呪泉郷

Jusenkyo

Screenplay by
Sopheak Sam

Based on the Graphic Novel Series

“Ranma ½”
By Rumiko Takahashi

SECOND VERSION DRAFT: -- JANUARY 02, 2009

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BLACK SCREEN
We hear in Japanese (note: all dialogue, unless stated
otherwise, will be in Japanese, subtitled).
A BOY'S (V.O.)
Have you ever been lost in a fantasy?
Not like anything that of Lewis
Carroll's but something stranger..

FADE IN UNDER BLACK

Cue opening score – a traditional Japanese-Western flute
composition encompassing a sense of nostalgic innocence.
A BOY'S (V.O.)
Like the unclarity of a murky water
from which I was cursed by. Not able
to swim up... or be the man they'd
always pictured...

INSERT: a sign that reads OSAKA, JAPAN (subtitled).

1 EXT. COTTAGE – OSAKA, JAPAN – MORNING 1
As we set upon the glaring sun, we pan down to the vast
countryside. A lone, modest cottage in the outskirts of
OSAKA. Smoke flows up from the chimney of the cottage.
Two figures step out, GENMA SAOTOME (late 30’s) a stumpy-
built man with glasses alongside his son, RANMA SAOTOME
(13), both carrying hefty travelers backpack.
The son clumsily follows his father on the elongated
pathway.
GENMA
What a glorious day!

RANMA
Why today?

GENMA
Well, because it’s raining tomorrow.
Though we all know...
(embracing the day)
glory seeps from the sky, it doesn't
fall as raindrops.

RANMA
We’re martial artists. Not
philosophers... talkative old man.
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2 INT. COTTAGE – OSAKA, JAPAN – CONTINUOUS 2

We move through the house (steadicam), from the kitchen, to
the family room, to an adjacent bedroom, then on the bed –
sitting there looking out distantly towards father and son,
is wife and mother NADOKA SAOTOME (30’s).
Nadoka resists the last ounce of discipline and hurries,
rushing out the door.
3 EXT/INT. COTTAGE – OSAKA, JAPAN – CONTINUOUS 3
Nadoka peering out, leaning against the door, slightly
stepping out with eyes set after her young son.
Ranma looks back with a reticent demeanor.
NADOKA
Bring him back alive... Bring him
back a strong man.

Nadoka heads back inside, concealing her disconcert as the

father and son continue along the seemingly endless road.
GENMA
Are you not sad to be away from her?

RANMA
I’m not a child anymore, pop.

GENMA
Since when did children get to decide
when they’re not children anymore?

RANMA
I didn’t decide this. I’m thirteen!

GENMA
So age has all to do with it?

RANMA
Well, I don’t know? Doesn’t it?

GENMA
I’m a martial artist. Not a
philosopher...

FADE UP ON

TITLE SEQUENCE: JUSENKYO

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4 EXT. CITY CENTER – OSAKA, JAPAN – LATER DAY 4

Credits play over this.
Ranma and Genma scurry through the city, breakfast stuffed
into their mouth due to the urgency of their purpose – they
run towards the nearest STREETCAR (a trolley bus-type
vehicle on rails).
They catch the streetcar nearly missing it, to be welcomed
with must disgruntle shouts from the driver (however this
is all heard in the background).
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4A INT. STREETCAR – CONTINUOUS 4A

End credit sequence.
DRIVER (OVER)
Fools! I would’ve been libel if you
were injured, jumping on here like a
bunch of ruffians.

Ignoring the upset driver’s rant, the pair seat themselves

amongst scores of patrons, awkwardly staring them down.
RANMA
I could’ve shut him up.

GENMA
Discipline boy...

CUT TO
5 EXT. FURINKAN COMMUNITY - NERIMA, JAPAN – MORNING 5
A quaint and run-of-the-mill suburban community. We see
people on their bikes, an old washer woman cleansing the
street with a ladle and bucket, another man gardening and
children whimsically playing around.
SUPERIMPOSE: Furinkan Community, NERIMA, JAPAN
We move closer and meet:
5A EXT. TENDO HOME & DOJO – NERIMA, JAPAN – CONTINUOUS 5A
An impressive big-scale home, with a dojo substituting for
a garage, complete with a backyard garden and pond, bonsai
décor galore.
INSERT DOJO SIGN: a wooden sign hanged infront of the
entrance gate. Written in Japanese, it says...
SUBTITLE: Tendo School of Anything-Goes Martial Arts
We hear the SOUND of an alarm clock OFFSCREEN...
6 ECU. FLOWERY ALARM CLOCK 6
An alarm clock with its hands at 6:30 AM. The alarm
continues to go off for a beat, until a hand comes into
FRAME hitting the snooze button.
6A INT. GIRL’S BEDROOM, TENDO HOME – CONTINUOUS 6A
From her bed, arises AKANE TENDO (13) a pretty Japanese
girl with hair of silk down to her neck, she stretches
before walking out of her room and into:
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7 INT. BATHROOM, TENDO HOME – MORNING 7

Akane brushing her teeth.
8 INT. KITCHEN, TENDO HOME – MORNING 8
Akane’s first older sister, KASUMI TENDO (16), a frivolous-
beauty with lengthy hair, prepares breakfast.
9 INT. AKANE’S ROOM, TENDO HOME – MORNING 9
Akane, fully primped in her school uniform brushes her hair
infront of her vanity mirror.
10 INT. FAMILY ROOM, TENDO HOME – CONTINUOUS 10
NABIKI TENDO (14), Akane’s second older sister, the cynical
hepcat of the Tendo abode, sits at the table across from
Kasumi, both already finishing their breakfast.
Akane walks in...
NABIKI
The school bell doesn’t wait for you
but I always have to.

AKANE
We're not late, you nag.

NABIKI
That's what you said yesterday and
the days before that. Some of us,
prefer an early routine...

KASUMI
I've noticed, you’ve been spending
more time getting ready, haven’t you?

NABIKI
(gasps, overexaggerates)
Does that mean... you like someone?

AKANE
No. Of course not!

KASUMI
I’m sure that’s not the case Nabiki.
Akane’s just getting older, more
mature.

(CONTINUED)
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10 CONTINUED: 10
NABIKI
Yeah which means she's becoming boy-
crazy.

AKANE
The only crazy person here is you,
Nabiki.

KASUMI
(with genuine
optimism)
No, which means she'll make the
wisest choices when the situation
comes.

Nabiki sticks her tongue out at Akane, who becomes

increasingly irritated. Neither are really mad though,
they're just giving each other a hard time as most siblings
do.
CUT TO
11 EXT. SIDEWALK – FURINKAN, NERIMA – DAY 11
Akane and Nabiki running, racing the school bell, panting
along the way... when they come nearing:
11A EXT. CLINIC – FURINKAN, NERIMA – CONTINUOUS 11A
A cordial and small residential clinic. It’s owner DOCTOR
TOFU ONO, a young (mid 20’s), handsome man, is sweeping the
entrance.
DR. TOFU
Morning girls, what’s the rush?

Nabiki continues running, not noticing him, while Akane

stops to greet.
AKANE
Good morning, doctor.

DR. TOFU
How are you today, Akane?

AKANE
Exasperated at the moment.

(CONTINUED)
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11A CONTINUED: 11A

DR. TOFU
Lively as a karp, the two of you are!
It must mean your leg’s recovering...

AKANE
Oh yes, it’s wonderful thanks to you.
(a beat, in shy tone)
The only downfall is... I don’t get
to see you as much.

Not long Nabiki realizes Akane’s fallen behind and looks

back.
NABIKI
(from a distance)
AKANE! HURRY UP!

AKANE
(to Nabiki)
Coming!
(to Tofu)
Bye, doctor!

DR. TOFU
You two take care of each other.

Akane catches up.

NABIKI
Way to lollygag. If I didn’t know any
better...

AKANE
What?

NABIKI
Nothing.

12 EXT. FURINKAN JUNIOR HIGH – FRONT GATE – DAY 12

Akane and Nabiki approaches the school, students still
hanging out before class starts. Nabiki seperates from her
sister, joining her friends. Akane meets her's.
They enter the school.
FADE TO BLACK
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13 ECU. BUDDHA FIGURE 13

In black & white: a fanciful Buddha ornament, smiling.
A MAN'S (V.O.)
Dear friend... I have no son of my
own. My wife has recently passed -

ANOTHER MAN'S (V.O.)

(abruptly)
- I'm terribly sorry.

A MAN'S (V.O.)
(a beat)
Dear friend, Saotome...

PAN BACK TO REVEAL --

The Buddha ornament sits firmly on a mantle of the
kitchen...
13A INT. KITCHEN - SAOTOME COTTAGE - FLASHBACK 13A
Widower father of Kasumi, Nabiki and Akane Tendo, SOUN
TENDO is revealed, many years prior... sitting across from
GENMA SAOTOME.
In Soun's arms, a toddler.
A MAN/SOUN (CONT'D)
...you've been my greatest friend,
through all my endeavours.

GENMA
Like-wise.

The toddler fidgeting.

SOUN
Where is your son? I think it's time
he meets his fiance...

CU of the toddler, it's Akane.

NADOKA'S (V.O.)
So this is what it's about?

14 INT. BEDROOM - SOATOME COTTAGE - CONTINUOUS FLASHBACK 14

Nadoka lies in bed, with her son tucked under her arms.
Genma stands over her, as Soun and Akane wait at the door.

(CONTINUED)
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14 CONTINUED: 14
NADOKA (CONT'D)
Was this the only purpose my son was
born for...?

GENMA
Nonsense! This is an obligation I
must fulfill!

NADOKA
And what if he doesn't love the girl
you've chosen?

GENMA
No if's. He will.

NADOKA
If there was ever an if: we chose
each other because of love... not to
provide longevity for your legendary
school of martial arts.

GENMA
This is no argument!

NADOKA
(reasoning)
He is my son... I argue for his sake.

GENMA
Listen here! Sons have fathers too.
It has already been arrange... Ranma
shall marry Tendo's daughter. This
martial arts school has been my life,
for the next generation to carry it
on! He will have to do the same for
his children...

A beat. Everyone is on edge with disconcerted faces.

NADOKA (CONT'D)
(giving in)
...Let me see the girl.

Akane hides behind her father. Soun brings her forth...

SOUN
Akane, go...

(CONTINUED)
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14 CONTINUED: (2) 14
Approaching the bed.
SOUN (CONT'D)
This is your fiance... Ranma. Ranma
Saotome...

Akane looks at the sleeping child with curiosity.

AKANE
Rahh-mahh...

NADOKA
Your daughter has kind eyes.

SOUN
It's from all the tears. Her mother
just -

NADOKA
I've heard... and I'm sorry.
(a beat)
Will you promise me, no matter what,
make my son happy...

CU SOUN as we stay on his face for a beat, then go to...

Akane gently brushing the hair of her future fiance with
her fingers.
SOUN (O.S.)
If your son promises to make my
daughter the same.

CUT TO
15 EXT. SEA OF JAPAN - DAY 15
Waves splashing, glimmering from the effervescent sunlight.
A TUNA FISHING BOAT comes into frame, standing at the bow,
is RANMA admiring the view.