Aogeba Toutoshi

Koichi Hikuma was a saxophone player, but he suffers from the aftereffects of an accident. Due to that, he turned his back on music. Koichi Hikuma finds hope in the high school brand band. The band consists of problem students. Koichi struggles to instruct the brass band and to give them hope.

His first obstacle at the school is "The Law," a gang that terrorizes the school with violence and dangerous stunts. Hikuma learns from a student that this gang used to be a popular Rock band until they were attacked by hooligans, and their leader, Aoshima, who played guitar, was injured. Unable to play the guitar, he took on a "Yankee/hooligan" persona. One by one, his band mates also became "Yankees." Hikuma works with the sub par school brass band, and arranges for them to play at public performance. Aoshima does an Internet search for "Hikuma Koichi" and confronts the brass band with a worrying revelation. What will the band members do, since Aoshima also threatens then with bodily harm if the show up to play?

The Misaki high school brass band doesn't show up for it's first public performance. The next day, at band practice, The Law gang shows up; Hikuma invites them to join and experience a wider world. Aoshima responds by throwing a chair through a window, refusing to join, and leading the gang out. Later, Hikuma finds out that the Principal does a form of "neighborhood watch" in the area to steer students away from delinquency. That night, while on patrol, he sees three Law members fleeing a police officer. The three split into different directions, but the policeman catches Abo. Hikuma takes off his watch armband and pretends that Abo is his son; his daughter is asked to pick the "family" members at the Koban. Hikuma advises Abo to make the best of his final high school year, which makes him think about taking up the Trombone. The next day, The Law finds an old enemy, Jinnai, working at a construction site. Jinnai had injured Aoshima, and they face off. Words are exchanged before Jinnai is called back to work; some of The Law say they are going to be a band again. The next day, Jinnai's gang shows up outside school, demanding a faceoff. Hikuma asks them to leave The Law alone, and takes several blows before the Yankees leave. That afternoon, Abo breaks into the band room and takes several instruments out of their cases, a Trombone, among them. Takamoku and Kuwata escort him to the roof for a conversation; they too, want to play music again. Aoshima tries to assert himself, but finally releases them, saying "their friendship is over." That night, Kuwata and Takamoku are taken by Jinnai's gang. Aoshima is called out, and things are about to come to blows.

Kuwata and Takamoku have been captured by Jinnai's gang, with Aoshima and Kitora called out. While on "neighborhood watch" patrol Hkuma sees Aoshima and Kitora running on an adjacent street, then hurries to catch up. Aoshima and Kitora are beaten by Jinnai's gang, while Hikuma arrives just before the Police. The school Principal and Vice-Principal come to the Police Koban, with angry intent, as Hikuma pleads their case. The next morning, Hikuma announces auditions for Group Leaders in the brass band; Kuwata, Takamoku, and Abo take up the challenge.

At Aoshima's old band shack, the three practice "El Camino Real," the brass band's concert piece. Later that evening, after the school band's Karaoke break, Hikuma finds Aoshima at the restaurant where Hikuma's daughter, Natsuki, has been waiting for dinner. That evening, Abo telephones the gang that "someone has ransacked our shack." The Past and the Future are confronted as the gang picks up the broken pieces of their past. The next day, group leader trials are held; Aoshima goes to confront Jinnai. Aoshima realizes how far Hikuma has gone to "smooth the waters." Hikuma's daughter, Natsuki, goes to the school Principal to end the brass band experiment. The two observe the group leader results, as Aoshima and Kitora join the brass band. Unknown the the brass band members, a medical report from a local hospital concerning Mr. Hikuma has arrived.

It is the second week of band practice, and there's no harmony. Hikuma proposes a Band camp in the name of unity. Hikuma has noticed that Meiho high school, which has a top notch band will also be there. When Hikuma's students arrive, they see and hear the superior Meiho high school band and are intimidated. They aren't allowed to watch Meiho's band practice, and are forced to use the camp's cafeteria to practice. To ease the tension, a softball game is arranged, which reveals even more problems among the members. Igawa, the first Saxophone leader, sees a former intermediate school friend, a Meiho band member, and his alienation increases.Hikuma cousels Igawa, who continues to resent Aoshima's gang. The next day, after an exercise session and band practice, Hikuma suggests that they have a get together barbeque with Meiho. Hikuma's daughter is interning at the high school, and wonders aloud why her father is mentoring such hopeless teens; he outlines The Plan and continues to take notes on the students. Meiho never shows up, but Igawa's old intermediate school friend entraps him into "smoking." At band practice, Hikuma collapses and is taken to the nurse's station; Igawa gets to read the old man's notebook and realizes that "demotions" to second chair are part of The Plan. The Meiho bandmaster confronts Hikuma with a picture of Igawa "smoking," announces that they're leaving, and Hikuma's Principal will be notified of the "crime." Hikuma attempts to find out which Meiho student entrapped Igawa; Aoshima's gang steps up to support Igawa and Hikuma by stopping the bus. Hikuma declares to the Meiho bandmaster that they both believe in their students...no matter what. Next morning, at band practice, Igawa moves to second chair and the band comes together.Back home, student home troubles are (partially) resolved. Hikuma goes to the hospital for more tests, and his daughter leads the band. The Principal informs Hikuma's daughter that the school is withdrawing from the contest, as Hikuma prepares for tests at the hospital.

At the local hospital, Hikuma's medical tests are finished, and things in his life have changed. Returning to Misaki high school, the band informs him that the Vice Principal has withdrawn the band from competition. Hikuma and his daughter plead their case; the band will go on to competition. But, as punishment, they are barred from the school's music room for 10 days. Hikuma and the band find another place to practice, under a shed in the open air. Clashes within the band lead Hikuma to invite the band over to his house for dinner after band practice. Lead Clarinet player Nagisa goes home, however, to continue connecting with her stepmother and stepbrother. To change the Vice Principal's image of the band, Hikuma has them cleaning the school of rubbish and weeds. Then, he hands out letters to the student's parents to attend their stage performance. Nagisa is torn by this invitation, since her birth parents are divorced. Nagisa's mother was a Clarinet player, and encourged her and members of "The Law" to express themselves through music when they were children. One night, after band practice, Nagisa is reported missing by her parents; Hikuma finds "The Law" members and the search for her is on. She is found near the harbor, where they used to practice playing their instruments; Hikuma implores her not to "lose her fire," After days of indecision, Nagisa invites her entire family to the band performance. The next day, Hikuma goes to draw for the band competition and draws #1!

Later that day, as the Hikumas and the band sneak to their off campus practice shed, the Vice Principal stops them. Since they are a nuisance to the neighborhood, he has no choice but to keep them on campus...in the music room! Several band members are at odds with having their family attend the band competition, but all is well, otherwise. That evening, at the local hospital, Hikuma's daughter learns that the hospital tests have revealed advanced Pancreatic cancer! She hurries home to find he father unconscious, in front of the family altar.

Hikuma is carried to the hospital by ambulance. The doctor informs him that further tests, bed rest, and an operation are called for. At Misaki high school, the band wonders what is up with Hikuma, with three weeks before district competition. Natsuki, Hikuma's daughter, takes over band practice and the Vice Principal casually mentions that her internship will be ending soon. First chair Saxophonist Kitora announces his intention to study at a music school, then abroad. Nagisa asks Misaki for a referral to a private Clarinet teacher. Hikuma undergoes tests, radiation and chemotherapy for a few days, before sneaking out of the hospital to lead the band. Hikuma and Natsuki visit Kitora's home to present the request for study abroad; Kitora says he won't be going abroad. At practice the next day, Aoshima physically throws Kitora out of the band, telling him to leave for music school and study abroad instead of staying with the brass band. Kitora eventually leaves for music school, but not before getting a handmade talisman made for brass band members. Aoshima and the former Law members ask that he be forgiven for leaving, and Igawa takes over Saxophone first chair. At the district band competition, Hikuma and the band assemble and wait to be called for their first public performance.

Misaki high school's brass band plays their best and score a gold award, which puts them into contention for the regional competition. They are one of three selected, and a celebratory party is held at the music room. Hikuma and Natsuki go to the hospital, and are told by the doctor that he needs immediate surgery. Hikuma asks if the operation can be scheduled on the same day of the band"s regional competition. Later he and Natsuki arrive at the band room and inform the band that he has cancer and his surgery will keep him from the regional trials. Hikuma tells them that he will be on stage with them at the national competition. While Hikuma is in the hospital, getting therapy before surgery, Natsuki will lead band practice. Aoshima and others wonder aloud if Hikuma's surgery is as ordinary he says it is. Natsuki's first band practice leads to them visit Hikuma in the hospital.

After the band leaves the hospital, Aoshima goes back, with Kitora nearby, alerted to the band's win and Hikuma's illness. They arrive just in time to carry Hikuma back to his room. Hikuma regards Aoshima and Kitora, and tells them the truth; if the operation is unsuccessful, he has at most, six months to live. Natsuki continues band practice, recording each session for Hikuma's critique, which mostly centers on "getting what the band members have inside rather than imposing her will." Time counts down to the Prefectural trials, and Kitora is having grave doubts about preparing to study abroad instead of being with the band. On the day before competition, he visits Natsuki and asks to be part of the competition; Aoshima and the gang arrive to urge Kitora to "see the world as a professional musician."

On the day of the band competition, Kitora leaves his final music exam and hurries to rejoin the brass band. Just before heading for the concert stage, Natsuki plays Hikuma's speech of encouragement. Kitora arrives and begs to be allowed to return; Aoshims gruffly tells him "don't hold us back." With that, the band assembles on the stage, and Hikuma's surgery begins.

Awakened from surgery, Hikuma is shown the Gold certificate the Misaki High School brass band won at the Prefectural level. He congratulates the band members around his bed, and vows to lead them at the Kanto level contest next month. Natsuki meets with the doctor and gets bad news, which she keeps from her father and the band. At band practice, Natsuki has to contend with a restive group, wondering if Hikuma will return to lead them. Aoshima and the ex-Law members encourage the band to set aside their concerns and concentrate on moving onto the national level. Later that day, Aoshima visits Natsuki for an update; Natsuki, unable to contain herself reveals that Hikuma's Pancreatic cancer surgery was unsuccessful and he has six months left. The ex-Law members keep this shattering news to themselves, while Natsuki continues to record band practice and seeks guidance from her father. Hikuma has been busy with physical therapy and is encouraged when band members visit. One day he collapses and coughs up blood. Natsuki and the doctor confer; Hikuma must stay in the hospital and can't make the Kanto level contest.

One day at band practice, Natsuki breaks the news to the members, who are at loose ends. The ex-Law members step up and tell the band members to remember the life lessons Hikuma has taught them. The day of the Kanto trials arrives, and the rival high school band leader asks Natsuki where Hikuma is. The band moves into the practice hall without incident. Natsuki finds the band unable to focus; The Law delivers Hikuma to the hall, and he tells them to be themselves when they play. Dressed for battle, the Misaki High School brass band performs "El Camino Real" with spirit. At the awards ceremony, Natsuki rides herd on the band. Later, Hikuma expresses his apology for being absent when he was most needed. The rival high school band leader, who's band made it to the Kanto level, suggests things to work on "for next year," then expresses his admiration at their stellar performance.

Hikuma starts to leave for the hosiptal, amid congratulations and muted goodbyes. At graduation, a service/recital is held in the band room for their deceased teacher. Natsuki reveals her initial objection to her father's involvement with Misaki High School, but confirms her dedication to keeping watch over the band members. For a final salute, the band plays the traditional Meiji era graduation song, "Aogeba Toutoshi."

A year later, the new Misaki High School brass band under Natsuki is in contention for the national level competition. The old brass band members are in the audience and cheer as this band makes it to the national level. The band members are headed in different directions, one to study abroad, and Aoshima to college to become a music teacher! At the beach, they reflect on the influence that Hikuma had and has on their lives, as life goes on.