Japan's job hunting activities are equivalent to China's fresh graduate recruitment presentations.
Various companies send relevant personnel to major universities to promote themselves, mainly explaining the company's development history and future prospects, to attract more talents to join the company.
These job hunting activities target third-year students.
Generally, job hunting activities start around December each year, and Pokeni Co., Ltd. is already considered quite late.
After the job hunting activities, written tests and interviews will be conducted at schools around June each year…
Once the screening is complete, these students can be invited to intern at the company. If they are satisfied with the internship, an employment contract will be signed with them, and they will receive an offer, also known as an "internal decision."
After graduation, the fresh graduate can seamlessly join the company as an employee.
Pokeni used to not have the money to do these activities.
Moreover, the company didn't have the space or positions to hire people, so up until now, Pokeni Co., Ltd. has not conducted job hunting activities for fresh graduates.
Aoki Haruhi was exactly in such a dire situation.
However, for the development of the company and to save money, recruiting fresh graduates is actually a good option.
"That's fine. When the list is organized, um…" Aoki Haruhi stood up and peered through a gap in the blinds, observing the employees working outside.
"This matter will be handed over to… Akanishi Ken."
Upon hearing Akanishi Ken's name, Ayase Akane and Kazuma Takahashi let out a long sigh of relief.
They almost thought President Qing was going to name Gen Urobuchi.
If Gen Urobuchi was named, it would be over. If that guy went to recruit, he would either recruit strange people or scare away talented individuals.
In contrast, an 'elderly person' like Akanishi Ken is very steady and gives a reliable impression.
Within the entire Pokeni Co., Ltd., Ayase Akane could not find a more reliable employee than Akanishi Ken.
However, it was also strange that Gen Urobuchi, this guy, had only been with the company for a year, yet he could gain President Qing's favor.
He was clearly a very eccentric person and not pleasing to the eye…
Could it be that there was some unspeakable secret between him and President Qing?
As soon as she thought of this, Ayase Akane couldn't help but widen her eyes, as if she had discovered some truth about the world.
"What about interns?" Ayase Akane asked while taking notes.
"Yes, yes," Aoki Haruhi turned around and said, "As for interns, don't limit it too strictly. Students from first to third year can all be accepted. At that Time, let the heads of each department control the selection."
Ayase Akane listened to President Qing's words and really wanted to jump up and hit his head.
"President Qing, please have some self-awareness, okay?"
Xiao HR stepped forward, looking at Aoki Haruhi with her big eyes, "Of course, talented people try their best to go to big companies like Nintendo. Basically, we only get those who are left after being screened by others for several rounds."
Aoki Haruhi frowned, "Don't say that. At least our company can be said to be a god in the galgame field."
"It would be good enough if we could pick up a few decent talents by chance. You're still being picky," Ayase Akane said.
What is Pokeni Co., Ltd.'s status in the game industry?
President Qing, you have no idea at all, do you?
"Oh, my, my. You're getting itchy, aren't you?" Aoki Haruhi's face darkened.
If I don't spank your butt today, you won't know who the boss is!
"Ah! No! Please don't!"
Xiao HR quickly took a step back, showing her surrender, "President Qing, please forgive me. I was momentarily carried away and don't know why my mouth moved faster than my brain, and I accidentally blurted it out."
"Heh heh…"
Aoki Haruhi let out two cold laughs.
"How about adding an HR position to the recruitment list?"
"Ah… No, President Qing! Our company is so small, we don't need more than one HR."
"Small?!" Aoki Haruhi glared, "If we don't need more than one, then we'll just replace the HR."
… Ayase Akane's face turned ashen.
"President Qing, you're joking, right?"
"You must be joking, right?"
…
January 10, 1992.
Tokyo.
Pokeni Co., Ltd..
"It's bad, President Qing!" Early in the morning, Ayase Akane shouted, "President Qing, it's over, it's over, President Qing!"
Aoki Haruhi couldn't help but frown.
Is this guy a jinx? Saying such inauspicious words first thing in the morning.
"What's wrong? The job hunting activities didn't go well? No one signed up for our company?" Aoki Haruhi asked with a grim face.
That would really be a bit miserable.
Logically, it shouldn't be this outcome.
After all, Pokeni Co., Ltd. is also a leader in the galgame field, and many companies look up to and learn from Pokeni Co., Ltd..
Diablo is also a very classic game, praised by peers.
There's no reason why it shouldn't attract fresh graduates.
Unless these university students never step into the galgame field.
"No," Ayase Akane clutched her chest and took a breath, "It's not about the job hunting activities. The job hunting activities went quite smoothly. Many LSP (perverts) rushed over like a tide as soon as they heard it was Pokeni Co., Ltd., and the application forms piled up like a mountain."
Uh…
Although hearing that there were mountains of applications made him happy inside.
But something felt strange.
"However," Aoki Haruhi slapped the table, pretending to be angry, "Please don't use 'LSP' to describe our lovely players, okay? They submitted their applications with aspirations for the future and ideals for life."
"Okay, President Qing," Ayase Akane clasped her hands in front of her chest, showing no remorse on her face, "I know I was wrong, President Qing, I apologize to the players."
"Then what did you say was bad just now?" Aoki Haruhi asked, puzzled.
"Didn't our company ask Kyoto Animation to produce onmyoji? The release date is scheduled for January 24th at 7 PM, right?"
"Hmm. What's wrong?"
Aoki Haruhi looked at her expression, and the words of Xiao HR made him feel a pang of panic in his heart.
Could it be that something went wrong in the middle, causing the animation to be unbroadcastable?
It shouldn't be. I personally watched the first episode, and it was quite well made.
"And… the most troublesome thing is here," Ayase Akane turned back to her desk, took out a printed document, and handed it to Aoki Haruhi.
"'first cherry blossom battle chronicle' produced by Sunrise is also premiering on January 24th, and like us, it's on Tokyo Television."
"And…" Ayase Akane paused, "This animation is also a Warring States period theme, and it directly clashes with ours in terms of content!"
"What?!"
…
After hearing her words, Aoki Haruhi broke out in a cold sweat.
His first reaction was to call TV Tokyo and ask to reschedule the broadcast of "onmyoji."
If it was as Ayase Akane said, then after the animation was broadcast, it would definitely be compared by the audience.
But what kind of company is Sunrise?
This company was not established early, it was founded in 1972. In the highly competitive Japan, Sunrise is certainly not comparable to a behemoth like Toei.
However, in comparison, Sunrise is clearly more famous than the current Kyoto Animation.
They have had the ability to independently produce animations since a very early Time, and later successively launched many famous animation works.
The most famous is the 'Mobile Suit Gundam' series.
This series can even represent Japan to some extent. In his previous life, in 'Ready Player One' directed by Steven Spielberg, the moment the Japan people transformed into Gundam was enough to make the audience in the entire cinema cheer and roar.
Then 'City Hunter' propelled Sunrise to new heights.
And then there was 'Mashin Hero Wataru,' which was translated in China as 'dragon knight.'
…
In short, Sunrise's reputation is absolutely incomparable to a small company like Kyoto Animation.
However, in Aoki Haruhi's impression, Sunrise had always followed a mecha style, and in his previous life, he had never heard of this animation called 'first cherry blossom battle chronicle.'
Did they get their wires crossed? Why would they suddenly think of making an animation about the Warring States period?
Ah…
Could it be that Pokeni Co., Ltd. changed the original timeline, and the appearance of onmyoji stirred up a wave of ancient themes?
No way?
Aoki Haruhi still had self-awareness about this. No matter what, Pokeni Co., Ltd.'s influence shouldn't be that great.
Then it can only be explained by the butterfly effect.
Clashing themes is not the most crucial thing; the most fatal is broadcasting one after another.
After audiences watch Sunrise's first cherry blossom battle chronicle, will they still continue to watch 'onmyoji,' which has the same theme?
Even if they watched it, two animations so similar would inevitably be compared by them.
Kyoto Animation's current strength is clearly not strong enough, and in comparison, many shortcomings would be exposed, wouldn't they be completely criticized then?
At this moment, Aoki Haruhi had already greeted the ancestors of TV Tokyo's President eighteen generations back.
How short on money must they be to think of putting these two animations together?
How to put it?
Kyoto Animation's fate is so similar to Pokeni Co., Ltd.'s; both were just starting to show their potential when they were crushed by a behemoth.
Can they not rise properly for once?
"What should we do, President?" Ayase Akane asked.
Just then, the phone outside rang.
Xiao HR quickly scurried over to answer the phone.
"Hello, okay."
She covered the mouthpiece and turned to look at Aoki Haruhi, "It's Kyoto Animation calling, asking us how we want to handle this matter. Should we negotiate with Tokyo Television to postpone the animation's broadcast?"
"Hmm. Pass me the phone," Aoki Haruhi said.
According to normal thinking, it should indeed be explained, and the schedule adjusted, otherwise, if they clash like this, it would be equivalent to the titanic hitting an iceberg.
No, it should be a small fishing boat hitting a large cruise ship.
But if that happens, TV Tokyo would have to adjust their subsequent new shows, and Pokeni would also have to pay them a penalty according to the contract.
Not only would it make relations less harmonious, but it would also result in a loss of money, making it troublesome to continue paving the way in the future.
"Hmm, wait,"
Just then, a light flashed in his mind.
Aoki Haruhi calmed down, a slight smile playing on his lips, "There's no need to worry too much."
"No, not only do we not need to worry, but we should celebrate. This matter may not be a bad thing for us. It's great to clash with Sunrise's animation."
Thinking of this, Aoki Haruhi quickly picked up the phone and said to Kyoto Animation, "Yes, no need to change. Don't worry too much either. Just follow our existing rhythm."
"Mm-hmm, believe in yourselves."
"Huh?" Ayase Akane's heart skipped a beat, and she tilted her head, looking at Aoki Haruhi.
Could it be that this President has lost his mind?
...
Over at Kyoto Animation.
Kiue Masaharu put down the phone, feeling as if his life was about to be overturned.
If it weren't for work needing him, he would probably have fainted by now.
Other employees of Kyoto Animation all focused their gazes on him, wanting to ask, but not knowing how to ask.
After two seconds, President Hatta Hideaki looked at Kiue and asked, "How is it? What did Pokeni Co., Ltd. say?"
Kiue Masaharu looked bewildered, his mind still a mess. He only looked up when he heard the President's question.
His eyeballs rotated twice, as if his soul had been drawn out.
Everyone couldn't help but feel anxious.
"President Qing, President Qing…" Kiue Masaharu felt a dry throat, silently swallowed, and recalling the content of the call, said, "President Qing said that nothing needs to be changed, the schedule will remain as planned, and he told us to work hard.
He said he believes in us."
"Huh?"
Everyone stared wide-eyed, looking at each other, for a moment unable to believe this was Pokeni Co., Ltd.'s reply.
However...
Experiencing this kind of trust, being entrusted with a dream, for the first Time, was truly moving.
"Hmm."
Hatta Hideaki propped his hands on his knees and nodded seriously.
"At this point, there's no better way, is there?"
"President Qing has always believed in us. It's us who underestimated ourselves."
"For our sake, and to live up to President Qing's expectations, we must work twice as hard."
Hatta Hideaki smiled, silently stood up, his eyes blazing with fire.
Even though he was already over fifty, at this moment he was full of fighting spirit like a young man.
He hadn't felt this feeling in a very long Time.
It was like his blood was burning.
"President Qing wants to tell us in this way that there's nothing to be afraid of with Sunrise, even if the themes clash, there's nothing to fear. Our enemy has always been only one—
That is ourselves.
As long as we overcome ourselves, success or failure doesn't matter."
"Everyone, charge!" Hatta Hideaki clenched his fist and shouted.
"Charge!"
"Yo!!!"
Everyone clenched their fists and cheered.
Kiue Masaharu's eyes were slightly moist, and he opened his mouth, one sentence still not conveyed—
President Qing said that clashing was a good thing.
But now, it seemed he could already understand President Qing's intentions.
He wanted to see if Kyoto Animation, when facing a strong enemy like Sunrise, in such an extreme situation, could maintain composure, could exert two hundred percent of their strength, and if they were already working hard enough—
As long as they did these things, they would have nothing to fear.
President Qing!
You are truly amazing.
And we will certainly not let down your expectations!
...
January 24, 1992.
4:50 PM.
Sunrise Co., Ltd.
Yatabe Katsuyoshi, the Director of the new animation "first cherry blossom battle chronicle," stood with his arms crossed, already waiting in front of the television.
Watching with him were other colleagues from the company.
Today was the premiere of "first cherry blossom battle chronicle" on Tokyo Television.
And it was in the prime-Time slot at 5 PM.
Yatabe Katsuyoshi was considered a relatively famous Director. At Sunrise Co., Ltd., he had directed the animation "Brave of the Sun" last year, achieving good results.
In his previous life, Yatabe Katsuyoshi's most famous representative work, besides "Brave of the Sun," was one called "Baki the Grappler."
As a Director, he had always been known for his robust art style, fluid action, and a strong sense of masculine iron-blood.
The reason he was chosen as the Director for this "first cherry blossom battle chronicle" was precisely for this quality.
Ancient warring states needed the glint of swords, the iron fist, and the hot blood of men.
Cherry blossoms and swords gave a feeling more like "a tiger in the heart, delicately sniffing roses."
Such a work would surely be praised by the world.
Yatabe Katsuyoshi had great confidence in his work.
Of course, this is also an essential quality for every Director; if there is no confidence and expectation in the work itself, then it is impossible to create an animation that satisfies the audience.
...
However, a recent rumor in the industry had him quite concerned—
Many people expressed a strong desire to see which would have higher ratings: Sunrise's "first cherry blossom battle chronicle" or Kyoto Animation's "onmyoji."
Being put together for comparison itself was annoying.
What was even more frustrating was that he had only recently learned that the animation called "onmyoji" was actually adapted from a game of the same name.
And the game itself was a low-grade galgame.
Yatabe Katsuyoshi couldn't help but frown, growing more indignant the more he thought about it.
Could game adaptations really work?
Few people probably know that the world's first game adaptation animation was Pokémon in 1996.
After being animated, it boosted the game.
It can be said that Aoki Haruhi's concept is very advanced.
At least 4 years ahead of its Time.
That is to say, Kyoto Animation's "onmyoji" will become the world's first game adaptation animation.
This itself made fellow professionals skeptical.
If it were players who had already played the game, they would certainly be extremely picky.
And for those who hadn't played the game, why would they watch your animation?
The so-called game adaptation animation having a large user base is simply not true; instead, it becomes a hindrance.
Ultimately, what matters is the quality of the animation itself and the standard of the script.
Thinking of this, Yatabe Katsuyoshi couldn't help but laugh.
What a low-standard animation company would take on such a job.
And...
The animation's chosen theme is very unfortunate.
Comparing it to Sunrise is simply like showing off one's axe before Lu Ban.
If Yatabe Katsuyoshi had known earlier that Tokyo Television would broadcast two animations with similar themes on the same day, he would have died rather than let "first cherry blossom battle chronicle" be broadcast on TV Tokyo.
But since it has already come to this...
Then let's crush them completely.
Just like the samurai in "first cherry blossom battle chronicle"!
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