Karasuma Gojo

However, the severity of its impact is so great that it will definitely be recorded in the history of the industry.

Shuya looked at the scholars and officials, but they all looked away.

That's understandable; they're just laborers, what makes them think they can rebel against Inoue Hikoo?

"What did you say, Mom?"

Shuya turned his head.

"Isn't it fine?"

Hanazawa Sakura said, "Son, you can't change the industry by yourself."

"I didn't say I wanted to change anything, it's just that at the very least... I don't want this to come from our company."

Shuya knew that this was an inevitable trend, after all, the audience's level was what it was.

But as I said before... the people like it, so who does he think he is?

He simply didn't want to be criticized later.

"But... Dad, why did you suddenly decide to make this completely commercial animation? Where's your artistic spirit? Show some backbone!"

Shuya the Way.

Inoue Hikoo snorted, "You all know that I've been told every day for the past few years that I've fallen from grace."

Shuya said helplessly, "Now that things have come to this, what else do you want to say?"

"The reason they say I've fallen from grace is simply because my works aren't selling well."

Inoue Hikoo leaned back in his chair and said dismissively, "Can the value of a work be reflected in its sales figures? But whether someone thinks something is rubbish or not is a matter of personal opinion, so I can't really say anything."

"What annoys me the most is that some newcomers in the industry are secretly bragging, saying that I don't know anything about animation, that I've run out of ideas, that I'm a relic of the past, etc... It's so funny it makes me want to pee myself."

"I wouldn't be angry if someone who says this has produced good works, but after checking, I found that the person who said these things has only produced a few commercially successful anime, but doesn't realize that they rely on character design, voice actors, and animation, but not on their directing ability."

"It doesn't matter who does this kind of animation."

"They just happened to be born in this rotten era, surrounded by vulgar, indecisive, and clueless fat otaku who only know how to rush around."

"They're not making thought-provoking animations; they're just mass-produced... animal feed."

"It's nothing special. That's the way things are. It's understandable that the audience likes it; everyone's in it for the money. But to be complacent about it is incredibly stupid."

"I think it's necessary to step in and tell them something."

What did you say?

"Your grandpa... he'll always be your grandpa."

Inoue Hikoo placed his feet on the table, exuding an air of arrogance.

"Since we're going to make animal feed, let's not play games. I'm openly feeding pigs! I'll wrap the most toxic garbage in the most exquisite candy wrappers and shove it crudely into this industry, into the mouths of this audience."

"Eat! Eat it all! Hahahaha!"

His laughter was incredibly childish and immature.

"Viewers say I'm a pretentious intellectual and will never watch my work again; anyone who does is a dog. The industry secretly says I'm cursed with failure and mocks me daily. Well, I'll see what happens after this animation is released..."

"How could they pounce on me like dead dogs eating shit, praising how delicious my phlegm is!"

Inoue Hikoo shouted, "All of you, transform into my shape!"

"You're fucking rude and disgusting."

Shuya sighed, but when he turned around, he saw Hanazawa Sakura looking at Inoue Hikoo with a flushed face:

"Wow, so handsome..."

Shuya scratched his head.

Inoue Hikoo said, "Okay, actually, you had no right to object from the very beginning. It's going to be the next season's work, I said it."

"And all you have to do is support the lead actor."

"... Voice it well? May I ask what's so difficult about voicing this protagonist? His personality isn't distinctive, the plot is bland, and he's a male protagonist who's good for nothing except being gentle. Tell me, what normal voice actor could not voice him well?"

Shuya actually didn't want to be associated with this work.

But one sentence from Inoue Hikoo convinced him:

"You participated in the light industry reform movement back then, and now you don't want to participate at this turning point?"

"... Who told me I'm a bit of an obsessive-compulsive?"

Shuya sighed.

"Then it's decided."

Inoue Hikoo said, "Let's discuss the detailed character designs next."

He then turned to Hyakka Jiang and said:

"Hyakka Sauce."

"Yes?"

Hyakka Jiang asked, puzzled.

"I'll get you some documents later; please give them to your mom tonight."

"OK."

Hyakka nodded; she knew that Inoue Hikoo had specifically requested this.

Just like her father back then.

Section 359, Chapter 341: Karasuma Gojo

A director's nomination like that of Inoue Hikoo is generally not refused.

Of course, Yusho Sakura has a high status and remains incredibly popular after her comeback, so it wouldn't be a big deal if she refused, as reasons like scheduling conflicts are understandable.

But Hyakka knew that her mother would definitely not refuse. Not to mention that the opportunity to cooperate was rare, it Shuya's help in the past.

The main reason is that the two families have a close relationship.

Lately, Shuya has been feeling that the way Yusho Sakura and her husband look at him is no different from how they look at their son-in-law.

He couldn't say anything, and it would be a lie to say he had no feelings for Hyakka Jiang; he just hadn't flirted with her for personal reasons.

Actually, Hyakka has no intention of finding a boyfriend. Besides being young, she's been incredibly busy these past few years.

She'd rather stay home and relax than date.

In short, it's practically a done deal that Inoue Hikoo invited Yusho Sakura to participate in the film.

Next, we began to discuss the specific settings.

The background and story don't matter; this animation is essentially about selling character designs, so just focus on making the female lead likable.

Everything else is just a matter of following the usual routine.

Shuya like the story either, but since he was going to participate, he wouldn't just go through the motions.

He couldn't get into novels in his previous life, so he incorporated a lot of the original anime's settings into his work.

Hanazawa Sakura, Hyakka, and Haruno have all played similar roles and can offer some suggestions.

Maeda Saori and Kyousuke are probably the most peripheral figures.

Kyousuke became a representative of ordinary men, Inoue Hikoo used his feelings as a reference, which made him not entirely without presence.

After discussing for more than an hour, Inoue Hikoo dismissed Shuya and the others.

They weren't company employees, after all, Inoue Hikoo wouldn't let them attend meetings for extended periods, nor was it necessary.

After the group disbanded, Hanazawa Sakura and Maeda Saori went to another film set.

Kyousuke said he was going to his childhood friend's house to study and then left.

Shuya, Haruno, and Hyakka Jiang will remain at the company for the time being.

Hyakka -chan hadn't seen Shuya for a while, so they found a lounge to chat.

Shuya talked to her about school, and as expected, she hadn't made any friends.

Why isn't Shu-chan in the same school as me?

Hyakka finally echoed Shuya's complaint, casting a resentful glance at Shuya.

"Why don't you transfer to this school?"

She immediately shook her head. "No way, Chiba is so far away!"

"All right."

In fact, Chiba isn't that far, but Hyakka- chan is a native Tokyo, and she feels that places outside of Tokyo are very far away.

Hyakka said, "Back to that animation... You're overreacting. Will it really have that much of an impact?"

Haruno nodded. "I also think you're exaggerating a bit."

"Believe me, that animation will be even better than you think."

Shuya smiled wryly, "But you're voice actors, appearing in these works will only boost your popularity, right? It's different for the company, though; they'll definitely be criticized by some people in the know."

"From a voice actor's perspective, this should actually be a good thing. You can imagine there will be more job opportunities in the future—as long as the industry sees that this animation can indeed make money."

Hyakka Jiang's expression turned complicated. "Will... will we be even busier...?"

"According to your dad, selling voice actors is also an important part of the business. It seems that voice actors will become even more idolized in the future."

Haruno to be deep in thought.

Shuya shrugged. "That's right, that's why I said it's a good thing for voice actors. Maybe your time has come, Haruno?"

Hyakka -chan laughed and said, "But Haruno is already quite famous."

Haruno replied, "It's Hyakka -chan who's the one; she's already debuted as a singer."

"Well, how should I put it..." Hyakka scratched her head, "I just feel like I can't lose to Mom."

Shuya asked, "Does Haruno want to debut?"

Haruno shrugged and casually said, "We'll see. Anyway, it's quite common for voice actors to debut as singers. Maybe it'll be fun to try it out?"

"Haha, Haruno, your looks are good enough to be an idol."

Hyakka praised her, and Haruno put on a smile and started exchanging compliments with her.

Shuya listened, he took a lollipop from the plate of snacks and put it in his mouth.

It's customary to leave snacks as a token of appreciation in places like the lounge or recording studio.

But there aren't many other places besides this one that offer lollipops.

These are habits that Shuya developed when he was a child; even now, the literati still buy lollipops to keep.

Shuya reminisced about his childhood while sucking on a candy, listening to Haruno and Hyakka -chan chat, occasionally offering a few words of response.

After a while, a handsome young man with a face full of exhaustion walked into the lounge.

"Huh? Isn't that Gojo?"

Shuya mumbled, a candy dangling from his mouth.

"Who?... Ah, it's Shuya. And Ms. Sonou and Ms. Yukinoshita."

"Hello, Mr. Karasuma. You seem very tired?"

Hyakka greeted him.

Haruno suddenly realized. "The film crew that rented the recording studio today, is one of the voice actors you're in charge of?"

"That's right."

Gojo sat on the sofa to the side, slumped over in a somewhat dejected manner.