I, Hiroshi Nohara, the star of Japanese cinema

Chapter 91 restarts "An Zhi Ju Zhen Season "! The audience is looking forward to it!

"Okay...Okay! I'll do as you say!"

Asumi made the decision without hesitation: "In the personnel department, I will immediately reinstate Hashiichi Ichirō. I will also approve the restart of the third season of 'Anzhiju'! Budget, personnel, equipment, you... just name it!"

He paused, looking at the young man who was still smiling calmly, a bitter look of both laughter and tears appeared on his face.

"But, Guangzhi-kun, can we talk about your... 'Super Change' variety show project... after you're done with this? My heart can't take your constant bombardment."

"Of course." Nohara Hiroshi nodded with a smile: "I will follow the deputy director's arrangements."

He now likes Deputy Director Ming Rihai more and more.

Think about it too.

No wonder Deputy Director Asumi was suppressed even after coming to Tokyo TV from Kanto TV, and was unable to effectively use his power to help his old brothers from the Kanto faction.

However, the people of the Kanto faction still surrounded Asumi and operated according to his orders and instructions.

Quite trustful.

The reason is that Ming Rihai's personal charm and leadership charm are indeed admirable.

Even Nohara Hiroshi fell in love with his leader Asumi.

……

In the second week of July, Tokyo, and even the entire Neon, seemed to be enveloped by a hurricane called "Nohara Hiroshi".

The ratings of "Wonderful Stories of the World" are like an ancient beast that has broken free from all constraints. It continues to and steadily stays at the 21% level with an almost brutal attitude, a terrifyingly high level that is enough to suffocate all competitors.

This is no longer just a matter of ratings.

It's really a cultural phenomenon.

A nationwide carnival that quickly penetrated every pore of Japanese society in just two weeks.

The entertainment sections of major newspapers use the most exaggerated headlines almost every day to report on this ratings miracle created by a young man.

Tokyo Film and Television News: "From 20.3% to 21.95%! 'The Wonderful World of Tales' ratings skyrocketed, officially crowning the second-highest-rated drama!"

The senior film critic of the Yomiuri Shimbun, "Pen Dao Ke", was even more generous in his praise:

"...I've been a film critic for 30 years and have seen countless films. But never has a film kept me glued to the TV for two weeks straight like 'Wonderful Stories of the World,' like a child discovering the world of images for the first time, shaken by the bizarre stories and unable to sleep."

"The most terrifying thing about it isn't the jaw-dropping twists or the cinematic production. It's the way it uses scalpel-like precision to dissect our seemingly peaceful and prosperous modern society, revealing beneath its glamorous facade the incredibly real souls of individuals filled with loneliness, desire, jealousy, and fear."

"It's like a mirror, in which each of us can see our own reflection, whether distorted, struggling, pathetic, or ridiculous. This is no longer a simple TV series; it's a Ukiyo-e that belongs to our time."

Of course, if there is praise, there must also be another voice.

However, this time, the voice was no longer a questioning one, but a kind of complaint that turned from love to hate.

The reader letters section of Weekly Modern was almost overwhelmed by a flood of letters, and the themes of these letters were surprisingly consistent.

"—Hello, respected Mr. Hiroshi Nohara. First of all, please allow me to express my sincerest respect for you. 'The Wonderful World' is the greatest television series I've ever seen, bar none. However, as a loyal fan who has followed you since the first season of 'Anshiba', I still want to ask, can you... really bear to watch 'Anshiba', which has been ruined beyond recognition by the likes of Iwata Masao, sink into oblivion?"

"——We know you're very busy right now. But we also know that you are the only 'father' of 'Anzhiju'! Please, save that child! We don't want to see that weird Onmyoji and that evil ghost who looks like a comedian anymore! What we want to see is that masked Kameshigai uncle and those real urban ghost stories that would make us afraid to go to the bathroom alone at night!"

This wave of petitions to "save "Anzhiju"" spontaneously launched by the audience has become increasingly intense with the help of the media.

For a time, "Nohara Hiroshi saves "Anshibi"!" became a slogan.

As a result, Tokyo TV's audience service hotline was once again overwhelmed.

And those petition letters, like snowflakes, piled up directly from the storage room all the way to the door of the office of Nobuhiko Sakata, director of the Production Bureau.

Faced with this surging public opinion, the top management of Tokyo TV finally could no longer sit still.

……

So, after a while, Tokyo TV and its major cooperating newspaper media simultaneously published a piece of breaking news that was enough to make all the fans of "An Zhiju" crazy.

[The creator of "An Shibaju," Nohara Hiroshi, has officially announced the restart of "An Shibaju" Season 3, in response to popular requests from viewers! The true urban tale is returning!]

This news was like a depth bomb that detonated the entire fish pond.

The Internet was instantly in an uproar.

"Ohhhhhhh! My 'Anzhiju' is back!"

"Long live Mr. Nohara! This is truly what everyone wants!"

"Great! Finally I don't have to look at that stupid Onmyoji anymore! I can't wait to be scared to death and unable to sleep!"

During this national carnival, Hiroshi Nohara also accepted exclusive interviews from several mainstream media outlets.

Facing the reporters' expectant questions, he appeared extremely humble and low-key.

"...I'm very grateful for the audience's love. To be honest, I didn't expect everyone to have such deep feelings for 'An Zhi Ju'."

"However, I must be honest and tell everyone that because the "Wonderful Stories of the World" project is still ongoing, my personal energy is indeed limited. Therefore, the execution of this rebooted third season will be mainly handled by my previous team. I will only do some macro-control on the script and storyboards."

"Therefore, please don't have too high expectations. I can only guarantee that it will continue the style of the first two seasons and tell you some authentic urban tales. As for whether it can surpass the previous work, to be honest, I... am not very confident."

These words are truly flawless.

He not only appeased the audience but also left himself a way out. By the way, he also pushed his newly recruited team to the forefront.

This "sincere" statement won him applause from the audience.

A commentator in the Sankei Shimbun wrote: "...In this impetuous era, we've seen too many geniuses become arrogant after achieving overnight fame. But Nohara Hiroshi, with his humility and sense of responsibility, has redefined the term 'master' for us. He never takes credit for himself, never becomes arrogant, and always holds his audience in awe. There's no reason not to look forward to the work of such a person."

All the preparations and hype have been completed.

All of Neon's attention is focused on the upcoming Monday night.

……

However, in the center of the storm, in the office of [Nohara Hiroshi·Special Production Team], the atmosphere was orderly.

Nohara Hiroshi had already handed over the complete storyboard for the third season, which he had memorized from his memories of his previous life, to Hashiji Ichiro and the trio.

"Hashimoto-senpai."

Nohara Hiroshi's voice was calm, yet carried an unquestionable authority. "The drawings and script are all here. I believe you know how to shoot and edit it better than I do. I only have one request: restore it to its original form without making any unnecessary changes."

"Yes! Section Chief Nohara!"

Hashiichiro took the stack of drawings, still smelling of fresh ink, and his hands trembled slightly uncontrollably. He looked at the familiar rough lines on the paper, full of the feel of a 'kamishibai' (paper theater), and at the eerie stories full of Japanese horror aesthetics. His eyes, which had long been filled with despair and regret, once again showed a look of gratitude and emotion.

He knew this was his last chance.

It is his only chance to atone for his sins.

He threw himself into this production with a madness bordering on self-abuse.

He locked himself in the editing room for three days and three nights. When he was sleepy, he splashed cold water on his face. When he was hungry, he ate some dry bread.

He reviewed the storyboards given to him by Hiroshi Nohara over and over again, polishing every shot and adjusting every sound effect. His concentration and dedication were ten times more crazy than when he was in Iwata's classroom.

Nancun Xing, Changse Luzou and Beichuan Yao, the three young people who once hated him to the core, looked at him fighting for his life, and their eyes gradually changed from cold contempt to complexity.

Gradually, there was more recognition.

Although they still wouldn't talk to him on their own initiative, occasionally, when passing by the editing room, Beichuan Yao would quietly place a cup of steaming coffee on his desk.

When Minamimura Xing and Hase Luzou saw that his face was pale from staying up late, they would frown and give him a tuna rice ball.

This awkward concern was like a warm current, quietly melting a corner of Hashiji Ichiro's already cold heart.

He knew that he was gradually being accepted by the group again.

This hard-earned forgiveness made him more determined to atone for his sins.

Friday, 5 p.m.

When the master tape of the first episode of "An Zhi Ju: True Season 3", which was the result of the hard work of the entire team, was delivered to the review department on time.

Everyone subconsciously breathed a sigh of relief.

The audit department's process went exceptionally smoothly.

When Ai Takeshita and her colleagues watched the sample film which was full of authentic and familiar horror atmosphere.

Everyone smiled knowingly.

"That's right." Takeshita Ai stamped the approval stamp heavily on the review report.

"This is what we want to see, 'Anzhiju'."

That night, Tokyo TV officially announced that "An Shibaju Shin Season 3" will be broadcast on time at 10:30 pm next Monday.

As soon as the news came out, movie fans were jubilant.

……

Ginza, late at night.

In a quiet Japanese-style private room, the air was filled with the rich rice aroma of the top-grade sake 'Juyondai', intertwined with the elegant scent of precious incense. It should have been a relaxing and refreshing place, but at this moment it felt as depressing as an ice cellar.

On the low table, the exquisite Kaiseki cuisine was still steaming. The tender tuna belly and the wagyu beef with texture like snowflakes were all placed there intact, as if they were just two expensive decorations.

Takada Toshihide and Iwata Masao sat opposite each other. The hostesses beside them, who were wearing gorgeous kimonos and had exquisite makeup, had already retreated in silence after being signaled by their eyes that were cold enough to frostbite people.

The door was gently closed, isolating the noise from the outside world and completely exposing the thick and indissoluble haze in this small world.

"boom."

Masao Iwata placed the wine glass in his hand heavily on the table. His face, which always had a bit of arrogance, now only had a flushed look of drunkenness and an unwilling look on it.

"That traitor! That traitor Hashijitaro!" He spat at the polished tatami mat without regard for decorum, his voice filled with venom. "He actually had the nerve to go back to Nohara's classroom! Deputy Director, do you think he could be that Nohara Hiroshi, the spy planted here from the beginning? He deliberately set us up for failure?!"

Takada Toshihide didn't say anything.

He just used his bottomless eyes to calmly look at the clear wine in the glass, as if he was appreciating a painting that had nothing to do with him.

After a while, he slowly spoke, his voice flat and it was impossible to tell whether he was happy or angry.

"Spy?" He chuckled, but there was a cold sarcasm in his laughter. "Iwata-kun, you think too highly of yourself. Do we really need to send spies to deal with you?"

Masao Iwata's face instantly turned purple. He opened his mouth but couldn't say a word.

"Perhaps it's not that Hashiji Ichiro is too incompetent, nor that you are too careless."

Takada Shunying raised his head, his cold eyes piercing him like knives, and he said word by word, "Perhaps...it really is that young man named Nohara Hiroshi. He's so amazing."

These words were like an invisible slap in the face, hitting Masao Iwata hard, causing a burning pain.

To admit the strength of your opponent is to admit your own incompetence.

Takada Toshihide ignored this subordinate who had become a waste. He cast his gaze at the deep night sky outside the window, changed the subject, and there was a hint of amusement in his voice.

"Nohara Hiroshi is really restarting the production of the third season of "Anzhiju". Do you think he can be saved?"

Although he was asking, his gaze fell back on Iwata Masao, and his eyes were extremely cold.

After all, Executive Deputy Director Toshihide Takada was criticized so harshly at the board meeting.

With his face and self-esteem.

It’s hard to accept now!
And Masao Iwata is the instigator!
Masao Iwata's body trembled violently, and he instantly understood the deep meaning behind these words.

He quickly forced a fawning smile, his posture like a pug eager to show his loyalty to his master.

"Impossible! Deputy Director!"

He vowed, "The reputation of 'Anzhiju' has been completely ruined by us... no, by that loser Hashiichi Ichirō! Now, whenever audiences mention the name, they think of that weird Onmyoji! It's a scam! It's garbage!"

"Even if Nohara Hiroshi had omnipotent abilities, it would be wishful thinking for him to clean up this mess and win back the hearts of all viewers in such a short period of time! I bet that his reboot would only bring the ratings back to around 3% at best. It's unlikely to cause any more waves!"

These words are both his judgment and his expectation.

He desperately needed Nohara Hiroshi's failure to prove that his own failure was not unforgivable.

"is it?"

Takada Toshihide raised his eyebrows noncommittally, he withdrew his gaze, said nothing more, just picked up the wine glass and drank the ice-cold sake in one gulp.

"I hope so."

He muttered to himself, his tone lacking much confidence.

(End of this chapter)