Japanese Entertainment: From special effects actor to action superstar

Chapter 530 A Gift of Forty Million Yen

Nara photography studio.

To complement the film's promotion, we must conduct simultaneous promotion from multiple angles!

For example, the current promotion is that a special episode added to Ultraman Leo features the resurrected Tamazuki demon, along with the current Eight Dog Warriors. Hiroko Yakushimaru will once again perform the act of drawing her bow and shooting a giant eagle, helping Ultraman Leo defeat the monster.

The scene of Princess Satomi drawing her bow and shooting an arrow in Satomi Hakkenden greatly inspired Rumiko Takahashi. Later works like Inuyasha, including the Shikon Jewel and Kikyo shooting an arrow, were adapted from Satomi Hakkenden.

Princess Satomi is actually the prototype of Kikyo.

So in a sense, Princess Satomi shooting the little monster is in line with her character!

Hiroko Yakushimaru had also participated in the production here, so she was naturally very familiar with the process and had no problem performing.

Gu Ming only made a cameo appearance in a small scene. Because it was his own production, he didn't even ask for a fee; it was free.

The director clearly took shortcuts in filming this episode.

Numerous shots pay homage to the samurai, Ida Ryuichi, who sealed the magnetic monster in the original Ultraman series.

However, this time it wasn't Ida Iryu who appeared, but Princess Satomi.

The newly appeared monster was exceptionally powerful, making it difficult for Ultraman Leo to deal with. At this moment, Princess Satomi's avatar drew her bow and shot an arrow, wounding the monster. Ultraman Leo seized the opportunity and kicked the monster to pieces.

Inside the studio, Hiroko Yakushimaru nocked an arrow and shot it, leaving a grayish-white mark on the monster.

"Okay, that's about it!" Gu Ming gestured with his hand, and the crew understood and stopped filming.

After all, it's impossible to actually shoot the suitcase apart. We're about to prepare to blow it up, so we need to adjust the order in the middle.

The crew moved away from the filming location, leaving the monster suit behind. As the built-in explosives detonated, the suit shattered into pieces, creating the effect of being blown up.

"Luxury, but I like it."

Gu Ming sighed slightly.

They really blew up the leather suit!
Gu Ming couldn't say how well this special episode would go, but he hoped that the product placement wouldn't affect the ratings.

Zhenxia Long didn't seem to care much about this matter.

"That's good. It's good to pay tribute to the classics from time to time. It's a pity that Jing Tian and Jing Long can't make an appearance."

“You can’t be yourself all at once!” Gu Ming spread his hands, about to speak, when his gaze swept over and saw Mori Tsuyoshi limping over. Gu Ming was shocked: “Why are you limping! No, why are you limping again!”

Koji Moriji smiled bitterly.

“Brother Gugu, I don’t know what happened either. It’s like I’m cursed by this film. I had just recovered a few days ago when I had an accident during filming yesterday. The scaffold fell down and hit me! Although it’s not serious, my leg probably won’t be healed for a few days. This crutch is just the right thing to use.”

Gu Ming could only scratch his head and mutter, "That fits the character."

"Speaking of which, you're planning to get married, right?" Gu Ming casually asked Zhen Xialong, "Have you set a date yet?"

“Yes.” When talking about this, Zhenxia Long immediately became serious: “I have already discussed it with Kayoko. After this film is finished, we will take a few days off to get married.”

"That's good." Gu Ming patted his shoulder: "I'll give you a few days off so you can have some fun and rest."

Koji Moritsugu said, "You can come to Hokkaido! You can see snow in Hokkaido!"

His hometown is Hokkaido!
Zhenxia Long was actually somewhat tempted.

Snow isn't everywhere in Japan.

Gu Ming replied, "I'll give you all a holiday then, so you can go to Hokkaido and have a good rest for a few days! Maybe I'll go too."

He wasn't particularly interested in seeing snow, but he didn't mind going out for fun.

However, we can't go together in the jeep this time.

Gu Ming thought it was too dangerous for the two of them to ride together in a jeep!
After instructing everyone to clean up the scene, Gu Ming turned to leave.

However, after walking only a few steps, Kadokawa Haruki appeared out of nowhere, which really surprised Gu Ming.

"How can you, a big boss, have nothing to do all day?!"

"If I have something to do, then what's the point of hiring so many people?"

Haruki Kadokawa waved his hand casually: "I didn't come to see you today, Furuya-kun. Would you like a special birthday present?" Furuya was somewhat taken aback: "Birthday? What?"

That being said, he doesn't really care about birthdays.

Haruki Kadokawa said, "A birthday present! If you want it, give me 40 million yen, and I guarantee it will be well worth the price."

Gu Ming was shocked: "You gave me a gift and you want me to pay you back!"

"Forty million yen is not enough, and I can guarantee that the price is more reasonable than you can imagine."

Seeing Kadokawa Haruki's confident assertion, Tani Akira couldn't help but fall into deep thought.

What kind of gift is so expensive?! We can't do anything illegal!
Well, saying that to Haruki Kadokawa is pointless. He's done a lot of illegal things, which is why he ended up in prison for two years.

Gu Ming came to his senses and agreed.

I wonder what kind of gift 40 million would be. But given how confidently Kadokawa Haruki is about it, it must be something truly extraordinary.

"Hey, I'm entrusting my money to you with peace of mind, so don't let me down!"

……

……

Ultraman Leo battles the monster Yuzi, while Princess Satomi draws her bow to shoot the demon.

Although this episode contained a blatant product placement, the effect was quite good, after all, the demons were a good fit for the background.

Seeing this kind of work makes Wan Gu'ao furious.

What a piece of junk! He'd rather die than look at it!

After turning off the TV, Wan Gu'ao leaned back on the sofa, looking very tired.

He actually had high hopes for Gridman, and the show was of very good quality, but it just failed.

Because Wangu uses newer technology, combining computer-generated special effects with traditional ones!
As a result, his current work is in a very critical state.

Although the ratings are on the verge of collapse, it seems the TV station could terminate the partnership at any time.

Wan Guoao lit a cigarette, and amidst the swirling smoke, he made up his mind.

money.

He needs money!

Wan Gu'ao flipped open the business card that was covered on the coffee table.

That was the business card he had received before, which said that they could provide large mortgage loans, starting at ten million yen.

"With this company and my work, even if it means risking my last bit of reputation... I need an investment! Only then can I take my work to the next level!"

Wan Gu'ao finally dialed that number.

Because of insufficient funding, the creators of Gridman signed a performance-based agreement with investors and Fuji Television early on, requiring the production of at least twenty-six episodes.

But given the current situation, it seems unlikely.

If the bet fails, then it's truly over.

Therefore, Wan Gu'ao wanted to take a gamble!
Use this money to improve the quality of filming, aiming to raise the ratings to a higher level, thereby securing the pre-existing agreement and stabilizing morale within the company.

After all, the people he recruited here were all former employees of Wangu, and rather special ones at that.

These people, like him, are quite fond of sucking blood from the valley.

"Forty million! Forty million should be enough to meet my needs! The more the better! Forty million yen can keep everything I own!"

Although this matter should have been discussed with Simbot and Honda Ishiro, Wan Gu Ao decided to bypass them and gamble directly on the company.

Otherwise, if you try to discuss it with them, they definitely won't agree!

(End of this chapter)