Tokyo: The evil god doesn't want to be the top star

“All were rejected.”

Section Chief Yamazaki stood on the stage with a serious expression and made the announcement to nearly a hundred full-time and part-time music producers sitting in person and participating in the conference online.

"What, all of them, worse than the last round?!"

"They didn't even give me a chance to record a single song. Those guys in the production team are too picky!"

"Damn it! I even read the comics of Cursed Blade just for this order..."

"Stop talking about it. Weren't you too engrossed in reading the comics that you failed to deliver the goods on time?"

Upon hearing the news, producers online and offline were immediately filled with grief.

Region 11 is the world's largest animation producer and exporter, with a trillion-dollar industry. As the industry flourishes, animation music has become an independent and mature profession, with rich and diverse musical forms, production standards reaching industry benchmarks, and increasingly diversified styles and themes.

As the entertainment group with the greatest influence in the entertainment industry, Bethesda also has extensive involvement in the field of animation. Its music department often undertakes the music production of animation works and even has a group of dedicated producers working in this field.

As early as a year ago, Bethesda participated in the investment of the movie version of the super popular animation "Cursed Blade" and became a member of the production committee, responsible for the music production business of the animated film.

With its large and professional team, the Music Department completed the production of the animation film's BGM, sound effects, interludes and other music on schedule and in a satisfactory manner. However, it got stuck at the "theme song" stage.

Up to now, the animation production team has "killed" dozens of songs one after another, and the few songs that were recorded in trial were also cancelled due to being "unsuitable".

It’s no wonder the production team is picky.

The theme song of an animated film is equivalent to an impression song. It will be played at the climax of the plot and directly determine the viewing experience, and have a series of chain effects on word-of-mouth and box office, as well as subsequent sales of the original soundtrack and peripheral products.

What's more, "Cursed Blade", in which Bethesda co-invested, will be released at the same time as the popular animated film "Attack of Dwarfs", which was jointly invested by J, A and S, and is under tremendous box office competition pressure.

"In short, the production team has decided to give us another chance. A live review meeting for the theme song will be held in a week. All music department members, whether they are in-house or out-of-house producers, are encouraged to submit their works during this period."

Section Chief Yamazaki clapped his hands, interrupting the noise.

"A week later, you can call it 'opportunity'? You must be kidding."

"The last song I wrote was already my limit. How can I write another one in a week?"

As soon as these words were spoken, there was another uproar.

"For this kind of impossible task, why don't you, Section Chief Yamazaki, perform the 'Clothes Explosion 360-degree Somersault' like you did a few times before and ask those masters to help?"

Another producer suggested.

"Those masters will also see this open commission. If they are interested, maybe, possibly, they will submit their work..."

Yamazaki smiled bitterly.

Bethesda does have several top music producers in the industry like Yoshihiro Kishimoto, but they rarely produce anime songs.

Because there is also a chain of contempt in music creation.

Just as classical music despises pop music, traditional musicians also have a considerable degree of disdain for the emerging category of "anime songs".

Moreover, those masters are already quite old, and there is an insurmountable generation gap for animations whose audience is mainly young people. It is difficult for them to fully understand the core of the works, let alone create.

"In short, according to the contract, if we 'open the skylight' this time, the production committee will change the music production company in order to ensure the release schedule of the movie, and at the same time reduce the investment share of Bethesda."

"You all are carrying the glory of Bethesda's music production on your shoulders. There is no such thing as giving up!"

"There's no point in complaining. Think about the look on Boss Zhou's face after the 'skylight', then grit your teeth and keep going!"

Yamazaki glanced at his watch and decided not to give the producers any more chance to protest. He used intimidation and inducement skillfully and then made the final decision.

"If there are no other questions, we will adjourn today..."

Just as he was about to adjourn the meeting and leave work on time, someone sitting in the first row raised his hand high like a primary school student in class.

"Ask a question."

The one who raised his hand was Xia Fan.

"Who is this guy? He's so handsome. Is he an artist in the company?"

"How can an artist possibly attend a music club meeting looking like a high school student, a new intern?"

"I heard that he is the one who wrote 'Sakura' and he started working today."

"What, he wrote it?! "Sakura" is actually a newcomer's work?"

"I always thought that the company had been defeated for two consecutive years and couldn't help but find some master to pretend to be someone else and participate in the competition..."

Noticing him, the producers nearby began to whisper to each other.

"Xia Jun...um, do you have any questions?"

Under the watchful eyes of everyone, Yamazaki asked reluctantly, regretting that he had asked that question.

Chapter 29: No One Is the Best

2024-07-13

"Can I sign my name for this animated film theme song commission? How much will the remuneration and share be?"

Without paying attention to the strange looks from people around him, Xia Fan asked the question that concerned him most.

Being credited is related to whether one can gain trust, and the remuneration for creation is equally important to someone like myself who is a multi-millionaire in debt.

"..."

As soon as he asked this question, the atmosphere in the chaotic meeting room froze instantly.

“You don’t ask about Party A’s creative requirements, but directly ask about the right to be credited and the remuneration?”

"Hey, this kid, don't you think he will definitely be selected?"

"Other people's songs are 'far ahead' of the New Songs Chart, so of course I have the right to ask this."

The producers stared at each other in amazement, feeling mixed emotions.

Wen has no first, Wu has no second.

The achievements of music creation, apart from personal ability and inspiration, are mainly influenced by external factors such as market atmosphere, contemporary hot topics, and audience culture.

Theoretically, as long as you continue to produce songs that are above a certain standard, in the repetitive cycle of trends, even if the inventory has been in the music library for ten years, there is a possibility that it will become popular again at any time.

However, Bethesda is a profit-seeking corporation and will not give producers so much time to "develop themselves".

The producers in the music department are all elites who have survived various harsh systems such as KPI, KBI, GS, and the last-in-first-out system. They all have a few best-selling songs.

On the first day of work, in front of so many professional producers, wasn't it impolite to ask directly about the price in such a "it's already in your pocket" tone?

"Ahem, Mr. Xia, you didn't attend the previous two meetings, so it's normal that you don't know the situation."

"For this commission, my name will be on the credits of the film's credits and on music-related products. The fixed remuneration is 100 million yen, and there will be subsequent revenue sharing from paid digital downloads, soundtrack sales, and royalties."

Hiroshi Yamazaki is a conservative and stubborn person. He is always serious when talking about work and patiently answered Xia Fan's questions.

"As long as it's signed... 100 million yen... It's about the same as 1000 hours of part-time work at a convenience store... And there's an extra share..."

Xia Fan took out his cell phone, opened his calculator, and calculated silently...

"Section Chief, can I also try this commission?"

Then he raised his head and looked at Yamazaki with shining eyes.

"This commission is issued to the entire department. You have already signed a 'part-time' contract, so of course you are eligible to submit the manuscript."

"But this is a custom song for the animation. If you plan to modify it with 'stock', let alone the quality, a week may not be enough."

Meeting Xia Fan's gem-like eyes, Yamazaki suddenly felt that he was not so anxious after all, and the annoyance of not being able to "adjourn the meeting" disappeared without a trace.

"Also, Mr. Xia, have you ever seen "Blade of the Cursed Spirit"?"

Suddenly remembering something, Yamazaki asked another question.

"I have read it... a few years ago, I read the first volume from a classmate."

Xia Fan recalled and answered truthfully.

He is usually busy with schoolwork and part-time job, so he can only watch anime briefly, which requires a lot of time.

"Pfft... doesn't that mean we've only read the beginning..."

"You must be kidding. Cursed Blade has been serialized for ten years, with more than 100 volumes!"

"It's been ten years. Do you know that the current plot has changed drastically from the first volume you watched?"

"One week is not enough to catch up on the anime, how can we capture the 'theme' of the theme song?"

As soon as he said this, the producers present burst into laughter.

If it is a two-hour original animated film, you can take the time to savor its essence and create songs that fit the theme.

However, for a long-running work like "Cursed Blade", the comic author will inevitably "crazily fill the content with water" and "struggle to keep it alive" in order to maximize profits.

Over time, many characters' heights, muscle mass, painting styles, looks, skills, races, and even genders have all changed...

In terms of interpersonal relationships, the villain becomes the supporting role, and the supporting role becomes the villain, and this cycle goes on endlessly.

These changes have resulted in the story having multiple cores and themes, like a giant ball of wool with countless knots, making it difficult to grasp the main points.

"Hey, Xia Jun, if you are selected, remember to treat us to fried chicken."

“Yes, and burgers!”

“However, if you are not selected, you can come and share your experience in creating “Sakura”!”

After laughing and joking, they realized that what Xia Fan showed was not "arrogance" but the "innocence" unique to students. Coupled with his pleasing appearance, the producers' grudges were dispelled and they started to tease him instead.

"Thank you for the reminder, seniors. I will do my best."

Xia Fan stroked his chin and fell into deep thought.

You have to catch up on the show first to see if the song fits the theme of the animation.

"Nothing, meeting adjourned!"

Yamazaki seized the opportunity, spoke quickly, and walked out of the meeting room door.

……

Tokyo University of the Arts, student apartment.

“I understand~ the reason for becoming stronger~ Take me with you and move forward ahhh… cough cough cough…”

Xia Fan, wearing headphones, stood in front of the computer and sang in a stiff voice...

"It's even worse than Fat Tiger... I am tone-deaf, so I must be out of my mind to want to try to record a demo myself."

Shaking his head, he took off his headphones in frustration and checked the melody on VOCALOID.

After returning from the music club, he looked up the plot synopsis of "Cursed Blade" and confirmed that it was very suitable for "Gurenge".

Then, it only took him half an hour to write the melody of "Red Lotus" on the music software.

When submitting the theme song for "Cursed Blade", it would be more formal to use a DEMO recorded by a real person, so he tried to record two lines himself.

However, he didn't expect that the rock-style song "Red Lotus" would be much more difficult to sing than he expected.

As an "amateur", Xia Fan couldn't handle the opening paragraph alone.

“For DEMO, I would like to record it with real people’s voices.”

"But if I need help, there's only one singer I know..."

Thinking of this, Xia Fan opened the TIKTOK software and clicked on the video account named "Sakura Front, Hoshina Hanami's Farewell Song".

"Has the first video been uploaded for Kyushu, which I arrived in the day before yesterday?"

In the video titled "The first day I missed you in Kagoshima", Hoshina Hanami, wearing a sailor suit and a round hat, looks very girly, standing on the gravel road of Tadamoto Park.

The girl sang "Sakura" softly, and the Osama Senbonzakura on both sides of the road swayed in the wind, and cherry blossoms fell like rain.

"For a new account, the number of views is pretty good. No wonder the number of followers has been increasing steadily recently."

After Xia Fan skillfully clicked "like", "collect", "follow", and "repost", he silently sensed his own faith value...

[Current cumulative faith value 1274]

The popularity brought by "Sakura"'s continued dominance of the charts exceeded his expectations.

But in just a few days, the faith value that the "toilet paper girl" consumed with her life had been replenished, and the growth trend remained stable.

Chapter 30 I can't sing at all