The Shocking Eunuch, Reborn as a Literary Girl

Chapter 38 The Masked Hero (Scriptwriter)

Meanwhile, on the other side, Seiji Akechi, the chief producer of the tokusatsu program "Masked Warriors," has also recently encountered some trouble.

He was appointed by the company to prepare for the new tokusatsu series "Masked Warriors," which will air in September 2025. He was responsible for everything from finalizing the project plan to selecting actors and screenwriters, as well as planning and using the budget.

As a newly appointed producer, this job was quite stressful for him.
You should know that Masked Hero is a national-level tokusatsu project in Japan.

Since its first broadcast in Japan in 1971, this program has consistently enjoyed top ratings in Japan.

For more than 50 years, although there were periods of interruption, it was serialized most of the time.

It is a popular, profitable, and highly influential evergreen IP.

Today, Masked Heroes is no longer just a TV program, but a cultural symbol and a cash cow for To-il Corporation.

However.
This IP, which has such a great influence, has recently encountered a major problem.

Despite its decent commercial success, the works have consistently maintained a high level of popularity.

However, in terms of audience reviews, since the beginning of the Reiwa era, it has produced almost no truly satisfying works.

In the short term, the toys sell well, and the new releases are always popular, so the money is definitely in hand, and there's no problem.

However, in the long run, the lack of classic works with high popularity and high reputation has a relatively strong negative impact on the long-term influence of the IP.

Therefore, the top management of Toichi are very much looking forward to having a "truly beloved masked hero work" in next year's new works.

It can replicate the past glory of this IP.

This task was then entrusted to Seiji Akechi.

To be honest.
This made him sweat profusely.

How did I, a newcomer who has just been promoted to lead producer, end up with such a job?
Do you really trust my abilities that much?
Despite the immense pressure, since the responsibility had fallen on his shoulders, he could only do his best.

As for the higher-ups' requirement of creating "a truly beloved masked hero work," his idea was quite simple.
"The reason why the Masked Hero has received such a bad reputation recently is because there are always unsatisfactory parts in the plot. There are almost no works with a complete plot like in the past since the Reiwa era."

"If that's the case, wouldn't it be enough to just find someone who can write a good script?"

With this in mind, he contacted Isshin Iruma and arranged to meet him at a coffee shop.

A long time ago, Iruma Isshin was his favorite novelist.

He has always liked the other person's writing style and has full confidence in their ability to "write a good story".

So, with a bit of a "publicly funded idol-chasing" mentality, he planned to have "Iruma Isshin" write the script for next year's "Masked Hero".

However, what he didn't expect was that after actually meeting this languid and beautiful young novelist in the coffee shop...
However, the other party flatly rejected his request.

"What are you talking about?" Iruma Isshin said with a helpless chuckle as he stirred his coffee with a spoon. "I mean, aren't you overestimating my abilities a bit?"

Upon hearing this, Seiji Akechi immediately responded somewhat nervously, "How could that be an overestimation? Iruma-sensei, every story you've created since your debut has been very interesting, and I love every single one of them."

That's why I feel...

Iruma Isshin waved his hand, interrupting him.

"That's why I said you're a little naive." "Naive?"

"Yes, you are very naive."

After taking a sip of coffee, she continued to explain to Seiji Akechi: "Novelists and TV program writers are essentially creating stories, but they are not so easily interchangeable."

"When I'm a novelist, I have creative freedom. I can write whatever I want, however I want, as long as I think it will make the story more interesting."

Length, story structure, and creative direction.

"However, it's different if you're a screenwriter, especially for a work like 'The Masked Hero'."

There are specific needs for toy display, a requirement for approximately 50 episodes, and the need to ensure that each prop is appropriately integrated into the plot at different stages.
Setting the framework and length too rigidly will severely limit creative freedom.

I have no experience in creating this type of work, and if you ask me to do this kind of thing without proper knowledge, the result will most likely not be very good.

Your fantasy of "I can definitely create a good story" is very likely to fail in this situation.

Therefore, I think you are really unprofessional in terms of creative work, and you also lack the ability to select talent.

After hearing this, Seiji Akechi scratched his head somewhat embarrassedly: "That's true."

Just as he was about to say, somewhat disappointedly, "If that's the case, then let's just forget about it,"

Iruma Isshin suddenly added, "However, if you're looking for an author who can create ideal commercial works based on demand, I do have someone in mind."

Akechi Seiji quickly asked, "Who is it?"

Isshin Iruma smiled and replied, "Do you know 'Arisa Munechika'?"

Upon hearing this, Seiji Akechi gave a wry smile that made him look somewhat embarrassed: "Hahaha. Please, teacher, don't tease me."

Are you talking about that Vtuber who just announced her switch to light novels a couple of days ago? I've heard a little about her online, but I don't think a young girl like her is capable of doing that kind of work.

Even if you don't want to come, I can't possibly use someone like that. We have plenty of professional screenwriters we can contact."

However, Isshin Iruma shook his head seriously: "No, I'm not joking with you. I really feel that the child might have some special talent in formula creation."

Seiji Akechi was still clearly skeptical: "Really?"

Isshin Iruma did not try to persuade him further.

"Well, you still have a long time to prepare, right? As far as I know, the next film won't officially start shooting until around March next year."

"You still have six months. You can think carefully about the screenwriter. She's just one of my 'potential candidates,' and you don't necessarily have to accept her."

"Well then, I have other matters to attend to, so I'll take my leave now."

After saying this, Iruma Isshin got up and left.

Only Seiji Akechi remained, sitting in a chair, seemingly deep in thought.

(End of this chapter)