Anime rating game

“I do!” Rinko Ogasawara quickly raised her hand and said in a deep voice, “President, I believe my abilities are insufficient, and I hope to step down from the position of character designer and take some time to hone my skills.”

"Also... please wait for me a moment, because I didn't know the president would be coming back today, so I didn't prepare in advance."

After speaking, Ogasawara Rinko hurriedly left, and about three or four minutes later, she quickly ran back.

Holding a USB drive, she connected it to the computer in the conference room, and under her control, an image of a two-dimensional girl quickly appeared on the projection screen.

"President, this is my latest painting. I don't know if you've looked at it closely, but I think it's a big improvement compared to my style last year."

"Not only me, but all the artists in the company have made significant progress."

"The reason is simple: we have been following Kuwana's advice and copying Shiina Mashiro's paintings."

"Next, I'll show you a drawing by Shiina Mashiro so you can compare the effects."

The next moment, an extremely beautiful anime girl appeared on the screen.

If we were to rate the two, the previous painting would be 85 points, but this one would be 130 or even 150 points.

"President, whether it's the animation or manga industry, as long as the drawing skills reach a certain level, the art style may have many personal characteristics, but when drawing seriously, there won't be much difference in terms of level and quality."

"In other words, it doesn't matter who draws it; the only question is whether or not they cut corners."

“But Shiina Mashiro is different. I’ve looked up a lot of information about her recently.”

"Born into a family of painters, he was a genius from a young age and became a world-class painter at a young age."

"Leaving that aside for now, just looking at the anime girl drawings she posted online, her drawing skills are on a completely different level from ours."

"I don't know why she would post these things online, but she obviously likes comics or anime."

"There are limits to copying. If... the president could invite Shiina Mashiro to guide everyone's drawing skills, and all the production would be done by the company's own illustrators, minimizing outsourcing."

"I believe that kind of animation will be a step ahead of the industry in terms of art style."

Seemingly to bolster her persuasiveness, Ogasawara Rinko, while using the mouse to play more of Shiina Mashiro's works, said:

"The most important aspects of an animation are nothing more than the story, art style, production, voice actors, music, and character design."

"As long as all aspects are up to standard, it is an excellent animation."

"Our recently completed anime, 'Masamune-kun,' is such a work. It is excellent in all aspects, with clear character designs and pacing, which is why it became a huge hit."

"As for the art style, although everyone is working hard, it's really only at the industry average level. Compared with the works of other companies at the same time, it's just that their art style is so bad that they often have problems with the artwork, which makes our art style seem better."

Chapter Twenty-Eight: The President's Entrustment

"For animation or comics, the plot is of course the most important thing, but if the art style is excellent, it can also attract many viewers."

Ogasawara Rinko paused, then emphasized her words:

"In terms of rating, Shiina Mashiro's art style is enough to unconditionally raise any work by half a star."

"In terms of revenue, we don't produce any merchandise; our main sources of income are Blu-ray discs and bonus posters."

"Such a beautiful poster is enough to significantly boost sales."

As Masamune listened to Rinko Ogasawara's explanation, he stared blankly at the screen.

Those anime girls drawn by Shiina Mashiro are indeed different from other people's art styles. The lines and colors are all perfect, and there is also an ethereal feeling.

At first glance, it seems as if it might step out of the painting at any moment, making it hard to look away.

In my past life, I didn't think Mashiro's paintings were particularly outstanding. Was it because the artist's skill level was too low?

That makes sense; the artist's skill level is not the same as Shiina Mashiro's skill level.

For example, there's the difference in intelligence between Conan Doyle and Sherlock Holmes.

At the age of only a high school student, he is hailed as a world-class artist, and his drawing skills amaze everyone. It is impossible for him to be only at the average level in the industry.

"President, what do you think of my proposal?" Ogasawara Rinko asked cautiously.

If it were the original Musashino, she would never have made such a bold and outrageous suggestion.

But over the past three months, she has discovered that her boss is not short of money and is not stingy with spending it.

Coupled with a strong desire to improve his drawing skills, he boldly made this suggestion.

"I think your suggestion is great, but can you find people to help?"

"President, if our animation could have Shiina Mashiro's art style, the ratings and sales would definitely improve."

Is this a case of offering suggestions without considering the difficulty level?

But the half-star rating is indeed very appealing to Masamune.

Before I died suddenly in my previous life, the anime-style rating game I created used a comprehensive rating system based on seven aspects.

In addition to the six aspects that Ogasawara just mentioned—story, art style, production, voice actors, music, and character design—there is also popularity.

A five-star rating is awarded only if all seven aspects are at the top level.

As for a higher score, we haven't had time to do it yet, but the original plan was to reach the exceptional level.

Mashiro's art style is undoubtedly top-notch. Even if the company's artists, after training, cannot reach that level, they would still be perfect even if they were slightly inferior.

“I can extend an invitation to Shiina Mashiro, and I will also send someone to England to contact her family and offer her a high price to return to Japan.”

"If that still doesn't work, I can continue to sincerely invite you by phone or email for several months."

"But we don't know what she herself is thinking, so don't get your hopes up too high."

"Thank you so much!" Ogasawara Rinko breathed a sigh of relief, lifted her skirt slightly, bowed, and said with a smile, "Thank you, President, for granting my unreasonable request."

"Don't mention it. As long as it's for improving animation, I'll seriously consider any suggestion, no matter what it is." Masamune waved his hand dismissively.

……

After the morning meeting, Masamune discussed the contract between the five members of K-On! and the specific amount of payment with Yuka Okitsu. After learning about the animation company's many urgent matters and development plans, he began to handle official business.

I was busy until after 10 a.m. before I finally had a chance to go to the voice actor agency on the second floor, led by Yuka Okitsu.

"President, this is Miki Ando, ​​a management talent we poached from an idol agency. With her help, we've also recruited several capable managers."

? ?

Compared to recent graduates, Ms. Okitsu seems to prefer people with work experience who have been poached from other companies?

The woman she introduced, Miki Ando, ​​was around thirty years old. Although her appearance was somewhat ordinary, she dressed very smartly in an office lady outfit, and her demeanor was somewhat similar to Yuka Okitsu.

After rising and bowing, Miki Ando began to explain her plans:

"Hello, President. I used to work at SP agency, where I was mainly responsible for promoting female idols."

"Several of our female voice actresses are very beautiful and have outstanding temperament. With proper packaging and participation in more promotional activities, they can quickly become somewhat famous."

"However, for voice actors, the works themselves are the most important."

"Therefore, I will also urge them to continuously train, improve their acting skills, and focus on their work, taking a two-pronged approach..."

Masamune nodded slightly. It sounded good, but he wondered how it would be in practice.

"Go with your plan, but if someone is focused on improving their acting skills and doesn't want to pursue the idol voice actor route, there's no need to force them."

"In addition, we will sign contracts with five high school girls in a week to voice the characters in the next animation. You can discuss it and finalize the contract details later."

“I understand.” Miki Ando nodded repeatedly. “Which path one chooses is a personal choice. However, in my personal opinion, it would be a waste not to make use of one’s outstanding appearance.”

"Of course, before accepting each job, I will make it clear to them that it is all up to them and I will never force them."

"Yes, I'll leave the voice actor agency to you." Masamune nodded slightly. "As for taking on jobs, you can discuss it with Watanabe. He's quite good at handling external affairs."

……

At noon, after calculating the school dismissal time, Masamune dialed Aoyama Nanami's mobile phone number.

"President, did you call me... for work-related matters?"

"No, it has nothing to do with your work. In order to help the illustrators in the company improve their skills, I need to contact Shiina Mashiro, a world-class painter who lives in the UK."

"Yes, what do you need me to do? Please tell me."

"You're a student at Suimei High School, right? There's an art teacher at your school named Chihiro Sengoku, who is Mashiro Shiina's cousin. I hope you can help me get Mashiro Shiina's contact information from her, either a phone number or an email address."

Masamune paused for a moment, then continued:

"If you can't get it, you can give me Chihiro Sengoku's phone number, and I'll talk to her myself."

? ?

Even though I know there's a teacher named Sengoku at my school who is Shiina Mashiro's cousin, I don't have her contact information. Is this what the connections of the rich are like?

Thinking of this, Aoyama Nanami quickly said:

"Please wait a moment, President. I will call you back once I find out."

After ending the call, Aoyama Nanami rushed to the faculty office immediately.

It's lunch break time, so Professor Sengoku shouldn't have left yet.

The company president treated me very well, not only introducing me to many voice-over jobs, but also providing me with a monthly base salary after signing a contract, which is a guarantee for my future life.

Although it was just to get his contact information, this was the first time the president had asked for my help, so I had to do my best.

"Teacher Sengoku!"

"What's wrong? I remember your name is Aoyama Nanami. Is there something you need?"

Chihiro Sengoku, who was about to leave the office to have lunch, sat down again and looked at the person who came in with surprise.

Because Aoyama Nanami frequently took leave, she had some impression of this first-year high school student.

"Mr. Sengoku, I'm a big fan of Shiina Mashiro. I've always loved her artwork. Could you please give me her contact information?"

"Huh...!? How did you know I know Mashiro? I don't think I've ever told anyone at school."

"I went through a lot of trouble to find out that Ms. Sengoku is Ms. Shiina Mashiro's cousin. Please! Please give me her contact information."

Aoyama Nanami suddenly bowed, startling Sengoku Chihiro. After hesitating for a moment, she sighed:

"Alright, Mashiro doesn't have many friends. I hope you can get along well with her online."

"Thank you so much!"

Email address or phone number?