The drawing area outside grew busy again.
The rustle of pencils rubbing over paper was muffled by the door, but that anxious tension had already dissipated.
The door to the president's office closed, cutting off the movement outside.
Yamaura Eiji took two mugs from the cabinet and poured two cups of instant coffee.
Sunrise's way of receiving guests had always been practical.
Nakayama Takuya took the cup, did not drink, and set it on the coffee table.
"President Yamaura, the mood in the industry has been pretty good lately." Nakayama Takuya leaned back against the sofa, crossing his legs. "The tapes for EVA are selling like mad, and even the GG fees for late-night slots are rising along with it. Do those peers outside think the golden age of animation has come back?"
Yamaura Eiji sat down across from him and rubbed his hands together.
"It looks lively on the surface." Yamaura Eiji sighed. "Gainax made money this time, but that's an individual case.
Most production companies are still the same as ever, scraping by on the meager production fees from TV stations. Companies like ours, with our own IP, are still all right. For those doing pure subcontracting, each day is harder than the last."
Nakayama Takuya nodded.
"That's what makes it interesting. The market is expanding, but the people doing the work can't eat their fill." Nakayama Takuya tapped his fingers on his knee. "Counting from the last two years of Showa to now, has the price for a single key animation drawing ever gone up?"
Yamaura Eiji gave a bitter smile.
"We're already thanking heaven and earth that it hasn't fallen. In the years since the bubble burst, TV stations have cut budgets and sponsors have reduced spending. Being able to keep the original price is already