Although Dimensional Pictures was currently working on many projects at once, on the flip side, Su Yan's workload had actually decreased compared to before, thanks to his delegating authority to his team.
A company that can't function without a single person is definitely a failed company.
At this stage, even without Su Yan personally providing scripts, Dimensional Pictures could already produce top-tier industry works. It's just that those productions could only compete with the self-produced dramas of the three major TV stations—they still couldn't truly break out into wider popularity.
Of course, for something like the 'Mobile Suit Gundam' series, Su Yan would still personally oversee the overall style and direction. He just wouldn't interfere too much with the finer details.
The casting for 'Mobile Suit Gundam SEED' and 'Mobile Suit Gundam Zeta Gundam' was completed quickly. Whether in his previous life or in the Xia Nation, the speed of a project ultimately depended on how fast funding was released—and competition across all industries in the Xia Nation was just as intense.
It was unrealistic for Su Yan's company, with only a few hundred employees, to complete two productions entirely on its own. Collaboration from multiple parties was essential.
Over the next few days, as funding requests were submitted to the board, Su Yan promptly signed off on them, and the production teams for both dramas were quickly assembled and officially began filming.
This time, Su Yan didn't keep things low-key.
On the very first day of filming, both productions invited numerous domestic and international media outlets to a press conference. Without revealing spoilers, they outlined the themes, genres, and general storytelling direction of the two dramas.
And at the press conference, they made one thing very clear—
The "Gundam" in 'Mobile Suit Gundam' and the giant robots in 'Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion' were completely different concepts.
One was designed for space warfare—capable of fighting in the cosmos. In the hands of a suitable pilot, it could even go head-to-head with space warships. In terms of speed, mobility, and destructive power, Gundams could basically overwhelm the mechs seen in 'Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion'.
After Su Yan expressed this viewpoint, fans of 'Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion' around the world became collectively excited over the following days.
Even though it wasn't a sequel, an "upgraded version" of it was just as appealing!
Mecha warfare expanding from Blue Star into the vast universe—if the dream of the stars couldn't be realized in reality, experiencing it through a TV drama was just as amazing.
And most importantly, Su Yan's recent streak of high-quality productions had already trained fans to trust his new works unconditionally.
After several days of promotional buzz for the two new dramas, Su Yan shifted his attention to casting for 'Suzume'.
At the same time, the broadcast of Episode 11 of 'Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion' had arrived.
Although fans of Su Yan were currently focused on different projects due to the company's many recent developments, every Sunday, everyone would still collectively turn their attention to this drama.
Even at this point in its run, criticisms—just like in his previous life—had begun to surface.
Some said the political elements in the show were too simplistic, or that Lelouch's enemies were occasionally written as less intelligent.
But for the vast majority of viewers, their first impression was simple:
It was good.
You could pick out plenty of flaws in any work, but as long as it was engaging—so compelling that viewers couldn't stop watching episode after episode—those flaws stopped mattering.
In September, the Xia Nation was still blazing hot. In many inland regions, even at 7 PM, streaks of sunset still lingered in the sky.
In some places, it wasn't fully dark even close to 8 PM.
Xiang Zhixue strode quickly out of the subway station and sprinted toward his home.
Although 'Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion' could be watched online the next day, spoilers would flood every forum by then. Unless he avoided the internet entirely, he'd definitely get spoiled.
Panting as he rushed home, Xiang Zhixue checked the time—7:50 PM.
"Good, I'm not late," he muttered, while silently cursing his manager who had made him work overtime.
He quickly turned on the TV. A shopping program was airing before the show, casually mentioning the upcoming Spring Festival release of 'Howl's Moving Castle'.
Even though it was still half a year away, given Su Yan's relationship with the three major TV stations, it was easy to subtly embed promotional content into their programs.
Soon, it was 8 PM.
Xiang Zhixue straightened up, focusing intently.
The familiar, dazzling opening played once again. Even though it was his eleventh time hearing the theme song, the visuals—especially the battle between the white Lancelot and the red Guren units—were still breathtaking. Before the episode had even properly begun, his excitement was already surging.
Episode 11 picked up directly from Episode 10.
Previously, Lelouch's identity had been discovered by his half-sister Euphemia. The two clashed due to their differing ideals, but out of familial affection, Euphemia chose not to expose him. Instead, she assumed the role of the new Governor of Area 11.
But in Episode 11, the story took a direction Xiang Zhixue had never anticipated.
As the new governor, Euphemia had the authority to shape policies in the region. She had always opposed war, and since Zero—Lelouch's alter ego had been recruiting supporters by exposing the inequality imposed by the Britannian Empire on the people of Area 11…
In this episode, Euphemia signed a decree abolishing all discriminatory policies against the local population. Residents of Area 11 were granted equal rights with Britannian citizens.
And more than that—she publicly invited Zero and the Black Knights to join her in establishing a Special Administrative Zone.
In simple terms, hadn't Zero's entire cause been built on opposing dictatorship and inequality?
Now that Euphemia had eliminated those injustices, Lelouch's revolutionary army was essentially having the foundation of its cause removed from beneath it.
Their goals, their ideals—everything was being dismantled at the root.
And Euphemia's purpose in doing all this was simple:
To end the war.
She didn't want to oppose Lelouch, nor did she want anyone else to die because of conflict.
["…You can do that?"] Xiang Zhixue was stunned.
No other ruler would make such a decision—it was far too idealistic.
And yet, Euphemia was exactly that kind of idealist.
Moreover, within the Britannian Empire, the royal family held absolute authority. Internal forces had no power to stop her reforms.
By the midpoint of Episode 11, Euphemia went on live television, calling on the people of Area 11 to gather and participate in the establishment of the Special Administrative Zone.
At the same time, she sincerely invited Zero to attend and build this new government together.
["This is a perfect trap…"] Xiang Zhixue muttered, dumbfounded.
["If Lelouch doesn't go, he betrays his own army—because everything they fought for has already been granted by Euphemia. If he refuses, his own people might turn on him!"]
["But if he does go, he loses. Joining her means the Black Knights effectively merge into the Britannian Empire. That's opposite to his goal of destroying the empire and avenging his mother—it's a totally different path!"]
["How is he supposed to solve this?"] Xiang Zhixue was baffled.
Many of Lelouch's critics liked to claim that if they had his Geass power, they could conquer the world effortlessly.
But now, faced with Euphemia's straightforward yet devastating strategy—
What could Lelouch do?
If Xiang Zhixue were in Lelouch's position, surrender would be the only option.
Yes, Lelouch could control individuals with Geass.
But could he control the hearts of everyone in the world?
Could he turn all of humanity into puppets?
And yet, if Lelouch chose to compromise here… how would the story continue?
He had heard there was a second season. Surely it wouldn't just be about Lelouch submitting to the Britannian Empire and then rebelling again later?
That kind of plot was definitely not what Xiang Zhixue wanted to see.