novelhk Page 94
Page 94
Akane Akasaka smiled slightly as she opened her sketchbook and took out the drawings one by one.
The first picture is of the female protagonist, the elf princess Leafa.
The girl in the painting is indeed breathtakingly beautiful. Her long silver hair is like a waterfall under the moonlight, her emerald green eyes are captivating, and the corners of her eyes are slightly upturned, giving her a touch of allure.
Her figure was perfectly sculpted, completely erasing the original holy and natural temperament of the elves, and replacing it with a mature, alluring, and even somewhat aggressive sexiness.
It's undoubtedly a mature piece of art, but she's not Leafa.
Yuto Itsuka thought to himself.
The painting before me is completely different from the Leafa depicted by Eriri.
As the original author, he preferred the girl who would squint her eyes happily when she ate delicious food, and pout when the protagonist joked with her, with a touch of innocent naivety and the unique arrogance of a noblewoman.
He believed that Eriri's painting gave Leafa a "soul".
But the painting in front of us is just a gorgeous "outer shell".
Yuto Itsuka's gaze continued downwards, to the second image of Mia, the orc cat-eared girl, and the third image of the male protagonist, and so on.
It is beautiful, but it lacks soul.
Yuto silently looked through all the drawings.
The conference room fell silent, all eyes fixed on him, awaiting his evaluation.
"How is it, Itsuka-sensei?" Producer Ando asked with a smile. "Doesn't it feel completely different? This kind of character design is worthy of A-1 Pictures' production standards and can carve out a path in today's fiercely competitive animation market."
Yuto Itsuka did not answer him. He raised his head, his gaze passing over the drawings, and looked directly at Akane Akasaka once again.
"Mr. Akasaka, if I may be so bold, your drawing is excellent. The technique, the lighting, and the anatomy are all impeccable, but..."
He paused for a moment, then said, slowly and deliberately, "These are not 'The Farming King' that you drew."
Upon hearing this, both producer Ando and director Kinoshita's expressions changed slightly.
Akane Akane's expression remained unchanged; she seemed to have anticipated Yuto's response.
She leaned back slightly, crossed her arms, and looked down at Yuto.
"Oh? So, in your opinion, what exactly is your 'Farming King'?" she asked, her tone playful.
"Is it like the kind of artwork by Eri Kashiwagi, which is cute but has unstable lines, immature composition, and is full of fan art vibes?"
Upon hearing this, Yuto Itsuka's expression turned cold. He could accept criticism, but he could not tolerate anyone using such a contemptuous tone to belittle Eriri's efforts and talents.
"Mr. Kurosaka, you may have achieved great success in the field of commercial animation. But if I may be so bold, you seem to be unfamiliar with the light novel world, and you don't understand what the readers who truly support this market like."
"Eri... Eri Kashiwagi's paintings may seem technically improvable to a professional like you. But they are full of emotion and warmth. Every character she paints feels like a living person, and the viewer can feel the characters' joys and sorrows through her paintings."
"This is one of the reasons why 'Farming King' can attract readers, and it's the soul of the work, not this..."
Yuto's finger lightly touched Akane Akasaka's drawing, "...a soulless commercial symbol built with top-notch skills."
"Ahem!" Producer Ando coughed twice. "Itsuka-sensei and Akasaka-sensei are only doing it for the good of the work."
"I won't ignore the opinions of the original author and illustrator for the sake of the work's quality." Itsuka Yuto smiled. "And to be honest, as the original author, I wouldn't agree to my characters becoming mass-produced products for selling softcore pornography."
"Itsuka-sensei, you're too idealistic." Akane Kousaka finally spoke again, her voice tinged with impatience. "You have no idea what anime adaptation means. It's a commercial war with hundreds of millions of dollars at stake, not some childish club activity for you kids."
Her gaze suddenly became somewhat complicated, as if she were lost in memories.
"Itsuka-sensei, I admire your talent, as do Kashiwagi-sensei, so I can tell you that I have experienced the failure of anime adaptations."
"My first commercial manga, Cardinal Gotanda, was a flop because the production company stubbornly pursued the so-called 'original style,' resulting in something that was neither fish nor fowl, with poor visuals and a slow pace."
"It was at that moment that I realized that the so-called 'faithfulness to the original work' is sometimes just a joke in the face of the cruel commercial market."
She looked at Yuto Itsuka and continued, "I'm using my experience to prevent your work from repeating my mistakes."
"Kashiwagi-sensei's artwork might sell well at doujinshi conventions, but she's too inexperienced to be the character designer for a commercially successful anime with an investment of hundreds of millions. She can't shoulder that responsibility, and neither can you."
Akane Kousaka's words were like ice water poured over her head.
Producer Ando and director Kinoshita both showed expressions of deep agreement.
Everyone in the industry knows about Akane Akasaka's disastrous failure that time. Precisely because of this, she has firmly held the reins in her subsequent works and achieved unprecedented success.
Her experience is the most powerful argument.
Machida Sonoko watched Yuto nervously, her palms already sweating.
She knew Yuto Itsuka's personality, and she also knew the importance of that teacher, Eri Kashiwagi, in his heart.
But can she really withstand the powerful pressure from Akane Kousaka, whose own history of bloodshed and tears is intertwined with her?
Yuto Itsuka could feel everyone's eyes on him at that moment, some scrutinizing, some expectant, and some worried.
He slowly raised his head, meeting Akane Akasaka's confident and sharp eyes, and said, "Akasaka-sensei, as a creator, I know what it feels like to fail with your first work."
"However, to deny the value of 'faithfulness to the original work' because of one failure, and even to impose your own creative ideas on other people's works, must be... very painful for you, right?"
For the first time, a crack appeared on Akane Kousaka's confident expression.
She didn't expect that the young man would not be intimidated by her aura and experiences, but instead would analyze her inner thoughts.
"What do you mean?" Her voice turned cold.
“What I mean is,” Yuto leaned forward slightly, meeting her gaze without backing down, “your success is yours, and your failure is yours too. But please don’t use your standards to judge my work, or my partner.”
He took a deep breath: "You may know a lot about animation and business, but you don't understand 'Farming King' or its readers."
"Do you think readers like glamorous characters and exciting scenes? No, what they like is the joy of seeing wheat seedlings sprout after the protagonist has worked hard in the fields; the warmth of friends sitting around a campfire sharing a piece of roasted meat; the cuteness of Leafa putting aside her princess airs and clumsily learning to cook; and the sense of security of Mia curling up next to the protagonist like a kitten and taking a nap!"
“These things are the true soul of the work, and they are all hidden in Kashiwagi-sensei’s brushstrokes! Her paintings may not be mature or gorgeous enough, but they are sincere enough! And your paintings…” Itsuka Yuto’s fingers traced across Akane Akasaka’s sketches.
"Besides skill, I see no sincerity whatsoever!"
Before anyone else could speak, Yuto Itsuka continued, "Mr. Ando, Director Kinoshita, I am very grateful that your company has taken a liking to my work."
"But if the so-called animation adaptation is meant to kill the soul of this work, erase the hard work and contributions of my partner, Eri Kashiwagi-sensei, in exchange for a so-called 'commercial success'..."
He stood up, looked down at everyone at the conference table, and said, word by word, "Then, I'd rather not have this kind of animation."
Producer Ando was dumbfounded; he never expected that this seemingly mild-mannered high school student would dare to say such a thing.
Rejecting the anime adaptation of A-1 Pi & San? & 24ba Temple Twist? This is an unprecedented and insane statement in the industry!
A hint of surprise and...admiration flashed in Director Kinoshita's eyes behind his glasses.
After the initial shock, Machida Sonoko felt an indescribable excitement and pride.
This is the kind of writer she's been eyeing! This is the true "Beautiful Knight"! She has pride and a sense of responsibility!
The entire conference room fell silent.
Everyone's gaze instinctively turned to the eye of the storm—Akane Akasaka.
To everyone's surprise, Akane Akasaka did not fly into a rage, nor did she retaliate.
She simply stared quietly at Yuuto standing there. The scrutiny in his sharp eyes was gradually fading, replaced by a complex and enigmatic light.
After a long while, the corners of her mouth slowly curled up.
That wasn't the polite or contemptuous smile from before, but a genuine, genuine, and interested one.
“Interesting,” she said softly.
"It's really interesting that you'd give up such a huge opportunity as an anime adaptation just for a 'partner'. Itsuka-sensei, you're much more magnanimous than I thought."
She stood up and began to slowly tidy up the drawings on the table.
“I admit, I may not really understand your ‘Farming King’,” she said in an almost soliloquy as she tidied up. “I’ve met quite a few naive idealists like you in college. However, most of them have had their edges smoothed out by reality after entering the workforce.”
She put the drawing back into her sketchbook, fastened the clasp, and made a crisp "click" sound.
"Since the original author is willing to risk the future of the work to protect the so-called 'soul' and 'glory of the partner,' then I, as an outsider, have nothing more to say."
She picked up her sketchbook, turned around, and walked towards the door.
"Mr. Kousaka!" Producer Ando hurriedly stood up, trying to persuade him to stay.
Akane Akasaka didn't turn around, she just raised her hand and didn't stop walking.
“Producer Ando, let’s do it his way.” Her voice came from the doorway. “I’m quite interested to see how many views this new writer’s ‘magnanimity’ and his genius partner’s ‘soul’ will get.”
"Don't let the industry look down on you, otherwise..."
Before she could finish speaking, the conference room door closed, and the sound of high heels faded into the distance.
Inside the room, producer Ando's face alternated between pale and flushed, and his expression was rather unpleasant.
“Ahem…” Machida Sonoko cleared her throat, breaking the awkward silence. “Mr. Ando, Director Kinoshita, since things have come to this… I think we should respect the original author’s wishes. After all, Itsuka-sensei is the one who knows this work best.”
Producer Ando sighed deeply. He glanced at Yuto with a complicated expression, and finally waved his hand helplessly.
"Alright, let's stick to the original plan. The character designs will be based on Eri Kashiwagi's original design, with modifications for the animation. This task will be handled by Director Kinoshita and your team."
“I understand.” Director Kinoshita nodded, his gaze toward Yuto having shifted from initial scrutiny to pure appreciation.
"Mr. Itsuka, please rest assured, we will do our best and will never let you and your partner down for your love for this work," Director Kinoshita said with deep respect.
……
The remaining agenda of the meeting was completed in a subtle atmosphere, and by the time we left the Shinazugawa Bunko, the sky outside was already beginning to darken.
"Itsuka-sensei, you looked absolutely... awesome today!" As soon as they stepped out the door, Machida Sonoko couldn't hold back any longer. She excitedly patted Itsuka Yuto on the shoulder, "I was really worried that you would be overwhelmed by the aura of that she-devil Akane Kousaka!"
"I just said what needed to be said." Yuto shook his head.
"But you've offended her, haven't you? That woman is very vengeful," Machida Sonoko said with some concern.
"It doesn't matter." Yuto looked at the sunset in the distance. "I chose this path myself."
After saying goodbye to Machida Sonoko, Yuto walked home alone.
He took out his phone and opened his chat with Eriri.
He wanted to tell her what had happened that day, but after typing a long string of words, he deleted them one by one.
He didn't want her to know about the behind-the-scenes conflicts and pressures, and he didn't want her to bear any unnecessary burdens.
All he needed was for her to continue painting what she loved, happily and enthusiastically, just like before.
He will bear the rest of the storms.
In the end, he typed only a few words and sent it.
"Who's more handsome than me: The meeting is over, and it went very smoothly."
"Who's more handsome than me? The animation company has very high praise for your drawings."
"Who's more handsome than me? Go for it, my best partner. From now on, let all of Japan, and even the whole world, see your talent."
Soon, the phone vibrated, and Eriri's reply popped up.
Eriri: Hmph! Need I say more! Who do you think I am?!
"Eriri: You have to keep it up too, don't hold me back, you're a new author!"
Looking at the text on the screen, Yuto Itsuka finally showed a genuinely relaxed smile.
……
Volume 1: Chapter 110: A War of Public Opinion? We'll definitely give that woman a big surprise!
The day after the conference ended, the Tokyo sky was spotless, and the chirping of cicadas came from outside the window, announcing that the summer heat had not yet subsided.
Yuto Itsuka sat in front of his computer, not typing, but recalling what happened at yesterday's meeting.
For some reason, Akane Akasaka eventually agreed.
Compared to her status in the industry, Yuto Itsuka can only be considered an unknown author.
Yesterday's events were futile, like a mantis trying to stop a chariot. After all, the original author doesn't actually have as much say in the adaptation of his work into anime as one might imagine. In fact, he had already prepared for a falling out, but she agreed.
The compromise between the producer and the director was to be expected; anyone with eyes could see that the one who could make the final decision was Akane Akasaka.
In the future, the anime adaptation project of "Farming King" will likely be labeled with an invisible tag—led by the original author.
This sounds wonderful, but under the production committee system in the Japanese animation industry, it is almost synonymous with high risk and trouble.
He will carry the expectations and doubts of everyone as he moves forward.
If the anime succeeds, he will become a legend; if it fails, he and Eriri will become a laughing stock in the industry, proving Akane Kousaka's prophecy that "you can't afford it."