Japanese Entertainment: From special effects actor to action superstar

Chapter 508 I know Akira Furuya.

In 1976, Ji was just a first-grade child.

Today, Xiao Ji is already a junior high school student.

New classmates, new class, new social circle—everything requires a fresh start.

Especially recently, after the release of "Ultraman Leo", he tried to popularize it to his classmates as before, but was hit hard by "Gridman".

This is infuriating!

At that time, Xiao Ji couldn't even find anything to say in response to her classmate, Gu Xiong, who came from a very wealthy family.

But ever since Xiao Ji returned from the Space Hero Festival, he has been absolutely thrilled.

See? We're definitely the better team!

In the still unfinished park, he stood on a few water pipes, gesturing wildly.

Before her were her other classmates, and Ju Xiong.

"It's just a computer, what's so great about a computer? We used dozens of computers specifically for computer effects! It's amazing! It's way better than any computer-generated background setting!"

Ju Xiong sighed, "It's just a few dozen computers, I... I have them at home too..."

His family really couldn't afford it.

"So what!" He suddenly looked up again: "The work was photographed by Wan Gu, not you, so why are you so agitated?"

"Of course I can be excited! Although I didn't film it, I did act in some of Wan Gu's works! If you watch the original Ultraman, you'll see some scenes with me!"

Xiao Ji gets incredibly proud whenever this is mentioned.

He's an actor who has appeared in productions! Although it was only a few small scenes.

This certainly drew excited glances from the other students.

Who would have thought that this seemingly unremarkable child would have such an experience!
Ju Xiong, of course, refused to believe it.

"I could also say I've acted in a Kamen Rider! I could call hundreds of Kamen Riders over to beat you up with just one phone call!"

"I... I know Mr. Akira Furuya! I can make one phone call and have Mr. Akira Furuya come and beat you up!"

"You're lying! Liars get their mouths rotten!"

"Bounce!"

“Bounce bounce!”

"I declare your counterattack invalid!"

"Your counterattack is invalid..."

With a screech, an expensive-looking imported car pulled up on the side of the park road, and several children immediately looked toward the road.

"Mercedes-Benz!" Gu Xiong pronounced the full name in a serious tone: "This is an imported car from Germany. German technology is number one in the world! You've never even seen a Mercedes-Benz before!"

Xiao Ji looked aggrieved.

He had never seen a Mercedes before.

Kinoshita Danjiro only owns one Nissan.

The Mercedes driver got out and ran up to them in a few steps.

As the tall and imposing Koizumi approached, the children instantly stood at attention, looking nervous.

That said, the park isn't finished yet; the adults had previously forbidden them from playing here!
"Xiao Ji? What are you doing playing here? It's getting late, hurry home!"

Slide it down.

Several pairs of eyes turned to Xiao Ji.

Xiao Ji immediately straightened his back and held his head high, feeling proud.

"Uncle Koizumi! It's Uncle Koizumi! I know Uncle Koizumi. Um, we're going home right away. It's very close to my house."

Koizumi nodded, looking somewhat relieved.

"Anyway, go home early and don't stay out playing around."

He waved his hand, gave a few more brief instructions, and then returned to the car.

The other children all gathered around Xiao Ji, asking him questions, while Xiao Ji held his head high, looking extremely proud.

A big star? He's not going to be a big star anymore. He's going to be an alien!
His parents were so happy that they bought him his favorite Fujiya snacks!

Ju Xiong was a little unwilling, but he didn't want to join in the fun, so he looked up and stared longingly at the car.

anyway.

Imported cars are very expensive. Although their family is in the foreign trade business, they don't buy cars casually.

"Who exactly is this person?"

Ju Xiong watched expectantly, only to see the car window roll down a crack. Gu Ming looked at Xiao Quan and asked a few simple questions. Xiao Quan bowed down to reply and then returned to the driver's seat.

Ju Xiong only woke up after the car drove away.

Furuya Akira!
He looked at Xiao Ji.

It really is Akira Furuya!

Ju Xiong couldn't help but beat his chest and weep bitterly.

Why?! This kid looks like a monkey! He doesn't even recognize Gu Guming!

…… ……

Of course, Haruki Kadokawa's dinner invitation wasn't for nothing.

Gu Ming and Cheng Long arrived at Kadokawa Haruki's apartment, and the atmosphere quickly became familiar.

"So, Mr. Cheng's movies are quite popular in Japan too."

"Really? That would be an honor!"

"I haven't congratulated Furuya-kun yet, but I've asked around and the ratings report for this week is already out."

Haruki Kadokawa counted on his fingers: "The ratings for 'Denkou Choujin Gridman' dropped to around 10%, almost halved, while the ratings for 'Ultraman Leo' rose to around 18%."

Of course, viewership ratings cannot be completely converted, and viewers also have other options.

But the other party lowered their stance, which is ultimately a good thing.

Moreover, Gu Ming knew that 18% was already much better than the original timeline.

He gave Cheng Long a rough translation, but Cheng Long didn't seem to care much.

"18% is still a lot of work! In Hong Kong, a hit is only achieved with over 50%!"

This is not an exaggeration by Jackie Chan.

The 1983 version of The Legend of the Condor Heroes starring Felix Wong achieved a viewership rating of 90% in Hong Kong!

It's so outrageous!

Although he hasn't filmed The Legend of the Condor Heroes yet, Jackie Chan has seen many hit shows with 50% viewership ratings.

18%? Jackie Chan thought to himself that it really wasn't much.

Gu Ming's smile remained unchanged, but he gave a special reminder.

"Japan's population is twenty times that of Hong Kong."

"Where... huh?"

Cheng Long suddenly froze.

It seems there really is!
Hong Kong has a population of several million, while Japan has a population of over 100 million!

Although Cheng Long hadn't received much formal education, his math skills weren't too bad.

He quickly went through it in his mind.

A few million versus a hundred million.

50% of a few million and 18% of a hundred million?

"Ouch!"

Cheng Long slapped his thigh.

That's a huge difference!

The difference between a work viewed by a few million people and a work viewed by more than ten million people is obviously incomparable.

If we think about it further, it goes back even further.

Although Hong Kong cinema was impressive, its domestic potential was too low to produce large-scale films. Therefore, Jackie Chan and Golden Harvest repeatedly sought to expand overseas, and it was only with Rumble in the Bronx that they achieved great success in the United States, earning tens of millions of dollars.

Now it seems.

Cheng Long pondered, "America is too far away, but Japan is quite close!"
Japan also has 100 million people!
Kadokawa Haruki across from him frowned slightly, but then seemed somewhat relieved.

He now seems to know where Gu Ming's habit of patting people's thighs came from.

No wonder we can be friends! Birds of a feather flock together!

Haruki Kadokawa cautiously tucked his legs in to avoid being attacked from both sides.

"So, Furuya-kun is really amazing in Japan, it's just that he's used to living a secluded life, so outsiders don't know much about him. Furuya-kun, you should go out more often! For example, the auditions for 'Satomi Hakkenden' are starting this month, would you like to participate?"

He then looked at Cheng Long.

"Mr. Cheng, why don't you come and take a look too?"

Gu Ming didn't care at all. He looked at Cheng Long and asked, "There's a movie produced by Kadokawa Group this month that's about to start open auditions. Would you like to go and see the casting process?"

"Is there such a thing?"

Cheng Long reached out and slapped the table, only to find that Kadokawa Haruki had already pulled his leg back. He then slapped the table with regret.

"Go for it! Why wouldn't I go? I've never seen how Japanese movies are made before!"

They hit it off immediately!
For Haruki Kadokawa, Jackie Chan's fame means he can gain more publicity during promotions, so why not?

Jackie Chan was happy to get some exposure in Japan.

Only Gu Ming silently sipped his tea.

Casting.

It really brought back some distant memories for him.

anyway.

What is Akira Kurosawa doing now?
—Akira Kurosawa was preparing to film the movie "Ran".

However, that has little to do with Gu Ming.

(End of this chapter)