"Mhm, mhm, mhm, I think what Teacher Tang Sanshui said makes a lot of sense," Dong Xuelian nodded repeatedly.
"The story itself has a strong tendency to pull in different directions, which leads to the 'slow pace' issue that everyone can clearly feel."
"I see many people discussing now that it's already the eighth episode. Logically, in other anime, it should be entering the climax, but here, they're still just sending text messages."
"This is definitely not good."
"It's just that the continuous update speed before made everyone temporarily overlook this point when a new episode aired, but during the short intermission just now, everyone realized this problem," Qihai chimed in, saying,
"I still hope the contestant can realize the problem and correct it in time."
Suddenly, as if following the rhythm of the bullet comments, almost all the judges seemed to change their attitudes.
Except for Cowboy Hao.
"Don't rush, I know everyone is in a hurry, I'm also in a hurry, but actually, there's no need to be so rushed," Cowboy Hao waved his hand: "Because I suddenly realized a problem."
"Host, does our production team have a length limit?"
As soon as this question was asked, the bullet comments exploded.
"It seems, there really isn't, right?"
"No, I checked, there's no limit, which means even if you make a short episode, it's fine. Rather, looking at the current production difficulty and everyone's production speed, it seems the original goal from the beginning was to produce a story the length of an OVA, and then, based on positive reviews, it would be selected by the company for separate production and broadcast."
"After all, while the editor itself is advanced new technology, it hasn't been commercialized yet and still has some flaws."
"Flaws? Why do I not feel any flaws in steins;gate at all?"
"The Host also said before that this is all because this contestant has great talent and strong imagination, immediately grasping the editor and putting it into use, which is why it has this effect. Others in the production team have also tried, but they simply can't achieve this kind of output."
"Otherwise, why do you think they're not mass-producing anime for other companies first, but instead creating a show like this for you to watch live?"
"Are you all just realizing this problem now???"
"Don't shout, I really didn't notice."
"Why was Cowboy Hao the first to notice?"
"Because he's sitting close to the audience. I have a friend in the audience, and someone in the audience just said it, so he overheard it."
"Alright, alright, so what I said is what he heard, right?"
"This, there isn't," Host Fang Yuan's expression froze for a moment. After confirming with the director through his earpiece, he gave a definite answer.
"Both 24-minute and 12-minute anime are allowed. If possible, even a three-minute anime can be considered an achievement."
"Ah, I didn't expect everyone to not notice this point."
"...I didn't notice either," Uncle Big Nose was stunned, "It's really because his creative speed is too fast, making me subconsciously mistakenly think that our show was about having everyone create a 12-episode serialized anime."
"Eh? Is that not how it is???" Dong Xuelian and Qihai both showed extremely surprised expressions.
Host Fang Yuan: "No."
"Then, in that case, there seems to be room for the pacing," Uncle Big Nose said faintly, and then gently put down the microphone.
Because, time was up.
steins;gate's ninth episode began.
2010.08.06 13:07:40:91
"The experimental results so far confirm that D-mail can indeed be sent to the past."
Sitting with Hashida Itaru in a cafe, Okabe Rintaro typed on his phone while speaking.
Hashida Itaru gulped down his tea in one go, and after setting down his cup, he raised an objection:
"But, the result of my match with Felis-tan hasn't changed, you know."
"That's your own problem, isn't it?" Okabe Rintaro grumbled, putting away his phone: "However, Rukako's situation too, although the precision needs improvement..."
"If we improve it, we can create a complete Time Machine..."
"Time Machine?" A questioning voice suddenly came from beside him.
It was Felis.
"Are you eavesdropping?!" Okabe Rintaro's words became stiff.
"Felis is just here to deliver the order, meow." Felis said, setting down the drink on the tray she was carrying: "Do you want syrup and milk?"
"I! Re! Fuse!" Okabe Rintaro turned his head away.
"I must put everything in for a Kyouma like this, meow~"
"Huh?" Okabe Rintaro turned his head back, only to suddenly see Felis's pretty face almost right in front of him.
Her gaze, completely unwavering, watched Okabe Rintaro's eyes. While looking at him, she gently stirred the tea with a spoon after adding syrup and milk.
"Meow meow~"
"It appeared!" Hashida Itaru explained from the side: "Secret Technique · Stir-Stir While Looking into the Eyes!"
"I'm so envious of Okabe, just self-destruct."
Felis looked at Okabe Rintaro, her pretty face faintly flushed, looking very alluring.
"Kyouma~" Calling Okabe Rintaro's name with words so sweet they were almost cloying, Felis leaned in even closer, to a distance where he could clearly feel the warmth of her breath: "What's this about a Time Machine, meow?"
"Do you think I'll reveal secrets with a honey trap?" Okabe Rintaro snorted lightly, his expression unchanged.
His expression didn't change, but after hearing his words, the faint blush on Felis's face faded.
She dropped her affectionate expression and pulled back.
"I won't ask Kyouma anymore, meow."
"Tonz meow~" She turned around.
Seeing this, Okabe Rintaro chuckled softly: "Hmph, do you think Tonz would betray me—"
"We made a machine that can send text messages to the past!" Before Okabe Rintaro could finish his sentence, Hashida Itaru accurately described everything in one breath, and took credit for it:
"I was the main one who did it!"
Looking at the proud Hashida Itaru, Okabe Rintaro couldn't take it anymore:
"That's too decisive a betrayal, isn't it?!!!"
"When did you get the illusion that Tonz wouldn't betray you?"
"Isn't Tonz the easiest to be deceived by 3D women?"
"Just a flick of a finger and he'll tell everything."
"So why does Brooch never learn his lesson and remember that these things shouldn't be discussed casually outside?"
"I'm very curious when they'll discuss it at the Beef Bowl Restaurant again and the owner will overhear and start the owner's side quest."
"Tonz's combat power is too weak! You should have kept your mouth shut and held out for a bit. If you say everything just by being called once, doesn't that make you look like someone who's easily fooled?"
"But he really is that kind of person."