Japanese Entertainment: From special effects actor to action superstar

Chapter 523 My City
At Ikoma Studio, Haruki Kadokawa, having finished all the preliminary preparations, finally arrived late.

It was his first time here, and since the filming of "Hakkenden Satomi" was also planned to take place here, Tani Akira showed him around the studio.

"This is really great! It's even better than I imagined. I bet a lot of the equipment from the dismantling of Daiei was transported here!"

Haruki Kadokawa looked around the studio and found many of the devices familiar.

While the equipment here can't compare to the top studios in Tokyo, it's definitely top-notch in the industry and can handle most high-level studio shooting.

Gu Ming shrugged: "I didn't do anything, I just acted as an intermediary once."

"Even so, it's rare that he would think of giving back to his hometown."

The two chatted casually about recent events. After Gu Ming finished talking about Representative Ita's attitude, Kadokawa Haruki stopped and looked at Gu Ming's profile.

"What are you going to do?"

"How? Of course, we should see if we can evacuate one or two film crews to make them realize the losses. Then, the politicians will naturally stop trying to get courtesy from me."

Seeing Gu Ming's relaxed and casual expression, Kadokawa Haruki shook his head.

"That's not enough. You know what I've heard this saying."

"If you can get Sony to open a branch in your hometown with just one phone call, then you are nothing."

"If you can get Sony to move its branch office in your hometown with just one phone call, then you're a local honorary councilor!"

"Politicians are always cunning. What does it matter how much you do? They'll only consider you valuable if you can take Sony away with a single phone call."

Gu Ming seemed to be deep in thought.

He hadn't thought of this before, but now that he's thought about it, he realizes it's full of profound meaning.

"Let those film crews continue filming. If they suddenly leave halfway through filming, it will surely be a significant loss for them."

Haruki Kadokawa stood with his hands on his hips, looking out the window.

Nara is a mountainous city; as far as the eye can see, there are rolling mountains covered with lush trees.

"Actually, I was thinking about something else. If we were to film a period epic like this, wouldn't we need a real castle? I initially planned to try Kumamoto Castle or Himeji Castle, but now it seems... I have a new idea."

He turned to Gu Ming, grinned, and revealed a set of shark-like teeth.

"What I'm doing has nothing to do with you. I just heard that Akira Kurosawa is preparing for 'Ran,' and he plans to build a city. If Kurosawa can do it, why can't I? I want to build a city too! I want to be ahead of him and become a number one that everyone looks up to!"

……

……

Attracting investment is a perennial theme, both for countries around the world and especially for impoverished regions like Ikoma.

At today's gathering, all the councilors from the Nara region have come. This grand mobilization is precisely to welcome today's guest, Haruki Kadokawa.

Because he was going to film the epic fantasy period drama, *The Eight Dogs of the Satomi Cinema*, at Nara Studios, a project with an investment of over 100 million yen!

If even ten million of that money ends up in the Nara region, it's a win!
As one of the councilors from the Ikoma district, Representative Ita was naturally present to participate in the meeting.

As everyone waited, Haruki Kadokawa and Akira Tani walked into the conference room together.

"Wow, that's incredible. I never expected your place to value this so much. Nara is truly a wonderful place." Kadokawa Haruki bowed slightly to everyone upon arrival. "It's no wonder that Furuya-kun specially recommended me to come here."

With just one sentence, many people began to weigh and evaluate it.

Gu Ming didn't care about anything else and simply sat down with Kadokawa Haruki.

“We went to see the film and television shooting base set up by Ikoma. It’s very well done, with all the necessary equipment. However, it’s still missing some things.”

Facing the gazes of the crowd, Gu Ming held up one finger.

"A city."

Yes. A city!

Just as Hengdian's Ming and Qing Dynasty Style Street has driven the filming of countless productions, with many period dramas shooting scenes here and boosting consumption, a successful film and television base must have a city that can be used to film period dramas!
It's not computer-generated special effects, it's not a tokusatsu model, it's a real city!

In the future, Hengdian blasted a mountain flat, Cameron dug a lake, but today, Haruki Kadokawa only wants to build a city. A castle tower.

For an instant.

A dozen pairs of eyes turned to look this way, and even the breathing in the conference room became a little tense.

Anyone can imagine how much money, material costs, and manpower it would take to build a city.

The direct and indirect consumption stimulated by this is enormous!
Haruki Kadokawa said, "I don't know much about Nara. Furuya-kun, where do you think would be more suitable?"

Gu Ming scanned the dozen or so pairs of eyes in the conference room.

Representative Itada swallowed hard, seemingly wanting to say something but then stopping himself.

Of course it's Ikoma! Where else could it be?

Gu Ming said, "Of course, Nara City in Nara Prefecture is more suitable. After all, it is the most developed area in Nara, and the environment is more convenient."

The councilors from Nara City immediately straightened their backs.

"Hmm, Nara City, Nara Prefecture, sounds good, but let's check it out first. I'll visit Nara these next few days and do some research before making a decision."

This was followed by a wave of agreement.

Business decisions should not be made lightly, and Nara is such a large place that you are welcome to explore it further.

After the meeting ended, Gu Ming had barely left when he heard voices behind him calling out, "Furuya-kun, Kadokawa-kun."

Such a call.

He turned his head and saw Representative Itada running towards him quickly.

"This matter is truly not easy. Well, the people of Ikoma are always hardworking and can handle many jobs. When it comes to construction, the people of Nara are usually very laid-back and don't do those kinds of things, while we people of Ikoma prefer to go out and work to support our families. We will definitely handle the castle construction in Ikoma!"

After he finished speaking, he looked at Gugu-kun, grasped Gu Ming's hand tightly, and looked at him with a face full of sincerity.

"Furutani-kun is also from Ikoma, right? After all, we're from the same hometown. We should really consider Ikoma's situation!"

Gu Ming pressed down on Representative Ita's hand.

"Of course, this matter will be carefully considered and discussed in detail."

Representative Itada hesitated, then said, "Well..."

"Well then, see you later."

Gu Ming released his hand, bowed slightly, and then quickly left.

After the two had disappeared from each other's sight, Kadokawa Haruki suddenly asked, "So you plan to build a castle in Ikoma?"

“That’s your city.” Gu Ming smiled. “How could I possibly have the right to decide where your city is built?”

Haruki Kadokawa also smiled and said, "Tell me about it too."

Gu Ming then casually pointed.

"It's close to Ikoma, but it definitely can't be in Ikoma. However, we can use Ikoma's workers for construction."

Kadokawa Haruki clapped his hands, making a "slap" sound.

"Congratulations, Furuya-kun, you've learned it now."

(End of this chapter)