Chapter 80: Promoting On Variety Shows! All Of Neon In Expectation!
The last week of June, Tokyo, even the entire Kanto Region, seemed to be stirred by the name World of the Strange, turning into a vortex constantly filled with various public opinions.
Just like a bomb.
It captured everyone’s attention and focus.
After all, according to the contract, Tokyo Television Station had mobilized almost the entire station’s resources for this S-grade proposal that was about to air in the 9 p.m. slot on July 1st, conducting a quite solemn promotional bombardment.
Of course, Tokyo TV was quite experienced with this; after all, they had S-grade proposals before, so they just followed the usual routine.
Monday evening at 8 p.m.
The ace variety show Starry Sky of Shining Stars, which consistently maintained ratings above 15%, featured Hiroshi Nohara as a special guest in that gorgeous studio.
He wore a proper Armani casual suit, facing Teacher Tiansen, the national-level host renowned for his sharp rhetoric, with his signature mild smile always on his face, light and breezy.
Hiroshi Nohara could be called elegant and poised.
The program continued.
“So, Teacher Nohara.”
Tiansen leaned forward slightly, his eyes hidden behind sunglasses flashing with shrewdness, “This time, you’ve resolutely jumped from the animation field where you created a ratings myth to the far more fiercely competitive live-action drama battlefield. Is this a brand-new challenge, or… do you think animation can no longer carry your talent?”
This question was extremely tricky.
It both elevated Hiroshi Nohara and subtly placed him in opposition to all animation practitioners.
This was creating a topic.
And also…
A trap dug for Hiroshi Nohara by the Tokyo Faction!
After host Tiansen said this, he quietly waited for Hiroshi Nohara’s answer.
But looking at this excessively young Hiroshi Nohara, a trace of reluctance appeared in his eyes. After all, he had heard the rumors, watched An Shizhi, and even Yu Yu Hakusho, and truly admired this talented young person.
But there was no way around it.
He, Tiansen, was the Tokyo Faction’s top variety show host and had to serve the interests of the Tokyo Faction.
Tripping someone up at key moments with a little dirty trick.
These were all commonplace things.
If he gets through it.
It shows high emotional intelligence, high IQ, and that he’s an important person.
As for not getting through it…
Then he doesn’t get through it.
Anyway, the one who makes a fool of themselves is the guest, not him Tiansen, and it can even add topicality to the variety show—this was simply a win-win situation.
This was also why variety shows were so poorly rated.
So with Tiansen’s words.
The air in the studio instantly became somewhat solemn.
The eyes of all the audience present focused on that young person.
However, Hiroshi Nohara just smiled calmly, his voice clearly transmitted into everyone’s ears through the microphone:
“Teacher Tiansen, you’re joking. Animation and live-action drama are not different mediums to me; they are just… ways of telling stories.”
“An Shizhi tells those urban legends passed down on the streets and alleys, belonging to the past. And my World of the Strange this time wants to tell urban legends happening around us, belonging to the present, or even… belonging to the future.”
He paused, his eyes astonishingly bright under the spotlight flashing with a profound insight that saw through everything.
“As for why there’s no An Shizhi Season 3, the reason is simple. My energy is limited, and I want to pour all my passion into the creation of this World of the Strange, which is more important to me.”
“So, I had to reluctantly let go and entrust An Shizhi, this reputation I cherish immensely, to Section Chief Iwata and those excellent colleagues I trust. I believe they will surely continue this glory.”
These words were watertight.
They explained the audience’s doubts, gave full face to the station, and incidentally sent a high hat named trust and excellence to the guys in Iwata’s Classroom.
As for whether they were tearfully grateful or ill at ease under that hat, only they themselves knew.
At least Hiroshi Nohara was quite looking forward to it.
The day after the program aired, major newspapers and magazines, as if by agreement, collectively detonated this public opinion bomb.
Asahi Shimbun’s entertainment section headline used bold black font for an extremely impactful title—【Father of An Shizhi, Hiroshi Nohara! Returns to the fray with live-action urban legends!】
The article was paired with a high-definition photo of Hiroshi Nohara on the show, where he looked confident and composed, his clear eyes seeming to contain a universe of whimsical ideas.
“…He is like a magician from another dimension, always pulling out wondrous gadgets from his seemingly ordinary pocket that leave us mortals dumbfounded.”
“From An Shizhi to Yu Yu Hakusho, and to this World of the Strange that hasn’t aired yet but has already whetted everyone’s appetite. We have reason to believe that this 23-year-old young person will once again open a door to a new world for us with his boundless imagination…”
Of course, with praise came doubt.
Shukan Bunshun, known for its venomous tongue, published a commentary article by senior film critic “Spicy Tang Lion.”
【From two-dimensional to three-dimensional: The fall of a genius, or the bubble of the era?】
“…We never deny Hiroshi Nohara’s astonishing talent in animation and manga. But we must clearly recognize that animation and live-action drama are two completely different art forms.”
“The charm of animation lies in using the most exaggerated lines and colors to build a completely fictional world.”
“While the foundation of live-action drama lies in its realistic depiction of reality. Hiroshi Nohara trying to use his fantasy-filled ‘urban legends’ theory to helm a live-action drama is itself a near-suicidal gamble.”
“We are very worried that this genius placed on the pedestal will ultimately shatter to pieces due to this mismatch…”
Praise and doubt, hype and denigration.
Two completely different voices, under the media’s deliberate guidance, quickly fermented into a nationwide discussion.
For a while, the name Hiroshi Nohara and the drama World of the Strange became the hottest topics of this summer.
On trains, in offices, in izakayas, discussions could be heard everywhere.
And in this intensifying public opinion storm, the rebroadcasts of An Shizhi Seasons 1 and 2 in Tokyo TV’s late-night slot saw their ratings climb steadily, once breaking through the 5% mark, creating a ratings miracle for rebroadcast dramas.
This unexpected joy made Asumi grin from ear to ear.
And he knew.
With this wave of debate, the topicality of Hiroshi Nohara’s World of the Strange had maxed out nationwide among those audience groups.
All the groundwork, all the anticipation, had converged into an unstoppable flood.
Just waiting for 9 p.m. on July 1st, the moment the floodgates open.
But what left Asumi helpless was.
An Shizhi Season 3 produced by Iwata’s Classroom had also ridden the wave of publicity for Hiroshi Nohara and World of the Strange, gaining massive attention.
Everyone started paying attention to An Shizhi Season 3.
Adding a bit of suppression to Asumi’s eyes.
He could certainly imagine the sinister smile on Toshihide Takada, the Production Bureau Executive Deputy Director behind Masao Iwata, from Tokyo Television Station.
……
July 1st, 8:50 p.m.
In the office of 【Hiroshi Nohara · Special Production Team】, lights blazed.
The air was filled with a special tense atmosphere.
All the core members of the World of the Strange director team were gathered here without exception.
In front of that latest-model Sony Trinitron Television specially brought from the props storage, people were crowded around at this moment.
Kenji Sato and Tsuyoshi Yamamoto, these two veterans used to storms, were now like students facing a big exam, restless and constantly checking their watches.
Hoshi Minamimura, Roji Hase, and Yō Kitagawa, these three elders, were so nervous their palms were sweating, their three pairs of eyes fixed on the black TV screen as if trying to glare out the fate-deciding program with telekinesis.
Only Eiji Kurosawa, this former king, still maintained his composure.
He sat quietly on the sofa in the corner, holding a cup of steaming rich black coffee, his sharp eyes calmly watching the young people like ants on a hot pan, a knowing smile on his lips.
This was the advantage brought by age and experience.
Steady.
Unperturbed.
But when Eiji Kurosawa turned to look at Hiroshi Nohara behind him, he also felt a flicker of admiration in his eyes at his calm and even quite relaxed demeanor.
Because Hiroshi Nohara, at the center of this storm, was truly the most relaxed of everyone.
He even had the leisure to personally brew a pot of pour-over coffee for everyone, its rich aroma somewhat alleviating the nearly solidified tense atmosphere in the office.
“Everyone, don’t be nervous.”
He handed out cups of still steaming coffee to each person, his face still wearing that light and breezy smile: “We’ve done everything we could. The rest is up to the audience to judge.”
The program was about to start.
So just wait.
At the same time, in Tokyo, in Osaka, in Kumamoto, in thousands of households across the neon land.
Countless eyes were also focused on their home TV screens.
Shinjuku, Kabukicho, late-night diner.
Boss Xiang Shuishang wiped the plate in his hands, but his gaze kept glancing at the small TV on the wall.
At the bar counter, a few nightclub guards fresh off work drank iced beer while excitedly discussing.
“Hey, what do you think Hiroshi Nohara’s new show will be like?”
“I’m a bit worried about that; those film critics in the papers aren’t wrong. Animation and live-action drama are too different—don’t mess it up.”
“Who knows? But a guy even our yakuza boss admires, whatever he makes won’t be ordinary!”
“Hey hey hey! No yakuza this, yakuza that! How many times have I said, don’t get the boss in trouble! Baka yarō!”
“Hai hai! Forgive me! I was just too excited!”
Suginami Ward, in a certain single apartment.
Xiao Xunhua, Fujii Tree, and Ryū Watanabe sat around a small low table, with several cans of beer and a plate of edamame on it.
Ever since the last shoot, they had become friends.
After all, they had interacted at Kanto Television Station before.
And now fate brought them together again.
Of course they were friends.
Especially since today was the airing of the first episode of the first season of Hiroshi Nohara’s World of the Strange, so they naturally agreed to watch together to see how their performances turned out.
“Aaaah… so nervous! More nervous than acting myself!” Xiao Xunhua clasped her hands under her chin, her beautiful big eyes full of prayer.
“Don’t worry,” Fujii Tree took a swig of beer, pretending to be calm: “With Teacher Nohara, it’ll be absolutely fine.”
That said, his slightly trembling fingertips betrayed his true emotions.
And in their expectant gazes, the ads on the TV screen ended.
Nine o’clock sharp.
A eerie, ethereal melody with a strangely alluring pull rang out without warning through the TV’s sound system.
That melody flowed out like from an ancient music box.
Every note like an icy cold feather, gently tickling the heartstrings of all listeners.
‘It’s here!’
Everyone held their breath at this moment.
The screen lit up.
No intense opening, no flashy effects.
Just a pitch-black background, a desk lamp emitting soft light, a retro leather sofa, and… a man in a black suit and sunglasses, sitting quietly there.
The lens slowly pushed in.
When that man’s angular side face, full of the weight of years, clearly appeared before everyone.
The entire neon land seemed to hit pause.
Everyone instinctively held their breath.
The next second, tsunami-like gasps erupted simultaneously in countless homes, izakayas, and student dorms!
“My god! That’s… that’s… Director Eiji Kurosawa?!”
“Director Eiji Kurosawa!”
“It’s really Director Eiji Kurosawa! He actually cameoed in Hiroshi Nohara’s show!”
In the late-night diner, Xiang Shuishang’s plate clattered to the floor, but he was oblivious.
Eiji Kurosawa was his idol!
“This… how is this possible?! Having a national treasure first-class director host a unit drama?! That Hiroshi Nohara… what kind of monster is he?!”
“No way?! Am I seeing things?! It’s really Director Kurosawa!”
Countless taxi drivers, during red lights, incredulously stared at that familiar yet strange face on the car TV, feeling their worldview completely overturned at this moment!
And in the 【Hiroshi Nohara · Special Production Team】 office, Hoshi Minamimura, Roji Hase, and Yō Kitagawa watched that face they knew all too well on TV, hearing the team members’ praises like ‘great shooting angle’ and ‘incredible lens sense’ amid the continuous gasps.
A sense of shared pride swelled on those three young faces, enough to make them puff out their chests!
This was the achievement of their Section Chief Hiroshi Nohara!
“Impressive.” Even Eiji Kurosawa nodded slightly at this time. Though not the first time seeing himself in the first episode, the shooting angle, lens sense, lighting at the time, and specially edited close-ups all satisfied him greatly.
Including the team members responsible for photography and lens capture, now recalling Hiroshi Nohara’s requirements and the manuscripts distributed then.
Shooting and lighting exactly as required.
Ultimately forming such excellent images.
Which amazed them too.
Even they professionals were amazed, let alone audiences nationwide.
At this moment, they also felt Director Eiji Kurosawa was… so handsome and cool!
And full of mystery!
Amid this nationwide shockwave, the man on screen slowly spoke.
“Humans are inconceivable creatures…”
That hoarse, steady, magnetic voice like invisible hands instantly gripped all viewers’ throats, dragging them irresistibly into the unfolding world of unknown wonders…
The wondrous strange world.
