Chapter 442

Naoki Nagayama looked at this uncle with some surprise. "Kamen Rider" could be said to be the representative of Showa special effects dramas, and it had been popular for years, almost becoming one of Japan's cultural elements.

However, seeing him at the club today, Naoki Nagayama was even more curious.

"Naoki-san, inviting you all over today is actually mainly to discuss some issues regarding 'Crows Zero'."

Haruki Kadokawa explained after sitting down.

"It just so happened that I ran into Shotaro-san, and after he heard that I was meeting with the production team of 'Crows Zero' today, he insisted that I introduce him to everyone..."

Shotaro Ishinomori smiled and said: "Hearing that the director and editor of the recently hotly discussed 'Crows Zero' were coming, I couldn't help myself~"

"Hahaha, that is our honor." Ito Shuichi Yin Tang replied politely.

"May I ask, does the movie 'Crows Zero' have a manga creation? From the trailer, one can see a very strong manga-adaptation style." Talking about his profession, manga artist Shotaro Ishinomori was very certain.

"No..." Ito Shuichi Yin Tang replied very straightforwardly. "The script was completely original by Naoki-san and me. As for the manga-adaptation style..."

Naoki Nagayama also realized that the future "Crows Zero" indeed belonged to manga adaptation, but in this era, it came out before the manga.

"Haha, the so-called manga style might be because we exaggerated youth, hot-bloodedness, etc., when we were filming~" Naoki Nagayama explained with a smile. "By the way, the film's preview screening will be held soon, Ishinomori-san can also come and take a look."

"Ah, then I must see it first."

After Naoki Nagayama and Shotaro Ishinomori chatted for a while, Haruki Kadokawa on the side also finished reminiscing with Otomo Yoshimura and started the main topic of today's visit:

"Naoki-san, the appeal of the movie 'Crows Zero' is absolutely fine. If you say it can win this year's box office championship, I wouldn't be surprised, but..."

Naoki Nagayama, Otomo Yoshimura, and Ito Shuichi Yin Tang all looked over. "I received news that the industry seems to be plotting an attack on this movie."

"?" Naoki Nagayama immediately asked, "Toho? Toei?"

"No... it's Shochiku." Haruki Kadokawa said.

"Shochiku Films?" This was the only one Naoki Nagayama couldn't think of, after all, he and Masaki Kobayashi were friends across generations.

Ito Shuichi Yin Tang was also very puzzled: "Haruki-san, our relationship with Shochiku is very good, right? The previous film 'Hachiko Monogatari' and Naoki-san's 'A Scene at the Sea' were both supported by directors under Shochiku."

Haruki Kadokawa shook his head: "Those are just a few directors of the New Wave movement. There are more than just these people in Shochiku."

"This time, I heard that it was Kinji Fukasaku who expressed dissatisfaction with 'Crows Zero'."

Kinji Fukasaku? This person seemed to have never been in contact before? How could he offend him?

Haruki Kadokawa looked at the three of them, who were clueless, and sighed: "Naoki-san, Ito Shuichi-san, you are famous directors in the industry after all. Participate in some industry activities more or less, and make more connections!"

"Uh..."

Ito Shuichi Yin Tang and Naoki Nagayama looked at each other. With Tree Friend Films filming one movie after another, where would they find time to socialize?

Naoki Nagayama gave Ito Shuichi Yin Tang a look: "Ito Shuichi-san, leave this aspect to you in the future!"

"..." Ito Shuichi Yin Tang indicated that he couldn't understand his look at all.

Haruki Kadokawa continued: "Kinji Fukasaku's previous 'Fall Guy' was overshadowed by two films from Tree Friend Films. If it weren't for you, 'Fall Guy' could definitely be considered a grand slam film of last year, and might even have created a historical record."

Ito Shuichi Yin Tang was a bit strange: "This... Kinji Fukasaku shouldn't oppose our new movie because of this, right?"

If he opposed it because his movie couldn't compare, such a director would become a laughingstock in the film industry.

"No, it's also because Kinji Fukasaku's previous 'Battles Without Honor and Humanity' depicted the cruel Yakuza life and created a new form of chivalry film, while Naoki-san's 'Crows Zero' seems to have completely reversed the cruel truth of Yakuza life, breaking the image created by Kinji Fukasaku, which caused his dissatisfaction."

This... is this the founder being dissatisfied because his own luck was taken away?

Naoki Nagayama immediately remembered this old trope and shook his head to throw this thought out of his mind: "Movies should be constantly innovating and trying."

"However, this time, he seems to have united a group of people to push the Japan Film Ethics Management Committee to label this movie as R18+." Haruki Kadokawa said. "On the grounds that the movie will have a bad influence on teenagers."

Hmm... this seems to be a problem. Naoki Nagayama also knew that after this movie was broadcast, it would definitely set off a Yakuza trend, and it might also cause controversy in the media.

If it is labeled R18+, then only viewers over 18 are allowed to watch it, which will reduce a large part of the box office.

Otomo Yoshimura asked: "Haruki-san, can't we stop him?"

"This is difficult, because after all, he is making suggestions with legitimate reasons. Even if Kadokawa has a certain influence in the Japan Film Ethics Management Committee, it cannot be completely suppressed."

After all, Kadokawa is still a new generation among the five major film production companies in Japan, while Shochiku is a long-established old company, and the connections they have made are like a spider web.

For a time, the private room fell into silence, and the others couldn't think of any good way.

It looks like the real person in charge is actually this young man in his early twenties?

Haruki Kadokawa sighed: "This possibility is very high. Telling everyone today is to let you have a preparation. In short, we at Kadokawa will also try our best to lobby."

Shotaro Ishinomori sat on the side drinking a beverage, silently watching the people from Tree Friend Films, and was surprised to find that the two older ones, Otomo Yoshimura and Ito Shuichi Yin Tang, actually cast their eyes on the youngest Naoki Nagayama!

Naoki Nagayama's brain was spinning wildly. At this time, he seemed to have thought of something strange, and the smile on his face actually looked a bit lewd...

"Minna-san... have you ever seen a movie with FBI"

warning as the opening?"

As soon as these words came out, the men present all showed awkward expressions. Even a playboy like Haruki Kadokawa was a bit coy in this regard, not knowing if Naoki Nagayama was referring to some kind of film.

"Are you watching the censored or uncensored ones?" Naoki Nagayama asked further.

Ito Shuichi Yin Tang looked at Naoki Nagayama speechlessly: "Naoki-san... you are still young, it's understandable that you like to watch these, but there's no need to promote it to everyone!"

The others also looked at Naoki Nagayama with strange eyes, as if they were looking at a young junior who didn't learn well!

"I mean... through what channels do you see uncensored sources?"

As everyone knows, if certain movies are released in Japan, they need to be censored! However, there is a type of film that has FBI"

warning as the opening, but it can be sold openly...

Haruki Kadokawa is a smart person and immediately thought of something: "Naoki-san... you mean to export the film to the United States first, and then import it back in the name of foreign trade goods?"

"Hai, it's 'export to domestic sales'."

Naoki Nagayama directly stated this method of exploiting legal loopholes. Everyone present was an adult who had been in society. When it comes to interests, as long as it is not illegal, any method can be tried.

Otomo Yoshimura didn't know much about this: "But, isn't this method only used by special movies?"

"There is no limit to the types of movies." Haruki Kadokawa is the boss of a film production company after all, and he actually knows about these. "It's just that Japan's film censorship is actually very loose, and almost all other movies can be released, so it gives people some special impressions."

"In fact, there are almost no movies in Japan that are classified as R18+ because of violence." Shotaro Ishinomori, who had been eating melons, couldn't help but add, "If it weren't for someone pushing it specifically this time, there would be no such trouble at all."

"So that's it! Then this really seems to be a way to avoid censorship."

Although it's a bit awkward~"

The people present nodded, but the eyes looking at Naoki Nagayama were meaningful. To be able to think of such a method, Naoki Nagayama, how many movies with FBI"

warning as the opening have you watched?

Otomo Yoshimura said softly to Naoki Nagayama: "Naoki-san, even young people should be restrained!"

"..."

A hidden crisis was thus eliminated, and everyone's heart was put down.

Although there will definitely be media reports about the bad influence of "Crows Zero" on teenagers later, Tree Friend Films is not afraid of such things as spitting battles.

Not to mention Kadokawa's strong influence in the publishing industry, Tree Friend Films' money offensive cannot be underestimated. At least in Tokyo, there are no reporters from major newspapers who have not received a red envelope from Tree Friend Films.

Regardless of whether they will say good things, at least they will think carefully before saying bad things.

Solving a stone in their hearts, everyone started a happy relaxing time. The young ladies in the high-end club were all good at singing and chatting, and they were happy until late at night.

The sun rises and sets, time flows, and September in Tokyo descended before people's eyes without them knowing.

The weather is still very hot, but the rain brought by the typhoon has gradually washed away the summer heat. People who have lived in Tokyo for a long time know that the pace of autumn has accelerated.

Under the brilliant sunshine, Naoki Nagayama led Eitaro back to Shanying Courtyard from outside.

Early in the morning, he resumed his habit of morning exercise, took the big dog for a run around, and by the way, gave the tickets for the preview screening to Chikako Aoyama. Of course, it was received by the old man Nobu Aoyama, which earned him a sentence:

"Stay away from my Chikako!"

"This old man, he always doesn't believe me. I am a person with a girlfriend now!" Naoki Nagayama was washing Eitaro's body with a water hose in the courtyard. "Don't you think so? Eitaro?"

The Labrador, covered in white foam, was washed in the bathtub. Even though the fur was stuck to its body, it could still be seen that it was a strong dog. Before Naoki Nagayama could help him dry it, it shook itself, scattering all the water droplets on Naoki Nagayama's body!

"Eitaro, you guy!"

" Naoki Nagayama was furious, held down the dog that was courting death, and rubbed its dog head with a towel!

After a rough wipe, Naoki Nagayama put the dog in the courtyard to play. Under the still strong sun, the whole fur would be dry in no time.

Since he had already washed one dog, Naoki Nagayama's eyes glanced at Miaotaro, who was lying on the side, and then walked over quietly, and while the cat master was not paying attention, he picked it up all of a sudden!

"Meow meow! Meow meow meow! (Shovel officer, what are you doing?)" Miaotaro looked at his shovel officer with a confused face.

Then, while the cat hadn't reacted, he put it into the bathtub that had been changed with water, and then, amidst this guy's resistance, gave the cat a full-body cleaning.

On this morning, it was actually Naoki Nagayama, the owner, who was able to take a bath last.

After spending the whole morning in Shanying Courtyard with his cat and dog, Naoki Nagayama drove to the studio.

"Otomo-san, is there any problem with the arrangement for tomorrow's preview screening?" After greeting the staff, he dived into the office and asked Otomo Yoshimura.

"Rest assured, Naoki-san!"

Otomo Yoshimura was not in a hurry at all. This preview screening for the media was just to invite media reporters to come as industry-related personnel, and it had been done many times already.

However, Naoki Nagayama still confirmed it carefully, especially the relevant aspects of the media reporters, because he had anticipated that there might be reporters asking sharp questions, and he had already made an exception to arrange for some friendly reporters to act as shills on the spot to neutralize strange questions.

Just at this time, Ito Shuichi Yin Tang walked in from outside and smiled after seeing Naoki Nagayama:

"Sure enough, Naoki-san is still worried, right?"

"Yeah... this time I feel like there are some problems." Naoki Nagayama nodded. Although he didn't know who would jump out, the guys who were surging in the dark before would not give up.

"Should we add more security personnel?"

"Haha, that's not necessary, I've already called Big Brother Kaede!"

Naoki Nagayama smiled. If Kaede Nagayama went, his underlings would naturally go too. If there were really any excessive behaviors, their deterrent power would be much more powerful than security guards.

After talking about the preview screening preparations for a long time, until there was nothing left to talk about, Naoki Nagayama changed the question:

"Otomo-san, by the way, how is Etsuro Kikuchi doing over there?"

Otomo Yoshimura said: "It is said that he has officially resigned from the Burning Agency, registered a new company, and is currently looking for a new office location."

"He is really swift and decisive."

Naoki Nagayama's tone could not be said to be praise or belittlement. Generally speaking, when senior people in the entertainment industry leave, they start their next job at their original position first, partly to use some of the current employer's resources, and partly to transfer to the next employer more securely.

However, Etsuro Kikuchi seemed to be impatient, directly resigning from the Burning Agency position first, and began to devote himself wholeheartedly to this company that was currently just a shell.

"It's not a shell company, Ayano Fukuhara, the cute person in charge of the original Wild Cat Group, and Saeka Nonaka, the singing person in charge, both followed Etsuro Kikuchi."

"Ah, those two~" Two years later, Naoki Nagayama had almost forgotten what they looked like. "They probably didn't have any future at the Burning Agency either."

"Hmm." Otomo Yoshimura's face was slightly abnormal, but it returned to normal quickly.

Naoki Nagayama noticed: "Otomo-san, no need to think too much. If they seize the opportunity this time, in the future, as seniors of the girl group, as long as the girl group does not decline, there will always be a place for them in the entertainment industry."

Whether it is announcements in the corners or large-scale celebrations, reviews, etc., there will be people inviting the veterans.

Otomo Yoshimura nodded: "Then what about the Cat's Eye sisters?"

"They are just going to do some gimmicks when 'Twilight Meow Meow' starts, to put a halo on them. In the future, the way out for the three sisters will still be in our movies."

Naoki Nagayama gave Otomo Yoshimura a reassurance. He had never thought about moving all the Cat's Eye sisters into the new girl group company.

Ito Shuichi Yin Tang, who had been listening for a long time, was a bit impatient:

"Naoki-san, I'll go find the teacher to explore the wind and see if there is any latest information."

"Okay~"

Naoki Nagayama nodded, but he also thought to himself, should he also go and invite Masaki Kobayashi to have tea?

Shochiku Films... it's really troublesome!