Inside the President's office at L.S Produ.
Lin Zhiyan was meeting with Makoto Shinkai.
"Mr. Hayashi, congratulations on the phenomenal success of Puella Magi Madoka Magica! It's become a truly phenomenal anime that's taken Neon by storm!" Shinkai offered his congratulations.
Lin Zhiyan smiled and replied, "Thank you." He then invited Shinkai to sit down and had someone pour him some tea.
After they were seated and had taken a sip of tea, Lin Zhiyan sighed. "While Madoka Magica was a tremendous success, I'm under a lot of pressure now."
"Oh?" Shinkai looked surprised. "Because of the final two episodes?"
"No, those were completed long ago and are just waiting to air. There's no pressure there," Lin Zhiyan said, shaking his head slightly.
"Then because...?" Shinkai couldn't help but ask.
"Because Madoka Magica was too successful, I don't even know what kind of animation to make next," Lin Zhiyan said with another sigh.
Shinkai's lips twitched slightly. "I see. That's truly... a happy problem to have."
"By the way, your 5 Centimeters Per Second should be nearing completion, right?" Lin Zhiyan changed the subject.
"It's basically finished," Makoto Shinkai nodded. "It'll be released at the beginning of next month."
In another timeline, 5 Centimeters Per Second had been released on March 3, 2007. Its early release in April 2006 could only be attributed to Lin Zhiyan's influence.
After all, Lin Zhiyan had encouraged Makoto Shinkai to leave his game company back in 2000. Once production on 5 Centimeters Per Second began, several staff members were seconded from Lin Zhiyan's L.S Produ. Unlike the other timeline, where recruitment continued throughout production, finishing a year early was a natural outcome.
In fact, Lin Zhiyan had initially expected the film to be released in March, and was surprised it would be delayed until early April.
After a moment's thought, he replied, "Early next month? I'll find time to organize a private screening for the entire company."
Though it was an animation company, occasional team-building activities were still necessary. Moreover, many of the staff had been involved in the animation's production.
Lin Zhiyan was also curious to see if this animation would be identical to the original version from the other timeline. After all, the production had been moved up, and Makoto Shinkai didn't have memories of the original timeline, so it might not be exactly the same.
Makoto Shinkai hadn't expected Lin Zhiyan to be so generous and supportive. He quickly thanked him and then said, "Actually, I came here today to discuss something with you."
"What is it?" Lin Zhiyan asked, puzzled.
"Well, during the story development phase, we had some discussions together. Someone suggested adding your name to the scriptwriter or series composition credits to help with the animation's promotion. But I felt that might not be quite right, so I wanted to ask for your opinion." Makoto Shinkai spoke as if he found it difficult to bring up.
Lin Zhiyan pondered for a moment, then nodded. "No problem. If it helps promote the animation better, I don't mind having my name added. In fact, it's more like I'm getting the better end of the deal."
"Really?" Makoto Shinkai was surprised by Lin Zhiyan's quick agreement. He had expected Lin Zhiyan to at least want to see the finished animation and confirm its quality before agreeing.
For anyone else, in any other anime, Lin Zhiyan might have refused. But for Makoto Shinkai's 5 Centimeters Per Second, even though he wasn't sure it could match the original's quality, Lin Zhiyan chose to trust Shinkai.
He probably wouldn't be disappointed.
As long as the quality was decent, putting his name on it wouldn't be a problem.
He nodded and said, "Of course, I can."
Then he changed the subject: "However, I believe deceiving the audience is a shameful act. So if any viewers ask, you should be honest and say that I only participated in the planning and story development, not the actual scriptwriting. Also, when the film is released and you're promoting it, I'll likely be busy with other things and unable to attend any events."
"That's no problem," Makoto Shinkai agreed readily.
Only after that did he ponder Lin Zhiyan's earlier words.
Deceiving the audience is a shameful act?
What a thick skin he has.
I've heard that Mamoru Hosoda, the one hailed as Hayao Miyazaki's successor, also has a thick skin. Could this be a necessary trait for successful animators?
Or perhaps the thick-skinned Mamoru Hosoda, after joining L.S Produ, had corrupted this Mr. Hayashi?
Regardless, Lin Zhiyan's willingness to agree was all that mattered.
With his primary objective accomplished, Makoto Shinkai began to relax, engaging in casual conversation with Lin Zhiyan.
They talked about animation, art styles, and industry rumors.
After a while, feeling satisfied, he rose to take his leave.
After seeing Makoto Shinkai out, Lin Zhiyan resumed handling the company's daily affairs.
Before long, there was a knock on the office door.
Lin Zhiyan glanced up to see Nanase Mayumi.
She entered his office, tidied up the coffee table, and asked, "Was that Makoto Shinkai who came to visit earlier?"
"Yes," Lin Zhiyan nodded.
"You seem to have high hopes for him?" Nanase Mayumi inquired further.
"Something like that," Lin Zhiyan replied, unsure how to explain. After all, this involved another timeline; even with Nanase Mayumi, his closest confidante, some things couldn't be said.
Nanase Mayumi, however, was merely asking casually.
After finishing tidying up, she approached Lin Zhiyan and changed the subject: "I recently heard some troubling news."
"What news?" Lin Zhiyan looked up at Nanase Mayumi, slightly puzzled.
Nanase Mayumi glanced toward the office door and lowered her voice. "It seems Mamoru Hosoda plans to leave soon and start his own animation company."
Lin Zhiyan paused, surprised but not entirely shocked.
After all, Hosoda was no longer the pariah of the industry, the "scum" fired by Studio Ghibli. Thanks to the box-office success and numerous awards of The Girl Who Leapt Through Time and Summer Wars, he had transformed from a "genius animation director" into "Hayao Miyazaki's successor."
Under these circumstances, the idea of leaving to start his own company was perfectly understandable.
In another timeline, Hosoda had also left Madhouse after Summer Wars and, during the production of Wolf Children: Ame and Yuki, founded Studio Chizu.
Still, Lin Zhiyan had extended a helping hand to Hosoda during his most difficult times. He had originally hoped to retain him, but now it seemed that was unlikely.
After a moment's thought, he said, "I'll head to the screening room. Can you call Hosoda over for me? I want to have a word with him."
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