"Make a contract with me and become a magical girl."
A cute, unknown creature resembling a white cat stood atop a high platform. When it slowly turned its head toward the camera, the cold full moon behind it made the scene appear exceptionally eerie.
······
Kitagawa Shūichi leaned against his office chair with furrowed brows as he watched the promotional PV for 'Puella Magi Madoka Magica,' the upcoming new work from the 'Yosuganosora' animation production company. After watching it, he felt an indescribable sense of strangeness and gloom in his heart.
He bit down on the cap of the pen in his mouth and clicked replay to watch the two-minute promotional animation again. Whenever he concentrated intensely, he always liked biting on something.
"Is this use of slow motion intentional or accidental? And the protagonist-related shots just now... it really doesn't feel like a magical girl anime. It feels more like a dark youth-oriented anime. But then how should the moe-style art be explained?"
On the surface, Kitagawa Shūichi looked like an ordinary office worker uncle, but he was actually an anime director at the famous animation production company Sunrise Company. He had directed many outstanding anime well-known in the industry and beloved by audiences. Now, a newly debuted anime director had caught his attention.
Kamiyā Yuu.
Previously unknown, he had suddenly become famous in Japan's anime industry through 'Magical Girl Nanoha.' At the same time, 'Magical Girl Nanoha' was also the anime that defeated the anime directed by Kitagawa Shūichi—' Magical Girl MeowMeow Lu'—in popularity that season.
As an anime director within the industry himself, beyond unwillingness, Kitagawa Shūichi felt even more admiration for this young director. He personally watched 'Magical Girl Nanoha,' so he naturally understood that its popularity surpassing 'Magical Girl MeowMeow Lu' was not because of animation quality or special effects, but because of something more essential—the "soul" of the work itself.
The commercial anime 'Magical Girl MeowMeow Lu' that he made could make people shout that it was exciting and interesting, yet it could never produce that kind of excitement erupting from deep within one's heart.
After the 'Yosuganosora' animation production company announced that it would air its new work, 'Puella Magi Madoka Magica,' in January, Kitagawa Shūichi immediately followed the news. What he wanted to see was what kind of surprise Kamiyā Yuu, this newly rising anime director, would bring this time.
Or perhaps 'Magical Girl Nanoha' had merely been a lucky success, and he had already exhausted his talent.
Kitagawa Shūichi felt that 'Magical Girl Nanoha' was already the pinnacle of the magical girl genre. Its interpretation of friendship and hope had reached a level impossible to surpass. So why had Kamiyā Yuu chosen to continue making magical girl anime? Did he really have the confidence to break through the limitations of the magical girl genre and accomplish something even Kitagawa Shūichi himself couldn't?
At first glance, the promotional PV for 'Puella Magi Madoka Magica' looked no different from ordinary magical girl anime. Five heroines of different colors like a sentai squad, a "villain magical girl" who was rebellious but actually very kind, and a cute mascot saying, "Make a contract with me and become a magical girl."
These were exactly the classic settings of magical girl anime. Compared to the unique mage setting of 'Magical Girl Nanoha,' it fell short by several levels.
It was hard to imagine such an unoriginal work coming from the hands of the genius anime director who had created 'RWBY' and 'Magical Girl Nanoha.'
Kitagawa Shūichi was the first to disbelieve it.
From 'Magical Girl Nanoha,' he had somewhat sensed Kamiyā Yuu's principles in making anime. He must be proud, confident in his abilities, and pursue quality to perfection. Even if a work failed to receive audience praise, he would never allow it to be branded mediocre.
Since Kamiyā Yuu planned to continue creating magical girl anime, he must possess something he believed was even more exciting and groundbreaking than his previous work, 'Magical Girl Nanoha.'
Holding such doubts, he repeatedly watched the PV several more times.
Although the promotional PV for 'Puella Magi Madoka Magica' was only two minutes long and looked more like a simple character introduction where the main cast merely showed their faces, Kitagawa Shūichi still caught traces of hidden clues from the strange art style and dialogue.
—There are foreshadowings everywhere. I just can't figure out how he plans to reveal them or where they'll be used.
—The white cat has a childish and sweet voice, yet it carries no emotion at all. Is the voice actor inexperienced, or is it intentional?
Kitagawa Shūichi had a premonition.
This anime might truly surpass 'Magical Girl Nanoha' and even transcend the limitations of the magical girl genre itself.
"I really am getting old," Kitagawa Shūichi removed the pen cap from his mouth and placed it back onto the fountain pen as he muttered to himself. "I have plenty of creative experience, but I've lost the imagination most needed to make anime. No wonder I lost so badly last time."
Fujiwara Tora from the same Sunrise Company had somehow already come to his side. His sturdy body blocked the office lights. Laughing loudly, he forcefully slapped Kitagawa Shūichi's shoulder.
"So you're watching the PV for the anime made by that Kamiyā guy. Still unwilling to accept losing to 'Magical Girl Nanoha' in popularity and reviews?"
Feeling the heavy impact on his shoulder, Kitagawa Shūichi smiled bitterly.
"What I just said was basically admitting defeat already. Well~ since Director Kamiyā also has an anime airing in January, it's not too late to settle things then."
Fujiwara Tora crossed his arms and curled his lips.
"But your work this season is 'Mobile Suit 007,' right? That's an ultra-popular shounen genre. There's no way it could be surpassed by a magical girl anime. Even 'Magical Girl Nanoha' only had one-third the overall popularity of the previous work, 'Mobile Suit 006.'"
"Who knows? I'm saying this while fully prepared to lose." Kitagawa Shūichi spread his hands honestly.
"Haha, want to bet something? I'll go talk to Kamiyā. Whoever loses treats everyone at that underground sushi restaurant. I've admired the God of Sushi for a long time." Fujiwara Tora's eyes shone brightly, like a fierce tiger spotting delicious prey.
"That underground sushi restaurant!? Are you trying to kill me? The cost for three people there equals my monthly salary!" Kitagawa Shūichi nearly jumped out of his chair in shock.
He had only gone there during company reward dinners before. The average minimum spending there exceeded fifty thousand yen per person.
"Didn't you say you wanted to meet Kamiyā sooner or later? This is a good opportunity." Fujiwara Tora casually shrugged with a grin, clearly acting as though he had already cornered Kitagawa Shūichi.
As for Kamiyā Yuu's side, connections in the anime industry were extremely important. He believed that even just for the sake of meeting a veteran anime director like Kitagawa Shūichi, Kamiyā Yuu would gladly agree to treat them to a meal there.
Kitagawa Shūichi turned his head and seriously sized Fujiwara Tora up from top to bottom before sighing speechlessly.
"Fujiwara, you really don't deserve to look like a simple-minded musclehead."