Chapter 24 of 100

Chapter 24: Director, Screenwriter, and Actors

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The meeting with Murahama Shoji about the animation production lasted the entire next day. Shen Zhenghui did not expect that after arriving in Japan, he would immediately be plunged into a work-intensive schedule. He had also called Liu Xin, who, upon hearing about the opportunity to participate in the production of animated series and even animated films in Japan, was so excited that she raised both her hands and feet. She rejected Shen Zhenghui's idea of her staying in Pengcheng, stating that she would personally lead the team to Japan as soon as possible. Shen Zhenghui was somewhat worried about this anime enthusiast's crazy actions and specifically called Yan Kai, Huang Wei, Li Hong, and others, instructing them to be more cautious. However, the result was worse than not calling at all, as apart from Yan Kai, who was already prepared, the others were all filled with a sense of youthful enthusiasm. This scared Shen Zhenghui so much that he didn't dare call Ah Heng.

Although Murahama Shoji still had some concerns, he was also stirred by Shen Zhenghui's grand vision and felt a surge of enthusiasm. He indicated that he could accept the capital from Fukuda Hikari to expand his company and also accept Shen Zhenghui's outsourcing assistance. According to him, if they were to start the production of "Battle Angel Snow Wind" immediately after completing "Blue 6," they would need at least 200 staff members to finish the project within a year, while GONZO currently had fewer than fifty people.

Clearly, Murahama Shoji had made up his mind. Otherwise, whether Fukuda Hikari's investment was counted as shares or debt, he would lose control of the company if it failed. However, now he was so stimulated by Shen Zhenghui that he also developed a grand vision for leapfrog development. Because Shen Zhenghui showed him the possibility of rivaling Studio Ghibli, Mr. Murahama was determined to take a desperate gamble.

Therefore, he was even more enthusiastic about the arrival of Chinese animators, which made Shen Zhenghui worry about the level of his subordinates.

However, when discussing the plot, Shen Zhenghui became enthusiastic again. According to his idea, regardless of the original story, he was not hesitant to add his own whimsical elements. He planned to include China's J-10, J-15, J-20, and Russia's T-50, among other future aircraft, in the animation. He also wanted to specifically state the countries these aircraft belonged to in the film, aiming to make the entire piece both impressive to laymen and unbelievable to experts. This way, even if the film flopped, military enthusiasts would later dig it out of obscurity and worship it for its prophetic details. This was the whimsical nature of a time traveler, and when discussing these details, his eyes gleamed with excitement.

"But we don't know the performance of Chinese and Russian aircraft," Murahama Shoji, who seemed to be a straightforward person, said. "If we make it up, won't it damage our reputation in the future?"

"Don't worry, I have some inside information," Shen Zhenghui waved his hand and suddenly remembered, "Why don't we help Japan design a new fighter jet?"

Murahama Shoji licked his lips, "Japan?"

"Yes, the whole film will be too lonely with just one Snow Wind. If we don't have some aircraft as supporting characters, the film won't be interesting. Besides the existing aircraft, we will design new future aircraft for China, the U.S., and Russia. Since this is a Japanese animation, it naturally needs Japanese aircraft. We can start with this design."

"That makes sense. Can I have your inside information now, Mr. Shen?"

"I'll give it to you in a few days. Mr. Murahama, you need to focus on finishing 'Blue 6' first. Completing this work quickly and effectively will also help us accumulate experience and lay the foundation for our next big move!"

"Of course," Mr. Murahama responded confidently.

...

"I didn't know you had connections with the Air Force. Can you really get the design data of Chinese aircraft? That's all classified information," Fukuda Hikari couldn't help but say after leaving GONZO.

"Haha, what classified information? I was just bluffing. We can just find a designer to draw a picture," Shen Zhenghui laughed.

"But you seem very familiar with the models of Chinese aircraft! How do you know the numbers of the aircraft they are designing? That's classified information, right?"

"Well, according to the naming conventions of Chinese aircraft, I just continued the sequence."

"Miraculously skipping a few numbers!"

"This is purely based on personal preference," Shen Zhenghui squinted his eyes, "and a bit of knowledge about military gossip."

"Is that so?"

"Of course!"

"Ms. Aizawa Tomoaki, I've already signed her," Fukuda Hikari suddenly changed the topic, staring intently at Shen Zhenghui. "If you have no objections, I will start looking for a director and actors?"

"Wait, so quickly? I only told you her name last night, right?"

"Yes, I have to commend my staff for being quite efficient," Fukuda Hikari shrugged. "Actually, although Ms. Aizawa Tomoaki hasn't signed with my agency yet, I have already bought out her contract from her previous company."

"Previous company?" Shen Zhenghui grimaced.

"Yes," Fukuda Hikari stared at Shen Zhenghui, "Do you know what kind of films she used to shoot?"

"Ah, that's a tough question! But she didn't tell me herself."

"So you found out from other sources?"

"I have a vague memory."

"Have you seen her in those films?"

"Um, no, I haven't."

"Men are all the same. Don't lie to me."

"I really haven't..."

"Mr. Shen, please, don't lie to me." Fukuda Hikari's expression turned serious, as if she was about to punch Shen Zhenghui in the face if he continued.

"Alright, alright," Shen Zhenghui was somewhat dejected. He sighed, "Actually, those kinds of films aren't very interesting. They all follow the same pattern, relying on visuals with no plot or depth..."

"I remember someone just said they hadn't seen them."

Shen Zhenghui pressed his temples, "I really haven't... Alright, alright," he glanced at Fukuda Hikari's expression, "Let's not discuss this topic. If I really want to see them in the future, I'll just make one myself. It won't cost much."

"You have that ambition? Planning to be the lead actor?"

Shen Zhenghui thought of future directors like Tony Takitani and Ken Yamazaki, feeling a chill down his spine.

"No, I want to make something with a plot and depth."

Fukuda Hikari's lips twitched, "What about the script for your school film?"

"I've written an outline, but the specifics need to be discussed with the director. I'm not sure about the details. By the way, what are Japanese schools really like?"

"Japanese schools?"

"Since last night, I've been thinking about whether to portray the harsh reality of school life realistically or exaggeratedly," Shen Zhenghui said, troubled. "If the fights are too good, will it seem unrealistic? But if it's too realistic, will it be unappealing? I'm struggling between these two extremes!"

"Why not find a balance?"

"I'm afraid if the whole film is balanced, no one will watch it."

"How much do you plan to invest in this film? Don't act like it's going to cost hundreds of millions of yen."

"Ah, if it only costs hundreds of millions of yen, it's nothing!"

"Oh? Is that so?" Fukuda Hikari squinted her eyes, "I'll give you more time to write the script. I'll help you find a director."

"A Japanese director?"

"Do you want to find a Chinese director? Or a Hong Kong director?"

"Um, do you think it's feasible to have Takeshi Kitano direct?"

"Are you crazy?" Fukuda Hikari looked at him with disdain, "If you were making your first film in China, would you ask Zhang Yimou to direct?"

Shen Zhenghui covered his face, "I wouldn't ask Zhang Yimou, that would be a disaster!"

"What about Chen Kaige?"

"Forget it, he's even worse than Zhang Yimou!"

"Stop talking nonsense. I'll find a capable new director. You can communicate with him later." Fukuda Hikari smiled sarcastically, "If the box office fails, you can focus on leading your animation team!"

"I won't let you down!" Shen Zhenghui said confidently.

"Then let's talk about how to offset the RMB and yen, and how you will pay for your shares." Fukuda Hikari smiled.

Shen Zhenghui's face twitched, "This is about settling accounts?"

"Of course, even close brothers need to be clear about money, let alone us who are just alumni." Fukuda Hikari's smile deepened.

...

For the next few days, Shen Zhenghui was in a constant state of busyness, preparing and planning various things. Through contact, he learned that the first batch of twenty artists from China would arrive. These artists had experience in computer-aided design, but they would need to start from scratch in Japan. However, the team leader surprised Shen Zhenghui so much that he opened his mouth wide when he saw him at the airport.

"You... What are you doing here? What about the domestic situation?" Shen Zhenghui pointed at Liu Xin, his hands trembling.

"Li Hong is in charge of comics, and Yan Kai is in charge of animation. I don't have much to do, so I came to Japan personally," Liu Xin smiled cutely, "Participating in real animation production is such a meaningful thing!"

"You've already participated before."

"How can 'Pleasant Goat and Big Big Wolf' count?" Liu Xin said confidently, "This is Japan, the kingdom of anime!"

Shen Zhenghui held his forehead and looked at Zhou Hua, the actual team leader, who looked somewhat awkward.

Zhou Hua was an animator that Yan Kai had recruited from Shanghai Animation Film Studio, but he was also very young, under thirty. At this moment, Zhou Hua could only awkwardly smile at Mr. Shen.

"Why didn't you tell me in advance?"

"Well, Ms. Liu said she wanted to surprise you," Zhou Hua scratched his head, "Ms. Liu is also the boss." The implication was that he couldn't disobey the boss's orders.

Shen Zhenghui had already arranged a bus to wait outside the airport. The twenty people, with their luggage, boarded the bus and were visibly excited as they entered Japanese territory.

"Mr. Shen, are we going directly to GONZO?" Oze Maye, one of Fukuda Hikari's secretaries temporarily assigned to assist Shen Zhenghui, asked.

"Yes," Shen Zhenghui nodded and turned to Zhou Hua and the group, "I've already arranged accommodation for you near GONZO. We'll take you there to settle in first, and then go to the company tomorrow."

Everyone agreed, looking curiously out the windows.

"You're doing well in Japan!" Liu Xin was very excited, patting Shen Zhenghui's shoulder, "You've opened up the situation so quickly, I can't help but admire you!"

Shen Zhenghui smiled proudly. Suddenly, he heard Oze Maye whisper on the phone, "Yes, a Chinese girl has arrived, and she seems very close to Mr. Shen, like his fiancée..."

What? What's going on? Shen Zhenghui stared at Oze Maye with wide eyes.

Oze Maye finished her call and calmly looked at Shen Zhenghui, "Mr. Shen, Miss Hikari has arranged a welcome dinner for everyone." Her gaze swept across the bus, lingering on Liu Xin's face for a long time.

Those who understood Japanese had already started whispering.

Liu Xin was puzzled, pulling on Shen Zhenghui's sleeve and asking in a low voice, "What is she saying?"

If you don't understand Japanese, why did you come to Japan?

Shen Zhenghui rolled his eyes, "My business partner is inviting us to dinner."

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