How to raise a random guy's wife

When all three parties are relatively easy to reach, the producer doesn't even need to do much to secure a place in the production staff of a masterpiece-level animation.

As such successful experiences accumulate, the producer's remuneration will also increase accordingly.

Even with a continuous accumulation of failures, a producer's compensation will steadily increase.

The investors believe that a producer who has ruined many projects must know many of the reasons why projects will fail, and thus be better able to avoid such pitfalls.

Even without ability, connections, or a track record of success, a producer can still make money.

But if you lack credibility...

A producer can be a slacker, but he absolutely cannot be a fraud.

Therefore, there are basically no producers who would ruin their reputation and run away with the money, doing something as foolish as killing the goose that lays the golden eggs.

Therefore, Kobayashi Sora wasn't very prepared for this.

"I thought the production team might be incompetent or have a bad attitude, but I never expected someone to do something so stupid," Kobayashi Sora sighed. "I was really caught off guard."

“Then…” Eriri frowned.

If the production team is incompetent or has a bad attitude, then resetting or something like that is negotiable.

There is a contractual obligation.

However, with the producer absconding with the money and the animation company on the verge of bankruptcy, it becomes difficult to reboot the project.

We can't let RER pay for it again, can we?

"Megumi," Kasumigaoka Utaha asked directly, voicing the question Eriri was hesitant to ask, "What do we do now?"

"This is a great opportunity." Kobayashi Megumi tapped the table lightly, her gentle expression quickly transforming into the seriousness and earnestness of a club president, her bright eyes gleaming.

Eriri was confused. "An opportunity?"

While thinking, Kobayashi replied, "According to the previous plan, after completing the merger and adjustment of Malz, RER will begin preparations for going public."

Eriri was taken aback. "Isn't the situation pretty bad now?"

"So, the original plan was to focus on manga websites and virtual idol groups as the main resources for listing. Although the revenue was good, the business scope was too small and the investment risk was high. Subsequent game development, as well as galgame websites and virtual idol editors, were all just unavoidable supplements," Kobayashi Megumi further explained. "The best approach is still animation production and various derivative products of the works. But this is not something that can be easily improved in a short period of time; talent resources and qualifications are all issues—and now the opportunity has arrived."

Eriri's diplomatic background came into play: "Using crisis management to improve RER's reputation and influence in the industry, attracting more animators to join?"

“That’s right.” Kobayashi Megumi’s thoughts were clear. “First, we contacted the animation company UWANPICTURES to ascertain the current situation and arranged for a lawyer to handle the relevant matters…”

Chapter 575 Lifeline

"Regarding this," Kobayashi Sora responded, "we have already transferred the agreed amount to producer Sato in accordance with the contract. Currently, the issue of funds is between the animation company UWANPICTURES and Sato."

“Given the current situation, even if Sato escapes and doesn’t appear in court, his actions can still be classified.” Kobayashi paused. “We’ll wait for the trial results, and as soon as the results are out, we’ll announce the anime’s postponement.”

Eriri frowned slightly. "It's already taken a long time to make this good. If we delay it again..."

“As you said yourself, we spent so much time on it to make it good. Now that it’s not done well, of course we have to continue production,” Kobayashi Megumi further explained. “With the judgment in hand, the audience will understand when the postponement is announced.”

Kasumigaoka Utaha asked curiously, "Are you going to announce this as well?"

“If we don’t announce it, there’s no point in taking any further action.” Kobayashi Megumi said as she wrote down her thoughts. “The first priority is to ensure the quality of the animation; it must be remade.”

Eriri was a little worried, "In this situation... will UWANPICTURES agree?"

“Yes,” Kobayashi Sora said. “They will definitely agree.”

“Then all that’s left is the reset content,” Kobayashi Megumi nodded. “Eri, this time we’ll go together and communicate directly with UWANPICTURES face-to-face to avoid…”

"Wait a minute," Eriri said incredulously, "why don't you ask more questions? Why are they so sure they'll agree? And what does Sora intend to do?"

"Huh?" Kobayashi Megumi tilted her head. "Don't you trust him?"

“…I believe it is I believe it.” Eriri was speechless for a moment.

“I’m going too,” Kasumigaoka Utaha said. “Together with you guys.”

"Okay." Kobayashi Megumi tilted her head. "Dad?"

"I'll arrange the time."

-

"We are truly sorry!" In the UWANPICTURES conference room, Director Fukase and several animation staff members bowed together. "This incident is entirely our responsibility, and we are truly sorry."

Kobayashi Megumi remained silent, but Kobayashi Sora spoke up, "There's no need for an apology."

Director Fukase was heartbroken, saying, "We really didn't expect that the people who produced 'The Fire Prevention' and '428 Shibuya Blockade' would do something like this."

“That’s what he called himself… never mind.” Kobayashi Sora reminded him, “I’d rather hear some specific details than an apology.”

"Everything went smoothly at first, and Sato didn't interfere with our work too much. But when the deadline was approaching, he asked us to make changes according to Eri Kashiwagi's requirements, saying that it was the original author's requirement and he couldn't do anything about it."

Eriri frowned. "Does he have any other requests?"

"Here."

Eriri browsed the documents. "It was indeed my request, but it was made early on. I've personally participated in animation production and understand the difficulties involved. If these modifications were made later, it would be extremely troublesome, so I brought them up early. Moreover, in the final animation, there are still many parts where I made requests but were not modified at all."

“I understand, I understand. Thinking about it, Ms. Kashiwagi Eri isn’t that kind of person,” Director Fukase sighed. “Now that I think about it, it’s obvious that he deliberately put these demands in the later stages of production so that we would be busy and wouldn’t notice that he was running away. As a result, we had just finished production when we received a statement from Sato’s lawyer saying that he did not approve of the quality of the final cut and demanded that we make another version. If we didn’t, he wouldn’t pay us. While we were discussing what to do, we received a call from Mr. Kobayashi.”

Kobayashi Megumi asked directly, "What are you planning to do?"

"We are preparing to hire a lawyer, but we think Sato probably won't appear in court."

"What about the company?" Kobayashi Megumi pressed. "What about its financial situation now?"

"It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say we're on the verge of bankruptcy," Director Fukase sighed. "I was planning to buy a house in my hometown of Hokkaido, but now I have to use this money as an emergency measure."

"I see..." Kobayashi Megumi looked at Kobayashi Sora, indicating that he could begin.

Kobayashi Sora nodded and took out a stack of documents. "Sato's actions were indeed despicable, but he was right about one thing: the quality of the final product is unacceptable to us."

"Huh?" Director Fukase took the document, bewildered. "This is..."

"Subsequent revision suggestions," Kobayashi Sora replied. "Eri Kashiwagi will also be involved in the subsequent anime remake."

"A...remake?" Director Fukase's expression was bitter. "I'm very sorry, given the current state of UWANPICTURES..."

“This is precisely the focus of our discussion going forward,” Kobayashi Sora explained. “Perhaps you have limited knowledge of RER, but you should know something about its first representative, Akane Akasaka.”

“That one…” Director Fukase immediately understood, “Indeed…”

Akane Akasaka is known in the industry for her high standards for the quality of her works.

If her requirements aren't met, no matter how much money is spent, it's simply not acceptable, and there's no room for negotiation.

It seems RER shares the same sentiment... Director Fukase is frustrated; he also wants to make a good animation, but given the current situation...

"In other words, even if we win the case, producer Sato has disappeared, and it's unclear how long it will take to recover the money." Kobayashi Sora made it even clearer. "Even if we recover the money, it won't be yours until the finished product meets the quality standards. Of course, you can sue us, but how long can you hold out under these circumstances?"

Kasumigaoka Utaha frowned slightly, somewhat worried that Kobayashi Sora was pushing her too hard.

That's the logic, but it's being stated so directly.

Director Fukase gripped the document, his body trembling slightly. "This..."

“When I saw the finished product, I was very dissatisfied and decided not to cooperate with you anymore,” Kobayashi Megumi’s voice rang out. “But after learning what had happened, I changed my mind.”

Director Fukase looked at Megumi Kobayashi, a glimmer of hope rising in his heart.

"To complete the animation under such circumstances and make as many revisions as possible in post-production—that responsible attitude and earnest enthusiasm are truly admirable." Kobayashi Megumi's voice wasn't loud, but it possessed a power that compelled listeners to concentrate fully. "So my thought is..."

Chapter 576 All Under Control

If a student who usually gets excellent grades barely passes an exam, then that's considered a failure.

However, if a student suffering from a terminal illness and on the verge of death can still pass the exam, that is considered exceptionally excellent.

This is the current situation at UWANPICTURES.

Before understanding the situation, the few excellent scenes in the animation only made the rest of the scenes even more unbearable to watch; it would have been better if they hadn't been there at all.

Knowing about UWANPICTURES' situation and looking at it again, it's truly remarkable that they were able to produce so many excellent visuals despite encountering so many difficulties.

The enthusiasm that UWANPICTURES showed before was genuine; they were indeed working hard, and some excellent footage proved their ability. The fact that problems only surfaced towards the end of production suggests that they are easy to get along with, have a high tolerance, or perhaps are just easy to fool.

That's why Megumi Kobayashi made a series of subsequent decisions.

“So my idea is,” Kobayashi Megumi said, her fingers interlaced, her face as calm as ever, “that after you finish remaking the first season, if the result satisfies Kashiwagi Eri-sensei, then the production of the second and third seasons can also be entrusted to you.”

Seeing Kobayashi Megumi's calm demeanor, Eriri, who should have been thinking about serious matters, suddenly drifted back to a long time ago.

Megumi Kobayashi was just as composed during her high school years. Because she rarely showed any emotion, she caused Eriri, who was in charge of character design at the time, quite a bit of trouble.

Her nonchalance at that time revealed Kobayashi Megumi's weak presence, like a passerby who could be ignored at any moment.

Her current composure gives people a sense of calm and control, as if everything is under control. No matter what happens, just seeing her expression will bring peace of mind.

Like a rock standing firm amidst raging waves.

No wonder Kobayashi Sora said that Kobayashi Megumi has a talent for leadership.

Such an expression can reassure subordinates and prevent partners from discerning its true nature.

This composure, which many people develop through training, was something Kobayashi Megumi possessed from a young age.

Even without ability, Kobayashi Megumi's calm personality alone would allow her to take on many positions.

Besides, she is capable.

Eriri, who suddenly realizes Kobayashi Megumi's leadership talent, also realizes something else.

What she only just discovered, Kobayashi Sora discovered in high school.

Just as Eriri only realized Kobayashi Sora's reliability much later, Kobayashi Megumi realized it shortly after meeting Kobayashi Sora.

No wonder they got married...

"You..." Director Fukase could hardly believe his ears, "Are you serious?"

"What you're holding is the revision feedback compiled by Ms. Kashiwagi Eri. If it weren't serious, you wouldn't have these in your hands." Kobayashi Megumi pointed out the key point. "RER wants to produce a good animation, so as long as you agree to remake it and work hard to complete it, I can provide you with new funding to help you through your current predicament. You focus on making the animation, and leave Sato's matter to us."

Director Fukase's eyes widened. It wasn't that he couldn't accept Kobayashi Megumi's suggestion, but rather that it was simply too good to be true.

In this situation, RER could actually ignore everything and even make UWANPICTURES lose money.

Kobayashi Megumi proposed this solution.