Pokémon, but cultural invasion

The station was bustling with people.

"Wang?"

The newborn Growlithe is full of energy. It hasn't been long since it came into this world. Its bright black and white eyes are curiously observing its kind in the flower bed.

Arcanine's body had long since decayed, and its spirit was far from what it used to be. Dark shadows obscured its once bright eyes, and the reflections in them had become blurred.

All that could be seen in the distance was a blurry orange shadow following the figure, occasionally glancing back as it receded into the distance.

In a daze, a glimmer of light seemed to flash in Growlithe's cloudy eyes—it seemed to have returned to that sunny spring day...

...

The following day, at the Golden City Center Stadium.

The news of Tingxiang recruiting new actors has spread like wildfire in the entertainment industry. The number of positions will be increased or decreased depending on the situation, but two most important lead roles are guaranteed.

In an era of film industry decline and studio decay, Ting-hsiang used the phenomenal box office success of two films to send a message to the world—the second golden age of cinema was about to begin.

Takanosuke, who was an unknown amateur just a month ago, became the youngest famous male star after the broadcast of "Ratatouille".

The actors who played Nick and Judy, two seemingly ordinary elves, became world-famous after "Crazy Elf City".

Even the most oblivious actor realizes that whoever lands the lead role in the next film will be a trendsetter in the next golden age.

Today's recruitment event in Tingxiang has two lead actors, and the most important position is not pre-selected but recruited from the public.

This is something that would be almost impossible on any film set.

What's even more remarkable is that the Tingxiang production team doesn't have to worry about funding issues at all, because the new game from its namesake studio is breaking world sales records.

So actors all over the world went crazy, whether they were newcomers with dreams or remnants of the old golden age.

They traveled by plane, cargo ship, and maglev train to Saffron City in the Kanto region, where their fate hinged on this one move.

As soon as the morning sun peeked over the glass dome at the top of the stadium, the plaza outside was already teeming with people.

Chapter 145 A Once-in-a-Lifetime Opportunity

The colorful clothing created a vibrant wave, and each step the interviewees took forward was accompanied by a surge of people.

Staff members held loudspeakers to maintain order, and the spacious venue was temporarily divided into six areas.

Long queues stretched out in front of each area, with people at the back of the queue even having to stand in the aisles of the venue.

This is the result of a round of screening based on resumes; otherwise, a stadium wouldn't be able to accommodate interviewees from all over the world.

In a sense, today's Golden City Stadium brings together almost all of the film industry's elite actors.

After passing through multiple rounds of selection, the candidates who possess both ability and luck will enter the final stage of the interview process – the director's interview.

Even if there's no initial attraction and the candidate is eliminated at this stage, their file will still be recorded in the village's database.

They may have a chance to appear in a suitable role in the future.

Therefore, this was not a simple interview, but a comprehensive assessment of the quantity and quality of active actors in Tingxiang.

To ensure the success of this event, Tingxiang unusually suspended the filming of the TV series, and the entire crew came out.

"Miss Kui, that case of mineral water is a bit heavy. Let me carry it to Director Quanshu's room."

Looking at the beautiful girl in the white dress in front of him, Takanosuke blushed and stammered as he took over the heavy work.

He knew nothing about Hei Kui, only that she was one of the actors in the next drama.

But that's normal, since Takanosuke was just randomly selected by director Izumiki.

Gastly put down its water tank, feeling bewildered.

What is this male human trying to do? Is he trying to make friends with it?

Could it be that he was attracted to her beauty and became infatuated with her appearance?

Kuroko's eyes lit up, and her playful side emerged. She clapped her hands, her tone filled with just the right amount of surprise: "Oh, thank you so much, Mr. Takanosuke."

"I'm really struggling with these few cases of bottled water. If you could help me deliver them, it would be a huge help."

Takanosuke quickly replied, "No problem, I'll do the heavy work. You can go and rest, Miss Kuroko."

As he spoke, he reached out and took the heavy case of bottled water, as if afraid of being even a fraction too slow.

Completely bewildered by the girl's gentle voice, Takanosuke ran out carrying a bottle of mineral water.

"Didn't I tell you not to wander around? Why are you out here?"

Izumi found Gastly, who had secretly slipped away, and said irritably.

The filming process of Ratatouille made him realize one thing—the acting skills of Pokémon are largely related to the humans they act with.

Pokémon are the most honest creatures; their emotions are written directly on their faces and hidden in their body language.

To ensure they perform at their best, their co-stars must at least avoid making them feel "disliked".

In other words, the choice of the two lead actors also needs to take into account the feelings of Growlithe and Gastly.

"Wang Wang!"

Growlithe bared its teeth and let out a low growl, clearly displeased with Black Sunflower.

Its human form, however, possesses the chilling aura of a Ghost-type Pokémon, enough to alert it.

Gastly ignored its foolish brethren, its thieving eyes darting around Izumi.

Speaking of which, Quanshu was also a male human in his early twenties, and he chuckled to himself.

Hei Kui lifted her skirt, deliberately feigning a timid demeanor, and looked at Quan Shu with eyes as soft as water: "Quan Shu, can you help me make a good movie?"

Her voice was deliberately melodious, and her eyes, like autumn water, were warm and bright, with a gentle gaze that seemed to stretch out like silk.

"We'll see how you behave afterwards. Also—you're not allowed to mess with the crew members."

Izumi delivered a chop to Gastly's head, causing Black Sunflower's skull to cave in and wisps of black smoke to billow from its seven orifices.

"Buhou, my illusion!"

Gastly frantically flapped its arms and pried at the skull three or four times before finally managing to bulge it back up, restoring it to its "Black Sunflower" form.

Still human?

This sight frightened the Growlithe so much that it tucked its tail between its legs.

...

"Hello director, my name is Peter, I am forty-two years old, and I have appeared in the Time Traveler series."

In the morning's interviews, Quanshu finally met an interviewee whose appearance and image were quite pleasing to him.

His hair was gray, neatly combed back, his face was weathered, but his eyes were deep and bright.

"Have you starred in any outstanding works from the golden age?"

"Yes, the director of that show was John Boquet, who unfortunately died in a car accident not long after filming was completed."

Izumi has carefully researched the golden age of the world film industry, and "The Time Traveler" is undoubtedly one of the best.

The series features a storyline where humans are enslaved by evolved Pokémon, and the protagonist travels through time to correct the problems he caused.

Like a hybrid of Rise of the Planet of the Apes and Back to the Future.

"So it's you, the lead actor in Time Traveler. Did you ever own a dog before?"

"Director, my starter Pokémon was Hayok, who passed away from illness a few years ago."

Peter answered clearly, but he was extremely nervous inside.

He was indeed very popular more than a decade ago, but the end of the golden age has buried countless famous actors.

They have great acting skills, but no directors want them.

The film industry is in decline, and many familiar faces have passed away.

During his unemployed years, Peter washed dishes, delivered food, drove a taxi, and carried bricks...

But in the end, his favorite profession was still acting.

Therefore, Peter must consider whether this interview in Tingxiang might be the only opportunity he will ever have.

He's already 42 years old. If he misses this opportunity again, he might never have the chance to return to the film set he loves.

"Wang!"

The Growlithe barked softly at him.

People who have kept dogs for many years will have a familiar smell that only their own kind can recognize.

"The response has been good."

Quanshu smiled.

"Go back and wait for our instructions. You can look at Hayok's photos these next few days and try to reminisce."

"This movie is about dog-type Pokémon and tells a story of life and death. Your experience has some similarities, so don't waste it."

Peter jumped up in disbelief.

He thanked him in a hoarse voice, "Director Quanshu, thank you very much."

"It's been a really, really long time since I've made a movie."

The man in his forties left with tears in his eyes and sobbing.

"Call the next one."

...

"I'm thinking about a very new way of shooting."

After the interview session ended, Ah Che, who had been busy all day, sat on a bench and said something as if it were a serious matter.

Quanshu: "Spit it out if you have something to say."

Wasn't the filming location a maglev station?

"We don't close off the film set; for some long shots, it's better to let pedestrians come and go freely."

"If there are too many people moving in the frame, focusing the camera can solve the problem of not being able to distinguish the main subject from the background."

As A-Che spoke, he began to gesticulate wildly.

He was excited about incorporating real-life scenes into the film, because no matter how perfect the action design was, it could never compare to the everyday life of real people.

"You're the photographer, you're in charge."

Quanshu rubbed his sore shoulders. It was a good thing to have new ideas; they were worth putting into practice.

Chapter 146 Mewtwo's Confusion

"Wait for me at the door for a moment before coming in."

In front of the villa, Naz stopped Quanshu.

"Waiting a while is fine, but what do you want to do?"

Quanshu raised an eyebrow, puzzled.

Naz is always straightforward and rarely does things that are secretive or understated.

"secret."

She went inside and closed the door.

After a while, Naz's ethereal and clear voice finally came through the crack in the door: "It's ready, come in."

The entryway was dark, with only the outlines of the furniture vaguely visible.

"Then I'm coming in."

Quanshu opened the door, and Nazi's strange behavior made him suspicious.

Just as he was about to press the light switch on the wall, a crisp "click" sounded, and some cold, metallic object gripped his wrist.

"Snapped!"

As the lights came on, Naz wore a dark blue police uniform with light-colored dark red embroidered circles on the collar and cuffs. A matching short skirt clung tightly to her hips, outlining her soft curves.