WRITTEN AND DIRECTED BY YASUHIRO YOSHIURA
You do understand
that we are different beings than you.
So, then, why did you help him?
What was your purpose?
You see, the thing is,
filth like you just doesn't belong here.
We simply don't see things the way you do.
You are the spawn of sinners past,
and the sky will swallow you for those sins.
One, two...
Patema, what are you doing?
What was that?
What's all this?
We've reached another storeroom on the lowest level.
We found vacuum packs.
And there's all kinds of new seeds in here.
That's great. We'll have new plants next season.
I'll go right now to tell Elder the good news.
Make sure you wash them all first, OK?
Right.
- Bye. - See you later.
A gentleman wouldn't barge into a girl's room
without first asking for permission.
We are not gentlemen, Patema. We are your Guardians.
Hey, I'm a gentleman.
Be quiet, will you?
It sure would be nice
to come home from somewhere new sometimes.
You were in the Danger Zone.
Yeah. What's the big deal?
The rules forbid it.
Oh, but it's really cool there.
I found this great big open place when I was there.
It's not like here at all.
I know we have to preserve where we live--
I understand that--
but it's just that I want to find more worlds
outside, as well.
Do you really think that's something
a Chief's daughter should say?
Wait, Elder. She didn't mean it.
Lagos would never say that.
There are monsters over there, like bat people.
They're mean, and if they get you,
you will never be able to come back here again.
You'll be tortured for all eternity.
Look, I'm not a kid. There's no such thing as that,
right?
Well, I guess not, but--
Anyway, as the Chief's will stated,
he expects you to set an example.
- Porta. - Coming. See you.
Stop filling her head with that nonsense.
But it's true.
They do roam around in there, don't they?
Quiet, Porta.
Don't you think it's time we told her the truth?
It's probably more dangerous for her not to know.
Patema is still just a child.
It just seems so silly sometimes,
all these different rules.
We're alive because of them.
So she doesn't think Lagos would ever talk like that, huh?
Yeah, probably not.
He is no longer one of us, Porta.
We haven't heard from him in many years now.
He's probably just lying dead somewhere.
Come in.
Hey, how are you, Patema?
You were fighting with Elder again, weren't you?
So you heard us, huh?
Where are you, Lagos?
I'm not finished talking to you, do you hear me?
You're not leaving again, are you?
And I might be gone a while this time.
Why do you keep having to leave?
I want you to stay here with me.
The thing is, I want to go see new worlds
and explore them so I can understand them better.
You wouldn't understand yet, Patema.
Then take me with you.
Maybe someday, when you're a bit older.
I'm not a child anymore, you know.
Just be patient and stay out of trouble here, OK?
If you promise to be good,
I'll give you another present, see?
Pretty, huh?
Well, maybe you are getting a little too old for that stuff.
OK, close your eyes.
It's something very old but also very precious.
It's the world.
OK, open your eyes.
Haven't I waited long enough, Lagos?
I'm being stupid.
Maybe I should just go back.
A bat person.
Don't be scared.
As long as I hold on, I won't fall.
Hello.
Excuse me, but what's wrong with you?
Just help me!
Don't let us fall!
What? Fall where?
Just don't let go.
It's like Lagos' picture.
Lagos? You've got to be kidding.
Are you an Invert? You're upside-down.
What do you mean, upside-down?
Look, I don't know what's going on around here,
but look around you.
Can't you see for yourself?
You're on the ceiling!
Sorry, I hate to tell you,
but I'm pretty sure you're the one on the ceiling.
Yeah, right. Well, I'm pretty sure I know up from dow--
What is it?
The bat person.
I knew it. You're one of them, aren't you?
You hang upside-down. I should've known.
Calm down.
Why is this happening to me?
Stop. Jeez.
Let me go, OK?
Just wait!
Do you mind telling me what it is exactly I've done to you?
It's 'cause you-- I mean--
Nothing, that's what.
And I won't, Invert or not.
Sorry about that. You saved my life, didn't you?
What happened? Was someone after you?
Now what do I do?
Listen, I--
What's that?
Sorry, I've got to get back to school.
No! Hey, wait. Please, don't go.
You can't leave me alone.
But I've got Civics class.
I can't be absent. They watch us.
What's more important,
me or some stupid class at school?
You don't have to worry. I'll come back after.
You promise?
Don't forget, OK?
I won't.
And don't tell the bat people.
OK.
Oh, and I'm hungry, too.
Something tells me you're a real princess, aren't you?
Yes, I am, and it would be best if you would remember that.
My name's Age. What should I call you?
Patema.
Amazing. I flew.
The time is now 8:30.
Remember, proper upbringing leads to a proper education.
Proper education leads to proper behavior.
The time is now 8:31.
The time is now 8:32.
Remember, proper upbringing leads to a proper education.
Proper education leads to proper behavior.
The time is now 8:33.
When our planet was afflicted by The Great Change,
many lives were lost
when people were carried off into the sky.
You see, we citizens of Aiga
who remain firmly rooted to the earth
are left to preserve humanity.
As a result,
Aiga is the only true world in which humanity exists.
There is no world but Aiga.
We must keep our eyes firmly on our feet,
follow the laws and maintain order,
as we continue to preserve our precious land.
That barren wasteland that lies beyond the cliff,
that malevolent light that comes from the sky,
they are to be--
Three demerit points, Age. Do you know why?
I was listening.
Yes,
but unfortunately, you were also looking off
in an unpleasant direction, weren't you?
As usual, your brain is inverted.
Can anyone tell me why life here in Aiga is ideal?
Anyone?
Well?
For Age's sake, we can discuss this
for the entire Assembly period.
We follow the laws, maintain order,
and keep our eyes on the ground.
Correct.
Law and order are vital.
I have been told that you were not
in the dormitory last night, Age.
One who does not stay in line here will--
Are you listening to me?!
You will not qualify to be a citizen
just by showing up for class!
Like father, like son, I suppose.
But don't worry.
I'm not giving up on you just yet.
You too will have to shoulder the burden of our future,
and that means your presence here
carries some importance.
What happened to your father was a shame, but I believe
we must not dwell on the past.
- But, sir? - Yes?
If I'm not mistaken,
the laws say nothing about looking up at the sky.
I can't believe we need to look at page six again.
Nothing good can come from looking into the sky
and the souls of the sinners who've been carried into it.
But is it really a sin to fall into the sky?
So it is written.
It is a despicable sin.
You can't go to the surface.
Talk to Elder.
I can't just sit here and do nothing!
Patema?
You're late! Do you know how boring it is here?
I'm sorry. They kept me after class.
Here.
Yum.
I feel kind of weird.
Maybe eating your food made me lighter.
Patema, does the sky scare you?
The sky? You mean, where you're looking now?
Oh, that's right.
Yeah. The sky.
Of course it scares me.
Doesn't it scare you?
Tonight you can see the stars, so I guess I like it.
Stars?
You don't know about stars, either?
I don't know anything about this world,
so why would I?
Hey, come look at the stars, OK?
- No way! - Just try.
I'm scared to look down. Forget it!
Really?
Yeah. Of course!
All right.
Beautiful.
You're the first one who's ever said that.
Well, they really are,
more so than anything I've seen where I come from.
My dad told me about them.
Your dad?
He really liked looking at the sky.
He always said he wanted to fly off into it.
He even made himself a machine to do that.
To fly? How?
I'm not sure. I don't remember.
Why don't you ask him?
For some reason, everyone was against him flying.
They all thought it was bad luck.
Of course, I knew it wasn't.
I skipped school that day so I could go watch.
They all said God punished him.
But why?
It was a great thing he did, wasn't it?
I think I understand how your father must have felt.
The sky, it really is beautiful.
I feel like, for first time, I'm glad I came to this world.
Definitely inverted.
Did it fall into the sky, or perhaps--
Sir, this incident appears to have occurred
at some point below the barren zone
near the education center.
Increase surveillance there.
Note even minor changes.
Yes, sir.
This may provide us with a clue
as to where the rest of them might be,
and once we find them,
I am sure that we'll all get along just fine.
What's it like down there under the ground?
It's a lot smaller and darker than it is here.
That's why I wanted to go explore,
to find a new world.
There were books about it,
and Lagos, he once gave me a picture,
the most beautiful picture.
I still have it.
Lagos?
Someone important.
So I guess
you don't like where you're from either, huh?
No. That's not true. Elder's there, and so is Porta.
Everyone's really nice.
They're probably pretty worried, I guess.
Listen,
I'm gonna find a way to get you back to your family.
I promise.
And when you do, I'll introduce you to everyone.
What's wrong?
Hide.
They must have noticed the missing food.
It's the bat people.
Just like before in the tunnel.
You saw Security Police?
Oh, no.
Why is this happening?
We have to go.
Don't you see? They're after you, Patema.
But how?
Grab hold.
I can't. I'll fall.
It's OK. Don't worry.
They say only sinners fall into the sky.
Do you really believe that's true?
Of course I don't.
I can do this. I trust you, Age.
That's the spirit. Come on, Princess.
Lagos, please help me.
Here we go.
My body, it's so light.
Wait! Slow down!
I get it. Your weight makes me a lot lighter.
Girls don't like it when you talk like that, you know.
Age, Age, watch where you're going.
I think you can make it back.
We just have to cross the fence.
We'll hold on tight to each other and drift down.
You mean we can fly? Are you sure?
To get there we need to go behind them.
Behind them?
Hey, wait.
We can make it.
It worked. Wow.
We're flying.
Two days of unauthorized leave,
unauthorized use of a government facility,
and taken into custody by Security Police Central Command,
and worst of all, you were near the fence.
I'm very disappointed.
Why are you intentionally causing trouble
for the authorities?
You do understand that you are our responsibility
while you're here.
Are you even listening?!
Your behavior and attitude damages the reputation
of this entire institution.
They took her.
What was that?
They took Patema.
I just-- I wanted to help her.
He's not making any sense.
They attacked us!
They're the ones not making sense!
Behave yourself.
Please leave us.
What?
What you met near the fence was not human.
If your desire is to live, you will forget her.
Just leave all the hard questions to us.
Or have you grown too attached to let go
just because she looks like a girl?
I won't tell you again.
I'd hate for you to have an accident like your father did.
What do you want?
Send me back home. I hate this upside-down world.
Upside-down, huh?
I am afraid you're mistaken.
After all, you're the one hanging from the ceiling.
Don't you think that's odd?
It seems quite clear to me that perhaps
you don't understand why you were born an Invert.
You see, there once were some people
who conducted an experiment.
A dangerous experiment
that attempted to harness energy from gravity.
But Mother Nature would not allow such foolishness.
The experiment was a cataclysmic failure,
causing gravity to be reversed.
These people and everything they created
all fell up into the sky.
All except, of course, for our Ancestors.
We established the land of Aiga
to ensure that nothing like this
would ever happen again.
And to bring eternal peace to our society,
based on law and order.
However,
some for whom gravity was reversed
managed not to fall.
That filth abandoned the surface
and burrowed themselves underground.
We have made Aiga into a perfect society.
So what do you think would happen if we allowed
Inverted blood to contaminate ours?
We cannot expose Aiga to such impurities,
especially from sinners like yourself,
who will then be swallowed up by the sky!
Sinners? How so?
Allow me to introduce you.
After all, this unfortunate situation all began
when an Invert showed up here.
The Invert you see here before you
was taken in by one of our citizens,
and encouraged him to threaten Agia's law and order.
See? All Inverted.
And that got me to thinking,
perhaps there were other Inverts hidden away somewhere,
who might also try to come here and threaten Aiga's sanctity.
That man refused to talk, right to the very end,
but still,
his ordeal won him nothing!
You're very heavy.
I could easily drop you.
Yes, that's right.
Your very life now depends on me, and me alone, my dear.
Man, this is scary.
Almost there.
Wait! Come back!
You know Patema, right?
Wait. What? Do you know where I can find her?
Tell me! Where is she?
That was close.
Ow. Stupid fence.
I could hold Patema down with my weight.
Oh, yeah. Where is she?
You know, don't you?
Come on, just tell me.
Did they catch her?
They did, didn't they?
Just tell me the truth, please!
I was with her.
You just stood there and watched?
I'm sorry. What could I have done?
Hey, if your gravity's reversed,
Patema, she's in that tower, right?
OK, you!
You're coming with me.
Just come on!
Hey, he's coming.
That was quick.
OK.
One and--whoa.
What?
It's really light.
Do you think he fell?
Hey, come on, that's enough.
Bite your--
What the hell?
An Aigan.
Hey, Porta, what are you doing?
Quiet down. We'll talk later.
Now take us to see Elder.
It's one of the bat people.
Hey, wait!
Keep them all out of here, understood?
Got it.
What have you done, Porta?
Really? Is that all any of you can say to me?
Everything is upside-down.
I certainly hope none of the children saw him.
Children?
We do not teach our children here about Aiga.
That's one of our rules.
It's important that they grow up right.
Here we go with the "rules" again.
The rules exist to stop this very thing from happening!
Forget the rules! They've got Patema!
I was worried that might be the case.
It's true, right? Where is she?
Somewhere inside the Control Center.
It's a tower in Aiga.
It's located right above the danger zone.
You went there?!
I drifted back down here with him.
You see, their weight cancels ours, which means with his help,
we can get in the tower from there.
We will not break the rules twice!
You and your stupid rules!
I'm sick of hearing it, you old goat!
- Forget the rules! - Would you be quiet?!
Who made those rules, anyway?
Shut your mouth!
You make me, old man!
Is that a photograph?
Yes.
Looks like it's from Aiga.
I don't know how many times I told that fool Lagos
not to show her those things.
Who's this guy Lagos?
Was he Patema's boyfriend or something?
No way.
He's just some loon who went to Aiga.
He should have known not to go to such a horrible place.
What horrible place?
It can be difficult to grasp
how terrifying a place like that can be,
until you see you have nowhere to stand.
It's a very different world she's seeing now.
Poor girl.
She must be terrified in a place like that.
No, she's not.
She's doing just fine. She said so.
Of course she told you that.
That's just the way she is.
I remember she acted the same way when the Chief died,
even though his death left her without any remaining family.
I remember. She just hid in her room and cried.
She didn't want us to know.
So she appeared strong?
No offense, but you're too upside-down to understand it.
How could you possibly understand
anything about Patema?
Yeah, that may be so.
It's possible I don't understand at all.
But I was happy.
She said the stars were beautiful,
and she listened about my father.
I never told anyone about that before.
But when she was captured,
I couldn't do anything to help.
I didn't even think of trying to rescue her.
I'll do anything.
You have to help me.
We call this area here the Danger Zone
because this is where the tower
reaches down into the ground.
Once, long ago, it was used for communication
between us and Aiga,
or so I've heard.
So this is the Control Center basement?
It's all but abandoned now.
There's no way of getting through.
It comes down this deep?
I'm not sure why it was abandoned,
but the Chief once said that Aiga hoped to flourish
by cutting ties with us and forgetting its past.
Let's worry about the history lesson later.
Right now, let's just sneak in there.
We simply cannot let Aiga take anyone else.
If they catch you--
I'm going to save her. I'll go alone if I have to.
Yeah? Well, I was about to say that.
You'll both have to cooperate for this
to have any chance of working.
We are well aware of that!
Remember, even though you're upside-down--
You're the one standing on the ceiling.
Come on, let's go. Stay alert.
You stay alert.
It would seem that I have accomplished
far more than the leader who came before.
And that girl finding her way here means
there are a lot more rats hiding in the sewer,
don't you think?
We could just interrogate her.
Oh, there's no need to rush.
She will soon come to realize
that I hold absolute power over her.
Once she's been softened up,
she'll tell us anything we ask.
Understood?
It's not that, sir.
The look on her face as she clung to me.
I look forward to seeing that again.
The Invert girl has been transferred.
Thank you.
Good work.
But why is she in the hall of the top floor?
Apparently that frightens Inverts.
Damn.
I can't go over there, Age.
You go. I'll find another route.
Porta?
Thank you.
I'll be right behind you, OK?
Beautiful.
Help me.
Age.
I'm sorry.
I left you alone.
Lagos is dead.
Hey, I met your family back home.
Porta and I came here together.
Really?
I made them a promise that I'd do whatever it takes
to get you back to them.
Age.
We can jump,
no matter how high,
as long as we just stick together.
Would you care to explain how that boy got in here?
He would have needed help from another Invert, sir.
I see. We'll find the other one.
Let's go.
Get them!
Patema.
My leg.
Sir, hold on.
You are starting to get on my nerves, boy.
First the father, now the son seeks to destabilize Aiga.
Can't say I'm surprised.
So it wasn't an accident.
Those who violate our laws must die,
even if they're from Aiga,
just like that Invert.
What is wrong with flying, anyway?
Some things are not meant to be seen.
That's it. You're afraid.
My father told me that when you're up in the sky,
and you look down, you'll see how small Aiga really is.
You're all just too afraid to find that out.
I've flown with Patema.
I've seen it for myself.
Which makes it even more unfortunate
that you won't be around to see what happens to her.
Kill the boy.
- But, sir-- - That is an order!
Come in.
Hey, how's it going, Patema?
Seems like you were fighting with Elder again.
So you heard us, huh?
Where are you, Lagos? I'm not finished talking to you.
Are you leaving again, Lagos?
But I won't be coming back.
I went to Aiga, and--
Stay here with me.
Patema, I had a dream.
That's why I went to Aiga,
but I wasn't able to make it come true,
and that's why
I'm leaving that dream to someone very special.
Lagos.
And so
you must never let him go.
Do you understand?
Age- Age.
Porta.
Patema. She fell.
Age.
Those lights.
Just hang on.
It's all right.
Stars
Hey, wait a minute.
That's my backpack.
Age.
Age, is that...
It's my dad's flying machine.
So, those two sinners have been swallowed up into the sky, huh?
She chose that boy over my protection.
Why?
Why didn't she choose me?!
- Listen. - Sir?
Tell everyone that the boy died in an unfortunate accident.
Right.
It's a good chance to set an example.
Age?
I was so scared.
When I looked down, my mind just went blank.
Don't worry. You're safe here.
I thought I understood how you must be feeling in Aiga.
I thought my protecting you would be enough.
But now I understand.
It's terrifying to be upside-down.
Your father made this machine, didn't he, Age?
But look at this.
See?
The writing. It's my dad's.
So what does it say?
It's hard to read upside-down, OK?
September 23rd.
Something amazing happened today.
I met a strange man who said, "I come from the world below."
He claims gravity operates in exactly the opposite direction
as ours for him, as bizarre as that might seem.
This man, Lagos...
I'm hiding this man from the others.
They mustn't know the truth of Lagos' existence.
His appearance here must signify something.
September 28th.
I spent the last few days with Lagos.
We opened up to each other
and tried to get familiar with each other's worlds.
I feel like we have a great deal in common.
No hesitation now.
I've decided to go ahead and confide in him about my dream.
I'll finally be starting on the path towards realizing my dream.
I am so grateful to the friend from another world
that gave me the courage.
We are united.
And when this test is done,
I'll help him achieve his dream.
The dream of uniting all mankind.
It seems like your father
was much closer to Lagos than I ever was.
Why?
It's like I'm seeing you for the first time.
Me, too.
Age, I understand now.
You see, you all saw the same thing.
Lagos, you, and your father.
That's why.
Patema.
It's too hot here. I can't take it anymore.
That's not it. It's gotta be here somewhere.
I've got it. Here it is.
We'll tell everyone about Lagos and my father.
Yeah.
That's some rather unpleasant footage.
Good morning to you, sir.
Do you believe that the sinners will return from the sky?
No, it's just...
You must realize that none of this would've happened
if you hadn't hesitated to shoot.
You feel responsible.
So now you've decided to personally keep watch yourself?
Reinstitute the underground patrols.
There'll be no more of these intrusions.
The time is now 8:30.
Remember, proper upbringing leads to a proper education.
Proper education leads to proper behavior.
Hey, what are you doing?
"An accident" makes no sense.
Age wanted to fly, just like his dad almost did.
Cut it out, will you?
...proper behavior.
The time is now 8:32.
What's that?
Proper upbringing...
Hey, look.
Up there, look.
...means proper behavior.
Over there. What is...
The time is now 8:33.
What's going on here?
All of you get to class.
Hey.
Security Police.
We're going to have to jump.
You're not scared of falling?
I'm fine if I'm with you.
It's Age.
This time, don't wait.
- Age! - Fire!
What?
We did it.
We're in the clear now.
They will not escape!
Move it!
Might I suggest that we reconsider, sir?
Where do you think it is that they're going?
This is the perfect chance
to find the rest of those Inverts!
Patema, may you rest in peace.
Patema!
It's hard to put into words what you...
Porta. Porta!
I'm back.
Patema!
Thank goodness you're OK.
Thank you, Age. Thank you. Thank you.
Elder, I'm afraid that Lagos...
I see.
Here.
What's this?
There's a notebook inside.
It says how Lagos--
What are they doing up there?
Patema!
Elder! Porta!
Patema!
You people are just like the Chief always said!
Yes, yes.
I've finally found you Inverts.
That's enough.
Help. I'm slipping.
What are you doing?
Arrest these Inverts. That's an order!
Do you hear me?!
This is mutiny!
Give me your hand. Hurry.
Why, you wretched little traitor.
Porta!
Hey. Over here.
Porta.
Don't you see? She's just a filthy Invert.
So then why, why won't you let her go?
Tell me why!
That filthy sinner.
- No, don't! - Age.
Just try to imagine it, the world that Patema sees.
She's upside-down here, helpless,
no ground to support her.
She's uncertain, afraid.
That's why all she can do is trust in me
and just hang on.
I won't let go, Patema.
I do admire your courage.
Next I'm going to shoot your left leg.
Then your right arm after that.
We'll see how long you can hold on.
Invert, give yourself to me,
and I promise that I'll save you.
I won't let her go.
Patema!
Why won't you just die?
Porta!
He fell. He fell up.
Age, good-bye.
Nice try, you repulsive sinner,
but the sky will now swallow you up.
What's going on?
What's happening?
Next time, save me with a little more style.
Pate--
Age? Age?
Age.
You're all right.
Where am I?
Have a look.
Once long ago,
a terrible accident happened here.
Many people fell into the sky.
Fell into the sky, but for those few
who somehow managed not to fall,
they abandoned the surface
and hid deep underground.
The scientists who were at fault for this
shouldered the blame
and took it upon themselves to remain with the victims.
You don't mean?
The Chief's final testament told us a lot, Porta.
Patema.
I want to see. Take me out there with you.
Wait.
Look at the way they're holding each other.
I think she likes him.
I had a chance to read his father's notebook.
Perhaps he's right.
Perhaps there is a future for my son's dream, after all.
The people of Aiga will be in
for quite a shock when they see this.
Who cares?
This is more important than your love life, Porta.
Listen, you don't know the way I feel!
I suppose you're right. Sorry.
Two worlds lay before us both upside-down
Each one reaching out, searching
Each reaching out to take the other's hand
The parted sky and earth
Come together in the palm of a hand
Like a map of white to cover them over
it starts with a light there
Riding on hope, it will come
For the two of us, one day for sure
Two hearts ringing out both upside-down
Each exchanging words with the other
Two hearts drawn close beating as one
The parted sky and earth
Held in the palm of a hand
Like a blank puzzle to fill them in
it starts with the sound of a footstep there
Riding on the future, it will come
For the two of us
One day for sure
Two hearts ringing out both upside-down
Each exchanging words with the other
Two hearts drawn close beating as one
The parted sky and earth
Held in the palm of a hand
Like a blank puzzle to fill them in
it starts with the sound of a footstep there
Riding on the future, it will come
For the two of us
One day for sure