Japanese Entertainment: From special effects actor to action superstar

Chapter 529 Utilization of Old Goods and Onimusha

When the eight light bulbs merged into one under the fishing line, and when Hiroko Yakushimaru drew her bow, the eight light bulbs came together and shone with a strong light.

—Actually, it was just a replacement light bulb with a super high lumen output.

The arrow flew like a meteor, piercing the chest of the demon Yu Zi and completely sealing Yu Zi back into a cloud of sand.

Kinji Fukasaku let out a long sigh, feeling a deep sense of regret.

and so.

That's all!
Shinji Fukasaku clapped his hands.

"Alright, cut!! I hereby announce that filming for 'The Eight Kenkens of Satomi' has been successfully completed!"

A blockbuster film with an investment of several hundred million yen was shot in just one month.

This was even faster than Kinji Fukasaku had imagined.

Thinking about the past month of collaboration, Kinji Fukasaku had mixed feelings.

He is indeed a great director at Toei Animation.

However, precisely because of his high position, he had to make all the decisions, and the Japanese are generally not fond of taking responsibility.

For example, the film crew needs to purchase a light bulb that costs 3,000 yuan, but the store only has models that cost 3,200 yuan and 2,800 yuan.

Americans will pay more for the more expensive items because Americans are willing to spend money; Hong Kong people will buy the cheaper ones because Shao Daheng's style is to save money wherever possible, since the audience won't notice a difference of two hundred dollars; Japanese people will not buy anything, and then come back to report to the person in charge, informing them to issue a new order.

Even though the Japanese themselves knew that these two options were possible, they still chose to return and report back to the person in charge.

Because this way you don't have to take responsibility!

A round trip would take up a lot of time!
Kinji Fukasaku abhorred such things, but now, on this set, there's absolutely no problem with it.

All the problems that could be called problems were either spontaneously solved by Ikoma Film City or arranged by Gu Ming. Every day when he opened his eyes, apart from filming, the only decision he needed to make was whether to have small fish miso soup for dinner or not.

Haruki Kadokawa rubbed the bridge of his nose and came to the front of the crowd.

"Thank you all for your hard work during filming! I believe this film will definitely become a classic in Japanese film history. Tonight, everyone can go to Nara City and have a great time!"

After spending a month holed up in the mountains, it's time to eat and drink well!

Shinji Fukasaku cupped his hands and looked up at the city.

This wooden and stone castle, modeled after the Honmaru of Japan's Sengoku period, may not have served a real military purpose, but it has a rather grand appearance for filming.

Kinji Fukasaku could imagine the effect this castle would have once the film was released.

Haruki Kadokawa walked over and bowed to him.

"Mr. Fukasaku, you'll be attending the dinner tonight, won't you?"

"Of course, but at my age, I probably can't enjoy myself as much as those young people."

Kinji Fukasaku smiled at first, but then asked a question as if by some strange twist of fate.

So, Furuya-kun will go, right?

Kadokawa Haruki examined the deer antler from head to toe and couldn't help but gasp.

No.

Akira Furuya, what kind of drug did you give Kinji Fukasaku?! How could you even go after a middle-aged man like him?!
……

……

Gu Ming will definitely attend the dinner party, after all, he's the male lead.

Although this drama was essentially a way of repaying a favor to Haruki Kadokawa, and the lead actor didn't have many scenes, he was still able to have his name listed as the lead alongside Hiroko Yakushimaru and enjoy the main publicity.

But now, Gu Ming is thinking about another problem.

This city was built for future filming of period dramas, and it was also a way for Haruki Kadokawa to show off his wealth and prove that he could surpass Akira Kurosawa.

Historically, in order to prove that he was stronger than Akira Kurosawa, Haruki Kadokawa personally directed and invested heavily in filming locations in Canada, creating the most lavish work in the history of Japanese samurai films.

Heaven and Earth!
This film is an adaptation of the manga "Uesugi Kenshin: Heaven and Earth" by Kaine Shigoro. The film tells the story of the struggle between dragon and tiger from Uesugi Kenshin's perspective.

However, the effect was not very good, because although Haruki Kadokawa has his unique aesthetics, this film is more like a kind of large-scale group exercise. Although the box office was good, it failed to surpass Akira Kurosawa's sword films in terms of reputation.

Works like Seven Samurai and Rashomon are still very rare to be done well.

"You're really willing to spend money; it makes my heart ache when I see it."

Gu Ming sighed, "And all those props and costumes, the headgear and clothes for making people look like demons, the Demon King's castle—we invested so much, and only made one movie. It feels like a waste."

Kadokawa Haruki, who was drinking, put down his glass and looked at Tani Akira upon hearing this.

"Is Furuya-kun planning to direct my third movie?"

Gu Ming smiled.

It's definitely the third one.

Although "Sailor Suit and Machine Gun" did well at the Japanese box office, it didn't make a lot of money. Apart from the income that Tani Akira needed, the film probably paid off 300 million yen of Kadokawa Haruki's debt.

Taking into account overseas box office revenue and other factors, they repaid 500 million yuan.

So, he still owes Haruki Kadokawa 3.5 billion yen.

But the subsequent film, "Violent Man," was a huge success in Japan.

Due to a combination of factors, the film successfully repaid its 800 million yuan debt, and Gu Ming even made a profit.

Thus, there is still a debt of 2.7 billion.

Gu Ming casually drew a circle.

"I'm thinking that the personnel training, costumes, props, and sets are all readily available. If we continue filming, we can save a lot of costs. As for the script, I actually have an idea."

Gu Ming casually remarked, "Fifty years in the human world is like a dream. Is there anyone in the world who can live forever?"

"In the third year of Eiroku, the Battle of Okehazama broke out. Oda Nobunaga led a light cavalry charge, defeated the Imagawa main camp, and killed Imagawa Yoshimoto in battle."

Just as Oda Nobunaga was laughing wildly, an arrow suddenly flew in and pierced his throat.

"The man who shot Oda Nobunaga was none other than Akechi Mitsuhide's sworn brother, Akechi Samanosuke Hidemitsu! Also known as Miyake Ukon Shōgan Yaheiji!"

This is a classic in the history of Japanese action games.

"Onimusha".

Onimusha pioneered the concept of "Issen" (or "flash"), and later introduced gameplay styles such as "Flip Issen," "Combo Issen," and "Bang Issen." Although it doesn't have such flashy moves as an action game, once you master Issen, you can instantly kill enemies, making it just as satisfying to play.

Onimusha has four main installments, each telling the story of one of the three main characters: Akechi Samanosuke Hidemitsu, Yagyu Jubei, and Yuki Hideyasu. The enemies have also varied from Oda Nobunaga to Tokugawa Ieyasu.

The face of Akechi Samanosuke is based on Asian film star Takeshi Kaneshiro.

The third film goes even further, creating two storylines: one in the modern era and the other in the ancient era. In the modern era, French actor Jean Reno was brought in as a face model.

The spiritual successor to Onimusha is another game, Nioh.

Gu Ming didn't elaborate, but Kadokawa Haruki made the decision instantly.

Film this! This has potential!

Furthermore, the original novel can be released simultaneously by Kadokawa Shoten!

Other people make movies to make movies, but Haruki Kadokawa makes movies to sell merchandise and create adaptations! That's what he's after!
"The costumes, props, and sets can all be shelved, but it would be best to start filming the movie after my 'Hakkenden Satomi' is released! If the results are good enough, then the movie can be released naturally; if the results are bad, we can cut our losses in time!"

But then again.

This needs a director!
Kinji Fukasaku put down his wine glass and looked at the two people in front of him, who were singing in unison.

oO?

Kinji Fukasaku has something to say.

Why are you all looking at me?!
(End of this chapter)