New Century Anime Warrior

Chapter 104 Gundam Stands Tall on the Earth

Just as Si Hua received his teacher's assurance about his studies and was preparing to fully dedicate himself to "Frozen," a cross-border phone call came in from an island nation.

"Tsukasa-kun." The voice on the other end was unusually melancholic; it was Takashi Sasaki.

"Oh? It's Minister Sasaki. It's been so long since we last talked. How have you been lately?" Si Hua immediately launched into a series of traditional Chinese greetings.

"Si-kun, can I tell you that we're not doing too well?"

Sasaki Takashi's voice became even more mournful.

"Huh? Why?"

"Have you forgotten that 'Mobile Suit Gundam 0079' is also your child?"

'

Oh no, he really forgot.

"Ahem, of course I haven't forgotten, look at what you're saying."

While doing so, I was also mentally calculating the progress of "0079".

"They should have finished the first four episodes by now, right?" Si Hua asked cautiously.

Because most of the time is spent on basic work such as setting, original drawings, and storyboards in the early stages, the production speed of each episode becomes very fast once production officially begins.

Therefore, it is normal to only produce the first four episodes in the past two or three months.

"Yes, the production of episode 5 is now more than halfway complete."

"Wasn't it going quite smoothly? Why would Minister Sasaki say it wasn't going well?" Si Hua didn't quite understand.

"It's going to be released next month, but the music is so-so —"

Got it, they're asking for background music.

"Furthermore, the publicity and promotion lacked gimmicks and focus —"

Got it, they're trying to use themselves to bait the nest again.

Since being chosen by Disney as co-creative director for their new animated film, Si Hua's name has become particularly well-known in East Asia.

Especially in Japan and South Korea, Si Hua feels that he is even more popular than in China.

These two countries, both built on mold-infested soil, naturally have a strong sense of identification with news of Asians breaking into the upper echelons of large European and American companies.

"Minister Sasaki, please be frank. What do you need my cooperation with?"

After all, "0079" itself has also gained a lot of benefits, so it should cooperate where necessary. Nobody wants to turn down a little money.

"First of all, the background music. Our background music and the animation visuals don't match at all. They're like products from two different eras, so we need Si-kun's help to adjust the background music."

"Secondly, there's the matter of publicity. With Si-kun's influence, please be sure to promote our child extensively!"

Si Hua was speechless. What were these two grown men saying about our child? It was disgusting!

"How about this, show me the four episodes that have already been completed, and I'll take a look at them."

"Thank you very much! I'll send someone over right away."

Takashi Sasaki was very efficient; the Higurashi staff, along with the original footage of the first four episodes of "0079," arrived in Burbank that same day.

The team was led by the familiar Kentaro Saegusa, accompanied by the staff who composed the music for the animation.

After watching the first four episodes in a small screening room at the Disney Animation Building, Si Hua understood where the problem with the soundtrack lay.

"Director Saegusa, you must have seen the current sample footage, right?"

"If I'm not mistaken, what Si-kun is trying to say is that our soundtrack is too traditional?"

Si Hua didn't mince words: "This isn't traditional anymore; it's the style of old-fashioned science fiction animation soundtracks from the last century."

I have to say, Higurashi's soundtrack team is pretty good.

They actually came up with a soundtrack in the style of the original tokusatsu (special effects) game.

Orchestral and rock instrumentation, rousing male chorus, and heroic melodies.

Si Hua felt a chill run down his spine.

I almost shouted "Gangdam!" too.

"No wonder Minister Sasaki said that the visuals and the background music felt like products of two different eras."

The reason for this statement is that Si Hua's version of "0079" can basically be considered a new century remake.

The production quality is comparable to that of the previous "Mobile Suit Gundam UC", which is the Unicorn Gundam series.

Furthermore, due to the comprehensive optimization of the original visuals, the narrative pace has also been accelerated, resulting in a lot more narrative space.

So Si Hua simply sewed in "Mobile Suit Gundam Origins," which was released in 2019 in his previous life.

Basically, the overall storyline is divided into three seasons.

The first season, from Side 7 to Jabro Fortress, is a core storyline that doesn't need to be cut. So it's a good time to divide the story into seasons and chapters, while also setting the stage for the origin story.

Just like the Infernal Affairs trilogy, the second part is a prequel, or like Star Wars, it tells the middle trilogy first, and then the prequel trilogy.

This kind of reverse chronological order is actually very effective.

Therefore, the last two episodes of the first season will use flashbacks to delve into the origin story, laying the groundwork for the complete Gundam origin story in the second season.

After the origin story of the second season concludes, the third season will return to the timeline of the One Year War to complete the remaining plot of "0079".

Overall, it has a more epic and brutal feel than the original, making the original's straightforward soundtrack sound awkward.

"How about this, you don't have to completely discard your original soundtrack. We'll make a trailer with a slightly older style and use these soundtracks as a tribute to the classic impressions of science fiction animation from the last century."

"Next, we'll make another trailer in the current style, this time with my new soundtrack."

"You guys need to hurry up and produce the retro-style trailer in the next couple of days, release it as soon as possible, and start generating buzz and promotion."

"A week later, I will release a new trailer in my own name, and then refuse all interviews and responses. Let's put on a little show."

"As for what the audience thinks about our dirty dealings, let them worry about it."

Kentaro Saegusa immediately grasped this wildly imaginative idea, repeatedly chanting, "Sukuni Ichine!"

Ha, you haven't even seen the first one in the country yet.

The most important thing for Si Hua right now is to establish a core melody for Gundam that can be used in countless series.

Just like hearing "HesaPirate" immediately brings to mind the "Pirates of the Caribbean" series, it has become a kind of symbol.

"Unicorn," that's the piece Si Hua chose.

In the future, every Gundam series will be re-arranged based on this theme, constantly innovating and gradually making it the iconic core theme of the Gundam series.

Of course, not all the classic songs from the original "0079" will be discarded, but they need to be adapted to better suit the current market.

For example, the 30th anniversary remake of "The Sorrowful Warrior (1999 Version)".

For the other main soundtracks, Si Hua also plans to directly use works by Hiroyuki Sawano.

For example, the theme song of a nuclear explosion was used as the background music when the eighth open colony, Ifhis Island, collided with Earth in Side 2.

No music could be more fitting as an ominous anthem for the earth.

The next day, Higurashi released a retro version of the trailer across the internet, with the title "Gundam stands tall on the earth".

Viewers who clicked on the trailer were stunned.

The old-fashioned 4:3 aspect ratio frame, the rough graphics, the rudimentary special effects, and the rather questionable mecha designs—

Add to that the soundtrack, which has a style reminiscent of tokusatsu (special effects) films from the last century.

hiss----

Furthermore, whether intentionally or accidentally, some sound effects are out of sync with the video.

Viewers who watched the trailer felt as if their cerebral cortex had been smoothed out.

What exactly did I see in the 21st century?!

This! This!

Is this the legendary national-level cultural cooperation project, a Sino-Japanese co-production of a sci-fi masterpiece?

Geneva! Refund!

Public sentiment surged immediately.

But Higurashi-sha and Tsukasa vanished without a trace, offering no response whatsoever.

Just as Si Hua and the production team's public pages were about to be overwhelmed, Si Hua released a new trailer using his personal account.

The title remains "Gundam stands tall on the earth".

But this time it's completely different.

The exquisite visuals, grand soundtrack, and cool mecha design made everyone thoroughly enjoy the experience.

This is truly Si Hua's level!

This was followed by a cacophony of conspiracy theories, such as Si Hua and Higurashi having a falling out, or a project being forced to abort.

Even more outrageous is the rumor that Shika has been killed by Higurashi, and this trailer, like Frozen, is one of his unfinished works.

"Who the hell spread this message?!"

"Is there no law anymore?!"

Enraged, Si Hua jumped onto the table and angrily denounced the unknown rumor-monger.

The following day, the video of Si Hua's outburst of rage was also circulated online, and an anonymous person even added a title to it.

Si Hua stands atop the table.