Because 'Magical Girl Nanoha' had a concept completely different from ordinary magical girl anime, it received praise from Japan's mainstream ACG media. Or rather, once 'Magical Girl Nanoha' successfully overturned the usual concept of the magical girl genre, the changes brought by its popularity elevated the anime to the altar of magical girl works. However, yuri-oriented anime was currently still very rare in Japan, and the definition of yuri was not yet clear, so the relationship between Takamachi Nanoha and Fate Testarossa in the anime was classified as friendship in a hot-blooded shōnen manga. From Kamiyā Yuu's perspective, though, the revised version definitely had far more yuri atmosphere than the original.
Breakthroughs in genre had always been one of the standards for measuring excellent works. Despite having little girls as the protagonists and a magical girl theme, after episode fourteen of 'Magical Girl Nanoha' aired, it actually entered the top three of the shōnen anime popularity ranking on a famous Japanese anime website, breaking the deadlock in which the top three had long been dominated by three certain long-running hot-blooded shōnen anime.
Recognized by a large number of viewers and praised by mainstream ACG media, 'Magical Girl Nanoha' leaped into becoming one of the most popular anime of the season.
In the magical girl genre, 'Magical Girl Nanoha' might not have had the highest popularity, but it was definitely the work with the highest praise and historical standing, considered to have overturned the definition of "magical girl."
In reality, the widespread discussion caused by the anime attracted many viewers who originally did not pay attention to this genre, especially adolescent boys. Watching magical girl anime would first be regarded by others as childish, and second as disgusting. 'Magical Girl Nanoha' broke through this situation. Boys and girls who had watched it could both discuss the anime enthusiastically, just as naturally as discussing some hot-blooded anime. And truthfully, 'Magical Girl Nanoha' was not much less popular among women than men.
Now, in Akihabara, Japan's famous electronics district, giant original artwork banners of Nanoha and Fate could be seen everywhere. Nearly every anime merchandise shop placed related otaku goods in prominent locations. Doujin illustrations, official setting collections, indescribable little doujin books, and so on. As for BDs and figures, those would only be released after some time.
Online, the topic was extremely hot. On the famous Japanese forum 2CH, it had accumulated 2,671 related threads in just one season, equivalent to the number of threads a popular anime would usually gather over a whole year. On Fakebook's Japanese anime illustration section popularity rankings, 'Magical Girl Nanoha' doujin illustrations occupied four of the top ten positions. Because of Kamiyā Yuu's popularity as an animation director, even though European and American viewers had never been very receptive to Japanese-style magical girl anime, 'Magical Girl Nanoha' unexpectedly had high popularity and positive ratings in the Japanese anime category. Of course, in terms of influence, it could not even compare to a fraction of 'RWBY.'
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Japanese animation studios had a certain custom. When a work was concluded, they would hold a "celebration banquet," and all the animation studio employees needed to attend. Of course, this was based on the anime having good results. If the anime performed poorly? Then the celebration banquet would turn into a mourning banquet. There were countless examples of related production staff looking gloomy, and the director kneeling to apologize.
But even if the 'Magical Girl Nanoha' anime had been a massive failure, Kamiyā Yuu would not need to do anything so exaggerated. He himself was the company president, the planner, and the financial backer. Basically, he could do whatever he wanted and did not need to answer to anyone.
"Drink~ let's drink together!"
Morishita Aoi, whose cheeks were flushed crimson, giggled as she raised her glass. Her drunkenness had robbed her eyes of their usual stern calm, leaving them hazy and excited, as if autumn water were about to overflow. Her messy black office suit had slipped down from her fragrant shoulder, leaving only her white blouse, through which black underwear could vaguely be seen. The buttons had also been casually undone by her, revealing a snowy white patch. Fortunately, this was the private room for female employees, so there was no need to worry about this alluring scene being seen by men.
But Gogyo Ruri, who was beside Morishita Aoi, was suffering. She stared blankly at Morishita Aoi, who was completely different from usual, and had no idea how to respond. Was this really that capable and serious workplace beauty she usually admired? Gogyo Ruri hesitantly sought help from the others.
"Um... is Senior Morishita okay like this?"
Yūki Chinatsu, who looked like a cute little blond girl, drunkenly waved her hand and laughed foolishly.
"It's fine~ it's fine. This is a drinking party! Young people really don't understand. Drinking parties are for relaxing! You can do anything. Happy~ happy~! Hehe... hic!"
After speaking, she burped from the alcohol again. Dazedly, she yawned, hugged a cushion, and fell asleep while mumbling:
"Then... I'll leave the rest to you. I'm sleepy..."
In this lively atmosphere, the calmest ones were probably only three people: Kumamoto, Alice, and Uehara Etsuki, who were toasting each other, and Busujima Murasaki, who sat formally in standard Japanese seiza on a cushion and had drunk several bottles of sake without a single blush appearing on her face.
"Japanese sake tastes rather light. Although it does have an alcoholic flavor, it doesn't suit my preferences."
Kumamoto Alice removed the white long glove from her fair hand, accepted the small cup of sake Uehara Etsuki handed her, took a sip, and shook her head.
Uehara Etsuki looked around at the lively atmosphere and laughed softly.
"It's too lively. In this place, alcohol is merely alcohol."
"Japanese drinking culture, is it? Do you dislike how noisy it is right now?" Kumamoto Alice, who had some understanding of Japanese culture, put down her cup and asked with a smile.
"Rather than dislike it, I like it. Drinking alone is quiet, but loneliness is unavoidable in the end. If you don't mind, Miss Kumamoto, come drink with me someday. I do know a few good places."
"I'd be delighted."
Is this what you call normal?
Gogyo Ruri was speechless. Just as she wanted to eat a few bites of side dishes, a fair arm reached out from beside her and wrapped around her shoulders. Immediately afterward, a strong smell of alcohol rushed toward her face. It turned out Morishita Aoi had hugged her and leaned close with a giggle.
"Want to drink?"
"Ah~ Senior Morishita, sorry, I don't know how to drink."
Gogyo Ruri's body stiffened. The mix of perfume and alcohol made her head feel dizzy.
"Liar. In that case, I'll personally feed you."
Morishita Aoi drained the alcohol in her hand in one gulp. Then, under Gogyo Ruri's disbelieving gaze, she kissed her cherry lips and passed the liquor over with her soft tongue. Before getting drunk, Gogyo Ruri's final thought was:
"This is my first kiss..."
"You drunkard!"
After reacting, Gogyo Ruri, her face flushed red, picked up the cold orange juice in front of her and took a gulp. Without hesitation, she kissed Morishita Aoi on the lips and repeated what had just happened.
"Are you awake now?"
Awakened slightly by the taste of cold orange juice, Morishita Aoi covered her small mouth in confusion. Looking at Gogyo Ruri's drunken expression, she smiled with difficulty.
"Eh... Kuroneko, are you drunk?"
"Kukuku~ prepare to receive the punishment of a fallen angel!"
Gogyo Ruri half-covered her small mouth, her flushed little face filled with teasing.
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"Congratulations, Kamiyā. 'Magical Girl Nanoha' achieved such astonishing success. You've impressed me once again."
Fujiwara Tora's deep voice over the phone was filled with laughter.
Kamiyā sat in a private room, holding the phone in one hand while using chopsticks with the other to pick up delicate Japanese side dishes. Hearing this, he smiled.
"Although we temporarily took first place, in terms of popularity, your company's 'Magical Girl MeowMeowMeow' still won."
It was a typical Japanese private room, with a low table paired with soft cushions, and paper-covered wooden doors that could be slid open at any time, full of refined Japanese cultural charm. It was not that he wanted to enjoy it alone. The private room was only being used temporarily. Kamiyā Sora did not like staying in lively places for long, and he just happened to receive Fujiwara Tora's call, so he used this room with good soundproofing.
For this company celebration banquet, Kamiyā Sora, who had helped the company a great deal during summer vacation, naturally also came. But as a minor, she could not drink, and she was not used to drinking-party culture, so they simply had the waiter provide a separate private room. Dressed in a black business suit, Kamiyā Sora sat across from Kamiyā Yuu, eating the sumptuous dishes on the table in small bites while occasionally smiling lightly and exchanging looks with him.
"That's only natural. It's a work that's been serialized for over a year and is very popular among children. You don't need to feel discouraged about that. If 'Magical Girl Nanoha's overall popularity surpassed 'Magical Girl MeowMeowMeow,' even you would make me find it unbelievable, Kamiyā," Fujiwara Tora said with a hearty laugh.
Kamiyā Yuu deliberately spoke mysteriously.
"Is that so? Our next work has already been decided, and it'll still be a magical girl anime. By then, I'm confident we can surpass your company."
"Haha, now that really is something to look forward to. But you don't have any new work coming out this October, right?" Fujiwara Tora said casually.
"Yeah~ the company developed too quickly, causing many areas to fall out of sync. We plan to spend the rest of this year adjusting the company's internal situation. If you're willing to jump ship from Sunrise Company, I can offer you pretty good treatment."
Kamiyā Yuu spoke in a headache-filled tone. The frequent mistakes appearing inside the company had made him change his idea of producing 'Puella Magi Madoka Magica' in October, instead using that time to improve the negative effects caused by the company's overly rapid internal growth. However, Kamiyā Yuu was not going to do absolutely nothing during this period. After all, the production staff could not possibly sit idle in the company for several months.
Taking on outsourced work from other animation studios and making various preparations for 'Puella Magi Madoka Magica' would both accumulate experience and avoid wasting the company's manpower.
"Hey, hey~ don't joke with me like that now. Your company is extremely famous in the industry now, and the treatment is much better than Sunrise Company's. Animation production talent—you can have as much as you want."
"But what I lack is necessary time."
"Although I'm a bit tempted, I'll still refuse. There are juniors at Sunrise Company, and I can't stop worrying about either."
"Kimura?"
Kamiyā Yuu could not help laughing. Even now, thinking of Kimura still felt rather amusing.
"Seriously, he's one of them, I suppose. But a while ago, after that kid learned of your current achievements, the expression on his face was truly wonderful. Haha!"
"What reaction? I remember he said his goal was also to become a director."
"In an exaggerated tone, he asked three times in a row whether it was real. You became a director ahead of him and all that. But I didn't see him getting discouraged."
"I can more or less imagine Kimura's style."
Kamiyā Yuu laughed despite himself. Although Kimura was completely a good-for-nothing, he was not a bad person.
At ten o'clock that night, after the banquet ended.
Kamiyā Yuu, who had been invited into the female private room, stared blankly at the messy scene inside. It was more than ten times more exaggerated than the male private room he had just seen. Most importantly, there were also women in the female private room who had no sense at all of how much they should drink.
Yūki Chinatsu was hugging a cushion and sleeping soundly. Morishita Aoi had collapsed on the tatami with her clothes disheveled, faintly revealing spring scenery. Gogyo Ruri was drunk and staring blankly.
"Sorry, Mr. Kamiyā. I also drank quite a bit this time, so I'll have to trouble you with the driving."
Busujima Murasaki said calmly to Kamiyā Yuu, her delicate and dignified face showing not the slightest trace of drunkenness. Kamiyā Yuu had happened to buy a car some time ago. During summer vacation, he and Kamiyā Sora had commuted by private car, so everyone knew he had gotten a driver's license.
Including Kamiyā Yuu, there were still eight people left in the private room: Kamiyā Yuu, Kamiyā Sora, Yūki Chinatsu, Morishita Aoi, Gogyo Ruri, Uehara Etsuki, Kumamoto Alice, and Busujima Murasaki.
"Isn't this number a bit much?"
Kamiyā Yuu folded his arms and swept his gaze across the private room with a headache.
Busujima Murasaki shook her head and calmly reported:
"I already anticipated this situation, so this time I drove an eight-seat business van to attend the celebration banquet. The number is just right."
"But lodging..."
"Kamiyā-kun, just send them to my home. If it's convenient, Kamiyā-kun can also stay the night."
Uehara Etsuki, who was still sitting upright and drinking, smiled lightly at Kamiyā Yuu. The hazy flush on her face showed that her current condition was not very good either.
Standing behind Kamiyā Yuu, Kamiyā Sora tugged at his sleeve and nodded to him, indicating that she also wanted to go along.
"Looks like this is the only solution left."
Kamiyā Yuu shrugged helplessly. Fortunately, an eight-seat business van was within the range of vehicles his driver's license permitted him to drive.
The only ones with the ability to move properly were Kamiyā Yuu and Busujima Murasaki. Kamiyā Yuu was responsible for Morishita Aoi, while Busujima Murasaki took charge of Yūki Chinatsu. Gogyo Ruri, who could still barely stand, was supported by the others into the van. After all the fuss, just getting everyone into the vehicle took over an hour. Since Kamiyā Yuu was unfamiliar with how to drive the new car, he did not dare drive the business van very quickly at all.
By the time they arrived at Uehara Etsuki's old Japanese-style mansion, it was already past one in the morning. The last bus back to Kamiyā Yuu's apartment had been at twelve. Needless to say, there was only one choice left for Kamiyā Yuu.
Once again, he and Busujima Murasaki carried the sleeping Morishita Aoi and Yūki Chinatsu to the guest rooms. After everything was done, Kamiyā Yuu, now covered in the smell of alcohol and sweat and feeling uncomfortable all over, frowned and asked:
"Busujima, can I borrow the bathroom?"
Uehara Etsuki's Japanese-style mansion was absurdly large. Without Busujima Murasaki guiding him inside the house, it was like a maze.
Busujima Murasaki gently set Yūki Chinatsu down and nodded.
"There is a guest bathroom inside the house. However, if Kamiyā-kun does not mind, you may go to the artificial hot spring in the back courtyard. Usually, only my lady and I use it. It is somewhat helpful for relieving bodily fatigue."
A hot spring?
Kamiyā Yuu's eyes lit up.
"Then I'll go there."
Busujima Murasaki shook her head.
"There are no prepared clothes to change into right now. Please wait a moment, Mr. Kamiyā. Someone will bring clothing soon."
Kamiyā Yuu waved his hand indifferently.
"No need. I'll soak in the hot spring first. Just let me know once the change of clothes is ready."
Kamiyā Yuu was still very confident in the abilities of Busujima Murasaki, Uehara Etsuki's personal maid. Even if there were no clothes to change into, it would not be a major problem.
Busujima Murasaki hesitated briefly, then nodded.
"Very well."