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

"That is to say, not only have you never paid for membership, you haven't even watched the final episode since last night. Is this the professional attitude that one of the leading actors should have?"

After a while, on the other end of the phone, Shirakawa Rika's voice changed from shy to angry.

"Well, I forgot the broadcast date without realizing it. I thought it was still a few days away."

Xia Fan laughed.

For more than a week, he returned to the peaceful campus life, immersed in the ocean of knowledge, and had long forgotten the broadcast of "The Chrysanthemum and the Sword".

"You haven't even watched the show itself... Then, what has happened since the final episode aired? You, a primitive man, probably don't know, right?"

Shirakawa Rika sighed helplessly.

"Then, Senior Baichuan, why don't you give me some guidance?"

Xia Fan, who wanted to take the opportunity to understand the situation, asked modestly.

"Yawn, what happened...where should I start..."

“It can be seen that Director Nakano and the crew must have put a lot of effort into post-production, and the quality of the official broadcast version of the final episode is quite good. The hard work of the crew and our actors has also been recognized by the audience and received fair evaluation…”

"In short, the number of views and word of mouth of the final episode exploded, and you also went online with your real name."

Shirakawa Rika's voice was full of fatigue, but she still patiently explained to Xia Fan...

After the final episode of "The Chrysanthemum and the Sword" was broadcast last night, she stayed up all night to finish watching the series and then "intensively searched on her own" for half the night.

The final episode, with its excellent production, calmed the anger of the original fans and aborted the "Canju Tianzhu Plan" that was about to take off.

The next morning, fans of the original novel from various factions jointly announced on social media that they would only recognize the final chapter as the live-action version of "The Chrysanthemum and the Sword", and at the same time frantically recommended to passers-by that "just reading the final chapter is enough".

The number of views of the final episode of "The Chrysanthemum and the Sword" has caught up with the total number of views of the previously aired episodes in less than twelve hours.

The reputation of the entire drama has gradually begun to reverse. Although the ratings on third-party rating websites cannot break through the "bad movie" range due to the previous episodes, they have at least begun to stop falling and rise...

On the PPJ platform and the social account of the original author Kawasaki Airi, a large number of fans have made various requests, such as "remaking previous episodes" and "adding an ending to the Kazama line".

Director Nakano, who took over midway, and the three leading actors who gave outstanding performances have received unanimous praise from the audience for making the quality of the series soar.

In particular, Xia Fan, the "amateur actor" who played Man'e Kazama, received considerable attention because of his outstanding emotional and action scenes, as well as the "hard to accept" tragic ending of Man'e Kazama.

Some fans spontaneously created ghost-like secondary creations such as "Manyo Kazama's beauty critical hits the wall 100 times" and "Manyo Kazama's back", and some fans promoted Xia Fan's background as "Tokyo University of Arts bully", "good-looking male model", and "talented new actor" on the Internet...

Even in some "underground book forums", paid fan books such as "The Young Master Kazama is pushed too deep" and "Hijikata's sword is broken" have begun to sell well...

"Wait, Senior Shirakawa, how come you know so much about the doujinshi…"

After hearing some "key content", Xia Fan couldn't help but ask.

"Tsk... I... I accidentally saw someone saying this on social media..."

"Do you think I'm the kind of fujoshi who visits comic book forums?"

"Hmph, I have an audition for a new drama this morning, so I don't have time to chat with you. I've sent you my account password, so go and catch up on the drama yourself."

Rika Shirakawa explained a few words in a panicked tone and hung up the phone in a hurry.

“Could it be that this ‘Midsummer Shrine’ is formed by fans of the original novel ‘The Chrysanthemum and the Sword’ who, because of the performance in the final episode, transferred their love for the character to me and formed some kind of fan group?”

"It doesn't matter. Having multiple stable and non-decaying sources of faith is never a bad thing."

Looking at the hung up phone, Xia Fan thought for a second and didn't delve into it any further.

It is normal for an actor to be popular because of his vivid characters.

Less than a minute after he hung up, his phone rang again.

"Come to my office. I have important business to discuss with you."

On the other end of the phone, Higashino Yoshie's tone was so serious, as if he was going to take the briefcase and weapons out to "trade" with someone.

……

Chapter 145 Idol Birth Festival

2024-07-13

Two hours later, West Shinjuku.

In an old office building that is several decades old, on the door of an office that only has one room, there hangs a sign that reads "GTE Entertainment Agency".

"Compared to when it first opened, it's so messy that it looks like a different place..."

In the office where various documents and advertising materials were piled up randomly, Xia Fan was sitting on the only "tidy" sofa, looking around.

Because they were so close, Higashino Yoshie would call or send LINE messages whenever he had something to ask, or even go directly to the student dormitory to find him.

He had only come to this office once, when he helped clean up the place during its grand opening, but it had become so messy that it was unrecognizable in just a few months.

"You kid, didn't you say you were just going to rub it? Why did you go straight to Huanglong?"

Yoshihide Higashino brought a cup of coffee and sat down opposite him.

"But it was a good pounding, a wonderful pounding, and it made them scream!"

"Look, the account 'Actor Xia Fan' now has nearly 50,000 followers..."

"This re-creation video of 'Take Me Away, Mr. Kazama' has been viewed over a million times... and along with it, the views of several stage videos of the campus singing competition will soon exceed a million..."

"Do you know how long it took us to shoot the Hanami planning video outside in the sun and wind to achieve this result?"

"Anyway, you are now somewhat popular on the Internet!"

He slid his phone to show Xia Fan's "popularity data", his voice so excited that it broke.

"Pfft, cough cough cough... Um, Uncle Dongye, if that's all you want to say, there's no need to specifically call me over, right?"

Looking at the secondary creation video in which he played the role of Kazama Manye, and the weird scene of "high-speed loop of wall-banging and beauty critical attack for 2400 seconds", Xia Fan spat out the coffee back into the cup.

"Of course, I didn't ask you to come here today to talk about this."

Putting away his phone, Higashino Yoshihide clasped his hands together and supported his chin.

"I want to talk to you about 'debut'."

His face sank into shadow, making it difficult to see his expression.

"Debut? Me? Why are you suddenly talking about this?"

Xia Fan tilted his head in confusion.

"By the way, you have been my trainee for three months now."

"Do you know that the current competition for traffic is more intense than the popularity of TV programs?"

"It's rare to have such popularity now, so of course I have to take advantage of this moment to come out... No, debut!"

Higashino Yoshihide raised his head and his eyes became sharp as if he was about to pick up a knife and go out to the street to chop people.

"But how exactly am I going to make my debut?"

"By the way, Uncle Dongye, it seems you've never arranged any 'practice' courses for me?"

Xia Fan lowered his head, took a sip of coffee, and said weakly.

"Ahem... Um, I let you 'play freely' before because I wanted to test your talent..."

"I originally thought that since you have a pretty face, you could just be an easy vase model and do magazine ads."

"Later, you awakened your incredible talent for music production, and I thought it would be nice to work behind the scenes and earn a long-term living from royalties, so I didn't arrange any other practice..."

"I didn't expect that your acting skills are so amazing that you can even revive a dead drama and attract a lot of popularity at the same time!"

"But humans are creatures that are very good at forgetting."

"If you don't seize the opportunity to continue to be active and exposed and stabilize your popularity, these viewers will soon be like the heartless scumbag who pulled out his penis, and their attention will be attracted by other slutty girls and they will forget about you completely."

"So, the debut is imminent."

Higashino Yoshihide didn't dare to meet his sincere eyes, and raised his head to drink his glass of American coffee.

"As for the way to debut, there are many different channels in the industry..."

"It would be best if you could participate in a large-scale competition like Xiao Hanami and release a single at the same time. But you don't seem to be good at singing, and our company doesn't have that much production and distribution funds. We have to wait until next year for the Tokyo Newcomer Music Awards."

"Acting is quite suitable for you, but it's a pity that you only participated in the last episode of "The Broken Chrysanthemum and the Knife" this time, and the total length of your role was too short, so your qualifications are not enough."

"If you become an internet celebrity, you can retain your popularity, but your starting position is too low, and it will be difficult to move up or transform in the future."

With his stubble-covered chin in his hands, Higashino Yoshihide narrated his thoughts.

Although his tone sounded like someone analyzing a turf war, it was obvious that he had thought it over carefully before calling Xia Fan over.

"Then, I realized that there was a golden opportunity, a great opportunity to make my debut..."

Having said that, he took out a crumpled A4 paper and slapped it on the table.

"The registration form for the trainees of the "Idol Festival"... sounds like some kind of talent show?"

Xia Fan picked up the document and found that it was a registration form for a variety show.

"You're right. But the "Idol Birth Festival" is a top-level survival talent show jointly created by NHK TV and PJJ streaming platform. 101 trainees are selected by entertainment companies in all districts to participate. The contestants are of all nationalities. After the online fan voting and three rounds of elimination, the final nine winners will form a limited group to debut and aim to perform on the world stage."

Higashino Yoshihide introduced it in a tone similar to that of a stick reader.

"Debuting through an idol audition? That sounds like a lot of pressure. I don't think I can do it."

"Besides, it says here that trainees are required to practice for more than two and a half years, but I..."

Xia Fan carefully read the conditions on the registration form and shook his head repeatedly.

"Don't be so stubborn, okay? You've been 'training' under me for at least ten years!"

"Anyway, if anyone asks you, just say you've just been practicing for two and a half years."

Higashino Yoshihide stretched out his evil big hand and rubbed Xia Fan's head with a look of disappointment.

"Wait, kid, you seem to have become a lot stronger recently, have you been exercising secretly?"

As he was talking, he seemed to realize something was wrong and started pinching Xia Fan.

"Uncle Dongye, what are you doing!"

"Even if I've practiced long enough, the talent show should require a stage performance, right? Look, the registration form also asks you to write your specialties. Singing, dancing, rap, etc., I can't be considered a specialty in any of these..."

Xia Fan pushed Dong Ye away and smeared the registration form on his face.

"It doesn't matter if you don't have any special talents to be an idol, as long as you have a pretty face, that's all!"

"Besides, I originally only wanted you to get some exposure and make your official debut. The ranking doesn't matter at all. This program is very complicated. Even if you have extraordinary abilities, you will definitely not be able to grab the nine spots in the group."

Higashino Yoshihide lit a cigarette, leaned close to the flame of the lighter, took a deep breath, smiled bitterly and shook his head.

Chapter 146 Start practicing

2024-07-13

"The idol business has always been the weak point of the 'burning system'. Over the years, S Company and J Company have already developed a mature idol business logic, from selection, training, referendum debut to various activities to harvest fans, and even entering the 'dark entertainment industry' after elimination. The entire industry chain is well arranged."

"Although the organizer of this program, NHK TV, is a public TV station and seems to have a relatively fair stance, from the sponsors to the general director to the working group, it has long been infiltrated by S and J companies."

"In previous talent shows of the same kind, contestants sent by different companies have been labeled as different grades by the program crew from the very beginning, just like piglets from different factories. There is a tendency to treat them differently."

"According to past practice, contestants selected by the Burning Department usually have fewer scenes, lower scores, and may even be maliciously edited. In addition, their own level is not as good as others, so they will be eliminated after the first or second round."

Milky white smoke flowed out from between his fingers, and he told the helpless reality of the industry.

Based on the strategic thinking of "if you can't change the past, then control the future", S Company and J Company have continued to delve into the field of young idols for many years, tightly controlling everything from the training system to the audition mechanism, forming a certain degree of commercial monopoly.

However, the huge Bethesda is unwilling to give up this top-level large-scale talent show, and is also unwilling to give up its core newcomers to others as runners-up, so it will give the spots to small companies under the Burning Group and send the newcomers to train, take advantage of the popularity, and try their luck.

"If it were based on past market conditions, I wouldn't have considered sending you to this show. After all, you would only get one or two shots at most and then be rejected. The exposure wouldn't be enough to achieve the effect of a 'debut'."

"But this year, the competition system is different. In the first half of this competition, the teams will be divided into "Team J" from the eleven local regions and "Team I" from other countries according to their nationality, and the "JI confrontation" will be held. "

Higashino Yoshihide suddenly changed the subject and his eyes became extremely aggressive.

"I have confirmed with your father that your whole family is still Dragon Country nationality, and they have only obtained permanent residency, which just meets the requirements for joining the "I Team."

"The trainees of S Club and J Club are basically all locals of District 11. They can't steal the spotlight from the players of Team I, so their exposure rate is much higher."

"Promotion in the competition mainly depends on online voting. Taking advantage of your good popularity online recently, you can go to a big show like this to show your face and consolidate your popularity. If you're lucky, you might be able to advance to the second round..."

After extinguishing the cigarette butt in the ashtray, he looked at Xia Fan seriously: "That's probably the situation. It's up to you to decide whether to go or not. Although the Combustion Department is a 'runner-up spot', it will cost me a lot of connections to compete with others."