...
Oh?
PRODUCTION HQ, CREATIVE DEPT., 3RD DIVISION, TEAM YANAGI: DESIGNER YUSAKU YAMASHITA
Ya done, Yamashita? Show me.
Horrible.
Zero out of a hundred. You takin' this lightly?
This photo is lifeless.
U-Um, this is more like a rough draft, so I figured—
There's no such thing as a rough draft when the client is going to see it!
You were off the mark starting with your photo selection.
Do it over using this one.
What? Yamashita-san stayed up all night working on that,
and now he's gotta redo it from scratch?!
That's going too far.
This wording is disgusting too.
Do it over.
All right. I'll take another look in the morning.
Yamashita-san, what gives?
Why didn't you say anything back?
Shut it.
Yamashita-san used to work at the same subcontractor as Yanagi-san.
That's how Yanagi-san ended up pulling him to join our company.
So he feels indebted to him?
It's not as heartwarming as all that.
What?
Yamashita-san used to be Yanagi-san's boss.
PRODUCTION HQ, CREATIVE DEPT., 3RD DIVISION, TEAM YANAGI: DESIGNER REO KOIZUMI
President, it's impossible.
The only designer we have is Yanagi at the moment.
We couldn't possibly take on a new project.
Well, you're right... We'll have to decline this time.
I'll do it.
Are you serious?
You don't have to if it's too much, you know?
You never know which job will offer you an opportunity.
I'll devour each and every single one of them.
The reason you're my boss isn't because you're good at design...
It's because you're an art school graduate,
while I went to vocational school.
You spoiled bastard!
Hello, this is Kikumoto Design.
Oh, it's you, Yamashita.
What? Your mother?!
I-I see. All right.
This isn't good...
The project deadline is just around the corner too.
I'll do it.
Huh? That's going to be double the work for you.
You're already handling enough to begin with. It's impossible.
There's no way you can...
A FEW DAYS LATER
President, I apologize for all the trouble I've caused.
No, it's all right.
It must have been hard for you.
Who did you call on for assistance?
Oh, no one... We didn't need any.
What do you mean?
Also, Yanagi, that's my seat.
Hey, I'm telling you to move it.
No.
What? I said move!
Don't want to.
Why, you...
What the heck's gotten into you?! Huh?!
Y-Yamashita!
Sorry.
From here on, I'm going to have you act as Yanagi's support.
What? Why?
I saw an open seat, so I took it. That's all.
If it were me, I never would've gotten up in the first place.
You're too naive.
Just because your mother died...
You bastard! Are you even human?!
Huh? I'm no human.
I'm a designer.
It's five, huh?
Yamashita-san hasn't gotten a wink of sleep today either.
GRANT DIVINE BEAUTY
The stuff Yanagi-san made him fix...
It's way better than before.
Why? Why's a guy like him have to be right?!
Good morning!
Mornin'.
Hey, Micchan! I heard you won the radio commercial grand prize.
What? Way to go!
Thank you very much!
Take us out with that prize money!
What? Shouldn't you be treating me?
Good morning!
Koichi-san, I won an award.
I-I heard... Congrats.
Advertising awards are a joke, don't you think?
What?
I mean, what's so fun about patting each other on the back
within your own circle, y'know?
Not sure about that...
My salary doesn't go up,
there's nothing to brag about at class reunions,
and even if I tell my parents, they just don't get it.
Yet in spite of it all, I need awards...
In order to beat Senpai.
Excuse me.
Asakura! How are ya?
Director... Please let me transfer.
I can no longer work under Creative Director Yanagi.
He lacks empathy for the production companies.
And his subordinates.
That man doesn't understand other people's feelings.
"Sit on a rock for three years, and eventually, it'll warm up."
That's a wise saying, you know.
I'm already 28.
You told me you'd consider it if I delivered results.
I even won an award.
Albeit an honorable mention.
I want to see results in your work.
But that's all credited to Yanagi-san...
Hey, what about that thing you mentioned?
Hey. It's been a while since you made it to a class reunion.
Oh, that? It was good.
Felt like having a drink for a change?
Wasn't it tough?
Yuuko...
Are you sure? You sure you're not lying?
It's tough when you can't even respect your own boss, don't you think?
You mean Yanagi-san?
Oh, snap! This guy's put on weight.
Cut it out, man!
That's enough, you guys.
Hey! What are you guys, kids?
Okay, sorry.
We messed up, so how about we drink on it?
Come on. Get it together.
You guys are the reason agencies get a rep for being sleazy.
Please don't fight over me!
Who even are you?
It's me, man!
Koichi?
When we're in different departments, it's hard to tell sometimes, but...
We're all doing our best.
Must be nice in sales, having target numbers to hit.
In creative work, you have to stand out to get ahead.
Those numbers are a pressure of their own, y'know?
Isn't there more to this? Something to dream about?
Hmm, something like being able to keep working with everyone?
That's not...
Koichi.
"We're all salarymen. But we're salarymen with dreams," right?
You remember? You're the one who said that to me, Koichi.
The creatives, the sales reps, everyone...
I sure did, didn't I?
All right. The handoff is complete.
I appreciate all of your hard work.
HAWAII
Thank you very much!
You guys finally get to go home for a change.
Oh, Asakura-san, all that's left is the dummy sample.
I can take care of it.
That'd be great!
Then for now, I'm gonna get some rest.
I'm so glad it's over!
To tell you the truth, I'm gonna be a dad sometime tonight.
What? Congratulations, Ohtake-san!
This project ran over, so here we are, staring it down!
I just really want to be there for the birth.
So, boss, I'll be taking the day off tomorrow.
Yeah, go on and have your day off.
ASAI FROM SALES
Thank you so much!
I'll gladly take that paid leave!
Hello? I just got the handoff, so...
Yeah, go and fully enjoy the moment.
What?
No, that's a lot more than just a tweak.
Even if it's what the client wants, it's a bit late.
Anyway, I'm heading back, so...
My bad. I have a dinner engagement tonight.
But it's doable if you pull an all-nighter, right?
Then you gotta make sure you earn that money.
Yes, you're absolutely right.
Why, you... Would you really have the nerve to say the same thing
You gotta do your best then, daddy!
if you were standing right here?!
Daddy's gonna work hard!
Please, man.
Yanagi-san is out on other business too, and...
All right. I'll figure it out.
Oh, countin' on it!
Even if we don't push this,
as long as they sign off on the presentation, then...
Yes, yes. I see what you mean.
I really liked this myself,
so let's keep things as they are.
All right!
In that case, I'll head back to the office and...
Now to report the delivery...
Asakura!
Why didn't you fix it?!
Th-That's because...
I just got a call from the client!
It's gotta be fixed!
What? But the rep from the company said...
Like he has any say in it!
And that goes both ways!
What are you? Errand boys playing house over something the boss doesn't even like?!
And now you're ignoring the sales rep who went as far as getting the brass's input?
Why do you think there's an agency
between clients and production companies in the first place?!
If we just get in the way, they'll shut us down!
Listen, Asakura, this industry is no doubt a busy one.
Why do you think that is?
It's because a number of incompetent fools have managed to slip in.
Anyone who screws up making a decision is a moron.
Anyone who can't make decisions is unmanageable.
If it had just gone through...
What did you say?
If it had just gone through, everything would've been fine.
Don't take this lightly!
Did you think you could fool the client?!
Did you think the production team would object?!
Don't underestimate the client!
Don't underestimate the creatives!
Don't you dare take this job lightly!
Push the fix.
I'm heading over there right now.
Huh? The designer is on leave?
Why the heck is he on leave? Is he an idiot?
How can we manage without Ohtake there? Call him back in.
I just really want to be there for the birth.
U-Um... I'll do it.
All of it. I'll...
I have the design files, so...
Wait, the files...
Uh-oh, we can't have that.
You dropped your precious trophy.
Looks like it didn't get scratched.
You gotta be careful.
Is here good?
If it's right here, you can see it, can't you?
Baby's first big and important trophy.
Don't decorate with this kind of crap!
Don't cling to your past work!
Create as if you're gonna die tomorrow!
Why can't you do something so simple?!
Leave something behind and die!
An interview? For what?
Your upcoming starring role is as an art student, isn't it?
So I thought it would be nice if you did an interview
with a classmate from your art school days.
Sacchan, I didn't go to art school.
I went to Tokyo University of the Arts!
It's the same thing.
Here. Candidates sent by the magazine company willing to publish the interview.
You interested in anyone?
She's not here... Eren's not on here.
Who was that again?
I gathered successful graduates who are about your age, but...
Then there's no way Eren isn't on this list!
For sure!
I want Eren!
No one else but Eren!
Eren! Eren! Eren!
Eren! Eren! Eren! Eren! Eren! Eren! Eren!
A-All right! I hear you! I'll have someone look into it.
Brr, chilly... It's been two years, huh?
Kamiya-san!
Yo, Micchan!
Thank goodness you happened to be in Japan.
When did you get back from Shanghai?
Just yesterday.
It's amazing how they put you in charge of the Shanghai office
right after going independent!
The president told me not to come home until I'd won the top award at ADFEST.
It's really something for you to just nonchalantly do it.
You've won other awards like the One Show and Cannes, haven't you?
You know more than I do.
I follow the news on the internet.
'Cause...
You haven't reached out at all since you quit, Kamiya-san.
I thought you'd forgotten about us.
Micchan?
Just kiddin'.
Here! Today's ticket!
Let's hurry. It's about to start.
YOUNG ART DIRECTOR SYMPOSIUM 2010 DAISUKE AKIMOTO, KOICHI ASAKURA, TAKU ITOU, YUUKO OHTA, HARU TAMURA, YUUKI YABE
To think you'd be on the stage at such a prestigious talk...
You've really gone up in the world, Koichi.
I knew it wasn't just me.
I see you didn't stay in touch with Koichi-san either.
That's seriously kinda cold of you.
Now, it's finally that time of year again.
Welcome to the Young Art Director Symposium.
This event spotlights young talent under the age of 30
with the goal of finding the stars of the next generation!
We've asked each advertising agency to send a representative.
Micchan, has something happened to Koichi?
Koichi-san got put through the wringer on Yanagi-san's team.
At first, he was so battered I couldn't bear to watch.
But I told him if he won an award, things might improve.
Thankfully, he got his motivation back.
No matter how busy things got, we agreed to get together once a week
and crank out an award piece together.
And we actually did manage to bag an award together.
It was just a small honorable mention, but still.
Except right around that time...
No, I'm telling you. We can't copy any more than we already have.
But for real, no one can read text that small!
I just don't want to hear we got the award because we copied this,
like they did the last time.
Huh?! That's what's been bothering you?!
Of course it bothers me!
Kamiya-san got all the credit for that Giga Spicy Chips commercial way back too!
People talk like I wasn't even involved in it!
Remember what Kamiya-san used to say?
The team is more important than the individual.
But he's not here.
He preached whatever he wanted...
And then he up and left us.
Koichi-san, you haven't slept in days, have you?
You should go home and rest for today.
Huh? There's no time for that.
From then on, Koichi-san started doing things on his own.
He'd work quietly and all alone like a man possessed.
He won an award by himself too.
His ratings went up as well.
But Koichi-san...
Right now, everyone in the office says he's just like Yanagi.
They call him "Yanagi Junior."
YOUNG ART DIRECTOR SYMPOSIUM 2010
Now, our first topic of discussion...
Q. WHAT IS IMPORTANT IN THE CREATIVE PROCESS?
"What is important in the creative process?"
For me, I gather ideas from different people.
Both within the creative department
and also from the likes of sales and marketing.
How about you, Asakura-san?
I'm the complete opposite.
Good ideas do not come from meetings.
The fewer people involved with an idea, the better.
And that's to say nothing of opinions from non-creatives.
What's important when creating is to eliminate the noise.
Independent creation is the most constructive approach.
Koichi-san!
Hey, Koichi-san!
That can't just be it!
You have something to say, don't you?! Say it!
All of it! To Kamiya-san!
Kamiya-san, you once said
there's a life to be had as one who shines the light.
That the era of teams rather than stars was on the rise.
But I refuse to be the one shining the light.
Right now, everything is going so well
because I distanced myself from both of you.
Don't try to get in my way now.
What was that for?
You're the one who told me, right, Micchan?
What?
To win an award and take down Senpai.
That's right.
That's why I was saying we should work hard and beat Yanagi-san.
I want to beat Kamiya-san.
We're no longer boss and underling.
This is man-to-man.
Let's do this.
Go ahead and try me!
Oh, you idiots!
Hello, this is Asakura. Thanks for your continued support.
How is the illustration coming along?
When will that be?
May I come by your studio now?
I can wait until it's done.
Yes, I'll see you then.
Hey, Asakura.
Don't go acting like you're monitoring the subcontractor's every move.
You're breaking the rules.
They'll sue you for abuse of power.
If things were going well, I wouldn't.
Besides, I'm just honoring how Creative Director Yanagi does things.
If you have a problem with that, why don't you take it up with him?
Ugh, so annoying.
Stop trying to act like my senpai, fuzz face.
Who the heck do you think you're even talking to?
I'm the one getting results here.
We're reassigning the project with the illustrator from Asakura to Yamashita.
What?
The illustrator is freaking out.
Says you're hard to work with, Asakura.
And we can't switch illustrators.
So we've got no choice but to switch you instead.
B-But I spent half a year getting that project, and—
It's not your project. It's the company's project.
Say, Asakura... Want me to tell you why you're stuck in a rut?
You're panicking like an idiot, and your goal is completely offtrack.
You'll never be a star.
You'll never be Kamiya.
I'll even tell you why you can't be like Kamiya.
Don't say it.
A highly conceptual approach...
Things like an author's artistic word choices...
Don't say it.
An aesthetic sensibility that defies all norms...
Don't say it.
In other words, any sort of...
Don't say it!
Talent is what you lack.
Further down this road, I thought Eren or Akari would be there.
But if our roads weren't connected to begin with...
Then why...
Why did we cross paths?
Yes, this is Asakura.
Koichi-san, someone kinda sketchy is on the line for you.
Hiya! It's me.
Long time no see! Wanna chat?
TRANSLATION: YUKARI MURASE-LOUDEN
TIMING: MARIANA MARTINEZ EDITING: RILEY DALTON
QUALITY CONTROL: SMR TRANSLATION CHECK: REI MIYASAKA