"Detective! Night Scoop" (ABC TV, Fridays at 11:17 PM) is a popular variety show where "detectives" tackle bizarre requests and worries submitted by viewers. On June 5th, Detective Matsui Kemuri investigated the request to "bring back to life a stuffed animal given by a deceased mother." Film director Kore-eda Hirokazu appeared as the special director, with Ishida Yasushi as assistant director and Masuda Saori as secretary.
The request came from a 38-year-old woman from Osaka Prefecture. This woman, who lives in Osaka and is a mother of one, has a stuffed animal that she has cherished for a long time. Its name is "U-chan the Rabbit." Her late mother gave it to her as a gift when she was born.
From when she was a baby, we slept together every night, and "U-chan" was always by my side—on school trips, honeymoons, during labor, and even in the operating room while I was battling illness. But year after year, "U-chan" has grown tired, her eyes have changed, and now she's unrecognizable as a rabbit, surprising people who see her for the first time. Some even say she's "creepy."
It's frustrating that this cuteness can't be conveyed. She's so adorable... So, is it possible to bring "U-chan the rabbit" back to life as she was when she was healthy? I'm sorry to ask for too much, but please, please keep U-chan's scent exactly the same.
The real "U-chan" has a stretched-out neck, distorted eyes and nose, and even her "internal organs" are visible through her skin. She apparently sleeps with it on her face like an eye mask, but "it's scary. It smells like the corner of a closet," says the Kemuri Detective.
However, "U-chan" seems to be reminded of her mother by her scent. So, a professional stuffed animal maker steps in to help, attempting to recreate the ideal "U-chan." However, there isn't nearly enough usable fabric, and the new stuffing smells different, making it a much more difficult challenge than anticipated.
