Japanese Entertainment: From special effects actor to action superstar

Chapter 462 How do you see my status?

Although there were many people at the venue, a considerable number of them were NTV reporters. These people could not conduct interviews at will, so they just took photos and videos outside the venue.

Before long, almost everyone on Gu Ming's side had arrived. Except for those who simply didn't have time to come, the main creative team, including actors, directors, and scriptwriters, had almost all arrived.

Even someone as sensitive as Tetsuo Kinjo came to this occasion, dressed in a suit and tie, looking quite formal.

He should have died from his injuries by now, but due to some changes, he survived and is still the head of the planning department at Wan Gu, producing scripts every year.

Before the party even started, Tetsuo Kinjo loosened his tie.

But as the camera panned past him, he quickly put his tie back up.

Gu Ming moved a little closer.

"Mr. Jincheng seems very nervous."

"How could I not be nervous? Furuya-kun came up with such a great idea, and I also put my all into the scriptwriting. If we can win an award, it will be an honor that I will remember for the rest of my life."

After a moment of silence, Tetsuo Kaneshiro added, "Perhaps for someone like Furuya, overseas awards are enough, and the Academy Awards are just an extra, but for me, I still can't help but care about them."

After all, not everyone has the opportunity to go to sea.

Gu Ming could understand this mentality.

Gu Ming estimated that, based on the original novel "Léon: The Professional," the Best Screenplay award would definitely be won in Japan alone, and that honor would belong to Tetsuo Kaneshiro.

Just as Gu Ming was about to speak again, a commotion suddenly broke out among the reporters on both sides, as if some important person was about to enter.

However, a number of reporters gathered at the door, following and taking pictures.

Then a dozen or so people entered the scene one after another. Among them, the one wearing sunglasses and acting like the leader of the Yakuza was none other than Kinji Fukasaku.

Then came someone Gu Ming hadn't expected.

Shinichi Chiba, and the people from JAC Agency.

"Chiba Shinichi..."

Gu Ming was a little confused for a moment.

so.

What level of actor is Shinichi Chiba in Japan? He can't possibly be some nobody.

After a brief interview, everyone took their seats.

This is actually the crew of "Demon World Reincarnation".

Not long after they sat down, the group of people over there noticed them.

After a brief silence, Shinichi Chiba suddenly stood up, called over Hiroyuki Sanada and several other JAC artists, and walked over.

Just as Gu Ming was about to reach out, Chiba Shinichi suddenly turned his wrist and walked towards Takakura Ken.

Ken Takakura remained seated, but still extended his hand to shake hands with Shinichi Chiba, and the two greeted each other.

"Takakura-kun."

"Chiba-kun".

"It's been a year since we last met. How are you, Mr. Takakura? I heard that 'The Station' has been nominated. With your hard work, Mr. Takakura, I'm sure you'll win an award."

"Chiba-kun is too modest. Demon Realm Reincarnation was a top-notch production last year. The script with its time-space transformation was amazing and it will surely win an important award this year."

After a few brief, agreeing sounds, Chiba Shinichi led his men around and returned to their original positions.

Gu Ming slightly raised his eyelids.

That's good. It seems that in Chiba Shinichi's eyes, he is slightly weaker than Takakura Ken, but a level above him.

Shinichi Chiba's career development is primarily focused in Japan rather than overseas, so for audiences in foreign countries, most of their impression of him comes from his role as Lord Conqueror in "Storm Riders".

But in reality, as an actor alone, Sonny Chiba was a top figure in Japan during the 1980s and 90s.

Or rather, among hard-hitting action actors, Shinichi Chiba is top-tier. He and Ken Takakura are both artists under Toei Company, each with their own path.

After the 1990s, JAC Action Club, under Shinichi Chiba, became Japan's top action actor center, discovering and cultivating a considerable number of action actors from Japan.

That's a fair assessment. After the 1990s, Shinichi Chiba's status in Japan was on par with Jackie Chan's.

—However, it's the 1980s now.

He is certainly still lacking in some areas.

This difference is roughly equivalent to the gap between Jackie Chan in the 1980s and Jackie Chan in the 1990s.

In the 1970s, Jackie Chan was a flamboyant figure; in the 1980s, he was a popular movie actor; and in the 1990s, he truly became a "big brother."

Gu Ming shook his head slightly, and stopped thinking about Chiba Shinichi. He got up and walked towards Takakura Ken.

"what……"

Ken Takakura's thoughts raced, but he took the initiative to stand up and greet Gu Ming.

As soon as Chiba Shinichi sat down, he saw Takakura Ken's reaction, his eyebrows twitched, and he sighed softly.

It seems that in Ken Takakura's mind, Tani Akira was still a level above him.

Seniority is a very serious system in Japan. Sometimes, people with little ability but a lot of seniority can still stand in high positions.

Therefore, when he greeted Ken Takakura, Takakura did not need to get up to greet him, because in terms of seniority among Takakura's followers, his status was lower than Takakura's.

Hiroyuki Sanada sat to one side, looking down at the fruit plate on the table, lost in thought.

Gu Ming naturally greeted Takakura Ken.

"Mr. Furuya, I've heard so much about you, but this is the first time we've met."

"Oh, not at all. I'm not a big name. Mr. Takakura is the real celebrity. I had seen Mr. Takakura's works before I even debuted. I heard that the movie 'Manhunt' was so good that even foreigners were impressed. Mr. Takakura has become a star that even foreigners admire."

"Really?"

Ken Takakura was slightly taken aback; he was genuinely surprised.

Because the manhunt wasn't very popular in Japan, it was even once considered a failure in Ken Takakura's career.

Gu Ming said, "It's true. I went to Hanshan Temple with some friends to worship Buddha. We saw the movie 'Manhunt' on the TV there. Many people there were wearing the same stand-up collar as Ken Takakura. A few lines were considered classics, such as 'Asakura has jumped, Tang Ta has jumped, now you should jump too. Jump, jump quickly...'"

Gu Ming was not joking.

The novel *The Chase* is a prime example of a work that was popular abroad but not at home, and was considered a classic in China during the last century.

Look how blue the sky is. If you keep going, you will become one with that blue sky.

This line has since been referenced in numerous films and television series.

"Oh dear, this is really..."

Ken Takakura touched his short hair, unable to hide the smile on his face.

When it comes to actors, who wouldn't want to be popular?

The State of Zhou? The people of Zhou are people too! He was very happy that the people of Zhou liked him.

"However, when it comes to honors, I can't compare to Furuya-kun. After all, Furuya-kun has won international awards, and I heard he even went to the United States to participate in an American film. That was a blockbuster that raked in 4 billion yen in revenue in Japan!"

Gu Ming replied politely, "I wasn't acting; I only participated in part of the design."

In return, Ken Takakura exclaimed in admiration, "That's even more remarkable! To have Furuya-kun involved in an American film means that even Americans admire your abilities!"

Star Wars may seem like just an ordinary movie, but its influence has lasted for decades.

Although Ken Takakura didn't like watching those kinds of films, he still managed to do them with ease.

The two really did a tactical exchange of compliments, and each felt proud of themselves.

"Mr. Takakura, we must collaborate on a film sometime in the future."

"sure!"

After exchanging pleasantries, they each sat down.

In the distance, Shinichi Chiba gripped the armrest of his chair, his mind in turmoil.

(End of this chapter)