radicalducati Page 57
Page 57
Even though she didn't elaborate, most people present knew what she meant—the film grossed ten million on its opening day, and nearly ten days have passed, yet the theaters are still packed every day. In other words... the gross profit generated by the animated film "5 Centimeters Per Second" alone has reached nearly one hundred million!
"One hundred million! That's one hundred million for a novel!" Machida Sonoko's eyes gleamed with a dreamy light, clearly fantasizing about certain things: "It's only been a few days... it's far from being taken off the air. Given the situation with [5 Centimeters Per Second], extending the run might be possible... no, it should already be a done deal, right?"
The release date for each film is not fixed. If a film's sales are terrible and no one watches it, it will be forcibly pulled from theaters. Conversely, if sales are terrible and no one watches it, the release date will be extended slightly... Of course, it won't be for too long.
“Indeed, it’s quite surprising.” Even Akane Kousaka, who had seen many storms and was always very calm, sighed and shook her head with a hint of helplessness: “The production of [5 Centimeters Per Second] cost almost nothing—compared to other movies, but the value it created is astonishing.”
"If this trend continues, after '5 Centimeters Per Second' is taken off the screens, after deducting the theaters' share of the profits, there will still be several hundred million left... Mr. Baili, and all the teachers, you have unknowingly become billionaires!"
“No, I think a few hundred million is relatively small.” As soon as Akane Akasaka finished speaking, Baili Xiao smiled and waved his finger: “If my estimate is not wrong, the value that the ‘5 Centimeters Per Second’ animated film can create for us is far more than this.”
"Oh?" Akane Akasaka raised an eyebrow, staring at Xiao Baili with interest. "What do you mean?"
"Although the movie '5 Centimeters Per Second' can only be shown in a dozen or so cities due to the limited number of theaters, after it's finished its run, many video websites will definitely come to negotiate copyright issues—that is, something like 'exclusive streaming rights'." Baili Xiao said without hesitation, because in his previous life, iQiyi, Youku, and others all used this method.
"That's it! With the performance of [5 Centimeters Per Second], it will definitely develop like this in the future!" As Bai Lixiao spoke, Akane Kurosaka's eyes became even brighter: "Not only will it allow more people to see [5 Centimeters Per Second], further increasing the studio's global reputation, but it will also fully utilize the remaining value of [5 Centimeters Per Second]. Hmm... how about leaving the negotiations with the website to me?"
"I'll have to trouble you, Ms. Kurosaka." Baili Xiao smiled wryly, glancing at the others. "However, I hope that when you negotiate with them, you won't set up [5 Seconds] as a paid service. Is that possible?"
Hearing his words, Akane Kousaka frowned—no charge? Did that mean they'd just give the website the "broadcasting rights"? If that was the case, probably not many people would be willing to pay a "huge sum" to buy [5 Centimeters Per Second]...
Seeing the doubt in her heart, Baili Xiao sighed softly. In his previous life, when he watched anime on websites like iQiyi and Youku, what annoyed him the most was the kind of prompts like "This video requires a VIP membership to watch. You have the right to watch a six-minute preview. Please purchase a membership." What was even more outrageous was that some movies even required money to watch—"This video requires a payment of 5.5 yuan!"
As a student, he strongly condemned this behavior, but was forced to search online for pirated content...
Recalling his past misery, Baili Xiao couldn't help but smile bitterly: "Ms. Kurosaka, well... '5 Centimeters Per Second' has received a lot of support. Even those who couldn't go to the cinema to watch the film have supported '5 Centimeters Per Second' in their own ways, so... I don't think it's necessary to charge a second time. Anyone who wants to watch '5 Centimeters Per Second' is welcome, instead of having to pay some money... I think Ms. Kurosaka understands what I mean."
As soon as she finished speaking, Akane Akasaka looked quietly at Xiao Baili, her pupils seemingly shimmering with a faint light.
Her smile widened, and she nodded gently, replying, "I understand, Baili-jun. I'm not as good as you in this respect. If it were me, I probably wouldn't be able to pass up this opportunity to make money..."
"Alright, Akane, it's precisely because Hyakusuke is a person like that that he can create so many interesting and wonderful stories!" Machida Sonoko interrupted Akane's reflections, her tone filled with obvious excitement: "Hyakusuke, those 'Your Name' and 'Monkey King' books that were sold at the anime convention, I feel... they can't be just light novels, right?"
“Even if I didn’t say it, you could guess, right?” Baili Xiao rolled his eyes at Machida Sonoko with amusement, and then said, “The temporary goal is that, like ‘5 Centimeters Per Second,’ ‘Your Name’ will be made into an animated film. As for ‘The Monkey King’… let’s put that aside for now, because its story is too long, and it will probably take a lot of time to complete it.”
"Just as I suspected!" Machida Sonoko became excited when talking about "Your Name": "After listening to Shi-chan recount the entire plot of 'Your Name,' I realized... with a story as moving as '5 Centimeters Per Second,' Hyakuri-kun will definitely not let it be just a simple light novel!"
"Hey! Has the release date been set? When are you going to release the second (final) volume of 'Your Name'? When will the movie adaptation start production? I can't wait to see it in theaters!"
0 ····Requesting flowers···· ·········
For Sonoko Machida personally, the story of "5 Centimeters Per Second" was indeed touching, but it ultimately ended in tragedy. Compared to the "incredibly realistic tragedy," she preferred the comedic ending of "Your Name," which had a touch of magic. That's why she was even more eager to see the animated film "Your Name" as soon as possible!
However... the saying "the higher the expectation, the greater the disappointment" has once again proven its truth...
"Don't think about it for a while... at least not for a week." Baili Xiao shrugged, and seeing the undisguised disappointment on Machida Sonoko's face, a pleased smile appeared on his lips: "After two months of continuous busyness, although everyone has been without complaint, as the person in charge, I'm still going to give everyone a break..."
At this point, Baili Xiao paused, turning to look at Honoka, who was staring intently at her phone screen in the corner of the sofa.
…
From the moment she sat down, Honoka's gaze never left her for a second, her pale fingers occasionally tapping here and there—when she got up to get Akane Kousaka a glass of red wine, Hyakuri Akira's eyes inadvertently fell on the top two words—"Mom"...
Seemingly sensing something amiss, Honoka raised her head, her eyes, filled with a hint of doubt, meeting Baili Xiao's gaze. A blush rose on her cheeks, and she looked away.
"Besides, it's time for Muse to go home. Unlike everyone else, even if they missed home... they didn't have the time or energy to go back before..."
Hearing Bai Lixiao's words, Honoka naturally knew what he meant. Her blush deepened, and she gently pressed the button with her right hand, locking the phone to a black screen, before slowly putting it in her pocket. "T-Teacher, I didn't mean to..."
No? What do you mean, "No"? Aren't you homesick?
Honoka hesitated for a moment, but still didn't reveal the "excuse for putting on a brave face"—in fact, she really missed home.
I want to tell my mom everything that happened here, and I also want to excitedly tell everyone at school, "We've become idol singers!"
"Go back and take a look. I imagine you all have a lot to say to your parents..." Baili Xiao smiled, easing Honoka's embarrassment.
At the same time, Akane Akasaka's expression became complicated. After a barely perceptible sigh, her smile became somewhat stiff: "Hyakuri-kun... I don't know if you remember, but you owe me a favor at the anime convention. If it's possible... I hope you can do me a small favor?"
P.S.: Surgery tomorrow, so I did a lot of things today (I'm so ashamed to admit I shaved my pubic hair =.=!).
Wish me luck, everyone! (I'm not going to die from appendicitis!) Fan.
Chapter 0155 Baili Jun, please help me! (First update, please subscribe)
(A favor?) Baili Xiao was taken aback. At the anime convention, Akane Akane did say something like that, but given the circumstances at the time, Baili Xiao thought it was just a simple "joke".
If it were anyone else, and they said to Baili Xiao, "You owe me a favor, so please do me a favor," he might frown and think it over carefully, but it was different with Akane Kousaka.
The head of the rouge-en-rouge club has always maintained a cooperative relationship with Baili Xiao. No, to be precise, she and Machida Sonoko have always been helping Baili Xiao. Without Akane Kousaka's connections, let alone developing the studio to this extent in two months, even if Baili Xiao had half a year, he probably wouldn't have been able to achieve it!
If Baili Xiao needs anything, the matter on the former's side will be the top priority!
The novel's printing—together with Machida Sonoko, they found every printing house they could contact.
The production of the animated film "343" [5 Seconds] involved all the illustrators in the club putting aside their work to help Baili Xiao with in-between animation and other production tasks.
The film's release was also secured by her alone, using all her connections (herself and her friends), running around to negotiate release contracts in more than a dozen cities.
It can be said that in just over two months, Akane Akasaka really did a lot for Hyakuri Akatsuki. Although he didn't say it outright, he clearly remembered everything Akane did.
“Ms. Kurosaka, if there’s anything I can help with, just say so. Using favors would seem too formal.” Baili Xiao grinned, his expression slowly turning serious: “For a strong woman like Ms. Kurosaka to show such a troubled expression, it must be something important, right?”
With a forced smile, Akane Akasaka's gaze swept over everyone present—all eyes were fixed on her with concern, and even Sonoko Machida, who had always been close to her, looked at her with worry—she sighed softly: "Hyakuri-kun, actually, it's not a big deal."
"I'd like to... borrow your current fame to revitalize an amusement park run by one of my juniors—in fact, I've tried every method I could think of before, such as advertising and comic book promotions, but nothing has worked..."
(To... an amusement park?)
Everyone stared blankly at Akane Akasaka, completely unable to believe that she, who was nearing thirty, could utter such three words as "little girl"!
"You must be very surprised, right?" Without even looking at the expressions on their faces, Akane Akane could guess what they were thinking. A glimmer of memories flashed in her eyes: "A few years ago, when the club's development encountered a bottleneck and we had to go out to find more talented light novelists and illustrators, I lived briefly in Amagi, a border town in the Kingdom of Great Britain."
“There was a girl named Sento Isuzu who asked me for help. When she learned that I had single-handedly built the strongest doujinshi circle, she asked me, ‘Please help us!’”
After a pause, Akane Kousaka turned her gaze to Mashiro Shiina and Eriri: "The Kingdom of Great Britain is a land where swords and magic coexist. I suppose Mashiro and Eriri are the ones who know this best?"
Mashiro nodded slightly—she had heard her grandfather mention this when she was studying in his studio, but after asking, "Can magic make my paintings stronger?" and receiving the answer "no," she hadn't cared about "what magic is" anymore...
Compared to Mashiro, Eriri was clearly more familiar with this: "Yes, but in the Kingdom of Great Britain, that ability is more often called 'magic' - well, to me it's really no different."
A glint flashed in Baili Xiao's eyes, but his expression remained unchanged—in the past two months, in addition to teaching everyone, he had also been constantly learning about the world through various channels.
Simply put... it's a "world composed of anime and manga." To put it more complexly—the Great British Kingdom of King Artoria, Gilgamesh's Sumerian Dynasty, the Far Western Empire led by Esdeath, and so on, all exist in this world and are widely known!
Fortunately... no matter who it is, even someone as arrogant as Gilgamesh, they all seem to accept that "the world needs peace," so there are no reports of "war breaking out in a certain place" in various places.
While pondering to herself, Akane Akasaka spoke again: "Underground in the Kingdom of Britain, there is a magical kingdom called 'Red Maple Paradise.' Their first princess, Latifa, is cursed with 'lack of soul power,' and must spend years recuperating in the Amagi Radiant Amusement Park on the surface to sustain her life..."
"However, as the number of visitors to Amagi Radiant Park has decreased over the years, its reputation has declined, and the 'Soul Power' it can provide has also decreased rapidly. Therefore... Latifa has to reset her body and memories every year in order to avoid the threat of death."
“But…” Akane Akasaka’s expression was complicated. After hesitating for two or three seconds, she sighed heavily: “The reset date is August 1st every year. This year’s reset just passed, and I received a message from Isuzu—if we can’t attract enough visitors to Amagi Brilliant Park to provide enough Soul Power by August 1st next year, Latifa’s body will no longer be able to hold on and she will fall into a permanent slumber…”
"Although Latifa is a princess, she is a very good girl. Not only is she beautiful and poised, but she is also very understanding. During my time living in Amagi, I received a lot of care from her. Because of this, after learning about Latifa's true situation, I have been working hard to promote Amagi Radiant Amusement Park for the past few years..."
"Just like with [Love Live!], which Bai Li-kun created, I advertised like crazy, using light novels, manga, and so on to promote it. You could say I exhausted every method I could think of..." Akane Kousaka gave a bitter smile—seeing her 4.9 smile, everyone's heart tightened: "But it's useless...it's completely useless..."
"Baili-kun, you are a man brimming with miracles. If it were you, you could definitely help the amusement park regain its former glory..."
She slowly stood up and bowed deeply in the direction of Baili Xiao. Her long black hair fell with her movements, and whether it was the people's imagination or not, her originally shiny hair looked much duller at this moment.
"I know this will be a lot of trouble for you, Baili-kun, but... please help them out, considering how hard I've worked for them lately..."
P.S.: The surgery is over. Thank you everyone for your concern and support during the surgery. I will resume updates starting today and will try to post more every day!
Chapter 0156 Chosen One! (Two Chapters, Please Subscribe)
“Ms. Kousaka, you don’t need to do this.” Baili Xiao stepped forward with a complicated expression and held Kousaka Akane’s shoulder to prevent her from bowing. “In my opinion, although Ms. Kousaka and Ms. Sonoko have not joined the studio, you are just as important as Shiho and the others. If you have any difficulties, I will definitely help you within my power—just like you helped us.”
He paused for a moment, a slight smile playing on his lips, and murmured softly, "Amagi Radiant Amusement Park? That's a familiar name..."
This name might be unfamiliar to others, but it was extremely familiar to Baili Xiao—after all... in his previous world, he had also followed an anime series called "Amagi Brilliant Park" for a while.
"How about this," Baili Xiao pondered for a moment, his eyes sweeping over everyone present, "Since I was going to be taking a break anyway, is there anyone willing to go to the amusement park with me? We can relax there, and also check out the situation and discuss solutions. If anyone..."
"If that's the case, then there's nothing I can do. I'll go with you then." Before Baili Xiao could finish speaking, Eriri responded first.
Looking reluctant, she fidgeted with her ponytail with her right hand, her gaze lingering on Baili Xiao's face, unwilling to look him in the eye: "It's not that I wanted to stay with you, it's just... this is Miss Hongsaka's request, right? And the amusement park is located within the Kingdom of Great Britain. I haven't been back to my hometown in a long time, I'm a little homesick..."
(As arrogant as ever...) Kasumigaoka Utaha glanced at Eriri and chuckled, "Sawamura-kun, if you really don't want to go, then you shouldn't go. I doubt you can offer any substantial suggestions for the 'amusement park improvement plan'."
"Ugh!" Eriri's breath hitched, and she glared at Kasumigaoka Utaha. Normally, she would have argued with the latter, but today she was unusually quiet.
(Huh? Eriri is also learning to change?) Baili Xiao looked at her with some surprise and smiled: "Well, given Eriri's tsundere nature, I'll take it as you agreeing... Actually, I think it's quite cute when you're tsundere from time to time."
Upon hearing his words, Eriri was stunned for a moment—after following Baili Xiao for so long, this was the first time he had explicitly used the word "cute"! Her cheeks burned as if she were on fire, and Eriri quickly lowered her head, forcing herself to say through gritted teeth, "C-C-Cute?! What are you saying! No, don't say such things!"
"Alright, I won't say anything nonsense again." Baili Xiao's words were clearly teasing as he turned his gaze to the others: "Is anyone else here?"
"Teacher, I...I won't go." Hashima Izumi weakly raised her hand. "My brother's been busy with club matters lately, and I want to go see him, and..."
She looked at Izumi Sagiri, who was looking downcast, and said, "Sagiri can't go out. If everyone leaves, there will be no one to take care of her, so... I'll stay."
Izumi Sagiri froze abruptly, looking up at Hashima Izumi with surprise, her pale blue eyes flashing with an inexplicable light.
The studio is closed for a week. How long would it take to see her brother? Not even half a day, right? Even so, she's willing to stay at sea. It seems the main reason is that she's worried about who will take care of her... Thinking of this, Izumi Sagiri slowly pulled the hood of her casual clothes up, so that no one could see her expression. Then, a weak voice came from inside the hood.
"No, don't worry about me, I can take care of myself..."
"What are you talking about! Even if you can take care of yourself, we can't just leave you alone in the studio!" As if she had heard the conversation in the living room, Yamada Elf, who had been in the kitchen, poked her head out, patted her chest full of energy, and blinked: "Teacher! Although I want to go too, I'd rather stay with Izumi... If possible, I hope you can take more pictures of the amusement park and bring them back!"
Baili Xiao was slightly moved, and a sense of "gratification" rose in her heart for no reason: "Don't worry, I will bring back a lot of local specialties for you!"
As soon as she finished speaking, Kato Megumi came out from inside carrying bowls and plates, a faint smile on her face: "Alright, we can discuss these issues later. I imagine everyone is hungry, right?"
...
At the dinner table, after a brief discussion, the final decision was made regarding who would go to "Amagi Radiant Amusement Park"—Hyori Akane, Akane Akasaka, Sonoko Machida, Utaha Kasumigaoka, and Eriri.
Although Yazawa Nico wanted to go too, after much consideration, she chose to return to Idol City with the Muse group—after all, she wasn't the only child in her family, and she couldn't wait to show off to her younger siblings.
As for Kato Megumi, being a student at Toyonosaki Academy, she had a ton of classes to attend, so naturally she didn't have time to go out with Hyakuri Akira... well, at least not like Kasumigaoka Utaha and Eriri...
Of course, Baili Xiao also extended an invitation to Yue Zhengling, but for some reason he didn't know, Yue Zhengling declined his offer with a complicated expression—"Teacher Baili, thank you for inviting me, but... I want to go back to the Yuezheng Group first; there are some things I need to take care of..."
Baili Xiao really wanted to ask, "What's the matter?", but since he wasn't very familiar with Yue Zhengling, he chose to remain silent. Firstly, Yue Zhengling wasn't a member of the studio, and they had only known each other for half a month at most. Secondly, since the matter involved Yue Zheng Group, it wasn't appropriate for him, as an outsider, to ask any questions.
A little over half a day later, in the airport waiting area.
Baili Xiao raised an eyebrow and looked Eriri up and down: "Ahem, do we need to go back and prepare something special?"
The gradient-colored pleated dress, with ruffles at the cuffs and collar, exuded a playful and cute charm. Fair calves peeked out from under the skirt, and she wore light-colored semi-transparent women's sandals. Her small and delicate feet caught Baili Xiao's eye, making him think to himself, "They must feel really good."
"I didn't dress up specially, I, I usually dress like this..." Eriri muttered softly, her cheeks slightly flushed as she walked to Baili Xiao's side—the latter's gaze sweeping over her fair skin always gave her the illusion of "itching".
(Hmm, why does it feel itchy? It would only feel like that if Baili-kun's hand touched me, right?... Ugh! What am I thinking!)
Lost in thought, Eriri's gaze inadvertently drifted to Kasumigaoka Utaha on the other side—white high heels, black pantyhose, a light blue dress paired with a slightly darker jacket, exuding an aura of "mature woman" that made Eriri inexplicably feel "a bit weaker."