Since Episode 9 of the TV series aired, Lin Zhiyan had kept his word and stopped posting any preview posts.
After the series concluded, he gave numerous media interviews but remained silent online.
This was his first post on the internet in a long time, and given his considerable online following, it immediately drew countless views and comments:
"A happy ending? I'm scared~"
"Generally, theatrical films for TV anime are either cash grabs or attempts to fix plot holes. If you hadn't mentioned it, I would have assumed a happy ending, but now I'm suspicious."
"..." I've followed all four seasons and just smile silently.
"Old Thief Lin's anime never have truly happy endings. At best, they end like the TV series finale—both healing and devastating."
"Based on past experience, this post should be interpreted as follows: Homura Akemi, who was forced to separate from Madoka at the end of the TV series, will reunite with Madoka in this new theatrical film, and they might never separate again. However, the process will undoubtedly be agonizing, and while their permanent reunion might count as a 'happy ending,' everything else will be awful."
"If you can turn even that into a devastating ending, I'd be a fool to believe you."
"I'll still watch the movie, but it's a new theatrical film from Madoka Magica. Claiming it will have a happy ending is just unbelievable."
After posting his message, Lin Zhiyan didn't simply abandon it. He carefully read through the comments from netizens.
He wasn't surprised that people didn't believe him or that they doubted there would be a happy ending. He didn't see any point in trying to convince them.
Those who wanted to believe could, and those who didn't didn't matter. After all, even if the ending wasn't happy, it wouldn't affect ticket sales.
As long as the theatrical film's quality was recognized by the audience and it received overwhelmingly positive reviews, everything would be fine.
The only thing that left him speechless was the comment blaming him for the "depressing ending." He had only participated in the planning phase and was credited for story composition. Regardless of his involvement, the ending would have been depressing, the kind that made you want to blow up a train. It was truly unfair to pin the blame on him.
This animation was likely the first work that allowed Makoto Shinkai to gain recognition among the audience. Though "recognition" was a relative term—the film's box office was modest, less than one percent of his peak works in another timeline.
The animation consisted of three short stories. The first depicted the young love between the main characters, Takaki and Akari, and their promise to reunite on a specific day after being forced to separate.
The second episode, told from another character's perspective, depicts Takaki's life after parting with Akari upon entering high school.
The third episode follows them after graduation and entering the workforce. The most iconic scene is when they pass each other on the street. By the time they realize it and turn back, their eyes meet, only to be immediately blocked by a speeding Odakyu Line train. When the train passes, Akari is already gone.
In essence, it's a story about a first love forced apart, separated by distance, gradually defeated by reality, and ultimately passing each other by.
The story is beautiful, with a lovely beginning, but a deeply depressing ending.
Before the animated film's release, Lin Zhiyan's name appearing in the "Story Structure" section sparked considerable discussion.
It was later confirmed that Lin Zhiyan hadn't actually written the script, only discussed the story structure with Makoto Shinkai. This gradually shifted the audience's focus back to Shinkai's direction.
When the film was released, the scene of the main characters passing each other nearly sent many viewers into a rage. Afterward, they flooded the internet with comments, saying, "Just as expected from a story structured by Old Thief Lin!"
It's widely said that the depressing ending of the film was Lin Zhiyan's doing. They claim that if he hadn't been involved in the story development phase, the ending would never have been so bleak.
When Makoto Shinkai was interviewed about this, he denied it, stating that even without Lin Zhiyan's involvement in the story development, the ending would likely have remained the same.
Yet, even after the interview was published, audiences still insisted that the scene that made them want to blow up a train was Lin Zhiyan's touch. Everything was his fault.
When the film was released, Lin Zhiyan was busy preparing for his wedding to Nanase Mayumi. Although the company organized a group screening for employees, he completely ignored the online discussions.
By the time he discovered the controversy, the film had long since been removed from theaters, and the discussion had died down. In such circumstances, it would have been awkward to suddenly post a defense.
Now that the topic had resurfaced, Lin Zhiyan decided not to remain silent. He quickly posted a new message:
"I don't really agree with the idea that my animations lack happy endings. Everyone is entitled to their own interpretation, and I don't think there's much to argue about there.
But to say I turned it into a depressing ending? That's a huge injustice! I was swamped with other things at the time and didn't get around to explaining it sooner. In reality, I was mainly involved in discussing the themes, story framework, and historical setting of that animation. The specific plot direction and the scene where the male and female leads just miss each other had nothing to do with me.
You can't blame me for every depressing plot point! I'm not taking that blame!"
After posting this, Lin Zhiyan didn't post anything else. After all, he wasn't that idle, and since it was an old animation film, the public should be focusing on newer things now. There was no need to dwell on that topic any longer.
By September, the entire film was completed and awaiting its theatrical release. However, Lin Zhiyan still had a new animation to produce.
He was also busy approving and overseeing other animation projects at the company, not to mention promotional activities.
He remained busy with his daily work until October 5th, when the new theatrical film finally premiered in theaters.
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