Animation Producer in a Fantasy World

And so, after a journey of over two and a half months, I was able to conclude the animation called “Book of Life and Death”.

Normally, I would have taken a considerable rest period before preparing for my next work.

Because even any animation producer on Earth couldn’t help but take a rest after making a 50-episode animation followed by a 20-episode one.

But I didn’t particularly feel like taking a rest.

‘Because I’ve decided to change the meta a bit now.’

The reason why I, who used to be satisfied with making short animations in the past, came to create a work called “Machine God Chronicles” was simple.

This world was an extremely underdeveloped world where no decent subculture existed until I started making animations.

In other words, it meant that there were many people who were extremely immersed in my works, which were somewhat lacking compared to the works created by famous directors and masters on Earth.

And saying that people are extremely immersed in the works I create means.

As with that incident related to the ending of episode 50 of “Machine God Chronicles”, it meant that if I intentionally made strange developments or threw out absurd endings, there would be swarms of people coming to cut off my neck.

Of course, since I received a promise from even the Emperor that he would not interfere with the animations I make, there probably wouldn’t be anyone who could directly harm me, but.

Well, anyway, because of such circumstances, I decided to change my tactics a bit this time.

Since I’m making anime anyway, let’s become such a big shot that others can’t carelessly tell me what to do.

As someone once said, once you become famous, people will go wild even if you defecate, like.

If I too can make a lot of hit animations and have an enormous influence on the entire Empire.

And if my social recognition and influence reach a level that surpasses ordinary nobles and affects even the Emperor.

Then, even if I declare a strike saying I won’t make anime anymore, who could stop me?

So I decided.

I can take a rest as much as I want later.

Now, I’ll focus all my efforts on making the third anime, ‘that work’ where heroes who lived in different eras are resurrected as heroic spirits in modern times and fight.

But.

“Well, making anime is good and all, but couldn’t you take a little rest?”

“Huh?”

“In that sense, why don’t you come visit our house after a long time? Father also said he’d like to see you at least once…”

“…Hmm, should I?”

One day while I was busily preparing for my next work, Serika made this suggestion to me.

She asked how about not just being cooped up in a room making anime, but occasionally visiting her house.

To be honest, there was no reason to reject Serika’s suggestion, so I readily accepted her proposal.

And.

“Ragna. It’s been quite a while. So… is this the first time since I saw you right before you made ‘Book of Life and Death’?”

Although he’s still looking at me with disapproving eyes, the Duke wore an expression that had become quite angelic compared to the past, and.

“…Damn it, damn it. To think I have to watch that guy hanging around Serika again.”

There was also the appearance of Deneb, who was looking at me with disgust, unchanged in the slightest from the past, an extremely wicked sister lover.

‘Ah, shit.’

If I had known it would be like this, I shouldn’t have come to visit Serika’s house in the first place.

Although the expressions of the Duke and Deneb were not much different from when I came here to hire Serika as a voice actress for “The Disappearance of Elli and Hamel”, but.

Unfortunately, my current position had changed quite a bit from back then.

So, roughly speaking, how much had it changed?

“Father, and Brother. Why don’t you lighten up your expressions?”

Serika said to them with a smiling face.

“Especially you, Brother, should be more careful. Do you know how hard I worked to get draw tickets for you? If you act like that, I might just confiscate your Book of Life and Death replica, you know?”

“…I’m sorry, Serika.”

Deneb immediately becomes crestfallen at Serika’s words.

And perhaps fearing confiscation by Serika, Deneb hurriedly hid the Book of Life and Death replica that was placed on the table into his bosom.

“Meow.”

And the white cat that had been sleeping on top of the replica also quickly climbed onto Deneb’s shoulder.

“…Huh?”

Meanwhile, I looked at the white cat sitting on Deneb’s shoulder with a somewhat puzzled gaze.

That cat is probably the spirit attached to the Book of Life and Death replica.

Probably, if I’m not mistaken, Deneb must have used the customization function to change the spirit into the form of a white cat.

But that cat spirit, for some reason, looks like something I’ve seen a lot somewhere…?

“Um… Young Duke. That one…?”

“Ah, you mean this little one?”

When I cautiously asked a question just in case, Deneb opened his mouth with a very proud expression.

“It’s a spirit I newly contracted using the Book of Life and Death replica. Its name is Kyubey. For some reason, it has much stronger powers than other spirits, so I quite like it.”

“…What did you say its name was? Kyubey?”

“Yes. It’s the name I gave it. Why? Don’t you like it?”

“…..”

To be honest, I wanted to say that he should at least change the name, but.

Since he wasn’t the type of person who would listen even if I said anything, I ended up keeping my mouth shut.

Yeah, surely nothing bad could happen, right?

Even if something were to happen, wouldn’t it just be one more magical boy appearing in this world?

As I was trying hard to avert my gaze from the cat.

Just then, the Duke cleared his throat and opened his mouth towards me.

“Ahem, Ragna. The ‘Book of Life and Death’ you concluded this time. I enjoyed it very much. From episode 1 to the conclusion in episode 20, it was truly a perfect work.”

“…Ah, yes. Thank you.”

Well, to be honest, that’s an evaluation that couldn’t be more natural if it’s natural.

Since the work that became the motif for “Book of Life and Death” is praised as a universal masterpiece, it would be stranger if it didn’t receive at least this level of evaluation.

“But you know, there’s actually one thing I’m not satisfied with. To tell the truth, should I say that this flaw is completely undermining all the merits of the work called ‘Book of Life and Death’?”

“…? What is it?”

At my words, the Duke opened his mouth, slamming his fist on the table as if genuinely angry.

“Why on earth did ‘Book of Life and Death’ conclude in just 20 episodes? While ‘Machine God Chronicles’ aired for as many as 50 episodes!”

“Huh? No, that’s-”

“Because of that, I only had two months to watch the advance screening copy of ‘Book of Life and Death’! His Majesty was able to wield absolute power through the advance screening copy for over six months during the airing of ‘Machine God Chronicles’, but why me!”

“…..”

So in simple terms, he’s angry because he couldn’t use the advance screening copy to show off for long, right?

To be honest, the Duke’s words were nothing more than something utterly absurd, but.

As someone who once actively roamed internet communities and stirred up some trouble, I couldn’t help but somewhat sympathize with the Duke’s words.

Certainly, it’s understandable to feel disappointed when you get a limited 5-star character from a casually rolled single pull, but people don’t give any reaction.

So I decided to throw a carrot to the Duke.

“Then I’ll make one more animation.”

“…What?”

“I mean, I’ll make one more animation based on your idea, Duke. As it happens, I was planning to make a new animation exclusively for theaters after making the Knight King Legend anime.”

I said that to the Duke as if I was being very generous, but.

In fact, this couldn’t be considered a losing deal for me at all.

Because the ideas the Duke comes up with are very similar to those of animations that were huge hits on Earth.

And if the idea the Duke suggests turns out to be not so good, I can just not make it into an anime, and that’s it.

In other words, for me, it could be said to be a golden opportunity to snatch up ideas that others have worked hard to come up with.

As I was looking at the Duke with such a sneaky scheme in mind.

Deneb, perhaps having noticed my inner thoughts to some extent, snorted and opened his mouth.

“Ha, you’ll make the Duke’s idea into an animation like you did with ‘Book of Life and Death’? Your intentions are transparent. At first glance, it looks like you’re doing a big favor for Father, but in fact, isn’t it a one-sided deal where you have nothing to lose?”

“…..”

“Didn’t you say you needed ideas for the theatrical anime you’re going to make next? Then let me tell you one. How about just making a mecha anime like you did with ‘Machine God Chronicles’?”

“…A mecha anime?”

No, I already made a mecha anime with “Machine God Chronicles”, so that’s a bit…

Well, since I’m thinking of making it as a theatrical anime anyway, I guess it doesn’t matter if the theme overlaps a little.

“Of course, if you just make a mecha anime, it would be an inferior version of ‘Machine God Chronicles’, so you need something distinctive. Yeah, it would be better to have some strange weapon in hand. How about using a drilling drill as a weapon?”

“…A drill?”

“Moreover, it would be even more fun if the mechs could combine. Yeah, use that drill I mentioned earlier to make holes in the mechs and combine them. How about it? Wouldn’t you say this is a great idea?”

“…Combine?”

Deneb, speaking to me as if sneering.

“Brother…! Ragna said those words with complete sincerity! Did you really have to speak like that?”

“I also said those words with complete sincerity. To be honest, isn’t it not a bad idea?”

“Brother…!”

Serika was speaking to Deneb as if scolding him, but.

The conversation going back and forth between those two wasn’t reaching my ears at all.

Because.

“Mecha… drill… combine…?”

No.

This is completely.

I think I might be able to make one fucking awesome work…?