I, Hiroshi Nohara, the star of Japanese cinema

Chapter 183: Tokyo TV Executives Arrive! Specialist Nakamura is a Fan!
The black Toyota Crown cruised smoothly through the streets of Tokyo, carrying four key figures from the TV Tokyo production department, heading towards the Neon Film Ethics Management Committee, located in a secluded corner of the city center.

This is the "last door" that determines whether a film can ultimately be released, and it is also the place where the dreams and hard work of countless filmmakers are put to final judgment.

The committee building, with its solemn and dignified appearance, stands out from the surrounding modern buildings, like an isolated island that adheres to tradition and rules.

When Hiroshi Nohara and his party arrived, a specialist in a sharp suit was already waiting at the door.

He was not tall, wore black-rimmed glasses, and looked shrewd and capable.

The commissioner intended to put on a professional smile and step forward to greet them respectfully. However, when his gaze fell upon the four renowned figures—Hiroshi Nohara, Asumi, Eiji Kurosawa, and Toshihide Takada—his smile instantly froze, and he stood there stunned, his eyes filled with disbelief and astonishment.

"Hey, Nakamura-kun, what are you standing there for?" Deputy Director Asumi spoke first, his usually cheerful face now carrying a hint of teasing, breaking the brief silence.

Commissioner Nakamura suddenly snapped out of his daze and quickly bowed deeply to everyone, his posture so humble that he almost touched the ground.

He was just a newcomer to the Film Ethics Management Committee, having only been working there for three or four years.

Although it's possible to be a bit arrogant towards some small film producers.

The Film Ethics Management Committee has absolute power of life and death over the relevant organizations involved in film production.

But this doesn't mean it has anything to do with him, a newcomer.

That's the leader's business.

Moreover, these high-ranking executives from the Tokyo TV production department in front of him were definitely people with very close relationships with his superiors.

None of them are people I can afford to offend.

How can one not be humble at this moment?

"Oh my! Deputy Director Asumi! Managing Director Takada! Director Kurosawa! And... Department Head Nohara!"

Commissioner Nakamura's voice trembled slightly, his face filled with fear and flattery: "I never expected, I never expected that you gentlemen would personally grace us with your presence! This... this is truly an honor for me and for the committee!"

He paused, his tone becoming even more embarrassed, even somewhat self-deprecating: "For someone of my rank, it is already a great honor to be here to greet you all. However... however, this kind of rudeness is really unbecoming. I apologize for neglecting you all and ask for your forgiveness!"

Commissioner Nakamura's words, full of flattery and humility, made Asumi and Eiji Kurosawa laugh.

Although Takada Toshihide maintained the composure of a superior on his face, a subtle hint of satisfaction flashed deep in his eyes.

His vanity was greatly satisfied by this extreme respect.

“Nakamura-kun, you flatter me.” Takada Toshihide cleared his throat, his tone calm yet carrying a just-right hint of pride: “We are here today to accompany Nohara Hiroshi-kun to present his new film, ‘Hachiko Monogatari.’ This film is one that even the Governor himself has praised, so we naturally take it seriously.”

Unlike Toshihide Takada, Eiji Kurosawa was straightforward and simply waved his hand, saying directly, "Alright, Nakamura-kun, no need for formalities. We all want to see Hiroshi-kun's 'Hachiko Monogatari' film as soon as possible. Go and inform the committee members if they are all ready."

"Hi! Director Kurosawa! I'll go inform them right away!" Commissioner Nakamura bowed respectfully again, then rushed into the building as if he had received a pardon.

Hiroshi Nohara watched Commissioner Nakamura's hurried departure, a faint smile unconsciously curving his lips.

Sure enough, less than two minutes later, a series of hurried footsteps came from deep inside the building.

A man who looked to be around fifty years old, with his hair neatly combed, strode out. He wore a wry smile, but his eyes were filled with respect for Hiroshi Nohara and his group.

"Oh my! Deputy Director Asumi! Managing Director Takada! Director Kurosawa! And Department Head Nohara!"

The newly arrived commissioner, clearly of higher rank, immediately stepped forward upon seeing the group, bowed respectfully, and spoke with a perfectly timed complaint: "The fact that all of you gentlemen have come out in full force this time is truly an honor for me and the entire committee! Even Lord Fujiwara was extremely surprised by your arrival!"

"Hahahaha!" Upon hearing this, Asumi couldn't help but burst into laughter. He patted the commissioner on the shoulder, his tone carrying a perfectly timed teasing tone: "Commissioner Matsumoto, we don't like hearing you say that. What? Can't a few of us old bones from TV Tokyo come and keep Hiroshi company?"

Commissioner Matsumoto laughed along, knowing that Asumi's words were meant to lighten the mood.

He shook his head, his helpless smile deepening: "Deputy Director Ming Rihai, you flatter me. It is an honor for our committee to have you all here. It's just... it's just that your arrival has indeed caught me somewhat off guard."

"Alright, Commissioner Matsumoto." Takada Toshihide cleared his throat, his tone calm yet carrying an undeniable air of authority: "We've come here to submit Hiroshi Nohara's 'Hachiko: The Tale of a Loyal Dog' for review. Mr. Fujiwara, are you in your office right now?"

"Yes! Mr. Fujiwara is in his office. He knows that Hiroshi-kun is coming and he can't wait to see the finished film!" Commissioner Matsumoto quickly replied. He made a "please" gesture and then led everyone deeper into the building.

Hiroshi Nohara simply smiled and nodded, his composure and calmness making him stand out in this setting. All the groundwork and hype had been laid for this moment—to present "Hachiko: A Dog's Tale" to everyone in an unprecedented way.

They walked through a series of quiet corridors and finally arrived at a heavy door to a private room carved from Phoebe zhennan wood.

Commissioner Matsumoto gently pushed open the door.

Inside the private room, the air was filled with a faint aroma of sandalwood and tea.

Fujiwara Hideaki was sitting upright at the coffee table, holding a pen in his hand. The table was piled with documents, indicating that he was reviewing official business.

He looked up and saw Hiroshi Nohara and his group. His usually refined and composed face now showed a hint of undisguised surprise.

"Oh my! Sakata-kun, Asumi-kun, Takada-kun, Kurosawa-kun, and Hiroshi-kun!" Fujiwara Hideaki put down his pen, stood up with a smile, and said with a perfectly timed teasing tone, "Your TV Tokyo production department really came out in full force today! I'm flattered even in my little office!"

“Mr. Fujiwara, you flatter me.” Asumi bowed first, her tone respectful: “We are here to accompany Mr. Hiroshi Nohara to present his new film, ‘Hachiko Monogatari.’ It is an honor for our TV Tokyo to be received by you personally.”

Takada Toshihide, Kurosawa Eiji, and Nohara Hiroshi followed suit, bowing deeply to Fujiwara Hideaki with just the right amount of humility and composure.

The jokes I made with those two commissioners were just jokes.

Now, we really can't joke around with Lord Fujiwara.

The hierarchical order in neon is terrifyingly strict.

"Please sit down, please sit down," Fujiwara Hideaki said with a smile, gesturing for everyone to take their seats.

His gaze swept over the crowd, a faint smile appearing on his face: "Your TV Tokyo is really riding high lately! I heard that 'Seven Samurai' has already surpassed the 6 billion yen mark at the box office? That's truly something to celebrate!"

"This is all thanks to Hiroshi-kun!" Asumi quickly replied, her tone full of pride.

“Yes, Hiroshi-kun’s talent is truly amazing.” Fujiwara Hideaki nodded, his gaze falling on Nohara Hiroshi, his eyes filled with a hint of satisfaction, yet also concealing a subtle confusion: “However, Hiroshi-kun, isn’t your ‘Hachiko Monogatari’ a bit… rushed? I remember it’s only been two months, right?”

Upon hearing this, Hiroshi Nohara smiled confidently. He knew that Hideaki Fujiwara was testing him, giving him an opportunity to demonstrate his "strength."

"Lord Fujiwara, you are overthinking it." Hiroshi Nohara spoke softly, his tone calm and firm. "The filming and post-production of 'Hachiko Monogatari' have all been completed, and everything is in perfect order. In fact, it's even more perfect than I expected."

He felt a faint sense of pride, after all, he had the experience and theories of countless classic films from his previous life in his mind, so the production would naturally be twice as efficient.

This is something no filmmaker of this era can compare to. Fujiwara Hideaki looked at Nohara Hiroshi's young and confident face, a hint of admiration flashing in his eyes.

He smiled, his tone tinged with emotion: "Good! What a wonderful 'everything is fine'! It's a good thing that young people have the drive to take risks! When I was your age, I was about the same spirited and ambitious."

He paused, glancing at Asumi, Takada, and Kurosawa Eiji, his tone carrying a perfectly timed teasing tone: "However, I'm not as talented as Hiroshi-kun. Back then, I was still at the grassroots level, and I had to run my legs off to make even a small promotional video."

"Your Excellency Fujiwara, you flatter me!" Asumi quickly complimented. "You were once an elite member of our TV Tokyo! Your talent is evident to all of us! It's just that you chose to serve the people and left our TV station; otherwise, you would definitely be the director of TV Tokyo now!"

Takada Toshihide and Kurosawa Eiji chimed in, praising Fujiwara Hideaki to the point of elation.

Fujiwara Hideaki simply smiled and shook his head, a happy smile on his face.

Just then, the office door was pushed open again.

More than twenty censors, dressed in suits or kimonos, entered in single file with unhurried steps.

They are all senior members of the Japanese Film Ethics Management Committee, wielding the power of life and death over Japanese films.

As soon as they entered, they saw several important figures, including Hideaki Fujiwara, Asumi, Toshihide Takada, and Eiji Kurosawa, and their faces showed surprise.

But soon, they suppressed their surprise and stepped forward to bow respectfully to Fujiwara Hideaki.

"Lord Fujiwara!"

"Distinguished members, you've all arrived." Fujiwara Hideaki smiled and nodded, his gaze sweeping over everyone as he introduced them with a perfectly timed tone: "Ladies and gentlemen, this is Hiroshi Nohara, the head of our TV Tokyo Production Department. He is the director and screenwriter of the blockbuster film 'Seven Samurai.' He is also the producer of 'Hachiko Monogatari.'"

He paused, then smiled and said to Hiroshi Nohara, "Hiroshi-kun, these are the members of our Japanese Film Ethics Management Committee. They've all been eagerly awaiting your work."

Hiroshi Nohara humbly bowed to the committee members, and his composure and calmness impressed them all.

“Minister Nohara, we’ve known each other before, and we’re all ready!” an older committee member said with a smile, his shrewd eyes sparkling with anticipation for “Hachiko: A Dog’s Tale.” “We all want to see what kind of surprise you’ll bring us this time!”

“Yes, Minister Nohara! We’ve heard that even the governor has high hopes for your film!” another committee member chimed in.

Looking at the expectant expressions on everyone's faces, Fujiwara Hideaki smiled with satisfaction. He knew that today's submission for review would go very smoothly.

"Alright, everyone, now that everyone is ready, let's head to the screening room." Fujiwara Hideaki said, then stood up first and walked leisurely towards the depths of the office.

He paused, then turned to Asumi, Takada, and Kurosawa Eiji, and jokingly said, "Asukai-kun, Takada-kun, Kurosawa-kun, you can come along too. But let me make this clear: you can watch, but you can't offer your opinions, and you certainly can't influence the committee members' decisions!"

"Hahahahaha!"

Upon hearing this, Asumi, Takada, and Kurosawa Eiji couldn't help but burst into laughter. They knew that Fujiwara Hideaki's words were both giving them "face" and setting "rules" for them.

They smiled at each other, and that unspoken understanding flowed quietly in the air.

Led by Hideaki Fujiwara, Hiroshi Nohara and his entourage, along with more than twenty censors, marched in a grand procession toward the screening room.

"Hachiko Monogatari," a film carrying countless expectations and hopes, is about to have its first official screening at the Japan Film Ethics Management Committee.

Hiroshi Nohara's gaze fell upon the heavy doors of the screening room ahead, his eyes gleaming with confidence.

"Hmm? Minister Nohara, it seems you're not worried at all?" Just as Hiroshi Nohara was waiting there, Nakamura, the commissioner who had greeted them first, came over with a cup of brewed green tea and placed it next to Hiroshi Nohara.

Seeing Hiroshi Nohara so calm, composed, and extremely confident, a hint of astonishment appeared in his eyes.

After all, since joining the film censorship agency, this Commissioner Nakamura has met countless directors, producers, and other relevant personnel responsible for films.

Without exception, everyone who comes here gets quite nervous.

Even though she appeared calm on the surface, you could still sense the tension in her eyes.

In his mind, people like Hiroshi Nohara, who are so calm and give off a truly composed and confident air, are extremely rare.

It can even be described as extremely rare.

"Why worry?" Hiroshi Nohara chuckled, looking at Commissioner Nakamura, who was not much older than himself. He nodded to him in thanks for the hot tea, then picked up the cup, took small sips, and said calmly, "Once you're here, there's no need to worry too much. After all, my 'Hachiko Monogatari' is a completely positive film. I think the committee members here can see that and won't criticize my film or order any parts to be corrected."

Commissioner Nakamura nodded: "Then I hope everything goes well."

Looking at this young man who was clearly two or three years younger than himself, Commissioner Nakamura couldn't help but feel a surge of emotions, remembering that he had heard of his name and achievements before.

There was even a special kind of shyness.

Because Mr. Nakamura still really enjoys reading manga.

Especially Shueisha's weekly shonen magazine.

I buy every issue!

Of the three manga about Hiroshi Nohara, Yu Yu Hakusho, a shonen manga, is his favorite, so he buys every single volume.

"Midnight Diner" is a comic that he reads after get off work and before going to bed every day to soothe his soul, and he buys every issue.

Moreover, Mr. Nakamura actually quite liked the Doraemon series, which was aimed at very young children.

You could even say that although Nakamura is now twenty-six or twenty-seven years old, his favorite thing is still this manga, which is full of whimsical ideas and is written for seven or eight-year-old children.

Sometimes, even Nakamura would wonder how his life would change if he had a Doraemon, a robot from the future.

Of course, these are just wishful thinking.

He knew it was just a science fiction comic.

But in his heart, he holds Doraemon, Yu Yu Hakusho, and Midnight Diner, as well as the creator of these three works, Hiroshi Nohara, in the utmost respect.

That's why he personally brewed a cup of green tea and served it to Hiroshi Nohara.

You should know that in the Film Ethics Management Committee, these arrogant officials would never deign to serve tea to these young or ordinary film directors or producers.

At most, just telling them where the water dispenser is is enough.

PS: Two updates today, more to come tomorrow! I need to sort things out a bit!
(End of this chapter)