Chapter 168: Tokyo Metropolis Publicity Department’s Recognition! Press Conference Begins! Shocked Reporters!
Tokyo, Nagata-cho.
Winter sunlight pierced through the clouds, slanting down onto the slightly antiquated office building of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Publicity Department, plating this domain symbolizing official will with a layer of solemn and dignified gold.
In the meeting room, the air was filled with faint tea aroma and ink aroma, seemingly isolated from the noisy city outside the window like two different worlds.
A massive rectangular conference table, polished to a mirror shine, reflected the warm yellow glowing lamps on the ceiling.
At this moment, a group of people sat around the table.
They were mostly at the age of knowing destiny, with frost at their temples, their brows etched with traces of years and experience.
They were the helmsmen of various important positions under the Publicity Department; some were responsible for film review and guidance, some controlled the throat and pulse of news, some supervised the screens and frequencies of television and radio, some reviewed the pages and thoughts of manga and publications, and others keenly captured the subtle fluctuations in social public opinion.
This was a routine year-end meeting aimed at summarizing and evaluating the publicity work of the past year.
The discussion was nearing its end, and the atmosphere had shifted from initial rigor to slight relaxation.
The leading Minister of Publicity, a lean old man wearing gold-rimmed glasses, lightly tapped the desktop, producing a crisp sound.
His gaze calmly swept over everyone, his voice carrying the composure and detachment of long-standing superiority: “Everyone, regarding this year’s various publicity works, everyone has given detailed reports. Overall, the results are outstanding, especially in coalescing national spirit and elevating cultural confidence, making indelible contributions.”
He paused, turning his gaze to Deputy Minister Hideaki Fujiwara, who sat to his right with impeccably combed hair and a serious and rigorous expression between his brows, a faint smile appearing on his face: “However, everyone present, what are your views on some new phenomena that have emerged in social public opinion since the second half of the year, and the influences they have brought?”
As his words fell, a slight commotion arose in the meeting room.
“Minister Your Excellency, in my personal view, the enhancement of national unity awareness since the second half of the year is inseparable from the promotion by a series of cultural products.”
The Head of Film Promotion Section, a man in his early forties wearing thick black-framed glasses, spoke first, his voice steady and powerful.
“Especially those support group phenomena initiated locally but ultimately resonating widely nationwide; they effectively alleviated the indifference and alienation brought by urban life, reactivating the sense of identity with hometown and family in the hearts of the nationals. Even through these support activities, many relatives originally separated by work have rediscovered bonds for communication and maintaining emotions.”
He spoke again with emotion in his tone: “This kind of bottom-up emotional cohesion is far more authentic and vital than any top-down publicity slogan. It is like a warm current, quietly warming our seemingly icy cold but actually desiring connection society.”
“Mm, very well said.” Minister Your Excellency nodded slightly, a approving smile on his face.
He turned his head to look at the Head of Television Program Review Section sitting opposite, a slightly plump middle-aged man always wearing an amiable smile: “Takahashi, what supplements do you have on this phenomenon?”
Head Takahashi immediately straightened his body, his smile becoming even brighter: “Minister Your Excellency, the Head of Film Promotion Section is absolutely right. I have a set of data here that might illustrate this more intuitively.”
He drew a report from the folder in front of him and respectfully handed it over: “Since the variety show 《Super Change Change Change》 aired, the viewer letters we received, especially from local family audiences, have tripled in number. The content of the letters mostly praises the pure joy and family interactions in the program. Even many viewers said that this program made them rediscover family warmth and prompted them to try participating in some beneficial activities with family and friends. This phenomenon undoubtedly greatly promotes national family communication.”
“《Super Change Change Change》…” Minister Your Excellency murmured to himself, a flicker of thought in his eyes.
He picked up the report, flipped through a few pages casually, and a faint smile appeared on his face: “I’ve watched this program too; it’s indeed very interesting. It presents the simplest creativity in the purest way, yet triggers such huge social resonance—truly rare. The producer who made such a program deserves great credit.”
Hearing Minister Your Excellency’s praise, everyone in the meeting room nodded in agreement.
As civil servants within the system, they naturally understood the deeper meaning of the Minister’s words.
In their view, this program not only brought ratings but also social value—that was true “achievement.”
“Speaking of which, Fujiwara.” Minister Your Excellency turned his gaze back to Hideaki Fujiwara, his smile becoming even milder: “I remember you recommended this program to me initially. You said then that this program and its producer would bring a brand new trend to our Neon. Now it seems your insight is indeed unique.”
Hideaki Fujiwara immediately lowered his head humbly: “This is all due to the long-term guidance from Minister Your Excellency, allowing the nationals to grow in the art field.”
But this flattery only made the nearly seventy-year-old Minister smile: “Get to the point, my Deputy Minister Your Excellency.”
“Yes.” Hideaki Fujiwara smiled, then continued: “I just saw in that young person a talent and scope that transcends the era and ordinary people. His name is Hiroshi Nohara, a young person only twenty-three years old.”
“He is not just the producer of 《Super Change Change Change》.” Hideaki Fujiwara paused, his tone filled with admiration: “He is also the author of the manga 《Yu Yu Hakusho》, a work with extremely high popularity among the youth group, its sales having reached phenomenal levels; he is also the planner of the urban legends series drama 《World of the Strange》, which successfully pioneered the new horror genre ‘urban legends’ and is loved by young audiences; at the same time, he is the screenwriter of the late-night animation 《An Shizhi》, winning a large number of die-hard fans with its unique Japanese horror style.”
As Hideaki Fujiwara recounted Hiroshi Nohara’s series of jaw-dropping achievements like treasures, the atmosphere in the meeting room instantly shifted from previous calm to whispers filled with surprise and shock.
“What?! The author of 《Yu Yu Hakusho》 is actually the same person?!”
“My god! He is actually the pioneer of ‘urban legends’?! No wonder 《World of the Strange》 is so popular!”
“He’s only twenty-three! This… this is simply a monster!”
Those section chiefs who usually prided themselves on rich experience and broad knowledge now stared dumbfounded at Hideaki Fujiwara, their faces filled with incredulous shock.
They had never imagined that a young whippersnapper could achieve such remarkable accomplishments in so many fields!
Minister Your Excellency also raised his brows in surprise, looking at Hideaki Fujiwara with a flicker of inquiry in his eyes: “There is actually such a versatile young person? This is beyond my expectation. It seems our Publicity Department indeed needs more such fresh blood.”
At this moment, the section chief responsible for film promotion, sitting in the corner, seemed to suddenly remember something; he abruptly straightened his body, his face filled with irrepressible excitement.
“Minister Your Excellency! Deputy Minister Fujiwara! I… I have the latest news about Hiroshi Nohara!” His voice trembled slightly with agitation: “It’s him! It’s Hiroshi Nohara! He is also the true chief director and screenwriter of that 《Seven Samurai》 that has caused a stir in the film industry recently!”
“What?!”
This news exploded in the meeting room like a thunderbolt from a clear sky!
Everyone was stunned!
《Seven Samurai》!
This film, which recently caused huge controversy across Neon society but exploded in reputation and soared in box office after its Christmas Eve release, was actually… also Hiroshi Nohara’s work?!
“He… he even makes movies?!”
“And it’s 《Seven Samurai》, this epic masterpiece that reconstructs samurai and Bushido?!”
“My god! I just watched this movie in the theater yesterday! It… it’s simply a divine work! I never imagined a story about samurai could be told so grandly and so piercing to the heart!”
The meeting room instantly boiled over!
Those section chiefs who were usually stern now looked somewhat shocked.
“Minister Your Excellency! Do you know?!” The Head of Film Promotion Section was so excited he was incoherent: “《Seven Samurai》’s Christmas Eve opening day box office broke 180 million yen! In just one week, the box office has surpassed the 1 billion yen mark! This… this is no longer just a ‘big hit’! This is clearly… a true box office myth!”
“Moreover, now the entire Neon’s film critics are praising this movie! They say it derives from samurai films yet transcends them; previous samurai films were just kendo films, and only it is a true samurai film! They even define all samurai films before 《Seven Samurai》 as ‘pre-Director Kurosawa kendo films,’ and only after 《Seven Samurai》 does it deserve the title ‘samurai film’!”
“This… this is simply… an unprecedented feat in our Neon film history!”
The Head of Film Promotion Section grew more excited, even slapping his thigh, his face filled with pride as if sharing the glory!
“Yes! Minister Your Excellency!” The Head of Television Program Review Section chimed in, his face full of excitement: “Our Neon’s economy is now almost catching up to the United States! Unexpectedly, even our cultural products can reach such heights! This… this is so inspiring!”
“Exactly! Our Neon is finally becoming a true ‘cultural powerhouse’!”
“It can even be said that our Neon is finally becoming a ‘normal country’ in the true sense!”
“I really hope this 《Seven Samurai》 surpasses those United States Hollywood films!”
For a moment, the meeting room echoed with enthusiastic agreement.
Everyone’s faces overflowed with a strange pride and a concealed yet extremely complex sense of honor.
Looking at that box office report, at the praises for 《Seven Samurai》, at the lavish compliments for Hiroshi Nohara, they seemed to already envision that in the near future, Neon’s cultural products would sweep the world like a tide, making everyone take notice and marvel!
“Cough cough!”
However, amid this clamor filled with fanaticism and pride, Minister Your Excellency suddenly coughed lightly.
The sound was not loud, yet like morning and evening bells, it instantly pulled the boiling meeting room back to calm.
He looked at everyone’s flushed faces, his eyes carrying a hint of warning yet unable to conceal the heartfelt pride.
“Everyone, some words cannot be said recklessly.” Minister Your Excellency spoke faintly, his voice carrying a meaningful reminder.
“However, what you said is indeed correct; our Neon is already an economic powerhouse and a cultural powerhouse!” A faint expectation appeared on his face.
He turned his head and cast his gaze toward Hideaki Fujiwara.
“Fujiwara, it seems this time you have unearthed a true gem for our Publicity Department.”
Minister Your Excellency slowly stood up, walked to the floor-to-ceiling window of the meeting room, overlooking the steel city gleaming under the winter sunlight below, his calm eyes flickering with the profundity and decisiveness of a superior.
“Here’s what we’ll do.”
His voice, like the warmest winter sunlight, slowly sprinkled into everyone’s hearts.
“At the New Year’s government banquet, give him a spot. I want to meet this young person personally. After all, a young person who brings such huge surprise to our Neon deserves the greatest support and cultivation from our Publicity Department.”
“Our Neon’s future will ultimately be pioneered by these young people.”
“He is our Neon, the cultural hope of the new era!”
These words echoed in the meeting room like a great bell.
Everyone understood.
They knew that Minister Your Excellency’s words were not just affirmation and praise for Hiroshi Nohara.
It was also the clearest signal to their entire Publicity Department and even the whole Neon society about “cultivating newcomers”!
And…
The desire for Neon, after becoming an economic powerhouse, to step into cultural powerhouse status, shed restraints… and become a normal country, even an East Asian powerhouse!
“Now our Neon’s economy is so prosperous that the United States can’t hold on. If our culture keeps up, letting everyone witness our Neon’s great culture… then once the opportunity arises to become a normal country… our Neon will become a powerhouse again in a short time!”
“Perhaps in a few more years, our Neon’s economy can completely surpass the United States, telling those arrogant Americans who is the world’s number one economic powerhouse!”
“We lost on the battlefield! But economically… our Neon is invincible!”
Minister Your Excellency, with his back to everyone, felt a storm-like surge in his heart.
He too had envisioned a bright future.
…
Monday morning, Tokyo still shrouded in lingering thin mist, the air carrying the crispness unique to winter, as if washing away all worldly dust and noise.
However, this surface calm was torn apart at exactly ten a.m. by a sudden press conference, like thunder splitting the sky, instantly sweeping across all of Neon.
Tokyo Television Station Studio 1, this stage usually bearing countless glamour and dreams, was now occupied by an unprecedented solemnity and gravity.
Hundreds of reporters from major newspapers, television stations, and magazines crowded the venue, their gazes like countless sharp blades pointed straight at the podium.
The air was filled with suppressed restlessness; every flash of a shutter was like a silent gasp, foreshadowing the coming storm.
On the podium, Eiji Kurosawa, this master revered in the Neon film industry as a “living legend,” wore a simple kimono, his expression calm like a silent mountain.
Beside him were the seven lead actors of 《Seven Samurai》; they had shed the tragic heroism and vicissitudes from the screen, now equally solemn, their eyes flickering with expectation for the coming moment and a trace of imperceptible nervousness.
“Media friends, audience.”
Eiji Kurosawa’s voice, steady and powerful like an ancient bell, slowly rose in the oppressive silence, each word carrying undeniable weight: “Today, I, Eiji Kurosawa, and all members of the 《Seven Samurai》 film crew hold this press conference to clarify one thing to you and to all Neon nationals, a matter… concerning this film, art, and truth.”
He paused, his gaze sweeping over the puzzled and inquiring faces below, then turned to the seven young actors beside him.
Their eyes firmly cast toward a certain corner below the stage, as if there lay their shared faith.
“As everyone knows, since its release, the film 《Seven Samurai》 has received high praise and box office thanks to everyone’s favor. Many media friends have even elevated me, Eiji Kurosawa, to the altar again, calling me the ‘Father of Samurai Films’ and this film ‘another peak of my ten years grinding one sword.’ I feel deeply honored, and also… deeply ashamed.”
“Ashamed?” A slight commotion arose below.
Reporters exchanged glances, not understanding why this master known for straightforwardness would say such a thing.
“Yes, ashamed.” Eiji Kurosawa’s voice grew heavier; he slowly bowed deeply toward a certain direction below, his posture humble like a student listening to a mentor’s teachings: “Because this 《Seven Samurai》, its true soul, true creator, true chief director and screenwriter, is not me, Eiji Kurosawa.”
At these words, the entire venue exploded like an invisible yet deadly bomb had been dropped!
“Ha?!”
“What joke is this?!”
“Director Kurosawa, you… what did you say?!”
After a brief dead silence, a massive clamor accompanied by countless shocked and doubting discussions swept in like a tsunami!
Reporters jumped up from their seats, their voice recorders and cameras almost shoved into Eiji Kurosawa’s face.
Their faces were filled with incredulous shock, as if hearing the world’s most absurd lie.
“Director Kurosawa! Are… are you serious?! If 《Seven Samurai》 isn’t your work, then… whose is it?!” Senior film critic Kenta Tanaka from 《Film Report》, disregarding his usual dignity, abruptly stood up, his voice trembling slightly.
His sharp eyes stared fixedly at Eiji Kurosawa, trying to find even the slightest flaw in his calm face.
“This… this is absurd!”
Another critic known as “venomous tongue,” Ichiro Sato, couldn’t help exclaiming, his face filled with anger at being toyed with: “Director Kurosawa! Are… are you joking with us?! Such a profound and great work, how could it not be the full effort of you, a master?!”
They were all absolute devotees of Director Kurosawa.
After all, their youth was during the glorious era of Director Eiji Kurosawa, long since surrendered before this samurai film titan!
Now this titan says he has little relation to 《Seven Samurai》.
Then their praises these days.
Their film reviews these days.
Their faith in their hearts.
Wouldn’t all become a joke!?
However, facing this flood of public opinion that could drown anyone, Eiji Kurosawa merely calmly raised his hand, signaling everyone to quiet down.
His gaze once again turned to a certain corner below the stage, then he extended his hand in that direction.
“This film’s true soul and creator is right here.” Eiji Kurosawa’s voice clearly reached everyone’s ears: “He is… Hiroshi Nohara.”
As that tall and straight figure slowly walked onto the podium amid countless gazes filled with shock and inquiry, the entire venue fell into eerie silence again.
Hiroshi Nohara.
The young person who toyed with all Neon media with the “Easter egg theory” at the press conference, yet achieved a comeback with 《Seven Samurai》’s reputation.
The “controversial figure” elevated to the altar by media, then questioned by some as “ungrateful” and “elite.”
He appeared here today in this manner.
“Minister Nohara! Didn’t… didn’t you say 《Seven Samurai》 was directed by Director Kurosawa?! Why does Director Kurosawa say this film is your independent production?!” A reporter broke the silence first, his voice full of doubt.
“Exactly! Minister Nohara! Those lines full of deep intent and theme in that movie, those profound insights into ‘class’ and ‘humanity,’ those exquisite cinematic language and editing techniques—could they… could they all be from your hand?! You’re only twenty-three! This… how is this possible?!” Another reporter followed up, his tone filled with incredulous shock.
Questions surged like tides, each like a poison-quenched knife precisely stabbing at Hiroshi Nohara.
“Everyone, please hear me out.” Hiroshi Nohara’s face still bore that breezy smile, his clear eyes unwavering. He raised his hand to signal quiet, then turned his gaze to the seven “samurai” actors beside him, who also looked complex.
“Regarding the creation of 《Seven Samurai》, I think my companions may have more to say.” He smiled and handed the microphone to veteran actor Taiji Miyoshi, who played Kanbei.
Taiji Miyoshi took the microphone, looking at the doubting faces below, a bitter smile on his face.
“Yes, everyone.”
Taiji Miyoshi’s voice carried a sigh: “This 《Seven Samurai》, from script to storyboard, to every shot and direction on set, was all handled single-handedly by Nohara-kun. I… in my lifetime of making movies for decades, have never seen such a young yet profound soul. The talent and scope he displays have long transcended his age and all our imaginations.”
“Yes! And the Chiyo I played!”
Shunpei Makino, who played Chiyo, took the microphone, his voice trembling with excitement: “That controversial yet heart-piercing character setting! His tragic process from a ‘clown’ to a true ‘samurai’! All were given life by Nohara-kun himself! He let us know that so-called ‘Bushido’ is never determined by status, but by the ‘heart’!”
“And those lines about ‘farmers’!”
The actor who played Heihachi Hayashida excitedly added: “That dialectical and satirical passage shocked us when reading the script! We never imagined a depiction of farmers could be so real, so profound! This… this is Nohara-kun’s most precise insight into our nation’s tragic fate!”
The seven lead actors spoke one after another, clearly presenting every detail and flash of inspiration in Hiroshi Nohara’s film creation to everyone.
Their testimonies were more convincing than any flowery rhetoric.
However, the shock on the reporters’ and critics’ faces did not dissipate.
“This… how is this possible?!” Kenta Tanaka murmured, staring dazedly at Hiroshi Nohara, his eyes filled with incredulous shock: “He’s only twenty-three! How… how could he possess such deep artistic foundation and profound understanding of humanity? This… this is simply a tall tale!”
“Director Kurosawa! Can… can you explain?!” A reporter handed the microphone back to Eiji Kurosawa, his voice full of confusion and bewilderment.
Eiji Kurosawa took the microphone, looking at the doubting faces below, a helpless bitterness on his face yet with heartfelt pride.
“Yes, everyone, I understand your confusion.” Eiji Kurosawa’s voice remained steady like an ancient bell: “I, Eiji Kurosawa, have made movies my whole life, samurai films my whole life. I once thought I had filmed all their glory, tragic heroism, helplessness. I once thought I had reached the peak of my artistic career.”
He paused, his tone carrying deep self-mockery:
“I even wasted many years on this. I had a script called 《Samurai in the Blacksmith Shop》, poured huge effort into it, shot most of it. But when I saw the finished film, I realized it had form but no soul. It was merely an ordinary kendo film full of fighting, killing, and grudges.”
“Kendo film?” A slight commotion arose below.
Eiji Kurosawa actually admitted personally that his previous works were just “kendo films”?!
This was the most thorough subversion of the Neon film industry and the term “samurai film”!
“Yes, kendo film.” Eiji Kurosawa’s voice grew heavier, his calm gaze sweeping over everyone without a ripple: “Those were mere toys lingering at the level of ‘technique,’ failing to touch the essence of ‘way.'”
“Until…”
“Until I met Hiroshi Nohara.”
Eiji Kurosawa’s voice carried admiration: “Only then did I realize that I, Eiji Kurosawa, had only filmed the ‘form’ of samurai my whole life. While he, Hiroshi Nohara, is the one who truly understands the ‘soul’ of samurai!”
“I once invited him to provide suggestions for my 《Samurai in the Blacksmith Shop》. But he told me my script had too small a scope and too shallow intent. With a brand new perspective transcending era and class, straight to humanity, he expanded my originally mediocre script into the current 《Seven Samurai》!”
“He let us know that so-called ‘Bushido’ is never determined by status, but by the ‘heart’! He let us know that ‘samurai’ and ‘farmers’ are mere waves in the flood of era, and the true victor is always the ever-advancing ‘era’!”
Eiji Kurosawa’s voice grew more impassioned; he slammed the table, the huge sound making the tea cup tremble!
“Therefore, everyone! I, Eiji Kurosawa, today, right here, stake my lifetime of honor to guarantee to all Neon nationals!”
He pointed at Hiroshi Nohara, his weathered face filled with integrity and pride!
“He, Hiroshi Nohara, is the only true, invincible genius I, Eiji Kurosawa, have ever seen in my life!”
“He is the one who truly understands the era, humanity, and perfectly presents it in film—the true Father of Samurai Films!”
“And I, Eiji Kurosawa, in this film, am merely… a helper, a co-director with an empty name!”
Boom—!
This declaration exploded in the venue again like thunder from a clear sky!
Everyone was stunned!
Eiji Kurosawa actually admitted personally that he was just Hiroshi Nohara’s “helper”?!
He actually handed over his “samurai film master” title to that mere twenty-three-year-old young person?!
This… this was no longer simply “promoting a junior”!
This was clearly… true surrender of the soul!
“My god! This… this is too shocking!”
“I… I can’t believe it! Director Kurosawa would say such a thing!”
“Hiroshi Nohara… what kind of monster is he exactly?!”
All of Neon was utterly shocked at this moment!
Countless critics, reporters, newspapers, television stations published the content of this press conference on front-page headlines with the fastest speed and most eye-catching titles.
“《Film Report》: Eiji Kurosawa Personally Admits! 《Seven Samurai》 is Hiroshi Nohara’s Independent Production! Samurai Film New Era Opened by 23-Year-Old Genius!”
“《Asahi Shimbun》: Shock! Director Kurosawa Self-Deprecates ‘Kendo Films,’ Strongly Praises Hiroshi Nohara as ‘Father of Samurai Films’! Genius Name Well-Deserved?!”
“《Mainichi Shimbun》: 23-Year-Old Genius Subverts Neon Film History! Is Hiroshi Nohara a God or a Manufactured Idol?!”
“《Yomiuri Shimbun》: Nationwide Speculation! Is Hiroshi Nohara’s Talent Deliberately Exaggerated by Tokyo Television Station? A Public Opinion Storm on ‘Genius’ and ‘Deification’ Brewing!”
Public opinion exploded like an ignited powder keg!
Some believed, some doubted.
Believers were shocked by Hiroshi Nohara’s talent and moved by Eiji Kurosawa’s magnanimity.
They believed only a true genius could make a master willingly “help.”
Doubters saw it as Tokyo Television Station deliberately manufacturing a “deification campaign” to promote Hiroshi Nohara.
They believed a twenty-three-year-old, no matter how talented, could not possess such deep artistic foundation and profound humanity understanding.
“This is impossible! He’s only twenty-three! How could he make a divine work like 《Seven Samurai》?!”
“Definitely hype by Tokyo Television Station! They want to shape Hiroshi Nohara into a ‘god’ to promote their movie!”
“Has Director Kurosawa gone senile? To say such things?!”
Doubting voices surged quietly like undercurrents in this fanatical sea of public opinion.
They believed such a genius transcending common sense simply could not exist.
This had shocked everyone’s cognition, making it impossible to believe!
However, whether believing or doubting, all could not deny that the name Hiroshi Nohara and the film 《Seven Samurai》 had thoroughly become the hottest topic in all Neon society.
A public opinion storm on “genius” and “deification” was sweeping in with unstoppable momentum!
Right after this press conference ended, in Asumi’s office.
Hiroshi Nohara sat there, his expression helpless.
“Kurosawa-senpai.”
Hiroshi Nohara looked at Eiji Kurosawa, his tone truly carrying very complex emotions: “What we discussed before wasn’t like this… Now you…” Hiroshi Nohara sighed: “Aren’t you essentially giving up all your own glory?”
