On the Ways and Means of Fleecing the Fans (Continued)

Because the DVDs sold on both sides contain different items, the North American version only includes a disc and a case, while the Japan version includes character stickers, a movie setting booklet, and other small items.

Actually, DVDs sold in North America also come with a setting book included, but that's a deluxe edition priced at $35.

This gap exists because of the different business strategies and habits of North America and Japan.

Japan entertainment companies have consistently employed a sustainable, short-sighted sales strategy.

They'll squeeze every last drop out of your wallet, as long as they don't drain it dry.

The person who took this sales mindset to its extreme was that fat guy, Yasushi Akimoto.

His subsequent business operations while managing the 48 Group were practically a declaration of intent. "I want all the money in your pocket."

In the past, fans would greet each other with, "Have you bought your favorite idol's CD?"

After Chu the Fat Man put the general election ballots into CDs for sale, the greeting among fans became, "How many CDs did you buy for your idol?"

There's even a hierarchy of disdain, with comments like, "You dare call yourself a fan if you have fewer than 5 photos?!"

Japan's entertainment industry environment naturally creates an extremely competitive ecosystem. To encourage fans to buy discs, whether music CDs or movie DVDs, small gifts are often included to make consumers feel they are getting their money's worth.

The situation is completely different in Europe and America.

A merchant's pricing is not based on costs, but rather on the limits of consumers' affordability.

If consumers are only willing to spend a maximum of 10 yuan on their own purchases, then European and American retailers won't price their products as low as 9.9 yuan, even if the cost is less than 1 yuan.

Many people like to claim that the high prices of European and American merchants are due to high quality and a strong product culture, but that's all a lie.

There's only one reason they'd choose this pricing strategy—how much consumers are willing to pay for their products.

This is why Europe, America, and Japan can't compete with China in business; China's pricing strategy is to calculate profits based on costs, as long as they can make money.

This might not be so obvious in the entertainment industry, but in the physical retail sector, all sorts of goods are being sold at rock-bottom prices by rabbits.

So when it comes to doing business, if the rabbit claims to be second to none, then no one dares to claim to be first.

However, Second Master did not follow the rabbit's pricing strategy, but instead went with the flow and charged whatever price was appropriate.

After all, Type-Moon is too weak right now and doesn't have the ability to overturn the entire market.

When the internet becomes more developed and streaming platforms are launched, Second Master will show the world what "small profits but quick turnover" truly means.

However, the future is still unknown, while immediate benefits are what truly matter.

For Shinji, nothing is more pleasing than a large sum of money.

So when the Jidai Group paid the first installment of its investment share to TYPE-MOON Film Company in early August, Shinji beamed with joy.

Although the DVD was just released and was not included in this revenue sharing, Type-Moon received a total of $45 million in revenue sharing from box office receipts and various related merchandise.

The fact that the first dividend from just one movie is so much money is enough to make countless people and companies green with envy.

"This amount of money isn't even enough to buy a super luxury yacht."

In the Type-Moon Cinema office, Kariya's voice was unusually loud.

When did you become interested in yachts?

Shinji looked up and asked.

"Don't even mention it. Last time I attended Toei's annual meeting, a director hugged a female celebrity and talked to me about private yachts for half an hour."

Kariya's tone was full of resentment.

"That's when I decided I had to buy a yacht even more luxurious than his."

"This is the company's profit sharing, what does it have to do with you, Uncle?" Shinji retorted. "You're just a lowly actor with a fixed salary, so don't even think about profit sharing. If you really want to buy a yacht, either go find Grandpa or a rich woman."

"Looking for the old man? He'll probably want to give me a can of insecticide first. He hasn't forgiven me for what I did to him on set last time," Kariya said, grinning.

Shinji ignored him, simply raising his left hand high and giving Kariya the middle finger.

"Forget everything else," Kariya said anxiously, pulling on Shinji's shoulder. "We absolutely have to have a celebration party! A grand celebration party! At least let me have some fun with female celebrities."

Look at you, so smug.

Shinji hesitated whether to take a picture of his uncle's current appearance and send it to Udagawa Nao.

"Let's hold it in a month," Chloe said with a smile. "Filmmakers with close ties to the Jidai Group will also be attending, so we'll need to arrange the timing."

"Let's do as Lizzie says. All the Heroic Spirit will participate."

Shinji knew that this was an opportunity created by Chloe to let him take a look at the movie that the Jidai Group was going to shoot in Fuyuki City.

After all, jumping straight into formal business negotiations can easily strain relationships. It's better for both parties to communicate in a relatively relaxed environment like a party first, so that even if one party refuses, it won't be too awkward.

Shinji had already made up his mind that he would not refuse the project offered by the Jidai Group. Even if he was not optimistic about the project itself, he was sure that the technical support would be sufficient.

In any case, no matter how bad a movie is, it has nothing to do with the special effects team, but the special effects team itself needs a lot of work to accumulate experience and skills.

Shinji is determined to use other film projects as experience points for his team.

Of course, if there are good projects among them, Shinji will also get involved.

Whether it's investment or providing Heroic Spirit Actor, these are all Type-Moon Company can offer, and I believe filmmakers working on those projects would be interested.

"It's a pity."

Kariya Chaotian let out a long sigh.

If it's a banquet hosted by the Jidai Group, I definitely won't have a chance to pick up girls.

"You don't have to go if you don't like it."

"That won't do!" Kariya quickly retorted, "What if a Director takes a liking to my looks and insists on casting me in a movie?"

"Hehe."

Kariya received a sarcastic remark from Shinji.

Before his second uncle could speak, Shinji quickly left the meeting room.

"It's time to leave work, I'm going now."

After saying that, Shinji closed the conference room door amidst Kariya's disapproving gaze.

Shinji didn't go downstairs immediately, but went back to his office first.

He got paid today, and he plans to take a few close friends and family members, including Ophelia, out for a nice meal to celebrate.

"Ophelia?"

After opening the office,

Shinji noticed that his Little Secretary, who usually rushed over to greet him, was not there.

"She's already left work early? That's rare."

As he thought this, he opened the inner office door to change into casual clothes.

Then he saw it.

"Wh... what!? Ophelia!?"

Shinji shouted loudly.

The woman who came into the Second Master's view was Ophelia, dressed in a business suit, kneeling on the desk.

And for some reason, Ophelia's collar was cut very low, revealing half of her white lace undershirt, and she was wearing black stockings with suspenders on her lower body. In her hand, she was holding a strangely shaped whip.

"Boss, please abuse me."

Ophelia spoke in a rather stiff tone, her face expressionless.

Chapter 89 The First Global Box Office Record

Let's go back a bit...

The day after Ophelia and Chloe's "date," she wrote in her blog:

I went to meet Miss Flora, and she seemed very shocked.

Lijia: Hey hey hey hey hey!!! Σ(っ°Д °;)っ

Didi: I think I'm the one who's shocked!

Night Grass: Miss Yani, you... you're really bold.

Yani: Really?

Lijia: Is this what you call giving someone a taste of their own medicine?

Night Grass: I'm quite impressed with Miss Yani now.

Lijia: Uh, should we be impressed by this kind of thing? (⊙?⊙)

Night Grass: And I guess I learned a lesson from it.

Lijia: ￣△￣

Night Grass: Miss Yani made me realize that for those who dare to lay a hand on someone else's husband and cross moral boundaries, there's no need to talk about chivalry; you have to do something to terrify them!

Lijia: Oh, I see... I've learned a lesson too! You have to have an intimate relationship with your husband's mistress... Notes, notes... (???*)

Didi: No, I don't think it needs to go that far...

Night Grass: And then? What did that woman say? Did she say she wouldn't bother your husband anymore?

Yani: She said she would not betray her master.

(Chloe's original words. "Are you worried that I'll betray Shinji? No way! A genius like Shinji is someone you can make more money by working with. I would never betray him.")

Lijia: Hey hey hey hey hey!!! Σ(っ°Д °;)っ

Didi: Night Grass is right, adulterous women have absolutely no bottom line.

Night Grass: How could someone say such things to someone else's wife? This person has a really big heart.

Didi: It's not just a matter of being carefree anymore, is it?!

Lijia: I guess I have no choice but to get a divorce! Break up with that kind of man as soon as possible! Continuing like this will only make you more unhappy! (○??д?)?

Yani: I don't want to leave my master's side.

Night Grass: Sigh~ You must have your own reasons.

Didi: Don't give up! The three of us are on your side!

Night Grass: Since things have come to this point, the only option left is to try and get through to my husband!

Lijia: Isn't it precisely because this is too difficult? That guy only had an affair because he was tired of Miss Yani, right? (╯‵□′)╯

Night Grass: How about starting with the other person's interests? Since Miss Yani's husband likes exciting things, I think we can start from that angle.

Didi: Eek~~

Night Grass: Didi, you should know that when couples enter a period of boredom, this can be a good source of excitement.

Lijia: Does Miss Night Grass play like this at home too?? (????)

Night Grass: That's right, that's right. It's really refreshing to do it once in a while, especially when you're feeling bored.

[Night Grass retracted a message.]

Night Grass: Ah! How could you make me say such a thing!

Didi: So, Night Grass Sister, what suggestions do you have?

Night Grass: Miss Yani, you must win over your husband!

Yani: Hmm?

Night Grass: Let me tell you, I'll recommend a good website to you, specifically...

"Hmm... I see, that's how it should be done."

Ophelia, upon opening the mysterious website, did not blush or experience a racing heart like an innocent young girl.

Some Magecraft tricks involve the exchange of bodily fluids, and certain knowledge of this is essential for female Magecraft.

Ophelia was intrigued by the website's descriptions of male reactions.

"Seriously, such a performance?... This is enough to win the boss's favor, right?"

An unrealistic dream began to swell within Ophelia's heart, and a soft laugh naturally escaped her lips.