Anime rating game

"To produce the anime, I acquired the rights to many light novels; here is the list."

"If you're willing, I'd like to exchange copyrights with you."

? ?

"How do we exchange them?" Masamune asked, looking surprised.

"You can choose one of these light novels in exchange for the copyright of your light novel."

Light novels?

She's only collaborated on a few light novels, including Oregairu, Chuunibyou, and Eromanga 5, so she's definitely not talking about those.

There are only two light novels that were not adapted into light novels: Maryuin and Oreimo.

The Demon Dragon Academy and Chuunibyou are too similar; she probably doesn't want to ride on its coattails.

"Are you talking about 'My Little Sister Can't Be This Cute'? I've already written the script for two episodes, and I plan to start production next January."

"I can trade two for one, or maybe three for one."

"This isn't how you snatch food from a tiger's mouth, is it? I'm confident this animation will get a rating of 4 stars or higher. Even if your company's art style isn't that great, 3 stars isn't too difficult. If you put in a little more effort, the chances of 4 stars are very high."

"I can give you a portion of the investment amount."

"Why can't it be the other way around? I make the products, and you invest in them."

"Yoshino."

Adagaki Aki looked at her maidservant again.

Yoshino Koiwai silently opened the bag, took out a document, and placed it on the table.

Masamune glanced at the first page of the documents on the table and remained silent.

Although I didn't look at it closely, it's clear that many of the terms and conditions are quite generous.

With minimal investment, you can reap substantial returns without incurring any risks.

"Is it really necessary to go to this extent? Are you so sure that this animation, produced by your company, will be a huge hit?"

I trust your judgment.

Masamune was speechless. He picked up another list of light novels on the table and looked at it, feeling surprised.

She even managed to acquire the rights to the novel "That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime".

Since they own the copyright to this novel, why not just produce it directly? With proper production, it would easily get at least 3 stars, and 4 stars or more is quite possible.

"Aren't you going to produce this light novel?"

"Slime? The writing is mediocre, the plot is old-fashioned, and it's not very popular. The androgynous protagonist is unlikely to attract viewers."

Masamune was speechless. No wonder that after Konosuba, her highest rating was only 3 stars.

However, you can't blame her.

This light novel itself isn't particularly outstanding; it's the kind of novel that gained popularity because of the anime adaptation.

"In that case, let's trade one for one. Next January, I'll make a slime, and you'll make my sister."

"Are you sure? I'm sorry, but I don't see what makes this novel successful."

"Then let's wait and see," Masamune chuckled.

"Shall we make a new bet?"

"No need, I have no need of you and there's nothing I need you to do."

"Hmph! You're too smug. Don't talk like you've already won."

"Our Musashino style is better."

"The art style only accounts for one-seventh, you said that."

"The art style has a great advantage in boosting popularity, and our Musashino has gradually established a reputation for high-quality art."

"Then we'll see."

Adagaki Aki's lips curled up slightly as she thought to herself in a good mood:

I never expected him to choose such a light novel. It seems I can finally beat him this time.

However, this guy's words are really infuriating.

Saying that you have no needs from me makes it sound like I have something to gain from you.

Chapter 244 This is your reward

Not long after Adagaki Aki left, only about ten minutes later, Masamune received a call from Izumi Masamune.

[President Hayase, why did you hand over the production rights to Oreimo?]

"The exchange terms proposed by the other party are very good."

[What are the conditions? Money?]

"More than that, the main condition is a one-for-one exchange of light novels."

[Huh...? What kind of light novel can compare to Oreimo? Although I took Eromanga 5 more seriously, I didn't skimp on Oreimo either. This novel sold very well, and many videos have labeled it a masterpiece of the "little sister" genre.]

[Or is it because I write too slowly and the quality isn't high, and you think another novel is better?]

[But light novel adaptations aren't a popularity contest; there are plenty of cases where anime adaptations of popular novels flop, right?]

[Furthermore, for creators like us, our works are like our own children. How could you possibly hand your child over to someone else? That's incredibly cruel!]

Masamune was speechless. He put the phone away and waited for Masamune to finish his rambling before finally speaking:

“AL Animation is right across the street from our company. We have a good relationship and often collaborate.”

"I feel very reassured leaving my sister with them."

Ultimately, you simply found a better option and fell for someone else.

[What's the name of that novel? I want to see how it's better than my sister's.]

"The two light novels are different types of works and cannot be compared."

"The title is 'That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime,' and we'll start production on it next January. As for AL, the production of 'Oreimo' might start a little earlier, but both should air next April."

[Never heard of it. Although I'm not particularly interested in isekai (another world) themes, I do know a little about them.]

[Since I haven't heard of it, it's enough to prove that this light novel is mediocre and not a popular work.]

"The animation will be very interesting, I promise."

This light novel adaptation isn't based on a live-action story, so it can be used for merchandise. With the copyright in hand, it'll definitely make more money than Oreimo.

As for the ratings, since they are different types of works, it's difficult to make a direct comparison, but it certainly won't be lower than Oreimo's.

No matter how you look at it, this is a very worthwhile deal.

Lost in thought, Masamune noticed that Izumi Masamune had already hung up the phone. He put down his phone and began to ponder again.

With this, the three anime series to be produced next quarter have been confirmed: Slime, Fate/Grand Order, and Lonely Rock.

Although there is still more than a month to write the script, considering the large workload, in order to avoid confusion, we still need to ask the scriptwriting department to distribute the work.

……

"Huh...? Aren't you going to stop making Oreimo next quarter?"

“That’s right. I handed over the production of this anime to Aki Adagaki, and in return, I obtained the rights to a light novel from her.”

"So, it's about exchanging production?"

"That's it." Masamune briefly recounted the novel's plot and the anime's setting.

Inside the scriptwriting department, Mairou, deep in thought, stroked her chin, muttering to herself:

"This setting is quite subversive, however, the novel's plot is too drawn out, making it very difficult to produce."

"Indeed, I have the same concerns."

Masamune nodded slightly. The original anime also had this problem; it was practically a common issue with light novel adaptations.

It's normal for novels to be padded with long passages of dialogue and meeting scenes to fill the plot, but when an animated version does the same thing, it gives people a really bad feeling.

However, the dialogue often contains many important plot points, and skipping them would be inappropriate and could leave the audience confused.

In other words, it's difficult to strike the right balance here.

"I'll read the novel first, then see how the script is written. The leisurely atmosphere of developing a territory from scratch is great, and the contrast between the slime protagonist and the character is also nice. But if there are any mistakes, it will be no different from other light novels on the market."

"Then I'll have to trouble you, Ms. Mai. This work has many excellent aspects. Although it is indeed very difficult to produce, if it is done well, the subsequent benefits will be greater than those of my sister."

Ultimately, Oreimo, with its darker, more edgy style, lacks many interesting aspects.

When creating an animated version of Slime, the creator can avoid the unappealing aspects of the original work, enhance the sensory experience, and make the animation more interesting.

"Hmm... I really need to think about this."

While pondering, Mai-jun suddenly raised her hand and asked:

"President, you just mentioned copyright, not production rights?"

"That's right."

"That's good. In this way, the original author's opinions will only be used as a reference during the production process, rather than a decisive factor, and there won't be too many constraints."

Thinking of his past experiences, he shook his head slightly.

"Although Musashino has been producing original animations for the past two years, it was originally mainly an adaptation."

"I have also participated in the production of many light novel and manga adaptations. Every time I finally come up with an interesting plot, the original author says one sentence and I have to start all over again without even giving me a suggestion for correction."

"Since we are still in charge, I am relieved."

"If there's a plot point you don't like, you can sit down and discuss it together. But if they don't offer any explanation and just keep rejecting it, that's the most annoying thing."

Knowing that he might be thinking about the past, Masamune smiled and comforted him:

"There won't be any problems with the production of this animation, so Ms. Mai can rest assured."

"Ah."