I, Hiroshi Nohara, the star of Japanese cinema

Chapter 93 The King Returns! Nohara Hiroshi is harassed by phone calls!

the next day.

On the third Tuesday of July, the aftermath of the storm brought about by Hiroshi Nohara quietly exploded in countless newsstands and commuter trains.

The entertainment front page of the Tokyo Film and Television News vividly depicted last night's dramatic "rectification of disorder" with an almost astonishing touch.

The King Returns! Hiroshi Nohara, the creator of "Anzhiju," was tasked with bringing a dying work back from the ICU overnight!

If the sudden emergence of "Tales of the World" demonstrated Nohara Hiroshi's terrifying talent, enough to establish a new school of thought, then the emergency rescue of "Anshijiu: True Season 3" is more like a textbook-level, surgical precision strike.

"In just a few minutes, he stripped the IP, which had been completely ruined by Iwata and his ilk, from a pile of nonsensical demon-slaying farces and re-extracted the purest and most chilling soul of 'urban horror'."

"The 8.35% viewership rating is more of a declaration than an achievement – ​​the familiar 'An Zhi Ju' that sends chills down our spines on summer nights is back."

The picture accompanying the article did not choose Nohara Hiroshi's face, which was handsome enough to make countless girls scream. Instead, it meaningfully chose a close-up of Uncle Kamishibai wearing an ominous mask.

The eyes hidden behind the mask seemed to be looking through the paper, coldly staring at those clowns who had tried to defile it.

The veteran film critic "Pendaoke", known for his sharp tongue and sharp words, elevated this farce to a more philosophical level in his column.

……

Other newspapers also have film critics who have published works -

[Fakes and Authentic Works: A Public Execution of the Soul]

"...Iwata Masao's failure wasn't due to his own inferior skills, but rather to the fact that from the very beginning, he embarked on a completely wrong and dead end path. He naively believed that by imitating Nohara Hiroshi's style and using the gimmicks of 'urban horror stories', he could replicate that success."

"He is like a clumsy painter who copied the Mona Lisa but could never understand the unique soul of Leonardo da Vinci hidden behind that mysterious smile."

"Nohara Hiroshi's 'Lend Me' may seem like a simple ghost story, but at its core, it's an incredibly precise modern urban allegory. It questions the way we, modern people living in the concrete jungle, navigate the dilemma of survival, caught between indifference and kindness."

"This is the true soul of 'Dark Zhiju' - it never bothers to scare you with green-faced, fanged monsters. It simply amplifies the most subtle fears in our daily lives, the most hidden corners of human nature, until it becomes a cold steel needle that can pierce all your psychological defenses."

"So, while Masao Iwata was still trying to build a haunted house with cheap special effects and a silly plot, Hiroshi Nohara had already built an inescapable maze called 'human nature' in each of our hearts. This confrontation, from the very beginning, was not on the same dimension."

……

Compared with the in-depth analysis of these professional media, the style of Weekly Modern appears to be more approachable and more provocative.

"Dad is back!" — A nationwide carnival sparked by the audience to save "Dark House"!

"...We must admit that this is a victory for the fans. It was the overwhelming influx of petitions and the inundated customer service hotline that ultimately prompted TV Tokyo's top management to make this incredibly correct decision. And Nohara Hiroshi, this young 'father,' lived up to everyone's expectations. He responded to the calls of all his 'children' with a truly perfect answer."

"This is more than just the success of a TV series; it's the most positive interaction between creators and audiences. It proves to us that in this era, what truly determines the life or death of a work isn't the power play among TV executives, but each of us, the ordinary viewers, who sit in front of the TV and vote with our remote controls."

This populist argument has pushed Hiroshi Nohara's personal reputation to an unprecedented level, almost to the level of a "spokesperson for public opinion."

……

Some more niche review magazines that tend to focus on sociological research interpreted this phenomenal cultural event from a more critical perspective.

[The "Nohara Phenomenon" Examining Japan's Collective Anxiety in the 1990s]

"… Whether it's the urbanites alienated beyond recognition by modern society in 'Wonderful Stories of the World,' or the unspoken fears lurking beneath the surface of everyday life in 'Anshiji Residence,' Nohara Hiroshi's works accurately capture the pervasive, collective anxiety of our society, mired in a golden economic downturn, seemingly flourishing but fraught with undercurrents. His success is no accident. He has ingeniously found a perfectly appropriate outlet for the confusion and anxiety of our time."

For a moment, praise came like a tide.

The name Hiroshi Nohara is no longer just the creator of a ratings myth. He has been pushed to the altar of "symbol of the times" by the media, critics, and countless fanatical fans.

……

"So, I am now a 'symbol of the times'?"

In the office of [Nohara Hiroshi·Special Production Team], Nohara Hiroshi shook the "Tokyo Film and Television Drama News" in his hand, which was worshipped as a Bible by Minamimura Hoshi, and a look of helplessness appeared on his face.

This is really a bit too much.

"of course!"

Nancun Xing puffed out his chest, his young face filled with pride. "Section Chief, you're a god-like figure in our school's forum now! My junior schoolmate even asked me to ask for your autograph yesterday! She said that as long as she could get your autograph, she would... would..."

"What do you want to do?" Nohara Hiroshi raised his eyebrows and became interested.

"cough!"

Nancun Xing's face flushed, and after hesitating for a long time, he whispered, "She's willing to give me the limited edition photo album of Nakayama Miho that she's treasured for three years..."

"puff--"

"Hahahahaha!"

The office suddenly erupted in good-natured laughter.

Even Hashijitaro, who was busy organizing the storyboard for the new episode in the corner, unconsciously raised the corners of his mouth slightly.

He raised his head and looked at the young faces in the office that were filled with confidence and joy. Finally, a glimmer of vitality reappeared in the eyes that had long been occupied by regret and despair.

He's back again.

He returned to this warm collective that he had once betrayed but was now extremely grateful to be able to integrate into again.

He no longer thought about those unrealistic ambitions, nor did he envy the young man's brilliance that seemed forever unattainable.

He finally understood.

Masao Iwata's failure was not accidental.

And his own success, too, did not stem from his own ability.

Whether it is the first and second seasons of "Dark House" or the current "True Third Season" that turned the tide.

The root of all this lies in just one person.

The young man who was surrounded by the crowd, with a calm smile on his face.

He was like the sun, and they were just planets revolving around him.

You can reflect his light, but you can never shine yourself.

After figuring this out, Hashijitaro felt that his heart, which had been tormented by jealousy and unwillingness for a long time, suddenly calmed down more than ever before.

"So, this is genius."

He let out a long breath, and that breath seemed to take away all the obsessions and inner demons of his half life.

He picked up a pen and began to mark the lighting and props needed for each shot in the corner of the storyboard with an almost pilgrimage-like concentration.

He knew that from now on, what he had to do was simple.

That is to use all his life's skills to present the bizarre world in the genius' mind to everyone in the most perfect way.

This may be the greatest value of his, Hashiji Ichiro's life.

"Alright, alright! Stop it!"

Just then, Beichuan Yao walked in like a hardworking little bee, carrying several large lunch boxes. Her pretty face, always full of energy, was filled with a bright smile. "The section chief is treating us today! I specially went to the most famous 'Kyubei' in Ginza and ordered top-notch sushi bento for everyone!"

"Ohhhh! Kyuubei!"

"That's amazing! I've only seen that on TV!"

Cheers broke out in the office again.

Everyone gathered around and distributed the wooden lunch boxes, which looked very valuable, one by one.

Even a copy was quietly placed on Hashijita's desk.

He raised his head and saw Beichuan Yao looking at him with a faint smile that was still a little awkward but no longer cold.

Hashijitaro's eyes instantly turned red.

……

At the same time, on the top floor of Tokyo TV, in the luxurious office overlooking the entire city night view, the atmosphere was completely different from the relaxed atmosphere in Nohara's classroom.

"So, Asumi-kun."

The director of the advertising department, a middle-aged fat man with a Mediterranean hairstyle, was smiling as he placed a cup of freshly brewed top-grade Gyokuro in front of Mingrihai with both hands. His posture was as respectful as a devout believer facing the God of Wealth.

"Regarding the exclusive naming rights for the next season of 'Wonderful Stories of the World,' we already have three top car brands and two electronics giants who have expressed strong interest in cooperating. Each of their offers is more astonishing than the last. Do you think... can we..."

"No rush." ​​Asuka picked up his teacup, blew on the steam, and a sly smile, like that of an old fox, appeared on his refined face: "Regarding the advertising, you still need to go to the executive deputy director, Mr. Takada. I can't interfere with the specific business."

"Ah? This..." The director of the advertising department was stunned.

"Also, 'Anzhiju' is also very popular right now."

Another deputy director, who was in charge of overseas copyright procurement and had a good relationship with him, also came over, his face full of excitement. "I've already received purchasing intentions from several Southeast Asian TV stations! Especially the story of 'Lend Me'. It's said to have caused quite a stir in Thailand! The copyright fees they're offering are also quite substantial!"

Asumi just smiled and nodded, still saying, "Deputy Director Takada is fully responsible for all these matters."

Looking at these two colleagues who usually looked down on him but were now circling around him like two flies, Ming Hai felt an unprecedented sense of pride and joy in his heart.

He knew that from today on, their Guandong faction would no longer be the marginal faction that had to please others and was restricted in every way.

In their hands, they hold two trump cards that are enough to make the entire TV station take notice.

One is called "Wonderful Stories of the World".

The other one is called "Anzhiju".

Behind these two trump cards, there is only one common name.

Nohara Hiroshi.

Moreover, Asumi thought that if he handed all these matters over to Takada Shunei, the deputy director of the production department who already had the copyright and advertising, the two most lucrative contents of the production department's planning, firmly in his hands, he would definitely have to spend a lot of time and effort on these two planning programs.

Asumi couldn't help but smile.

After all, he was the one who decided the broadcasting rights and overseas rights of the two planned programs, as well as the advertising sponsors.

But the final decision was made by the leader of the Kanto faction himself.

……

"Trash! A bunch of trash!"

In Takada Toshihide's office, the familiar, furious roar was heard again.

He threw a priceless celadon teacup to the ground, shattering it into pieces, just like his heart, which had long been eroded by jealousy and anger.

Masao Iwata knelt on the floor like a dead dog, trembling and not even daring to raise his head.

"Look at this! Look at how they do it!"

Takada Shunei pointed at the latest ratings report on the table, his gloomy face twisted with extreme anger. "It's the same 'Anzhiju'! It's the same third season! In his hands, it can be revived and achieve new glory! In your hands, it's just a piece of fucking garbage that even dogs wouldn't smell!"

"Right now, the entire TV station is laughing at me! They're laughing at us Tokyo clique! Where am I going to put my old self in this situation?!"

He paced back and forth in anger, but finally, he fell back weakly and dejectedly into the leather chair that symbolized power.

He looked at the sky outside the window, his eyes like an old lion king whose territory had been taken away by a young lion, leaving only endless fatigue and unwillingness.

After a long time, he slowly exhaled, with a self-deprecating smile in his breath.

"never mind."

He waved his hand, as if he was shooing away a fly: "Go away. Don't let me see you again for the time being."

"Hi! Hi!"

Masao Iwata felt as if he had been pardoned. He kowtowed several times again, then used his hands and feet to embarrass himself and leave the office that made him feel suffocated.

However, when he turned around, a second before the heavy door was closed, a cold light flashed in his lowered eyes, like a poisonous snake, full of resentment and madness.

He clenched his fists tightly, his nails digging deep into his palms.

The humiliation he had suffered in recent days.

That’s a bit too much!

……

And the young man who was admired, envied, or resented by countless people had already completely isolated himself from the noise of the outside world.

In his office, the curtains were drawn tightly, leaving only a soft desk lamp, which outlined a firm contour on his focused profile.

In front of him was a huge piece of white paper.

In his hand, he held an ordinary pencil.

His eyes were calm yet fiery, as if they contained a brand new universe about to be born.

On that piece of white paper, there were no storyboards, no lines, only simple drawings full of childishness and imagination.

A man in a black tights uses his body to imitate an erupting volcano.

A girl in a white dress, using several open umbrellas and a flashlight, imitates jellyfish at night.

A group of students wearing clothes of different colors imitated the rolling of colorful marbles by moving their bodies.

At the very top of the paper, written in a unique artistic font were a few large, magical words.

——"Super Change" Season 1, planning proposal (detailed version).

Hiroshi Nohara knows that if he wants to become a hit in this new variety show battlefield, he must not make any mistakes.

The first season has to be perfect!
It must be the ace among aces that can catch the attention of all the audience in an instant.

So, he made a decision.

For the contestants of the first season, he will not use the audition method to find those folk creative people who are full of uncertainty.

What he wants to use are actors.

They are the actors from the Kanto School who have excellent acting skills and strong expressiveness, but for various reasons, they are not appreciated for their talents.

He wants to use the most professional people to present the most perfect and imaginative performance.

He first needs to use an impeccable and gorgeous performance to deeply imprint the brand of "Super Change" in the hearts of every Japanese audience.

Let them know that variety shows can be played like this.

It turns out that creativity can be so pure and interesting.

Only in the second season, when this brand has been deeply rooted in people's hearts and has enough influence, will he completely open this door to all ordinary people.

Only then will a true creative carnival with the participation of the entire nation officially begin.

This is his real plan.

The corners of Nohara Hiroshi's mouth curled up into a confident arc.

'Jingle Bell--'

But at this moment, the phone next to Nohara Hiroshi rang, interrupting his thoughts.

"Hello, Nohara classroom, I'm Nohara Hiroshi." Nohara Hiroshi spoke.

"Nohara Hiroshi-kun! I'm Ichiro Ya, the deputy director of the production department of Osaka Television. If possible, I hope to be able to..."

Someone immediately appeared on the other side and introduced themselves.

"Click." But Nohara Hiroshi hung up the phone immediately, his face looking a little helpless.

He's almost used to it.

Ever since "The Wonderful World" broke the 21% viewership rating, he has been receiving a lot of calls.

I don't know how the other party knew his landline number within Tokyo TV.

He even called his home landline number repeatedly.

This made Nohara Hiroshi very annoyed.

He doesn't want to be harassed.

And I don't want to change jobs when the economic bubble has been burst and the economic crisis is about to come like a tsunami.

(End of this chapter)