Animation, or rather all cultural and entertainment products, are most influenced by the historical context of their time.
This applies to both literary works and ACG (Anime, Comics, and Games).
There are different ways to play during a downturn, and there are different products to be made during a war.
The golden age of the bubble economy naturally had its own unique style.
Simply put, it's gorgeous!
The late 1980s was the peak of the OVA market boom, and the quality of production was unmatched even after the turn of the millennium and into the 1920s.
Especially those works that are willing to invest money and disregard costs, even Hollywood animation cannot compete with them.
Hideaki Anno took a sheet of celluloid film produced by Fujifilm and placed it on a piece of draft paper with a background drawn on it on the table.
Lin Lixin stepped forward, looked at the picture on the table, and remained silent for a moment.
If there's anything that even advancements in computer technology can't replace, it's probably this traditional hand-drawing.
While computer-generated art is cheaper and more convenient, it is vastly different from celluloid in terms of color texture and line quality.
It will be possible to reach this level of quality purely through computer-generated graphics only after the software ecosystem has fully matured.
Take, for example, the phenomenal boxing anime "MEGALOBOX" from back then.
"That's really great!"
Looking at this Close-Up, Lin Lixin sighed sincerely.
"The intermediate frame work has been outsourced to the Philippines and South Korea, and we are also working hard to produce the subsequent episodes."
He explained.
Unlike video games, weekly animated series are not produced and released episode by episode.
Even for cheap, low-budget TV animation, a single episode of about 24 minutes takes nearly two months to produce.
This involves positions ranging from director to key animators, animation team, colorists, cinematographers, storyboard artists, animation supervisors, and voice actors.
Even a single, seemingly insignificant episode of an ordinary TV animation requires the involvement of hundreds of people.
However, at the same time, animation companies are often producing countless episodes simultaneously.
When the first episode was completed, the second episode was likely already in the dubbing and editing stage, and the third episode had already completed the in-between frame work and started colorizing.
This is also the most crucial part of ensuring weekly serialization.
The so-called "tight schedule and MAPPA's forte of extreme scheduling" are actually problems created by this system.
The animation production actually started a long time ago.
That is, during the Sonic the Hedgehog era.
Lin Lixin directly handed over a complete system structure and the scripts for the first few episodes, and then asked Satoshi Tajiri to arrange the investment in GAINAX.
This group of creators, who were struggling financially due to their excessive pursuit of art, would never refuse his offer.
As for Lin Lixin's presence today, it is naturally to participate in the crucial final "trial writing" stage.
Several people, carrying a fully transcribed analog videotape, entered a cramped and crowded room.
This is where the films are reviewed.
The so-called "final draft" is actually industry jargon. Essentially, it's a version that the director, producer, and representatives from the investors will watch before the final broadcast.
Before the final test script, there is often a "Rush" version, which is a pure visual version without any sound effects.
Next came the various screenings before and after the dubbing.
However, since Lin Lixin was to serve as the project producer for Pokémon Gold and Silver, it was impossible for him to follow up on the entire animation process.
The final draft was the most nerve-wracking part of the entire animation production process.
If any problems that weren't noticed before appear in the film, then all the work done in the past few days will have been for nothing.
With film development taking at least a day, any mistake could result in tons of money being thrown into the fire.
It's still in US dollars!
Fortunately, GAINAX is a reputable and trustworthy institution.
What was ultimately presented to Lin Lixin was a more glamorous version of the Pokémon anime.
Although it differed somewhat from his memory, because he provided a complete concept design, the overall result wasn't too outrageous. In fact, GAINAX even made the combat scenes extremely flashy, leaving Lin Lixin speechless.
These people are so damn honest; they really spend money when they have it, without holding back at all.
Lin Lixin even had a feeling that these people might have misappropriated other surpluses and poured them all into this project team.
"Pokemon Get DA★ Pokémon!"
A spoken word came from the speaker, accompanied by the artistic title on the cover, and music suddenly started.
The theme song was written, composed, and arranged by Lin Lixin Lin Lixin, Lin Lixin sung by 21-year-old voice actress Rica Matsumoto, who had just debuted.
My Aim to Be a Pokémon Master.
Despite having heard it countless times, he still couldn't help but get goosebumps when the moment actually arrived.
On the way back, Satoshi Tajiri hesitated for a moment, then, unable to contain his curiosity, he asked, "Lin, I'm curious why you chose Pikachu as Satoshi's partner?"
Satoshi actually paid quite a bit of attention to the design of this animation.
The main character Satoshi, which just seems like Rin is making fun of himself!
However, he just smiled and scrolled past these little Easter eggs.
What really concerned him was the choice of the protagonist's starting Pokémon.
Lin Lixin clearly stated in the initial series composition that it must be the protagonist, rather than the starter Pokémon in Pokémon Red and Green.
In his opinion, even if he were to choose Pokémon other than the starter Pokémon, it Pokémon like Clefairy, which has a large and established fanbase.
"The reason—of course, is that I don't want this animation to become a spin-off of the Pokémon games, but rather a truly independent animation."
While a complete recreation of the games in Red Green would delight fans, it would also lose the most important core of the animation, turning it into a purely commercial product.
"To put it more academically, bright yellow is more eye-catching on CRT televisions, and its simple strokes are easy to imitate, which helps it gain wider popularity."
"In short, trust my judgment. Pikachu will definitely become a symbolic icon of the Pokémon anime, just like Clefairy is to the Legend of Clefairy."
This time, Lin Lixin did not stay in Japan for too long.
After following up on GAINAX's progress, Lin Lixin made a detour to Sega's headquarters in Shinagawa Ward.
After listening to the reports from Hayao Nakayama and Yuji Naka, he immediately set off back to California.
Sam has also finalized the broadcasting arrangements with Nickelodeon.
Everything is finally on the right track, now it's just a matter of time.
November 19, 1989.
The last Sunday before Thanksgiving is also the last window of opportunity before Black Friday.
Merchants are already getting restless with the upcoming shopping festival next week.
Newspapers, television, and radio are already crammed with dense GG advertisements.
As for department stores, they have also begun hiring more temporary workers and started temporary training.
Everyone was looking forward to this final stretch of the 1980s.
We look forward to the arrival of a new era, and to a better tomorrow.
as well as--
We eagerly await GAMENOVA's final tribute to the 1980s.
As for GAMENOVA, they will, as always, live up to everyone's expectations.
8 p. m. that day.
Regardless of age or gender, this is a rare opportunity for most people to have time to relax and watch TV for a while.
New Mexico.
The Vincent family finished dinner early and gathered on the sofa in the living room.
Emma, the mother, fiddled with the handheld game console in her hand, playing games that Vincent was not suited to play.
Kent, the father, held little Vincent in his arms, peering at Emma's game progress and occasionally offering a comment.
"Idiot, let Master Lu take the lead! You're going to get stabbed in the back from your current position."
"Shut up! Whose game are you playing, yours or mine?"
Emma freed one hand and pinched her husband's incessantly chattering mouth shut.
She was playing a port of Fire Emblem to the Nintendo Switch.
Honestly, this thing is a perfect fit for handheld consoles.
You can pull it out anytime, anywhere for a quick game; it's a great way to pass the time.
"Hmm... Axe beats spear, sword beats axe..."
Even though Kent's mouth was being choked, he still mumbled something, trying to tell Emma how many coins she was playing with.
Emma pouted helplessly.
Unlike FPS games like Wolfenstein 3D, Doom, and Quake, she's really not good at these so-called strategy games.
She still prefers the reflex gun, relying on her reflexes and instincts to have a good time.
"If you're so great, then wait until Street Fighter is released later. Whoever loses is a coward and has to clean toilets for a month."
"Who's afraid of who? Let me tell you, I secretly practiced the day before yesterday—"
"Stop making noise! The cartoon is about to start!"
Vincent, who was in their arms, interrupted their argument.
His big eyes blinked as he stared intently at the watch, watching the second hand tick away.
The last ten seconds----
He turned to look at the television.
The GG period has ended.
A simple transition clip is playing on the screen.
[Next playback:]
[ Pokémon Episode 1]
Vincent unconsciously swallowed, quietly waiting for the animated film to officially begin.
Can you believe that the Pokémon games are getting an anime adaptation?
According to official sources, this animation will be broadcast simultaneously worldwide.
Produced jointly by GAINAX, a well-known animation studio from Japan Mirai, and GAMENOVA.
The screen slowly fades into black.
This is a sign that the anime is about to start airing.
Vincent held down Hong Wen and his parents, who were still in Hongwen, and gestured for them to watch TV.
A dazzling, colorful background.
Several balls, each representing a different element in the game, slowly rotate around the central logo.
The title [POKEMON] is placed in the center.
Below that is a subtitle in gold foil.
Pocket Monsters
Pokémonget Daze!
(Upbeat music starts~~)
Even in water, fire, or forest~
The wheels of Pokémon history begin to turn at this moment!