Chapter 3: Kiyoto Suzuki
“That’s right, this is a manga I created by integrating Japanese folklore and ghost story elements, An Shizhi.”
Hiroshi Nohara nodded.
As he spoke, Hiroshi Nohara also saw Kiyoto Suzuki, who was flipping through the picture album, his expression gradually becoming serious, and the corners of his mouth turned up slightly.
An Shizhi, this horror ghost story animated film, was itself a program produced by Tokyo Television Station in Japan in my previous life.
It was widely praised upon its release.
In the life before Hiroshi Nohara transmigrated, this program not only ran for over ten seasons but was also adapted into a live-action version.
This proves the popularity of An Shizhi.
And as the first season that became an instant hit.
It’s a classic among classics!
Although the Japan of my previous life and the Japan of this world are somewhat different, and the era and details of An Shizhi don’t match this early 90s Japan.
Hiroshi Nohara had already discovered this and directly adapted it through his own manga artist tricks.
Not only did it perfectly fit the Japan of this world.
It also perfectly fit the era!
Plus, before, my plagiarism of Togashi the Old Thief’s 《Yu Yu Hakusho》 was a huge hit, and I made slight adjustments to the details.
So, handling An Shizhi, a short drama animation type.
Isn’t that a piece of cake?
“S-su-go-i!”
As expected, Kiyoto Suzuki, who was flipping through the picture album, even though he was now a bald middle-aged man in his fifties, couldn’t help but exclaim with amazement as he looked at the stories inside.
His eyes were even wide open.
Kiyoto Suzuki was truly shocked.
He had originally felt dismissive towards his nephew Kawa Suzuki’s introduction of his supposedly well-known manga artist classmate.
In his opinion, even a well-known manga artist couldn’t truly create a work according to his requests.
After all, although he was only a second-tier director in Tokyo Television Station’s Production Bureau.
He had been working in this Production Bureau for over twenty years.
He had directed many works.
His discerning eye was very high.
So, he simply thought he would try his luck and told his nephew Kawa Suzuki that he could meet this well-known manga artist classmate.
And have him first create a simple horror-themed work that fit his desires.
He had no expectations at first.
The result.
Kawa Suzuki now.
Was truly too shocked!
“This art style, this comic paneling, this storyboard level, even if we directly filmed this picture album, we could quickly adapt this manga into animation!”
“And the story is quite captivating. The first story is about Fu Nü, a terrifying encounter in an apartment. Whew, it’s quite chilling.”
“The second story is about Cruel Worship. My grandparents used to tell me about this when I was a child. It really sends shivers down my spine!”
“And the third story, Family Precept… a bizarre ritual to expel evil spirits?”
Kiyoto Suzuki quickly flipped through the picture album.
He finally reached the last page.
Only then did he realize that the picture album Hiroshi Nohara had sent him contained only three short but very complete horror stories.
And based on his professional director’s standards, directly using this picture album for production.
With a slight expansion.
They could directly produce three episodes of animation in a short time!
“Hiroshi Nohara, right?” Kiyoto Suzuki slowly exhaled a breath of stale air, a faint smile on his lips, and looked up at Hiroshi Nohara.
“Yes.” Hiroshi Nohara immediately stood up from his seat, bowed his head, and slightly bent his waist to show his humility.
He understood that Kiyoto Suzuki’s opening remark meant he had something to say.
Japanese people liked this approach.
“You are very good. The work you brought, An Shizhi, is truly wonderful and excellent.” Kiyoto Suzuki exclaimed.
As he spoke, he lowered his head again, looking at the obviously hand-drawn cover of the picture album.
The middle-aged man pushing a cart and holding a kaleidoscope.
Wearing a bizarre mask.
Giving a sense of extreme disharmony, extreme discomfort, and at the same time, a fearful curiosity arose in his heart.
Kiyoto Suzuki tapped the picture album and said directly, “This is the work I wanted. Hiroshi Nohara, if possible, I would like to buy this work of yours, An Shizhi, for 500,000 Yen per episode!”
500,000 Yen, even in 2025, that’s a price of 25,000.
Let alone in this 90s Japan.
It was indeed not low.
But for Hiroshi Nohara, he wanted more than just money.
“Mr. Suzuki, I am very grateful for your offer, but I have one impertinent request, please allow me to express it to you.” Hiroshi Nohara kept his head down, bowed slightly, and spoke with a very respectful attitude.
“Oh?” Kiyoto Suzuki raised an eyebrow slightly, and out of appreciation for Hiroshi Nohara, he nodded, “Speak.”
As long as it wasn’t an unreasonable request, he was willing to agree to this young man.
“I’ve loved Tokyo Television Station since I was little. Although I majored in management in college, if possible, please allow me to join Tokyo Relaxation Broadcasting Company, join Tokyo Television Station, and become an Assistant Director.”
Hiroshi Nohara stated his request directly.
This was his dream.
In his previous life on Earth, before he was Hiroshi Nohara, he had wanted to become a director or a film and television worker.
Now he had come to this world.
And became Hiroshi Nohara.
This meant that Hiroshi Nohara now had the backing of the entire Earth’s film and television resources, and he could perfectly recreate them in this world.
With such an advantage, if he didn’t invest himself in his favorite industry.
Could Hiroshi Nohara truly be at peace?
“Hmm?” Kiyoto Suzuki was stunned when he heard Hiroshi Nohara’s request, “Join Tokyo Television Station and become a director?”
Then, before Hiroshi Nohara could say anything more, Kiyoto Suzuki couldn’t help but laugh, “Hahaha! Hiroshi Nohara, no wonder Kawa Suzuki told me before that you had a dream of becoming a director! Now it seems, indeed, you really like being a director!”
“Yes, I like it very much!” Hiroshi Nohara bowed his head again.
“No problem.” Kiyoto Suzuki leaned back in his chair, and seeing Hiroshi Nohara’s very respectful attitude, he nodded with great satisfaction, “As a Third-Class Director in Tokyo Television Station’s Production Bureau, I am qualified to recommend newcomers to join the Production Bureau. Hiroshi-kun, this is not a problem.”
“Thank you very much!” Hiroshi Nohara was excited in his heart and expressed his gratitude again in a deep voice.
“It’s because you yourself are talented; I cannot bury a talented young person.”
Kiyoto Suzuki smiled and picked up the picture album on the table, still speaking with great emotion, “However, at the beginning, you will only be a temporary worker for graduates, assisting me in the production of animation. If An Shizhi is a great success, then I believe you will be qualified to be officially converted to a permanent position.”
“I will work hard.” Hiroshi Nohara bowed.
“Wait! Wait! Iwata-kun! Section Chief Suzuki is meeting with a guest, you really can’t go in!”
But before Kiyoto Suzuki could say anything encouraging, a noisy commotion suddenly erupted from outside the office.
And this commotion grew louder and closer.
‘Clang—’
Until the office door was pushed open from the outside, and a thin, middle-aged man in his thirties, wearing a suit, with a dark and extremely sinister appearance, walked in.
His owl-like eyes coldly glanced at Hiroshi Nohara in the office, but only for a fleeting moment.
His arrogant demeanor clearly showed he didn’t take Hiroshi Nohara seriously.
He looked directly at Kiyoto Suzuki.
“Sorry, Section Chief Suzuki, Iwata-kun insisted on coming over, and I couldn’t stop him.” Following behind him was the young girl Yō Kitagawa, who had previously guided Hiroshi Nohara.
As well as two male staff members with flushed faces and indignant expressions, who were around Hiroshi Nohara’s age.
They all looked angrily at the person who had barged in.
