Japanese Entertainment: From special effects actor to action superstar

Chapter 540 The Original Author of Onimusha

Upon returning to Tokyo, Tani Akira began preparing for the film.

Onimusha was once a representative of hardcore action games in Japan. The term "hardcore" is a concept that has emerged in the gaming industry, generally referring to games that are difficult to play, require high skill, have short timings, and are not widely popular.

For example, compared to King of Fighters, Street Fighter is a typical hardcore fighting game. Not only do the characters have detailed hit detection, but even their hands and feet extend into different areas and have different types of defensive states.

In comparison, King of Fighters is more entertaining and popular, with simpler controls, more dazzling moves, and more attractive characters, etc.

Onimusha is a typical hardcore game. The "Issen" skill in the original Onimusha had extremely high accuracy requirements, ranking among the top in the game industry. Even in later updates of Onimusha, which added skills like "Chain Issen" that can be released simply by pressing buttons, it is still a very difficult skill to use.

In addition, the tank-like movement unique to the Onimusha era made it incredibly difficult for many players.

As for whether Onimusha will be popular as a film, Gu Ming thinks it is still possible.

Onimusha is a legendary game with millions of sales, and its storyline also won an award from Famitsu that year.

Now, riding the wave of fantasy like Satomi Hakkenden, Tani Akira believes there's still a good chance of adapting it.

However, adjustments need to be made to the script.

Upon returning to Tokyo, Tani Akira immediately contacted the Mangoku Planning Office.

This planning department has been retained and not disbanded, thus continuing to produce scripts.

When Gu Ming was met, Tetsuo Kinjo, the head of the planning department, looked radiant.

Middle age is the peak of life when one has achieved success in their career and has a high income.

“Scriptwriting is no problem. As long as we have a story outline, the planning department can revise it as soon as possible. I just don’t know what requirements Mr. Furuya has.”

Gu Ming responded: "It's probably a fantasy story adapted from a historical framework. The protagonist, Akechi Samanosuke Hidemitsu, is a relative of Akechi Mitsuhide and a fierce general known as the 'Oni Warrior.' His enemies include well-known figures such as Oda Nobunaga and Mori Ranmaru, but these people have been corrupted by demons and turned into monsters with magical powers."

"Add some foreign elements to the story, such as the Portuguese who came from afar."

"The film is divided into two different storylines: the modern story and the ancient story. In the ancient story, Akechi Samanosuke Hidemitsu fights against Oda Nobunaga's demon army, while in the modern story, the same crisis occurs."

"A naval soldier named 'Lin' lost an arm to a demon soldier while protecting civilians. By a twist of fate, he gained some of the demon's power. He pursued the truth and eventually found out why the demon appeared in modern society. In the end, he traveled to the ancient world and fought against Oda Nobunaga's demon army with Akechi Samanosuke. In the end, Samanosuke killed Oda Nobunaga, and the story ends here."

As Tetsuo Kinjo listened, he took notes. When he heard that losing an arm actually gave him power, he smiled knowingly. This was a very traditional premise: losing power but gaining even greater power.

As for the two storylines, he also had a general idea.

Of course, it takes some time to perfect a script; it can't be created overnight.

"The planning department is currently preparing the script for the later stages of 'Ultraman Leo,' and I will urge the scriptwriters in the planning department to complete the script for 'Onimusha' as soon as possible."

Gu Ming responded, but then suddenly made a request that surprised Kinjo Tetsuo.

"Speaking of which, is there still any possibility of getting Mr. Sekizawa Shinichi to help?"

Shinichi Sekizawa was Tetsuo Kaneshiro's teacher and a veteran Japanese screenwriter who began his career thirty or forty years ago.

However, Shinichi Sekizawa stopped writing in the mid-to-late 1970s.

After thinking for a long time, Tetsuo Kinjo shook his head.

"I'm not confident I can convince my teacher. He hasn't written anything in a long time, so I can't make a definitive conclusion on this matter."

"It's okay, just give it a try! Even if you've already written the script, you can have Mr. Shinichi Kwanze review it and then have your name credited."

Ultimately, it's all about Shinichi Sekizawa's fame and status.

For fantasy works like this, Guan Zexin is a veteran screenwriter, and his name is absolutely reliable.

In Gu Ming's opinion, Guan Zexin also needs to eat!
Retiring from writing doesn't mean he doesn't eat. Now, if a million yen were thrown in front of him, would that million yen be noble or not?
Tetsuo Kinjo nodded in agreement: "I will try my best to talk to the teacher."

"In addition," Gu Ming added, "I wonder if Mr. Jin Cheng knows anyone who has experience in writing? If so, I can authorize him to write the Onimusha novel simultaneously, and then Kadokawa Group will publish it."

Kadokawa Group's defining characteristic is that they sell books and make movies on the side.

Movies are a bonus; book sales are the main source of revenue!
The film is now owned by Gu Ming, but he can license the book sales to Kadokawa Group. He earns two profits from one, making everyone happy!
Tetsuo Kinjo agreed very quickly this time.

"I can contact some friends, and if their writing style is not suitable, I can place an advertisement in the newspaper to see if there is a suitable person. Then I will contact Mr. Furuya."

After everything was settled, Gu Ming waved his hand.

Tetsuo Kaneshiro is a reliable writer; he's a veteran screenwriter with extensive experience, capable of handling both humanistic themes and dynamic, exciting dramas with ease. Unfortunately, he died young in the 1970s.

Gu Ming is still very happy that he is alive.

……

……

Gu Ming went to arrange the costumes, makeup, and props for Onimusha, and to prepare to discuss launching an open audition for actors.

Important roles are of course given priority to our own people, but some roles require open auditions.

After contacting some friends without receiving a reply, Tetsuo Kaneshiro also chose to advertise in the newspaper to find a suitable ghostwriter.

The results were quite good. I heard that it could be published simultaneously by Kadokawa Group. Many people contacted Tetsuo Kinjo and mailed their manuscripts to the Banya Planning Office for Tetsuo Kinjo to review.

Although he was a bit busy, Tetsuo Kinjo didn't seem annoyed at all.

Please.

Being busy is the worst thing—not making money, just busy for nothing. He's busy making money now, very fulfilling! Holding great power, he feels restless if he's not busy for a day.

"Hmm, there are some excellent works, but... what the heck is this letter?"

Tetsuo Kinjo examined the letter in his hand over and over.

The letter was mailed from Tokyo and was signed by the author, Toshiyuki Araki.

However, this wasn't a bonus manuscript hoping to select him to write an Onimusha novel; rather, it made a rather fantastical request.

The other party claimed to be a manga artist and hoped to obtain the rights to the Onimusha manga.

Tetsuo Kinjo was scratching his head as he watched.

cartoonist……

Okay, there are cartoonists with great imaginations too, but why does this damn caterpillar have such a good imagination!
They need novelists, not comic book artists!

Tetsuo Kinjo initially wanted to refuse, but out of a sense of responsibility, he opened the letter and looked at the manuscript that had been attached.

It’s better not to watch.

Upon looking over, Tetsuo Kinjo was dumbfounded.

This painting isn't bad.

It's just that the drawing isn't very good.

This comic would probably get a 7 out of 10!
Hmm, out of 100 points...

Tetsuo Kinjo took off his glasses and massaged his Seimei acupoint.

It's so painful! It hurts my eyes!

He had never seen a comic with such hasty and chaotic lines, nor had he ever seen a comic with such distorted human figures. If this was considered a comic, Tetsuo Kinjo believed it was an insult to the cartoonist.

People like Tetsuo Hara are the real cartoonists!
Gu Ming wrote the story of Fist of the North Star and handed it over to his old friend Masahiro Yamada to create. Now he and Tetsuo Hara are working together very well, and I heard that the manga is doing very well now.

"Dear Mr. Toshiyuki Araki, I am pleased to receive your letter."

Tetsuo Kinjo picked up his pen and wrote quickly.

I'm very touched, but I must refuse!
(End of this chapter)