After leaving the office, Takumi met Alice.
"Did I finally find you?"
Alice was also looking for him, her forehead covered in sweat. She said: "It's time for a meeting. Come with me."
"Meeting? Do you mean the administration department?"
Takumi asked behind her back. If it was the administration department, there would be no need for a meeting. Genji had already told him everything. However, Takumi still hesitated a little and didn't want to make a hasty decision.
"Administration department? Oh... Did you hear what my father said?" Alice was stunned, then shook her head and smiled: "No, that's still in the plan. Now it's something else."
"What's wrong?"
"Just come with me..."
Alice took Takumi to a meeting room where several people were already seated, including the anime production department couple, Miyuki, and CFO Ryota. They sat in two rows, with Ryota sitting on one side and the others on the other.
"Mirai-sensei!"
After Takumi entered, people stood up and greeted him.
"Where are Editor-in-Chief Kurosawa and his team?"
Takumi asked curiously. He didn't see the editor-in-chiefs of Weekly Shōnen or Weekly Shōjo Manga, nor the heads of staff or publications. He felt a little strange.
Wasn't it an important meeting?
"They're still interviewing new people, and this meeting has nothing to do with them." Ryota, frowning, helped answer: "Mirai-sensei, don't you know the reason for your visit?"
Takumi nodded: "Who can explain it to me?"
"I will." Alice pulled up a stool for Takumi to sit on and explained.
The cause of the problem was the dubbing issues that arose during "Pokémon" and "Fate/Stay Night" production. The anime production and video game departments were racking their brains looking for voice actors. The three bosses chatted. Suddenly, the idea of creating a voice actor agency came up.
Current voice actors are too scattered and disorganized, and vacancies often arise. If Hinotori Publishing had its own voice actor agency, it would be much more convenient to produce games and anime in the future.
Miyuki and others told Alice, and she also agreed, so they gathered.
"We have investigated privately, and most voice actors are interested in changing jobs. I think this plan is totally viable." Alice said: "I want to create a small voice actor agency and keep all current voice actors."
Takumi was a little surprised. He hadn't considered the voice actor agency yet. He hadn't expected these people to consider it in advance.
"I don't agree." But after Alice finished speaking, Ryota intervened: "It takes a lot of money to create a voice actor agency. The current model is already very good."
Hinotori Publishing is a manga company. Now it is dedicated to anime and video game production. Ryota believes there is no need to enter the entertainment industry. Furthermore, as CFO, the company's interests are his priority and he cannot give in.
Voice actors do not enjoy great prestige in Japan, and there is no ideal development path yet. The prospects for a voice actor agency are very bleak.
In addition, the company's games no longer need voice actors, and there are enough for anime. Only a small weekly remuneration is needed. If an agency is opened, more funds will be needed to maintain this department. There is no benefit.
"Takumi, what do you think?"
Alice looked at Takumi expectantly.
Takumi remained silent. It turned out that Alice had called him to lobby. As long as he opened his mouth, even if Ryota was unwilling, he would eventually agree. Genji did not appear, which meant that he was to make the decision.
To be honest, Takumi was very interested in the voice actor agency, but it was not the right time.
He only has one animation now, "Pokémon", that needs voice actors, and it's not very convenient for him to create an agency. Japan's anime market has not yet developed, and it's difficult to increase the value of voice actors.
"I don't think it's appropriate...", he said. "It should be possible in two years, but it's too urgent to do it now."
Hinotori Publishing is not a large company, and money cannot be spent lightly. Takumi believes that, at this stage, the disadvantages of creating a voice actor agency outweigh the advantages. Only when he launches more works will the value of voice actors be revealed.
"Eagerly...", Alice shook her head and said: "I understand that this is a bit rushed, but this can solve another problem."
The others looked at him curiously: "What's wrong?"
"Mirai-sensei's first anniversary celebration..."
Alice turned to look at Takumi and smiled: "Those voice actors are artists. I think they can participate in the celebration performance. If we recruit them first, the performance fee will be considerably reduced. And appearing at the first anniversary celebration will be of great benefit to both Mirai-sensei and those voice actors."
For Mirai-sensei's first anniversary celebration, Hinotori Publishing has made large reservations and wants to make it the biggest mangaka celebration in history. There will be many activities during the period, and performances are also indispensable.
"Wait... Miss Alice, do you mean... you don't plan to invite celebrities to help?"
Ryota suddenly interrupted with a slight glint in his eyes. According to Alice, if the company allows these voice actors to perform, a lot of money can be saved.
The performance fee for a second-tier star in Japan is 20 million yen, and those 20 million are more than enough to establish a voice actor agency. The value of voice actors is not high.
Genji said that they would do their best for this celebration, and Ryota had never thought of saving money, but Alice's words were different. She was Genji's daughter and had a good relationship with Takumi. If they got both their consent and didn't invite celebrities to this celebration, a lot of expenses could be saved.
"I don't think it's necessary to invite celebrities. This is our celebration. If we invite too many, it will become their stage."
Alice nodded and replied that the celebration she wanted was Mirai-sensei's personal celebration, not a stage for stars, and she believed that mangaka Mirai-sensei could attract a large number of readers.
If the stage program was related to Mirai-sensei's work, for example, if the voice actors from the anime performed, it would be easier for the audience to like it.
Ryota was moved; Alice's idea was very good...
"Mirai-sensei, what do you think?"
he asked Takumi, and his attitude changed: "If we don't invite stars, the company's funds will be more than enough, enough to establish a small voice actor agency."
Ryota made up his mind: the money from inviting stars could support those voice actors for several years. The only problem is that stars can liven up the celebration, and without them, the celebration's effect might be reduced.
This is a celebration that Hinotori Publishing has finally organized. Will Mirai-sensei agree?
"I agree..."
Ryota asked, but Takumi nodded; he liked the idea. Originally, this manga industry celebration should not be an entertainment industry celebration. He liked Alice's idea.
At first, Takumi had no interest in the celebration, but now he has more expectations.
"Good, since Mirai-sensei said so, let's organize it!" Ryota was happy, and the company saved a lot of money: "But, Miss Alice, you have to prepare a company valuation report for me."
He turned around and reminded Alice: "Our company will not support people for nothing."
"No problem...",
Alice breathed a sigh of relief. The voice actor company may not generate profits in the next few years, but it is unlikely to lose money. If the celebration is successful, these voice actors could generate other income.
Miyuki and the other two were also very happy. After the meeting, they returned to announce the good news.
Takumi and Alice returned to the office. On the way, she smiled and said: "What did you come up with?"
"I've been in the entertainment industry for a long time and I miss it a little...", Alice replied: "Those voice actors are basically frustrated people. We're creating a company that's giving them an opportunity."
"The voice actor profession... You've always been very concerned about it." Alice smiled slightly: "Anyway, you'll do it sooner or later, isn't it better to start now?"
She blinked at Takumi, and Takumi smiled bitterly: "I really can't hide anything from you...".
Sometimes he felt that his thoughts could not escape Alice's gaze.
"..."
Takumi suddenly frowned. For some reason, he thought of Shiori at that moment. She also paid attention to him, like Alice.
- - - - - - - -
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