[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-literary-master-of-tokyo":3,"chapter-literary-master-of-tokyo-literary-master-of-tokyo-chapter-251":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","Literary Master of Tokyo",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2355100,4607,"Chapter 251: The Uninvited Guests","literary-master-of-tokyo-chapter-251",251,"\u003Cp>The next morning, Akiwara Yuto received a call at home from Asano Aiko, informing him that an independent producer named Utsumi Taku wished to visit him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Akiwara Yuto was a bit surprised to hear this request.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In his original plans, he had never considered the option of an independent producer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A so-called independent producer is generally a producer who engages in film production outside of the major studio system or mainstream commercial film production systems.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They often lack a fixed team and need to find scripts, sign actors, and organize filming themselves; in terms of funding, they even have to find film companies or investors separately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But isn't this kind of model usually only suitable for small-scale films?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He initially wanted to refuse, but after thinking about it, he didn't have a suitable film company right now, so he agreed to the meeting request, consented to Asano Aiko giving his address to the producer named Utsumi Taku, and scheduled a meeting for the afternoon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At 2:00 PM, Utsumi Taku arrived at the high-end apartment where he lived, accompanied by a screenwriter named Nagayama Yoshi.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Good afternoon, Teacher Akiwara.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon seeing Akiwara Yuto, both of them bowed respectfully and greeted him; after all, Akiwara Yuto's social status was very high, and they were indeed asking for a favor this time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Akiwara Yuto invited them to sit and poured two cups of tea for them, observing them carefully, and found that both appeared to be around 35 years old. By the standards of the film industry, they were a bit excessively young.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Akiwara Yuto felt even more that they were unreliable, so he asked directly: \"Mr. Utsumi, Mr. Nagayama, may I ask what your purpose is?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He guessed it might be related to his previous copyright negotiations, but he still wanted to hear what the other party had to say.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Utsumi Taku cleared his throat, then handed over a document, and said with a respectful attitude: \"Teacher Akiwara, I hope to obtain the film and television adaptation rights for *The Devotion of Suspect X*. These are the terms we are offering; please take a look.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Akiwara Yuto took the document suspiciously and opened it to read.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He discovered that the production of this document was very unprofessional, not as if it had been drafted by a specialized lawyer. However, the content was very sincere, even increasing the box office share to 10 percent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But he was not happy because of this; instead, he felt even more that the other party was like a \"con artist,\" and asked tentatively: \"Mr. Utsumi, what is your production budget?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This question was crucial; if the other party couldn't give a reasonable explanation, he could just find a reason to kick them out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Utsumi Taku and Nagayama Yoshi exchanged a glance, then said with full confidence: \"A production cost of 150 million yen, plus 50 million yen for promotion expenses!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Akiwara Yuto believed them even less. He didn't think the other party had that much money, so he pressed: \"Has the funding arrived? Is there proof issued by a bank?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this question, the two showed awkward smiles and then said: \"We are currently still looking for investors, but in our view, this investment is not a problem.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Akiwara Yuto was speechless, feeling that the two were just trying to swindle people, and had even tried to swindle him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was silent for a moment, then intended to see them out: \"Let's leave it at that for today. Please contact my assistant, Ms. Asano, for any follow-up matters.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although he said this, he intended to have Asano Aiko block the two of them later.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They didn't even have the money and still wanted to make a movie? Did they really think he was brainless?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As an independent producer, Utsumi Taku dealt with different people every day and had long since stopped caring about saving face. He immediately pulled his companion to stand up, bowed deeply, and said sincerely: \"Teacher Akiwara, please listen to me! It will only take a little of your time!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Akiwara Yuto wanted to refuse, but seeing the other party's stance, they didn't intend to leave.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He frowned, deciding to let them finish speaking before chasing them away, so he said bluntly: \"I'll give you 15 minutes. Please be clear as quickly as possible.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes, thank you very much!\" Utsumi Taku felt a sense of relief in his heart, then straightened up and said: \"It's like this, we plan to operate this way...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Immediately after, he began to explain, and as Akiwara Yuto listened, he found that the other party's proposal was indeed feasible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After obtaining his film and television adaptation rights, the other party prepared to use this copyright agreement to contact several suitable investors, including film companies, talent agencies, theater chains, brand sponsors, and other investors.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This would not only secure funding but also allow them to borrow and integrate relevant resources, thereby completing the filming at the 150 million yen standard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Teacher Akiwara, regarding supporting roles and artists, we can invite actors from agencies we collaborate with; for filming equipment and props, we can have film companies contribute; as for the actors' costumes, we can find corresponding brand sponsors...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Utsumi Taku spoke eloquently and reported the names of companies they had previously collaborated with, and as Akiwara Yuto listened, he also began to believe the other party's explanation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sales of the work *The Devotion of Suspect X* had already exceeded one million copies; everyone knew it was a piece of cake. Plus his own fame, it wasn't impossible that they could actually pull in a significant amount of investment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But he still raised a question: \"Since that's the case, why shouldn't I cooperate with a film company instead of finding you?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although the current copyright cooperation had encountered some problems, there were still many medium-sized film companies he hadn't contacted, and what an independent producer could do, these film companies could naturally do as well.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Utsumi Taku smiled and gave his companion a look. Nagayama Yoshi, who had been silent until now, spoke up: \"Teacher Akiwara, I wonder if you have any impression of me?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Akiwara Yuto looked at his face for a long time, but simply couldn't remember who the other party was.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nagayama Yoshi showed an awkward expression and said: \"Yesterday, when you went to the Yoshikawa Zhushihuishe, I was standing behind Chairman Yoshikawa.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After hearing this explanation, Akiwara Yuto continued to recall subconsciously, but still failed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, he also understood social etiquette, so he pretended he knew and asked suspiciously: \"Then what is your purpose?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If the other party was a member of the Yoshikawa Zhushihuishe, why would he come over with an independent producer like Utsumi Taku? No matter how he thought about it, it didn't seem very reasonable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nagayama Yoshi explained further that he and Utsumi Taku were childhood friends and had also collaborated due to work relationships.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a pause, he added: \"Teacher Akiwara, if you still want to find a film company, the feasibility is not high.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Akiwara Yuto didn't understand what he meant and pressed: \"Why do you say that?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nagayama Yoshi replied: \"Some things regarding you and Toei Film have already leaked out in the industry. And the Film Industry Association has expressed that it hopes major film companies will abide by industry rules, so under this proposal, our president decided to give up on cooperating with you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although Akiwara Yuto had guessed that Toei Film was causing trouble behind the scenes, he still didn't quite understand what this had to do with the association.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nagayama Yoshi continued: \"The Film Industry Association is an organization of the five major film companies in the industry, representing their attitude. If a company does not recognize the association's initiative, it is very likely to face some suppression in theater chains, awards, and other aspects.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Akiwara Yuto frowned and said, half-believing: \"They wouldn't go that far, would they?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It's just the copyright of one movie; they don't even know the specific box office before it's filmed, so why bother issuing some industry initiative?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Utsumi Taku smiled and took over the topic: \"Teacher Akiwara, this is not just a matter of interest for *The Devotion of Suspect X*, but also a matter of face for the big companies. If a copyright that a big company didn't manage to secure is snatched up by a small company, won't more people follow suit?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Akiwara Yuto pondered for a moment and found that this was indeed possible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had already made up his mind to get a box office share, so it was unlikely he would grant the copyright to Toei Film and the other four major companies.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Under such circumstances, if he were to cooperate with a medium-sized company and produce a hit movie in the form of a box office share, it would inevitably make more medium-sized companies jealous and even follow suit one by one.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By that point, the five major companies represented by Toei Film would have a headache; it was estimated that if they wanted to get copyrights in the future, they would have to offer higher terms.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Utsumi Taku pondered Akiwara Yuto's thoughts for a moment and then said: \"Teacher Akiwara, as independent producers, there won't be any problems in this regard. After all, independent production is fundamentally different from film companies.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After saying this, he and Nagayama Yoshi stood up again and bowed deeply: \"Teacher Akiwara, please agree to our request! We will definitely make a hit movie!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Akiwara Yuto stared at them for a while and then gave his answer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Sorry, please go back for today.\"\u003C\u002Fp>",1605,"2026-06-21T03:58:02.196Z",1,"Gemini 3.1 Flash Lite","4b895431f4ff404c002509d9b89a721a7afff9baa1f3d237d8c9775f4b90fe36","literary-master-of-tokyo-chapter-252","literary-master-of-tokyo-chapter-250",334,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fliterary-master-of-tokyo-cover.jpg"]