Full-time comic artist

An excessive pursuit of perfection becomes an inexplicable source of trouble.

Sun Wukong once said, "The universe is inherently incomplete, and the scriptures should also be incomplete, but this is something that can be done by human effort."

Since even heaven and earth are incomplete, there's no need to dwell on their imperfections.

"Then let's leave it at that," Higashino Hibiki said.

He's releasing another single volume.

……

Time flies, and Monday is here soon.

Monday was also one of Higashino Hibiki's rare days off.

With the combined work on "Bakuman" and "Hanzawa Naoki," his original weekends were reduced to just half a day.

Previously, we worked 2.5 days and rested for one day; now we work 6 days and rest for one day, so the working hours have increased exponentially.

Today, he still has to go to the Madhouse for the preview screening of "Paprika".

"Tori Akino-sensei, thank you for your help this time."

Masao Maruyama, the planner of "Paprika," greeted the guests at the entrance. Upon seeing Hibiki Higashino, he immediately went up to say hello.

Hibiki Higashino shook hands with him, saying, "How could I not come?"

It's strange, really. Paprika was adapted from Inception, and now the animated film is adapted from Paprika.

It's like a nested doll, with layers inside each other.

However, it is not surprising that he, like Yasutaka Tsutsui, was involved in screenwriting.

After bidding farewell to Masao Maruyama, Hibiki Higashino entered the screening room and saw someone, so he quickly went up to greet him.

"Teacher Hirasawa, it's been a long time."

This person is Susumu Hirasawa, the musician behind Paprika, and a renowned composer in Japan.

He has released numerous solo albums and won many awards.

An animated series like Paprika, which constantly cycles between fantasy and reality, desperately needs the participation of a master composer to allow viewers to immerse themselves in the story.

Susumu Hirasawa is such a person, whose role is no less significant than that of Yuki Kajiura in "Puella Magi Madoka Magica".

“Teacher Akino.” Hirasawa Susumu nodded slightly.

Hibiki Higashino once hummed the opening theme of "Hikaru no Go," but he had absolutely nothing in common with these composers.

Although he was a time traveler, he was not knowledgeable in music and had no way of copying classic pieces.

The two were only nodding acquaintances, and had only met a few times.

Hibiki Higashino sat quietly in a corner, waiting for the preview screening to begin.

This screening was just a small-scale exhibition, where Madhouse showcased its work to its partners.

It's for internal use, not external audiences, so there won't be any non-industry attendees.

Not long after, Yasutaka Tsutsui arrived.

He was beaming with excitement, eagerly anticipating the broadcast of "Red Pepper".

Many theater companies also attended the screening; they wanted to decide whether to partner with Madhouse for promotion and distribution.

Because it's an art film, they weren't very interested, but they still had to come; if anything went wrong, they would be held accountable.

Chapter 385 An Unparalleled Experience

The theater darkened, and the movie "Paprika" soon began playing.

There are no excessive advertisements, and no intro.

Everyone stared intently at the screen, their eyes shining.

The film opens with a series of bizarre dream sequences, showing Paprika using a DC-Mini to treat Inspector Pinkawa's mental illness.

These dream sequences all echo the later plot, demonstrating a masterful narrative technique.

But the cinema staff all remained expressionless.

"Such a plot will leave the audience feeling confused."

Those who haven't read the original work, or haven't read it carefully, won't be able to understand this part of the plot.

It's easy to turn away viewers.

Masao Maruyama did not give up on the opening of Paprika. He had his own principles and pursued perfection in the finished film, which made the theater staff doubt the future of the film.

Until the opening credits begin.

This is an incredibly impressive and technically brilliant scene, a textbook example of animation film techniques. Its use of storyboarding would put Hibiki Higashino to shame.

No matter how talented these cartoonists are, they can never compare to professionals.

Red Pepper sometimes speeds through the streets on a motorcycle, sometimes becomes a painting on a truck, then bursts out of the painting, rides a missile through the sky, and then enters a giant screen at the top of a building, picking up a beer from another screen.

Accompanied by Susumu Hirasawa's highly infectious music and quirky, bouncy rhythms, everything seemed so enchanting and bizarre.

This is undoubtedly the world in a dream.

"Oh!"

Higashino Hibiki heard someone exclaim in surprise; it was an involuntary reaction.

"So powerful..."

Someone looked over, and he stopped making noise.

The scene changes, and Red Pepper emerges from the computer screen of the overworked office worker, putting a coat on him as he falls asleep at his computer desk.

She moved nimbly, dancing on the bustling sidewalk.

Then, with a snap of his fingers, the screen paused.

The metal ornaments reflected her different expressions of disgust when she was approached, and the pattern on the short-sleeved shirt of the boy on roller skates outside the store became her safe haven.

As dawn broke, Red Pepper rode her motorcycle towards the research institute again.

A car gradually approached, and when the two overlapped, Red Pepper appeared in the driver's seat, and she also returned to her real appearance—the beautiful doctor Chiba Atsuko.

After the dreamlike opening theme ended, she arrived at her destination, and the story officially began.

Higashino Hibiki breathed a sigh of relief; it was truly a visual feast.

Stunning transitions and masterful shot composition—this is Madhouse showcasing its capabilities.

Higashino Hibiki benefited greatly from this.

Several Sony Pictures Entertainment employees were whispering among themselves, their faces still showing shock.

Regardless of the film's story, the unparalleled opening theme alone made their trip worthwhile.

The rest of the story in Paprika is almost identical to the manga version: DCMini is lost, the vice chairman's dream is invaded, and Atsuko Chiba enters the vice chairman's dream in the form of Paprika, where they become intimate.

The vice chairman reached his climax, broke free from the dream, and returned to reality.

Atsuko Chiba's crush, Kosaku Tokita, is trapped in a dream, and Paprika goes to save him.

The chilling background music began to play, it was Susumu Hirasawa's "Media Wild". Red pepper fell freely from the sky, and after passing through the clouds, he transformed into Sun Wukong riding on a somersault cloud and holding a golden cudgel.

Cool, stunning, and touching.

"That's terrifying."

Hibiki Higashino seemed to have heard someone say that.

While telling a story, Paprika also showcases a bizarre and magnificent beauty that can only be expressed through animation.

Yasutaka Tsutsui smiled, engrossed in the animated film.

He is the person who understands Paprika the most, and now he is very satisfied.

The movie is full of exciting scenes, and although it lasts for 1 hour and 30 minutes, Higashino Hibiki didn't feel the passage of time.

Before we knew it, the lights in the screening room came on.

"That was fantastic! Absolutely fantastic!"

Yasutaka Tsutsui was the first to stand up and applaud vigorously.

Others, belatedly realizing what was happening, also stood up to express their praise.

"In my opinion, it is in no way inferior to Spirited Away," Yasutaka Tsutsui praised.

However, these two animated films are not in the same category at all. "Paprika" is more like the kind of film designed to win awards, and it is unlikely that ordinary viewers would be interested in it.

Spirited Away is a hexagonal warrior, combining artistry and entertainment.

Hibiya Higashino said, "Listening to Susumu Hirasawa's music is truly a pleasure."

Japanese composers are truly formidable; each and every one of them is incredibly talented and highly skilled.

The music composed perfectly matched the animation content and was both wonderful and beautiful, giving the animation a powerful boost.

Hibiki Higashino's anime such as "Hikaru no Go", "Slam Dunk", and "Puella Magi Madoka Magica" have all benefited greatly.

Even now, many viewers can hum the opening theme song.

"Teacher Akino, you flatter me." Hirasawa Susumu waved his hand.

However, Media Wild is his masterpiece, so it is normal for it to be praised in this way.

……

Masao Maruyama was beaming; the preview screening was a great success, and the audience showered him with praise.

The cinema staff requested further contact.

Hibiki Higashino, not wanting to disturb their work, and Yasutaka Tsutsui prepared to leave.

"Teacher Toriakino".

He had just taken a step when he was stopped.

"I am Hirano from Sony Pictures Entertainment."