In Japan, if there is no script, the pre-production work for animation can take anywhere from six months to an indefinite period.
Fortunately, "Onmyoji" is an animation adapted from a game, so the main storyline and framework were already in place. Creating on this foundation would not take as long.
After about two months of preparation, Kyoto Animation had finished all the scripts and storyboards.
Aoki Haruhi had also reviewed the storyboards they wrote, and only after confirming there were no major issues did they begin production.
Many animations in Japan are not fully completed before being delivered to TV stations; instead, they are broadcast while still in production.
The production cycle for one episode is about one month.
The broadcast schedule is one episode per week. If there are 13 episodes, it takes exactly three months to finish airing, which is known as a seasonal anime (cour).
A half-year series is about 26 episodes.
In terms of production, a team of about 20 people is divided into 4 to 5 groups, with each group responsible for producing the content of one episode.
For example, the first group produces episodes 1, 6, and 11.
The second group produces episodes 2, 7, and 12.
And so on.
Then, we produce them with a one-week interval between each.
The advantage of this production method is that each episode is spaced about a week apart, which fits perfectly with the broadcast schedule, ensuring no delays while leaving room for error in production.
Making an anime is by no means less demanding than developing a game; it often requires even more manpower and time.
Games primarily use electronic performance to substitute for time-based experiences, whereas in anime, every single frame must be crafted by hand.
Once the director establishes the general direction for the anime, the remaining work is completed collectively by the key animators, character designers, color designers, prop designers, art directors, colorists, photography directors, musicians, sound directors, and so on.
Kyoto Animation currently lacks sufficient personnel, so some parts have to be outsourced and then brought back in-house for revisions.
In such cases, Kyoto Animation generally prepares the storyboards and scripts, defines the thematic visual style, and lists detailed requirements for the outsourcing companies before distributing the work.
Once the work is done, it is returned to Kyoto Animation for final editing and integration.
Although it was a bold and proactive attempt, it still exposed the fact that Kyoto Animation's staff had not yet been fully developed and were still in an initial stage of growth.
Aoki Haruhi had no complaints; after all, they were the contractor he had chosen himself.
He would just consider it money spent to help them gain experience.
According to Kyoto Animation's normal development trajectory, by 1992 they already possessed the capacity for independent production, began to make a name for themselves by 1994, and gradually became rising stars thereafter.
Aoki Haruhi's philosophy was that no matter what kind of genius you are, there is always a process of growth.
However, if you don't do it, there certainly won't be any growth.
Giving Kyoto Animation the opportunity to produce Onmyoji was also a way to help them grow quickly and build confidence.
Kigami Yoshiji brought the videotape of the first episode to Pokeni.
The first episode was about 25 minutes long, with a very tight pace.
After it finished playing, neither Aoki Haruhi nor Tsuda Nao said a word.
Kigami explained why it was designed this way and what kind of viewing experience this design was intended to bring.
"In terms of quality, we have controlled it as much as possible, and I am deeply sorry that the final result did not meet expectations!"
After speaking, Kigami bowed deeply to Aoki.
The latter rubbed his chin, not expressing anything for a moment.
After two seconds, he comforted him, "Hmm, not at all, Director Kigami, you've worked hard. Kyoto Animation has done quite well to reach this level. I hope you will continue to strive for excellence!"
Aoki wasn't just offering empty compliments.
The storyboards themselves were not much of an issue, though the quality was certainly uneven. Fortunately, with a god-tier director like Kigami Yoshiji at the helm, the result was passable.
To achieve this level of quality in the first episode, while still falling a bit short of what Aoki Haruhi had imagined, the storyboarding was already quite beautiful and bore traces of what would become the future Kyoto Animation style.
It wouldn't be an exaggeration to call it a prototype.
After a few more episodes, it should improve significantly.
"Kyoto Animation has always done subcontracting work before; for our first time serving as the main production studio for an anime, this is quite an achievement," said Tsuda Nao.
"The script is excellent, and the storyboards are good; that alone has already laid a solid foundation. The rest can be improved over time."
"Thank you both for your support. We will definitely keep working hard to make 'Onmyoji' the best it can be," Kigami Yoshiji said firmly.
As Onmyoji was about to be released, Aoki Haruhi suddenly thought of a problem.
Players who had already bought the Onmyoji FC cartridge would certainly not buy it again on the MD, even if the graphics were improved.
But what if?
If a new IF route could be released for the MD, perhaps players would be willing to buy it.
In his previous life, Aoki Haruhi was just like that—desperately searching for a version where Ling'er lived. Whether it was a remake of Legend of Sword and Fairy or a new release on the SS, it was something players looked forward to.
What they were looking forward to was nothing more than an ending that wasn't so heartbreaking.
Although tragedies can leave a deep impression, fulfilling regrets and satisfying long-cherished wishes can also be a kind of moving experience, can't it?
"Didn't many players provide feedback saying that the ending of Onmyoji was too heartbreaking? Is there any possibility of a happy ending?"
"What if we let Yuki Rei survive and make it an IF route?"
The next day, as the end of the year approached, Aoki Haruhi proposed this during the planning meeting.
"The Onmyoji anime has 13 episodes, just enough to air over one season, finishing around April. We have plenty of time to add this content."
Eh?
Everyone was stunned and exchanged glances.
"Objection!" Gen Urobuchi stood up, raising his right hand.
"Doing this would destroy the beauty of Onmyoji. Love is beautiful, and loss is also beautiful. Sacrificing oneself to save the world is such a noble act. If Yuki Rei survives, that nobility will vanish into thin air."
"Objection overruled, sit down," Aoki Haruhi said.
"President!"
Gen Urobuchi's cheeks flushed bright red.
How could he be so unreasonable, using his title as President to pressure him?
"I know that, of course," Aoki Haruhi smiled and explained:
"It's a parallel world, a parallel world. Do you even understand what an IF route is, Wada-san?"
Gen Urobuchi glared at him with red eyes, not answering immediately.
"Perhaps in some other parallel world, you aren't working at Pokeni, but have started your own studio, making strange games?"
"Or it's not impossible that you've become a god in the gaming industry, but have countless fans who want to hack you to death?"
"These are all things that could exist; they're just called parallel worlds."
Aoki Haruhi said, "But it's these fantasies that give us endless motivation, making people fascinated by them. Just thinking about the different lives brought about by different choices, don't you think it's interesting?"
"Regrets are left to the main storyline. The IF routes, whether as parallel worlds or just dreams, are merely a small emotional comfort for the players. They don't have much impact on the main storyline."
"Can you accept this?"
Gen Urobuchi didn't speak, instead, he thought quietly.
The others also lowered their heads, thinking about the [parallel worlds] Aoki Haruhi had just spoken of.
After about a minute, Gen Urobuchi finally lowered his proud head, seemingly relieved.
"If that's the case, I can accept it."
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