What is the reason of my birth?
Reason of my life, question of man.
What he is?
What he wants?
Ima kimi ni mienai chikara ga osoi. Now you are being troubled by an unseen power.
Utsumuite namida kakushiteta. You hang your head and hide your tears.
Dou sureba ii ka? Sore sae wakarazu ni! What should be done? That's unknown!
Asphalt ni saku hana ni yuuki kanjita... Blooming in the asphalt is a flower of courage...
Itsumo kimi no soba ni iru yo. We'll always be by your side.
Da kara mou hitori ja nai. So you're not alone anymore.
Kimi ga michi ni mayou toki wa... When you lose your way...
Boku ga saki o aruku yo. I'll walk ahead and lead you.
Tooi sora koete... Crossing to the far away sky...
Bokura wa tobitatsu! We're flying!
Kitto soko ni aru... It'll definitely be there...
Sore ga kimi no yume Your dream...
March of the Micro Bears
Shadow, create the ultimate robot in order to lead Atom...
...towards further evolution.
The source of Atom's latent powers lies in his heart.
In order to build a robot superior to Atom...
...I will need a deep understanding of what "heart" is.
The essence of the complex human heart is full of contradictions.
Little Bear, you're my friend, right?
Yes. I understand you. I'm your best friend.
"Friend."
Chief Kanda, you seem kind of down lately.
I think this development project is more than I can handle.
I have this pain in my stomach and I can't even sleep at night.
Don't be so discouraged. It isn't like you, chief!
Keep up the fight! I'll see you tomorrow.
Sure. Be careful.
Keep up the fight, huh?
- Poor mister. - Who's there?
I'm Little Bear. Come on. Let's be friends.
This is made really well for a toy.
I came to cheer you up, mister.
Your stomach hurts because of heavy responsibilities at work...
...and your family blames you for not taking a vacation.
- Poor mister. - How did you know that?
Of course I know.
I'm your best friend, and I understand you.
My best friend.
Yeah! That's it!
- You can get the winning goal! - Go! Go! Kenichi!
This will be for the win!
He did it!
- You did it, Kenichi! - We won!
You're awesome, Kenichi! That was a super shot!
Of course! After all, Kenichi practiced really hard for this.
- Right, Atom? - What? Yeah.
We did it! We did it!
We did it!
Atom, why aren't you happy for me?
I thought you'd be the happiest that I'd made that shot.
I want to be really happy too.
- But-- - But what?
When you kicked that final shot, your hand touched the ball, didn't it?
So that goal was...
Did someone say that I touched the ball?
No.
- It wasn't on purpose. - I know, but...
I told you, it wasn't on purpose!
- Kenichi-- - I just accidentally bumped it!
Even the referee said the goal was good!
Or would you have been satisfied if I'd said that I'd fouled...
...when everyone was so happy?
- No, I-- - Never mind!
You're a robot, so you don't understand!
What in the world is going on?
The new model robot development project...
...hasn't made any progress in the last week.
The team's chief engineer has been absent for several days...
...and their productivity has dropped 70 percent.
Dropped 70 percent, you say?
But there should be no problem with the vice-chief subbing in.
The vice-chief has also been absent.
Just in the last couple days, roughly 20 percent of all our staff...
...has been absent.
Something is not right about that.
Yuko, I'm sorry, but would you finish gathering all the data on this tonight?
Yes, sir.
Finish it tonight, huh?
I've been so busy lately I haven't had a decent vacation.
Poor lady.
- Who's there? - You could take some days off...
...if only Dr. Ochanomizu were more dependable.
I'm Little Bear. Let's be friends!
I never thought he'd get so angry. I was just sad, that's all.
Little Bear, something bad happened at work today.
The manager just keeps nagging at me...
Little Bear, listen. The lady next door is really mean.
That's right, she actually...
I'm Little Bear! Come on. Let's be friends!
Okay, sure.
You seem as if you're human, but you're a robot, aren't you?
So goodbye.
That was weird.
- Where are the lonesome people? - Who's feeling lonely?
Where are the lonesome people?
I see, so you had a fight with Kenichi.
Doctor, what should I do?
I can understand why you'd feel down...
...but having fights is not all bad.
What? How come?
Because people grow up...
...by expressing their feelings to each other.
You did something because you cared about Kenichi...
...and that's why you had that fight.
I'm sure you'll be able to make up.
And you'll be even better friends than before.
Even better friends?
That's what real friends are like.
All right! I'll try talking to Kenichi again tomorrow!
- Okay, then go to sleep now. - I will.
What? Kenichi's sick today?
Kenichi's mom called this morning.
I didn't know.
You know, there's a lot of kids...
...suddenly becoming absent these days.
Maybe they've been kidnapped by ghosts or something!
What are you talking about? It's probably just a normal cold.
I'm so sorry. Kenichi doesn't seem to be feeling well...
...and he says he really doesn't want to see you.
I see. Goodbye.
Kenichi must be really mad at me.
That looked like...
- Did I do the right thing? - Of course you were right.
Because you have me, remember?
You're right, Little Bear.
This is an abnormal situation.
The Ministry isn't the only place seeing an increase in absentees.
The same phenomenon is being observed all across Metro City.
Right? You think so too. Don't you, Little Bear?
Yuko, what on Earth are you muttering about?
- Nothing at all. - Well, a little teddy bear toy.
I didn't know you liked such girlish things.
Doctor, he is not a toy. Little Bear is my friend.
Little Bear?
Poor mister.
You're still all alone, aren't you?
This robot is--
Oh?
My goodness.
It's so cute!
Huh?
Poor mister.
It's the little teddy bear that Yuko had.
You try to promote how wonderful robots are...
...but heartless people always pick on you.
Honestly, doesn't it make you mad?
How did you know that?
Of course I know! I can understand your troubles better than anyone else!
- Ridiculous! - I'll comfort you.
Explain the meaning of this prank...
...robot scientist Shadow.
I am investigating the way of people's hearts.
People's hearts, you say?
My electronic brain inherited your memories.
I first looked through those memories...
...and I found an extremely curious bug.
This is--
This boy is your former self.
You created this little teddy bear robot...
...as a tool to comfort you in your solitude.
And in that enclosed world, you lived with your friend...
...who only spoke what you wanted to hear.
You lived with your virtual, perfectly tame friend.
You love robots, don't you, doctor?
I love you too, doctor.
I'm the embodiment of your ideals, you know.
So you don't have to feel lonely any more.
Come play with me forever. Forever!
Yes, you just may be right, Little Bear.
Dr. Ochanomizu.
It's Little Bear.
I don't like this!
This room is full of some kind of weird radio wave!
Doctor!
Little Bear, listen to more of my troubles.
A robot that analyzes the stirrings of a human heart...
...and only murmurs things that make that person feel good.
That was the lonely genius boy's first creation.
I strengthened those abilities several folds over...
...and unleashed it upon Metro City.
Really?
All in order to further investigate and comprehend the human heart.
Doctor, please snap out of it!
Doctor! Come on, Doctor!
- Doctor! - Doctor!
Atom, Uran, what have I been doing?
What? Don't you remember anything?
Oh, darn.
And I was so close to becoming friends with the doctor.
Goodbye.
Wait a minute!
Those are...
Let's be friends. Let's be friends.
Shadow, have you forgotten the purpose for which you were created?
I need to know this because of that purpose.
I need to know the true meaning of the word "friend."
Friend?
It is a question that Pluto once asked me.
"Dr. Tenma, what is a friend?"
Then I shall answer it for you!
It is nothing but a joke, something only weak people need!
Now you know! Put a stop to this meaningless farce!
No, I will search for an answer...
...that I can be satisfied with of my own will.
It's pretty. Like snow.
You're so easygoing!
Something terrible is bound to happen...
...if all those Little Bears fill up the city!
Where are the lonely people?
Who wants a friend?
I'll be your friend.
They stimulate the brain with a special radio wave...
...and establish communication through auditory hallucinations.
The Little Bear's voice that I heard...
...was actually the voice of my own subconscious.
Taking advantage of people's hearts? Horrible!
If this phenomenon spreads on a worldwide scale...
...it will endanger our social civilization!
Everyone who has been comforted by the Little Bears' murmurings...
...will withdraw into their own rooms--
No, into their own hearts.
Into their own hearts...
Doctor, I'm going to Kenichi's place!
Perhaps it is my duty...
...to see the conclusion to this matter.
Kenichi! You're home, aren't you?
Come out and let's talk things over one more time!
There's nothing to talk about! Go home!
- Kenichi. - You hurt my feelings.
You're not my friend.
Kenichi.
I may be able to find the answer that I seek if I use this sample.
Kenichi, I'll shoo Atom away for you.
Okay, but how?
That's...
Atom, if I continue to make Little Bears...
...soon everyone in the world will have a Little Bear for a friend.
Then, everyone will become happy!
What you are doing is wrong!
I'm not wrong. You agree with me. Don't you, Atom?
You also believe that robots can become friends with humans.
But-- But the way you're doing it is--
Atom, you're a robot, but you have a heart.
So I'll make a special exception and give you a friend.
Let's be friends. Let's be friends.
So many Little Bears.
Let's be friends. Let's be friends. Let's be friends.
The radio waves are so intense. I'm blacking out.
Let's be friends. Let's be friends.
Atom.
Just ignore him. He hurt your feelings, remember?
I know. You're right, but...
I won't say anything that you don't want to hear...
...because I'm your real friend, Kenichi.
Yeah. That's what friends do, right?
I can feel my strength leaving me.
Somehow, I feel so good.
That's the way it should be.
Forget about all the bad things and the things that hurt you.
You can become a true friend of ours too.
A true friend.
Kenichi.
Let's go. We'll talk about fun things in your room again.
- Okay. - Wait, Kenichi! Don't go!
Our wish is to give all the lonely people in the world a friend!
If we become their friends, everyone will be happy!
- They won't be lonely any more! - Wrong.
Friends aren't things that are given to you.
You're supposed to make friends through your own efforts!
I always watched you working hard at soccer practice, Kenichi.
That's why I was sad.
Because you weren't really happy even when you had won.
See? He's saying things you don't want to hear again!
Because I wanted to celebrate your victory with you too, Kenichi!
Atom.
That was close!
Kenichi, don't give up! Fight! Fight!
Yeah!
Because you're my precious friend.
Come on, hurry up. Come with me and--
Atom!
So he shook off the effects of the special radio wave.
Kenichi.
I won't give up!
Fight! Fight! Fight! Fight! Fight!
- Atom! - Kenichi!
I'm sorry, Atom. I'm really sorry!
I'm so glad. That's the smile I wanted to see from you.
Right.
All right, hang on!
What you are trying to do is wrong!
If you're going to keep making more Little Bears...
...it will make me sad, but I'll have to fight you!
You don't have to be sad...
...because it seems he doesn't need me any more.
What?
Thanks to you two, I now understand what a friend is.
Atom, Kenichi, goodbye.
Goodbye, Little Bear.
Big Bear is leaving. But did he really go home?
Yes, take a look around you.
WOW!
Atom, look! It's morning!
WOW!
So, Shadow, did you find your answer?
I now understand what a friend is...
...and I have more conviction that I know the secret to Atom.
Why? Because Atom's latent powers are synchronized...
...with the strength of his heart and--
What I ordered you to create was a robot...
...that would lead Atom towards further evolution!
Of course I will create it.
The ultimate robot that will change the future of both humans and robots.
Then there is no problem.
- Go! Go! - Hang in there! Hang in there!
But why did Kenichi ask for a rematch?
I know. There's no guarantee that he'll win again.
Look! Kenichi's got the ball!
You're right! Go for it, Kenichi!
It's mine!
Shoot it!
- Kenichi, that was really close! - Yeah!
Keep it up! Keep it up, Kenichi!
Naze... Naze... Kokoro ga... Why... Why... is my heart...
Itamu to namida ni naru? Is filled with pain and tears?
Naze... Naze... Namida ga... Why... Why... Tears...
Ochiru to Hitori ni naru. They fall and I'm alone.
Chiisa na hiza kakae... I hold my tiny knees...
Tooku wo mata miageru. And look up and far away.
Hiroi... Hiroi... Vast... Vast...
Kono sora yori motto hiroi hazu da! It has to be more wide than these skies!
Takai... Takai... High... High...
Ano kumo yori motto takai hazu da! It has to be higher than those clouds!
Kimi no kokoro mo... Your heart is...
The underground city, Deep City, is crumbling.
Trees are growing at unbelievable speeds.
Why is this happening?
Next time: "If I Could Shed Tears"!
Catch the future with spirit!