Down and Out (Pu-Pu-Pu)
This series takes a comical--and sometimes serious--look at the relationships among three boys and their friends, as well as with their own fathers. Just out of high school, Hayato, Rikuo and Kazuya aren't sure what they want to do, exactly, but they've rebelled against their fathers, and are now on their way to a school in America. They're left high and dry when they discover that the school has gone bankrupt and the staff members have all disappeared. They then proceed to get swindled out of all their money. When they finally manage to return to Japan, they are broke, without jobs, and too ashamed to go home.
Starring
Morita Go, Miyake Ken, Okada Junichi, Egawa Suguru, Danda Yasunori and Tokoro Joji.
Theme Song
"Over" by V6
Air Dates
Encore presentaion ended 9/1/00
Fully subtitled in English
11 Episodes
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Episode 1
By coincidence, Hayato, Rikuo and Kazuya are all enrolled in the same school in Los Angeles. Upon arrival, they are stunned to find that the school has folded. A Japanese woman offers to help them out, then promptly swindles them out of all their money.
Episode 2
The three boys are deported by American immigration officials. Unwilling to return to their parents, they decide to earn money at an illegal casino. They are forced to face their fathers, who come to get them, when they're arrested by the police.
Episode 3
In order to repay the money the borrowed from their friends for their trip to America, the boys get a construction job, but give up after a day. Kazuya has the bright idea to sell tickets to a party featuring stewardesses. The boys get into trouble when no stewardesses show up.
Episode 4
Hayato, Rikuo and Kazuya are thrilled to receive their first paycheck. Still, their problems with their fathers and their mounting debts loom over them. Then, to make matters worse, Kazuya discovers that his father is being blackmailed over some photograph!
Episode 5
The focus in this episode is on the relationship among the three boys and their girlfriends, Mahiru and Chiaki. Although they’re attracted to each other, their wires keep getting crossed. All the while, the boys work at all sorts of job to repay their debts.
Episode 6
Although he is angry with Kazuya over his treatment of Chiaki, Hayato finds himself defending Kazuya’s actions before Chiaki, who treats him cooly, unaware of his feelings for her. Meanwhile, Hayato sees a surprising side to his father.
Episode 7
Rikuo’s father finds him a job, but he ends up quitting after only a day. Unable to face his father, Rikuo leaves home. He unsuccessfully tries to find lodging with Hayato and Kazuya. Meanwhile, Hayato is surprised by what he discovers about his perfect, pampered little brother Hideto.
Episode 8
Hayato, Rikuo and Kazuya leave their homes after altercations with their fathers, but they have nowhere to go. Their girlfriends won’t let them stay overnight, so they end up in a “love” hotel. When they inquire at a real estate office, they find an apartment with a dark past that’s a real bargain.
Episode 9
Rikuo invites his girlfriend Mahiru to the apartment. She prepares dinner for two, but while they’re having a good time, Rikuo’s mother drops in. She expected to find three boys living there, but is shocked to her son with a girl! Rikuo and Kazuya move in with their girlfriends, leaving Hayato to live in their apartment alone.
Episode 10
Hayato returns to the apartment in time to catch Kazuya trying to kiss Chiaki. Kazuya is drunk and ends up crying himself to sleep. Rikuo and Mahiru have problems when she is taken back to her parents’ by her brother. The three boys go and bring Mahiru back, and when confronted by his parents, Rikuo declares that he will marry Mahiru.
Episode 11 - Final Episode
Tragedy befalls Rikuo’s family when his mother suffers a stroke. He and his father sit at her bedside day after day, praying that she’ll regain consciousness. When she finally does, Rikuo and his father suddenly find themselves in alliance. Meanwhile, Hayato and Kazuya have problems to face up to at home, too.
