Anime rating game

To be honest, he was so envious of K-On's popularity that he was almost jealous.

As the director of Oregairu, he was unaware of the difference in quality between the two anime series, and they were broadcast back-to-back in a two-episode format, but the difference in popularity was ridiculously large.

"If Oregairu had aired at a different time slot, its popularity definitely wouldn't have been suppressed to this extent. Sigh..."

"You can't have something like this just because you envy it." Kinoshita Seiichi, with dark circles under his eyes, had a big smile on his face.

Yesterday afternoon, due to the explosive popularity of K-On! Episode 6, I couldn't calm down for several hours, which caused me to have to work overtime to review the storyboards submitted that day.

However, even though he was working overtime until late at night, he was still incredibly excited.

For an animation director, creating a super popular work is the greatest wish of their life.

K-On! undoubtedly possesses this potential.

Takeuchi Yasuyuki couldn't stand his smug expression and snorted softly:

"Don't get too cocky. I'm sure my remix of Rose Eyes will surpass yours in this season of Student Council Delusion."

"This one doesn't count. The script for 'Seitokai Yakuindomo' is too good, plus it's based on real events, so we can ask the people involved to provide the material. Not to mention, my 'Rose Eyes' is a shoujo manga, so the two are simply incomparable."

"Regardless, let's settle this in January next year."

Masamune looked at the two speechlessly, and couldn't help but remind them:

"While healthy competition isn't a bad thing, you shouldn't neglect quality in order to rush production."

"Don't worry, President, we're confident."

After speaking, Kinoshita Seiichi rubbed his eyes and yawned.

"President, I need to rest this morning and start working this afternoon."

"No problem, take care of your health."

Masamune nodded slightly, and seeing that everyone had nothing more to say, he then adjourned the meeting.

Upon leaving the meeting room, all participants quickly got into work mode and began their tasks for the day.

Normally, the production cycle of an animation is usually more than six months, and it is not uncommon for one to take two or three years to complete.

Musashino currently produces one twelve-episode anime per season, or even two seasons simultaneously, which places extremely high demands on its staff.

Even after recruiting a large number of illustrators, various policies were still adopted to maintain quality.

The twelve episodes of animation were produced separately and simultaneously. Each episode was assigned to a different animator based on its length, and each animator's daily work was broken down into individual episodes.

After completing their respective tasks, the artists submit their work to their team leaders before the end of the workday for initial review. The work is then passed up through the chain of command, and the final original artwork is approved by the supervisor.

If everyone's tasks go perfectly and they get it right on the first try, a twelve-episode animation can be produced in a month.

Unfortunately, this is simply impossible.

Almost every artist has to redo their work seven or eight times, or even more.

All of this time was reserved in advance.

To ensure timely completion, if an artist fails to finish the work after ten revisions, the task will be transferred to someone else.

The quality of work he can take on afterward will be lowered accordingly, and his performance-based pay will be reduced accordingly.

It is under this demanding system with generous salaries and benefits that animations can be produced at such a legendary speed and maintain such high quality.

As a result, the artists maintained a high level of enthusiasm for their work, often seeking advice from Mashiro in order to improve their drawing skills and earn more performance-based pay.

Of course, most animation companies simply can't do that.

After all, working for someone else only earns you a meager stipend, barely enough to survive and keep the company running.

Making your own animation is difficult to attract investment, and sole proprietorship carries too much risk. If the animation doesn't gain popularity and can't be sold, it will lose money.

More importantly, small and medium-sized animation companies simply cannot afford to employ too many artists, and the vast majority of their work is outsourced to freelance artists.

When outsourcing is used, the quality varies, rework is often required, and a lot of unnecessary time is wasted.

As the president of Musashino Animation Film Studio, producer of two anime series, and one of the scriptwriters for "Seitokai Yakuindomo," Masamune's workload has decreased significantly now that the script is complete and it's confirmed that there won't be any major revisions.

The animation production progress is directly overseen by a supervisor, internal affairs are handled by Yuka Okitsu, and external affairs are handled by Hayato Watanabe. Every day, after the morning meeting, I sit in the office and sign the documents that the two of them bring me.

The stamping process is handled by a designated person.

The documents themselves are not complicated, and each one can be read in a few tens of seconds at most.

If anyone needs help, Masamune will offer suggestions and help find solutions. This part of the work will take about half an hour.

After that, every morning around ten o'clock, I would become idle, sitting alone in the office.

There were constant footsteps and voices outside the door; everyone seemed busy, but none of it concerned him.

As the president, if you take the initiative to help in a certain aspect, it may make the other party feel restrained and unable to act freely.

To put it bluntly, if you walk out of the office, people will treat you like an inspector. Many serious people will stand up and bow, which will actually disturb the other person's work.

Just sitting quietly in the office, doing nothing, is good for everyone.

"K-On!" is more popular than I imagined."

Looking at the numerous comments below the official Musashino Twitter account on the computer screen.

Almost everyone is talking about the blue and white bowls; a few negative comments and discussions about Oregairu are quickly drowned out by the overwhelming number of comments.

"I feel really bad for Akiyama Mio, so I'll treat them to another meal and let her complain to my face."

The voice actress's name is exactly the same as the character's, as are her school, personality, and hairstyle, making it easy to imagine that the blue and white bowl is based on her real-life experiences.

This situation further fueled the popularity of soft-tone music.

It's even starting to gain popularity beyond its original niche.

Of course, the assessment from the heavens shattered the preconceived notion that "animation is only for children."

Meanwhile, many anime of the same period still maintain the current market trends of selling bromance, malicious cuteness, bottomless exposure, and targeting young children, which is also one of the reasons for K-On!'s huge success.

Many of the investment companies in the animation production committee are related to the Hayase Group, but some also have old connections with Musashino.

They were all very satisfied with Sakuragaoka Girls' High School, offline retailers, Musashino Voice Actor Agency, and more.

Even the four members of Hirasawa Yui were very happy that the album sold so well.

To be honest, the only one who felt dissatisfied was Akiyama Mio, the person involved.

Thinking of this, Masamune took out his phone and sent a text message to Tainaka Ritsu.

[Tai-Naka, how is Akiyama Mio doing today? Has her mood improved?]

Soon, Ritsu Tainaka's reply notification sounded on my phone.

[No, I'm in a slump, I'm distracted all day.]

[In that case, I'll treat you to dinner tonight. Let's try to help her get back on her feet. You can choose the hotel.]

[It must be difficult, right? Besides, Mio said she ate too much before and gained 0.5 kg, and is currently on a diet.]

[In that case, should we go to Kabukicho or a host club?]

This time, it wasn't until ten minutes later that Masamune received a text message from Tainaka Ritsu.

[Are you crazy? I get it, it must be a joke, right!]

Clearly, she may have hesitated for a long time at school, even deleting and revising a text message many times.

[No, I'm serious. This is the best place to build courage and thick skin while also boosting morale.]

[We're still high school students! Is it really okay for us to go to places like that?]

[What does it matter? Change into civilian clothes, who can tell you're not adults? Just tell me if you want to go or not.]

[I personally don't mind; although I'm not particularly interested, it's good to broaden my horizons. It's just... Mio is too shy; I feel like she might not agree.]

[Then tell her it's just going to a hotel for dinner, and trick her into going.]

[Going to relax is fine, but I'd rather not go to a host club; it's too embarrassing. If word got out, even I'd be too ashamed to show my face. I'd rather go to Kabukicho; I see it on TV all the time, but I've never actually been to one.]

Okay, see you at 7 PM tonight. I'll pick you up then.

Testimonials

A month after the book was published, it's finally time for it to go on sale.

This book originated from the fact that I had too many animations to write about, and I really didn't know which one to write about.

After much thought, I've decided to write a crossover anime featuring countless everyday characters.

To avoid becoming a hodgepodge, we will use animation.

Aside from the main characters, minor characters only appear during the production period of their respective anime series.

That's roughly the content of the novel. I'll still update two chapters a day. It's easier to write this way, and I can occasionally save some manuscripts to deal with unexpected events or take a break.

Chapter 66 Kabukicho and Akiyama Mio

Located in Kabukicho Ichiban-gai, Shinjuku Ward, Tokyo.

The five members of Kone, dressed in casual clothes, followed Masamune nervously, glancing back and forth from time to time.

Although I often hear the name Kabukicho online, I have never actually been there.

Based on preconceived notions, it's easy to conclude that this place is chaotic.

The presence of five tall, burly bodyguards—two in front and three behind—wearing suits, further reinforced this impression.

Walking along the neon-lit streets at night, stealing glances every now and then at the seemingly composed Masamune and Mashiro ahead, Ritsu Tainaka finally couldn't help but ask:

"President Hayase, how much further?"

"I don't know, this is my first time here too."

After Masamune finished speaking subconsciously, he turned to look at the deputy head of the Musashino Security Department in front of him.

"Mr. Saito, how much longer until we reach the place you mentioned?"

"It'll be soon." Saito slowed his pace slightly and introduced with a smile, "You don't need to worry. I often go to that store. Although it's easy to be scared the first time you go, there are no safety issues."

"Liar."