Full-time comic artist

Page 521

"Thank you."

After bowing on stage, the boy couldn't help but smile as he held the trophy.

Higashino looked at him and thought of Soma Satoru.

"He still needs to work harder."

The audience erupted in applause, and Higashino joined in.

After the Tezuka Award ceremony, Hibiki Higashino rushed home, where Masao Maruyama was waiting for him.

Masao Maruyama brought news about Paprika, while Hibiki Higashino handed over the script for the Puella Magi Madoka Magica movie, Rebellion.

It was nine o'clock at night. Maruyama Masao had been waiting for a long time, so Higashino Hibiki tried to quicken his pace.

Where is Mr. Toriakino?

Yadai pushed his way out of the crowd and looked around the hall.

Koji Yoshida replied, "The teacher has other work to do."

"Eh..." Yashiro Naruto was a little disappointed. "What a pity. I wanted to ask the teacher for some advice."

"Next time," Yoshida Koji tapped his forehead. "Now come with me to discuss the storyboard for the serialization."

"Yes." Yashiro nodded.

……

"Please have some tea." Akemi Akemi refilled the empty teacup and gestured towards Masao Maruyama and Tetsuro Araki.

"Thank you." Maruyama Masao nodded, his face calm but his heart was in turmoil.

He had already drunk seven or eight cups of tea, and his stomach was very bloated.

"Um, Mr. Toriakino..."

"Xiang will be home in about half an hour."

"Oh, I see. This is troublesome."

Maruyama Masao closed his eyelids.

Before Tori Akino Mirai arrives, he wants to review the awards Paprika received.

In August, he took his team to Canada, where "Paprika" won the Public Choice Award at the Montreal New Cinema Festival.

This film festival is one of Canada's oldest, yet it pursues innovation in cinema.

Quirky, unique, and cutting-edge films will be favored.

Paprika is undoubtedly such an animated film.

During its 11-day run in Canada, many viewers became obsessed with Paprika.

This animated film's unique style and brilliant portrayal of dreams have captivated many.

The ability to create a heart-to-heart connection between the creative team and the audience also brought Masao Maruyama satisfaction.

"It's a pity that Mr. Tori Akino isn't here."

He shook his head slightly.

It's a great pity that the creator of the story didn't directly address the praise.

After Montreal, they went to Italy to attend the Venice International Film Festival.

This film festival is much more famous; many people who don't watch movies are familiar with the Venice International Film Festival.

"Ah, he's back." Akemi Akemi looked out the window as the car headlights approached from afar and then drove into her garage.

She stood up and went to the door to greet Higashino Hibiki.

Maruyama Masao straightened his back, his spirits lifted.

Higashino Hibiki opened the door, and Akemi Akemi hurriedly asked him, "It's much faster than you said."

"Yes, because it wouldn't be good to keep Mr. Maruyama waiting any longer."

He handed his coat to Akemi Akemi and strode quickly into the living room.

"Mr. Maruyama, I'm sorry to have kept you waiting."

“I was too impatient. There’s still an hour until our agreed time,” Maruyama Masao said, pointing to his watch and shaking his head with a smile.

"I was too hasty. There are many things I want to tell you."

“Oh,” Hibiki Higashino said, sitting opposite him, “then I’m all ears.”

“Okay.” Maruyama Masao cleared his throat and explained his plans for the past few months.

Higashino listened attentively.

In Montreal, Masao Maruyama was in high spirits, and when he talked about the Golden Lion, his eyes were filled with longing, then he sighed with disappointment.

Hibiki Higashino asked directly, "Is it not going well?"

"No, I'm just a little dissatisfied; in the end, I only got a nomination."

“Nomination…” Higashino paused.

Only films that qualify for the Golden Lion Award can be nominated, and there are only 25 films nominated at this year's film festival.

Every single one is a masterpiece.

Maruyama Masao's words are somewhat Versailles-like.

Who won the award?

"It's Ang Lee's 'Brokeback Mountain,' which is truly a magnificent film."

It turns out it lost to "Brokeback Mountain," which makes perfect sense.

Brokeback Mountain swept major awards in the United States, receiving eight Oscar nominations and winning three awards: Best Director, Best Adapted Screenplay, and Best Original Score.

Losing to Brokeback Mountain is not shameful.

"We didn't win the Golden Lion Award, so we'll just have to try harder next time." Hibiki Higashino didn't comfort Masao Maruyama; instead, he encouraged him.

“That’s right.” Maruyama Masao was a strong man; he nodded and moved on from the topic.

"Teacher Toriakino, I'm not just anxious to see you to deliver a message. I also need to inform you about the release of 'Paprika'."

He took out two movie tickets and handed them to Hibiki Higashino.

Higashino Hibiki glanced at the screen; the premiere was at Theatre Shinjuku.

"I will definitely go."

Masao Maruyama explained that "Paprika" was created and distributed by Sony Pictures Entertainment Japan.

First, conduct a small-scale test screening in the Kanto region to observe the effect and then decide whether to release it on a large scale.

"They have no expectations for the commercial success of Paprika."

At this point, Masao Maruyama sounded somewhat depressed.

But that's also true.

Hibiki Higashino said, "Reality will make a fair judgment."

"You're really full of confidence."

With the matter of "Paprika" now settled, Hibiki Higashino can only patiently wait for the film's release date at the beginning of the new year.

"Tori Akino-sensei," Araki Tetsuro had been waiting for a long time, his heart pounding in his chest with anxiety.

He was eager to see the script for "The Rebellion Story" as soon as possible.

"Please wait a moment."

Hibiki Higashino stood up, walked to the studio, and rummaged through a drawer to find the script for the "Puella Magi Madoka Magica" movie.

Chapter 393 Bestseller

"Paprika!"

"What's wrong?" Inoue Kazumi, who was walking with her head down, noticed that her boyfriend hadn't followed and turned around in confusion.

It turned out he was standing in front of a poster, hesitant to move forward, his eyes shining as if he had seen some treasure.

"This...this...this is Paprika! It's actually been made into an animated movie! That's amazing!"

"But 'Love You 99 Minutes' is about to begin..."

Kazumi Inoue stopped midway through her sentence, even though "Love You 99 Minutes" was a movie she had been looking forward to for months and had wanted to watch with her boyfriend for a long time.

But this was the first time Inoue Kazumi had seen this side of her boyfriend.

Such fervent anticipation for a movie.

The other person has always been a very reserved person. While making sacrifices for me, they have never talked about their own needs.

So she said, "Then let's watch Paprika."

"Really?"

“Yes!” Inoue Kazumi nodded seriously. “It looks like a very interesting movie.”

"That's great!" Xiao Fusheng ran off. "I'm going to buy movie tickets."

Inoue Kazumi couldn't help but smile happily, feeling a sense of "his happiness is my happiness".

"In short, I felt even happier than when I watched 'Love You 99 Minutes'."

Not long after, Nobuyuki Kofushi returned dejectedly. "The tickets are sold out, and this is the only place in Tokyo where you can see it..."

"What should I do?"

"You can stand and watch..."