A Whirlpool Swallows Kero!

Previously…

On Kero Learns Japanese

Sensei: Goro kicked Kero into the sea...
Kero falls from the stone ledge toward the water.
Sensei: Down he sank, into the deep... where something hungry was waiting...
Three hungry fish watch Kero arrive above a seabed scattered with old bones.
Sensei: Kero swam for his life... but the captain did not hunt alone.
The three fish chase Kero through the water.
Sensei: The Fin Brigade had a secret technique... the Croissant of Doom!
Three angled close-ups show the fish announcing their attack.
Sensei: Kero is surrounded. The wave is rising. Will Kero survive?
The massive crescent wave rises above the surface.

Wait a moment!

Kero raises a hand beside a ticking alarm clock.
In Japan, when you need a moment, we say...
ちょっとまって Romaji: chotto matte Wait a moment!

The wave crashes down…

Two giant crests of water slam together over the stormy sea.

Scene description: Two giant crests of water slam together over the stormy sea.

Underwater, Kero tumbles in the current and spots a way out.

Scene description: Underwater, Kero tumbles in the current and spots a way out.

Kero: Must grab the rope!
Kero swims hard toward a rope hanging from the pier.
Kero clings to the rope as a startled squid and octopus are swept past.

Scene description: Kero clings to the rope as a startled squid and octopus are swept past.

On the cliff above, two frog villagers watch the swirling sea.

Scene description: On the cliff above, two frog villagers watch the swirling sea.

The wave smashes through the wooden jetty.

Scene description: The wave smashes through the wooden jetty.

The rope’s fibres fray and snap apart.

Scene description: The rope’s fibres fray and snap apart.

Kero is swept away, still holding the broken rope.

Scene description: Kero is swept away, still holding the broken rope.

Into the whirlpool

Tiny Kero spins above a huge whirlpool.

Scene description: Tiny Kero spins above a huge whirlpool.

Kero screams as the current drags him down.

Scene description: Kero screams as the current drags him down.

The Fin Brigade spin around Kero inside the whirlpool.

Scene description: The Fin Brigade spin around Kero inside the whirlpool.

Kero: I can’t fight the current!
Kero, exhausted, fights the pull of the water.
Kero closes his eyes and sinks into the dark.

Scene description: Kero closes his eyes and sinks into the dark.

A voice in the dark

Somewhere between light and dark

Voice: Kero... you must not fall here.
A glowing figure appears before a small, startled Kero.
Kero: What?
Kero stares, confused.
Voice: You must defeat the First Dragon.
The glowing figure fills the darkness.
Kero: Who?
Kero narrows his eyes.
Voice: This is the future we see.
The camera rushes toward Kero’s eye.

This is the future we see…

A possible future

Glowing blue eyes open in the darkness.

Scene description: Glowing blue eyes open in the darkness.

Voice: If Goro breaks the seal...
The First Dragon’s eyes glare behind a chained stone gate.
A golden chain strains in close-up.

Scene description: A golden chain strains in close-up.

In this possible future, the chains shatter around the gate.

Scene description: In this possible future, the chains shatter around the gate.

Voice: Kerotown will be the first to fall.
Two frightened villagers stand in the burning streets of Kerotown.

Long ago…

The guide’s warning

Voice: Long ago, your people sealed his fire beneath this town.
Ancient frogs bind the fire behind a stone door.

If he wakes…

A possible future

Voice: If he wakes... it will spread beneath all of Japan.
Fire spreads beneath rivers and waterfalls.
Voice: Mountains will split.
A mountain cracks open.
Voice: The roads between cities will fall.
A bridge to the city collapses.
Voice: And the things hiding in the dark... will come out.
Horned red creatures step out of a dark forest.

The Echo Frogs

Voice: Kero... you are an Echo Frog.
The glowing figure speaks to Kero.
Kero stares, stunned.

Scene description: Kero stares, stunned.

Long ago…

The Echo Frog ancestors

Voice: Your ancestors could borrow nature’s strength...
A golden Echo Frog ancestor gathers glowing energy in an old village.
Voice: ...and send it back.
The ancestor sends the energy back and knocks falling rocks away.

Borrowed strength

Voice: But your Echo is still asleep.
Kero listens, worried.
Voice: For now... I will lend you my strength.
A thread of light flows from the glowing figure to Kero.
Kero glows with borrowed light.

Scene description: Kero glows with borrowed light.

Voice: Draw your arms back. Let the light follow.
Kero draws his arms back as the figure watches.
Kero: It’s moving with me!
The light swirls around Kero as he moves.
Voice: Turn your body. Give it direction.
Kero plants his feet and turns.
The light coils around Kero and takes the shape of a dragon.

Scene description: The light coils around Kero and takes the shape of a dragon.

Now... PUSH!

Voice: Now...
Kero steadies himself, determined.
Voice: PUSH!
Kero punches forward and the light dragon launches.
The spirit dragon’s eye blazes blue.

Scene description: The spirit dragon’s eye blazes blue.

The dragon carves through the current.

Scene description: The dragon carves through the current.

The dragon roars.

Scene description: The dragon roars.

The dragon rips through the whirlpool.

Scene description: The dragon rips through the whirlpool.

Blasting off

The spirit dragon bursts out of the sea.

Scene description: The spirit dragon bursts out of the sea.

The Fin Brigade are flung into the air, screaming.

Scene description: The Fin Brigade are flung into the air, screaming.

The three fish tumble through the sky, screaming.

Scene description: The three fish tumble through the sky, screaming.

They vanish into the distance with a twinkle.

Scene description: They vanish into the distance with a twinkle.

Kero:
Sayonara! Romaji: sayounara Goodbye!
Kero waves up at the star.

Goodbye!

Kero waves up at a twinkling star in the sky.
さようなら Romaji: sayounara Goodbye!

Often used for a goodbye that could be for a long time.

Three trials

Kero: I... did that?
Kero floats on a plank and stares at his hand.
Voice: Borrowed strength, Kero. My time is running out.
The glowing figure appears above the calm sea.
Voice: Three trials.
Kero looks up at the figure.
Voice: Each will awaken a new power. Master all three...
A map of Japan marks three distant places.
Voice: ...and unlock the Golden Croak.
A glowing golden frog appears inside rings of light.

Find Sensei in Tokyo

Kero: But how do I find them?
Kero looks up from his plank.
Voice: Find Sensei in Tokyo.
A faint Tokyo skyline glows beside the figure.
Voice: He knows where they are.
Tokyo’s skyline at dusk, with a train crossing below.
Voice: And you’ll have to convince him to help.
Sensei sits on his couch with a bowl of popcorn, watching TV.

Will Kero come visit me?

Sensei: Will Kero come visit me? Find out next time on Kero Learns Japanese!
The room fades to grey as Sensei waits on his couch.

Learn the words from this episode

Learn to read hiragana

Next: Episode 4, Kero Searches Tokyo for Sensei!