Dandelion (2026) s01e06 Episode Script

1
[jaunty music playing]
[Tetsuo yawns]
[groggily] Hey.
Huh?
[robot] Welcome, Tetsuo Tanba.
You are 12 minutes and 35 seconds late.
[Tetsuo groans softly]
The hell is this thing?
-No idea.
-[game bleeping]
It's been wandering around
since this morning.
Oh! I see.
This is Mr. Big-Shot-Four-Eyes
in disguise again.
-Okay! Come on out!
-[clangs loudly]
-What's wrong? Can't hear me in there?
-[clanging continues]
I swear, if you don't come out soon…
Huh?
You asked for this!
[Misaki] He's tapping out!
Are you tapping out?
[Masaki] What are you doing?!
What? You're out here?
Then who's inside of this thing?
There's no one inside.
Rather, this is the newest member
of the Dandelion Squad.
Newest member?
What are you talking about?
[high-pitched tone]
You're looking at a robot
of my very own design.
-[crackling]
-A lightweight frame made of hypermetal.
A mechanical arm with a built-in Tamakin.
He's a high-mobility, weather-resistant,
general-purpose, humanoid,
spirit-sending system,
[high-pitched tone]
The Angel Robot!
The board of directors has approved it.
And you'll be glad to learn
that this prototype has been green-lit
for a trial run.
You think a machine can do
the job better than professional angels?
[footsteps whirring]
Everyone, I am Angel Robot Prototype,
and I have been assigned
to the Send-Off Department as of today.
Please call me Proto.
[whirring] I may not know
my way around headquarters yet,
but I look forward to working with you.
Well, aren't you
one good-looking robot? [chuckles]
Oh, he's so cute!
I know he'll do great!
[chief chuckles] It seems a waste
to assign him to the Dandelion Squad.
-Rude!
-[footsteps whir]
[Proto] Seeing as I'm new,
I would appreciate it
if you could show me the ropes.
[Tetsuo] Uh… sure.
That's enough chitchat.
Let's head to the human world.
[quirky, upbeat music playing]
[bleeping, whirring]
[Misaki] What is he doing?
[Masaki chuckles] That's how he detects
nearby spirits.
There's no way he can
find one that easily.
[loud clang]
[Proto] I have located a spirit.
Huh? What?
For real?!
[whirring]
[Proto] Please follow me.
[birds twittering]
There. He really did find one.
Well, all right then.
Let's leave this one to Proto and…
Hey, hold up!
[Tetsuo] You there!
[man] Hmm?
Who… who are you?
I'm afraid it's time for you to pass on.
[man whimpering]
[Tetsuo] Hey! Come back here!
[whizzing]
-[loud boom rumbles]
-[man gasps]
-[whirs]
-[man groans]
-[chiming]
-[man splutters] Somebody help me!
[gentle music playing]
[Proto] I pray that your endless sorrow
shall soon be healed.
I also pray that you may find
eternal peace.
[gentle music continues]
[tone pings]
[woman] Takeshi.
[Takeshi] Ah! Etsuko!
It's Etsuko, my first love!
Takeshi. You've done your best now.
Pass on to your next life,
and we can be together!
-[sobbing] Etsuko!
-Aw, you'll be okay.
[Takeshi] I'll do it! I'll pass on!
I'll reincarnate as soon as I can!
[whirring]
-That was way too easy.
-[Masaki] Hmm.
All this time, Mini Proto's been watching.
He's observed various scenarios
where the Send-Off Department has helped
spirits to pass on.
I used data from those examples
to create an Empathy Program.
[ethereal music playing]
So now, Proto can
accurately identify the joy,
anger, sorrow,
even pleasure a spirit is feeling.
That way,
he can empathize with his targets
and get them to open up in record time.
He's brilliant, wouldn't you say?
So learn from him, and you'll be working
more efficiently in no time.
-[bell dings]
-[Tetsuo gasps]
-Now I can slack off as much as I want.
-[Misaki slurping]
Finally, it's all someone else's problem.
[Masaki] This isn't your chance
at an early retirement!
Unbelievable.
[whooshing]
[Masaki] Why did you
suddenly approve my proposal?
[Daigoro] I heard that the reform
of the Send-Off Department
is making little progress.
-[tense music playing]
-I take responsibility.
[Daigoro] Are you growing
attached to them?
No! Not at all, sir.
[Daigoro] Well then, how about
we make it a trade-off, you and I?
I will no longer push
the layoffs so aggressively.
If you can improve field efficiency
and ensure
that the new quotas are being met,
I will give you what you asked for.
In that case, does this mean
you intend to keep the Dandelion Squad?
[Daigoro] That's right.
[Masaki huffs]
I'm afraid we're
still not efficient enough.
-[Misaki] Yeehaw!
-[gasps]
[Misaki and Tetsuo laughing]
-We're so high up! [giggles]
-This thing ain't half bad!
-[Misaki] Woo-hoo!
-Whoo!
[Proto] You two are heavy.
-[Misaki] Woo-hoo!
-[Tetsuo] Woo-hoo-hoo!
[Misaki] Higher! Go even higher!
[Tetsuo] Let's go!
[sportscaster] There it is!
It's his finishing move!
-The Antonio Special!
-Look! This is the octopus hold.
-It's locked in!
-[Proto] The octopus hold.
How is it accomplished?
-Like this!
-[Tetsuo screaming]
[Proto whirring] I see.
Thank you. I understand.
Knock it off!
Don't teach Proto anything weird!
But this is sample data!
He has to learn the fighting spirit!
Please keep
all instructions relevant to work.
[woman] Hey, one of these light bulbs
just burned out.
Can I borrow Proto?
Sure thing. That's a thousand yen.
He's not for you to make money!
You're unbelievable.
Come on, we got a job to do!
Hey, take it easy. What's the rush?
Yeah, exactly.
With Proto in the squad,
we can work three days a week
and still meet our quota easy.
[Masaki] I can't believe
you'd set your sights so low!
Come on!
We're going out to produce some results!
Man, don't be such a drag.
Yeah, why can't we just chill out?
[music ends]
-[baseball bat hits ball]
-[crowd roars]
[sportscaster] Amazing!
A last-minute go-ahead home run!
[man] This is the first and last game
in my life in which I hit a home run.
[sportscaster] …completely upside down!
[man] I can't believe
I got to see this again. [chuckles]
I'm satisfied now.
-[chiming]
-[Proto] I'm glad to hear that.
[tender music playing]
[woman] You gave your all
and did the best you could.
You don't have to push yourself anymore.
[man sobbing] Oh, Mom.
It won't be long.
-It won't be long before I join you there.
-[chiming]
-[gentle music playing]
-[woman sobs] It's so beautiful.
It's the sunset I watched
with my husband on our honeymoon.
[sniffles]
There's nothing left
to keep me here anymore.
[chiming]
-[Tetsuo] Take that! Take that!
-Hmm?
-Softy.
-Ah, damn it! Ah! Eat this!
Yeah, right! In your dreams!
-[Tetsuo grunts]
-[Misaki cackles]
-I can catch your movement perfectly!
-[Tetsuo] Whoa, you're fast!
DANDELION SQUAD
[Tetsuo] Okay!
That's what I'm talking about!
[Misaki] I feel
an immense sense of accomplishment.
Hey! You two did nothing whatsoever!
[Masaki sighs]
[thinking] It's better,
but… we still need to pick up the pace.
It's not enough.
[Daigoro] The latest results
aren't half bad.
Oh! Thank you, sir.
[Daigoro] That said,
if we decide
to officially deploy the Angel Robot
and introduce it in large numbers,
it will require a substantial
investment up front.
[Masaki] Yes. I'm aware of that.
[Daigoro] Could you make it
even more efficient?
Yes!
The Angel Robot's latest results have
far exceeded my initial expectations
for the project.
I am surprised, honestly.
Try and surprise me even more, Masaki.
[grunts] I will.
[footsteps depart]
[Masaki] Thank you for your time.
[Daigoro, echoing] You made
this quite well, Masaki.
I see that you have
a talent for crafting things.
[Proto] Is this correct?
-Ah, that's it.
-[game bleeping]
Yeah, right there. That feels good.
Right! It's time to go on spirit patrol!
Let's get out there
and make this department proud!
You really gotta learn to relax.
There's no time for that!
We have to keep improving results!
I think detours are
an important part of life.
All you two do is take detours!
-Come on!
-[Tetsuo grunts]
-[Masaki] Move it!
-[Tetsuo] Ow. That hurts!
Why are you so obsessed?
No one likes a try-hard.
[Misaki] He's right.
You keep this up, pretty soon,
you'll have nothing left to give.
I've had it with your complacent attitude!
No wonder you're such losers!
-Both of you are!
-[somber music playing]
Jeez. This is really inspiring stuff.
-Don't you have any pride?
-Huh?
You crawl around at the bottom
just looking for distractions.
Isn't it time you acted with more dignity?
You should be setting your sights higher,
thinking about the future--
I'm not always looking up like you.
Huh?
When you only focus on what's above,
you never learn
to stand tall right where you are.
Make sense, rich boy?
[snarls]
Tetsu, watch it.
Whatever.
You and I
will never understand each other.
Proto!
-[whirring]
-[door opens]
[door closes]
[keyboard tapping]
[Masaki] Seriously, they have
no idea why I'm doing this.
[sighs]
The current pace isn't good enough.
We need to be even more efficient.
I mean, I've gotten this far already.
[echoing] Mother? Where are you going
so late at night?
Masaki…
[moans softly]
I'm so sorry.
[car door closes]
[car drives away]
[Masaki crying]
[Daigoro] Masaki!
Stop that whimpering!
Your sobbing won't help.
Your mother's not coming back.
Make no mistake,
your mother chose to run away
from the Kyoga family.
And from you.
I see that you're a failure
just like she was.
If that upsets you,
achieve something and prove me wrong!
[mother] It's okay for you to follow
whatever path you believe in.
[Tetsuo] And that's why
you should all live as you please.
because life's way too short.
[pings]
[Proto, voice winding down]
Empathy Program has been deactivated.
Almost.
I'm almost there, Mom.
I'm pretty sure
this will make Dad proud of me.
[gasping]
[woman 1] Hey! Did you find him?
[woman 2] No leads over there.
Ugh! Where could he have gone?
-[jets blasting]
-Huh?
[Proto] A spirit has been located.
Pass on.
-[automatic gunfire]
-[man screams]
[sonic boom]
[ominous music playing]
Wait. Proto?
[men panting]
Get back here!
[continues panting]
-[gunshot]
-[grunts]
[thuds]
[man] Hey, wait! That's stealing!
Not enough.
[Daigoro, echoing] If that upsets you,
achieve something and prove me wrong!
I'm so sorry.
Good morning! How are you guys?
You see? Ramen's pretty good, right?
[ominous music continues]
[jet engines screeching]
[Masaki] I swear this time,
I won't fail.
[music intensifies]
[Proto] Now launching Overdrive Mode.
-[screeching]
-Pass on. Pass on. Pass on. Pass on!
[whirring]
[bleeping, clunking]
-[high-pitched ringing]
-[Proto] Pass on!
[bleeping, ringing]
[boy crying]
[Tetsuo] We get it. Stop crying already.
So in short,
you want your pet parakeet perched
on your hand again.
If only I… [sniffles]
…I could pet Chi-chi one more time,
I wouldn't have a single regret.
Well, then,
I guess we're hunting a parakeet.
-Thank you so much! [sobs]
-[Misaki gasps]
-[tense music continues]
-[Misaki] What's that?
Is that Proto?
[Proto] Pass on!
[boy screams]
Watch it, you metal idiot!
[grunts]
Wait a second! Why are you attacking us?
[Proto] Pass on. Pass on. Pass on.
Pass on!
Captain!
[Misaki grunts]
[Proto] Pass on!
-[suspenseful music playing]
-He's strong.
-[Misaki] Run!
-[Tetsuo] Run!
-[boy] What? Huh? What?!
-[music stops]
[boy shrieks]
-[Proto] Pass on. Pass on. Pass on!
-[rock music playing]
What the hell is
Mr. Big-Shot-Four-Eyes thinking?!
-[Proto] Pass on!
-[whirring]
[all screaming]
Come get me!
[Proto] Pass on! Pass on!
Pass on! Pass on!
[rock music intensifies]
-Pass on!
-[missiles whistling]
Pass on!
Pass… on…
[whirs]
[panting]
[music softens]
[Proto] Pass on!
Damn it.
No use trying to hide.
[Proto] Pass on.
[Tetsuo] Hey!
You gotta go through me!
[Proto] Pass…
-Pass On!
-[whirring]
[huffs]
You're looking at a robot
of my very own design!
[Tetsuo scoffs]
[gasps]
-[Misaki wailing] Take… that!
-[Proto] Pass…
[Proto] Pass on! Pass on!
-Pass… Pass on! Pass… Pass… Pass…
-[music fades]
-Pass… [winds down]
-[debris clattering]
[rumbling]
[Tetsuo] Captain!
[Misaki grunts]
[Proto] Pass on…
Pass on.
-[crackling, hissing]
-Pa… Pass… on…
-[mechanisms winding down]
-Pass on.
Proto!
[gasping] What have you done to him?
Are you okay, Proto?
Proto!
[shudders]
You really think
this kind of approach is a good idea?
Firing a Tamakin first
and asking questions later?
What you're doing is way too extreme!
[Masaki] Extreme?
What's so extreme
about trying to increase work efficiency?!
Is it worth the price of your heart?!
Spirits aren't objects.
They're people's emotions.
We can't be heartless when we're
the ones taking care of them!
Of course I know that!
But if we don't,
then the Send-Off Department will be…
What?
You don't know
why I'm doing this. [scoffs]
You have no idea who I am!
So don't you dare lecture me!
You have no idea!
No idea why I made Proto!
Gimme a break.
Your need for approval's got
nothing to do with me.
[Masaki gasps]
Hey, Tetsu. That's too far.
[Masaki] Very well.
I tried my best to work with you,
I failed at that too.
CHAIRMAN'S OFFICE
[Masaki] My apologies, sir.
Unfortunately, I've run into some trouble.
But I believe it can be rectified.
-So please--
-[Daigoro] It's already been approved.
What?
The machine's efficiency
was quite remarkable.
It is exactly the kind of innovation
that we've been looking for.
The board of directors was more
than pleased with your performance too.
So we've decided
to officially mass-produce
and deploy the Angel Robot.
You did well, Masaki.
[gasps] Then…
That's right.
You'll be pleased to hear,
we can kick the Dandelion Squad
to the curb once and for all.
-[Masaki] What?!
-Hold on.
It gets even better.
Because now we can kick the entire
Send-Off Department to the curb.
Thanks to you,
we might be able to wrap up
the layoffs sooner than expected.
-But that's not--
-[Daigoro] This conversation is over.
You may leave.
[Masaki] That's not what we agreed!
-[tense music playing]
-Our deal? It was all just a trick?
[Daigoro] Just a trick?
Getting rid of the Dandelion Squad,
that's always been the plan
right from the start.
[ominous music playing]
[yawns]
Why'd you call us in so early?
Morning.
The board held a meeting earlier
to discuss personnel changes.
The changes are as follows.
Send-Off Department is disbanded.
What?
[Yuichi] Misaki Kurogane and Tetsuo Tanba,
the two of you are fired
effective immediately.
[music intensifies]
[music fades]
[dance-pop music playing]
[lyrics in Japanese]
[music fades]