I, Hiroshi Nohara, the star of Japanese cinema

Chapter 197 Anti-Nohara Alliance! Preparations for Tokyo TV Station! Nobuhiko Sakata's Counterattack!
Meanwhile, in every corner of the Japanese archipelago, from Sapporo in Hokkaido to Fukuoka in Kyushu, a complex and tense atmosphere permeated the conference rooms of nearly twenty television stations of all sizes.

This is the power center of television media across Japan, where everyone is a significant figure in their respective regions.

They are secretly "brewing" with each other via conference calls or by making private phone calls, discussing the upcoming annual TV drama awards.

Hokkaido Television Station, President's Office.

Taro Yamashita, the company president with gray hair and a weathered face, was holding a cup of hot tea, gazing calmly at the vast snowfield outside the window.

"Hello, is this Suzuki-kun from Tohoku TV?" Yamashita Taro picked up the phone, his voice carrying a hint of the ruggedness typical of northern China: "This is Yamashita Taro. Any news on your end regarding this year's awards?"

On the other end of the phone, Ichiro Suzuki, president of Tohoku Television, sounded slightly tired: "Oh, Yamashita-kun! You finally called! I'm at my wit's end! The Japan Academy Prize and the Mainichi Film Awards are fine, but this newly emerged Tokyo Drama Awards is really baffling!"

“That’s right!” Taro Yamashita sighed heavily. “Our production team in Hokkaido produced a few good dramas last year, and the ratings were top-notch among local stations. But the thought of competing with those monsters from TV Tokyo makes me feel uncertain!”

"A monster? Yamashita-kun, you're being too kind!" Suzuki Ichiro chuckled wryly. "Especially that Hiroshi Nohara! He's practically a cheat code! He single-handedly made anime, TV dramas, and variety shows incredibly successful, and now even his movies are box office hits! He's only twenty-three! When I was his age, I was still running errands for people!"

“Who says otherwise!” Taro Yamashita exclaimed. “Our Hokkaido TV station also submitted a family drama about local life last year, which achieved a 18% viewership rating, a pretty good result for a local station. But when I think about Hiroshi Nohara’s ‘Tales of the Unusual’ which had a 26% viewership rating, I feel like our little achievement is simply not impressive!”

"What's so special about 'Tales of the Unusual'!" Ichiro Suzuki's voice was tinged with jealousy. "Look at his 'Super Transformation'! The ratings are 47%! It's almost as good as the Kohaku Uta Gassen! It's a total slap in the face to all our local TV stations!"

"Hahahaha!" Taro Yamashita couldn't help but laugh bitterly: "Suzuki-kun, what you said is so apt! All the young producers in our company now treat Hiroshi Nohara like a god! They all say that as long as they can work with Hiroshi Nohara, even as a handyman, it's better than being a producer at our local station!"

“That’s right!” Ichiro Suzuki sighed as well. “It’s the same at Kyushu TV! All the young producers are thinking about going to Tokyo, about going to TV Tokyo! They all say they want to learn from Hiroshi Nohara! I’m just… this old man is about to be driven crazy by him!”

"So, Suzuki-kun," Yamashita Taro's voice became serious, "what do you think this newly established 'Tokyo Drama Awards' is all about? Is it genuinely trying to conduct a fair selection, or... is it just Tokyo TV's self-entertainment?"

"Just for fun? I doubt it!" Ichiro Suzuki scoffed. "Didn't you see the list of judges? Many of them are well-known professionals in the industry! Moreover, the ruling party has also spoken, requiring our local stations to submit programs! This is clearly an attempt to create a highly prestigious award!"

"High quality? I think it's more politically motivated!" Taro Yamashita curled his lip. "The Tokyo Metropolitan Government, the Kanto region, and Tokyo City—three parties working together! This is clearly serving their political purposes! Where is the fairness in this?!"

"Yamashita-kun, you can't just say things like that!" Suzuki Ichiro quickly reminded him. "Although we all know this in our hearts, we can't show it on our faces! After all, the survival of our local station depends on the whims of those big shots up there!"

“Yes, I understand.” Taro Yamashita sighed. “However, Suzuki-kun, I think that this year’s Tokyo Drama Awards might not be all bad for our local station.”

"Oh? What do you mean?" Ichiro Suzuki asked curiously.

“Think about it!” Taro Yamashita’s voice became mysterious: “If this award can really be successfully held and become a highly prestigious award, then if our local TV station’s program can get even just a nomination for this award, it will be a huge boost to the promotion of our local station and an incentive for our local producers!”

"And most importantly!" Taro Yamashita said excitedly, "If our program can compete with TV Tokyo's programs in this award, or even... even pull off an upset and win some small award, that would be an unprecedented boost to the morale of our local station and the confidence of our local producers!"

Upon hearing this, Ichiro Suzuki's face showed a thoughtful expression.

He knew that Taro Yamashita was right.

In this era dominated by TV Tokyo and Hiroshi Nohara, the space for local TV stations to survive is shrinking.

If we can seize this opportunity, perhaps we can truly secure a glimmer of hope for local TV stations.

"Yamashita-kun, you're right!" Suzuki Ichiro's voice also became serious: "How about this, I'll go and contact President Watanabe of Chubu Television, President Sato of Kinki Television, President Yoshida of Chugoku, President Matsumoto of Shikoku, and President Tanaka of Kyushu! Let's discuss it together and see how our local station should respond to this award selection!"

"Great! Suzuki-kun, that's a great idea!" Yamashita Taro exclaimed excitedly. "Our local television stations should unite! Let's face the challenge from TV Tokyo together! Let's fight for a chance at survival for our local television media!"

……

Soon, a secret teleconference led by Ichiro Suzuki, covering all local television stations in Japan, quietly began.

In the conference room, more than twenty presidents and directors of local television stations gathered together via telephone.

Their voices, transmitted through the telephone line, converged into a complex torrent that echoed in the air.

"Everyone, I am Ichiro Suzuki from Northeast Television." Ichiro Suzuki spoke first, his slightly tired voice full of strength at this moment: "The reason I have gathered you all here is to discuss the upcoming annual drama award selection."

"What are your thoughts, especially on the newly established Tokyo Drama Awards?"

"Opinion? I think it's just TV Tokyo entertaining itself!" Kenichi Sato, president of Kinki Television, said with a hint of disdain, "They think they can sweep all the awards just because they have a lot of money and because of that monster Hiroshi Nohara! It's wishful thinking!"

"Sato-kun, you can't just say things like that!" Watanabe Osamu, president of Chubu Television, said cautiously, "Although we all know this, we can't show it on our faces! After all, the Minister of Publicity of the Liberal Democratic Party has spoken, requiring our local stations to submit their programs!"

"Hmph," said Yoshida Akira, president of a local Chinese television station, his voice laced with sarcasm. "The Tokyo Metropolitan Government, the Kanto region, and Tokyo City—a three-way alliance! I really don't think we have any place to interfere!"

“Yoshida-kun is right!” Matsumoto Takashi, president of the Shikoku local television station, said with a hint of helplessness, “Our Shikoku local station also produced a good historical drama last year, which achieved a 15% viewership rating. But when I think about competing with those monsters from TV Tokyo, I feel uncertain!”

"A monster? Matsumoto-kun, who doesn't know that?!" Koji Tanaka, president of the Kyushu local television station, said with a hint of jealousy, "That Hiroshi Nohara! Anime, dramas, variety shows, and now even movies, who among us can beat him?"

“Who says otherwise!” Yamashita Taro sighed, bringing up the local family drama series his Hokkaido TV station had produced earlier, but his tone was still full of lament: “I just think our achievements are simply not worth mentioning! Look at that ‘Tales of the Unusual,’ season one, season two, and now season four, the ratings have consistently been over 20%!”

"Tales of the Unusual are indeed amazing, but there's something even more amazing." Ichiro Suzuki's voice carried a hint of jealousy: "Super Transformation! Its ratings are already at 47%! It's almost on par with the Kohaku Uta Gassen! Looking across all of Japan, who can catch up? It's said that even the Television Association is shocked! They're even considering having Hiroshi Nohara direct a Yamato drama!"

"So, Hiroshi Nohara is a monster!" Ichiro Suzuki couldn't help but smile bitterly. "I really don't know what kind of luck TV Tokyo had to discover such a monster!"

"So, everyone," Ichiro Suzuki's voice turned serious, "how should our local station respond to this year's awards? Should we choose to give up, or... choose to fight for it?"

"A desperate gamble? How can we gamble?" Kenichi Sato sneered. "How can our local station's production budget compare to TV Tokyo's? The production budget for just one of their dramas is enough for our local station to make several! How can we gamble?"

"Sato-kun, that's too pessimistic of you!" Watanabe Osamu's voice carried a hint of resentment: "Although our production budget is not as good as theirs, we have our own advantages! We understand the local culture better, and we understand the lives of the local people better! We can produce those kinds of works that only our local station can produce, full of local characteristics!"

“Watanabe-kun is right!” Yoshida Akira chimed in, “Our local Chinese TV station also produced a documentary about local cuisine last year, and the ratings were quite good for a local station. We can definitely continue to delve into local characteristics and produce works that can resonate with the local people!”

"Everyone," Ichiro Suzuki's voice rang out again, his weariness gradually replaced by an indomitable fighting spirit: "We, the local television stations, must unite! Let's meet the challenge from TV Tokyo together! Let's fight together for a glimmer of hope for the future of our local television media!"

"I agree!" Taro Yamashita was the first to declare: "Our Hokkaido Television is willing to stand with you all!"

"We agree too!"

"Our local TV station can no longer remain silent!"

"We want to show TV Tokyo that we local stations aren't to be trifled with!"

The conference call was instantly filled with enthusiastic discussions.

Everyone was infected by Ichiro Suzuki's passion, and their eyes shone with an indomitable fighting spirit.

They knew this was going to be a tough battle.

A tough battle that will determine the future of local television media.

They also knew that their only option was to unite and work together to meet the challenge from TV Tokyo.

"However, on the other hand," Koji Tanaka's voice carried a hint of helplessness, "although our local stations have united, the biggest winner in this awards selection will definitely still be TV Tokyo."

“Yes!” Takashi Matsumoto sighed as well. “Especially that monster Hiroshi Nohara! His works last year, whether anime, dramas, or variety shows, all achieved terrifying results and ratings! He alone could sweep all the awards!”

"I even think that the awards for Best New Director, Best New Producer, and Best Newcomer are definitely Hiroshi Nohara's!" Taro Yamashita exclaimed. "Not to mention the Tokyo Drama Awards, even the other two highly prestigious awards, the Japan Academy Prize for Drama and the Mainichi Film Awards, would surely be a stage for Hiroshi Nohara to reap a great harvest!"

"He's only twenty-three!" Kenichi Sato's voice was tinged with jealousy. "This...this is simply cheating! I can't see any hope for the future!"

"Yeah! That's blatant cheating!" Watanabe Osamu chimed in. "We old folks work our whole lives and barely win a few awards! And him, at only twenty-three, he's swept them all! This... this is infuriating!"

“There’s no need to be so pessimistic. His energy is definitely limited.” Ichiro Suzuki’s voice rang out again, and the helplessness was gradually replaced by a self-deprecating tone: “We local stations can only try to win those small awards that Hiroshi Nohara doesn’t care about. Like the best local drama or the best rural documentary.”

"Hahahaha!" A bitter laugh suddenly broke out in the conference call.

Everyone knows that Ichiro Suzuki was right.

Faced with Hiroshi Nohara, this "cultural monster," these local TV stations can only play the role of "runners-up."

However, within this bitter laughter lies a trace of indomitable fighting spirit.

They knew that even if they could only play the role of "runners-up," they would still run with their own style, their own characteristics, and the dignity that belonged to their local television media!
"Alright, everyone!" Ichiro Suzuki's voice rang out again, his weariness now replaced by a surge of energy: "In that case, let's give it our all! We'll show everyone in this awards competition that our local station isn't to be trifled with!"

"Hi!"

The presidents and directors of all the local television stations responded in unison, their voices filled with fighting spirit and passion.

They knew that a new "battle" was about to begin.

A "battle" that will determine the future of local television media!
And they will personally participate in and witness the final outcome of this "battle"!

……

Just as television stations in other regions were preparing to unite.

Inside TV Tokyo.

The meeting is also in progress.

"Alright, alright, quiet down." Nobuhiko Sakata said with a smile. He picked up his teacup, took a small sip, and his composure seemed to envelop the entire office in an invisible force.

He paused, his gaze sweeping over everyone present, and the ease and joy on his face infected everyone.

“But speaking of which,” Nobuhiko Sakata’s voice rang out again, the ease and joy gradually replaced by the composure of someone in a superior position: “I heard that local television stations all over Japan have joined forces for this award selection, planning to advance and retreat together.”

The moment he finished speaking, the relaxed atmosphere in the conference room froze instantly.

All eyes turned to Nobuhiko Sakata, their gazes filled with seriousness and... a hint of amusement.

They knew that Director Sakata was right.

This is a local TV station's "declaration of war" against TV Tokyo.

“Yes, Director.” Takada Toshihide spoke first, a hint of helplessness appearing on his usually gloomy face. “I just received the news that Hokkaido TV, Tohoku TV, Chubu TV, Kinki TV, Chugoku TV, Shikoku TV, and Kyushu TV have all joined forces. They say they want to jointly deal with the challenge from TV Tokyo.”

"Oh? They really think highly of us." Deputy Director Ming Rihai couldn't help but chuckle, his voice tinged with disdain: "A bunch of local stations dare to challenge Tokyo TV? It's like an ant trying to shake a tree, utterly overestimating themselves!"

“Ashita Kai-kun, you can’t just say things like that.” Sakata Nobuhiko coughed lightly, a barely perceptible warning flashing in his shrewd eyes: “Although they are a local station, they still represent local public opinion. We can’t underestimate them.”

He paused, his gaze sweeping over everyone present, his tone becoming more serious: "But speaking of which, Hiroshi-kun, what do you think of this matter?"

All eyes turned to Hiroshi Nohara.

Hiroshi Nohara simply smiled and shrugged, his composure and confidence making him stand out in the atmosphere filled with anticipation and tension.

"What do I think?" Hiroshi Nohara asked softly, his tone calm and firm, without the slightest ripple. "I don't know either. I just made some anime, some TV dramas, some variety shows, and drew some manga. How did I offend them?"

His "innocent" look made everyone present burst out laughing.

"Hahahaha! Hiroshi-kun, you really are... too Versailles!" Deputy Director Asumi said with a big laugh, patting Hiroshi Nohara on the shoulder, his pride overflowing.

Although not as outwardly expressive as Asumi, Executive Deputy Director Takada Toshihide nodded at this moment, his tone carrying a hint of barely perceptible emotion: "Yes, Hiroshi-kun is right. His work is indeed too excellent. So excellent that it has even made those local stations feel threatened."

He paused, then looked at Hiroshi Nohara, his eyes filled with expectation: "But Hiroshi-kun, you don't need to worry. Your 'Yamishibai,' 'Tales of the Unusual,' and 'Super Transformation' are all phenomenal works. They were the undisputed kings of their respective fields last year. Those local TV stations are no match for us!"

“Yes! Yes!” Another minister in charge of publicity chimed in, his usually serious face now filled with a gloating smile: “Those local TV stations, if they can produce even one drama with a rating of over 10% a year, they’re lucky! How can they compare to our Guangzhi?”

"So, Hiroshi, all you need to do is show your true strength and you can completely crush them!" Deputy Director Asumi said confidently.

Director Nobuhiko Sakata listened quietly to the discussions, his usually serious face now radiating a genuine sense of pride.

However, a subtle hint of seriousness flashed in his shrewd eyes.

He knew that the alliance of local television stations was not only a challenge to TV Tokyo, but also a challenge to the huge and secretive "Greater Tokyo Faction" cultural and political alliance behind them.

He knew even better that in Japan's hierarchical society, any challenge to "order" could trigger a huge storm.

“Yes, we need to be careful about these challenges, but speaking of which,” Nobuhiko Sakata’s voice rang out again, his ease and joy gradually replaced by the composure of someone in a superior position: “Besides the alliance of local stations, there is a newly emerging television station that we should also pay attention to.”

The moment he finished speaking, the relaxed atmosphere in the conference room froze instantly.

All eyes turned to Nobuhiko Sakata, their expressions filled with seriousness and... a hint of doubt.

"A newly emerged TV station?" Deputy Director Asumi raised an eyebrow, an expression of interest on his face. "Oh? Director, what TV station is it that has caught your attention?" "Yes, Director," Executive Deputy Director Takada Toshihide echoed, his face now filled with confusion. "In Tokyo, besides TV Tokyo and TV Kanto, are there any other TV stations that have such a large influence?"

Sakata Nobuhiko looked at the two of them with a meaningful smile.

“This new television station is called ‘Tokyo City Television’,” Nobuhiko Sakata said softly, his tone calm yet full of strength.

"what?!"

Asumi and Hiroshi Nohara's eyes widened instantly, their faces filled with disbelief and horror!
“Tokyo City Television?!” Deputy Director Asumi jumped up from the sofa, looking at Nobuhiko Sakata with confusion and bewilderment in his eyes: “Director! This…when did this happen? How come I’ve never heard of this before?!”

"Yes, Director." Hiroshi Nohara echoed, a hint of seriousness flashing in his clear eyes: "This name, it sounds a bit... a bit like it's imitating our TV Tokyo, doesn't it?"

Seeing the two of them looking shocked, Nobuhiko Sakata's meaningful smile deepened.

"Imitation? Hahahaha!" Nobuhiko Sakata burst into laughter, his voice filled with the arrogance typical of a nouveau riche: "They're not imitating! They're clearly planning to cultivate their own 'mouthpiece'!"

He paused, his gaze sweeping over everyone present, his tone growing more serious: "This 'Tokyo City Television' is a city-level television station established under the leadership of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government's Public Relations Department. Its purpose is quite simple: to weaken the influence of our Tokyo Television in Tokyo and the entire Kanto region."

"what?!"

Anger instantly flashed across Asumi and Takada Toshihide's faces!
"The Tokyo Metropolitan Government's Public Relations Department?!" Deputy Director Asumi slammed his fist on the table, his usually cheerful face now filled with barely suppressed rage: "They actually dare to openly oppose Tokyo Television?!"

“Yes, Director!” Executive Deputy Director Toshihide Takada echoed, his usually gloomy face now filled with disdain: “They’re clearly trying to split up with our TV Tokyo!”

Hiroshi Nohara listened quietly, but a subtle ripple stirred within his usually calm heart.

He knew that this was not just a competition between television stations, but also... a struggle between factions!

"Hiroshi-kun, what do you think?" Nobuhiko Sakata's gaze suddenly fell on Hiroshi Nohara, his shrewd eyes flashing with a profound understanding of the world.

Hiroshi Nohara simply smiled calmly, his composure and confidence making him stand out in an atmosphere filled with anger and disdain.

“Director, I don’t think this is surprising,” Hiroshi Nohara said softly, his tone calm but firm. “Governor Koike’s successful re-election was due to the publicity from our TV Tokyo. And in the Tokyo mayoral election, our TV Tokyo director Shimazu lost to the current mayor by only 10,000 votes. So it’s understandable that those officials in Tokyo who rose to power through real estate development would feel a sense of crisis and fear.”

He paused, his gaze sweeping over everyone present, his eyes filled with insight: "They fear that our TV Tokyo will once again aid Governor Koike, or even other politicians, to challenge their dominance in Tokyo. That's why they're so eager to establish their own television station to consolidate their power."

Hiroshi Nohara's words were like the sharpest knife, precisely dissecting the core of the problem.

He not only analyzed the current situation, but also gained insight into people's hearts and saw through politics.

Upon hearing this, Nobuhiko Sakata, Asumi, and Toshihide Takada exchanged glances, their faces showing thoughtful expressions.

“Hiroshi-kun is right.” Nobuhiko Sakata let out a long sigh, a sigh tinged with emotion and genuine satisfaction with Hiroshi Nohara: “They are indeed afraid. Afraid that our TV Tokyo will once again become a political stumbling block for them.”

"Hmph, what kind of name is Tokyo City Television? Anyone who didn't know better would think it's our Tokyo Television." Takada Toshihide sneered, his usually gloomy face now filled with disdain.

Although Deputy Director Asumi wasn't as overtly expressive as Toshihide Takada, he nodded at this moment, his tone carrying a hint of barely perceptible hostility: "Yes, they're clearly trying to have a head-on confrontation with our TV Tokyo."

"A head-on collision? I think they're overestimating themselves!" Takada Toshihide sneered, his arrogance returning to his face. "They think they can challenge TV Tokyo with just any random TV station? They're delusional!"

“Yes, Managing Director Takada is right.” Deputy Director Asumi echoed, his cheerful smile now tinged with sarcasm: “However, Director, since they’re planning to challenge us, we can’t just sit here and wait to be defeated. Shouldn’t we teach them a lesson?”

As Director Nobuhiko Sakata listened to their discussion, his usually serious face now radiated a genuine sense of pride.

He knew his subordinates were full of fighting spirit.

"Hiroshi-kun, what do you think?" Nobuhiko Sakata's gaze turned to Hiroshi Nohara once again.

“Chief, since they dare to challenge us, of course we should fight back.” Hiroshi Nohara said softly, his tone calm and firm: “However, I think we don’t need to confront them head-on. We can take a smarter and more effective route.”

"Oh? What route?" Deputy Director Ming Rihai raised an eyebrow, an expression of interest on his face.

"Yes, Hiroshi-kun, do you have any good ideas?" Executive Deputy Director Takada Toshihide followed up with a question, his deep eyes gleaming with anticipation.

Hiroshi Nohara's lips curled into a faint smile, and his composure and confidence made him stand out at that moment.

What he wants to do is to overturn everyone's perceptions once again.

“A minister just mentioned that there are people looking for scripts for heartwarming variety shows on the market, saying that the new TV station needs them.” Hiroshi Nohara spoke softly, his tone calm and firm: “Now it seems that this is the type of program that Tokyo TV wants to produce. They plan to launch some heartwarming variety shows to win public support.”

“It seems that’s how it is.” Deputy Director Asumi nodded, a serious expression on his face: “They want to create a people-friendly image through this method, which will subtly echo the social atmosphere created by Governor Koike and ‘Hachiko Monogatari’.”

“That’s right, that’s their most cunning trait.” Executive Deputy Director Takada Toshihide chimed in, his usually gloomy face now filled with worry: “If they succeed, it will be a huge blow to our TV Tokyo.”

"So, Hiroshi-kun, we have to keep up!" Deputy Director Asumi said excitedly, "We also need to put together some heartwarming programs and have a head-to-head competition with them, so they'll know what the true king of the Greater Tokyo Area is!"

He paused, his gaze sweeping over Hiroshi Nohara, his eyes filled with anticipation: "Hiroshi-kun, do you have any good ideas? Do you have any heartwarming programs that can surpass them and touch people's hearts?"

Executive Deputy Director Takada Toshihide echoed this sentiment, his deep eyes also gleaming with anticipation.

Hiroshi Nohara looked at the expectant expressions on their faces and gave a helpless smile.

He knew they were asking him for "help".

"Why are you all looking at me?" Hiroshi Nohara asked softly, his tone carrying just the right amount of innocence.

Upon hearing this, Deputy Director Asahi and Executive Deputy Director Toshihide Takada exchanged glances and gave each other awkward smiles.

"Oh dear, Hiroshi, what you're saying..." Deputy Director Asumi scratched his head, his tone slightly embarrassed: "We just... we just thought you would definitely have a good idea, didn't we?"

“Yes, Hiroshi-kun.” Executive Deputy Director Takada Toshihide chimed in, a sheepish smile appearing on his usually gloomy face. “After all, you are the ‘source of creativity’ for our TV Tokyo. You always manage to surprise us.”

Hiroshi Nohara simply smiled and stroked his chin: "Alright, since you've all said so..." Hiroshi Nohara spoke softly, his tone calm and firm: "Then I won't hide anything from you."

He paused, his gaze sweeping over everyone present, a confident glint in his eyes: "I do have a project idea, a heartwarming one. And it's already ready-made."

"what?!"

Asumi and Takada Toshihide's eyes widened instantly, their faces filled with disbelief and horror!
Even Nobuhiko Sakata and the other ministers in the meeting stared at Hiroshi Nohara in disbelief, exchanging glances and seeing the astonishment in each other's eyes.

They looked at each other blankly, like idiots!
"Ready-made?!" Deputy Director Asumi jumped up from the sofa, looking at Hiroshi Nohara with eyes full of ecstasy: "Hiroshi-kun! You...you're not kidding, are you?! What plan? Tell me about it!"

Executive Deputy Director Takada Toshihide echoed this sentiment, his deep eyes also gleaming with anticipation.

Hiroshi Nohara's lips curled into a faint smile, and his composure and confidence made him stand out at that moment.

He knew that what he had to do was to shock everyone once again.

He slowly uttered that name, a name that had already been proven in his previous life to drive everyone mad.

"My comic, 'Midnight Diner'."

As soon as Hiroshi Nohara finished speaking, the tense yet expectant atmosphere in the office froze for a few seconds.

This was immediately followed by a huge shock.

"A manga?!" Deputy Director Asumi exclaimed in astonishment, "Hiroshi-kun, you...you mean you're going to adapt a manga into a TV drama to compete with Tokyo TV's programs?!"

Executive Deputy Director Toshihide Takada also frowned, a hint of confusion flickering in his deep eyes.

In his view, the competition among television stations ultimately depends on television programs.

Comics, after all, belong to another field.

Although it can be adapted into a TV series... the results are generally not very good.

Especially when adapted into a live-action TV series, the effect will be greatly reduced, and it may even cause the reputation of the comic to decline.

Even Director Nobuhiko Sakata leaned forward slightly, a barely perceptible hint of scrutiny in his shrewd eyes.

Hiroshi Nohara simply smiled calmly, his composure and confidence making him stand out even more at that moment.

He didn't rush to explain; he simply raised his hand slightly and gestured towards the office door.

"Kitagawa-kun, bring me those copies of 'Midnight Diner'."

Kitagawa Yao, the young employee who had been eavesdropping at the office door just moments before, was now hunching her shoulders and peeking out with a sheepish expression.

"Oh!" Upon hearing Hiroshi Nohara's instructions, she suddenly sprang to attention and hurriedly ran into the office, grabbing a thick stack of manga volumes from a bookshelf next to Hiroshi Nohara's desk.

"Minister, it's all here!" She quickly returned, respectfully placing the comics on the coffee table, her bright eyes filled with curiosity and anticipation.

"Everyone, please take a look," Hiroshi Nohara said with a smile.

Deputy Director Ming Rihai was the first to pick up a book. His shrewd eyes swept over the warm, down-to-earth words on the cover—"Midnight Diner"—and his brow furrowed imperceptibly.

He turned to the first page, his gaze falling on the delicate lines and the story-filled illustrations. The initial confusion on his face was gradually replaced by a thoughtful expression.

Executive Deputy Director Takada Toshihide also picked up a book, a hint of curiosity appearing on his face.

He casually flipped through a few pages, and a barely perceptible hint of surprise flashed in his deep eyes.

The other ministers also picked up the comics and started reading.

Including Director Nobuhiko Sakata.

An eerie silence instantly fell over the conference room.

Only the rustling of turning pages and the varying depths of everyone's breathing echoed in this enclosed space.

Time passes minute by minute.

The first person to finish reading a book was Deputy Director Ming Rihai.

He slammed the comic book shut, and the face that always radiated a cheerful smile was now filled with uncontrollable ecstasy.

"Wonderful! Wonderful! Hiroshi-kun, your manga is absolutely wonderful!" Asumi exclaimed excitedly, slapping her thigh. "It doesn't have any fancy special effects or complicated plots. It just uses the most ordinary home-cooked dishes and the most mundane stories to instantly touch the softest part of people's hearts!"

He paused, then his tone became even more impassioned: "It allows those urbanites struggling in Tokyo to feel a long-lost warmth and a sense of healing in the dead of night! It allows lonely souls to find solace in delicious food! This... this is simply a 'heartwarming and healing' program tailor-made for our TV Tokyo!"

Executive Deputy Director Takada Toshihide also closed the comic book at that moment, a look of sincere admiration appearing on his face.

“Ashita Kai-kun is right.” Takada Toshihide’s voice was slightly hoarse, but full of strength: “This manga is more than just a manga; it’s a way of life, a philosophy, a unique existence that allows people to rethink life and re-examine emotions!”

He paused, his gaze falling on Hiroshi Nohara, a complex emotion flickering in his deep eyes: "Hiroshi-kun, you are truly... amazing. You can depict this seemingly ordinary urban life in such a captivating and heartwarming way! You... you're simply a monster!"

The minister, who was slightly younger but in his forties, did not speak. He simply closed the comic book quietly, with two lines of tears on his face.

He didn't wipe away the tears, but let them flow slowly down his cheeks. The emotion he felt overwhelmed even this seasoned director.

"Hiroshi-kun, you...you're truly a genius." The minister's voice trembled slightly, and his sincere emotion moved everyone present. "Your manga is more than just manga; it's warmth, hope, and a remedy that can heal all lonely souls!"

A publicity minister chimed in, his usually serious face now radiating approval: "Yes, Hiroshi-kun! This manga is practically a tailor-made promotional video for TV Tokyo and for the entire city of Tokyo! It will allow TV Tokyo to once again stand out from the crowd of those local stations' 'heartwarming and healing' programs!"

"That's right! This manga contains more than just healing; it embodies a love for life and a care for humanity!" Another department head in charge of copyright development said excitedly, his shrewd eyes shining. "I can even foresee that once this manga is adapted into a TV series, it will inevitably cause a huge social impact! It will become another phenomenal work for our TV Tokyo!"

Director Nobuhiko Sakata listened quietly to the discussions, his usually serious face now radiating a genuine sense of pride. He knew that Hiroshi Nohara, the young man he had personally promoted, had once again brought him a tremendous surprise.

"Good! Good! Good!" Nobuhiko Sakata said "good" three times in a row. He slammed his hand on the table, his voice filled with an undeniable air of authority: "In that case, it's decided!"

He paused, his gaze sweeping over everyone present, a profound, strategic glint in his shrewd eyes: "Hiroshi Nohara's manga 'Midnight Diner' is our Tokyo TV's strongest weapon against Tokyo City TV!"

"Hiroshi-kun, you start right now and adapt this manga into a TV series! I'll give you the best team, the best resources, and the best platform! I want this TV series to once again stand out from those 'heartwarming and healing' programs on Tokyo TV! I want those guys to know what true 'heartwarming and healing' is! What true... cultural power is!"

At this moment, Nobuhiko Sakata was like a lion whose authority had been challenged. Without the slightest hesitation, he was about to confront the Tokyo TV station that dared to challenge him...

Let's have a life-or-death battle!

(End of this chapter)