February 22nd,
Genji was enjoying his rest at home, but an unexpected visit ruined his mood.
"The Young Emperor will air on Osaka Anime Golden Paradise on March 1st!"
The huge newspaper headline made Genji frown.
"Director Kaito?"
He looked at the middle-aged man sitting in front of him: "What does this mean?" "It literally means that."
Kaito drank tea and replied: "We decided to broadcast The Young Emperor."
Osaka TV moved The Young Emperor from the night slot to prime time. Although it didn't conflict with Pokémon, the original animation that would be broadcast on Anime Golden Paradise on March 1st was the station's original animation.
In fact, they gave up on the animation to please Tanaka, who obviously ruined the Osaka Carnival, but the station wasn't angry.
"Why?"
Genji got straight to the point. He didn't believe the station was that stupid. There had to be a reason.
"Because of interests."
Kaito put down his cup and said: "Kanto Manga will soon move south and relocate its headquarters to Osaka. We want to have a good relationship with them."
"Kanto moving south?"
Genji asked, wide-eyed: "Are they no longer developing in Tokyo?"
"Tokyo is not as suitable as Osaka. Osaka is the center of novels, with a rich source of content and a good manga environment." Kaito smiled and said: "Kanto's move to Osaka will increase the number of local animations, which is very good for our television station."
He looked at Genji.
"I came here this time to talk about this. The television station doesn't want to offend anyone. Mirai-sensei is very talented, and we have high expectations for him, but after all, they have limited resources. Kanto Manga is our main animation provider. I hope you understand."
Genji understood, of course. As a businessman, he saw the television station's sincerity. For something like this, Kaito might not have notified Hinotori Publishing.
"Kanto moving south..."
This matter put Genji in a difficult situation. Kanto's headquarters in Tokyo were already very problematic. If it moved to Osaka, 'wouldn't it force Hinotori Publishing into ruin?'
"Has it been confirmed?"
Genji asked.
"Well, I've heard that the central government also has intentions." Kaito replied: "Tokyo is already a political and industrial center. The population pressure is excessive. The central government hopes to make Osaka the center of the Kansai manga industry."
"Kanto Manga is in the spotlight of the government. It's inevitable that it will move to Osaka."
This news will be good for Kaito, the television station, Tatsuryū, Kira Kira Animation Studio, and even the citizens of Osaka, but a disaster for Hinotori Publishing.
Kanto moved south, and its capital is more than ten times higher than Hinotori Publishing's! Genji knows too much about business. If Kanto comes to Osaka, Hinotori Publishing will have no chance of success. No matter how hard they work and how good their products are, as long as Kanto Manga Company continues to bet on capital at all costs, Hinotori Publishing can go bankrupt at any time.
Hinotori Publishing is still active because Kanto doesn't believe it can harm them, but when Kanto arrives in Osaka, competition will intensify, their ideas will gradually change, and they can decide to eliminate Hinotori Publishing at any time.
However, if this is the case, something is wrong...
"Did they come for something else?" Genji, moved, looked at Kaito and asked: "What will happen to our Hinotori when Kanto enters Osaka? Director Kaito must know. Aren't they looking for me out of compassion?"
It's the fourth day of the New Year. Kaito has nothing better to do. 'Why did he give up his vacation to notify Genji?'
"Genji, you're right." Kaito smiled: "Under normal circumstances, I don't need to notify you when Kanto Manga moves south to Osaka."
"But..." He paused and smiled bitterly: "Not only Kanto has come to Osaka. I've also heard that investigators from the Ministry of Culture have come."
"From the Ministry of Culture!"
Genji frowned slightly: "What are they doing here?"
The Ministry of Culture is a national department responsible for culture and art. With the improvement of the Japanese cultural industry, this department has gained more and more power. It is now under the direction of the State Council.
"The details are unclear."
Kaito shook his head and said: "The official statement is to investigate the manga market in Osaka and evaluate the future of this industry. But there are also rumors that they are investigating Mirai-sensei..."
"Mirai-sensei!"
Genji was startled.
"Yes." Kaito nodded. That was why he had come to find Genji. If the Ministry of Culture is really investigating Mirai-sensei, it means he has attracted the attention of the central government. It's a big event!
The government's attention to manga is becoming increasingly evident. The future manga market will be huge. As part of the cultural prosperity strategy, manga will be no worse than other cultures.
"..."
Genji's heart began to pound. If the central government investigates Mirai-sensei, it would be a great benefit for Hinotori Publishing!
Although businessmen do not talk about politics, if Takumi really makes a name for himself in the country, then, in the context of the current great development of manga, let alone Kanto, even state-owned companies will not dare to use illegal means to deal with Hinotori Publishing.
One hundred years ago, after the end of World War II, faced with the danger of world destruction, Japan had to retrieve the steel battleships stationed in North America.
After that, countries around the world signed the Tokyo Treaty, abandoned armed wars, and turned to economic confrontation.
This lasted for decades, with even more disastrous results than armed war. Japan dominated, but the national economy was depressed, and people's lives did not change. The same happened in other countries.
Twenty years ago, the second Tokyo Treaty was signed, and economic confrontation was curbed.
In today's world, there is no armed war, economic confrontation has been curbed, and countries around the world are integrated, enjoying peace and prosperity. Humanity is free from famine and poverty, and material life reaches an unprecedented pace.
At that time, Japan proposed a cultural prosperity strategy, also known as a cultural war strategy in other countries.
"Mirai-sensei is a treasure..."
Seeing that Genji said nothing, Kaito finished the tea in his cup, stood up, and said: "Although you will get the country's protection, Hinotori Publishing will be free from the black hand and capital suppression. But the central government will not hinder legal market competition, and the pressure you face will not change much."
Kaito said goodbye.
After leaving, Genji pondered for a long time.
The Ministry of Culture's investigation has always been a mystery, and the results will not be revealed, but Genji believes that, after Pokémon airs, Mirai-sensei will undoubtedly surpass it.
Genji was thinking about whether to inform Takumi about the move of The Young Emperor and Kanto Manga Company south, but it was still a holiday, so perhaps it was more important for Takumi to rest well.
The child would soon return to Osaka, so there was no hurry.
- - - -
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