Pokémon, but cultural invasion

"Pokémon movies have appeared in the last decade, and because they do not require human actors, they have reduced costs and are considered a sign of the decline of the film industry."

Guangtai said, "For example, the winning film at the last Binu Film Festival was entirely Pokémon-starring, which may lead to a new trend in film."

"You seem to know a lot about movies."

"After all, I wanted to become a prop master because I'm interested in movies."

Guangtai said with a wry smile, "But at this rate, it's questionable whether the film industry will even exist in ten years."

He recalled the prop requirements sheet provided by Izumi, and Guangtai, who hadn't read the script, had very low expectations for the film.

It's rare to find a new company making movies; we'd be grateful if they could even recoup their costs.

A-Che stared at the nervous-looking Juanjuan'er and said to Quanshu, "Perhaps the solo performance is too difficult. It might be better to let Fox Thief help it get into the mood."

"You can give it a try."

Upon hearing Quanshu's answer, the fox thief took on the role of the elder brother.

It entered the arena and began to communicate with Curly Ears.

"Mimia!"

"Shuhu!"

The two Pokémon were chattering away, seemingly talking about something.

If one could understand Pokémon language, perhaps one could understand where Brillee's tension comes from.

Unfortunately, none of the advanced technologies in the Pokémon world can translate languages; things like Super Power and Telepathy allow direct contact with a Pokémon's inner world.

Among the ordinary Pokémon, the only translator might be Meowth from Team Rocket.

Quanshu shifted into a more comfortable position on the chair.

The fox thief's communication had an effect.

The two Pokémon were striking poses, seemingly acting out a scene together.

After a while, Curly Ears' tension visibly eased, its ears stood up, and it gradually got into the swing of things.

A-Che watched silently; they really were acting, but not the part they were going to film today.

The dialogue begins with Tu Biaoke removing his disguise, putting on sunglasses, and driving away, revealing the curly-eared man behind the car.

He quietly moved the camera, focusing it on the fox and the rabbit.

"Fine, I stood up for you, but you lied to me."

Judy crossed her arms and glared at him angrily: "You liar!"

"That's called outsmarting, darling."

Nick waved his popsicle and pointed to the street: "I'm not a liar, he is."

Judy turned her head in the direction he was pointing, but there was nothing there.

When Nick turned back, his figure disappeared around the corner.

"Hey!"

Realizing she had been tricked, Judy quickly ran after him.

...

Ache gave him a wink, and he waved the flag in the sky. Quanshu understood immediately.

Several Murkrows and Zubats grabbed the camera and took off, gliding silently to catch up with the two Pokémon leaving the filming location.

...

"Alright, you cunning Nick, you're under arrest."

Nick, seemingly unconcerned about Judy's accusations, wagged his tail and said, "Really? Why?"

"I don't know either, maybe it's because they were selling food without a license..."

Judy spread her hands, took small steps to catch up with him, and counted on her fingers, "Transporting undeclared goods across regions, false advertising..."

"Food license, receipt for declared goods."

Nick pulled out the document and showed both sides.

...

“You can’t find anything on me, Carrot Head. I’ve been in this business since I was born.”

Nick shoved the stick into Judy's hand and backed away, blending into the herd of afro-haired buffalo on the zebra crossing.

You'd better restrain your urge to call me Carrot Head Big.

Curly Ear forgot what it was going to do next; it stood still and didn't catch up with Nick.

Quanshu clapped his hands and said, "Juanjuan'er, you acted very well."

"Adding an afro-haired buffalo herd effect later would allow us to use it directly."

Ah Che reviewed the video.

"Mimia..."

Hearing the noise, Curly Ears finally came to its senses; it had just been acting out a scene with the Fox Thief.

"Shuhu!"

The fox thief patted it on the shoulder as encouragement.

Acting seems simpler than I thought?

Having realized this, Juanjuan Er breathed a sigh of relief and faced the camera again, all her previous tension gone.

Although her acting skills are still a bit green, they are much better than before.

The second round of shots begins.

The Dittos transformed into hippos and ivory pigs.

Izumi couldn't help but marvel at Ditto's versatility, but unfortunately, there was only one Ditto that could skillfully control its trunk.

The other Dittos can only walk in a way that doesn't reveal their true form; attempting complex performances is simply a pipe dream.

The subsequent filming went relatively smoothly overall.

Izumi ordered a boxed lunch from a famous Pokémon restaurant nearby for the crew. They had to do several takes in the afternoon, and he suspected it was because the food was too delicious.

With A-Che's guidance, the actors regained their focus.

As dusk approached, the lighting was no longer suitable for taking photos.

Everyone packed their things.

"There will be a lot of Pokémon in the big scene in a few days, and it's too much trouble to run back and forth. Could you help us find a larger place to stay overnight?"

Guangtai, who lives locally, took the initiative to find a place to stay.

Before parting, A-Che discussed the preview screening.

"This step is usually done by internal staff to check for omissions and fill in the gaps, but your own kids always look beautiful, so it's more reliable to have a few trustworthy external people test them."

"For the premiere, you must invite influential figures to attend, and it's best to attract attention and generate buzz."

"I definitely don't have that ability, it's all up to you, director."

Quanshu could only nod.

Where is he going to find a group of heavyweights to put together for the premiere?

But there's still plenty of time, no rush.

"Om-"

On the way back, Qishu sent me a message.

Wasn't this guy grinding the survival mode of Plants vs. Zombies? Why is he suddenly sending a message...?

Chapter Forty-Five: The Strange Tree: Dirty

"Brewing Electric Frogs: A Dirty Deal."

Quanshu stared at the nonsensical message, wondering what the DianDian streamer was up to this time.

"Thoughts flow like a spring: What do you mean by that?"

"Breath-in-the-Light Frog: Ha, you like collaborating with Rainbow City, why not with Breath-in-the-Light City?"

"Thoughts are flowing freely: Yuhong has the largest botanical garden in Guandu. What collaborations are possible with Niigaku City? A zombie light show?"

"Gulp... This guy actually dares to slander Niangguang City."

Qi Shu drew back the heavy curtains, and raindrops drifted down into the night, like a piece of velvet soaked in ink, pressing heavily over the city.

The taillights of the endless stream of vehicles trailed strings of orange-red light, moving among rows of dazzling streetlights and spreading towards the shops flashing various neon lights in the distance.

Looking up, you see the glass curtain walls of skyscrapers.

The warm yellow and cool white light filtering through countless window panes intertwined, creating a flowing river of light in the night rain.

This is Niangguang City, which is lit up with colorful lights day and night, and is known as the "Million Volt Night View".

Qi Shu drew the curtains, shutting out the red, blue, and purple billboards that flashed day and night.

"Hmph, Niangguang is a magnificent city with lightning flashes, how could it be so wretched?"

She pursed her lips, but knew that wasn't the problem.

Given Izumi's style of not acting until he sees the benefits, any collaboration must have involved some shady deal.

"Brewing Electric Frog: Is the two-player game in Tingxiang ready yet?"

On the bus, Quan Shu frowned, unable to understand Qi Shu's leaps of thought.

"Thoughts flowed like a spring: No, the donkeys in the production team still need to rest, and the employees in our workshop also need to rest."

"Braised Electric Frog: Kitten Monster Baring Its Teeth.jpg"

Quanshu waited for a while, but there was no further news.

baffling.

...

Izumi led the Pokémon off the bus.

The Pokémon that remained at the orphanage immediately surrounded them, playing and frolicking with these worldly-wise companions.

On the stone wall, a Pidgey bird glanced at him sideways.

That familiar, smug look—it reminded Izumi of that unlucky guy with the broken wings.

Pokémon generally have strong recovery abilities; it has removed the bamboo plates and is now moving freely.

Pidgey's newly healed wings cannot bear too much force, so its flight ability has not yet recovered, and it relies more on jumping to move.

He jumped onto the stone wall like a free-range chicken, then looked at him with disdain.

It seems they still hold a grudge against me for knocking it unconscious and threatening it back then.

"Provoke it!"

Quanshu suddenly raised his hands, making a monster-like gesture.

"Compare! Compare, compare, compare..."

Pidgey almost fainted from fright. It fell off the stone wall and scrambled away.