March 1931
Kobe Harbor
Do you really think I can do it?
I'm nervous because it'll be my first time being photographed.
Me too.
Yo.
Hey, you.
Are you here by yourself?
Do you need something from me?
Wow, you have a piercing stare.
Are you an actress?
Why don't you just return to...
the ladies waiting over there?
They're just actresses for the shoot that Kouyou Cinema is taking on this boat.
I'm their cameraman, Miyoshi Aoi.
Nice to meet you.
And you?
My name is Sonogi Yukina.
This may sound rude, but I believe it's pretty strange to start a conversation with someone you don't know.
Sorry about that.
Well, you were just standing there by yourself, so I got curious.
Oh... you weren't by yourself.
He said he was a cameraman for Kouyou Cinema.
Yes.
So it seems.
On the Nanasakimaru, commissioned in 1923.
Before coming into port on it's voyage from Kobe - Nagasaki to Shanghai,
a grown woman disappeared.
According to the information I gathered,
The only thing the women had in common...
is that they came in contact with a scout for a Shanghai movie company.
I have someone keeping an eye on Kakinuma - the president of Kouyou Cinema based in Shanghai.
We know that there is a Chinese buying syndicate operating in the shadows.
I'll make sure that Kakenuma and a photography crew are on the boat to Shanghai with you.
When the time comes, we will need your powers.
I understand.
Please leave it to me, Mr. Sakurai.
However...
I have only one goal.
When we reach Shanghai, I trust you will fulfill the matter we discussed about my brother.
Yes.
Of course.
I'm counting on your powers.
Action!
Ni hao.
We meet again, Miss.
Yes...
Um... I... don't know you very well.
Then how about we grab a cup of coffee and...
Yeah...
Get it over with.
Cut!
Mr. Fujima.
This is the main branch's first all-verbal movie-
Nobility, right?
I know!
That was usually enough when I couldn't remember the lines.
President, good morning!
Thank you for coming!
Thank you very much for this opportunity.
How is the filming coming along?
Hello, President.
Yes. It's going well.
I would like to watch for a while.
Please come this way.
Hey, she's a real beauty.
Yeah. That's President Kakinuma's favorite Chinese coordinator, Sai Seirin, right?
That's what they say in public, but there's a rumor that they're lovers.
Ready...
And...
Action!
Then how about we get to know each other over a cup of coffee?
I can't trust a man who would try to court a lady so easily!
Cut! Cut!
Okay. Fix her make-up.
We'll film the next scene after a five minute break.
Yo!
We meet again.
Sonogi Yukina-san.
You're... Mr. Miyoshi.
I thought you weren't interested because you were so curt.
Did you come to see me?
Of course not!
I did not come here to see you!
I...
hate easy-going gentlemen!
Excuse me.
Man, this is exhausting.
How many times are they going to retake it?!
Good work. You were great!
You made my heart skip a beat.
Excuse me.
You're late, Kazura!
I apologize.
Here you are.
That girl had some potential.
Did she pique your interest?
I liked her spirit.
You're so passionate about your work.
What? Are you jealous?
President!
We have a problem, President!
What's wrong?
Akizuki-san had sudden abdominal pains.
According to the doctor's diagnosis, she needs 2-3 days of rest.
What?!
Akizuki's scenes are all on this boat.
Should we choose a stand-in from the extra actresses?
I know it'll be a stretch, but if we consider our schedule and budget...
Yeah...
There is a suitable girl.
I can't be a stand-in for a movie.
Please reconsider!
Please leave me alone.
There were several other actresses there.
They're all amateurs who were recently scouted.
Being extras is all they can do.
We asked you because you fit the image.
In the end you declined?
Of course.
We need to wait for Mr. Sakurai's orders.
On another note, Kakinuma had a Chinese coordinator named Sai Seirin with him.
She may be related to the incidents.
And those actresses...
They were recently scouted amateurs.
If it plays out as Mr. Sakurai said...
they may be sold in Shanghai.
There's a message for you.
It's from Mr. Sakurai.
About the stand-in role...
you should accept it?
It's unfortunate for the innocent bystander, but I decided to make a move.
Kagiya, keep an eye on Kakinuma and Sai Seirin while you pose as Yukina's attendant.
Report as you see fit.
Left- Price: 120 Right- Price: 130
They're our precious merchandise.
Can't you do a little better than this?
For more than this...
I'll have to ask my boss first.
When we get to Shanghai, please do.
Hey!
Are you alright, old man?
Water...
You're hopeless...
I'll bring some, so just wait here.
Kakinuma and Sai Seirin were negotiating the prices of the actresses.
I was able to confirm,
the prices written on their profiles.
But I wasn't able to confirm their connection to the disappearances.
Sai Seirin...
is the mediator between Kakinuma and the buying syndicate.
It's more probable to presume that she belongs to the syndicate.
We still have time.
Leave them be for now.
Understood.
There's something else.
This may be unrelated to the incident but...
The cameraman named Miyoshi Aoi...
There's something about him.
Okay.
Please report if you hear of something else.
That'll do it.
Kazura, take the pin out.
The hairpin.
Hurry.
O-Okay.
Excuse me.
This one, too?
Of course.
I'm done.
Then get out of the way.
Okay.
She'll be ready in ten minutes.
Okay.
Not "okay". Go tell them.
O-Okay.
Hmm...
Who was that?
He's new. This picture is his first job.
He doesn't know anything about how things work
In this line of work, there are people who know things that they don't even need to know,
but there are ones like him once in awhile.
Coffee is...
as hot as hell.
As black as the devil.
And...
Do you know the next line?
Ko-
Koi-
Cut!
She's like a goldfish.
How cute.
Well, it is her first time.
Let's take two.
Just relax.
Ready...
Action!
Sweet like a koi-
I'm sorry!
Cut!
How many was that?
Including this take, twenty-six.
Take a break.
We're taking a break!
Good work! Please gather in thirty minutes!
Yo!
Ow!
What do you think you're doing?!
Oh! You still have some fight left in you!
President, let's go.
Wait a second.
I need to bring the key to the safe.
It'll cover the production costs for this movie.
I need to keep it safe.
When we get to Shanghai, can I give you a tour?
Yes, please do.
I... want to learn more about Shanghai and you.
Cut!
Looks good!
Thank you very much.
How is she doing?
President, thank you for coming.
Well, she certainly is someone you would pick. She's a natural.
It's about time we made our move.
Take this to Yukina.
You're hiding something from me, aren't you?
I know that you're leaving on another journey after you give me a tour of Shanghai.
Excuse me.
The script.
Sometimes they change the lines of the script at the last minute.
Memorize them quickly.
Ready...
Action!
You're trying to trick us, aren't you?
What're you saying from out of nowhere?
I know...
that you're going to sell us to a brothel in Shanghai!
Please stop this silly game-
What's with these lines?!
The lines are wrong!
I'm sorry.
Hey! What's the meaning of this?!
I'm sorry!
L-Let me borrow it.
What is this?!
That's enough! Just put the correct lines in!
Okay! Right away!
Cheers!
Great job.
Tonight, I need a break to maintain the high spirit into tomorrow.
You were scouted in Nagasaki?
Yes!
Well, you guys are charming.
No, we're not.
You're smooth.
Here you go.
Hey, Yukina.
Good job.
I was worried for a moment, but you did well for your first time.
Thank you very much.
I'm counting on you for tomorrow as well.
Okay. Thank you very much.
Watch me dance!
The old man is drunk.
You already knew?!
Oh my... what are you doing in front of my room?
I got lost while I was looking for my attendant.
Oh, I see.
If you'd like, I'll serve some tea.
Would you like to stay awhile?
I'll go put some tea in. Wait one second.
Okay.
They're our precious merchandise.
Make some money with your body.
It's a little expensive... but whatever.
Reward: 120
This isn't a participation fee or a contract salary...
It's the price for a slave?
You shouldn't be snooping around like that.
I-I'm sorry. I...
I just...
wanted to become...
a real actress.
Try to tell a more believable lie.
Who are you?
Who are you and that big guy?
What did you do... to Natsume?
I'm sure he's unable to move right now.
Poisoned needles?
I'm counting on you for tomorrow.
Thank you for your hard work.
Are you here, Seirin?
What's going on?
What's the commotion?!
What's going on?
This is...
The boat stopped?
You can't run, Seirin!
I'm going to get the proof!
Know your place!
Why you...
Don't move!
I'll take you down quickly.
I'll get you!
Kakinuma Senzou, president of Kouyou Cinema who was involved in a slave trade using his movie company as a front.
The profiles with the actresses' prices.
The secured amateur actresses.
And Sai Seirin and her subordinates, members of the buying syndicate.
And the film...
With all this, they can't talk their way out of it.
The shooting was intended to bring the scouted amateur actresses
into Shanghai without raising the suspicions of the police.
What is it, Yukina?
Can you explain this situation?
The four of you are fated to share your destinies with me.
I apologize for the deception, but to individually test your powers,
I had you investigate the incident without allowing you to meet.
Basically, it all starts now.
Episode 00
Crank Up On Board the Ship
In a land rife with military activity, there was one small city.
It was a model of the world.
Blissful dreams and nightmares paint The City of Sin, Shanghai.
This is a story of the plots that cast a shadow on this city.
And now...
The curtain rises before them.
Episode 01
"Rescue"
Episode 01
Rescue