Anime rating game

"That's true! I want to hear Mio-senpai sing our songs, and I also want to sing their songs in front of Mio-senpai."

"There will be opportunities for everyone."

After greeting her agent who was waiting at the school gate, Hongxia got into the car and casually asked:

"...Where do we go next?"

"Musashino, let's meet in Musashino's conference room today, that will make it easier to talk."

"Understood. When is the joint performance scheduled?"

"It hasn't been decided yet; we'll see how things go after we discuss it."

"That's true. By the way, why hold this joint performance? Our strength is still far behind that of our five predecessors."

"There's nothing we can do about it. You've only just started, and the difference in time can't be erased by talent alone. Besides, K-On!'s talent is also very high. As for the reason, of course, it's to increase anime sales and popularity."

"Huh...? But this doesn't seem to do K-On any good, does it?"

"According to the president, this was initiated by Akiyama Mio. She seems to really like your songs and hopes to find inspiration for songwriting from you."

Upon hearing this, Yamada Ryo's eyes lit up.

Mio-senpai is a genius at composing and writing lyrics. Communicating with her will surely spark many interesting ideas.

Chapter 321 These days, there are still people vying to treat others to meals.

That day, at the morning meeting, after reporting on the recent financial situation as usual, Okitsu Yuka changed the subject and continued:

"...Due to the upcoming joint performance between K-On! and the End Band, the anime viewership of Lonely Rock has increased by 10% compared to last week."

"While the sales of the other three animated films released during the same period did not increase significantly."

"We have reason to believe that this is due to the influence of light music."

"As expected of K-On!" Masamune remarked with a smile. "Now the five of them have become a popular band, attracting a large audience to their performances. Their popularity should rise again when the third season airs in July."

"It's a pity that the K-On! anime ended after the third season." Kinoshita Makoto said with regret, "The story after he went to university could have been made into two OVA episodes, but it's really not suitable for the main series."

Miyamori Aoi thought about it carefully and added:

"If another anime with a similar production style as Shirobako were to be made, or if there were a second season of Shirobako, it would be possible to bring K-On! back in, create some original stories, and form a kind of play-within-a-play format."

Yuka Okitsu was speechless. Was this really typical of an animation studio? They were only talking about animation itself, with no one considering marketing or planning at all.

Despite having many opportunities to make money, they seem uninterested in money and remain oblivious to them.

"President, I think we can hold more events like this to increase anime sales."

"In addition, slime-related products are selling very well, perhaps because Musashino rarely produces these kinds of items, creating a certain scarcity marketing effect."

"Therefore, we can also think of some new publicity strategies."

Masamune paused for a moment, then quickly understood her meaning and pondered for a moment before saying:

"Publicity is no problem, but to what extent?"

"I think normal publicity is enough."

"The reason why the End Band and K-On! performed together this time was not to boost sales, but because Mio asked me to."

"She really likes the band's songs, people, and animations, and wants to increase opportunities for interaction, to observe them up close at live performances, so as to write better songs."

"If we were to offer it ourselves, it would feel inappropriate, like we were exchanging favors for money."

Honestly, being too sentimental isn't always a good thing.

However, Yuka Okitsu does not dislike this approach.

"What I mean is, we don't necessarily have to limit ourselves to just one method: joint performances."

"Our animation is of high quality, and although our sales have consistently been a top seller each quarter, we do not have an overwhelming advantage compared to animations from other companies."

"Therefore, I believe there is still a lot of untapped potential in our animation."

“You make a good point.” Masamune nodded slightly. “So, to be more specific?”

"do not know."

"... "

"One person's plan is limited, but two people's plans are more comprehensive. I can see the potential in sales, but I can't think of a better way. However, we can discuss it with everyone, and we can always find a strategy to increase sales."

Masamune was speechless. He offered his opinion but had no solution. Wasn't that just being a scoundrel?

"In that case, does anyone have any good ideas? Please feel free to share your thoughts."

Inside the meeting room, everyone looked at each other in bewilderment.

Those present were mostly concerned with the quality and schedule of animation production each day; marketing was a separate matter entirely.

After more than ten seconds, Masamune spoke up in frustration, breaking the silence:

"Since no one can come up with any good ideas, let's issue an official document."

"Throughout the company, we solicit sales-boosting ideas from everyone. If someone's idea is adopted, they will be rewarded with at least one month's salary, or at most a percentage of the additional sales."

At this point, Masamune suddenly stopped and pondered for a moment before saying:

"Now that we've come this far, let's expand the scope a bit."

"For animation, quality is always the most important thing."

"It's not just about sales planning. If someone can offer practical and meaningful suggestions for our animation that can effectively improve its quality, such as the story, character design, lighting, and special effects, they can receive a reward."

"Miss Okitsu, you are in full charge of this matter."

"Those with ideas can submit their plans to your email address. You can then find feasible solutions from those emails and bring them up at the morning meeting to discuss their feasibility with everyone."

“No problem.” Yuka Okitsu nodded slightly.

This method is not bad. The saying "a generous reward will surely bring forth brave men" is not entirely true, but it does make some sense.

……

Masamune didn't care too much about sales figures, and after the morning meeting, he completely forgot about them.

New plans would be great, but it doesn't matter if there aren't any.

Since Mashiro's main work for the season had largely ended, and what remained were mostly minor details, we went with her to the K-On! recording studio in the afternoon.

As the final season, both the music by Akiyama Mio and others, and the production by Musashino, have reached a high level of maturity.

Whether compared to the first installment two years ago or the second installment last year, the visuals and production have improved significantly.

The dubbing process was also very smooth, with very few mistakes throughout, and many scenes were completed in one take.

After the dubbing finished, Masamune immediately went to greet them.

"Thank you for your hard work. You all did a great job today."

"After all, this is the third time already."

Kotobuki Tsumugi finished speaking with a smile and then suggested:

"I've booked a hotel, let's go celebrate together."

"Huh...!? Don't steal my lines and my job!" Masamune was utterly speechless. Wasn't this usually what he was supposed to say?

"Hehe... Sorry, Dad told me not to take other people's kindness for granted all the time. Every time I finish work, I treat the staff to a simple meal, and also bring some customers to our hotel."

Kotobuki Tsumugi paused for a moment, then smiled and winked.

"Moreover, I've already told the producer on set that it's on me today."

Using solicitation as an excuse, Masamune had no choice but to smile.

Just then, the phone rang. I took out my phone and glanced at it, and saw that the caller ID showed Kaguya Shinomiya.

"What's wrong, Kaguya-san?"

"Mr. Masamune, we just finished recording today. I've booked a hotel. Shall we celebrate together?"

? ?

Masamune looked surprised. "Speaking of which," he said, "Kaguya's side started this morning."

Compared to K-On, who only started recording in the afternoon, their lack of experience meant they weren't as fast.

However, it was quite a coincidence that they ended together.

"I'm at the K-On! recording studio. I just finished here too, and I've already booked a hotel."

"Huh...? Is that so?"

"Since the two production teams are located very close to each other and know each other, why don't we celebrate together?"

"In that case, come over here. I'll send you the address."

Upon hearing this, Kotobuki Tsumugi waved to Masamune, indicating that he would hang up first and that she would speak herself.

As soon as Masamune ended the call, Kotobuki Tsumugi immediately took out her own phone and quickly answered.

"Shinomiya-kun, let me treat you to dinner today."

"Even if you say that, I booked a big hotel."

"I'm a senior, you know."

Masamune was speechless. These days, there are still people vying to treat others to meals.

But did the two of them know each other before?

One minute later, Kotobuki Tsumugi ended the call, smiling as she said:

"It's already arranged. The Kaguya production team will come over to celebrate the successful completion of today's recording together."

When did you two meet?

"It was a long time ago. The social circles in Tokyo weren't very big. Families with a certain level of financial means would often get together. Mr. Masamune might not remember you, but I saw you when I was a child."

"Is that so? I have absolutely no recollection of it."

"Mr. Masamune back then was chubby and very cute."

"Ha ha……"