Chapter 183: Tokyo Tv Executives Arrive! Commissioner Nakamura Is A Fan!
The black Toyota Crown smoothly traversed the streets of Tokyo, carrying four core figures from the Tokyo Television Production Bureau towards the Neon Film Ethics Management Committee, located in a secluded corner of the city center.
This was the “final door” for every film to be released, the place where the dreams and efforts of countless filmmakers underwent their ultimate judgment.
The committee building, with its solemn and austere exterior, stood in stark contrast to the surrounding modern building complex, like an isolated island clinging to tradition and rules.
As Hiroshi Nohara and his companions arrived, a commissioner dressed in a sharp suit was already waiting at the entrance.
He was not tall, wore a pair of black-rimmed glasses, and appeared shrewd and capable.
The commissioner intended to offer a professional smile and greet them respectfully, but when his gaze fell upon the four renowned figures – Hiroshi Nohara, Asumi, Eiji Kurosawa, and Toshihide Takada – his smile froze instantly, and he stood stunned, his eyes filled with disbelief and astonishment.
“Hey, Mr. Nakamura, why are you standing here stunned?” Deputy Director Asumi was the first to speak, his ever-bright smile now tinged with a hint of teasing as he broke the brief silence.
Commissioner Nakamura jolted back to reality, quickly bowing deeply to everyone. His posture was so humble it was almost touching the ground.
He was just a newcomer to the Film Ethics Management Committee, having worked there for less than three or four years.
While he could be arrogant towards some small film producers.
The Film Ethics Management Committee held absolute power over the film production industry.
But that didn’t concern him as a newcomer.
That was a matter for his superiors.
Moreover, the high-ranking officials from the Tokyo Television Production Bureau standing before him were definitely on very good terms with his own leaders.
They were not people he could afford to offend.
At such a moment, could he afford not to be humble?
“Oh my! Deputy Director Asumi! Managing Director Takada! Director Kurosawa! And… Minister Nohara!”
Commissioner Nakamura’s voice trembled slightly, his face a mixture of apprehension and flattery: “I never expected you all to come in person! This… this truly honors me, and the entire committee!”
He paused, his tone growing more sheepish, even self-deprecating: “At my level, it is already a great honor to be able to welcome you here, but… this casual reception is truly undignified, and I beg for your indulgence for any offense caused!”
Commissioner Nakamura’s words, filled with flattery and self-deprecation, made both Asumi and Director Kurosawa chuckle.
Although Toshihide Takada maintained his superior’s dignified demeanor, a flicker of subtle satisfaction crossed his eyes.
His vanity was greatly indulged by this extreme show of respect.
“Mr. Nakamura, you are too kind,” Toshihide Takada cleared his throat, his tone measured, yet carrying a hint of appropriate pride. “We are here today to accompany Mr. Hiroshi Nohara in submitting his new film 《The Tale of Hachiko》. This film has even been personally praised by Your Excellency the Governor, so naturally, we must treat it with importance.”
Eiji Kurosawa, unlike Toshihide Takada, was more direct. He waved his hand and stated plainly, “Alright, Mr. Nakamura, no need for such formalities. We are all eager to see Hiroshi-kun’s 《The Tale of Hachiko》 finished film. Please go and notify the committee members and see if they are ready.”
“Yes! Director Kurosawa! I will notify them at once!” Commissioner Nakamura bowed respectfully again, and then, as if granted a pardon, he hurried into the building.
Hiroshi Nohara watched Commissioner Nakamura’s receding figure, a faint smile unconsciously curving his lips.
As expected, within two minutes, the sound of hurried footsteps echoed from deep within the building.
A man, about fifty years old, with impeccably styled hair, strode out. He wore a helpless wry smile, but his eyes were filled with respect for Hiroshi Nohara and his entourage.
“Oh my! Deputy Director Asumi! Managing Director Takada! Director Kurosawa! And Minister Nohara!”
This new commissioner, clearly of a higher rank, stepped forward immediately upon seeing them, bowing respectfully. His tone carried a hint of appropriate complaint: “Your arrival, all at once, has truly overwhelmed me, and the entire committee! Even Fujiwara-sama is astonished by your presence!”
“Hahahaha!” Asumi burst into laughter at this, patting the commissioner’s shoulder. His tone was teasingly playful, “Commissioner Matsumoto, you shouldn’t say that. What, can’t a few old-timers from Tokyo Television accompany our Hiroshi-kun?”
Commissioner Matsumoto chuckled along, knowing Asumi was trying to lighten the mood.
He shook his head, his wry smile deepening. “Deputy Director Asumi, you jest. Your presence is an honor to our committee. It’s just… your arrival has indeed caught us a bit off guard.”
“Alright, Commissioner Matsumoto,” Toshihide Takada coughed lightly, his tone calm but with an unquestionable authority. “We are here today to submit Hiroshi Nohara’s 《The Tale of Hachiko》 for review. Is Fujiwara-sama in his office?”
“Yes! Fujiwara-sama is in his office. He knows Hiroshi-kun is coming and is eager to see the finished film!” Commissioner Matsumoto replied quickly, gesturing for them to follow, and led them deeper into the building.
Hiroshi Nohara simply nodded with a smile, his composure and steadiness making him stand out in such a setting. All the groundwork, all the hype, was for this moment – to present 《The Tale of Hachiko》 to everyone in an unprecedented manner.
They walked through quiet corridors, finally arriving at a thick private room door carved from Golden Silk Nanmu Wood.
Commissioner Matsumoto gently pushed the door open.
Inside the private room, the air was filled with a faint aroma of sandalwood and tea.
Hideaki Fujiwara was seated by the tea table, a pen in his hand, with piles of documents on the desk, clearly working on official business.
He looked up and saw Hiroshi Nohara and his companions. A hint of undisguised surprise was on his usually elegant and calm face.
“Well, well! Sakata-kun, Asumi-kun, Takada-kun, Kurosawa-kun, and Hiroshi-kun!” Hideaki Fujiwara put down his pen, stood up with a smile, and spoke with a fittingly teasing tone, “Tokyo Television Production Bureau has really brought out the big guns today! Even my humble office is overwhelmed!”
“Fujiwara-sama, you flatter us,” Asumi bowed first, his tone respectful. “We are here today to accompany Hiroshi Nohara in submitting his new film 《The Tale of Hachiko》. It is Tokyo Television’s honor to receive your personal reception.”
Toshihide Takada, Eiji Kurosawa, and Hiroshi Nohara followed suit, bowing deeply to Hideaki Fujiwara, their humility and composure perfectly executed.
The joking with the two commissioners earlier was just for show.
Now, facing Fujiwara-sama, they dared not joke around.
Japan’s hierarchical order was terrifyingly strict.
“Please, sit down, everyone,” Hideaki Fujiwara gestured with a smile, inviting them to be seated.
His gaze swept over them, a faint smile appearing on his face. “Tokyo Television has been quite the hot topic lately! I hear the box office for 《Seven Samurai》 has already surpassed 6 billion Yen? Congratulations!”
“This is all thanks to Hiroshi-kun’s efforts!” Asumi quickly responded, his tone full of pride.
“Indeed, Hiroshi-kun’s talent is truly astonishing,” Hideaki Fujiwara nodded, his gaze resting on Hiroshi Nohara, his eyes showing a hint of gratification, yet concealing a trace of subtle confusion. “However, Hiroshi-kun, your 《The Tale of Hachiko》, did it feel a bit… rushed? I recall it’s only been two months, hasn’t it?”
Upon hearing this, Hiroshi Nohara’s face revealed a confident smile. He knew that Hideaki Fujiwara was testing him, and also giving him an opportunity to display his “strength.”
“Fujiwara-sama, you worry too much,” Hiroshi Nohara spoke softly, his tone calm and firm. “The filming and post-production of 《The Tale of Hachiko》 are completely finished, and there are no issues whatsoever. In fact, it’s even more perfect than I anticipated.”
He felt a faint sense of pride in his heart. After all, with the experience and theories of countless classic films from his past life in his mind, production was naturally twice as effective with half the effort.
This was not something filmmakers of this era could match.
Hideaki Fujiwara looked at Hiroshi Nohara’s young and confident face, a flicker of admiration in his eyes.
He smiled, his tone tinged with a hint of nostalgia, “Good! Well said, ‘no issues’! It’s good for young people to be ambitious! When I was your age, I was much the same, full of spirit.”
He paused, then looked at Asumi, Takada, and Eiji Kurosawa, his tone playfully teasing, “However, I wasn’t as talented as Hiroshi-kun. Back then, I was still at the grassroots level, running my legs off for a tiny promotional film.”
“Fujiwara-sama, you jest!” Asumi quickly flattered. “You were an elite at Tokyo Television back then! Your talent is evident to all of us! It’s just that you later chose to serve the nation and left our station. Otherwise, you would undoubtedly be the Station Manager of Tokyo Television now!”
Toshihide Takada and Eiji Kurosawa chimed in, their words showering Fujiwara Hideaki with praise, making him beam with joy.
Hideaki Fujiwara simply smiled and shook his head, his face radiant with happiness.
Just then, the office door was opened again.
Over twenty review committee members, dressed in suits or kimonos, entered with calm strides.
They were all senior members of the Neon Film Ethics Management Committee, holding the power of life and death over Japanese films.
As they entered, they saw the important figures Fujiwara Hideaki, Asumi, Toshihide Takada, and Eiji Kurosawa, and surprise registered on their faces.
However, they quickly composed themselves and stepped forward, bowing respectfully to Fujiwara Hideaki.
“Fujiwara-sama!”
“All committee members, you have arrived,” Hideaki Fujiwara nodded with a smile. He surveyed the group and introduced them with a fittingly measured tone, “Everyone, this is Minister Hiroshi Nohara from our Tokyo Television Production Bureau. He is the chief director and screenwriter of the box office hit 《Seven Samurai》, and also the producer of 《The Tale of Hachiko》.”
He paused, then smiled at Hiroshi Nohara again, “Hiroshi-kun, these are the committee members of our Neon Film Ethics Management Committee. They have all been eagerly anticipating your work.”
Hiroshi Nohara humbly bowed to each committee member, his composure and steadiness impressing them all.
“We have met Minister Nohara before, and now, we are all ready!” an elderly committee member said with a smile, his shrewd eyes twinkling with anticipation for 《The Tale of Hachiko》. “We are all eager to see what surprise you will bring us this time!”
“Yes! Minister Nohara! We’ve heard that even Your Excellency the Governor has high hopes for your film!” another committee member chimed in.
Hideaki Fujiwara looked at their expectant faces, a satisfied smile gracing his lips. He knew that today’s review would go very smoothly.
“Alright, everyone, since we are all ready, let us proceed to the screening room,” Hideaki Fujiwara said, taking the lead and walking with calm steps towards the inner depths of the office.
He paused, then turned back to Asumi, Takada, and Eiji Kurosawa, joking, “Asumi-kun, Takada-kun, Kurosawa-kun, you may accompany us. However, to be upfront, you can watch, but you cannot voice opinions, nor can you influence the committee members’ decisions!”
“Hahahahaha!”
Asumi, Takada, and Eiji Kurosawa couldn’t help but burst into laughter at this. They knew Hideaki Fujiwara was giving them “face” and also setting the “rules.”
They exchanged glances, a silent understanding flowing in the air.
Led by Hideaki Fujiwara, Hiroshi Nohara and his entourage, along with over twenty review committee members, proceeded in a grand procession towards the screening room.
《The Tale of Hachiko》, a film carrying countless expectations and hopes, was about to have its first official screening at the Neon Film Ethics Management Committee.
Hiroshi Nohara’s gaze fixed on the heavy screening room door ahead, his eyes shimmering with confidence.
“Hmm? Minister Nohara, it seems you aren’t worried?” While Hiroshi Nohara waited, Commissioner Nakamura, who had first received them, approached with a cup of brewed green tea and placed it beside Hiroshi Nohara.
Seeing Hiroshi Nohara so calm and composed, and even extremely confident, a hint of astonishment appeared in his eyes.
After all, Commissioner Nakamura had seen countless directors, producers, and relevant personnel in charge of films since joining this film censorship agency.
But without exception, everyone who came here was incredibly nervous.
Even if they appeared calm on the surface, their nervousness could be detected in their eyes.
Someone as calm as Hiroshi Nohara, who exuded such composure and confidence, was truly rare in his experience.
It could even be called a rare find.
“Why should I worry?” Hiroshi Nohara chuckled lightly, looking at Commissioner Nakamura, who was around his age. He nodded in thanks for the hot tea, then picked up the cup and took small sips, calmly stating, “There’s no need to worry too much once you’re here. After all, my 《The Tale of Hachiko》 is a completely positive film. I believe the committee members will see that and won’t criticize my film or order any segments to be revised.”
Commissioner Nakamura nodded. “Then I hope everything goes smoothly.”
In Commissioner Nakamura’s heart, looking at this young man who was clearly two or three years younger than himself, and recalling the name and achievements he had heard about him, he couldn’t help but feel a surge of emotion.
He even felt a special sense of shyness.
This was because Commissioner Nakamura still enjoyed reading manga.
Especially Shueisha’s Weekly Shonen Jump.
He bought every issue!
Among the three manga by Hiroshi Nohara, the hot-blooded manga 《Yu Yu Hakusho》 was his favorite, so he bought every single volume.
《Late-night Diner》 was a manga that soothed his heart, which he read every night before sleeping after work, and he bought every issue.
And he actually quite liked the children’s manga 《Doraemon》.
In fact, even though Commissioner Nakamura was now twenty-six or twenty-seven years old, his favorite was still this imaginative manga for seven or eight-year-old children.
Sometimes, Commissioner Nakamura even wondered how his life would change if he had a robot like Doraemon from the future.
Of course, these were just fantasies.
He knew it was just a science fiction manga.
But in his heart, he held great reverence for 《Doraemon》, 《Yu Yu Hakusho》, and 《Late-night Diner》, and their creator, Hiroshi Nohara.
This was why he personally brewed a cup of green tea and brought it to Hiroshi Nohara.
After all, at the Film Ethics Management Committee, these haughty administrative officials never deigned to serve tea to young or ordinary film directors or producers.
At most, they would just point out where the water cooler was.
PS: Two updates today, more updates tomorrow! I’m still sorting things out!
