This celebrity is overly enthusiastic!

Chapter 163 Lucy, the best!
A very clichéd and traditional boy-meets-girl love story, a seemingly scary but unoriginal Night City setting, and a few action scenes that are somewhat noteworthy.

The cyberpunk elements are used too simply and superficially, and the so-called high technology is just a replacement of existing technology with a more visually appealing expression.

But there's only one reason why the movie was so popular: Lucy is just too sexy! —The Hollywood Reporter

[A sharp critique of class stratification, a prelude to the human tragedy of technological alienation; Night City is not far from us, David may be right beside you.] —The New York Times

[Abandoning the exploration of cyberpunk themes and instead prioritizing entertainment, *The Edge Walker* is a popcorn blockbuster. If you didn't understand *The Matrix*, *The Edge Walker* won't disappoint.] — *Sight & Sound*

The film grossed $51.4 million in its opening weekend in North America after three days of release, surpassing the box office performance of The Matrix.

While some media reviews were somewhat sarcastic, they generally acknowledged that "The Edge Walker" is a worthwhile and excellent popcorn movie.

Audience reviews were much better than media reviews, with an 88% fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes, meaning that nearly 9% of viewers were satisfied with "The Edge Walker".

The relatable Night City made American audiences feel "close" to the real world, and they easily understood the gang culture.

Some movie fans have already gotten their hair styled like David and Lucy from the film.

Some individuals have even tattooed the marks of their prosthetic modifications directly onto their bodies, such as the chip slot and data port on their necks, the data cable on their wrists, and the splicing marks of the mechanical prosthetics on their limbs.

Chen Yuan suspected that if the film trilogy was completed, the challenging achievement of "creating a popular culture" might actually be accomplished.

Japan's opening weekend box office also reached $1162 million, and its reviews were much better than in the United States.

Numerous Japanese media outlets provided in-depth introductions to the background of Night City in the film, allowing the Japanese public to reminisce about the decadent and glamorous times of the bubble economy era.

Japan was truly powerful back then, even if it only appeared so.

When the US had a strong economy, it implemented the Plaza Accord. When it had strong technology, it suppressed Japan's semiconductor industry and used the market and technology to support South Korea to compete with Japan.

Japan couldn't retaliate, but it was certainly unhappy about it.

"The Edge Walker" is essentially a mindless, feel-good novel tailored for resentful Japanese readers.

The movie didn't use Sony's building in New York as the reference for the Arasaka Building. Instead, it simply stretched and heightened Sony's building in Ginza and placed it in the center of Night City.

Even the Japanese, who are most subservient to their American daddy, can't help but puff out their chests a little when they see the Arasaka Building located in Night City.

It feels so damn good to overthrow your superiors and ride on the head of your American daddy!
The second country for the promotional tour of "The Edge Walker" was Japan.

The crew made no attempt to hide their schedule from the media. Their flight was scheduled to land at Tokyo International Airport at around 2 a.m., but the nearly 1,000 fans who came to greet them and a large number of media reporters made the airport as lively as during the day.

This airport pick-up was also part of the film's promotional activities.

Sony urgently dispatched an additional 20-person bodyguard team to ensure the crew's normal passage.

Lawrence sat getting her makeup done. The TV in the lounge was showing a live broadcast of the departure lounge. Seeing the huge crowds holding up various movie posters and support signs, she smiled at Chen Yuan and said:

“Wow, Virgil, this reminds me of the Japanese fans’ enthusiasm when The Matrix Revolutions was released.” “It seems Japanese fans really love our movies,” Scarlett remarked, chewing her gum.

"Yes, Japan's fan culture is indeed the most developed in Asia," Chen Yuan said to Binbin with a smile.
"Don't be scared, the level of fanaticism among Japanese fans is definitely among the highest in the world."

Fan Binbin took a deep breath. In the past few days, she has been touring major ticket-producing cities in the United States for promotional tours and can truly feel the audience's love for her portrayal of Lucy.

But those situations were all normal, far from the frenzy shown by Japanese fans now, where more than half of all the support items are related to her and Chen Yuan.

"They all really like the character Lucy!"

"After all, Lucy's character design is based on Motoko Kusanagi from Ghost in the Shell and Fie from Cowboy Bebop, both of which are super classic Japanese anime with a huge fan base."

Chen Yuan personally fixed Binbin's hair and switched to Chinese, lowering his voice to say:
"Moreover, the Japanese admire strength very much. Since you've made quite a splash in the United States, you'll naturally be looked up to."

After getting ready and entering the waiting hall, they were immediately engulfed by a deafening roar of screams. Chen Yuan and his group slowly crawled forward in front of the human wall formed by bodyguards, facing a hail of bullets and flashing lights!
"Lucy! You have a huge appetite!"

"Binbin, the best!" (Binbin is the best!)
"Yuan, Binbin! I will support you!" (I will always support you!)

After leaving the airport, Chen Yuan thanked his Japanese fans for their support in front of the media before getting into the car arranged by Sony.

"Shinichi-san, the Japanese fans are so enthusiastic! You've arranged way too many people!"

Sitting in the passenger seat, Shinichi Hirano, an old friend of Chen Yuan who was in charge of the promotional trip for "The Edge Walker" in Japan, smiled and said:

"It wasn't planned at all; everyone genuinely loves your movie, Yuanjun. I personally loved it too. Yuanjun, you're truly amazing!"

"You flatter me. I brought the Sony building into the movie, and it didn't have any impact on your company, did it?"

"No, the movies are all fake. We agreed to your suggestion, Yuanjun. Sony can afford to take a joke like this. It also helps us get closer to the new generation of young people."

As if he had thought of something funny, Shinichi Hirano said while laughing:
"Most of the company's employees went to the cinema to support 'The Edge Walker.' Many of the younger employees even went to the top floor of Sony's headquarters after watching it to fulfill David's mother's wish, hahaha!"

Holy crap, are the Japanese really that good at creating hilarious things?
If we wait until he makes the third movie, and David climbs—no, I mean, fights his way to the top of Arasaka Tower—I wonder if the top floor of Sony's headquarters will become a popular photo spot.

Chen Yuan laughed along with him and explained it to Binbin, who didn't quite understand the Japanese-accented English, and she laughed too.

"Then I absolutely have to go too!"

"Welcome, welcome! You have many fans at Sony headquarters. The many Sony elements in 'The Edge Walker' are showcased very well."

The film's overall trendy and cool style is a perfect fit for the Sony brand.

Chairman Nobuyuki Idei and President Kunitake Ando both want to meet with you.

"No problem, no problem!"

(End of this chapter)