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

"Could it be that he has been lurking in the group for so many years, secretly monitoring our conversations?"

"Master Kishimoto, when did you become so amiable? Has your account been hacked?"

"Although it is commendable that Master Kishimoto uses food delivery apps, it seems unhealthy for the elderly to eat fried chicken burgers that are high in oil and salt."

After seeing the account ID that sent this message, the producers' minds went blank and they generated more and more inexplicable questions.

Since he joined Bethesda long before the release of LINE, the national treasure-level music master Yoshihiro Kishimoto was already in the music department work group when it was first established.

Because he didn't like using electronic products, he never sent any messages. Over time, the producers who joined later all forgot that there was such a great person in the group.

But today, Master Kishimoto, who is known for his bad temper, strict standards, and seniority enough to slam the table in front of Mr. Zhou, actually showed up to congratulate Xia Fan on his new song, and looked like he was looking forward to listening to the song?

Chapter 41 This song is too difficult

2024-07-13

"Xia Fan: Thank you, Mr. Kishimoto. I am also looking forward to the finished product of the recording."

After a moment of silence, Xia Fan politely responded in the group.

"Hey, hey, this guy from Xiafan actually responded to Master Kishimoto in such a perfunctory tone?!"

"Shouldn't the formulaic words used in family groups be a little richer, more heartfelt, and more grateful?"

"Should we say that this character of Xia Ren is aloof or too simple?"

No matter how the producers complained, the chat in the work group ended today, and even Section Chief Yamazaki, who loved to preach, no longer showed up.

……

Two days later, Cursed Blade Film Production Committee.

"No, this kind of singing quality is not even as good as that of a virtual singer. How can it be shown in a movie? How can it be worthy of a theme song like "Gurenge"?"

In the conference room, Tsuchiya Haruo took off his headphones and shook his head in dissatisfaction.

"But director, several main female voice actors have all recorded several times, and Kurokawa Tsubasa even recorded three voice lines."

The head of the music team sitting opposite him rubbed his face bitterly.

The voice actors sitting behind the conference table kept their heads down in silence.

Just yesterday, the theme song for the animated film "Cursed Blade" was finally finalized, and the music team immediately started recording the song.

The accompaniment was recorded with real instruments, and the music team temporarily invited several strong external players from the symphony orchestra. After working through two nights, they finally finished it.

The voice actor team of the TV animation "Cursed Blade" already includes well-known current voice actors such as Shimono Natsuki, Sakura Inori, Minase Ayane, etc.

This film production also introduced the up-and-coming voice actor Kurokawa Tsubasa to play the ultimate BOSS "Cursed Queen" who made her debut. Both his dubbing skills and singing level can be said to be top in the industry.

However, after several female voice actors actually recorded the song, they discovered that the song "Gurenge" was much more difficult to sing than it looked.

In terms of singing skills, the main difficulty of "Gurenge" is that the vocal range is too wide, spanning 3 semitones from the lowest note E29 to the highest note G5, which causes the singer to have a sound gap.

Generally speaking, when a song has a span of 6 semitones, most singers tend to have interruptions no matter which pitch range they are in. Only a very small number of the world's top singers can span 12 semitones without interruption.

But the span of "Gururenhua" is 8 semitones, and all the low, middle and high ranges have to be sung once. A small number of singers with excellent high or low notes may be able to overcome the difficulty of spanning 8 tones continuously, but they still cannot withstand spanning all three ranges.

What's even worse is that this song is obviously more suitable for a female singer to perform, but the span of the vocal range just passes through the first, second, and third voice change points of a female, which makes it very easy for obvious flaws to appear when the voice changes.

What's more, to perfectly perform the song "Red Lotus", one must not only overcome the technical difficulty of the vocal range and three voice change points, but also be able to present the emotions of the song such as "burning", "despair" and "unyielding".

It was not until now that the members of the film production team understood why Xia Fan had used the virtual singer "without sincerity" when submitting his work.

Because it is difficult to guarantee the effect of this song by asking an ordinary singer to record a DEMO in a short period of time.

"What should I do? The film's post-production is complete, and the only thing left is the theme song. The release date is next month, and the time left for recording is too tight. And this song is so difficult."

"I heard that the promotional PV for Attack of Dwarf, which is scheduled to be screened in the same period, has been completed and several previews have been held."

"How about applying for an increase in budget to invite a top singer to sing?"

Supervisor Haruo frowned and thought.

According to industry practice, songs in animated films are generally sung by the main voice actors for a combination of reasons such as consolidating character popularity, saving costs, and subsequent soundtrack sales.

But as long as the budget is sufficient, there is precedent for inviting singers to sing.

"Supervisor, please give me a few more days to sing this song. I will definitely be able to sing it well."

The popular current voice actor, Sakura Inori, stood up.

As a popular sweet voice actor, the character she is responsible for dubbing is Tojiro's sister, Kozuko.

Although the song "Gurenge" is difficult to compose, the lyrics, composition and emotional appeal of the song are all excellent, which made her see the great potential of the "animation divine song".

Although voice actors have many opportunities to perform singing, if they want to truly step onto a bigger stage as a "singer", a theme song that will be recorded in animation history is the best opportunity!

"Supervisor, I also want to try it."

On the other side of the conference table, Horie Tsubasa also stood up.

"Kurokawa Tsubasa? As a newcomer, it's a bit too arrogant to want to master a theme song of this difficulty."

Sakura Qi narrowed her eyes in displeasure.

"For a theme song, what matters is the final presentation effect... not the singer's qualifications and seniority..."

Horie Tsubasa took off his glasses and looked her in the eye without hesitation, completely different from his usual "polite" and "gentle" self.

"You...don't be so arrogant..."

"Ah, I am not here to look closely at you, Senior."

The two main female voice actors confronted each other, and the atmosphere in the conference room suddenly seemed to have arrived on the eve of the final decisive battle of "Cursed Blade"...

"That's enough. The most important thing about a theme song is indeed the final presentation effect. Our current budget is not enough to hire top singers to support it."

"I will invite industry experts to assist in the recording, and you two will re-record it and choose the version with the best effect."

Tsuchiya Haruo interrupted their conversation.

"Please contact the author of this song, Mr. Xiafan, and ask him to participate in the recording guidance."

"Got it, I'll contact you right away."

"I'll try to ask Mr. Keizo Horie to come over and serve as the music supervisor."

After making arrangements with the head of the sound effects team, Tsuchiya Haruo glanced at Horie Tsubasa intentionally or unintentionally and picked up his phone.

"Keizo Horie, the retired national treasure-level musician? Director Haruo is actually willing to use his personal connections. It seems that he is really working hard for this movie."

"Hey, one picky supervisor Haruo isn't enough, and now we have another one, the famously harsh Keizo Horie?!"

"I think it's hard to record a good quality song of 'Gurenge'. I'll just use a virtual singer to sing it."

While everyone in the room was talking in low voices, Horie Tsubasa silently put on his glasses, sat down dejectedly, and said no more.

"Mr. Horie, it's me. Is it convenient now?"

"I'm calling to bother you because I want to invite you to be the music supervisor for our animated film theme song..."

In the corridor, Tsuchiya Haruo, with a respectful look on his face, had already made the call.

Chapter 42 Important Filming Work

2024-07-13

"I know you're retired and you're not interested in anime theme songs. But this song is very difficult and special... Yes, I know..."

After a few words, Tsuchiya Haruo's face drooped.

Obviously, Keizo Horie on the other end of the phone rejected him very directly and decisively.

"Indeed, this is just the theme song of an animated film. The composer and lyricist is a newcomer, and the singer is just a voice actor from our team. It is really too condescending to ask you to be the music supervisor. I am very sorry for disturbing you..."

Just when he was frustrated and ready to say a few pleasantries and end the call...

"You asked, is it the one who wrote 'Sakura'? Yes, it's him. He will also come to guide the recording..."

"What? You are interested in supervising the recording of his new song with Xia Fan? As for the specific schedule..."

"You are retired and at home, walking your dog in the park and checking your phone every day, you have nothing to do, anytime?"

For some reason, the attitude of Keizo Horie on the opposite side suddenly changed 180 degrees.

"Everyone, Master Keizo Horie has agreed to be our music supervisor, so please prepare yourself."

Back in the conference room, Tsuchiya Haruo announced the good news loudly.

Keizo Horie is not only a famous musician himself, but also has rich music theory knowledge and practical recording experience. He has participated in the supervision and production of dozens of high-level songs, stage plays and classical music.

With him in charge of the recording, the song "Red Lotus" will definitely be a success.

"Even Horie Keizo can be moved by this. What kind of magic power does this 'Xianfan' have... By the way, how is the Xiafan teacher doing?"

After the twists and turns of the conversation just now, Tsuchiya Haruo's face was covered with sweat.

"I just contacted the music department of Company B. Mr. Xia Fan said that he is busy with a very important filming job and will be able to participate in assisting with the recording in about four days."

The head of the sound effects team, who had just made the call, trotted back to the conference room.

"What... Master Keizo Horie said he can do it anytime. How can he, a music producer, be more famous than a national treasure-level musician?"

Thinking that even Keizo Horie came here to cooperate with Xiafan, Tsuchiya Haruo could only shrug his face helplessly.

"Four days. If you grit your teeth, you can wait... You should keep in touch with Company B and learn about Mr. Xiafan's schedule at any time. Everyone else should be prepared to record at any time."

……

Kanda Shrine, Tokyo.

The sun sets and dusk grows late.

The gravel path passes through the blue torii, connecting the main hall and side hall of the shrine with red walls and green roofs. Surrounded by densely packed high-rise buildings, it exudes a beauty where classic and modern elements coexist harmoniously.

"kill!"

"kill!!"

"kill!!!"

In the open space in front of the side hall, the three Tanaka brothers, dressed as samurai, with dazzling "moon-shaped hairdos" on their heads, raised their swords high and launched a charge.

In the direction they were running, stood a tall, stern-faced young warrior.

As the distance between the two sides shortened, the three long swords, with the sound of breaking through the air, approached the young warrior in a tricky trajectory, blocking all his space to dodge.

"kill."

The young warrior slowly drew two long swords from his waist and slashed at the three Tanaka brothers at lightning speed...

"Uh."

"Oh ah!"

"Ah haha!"

Three "moon-shaped" wigs flew high...

After being stabbed by the sword, the three Tanaka brothers cried out in pain, covering their "wounds", and slowly fell to the ground in a stiff posture.

After doing all this, the young warrior sheathed his swords handsomely and stood proudly there with an expressionless face.

"Card!"

There was a loud shout from the side.

"Three teachers, are you all right?"

"It's okay, it's okay. For a martial artist, this little fall is nothing."

"The three teachers have great acting skills and they work together perfectly. I still have a lot to learn."

After hearing the sound of "cut", the young warrior politely bent down and pulled up the three Tanaka brothers who had fallen to the ground.

"Brother Xia Fan is the one, his sword skills are amazing!"

"I cut off the hood without touching my scalp. I admire you!"

"That's right. If it was a real sword fight, the three of us would have been beheaded just now."

The three Tanaka brothers stood up with smiles on their faces and waved their hands.