Japanese Entertainment: From special effects actor to action superstar

Chapter 628 Hideaki Anno's Favorite Photo
The offices and filming location of Mangoku Co., Ltd. are located in Shibuya.

This is land that's incredibly valuable; during the golden age, people could make a fortune just by selling land.

To be honest, Gu Ming really did have this idea.

Sell ​​the Shibuya land when land prices are high in Japan, and then relocate the Mangya area to another location.

However, considering that the Wan Gu Universe Festival has been held for three sessions, the relocation project had to be suspended.

Wangu is not just a single valley; it also includes the surrounding shops and streets, all of which will benefit from the relocation. Therefore, moving Wangu is a matter that affects the whole system.

It was with this mindset that Gu Ming brought Hideaki Anno to Mango Company.

"Oh! This is good, I recognize this!"

Hideaki Anno leaned against the car window, looking like a child, as he peered closely at the statues standing against the wall.

These are either spare statues used during filming or decorative items specially placed here. Although they are not completely realistic, they can still show some of the amazing features of the works.

"It's wonderful. It's really wonderful."

Hideaki Anno took off his glasses and wiped his eyes repeatedly.

"You may not know how amazed I was when I first saw those shows on TV as a child, and the lead actor too."

Gu Ming said, "Murata Hideo, Murata-kun, his stage name is Dan Tokiro."

"Yes, Mr. Murata. Mr. Murata was practically my childhood idol, so you see, I like to wear leather jackets and style my hair like that, because he's my idol!"

Gu Ming clicked his tongue: "Isn't that a coincidence? The scene being filmed today is called 'Desperate Battle, Showdown on Planet Gaogeda,' and several of the previous actors will be appearing. You might even see your idol!"

Hideaki Anno paused for a moment, then sat up straight and smoothed his sideburns in the rearview mirror.

"Like this? Is this okay? Won't I look too sloppy like this?"

"Hmm...it's already very formal!"

Gu Ming gave a thumbs up.

That's quite formal!
When the two arrived at the filming location, they did not go directly into the studio, but waited for a while until the filming was over before going in.

Just like in the original timeline, the protagonist is still played by Keiji Takamine. Although he is a bit older, it's not a big problem with makeup.

Gu Ming had invited him before, but he refused to come no matter what, so in the end Gu Ming had to ask someone to buy out the firm he worked for.

In this respect, this actor, born in Osaka, maintains his unwavering stubbornness, which is precisely his defining characteristic.

"Gao Feng, you've really had a tough time."

Gu Ming stepped forward and greeted him, while Gao Feng Guiji shook hands with a somewhat reserved expression.

Stubbornness doesn't mean a lack of emotional intelligence; he is well aware of the current status difference between the two of them.

"Takamine-kun, Takano-kun, let me introduce you. This is director Hideaki Anno, a well-known animation producer. Oh, and he will also be joining Mangaya soon to be in charge of producing animated works."

Hideaki Anno immediately straightened his back and raised his head, then smoothed his sideburns.

Not a famous producer! Just someone from the roadside!
However, he still found these words quite pleasing.

Directors Koichi Takano and Keiji Takamine shook hands with him, indicating that they had met.

Among the crowd, Hideaki Anno spotted Tokirou at a glance, and was somewhat flustered and at a loss for words.

"Murata-kun!" Gu Ming greeted him. "It's quite a coincidence, this director watched your work when he was a child and is a fan of yours."

A few words startled Tuan Shilang.

What do you mean you watched his work when you were a child? He's not that old!

He only filmed "The Return of Ultraman" in 1979, which was only six years ago.

However, considering Hideaki Anno's age, everything becomes clear.

Middle school students are just kids too!
The two shook hands, with Hideaki Anno particularly excited. They posed for several photos together on the spot. "Oh, right, there's also... that thing," Gu Ming explained in a low voice, "that leather case, you can bring it to try it out too."

"There is such a good thing!"

Hideaki Anno almost fainted from joy.

Not only can you take photos with your favorite actors, but you can also wear your favorite costumes. The combination of these two happy things makes you even happier.

so.

How many times will he be happy?!

This happiness was quickly interrupted after the leather case was delivered.

Hideaki Anno blushed but still couldn't put on the complete suit.

The returning Ultraman suit actor is named 'Eiichi Kikuchi', and he is a tall, thin man.

Hideaki Anno, on the other hand, clearly didn't have the physique, and in the end, even with his face turning red, he could only barely fasten the zipper at the back, which didn't look too out of place.

Gu Ming fiddled with the camera in his hand and waved to the two of them.

"Anno-kun! Murata-kun! Look this way!"

The two looked up, and Gu Ming pressed the shutter at that moment.

This instant camera is a recent product from Fujifilm. It develops images very quickly, but the film is expensive.

In the photo of the two, Hideaki Anno's face is flushed red, resembling Guan Yu (a famous Chinese general).

—It wasn't excitement, it was because the leather strap was too tight.

Even so, Hideaki Anno still felt a sense of excitement that his dream had come true today.

I met the people I wanted to see, arrived at the company I wanted to join, and even completed the onboarding process.

Perhaps nothing is more exciting than today.

"Over there are two different film studios, and over here is the office building. It's actually only two floors. The planning department is on the side, responsible for producing various scripts. In addition to supplying scripts to Mango, it also provides scripts to the outside world. The head of the planning department, Tetsuo Kaneshiro, is a disciple of the master Shinichi Sekizawa."

"The factory here has been vacant for a long time since the optical photography special effects department moved to Nara. You can move the animation department here later and start with some simple animations to test the waters. Maybe one day, it will become an important animation company."

Hideaki Anno tilted his head slightly to meet Taniguchi's gentle smile, secretly encouraging himself.

Of course, we have to accept this! Not only were we assigned a work location as soon as we arrived, but we also have such a high degree of autonomy.

He was quite confident in his abilities and considered himself a talented person.

Now that I have the opportunity, of course I should make the most of it!
"If there's anything, discuss it with the planning department."

Gu Ming specifically instructed him on this matter.

Hideaki Anno tends to let his imagination run wild when writing screenplays; for example, Shinji Ikari and Mari ended up together while he was writing.

In Gu Ming's opinion, considering the numerous daily interactions between Shinji Ikari, even if it wasn't Asuka and Rei Ayanami, he could believe that Shinji was with Kaworu Nagisa. So, he actually chose Mari Makinami.

Hideaki Anno couldn't help but scratch his head.

Although he also felt that it was okay to discuss the script with the planning department.

"Don't worry, I'm not the kind of person who would let myself go."

Gu Ming tilted his head.

That's clearly it!

"In short, TV Tokyo can come up with a production budget of three million yen per episode. I will find some investors, including Enyo and other cultural and creative companies, Kadokawa Shoten, game companies, etc., to raise a total of ten million yen per episode for you. Show me your true abilities! Make the best animation for me!"

Hideaki Anno immediately stood at attention.

Absolutely no problem!
(End of this chapter)