During a filming break for Episode 4 of 'Rurouni Kenshin: Trust & Betrayal', the main crew — Su Yan, Gu Qingyuan, Shinozaki Ikumi, and Shi Peihua — were all glued to the computer, watching the viewer comments about the show on 'SakuraNet'.
"Why did the view count spike so much today? These numbers are way better than expected," said Gu Qingyuan, her usually calm expression visibly moved.
"It means 'Rurouni Kenshin' is gaining traction through word-of-mouth," Shinozaki Ikumi replied, a little stunned herself.
Honestly, even the 130,000 paid views on the first day had already exceeded her expectations. For most web dramas, the first-day views usually made up about a third of the first-week total, and that first-week total generally made up about a third of the overall total.
Meaning — roughly speaking — multiply a drama's day-one numbers by nine, and you'd get a pretty solid estimate of its final single-episode performance.
But that formula only applied to average shows. True masterpieces — or absolute disasters — could throw those numbers right out the window.
Clearly, 'Rurouni Kenshin: Trust & Betrayal' was in the "masterpiece" category, which was why its day-two numbers had blown up so dramatically.
"Over 410,000 paid views for Episode 1 in just two days, and a 9.2 rating. Do you all realize what that means?" Shinozaki looked around at Su Yan, Gu Qingyuan, and Shi Peihua.
Shi Peihua, being older, didn't really understand the value of online data.
Gu Qingyuan had just graduated, and Su Yan — a former anime nerd from another world — understood even less.
"Anyway, those numbers are already on par with 'Pure Breeze's debut episode — and that was a show with over 10 million in investment, crazy marketing, and full support from the platform," Shinozaki said, a hint of schadenfreude in her tone.
She had every reason to be salty. She was still bitter that 'Rurouni Kenshin: Trust & Betrayal' had its funding cut by 1 million because of 'Pure Breeze'. It made her grit her teeth just thinking about it.
If, in the end, 'Pure Breeze', the network's golden child, ended up performing on the same level as low-budget 'Rurouni Kenshin: Trust & Betrayal' — and with a lower rating to boot — well, that would be hilarious.
Su Yan pondered this.
"So what you're saying is, if 'Rurouni Kenshin' keeps this momentum, its overall numbers could rival 'Pure Breeze'?"
"Right now, 'Rurouni Kenshin' has much stronger ratings, but way less promotion. Based on my experience, Episode 1 will probably fall slightly behind 'Pure Breeze's debut week in terms of view count," Shinozaki said after a pause.
"But the overall success of a series isn't just about Episode 1. Plenty of dramas start strong and crash by the finale — there's a long history of that in Xia Nation."
Shinozaki looked a little guilty here, remembering her last project — the infamously bad 'Sakura Island Love Song'. So she quickly changed tone:
"We all know the script. Episode 4 of 'Rurouni Kenshin' is heartbreaking, a full-on tragedy. Whether audiences can accept that kind of ending… no one knows."
"Maybe 'Rurouni Kenshin' will blow up even more once the final episode airs, the tragedy going viral and pushing the show's name higher.
But it's just as possible that the intense heartbreak will make fans furious, crashing both ratings and view counts."
She turned to Su Yan.
"The only thing I can say for sure is that once Episode 4 airs, there's no way this series ends quietly.
You wrote something that cuts deep, Su Yan — be prepared for the double-edged sword."
"Or…" Shi Peihua interjected, "You could still change the ending."
"Keep everything else the same — even have Yukishiro Tomoe take the blow for Kenshin.
But instead of dying, she just gets severely injured. The two of them recover, leave Kyoto behind, retreat to the countryside, and live in peace. No more politics, no more Battousai."
"It would be a safer ending," Shinozaki added after thinking for a moment. "Sure, it's a bit cliché, but fans wouldn't complain much."
Su Yan gave a small laugh and was about to respond when—
"I… I don't think that's a good idea," Gu Qingyuan spoke up suddenly. Her voice carried a rare hint of emotion.
"Why not?"
There were no big-name stars in this production team, so neither Shinozaki nor Shi Peihua was offended by her interjection — just curious.
"No particular reason," Gu Qingyuan said.
"Tomoe's death is what ultimately saves Kenshin from the abyss. Her death matters — it's the emotional core of the story."
"If Kenshin gives up his ideals, stops trying to save people with his sword, and just hides away in the countryside with Tomoe…
Then how is he any different from all the other numb, lost people in the story?
Both Kenshin and Tomoe would lose their depth. Their character arcs would go from 100 to 0."
"Of course, this is just my personal opinion, as the actress playing Yukishiro Tomoe. Director, producer — feel free to take it or leave it."
Shi Peihua and Shinozaki Ikumi both fell silent.
"Well said," Su Yan finally spoke, giving Gu Qingyuan an appreciative look.
"Besides, a safe ending would just reduce 'Rurouni Kenshin' to a generic, forgettable show — just like 'Pure Breeze'."
"Miss Shinozaki, Director Shi, Miss Gu —
A show like 'Pure Breeze' will always be limited in how far it can go."
"If 'Rurouni Kenshin' really wants to outperform 'Pure Breeze'…"
He looked at the three of them.
"We can't play it safe.
We have to bet everything on that emotionally devastating finale.
Bet that it resonates with the audience.
Bet that it will elevate 'Rurouni Kenshin' beyond 'Pure Breeze'."
Su Yan spoke in a steady rhythm. Of course, in his past life, he knew that the tragic ending of 'Rurouni Kenshin: Trust & Betrayal' had been universally acclaimed across countries — hailed as a masterpiece.
But to convince the rest of the team, he needed a different argument.
"Outperform 'Pure Breeze'..."
The moment Su Yan said that, Shinozaki Ikumi's eyes lit up after a brief pause.
What was the point of settling for the same results as 'Pure Breeze' with a watered-down ending?
If she wanted revenge, she had to gamble on 'Rurouni Kenshin: Trust & Betrayal' outperforming 'Pure Breeze'.
Same season. Same network.
And yet, Akasaka Yoshitoki slashed the budgets of every other project — cutting 'Rurouni Kenshin: Trust & Betrayal's budget in half.
Whom did he think he was insulting?
Right now, it was a battle between the highest and lowest funded shows on the network.
If 'Rurouni Kenshin: Trust & Betrayal' ended up winning, then in the next production budget meeting, Shinozaki was sure Akasaka would be humiliated.
Her mother's long-time friends — higher-ups in the production department — were also the kind who held grudges.
In the final few days, only the most important scenes of 'Rurouni Kenshin: Trust & Betrayal' Episode 4 remained to be filmed.
The origin of Kenshin's cross-shaped scar, the burning of Tomoe's body — these were emotionally demanding scenes for both Su Yan and Gu Qingyuan.
But during this week, thanks to Su Yan's jaw-dropping fight scenes and the show's rich, epic storytelling, 'Rurouni Kenshin: Trust & Betrayal' continued to trend higher on SakuraNet.
Its rating even ticked up from 9.2 to 9.3.
Paid view counts also kept climbing at a rapid pace.
Then, on July 29th, the full first-week data for Episode 1 was released:
1.05 million paid views, making it the second-highest premiere across the four major streaming platforms this quarter.
Film blogs and entertainment news sites began publishing articles covering 'Rurouni Kenshin: Trust & Betrayal's surprise success.
Not only did the Sakura TV screenwriting department drop their jaws, but Kiyota Sanji and Akasaka Yoshitoki were absolutely fuming.
Sure, 'Pure Breeze's Episode 1 still held a narrow lead at 1.09 million views.
But come on — look at the conditions.
'Rurouni Kenshin: Trust & Betrayal' vs 'Pure Breeze'?
That they were even comparable meant something was seriously wrong.
Kiyota was no longer smirking as he had been in previous weeks.
He was panicking now.
That evening, just before 8 PM…
Viewers who had become instant fans of 'Rurouni Kenshin' after Episode 1 had already gathered in the live chat section of the episode page.
"Guys, I looked it up — Su Yan, the actor AND screenwriter of 'Rurouni Kenshin: Trust & Betrayal', is a total rookie. Gu Qingyuan, who plays Tomoe, just graduated this year. The director, Shi Peihua, is a retired old-timer. And the producer? You'll never believe this — it's Shinozaki Ikumi, the same woman who made that disaster 'Sakura Island Love Song' earlier this year!
What a wild combo — and somehow they created magic."
"???"
"'Sakura Island Love Song'?!"
"You're kidding!"
"Say it ain't so!"
"I was so into that show in the beginning, then the later episodes went completely off the rails. Don't tell me Kenshin will do the same."
"Relax. That other show was garbage because the screenwriter's wife cheated on him halfway through writing, and he lost it emotionally.
Su Yan doesn't even have a girlfriend, so nothing to worry about!"
"You say that, but I'm still scared!!"
"Terrified!"
"Anyway, rooting for writer Su Yan! Love Kenshin! Can't wait to see what happens with him and Tomoe. Most importantly — PLEASE let them have a happy ending!"
"Hope there's more fight scenes in Episode 2!"
"Am I the only one who wants to see the return of Kenshin's master, Hiko Seijūrō?"
The comment section was buzzing with excitement.
'Rurouni Kenshin: Trust & Betrayal' had climbed to #3 on the trending list in the drama category.
Fans had been waiting an entire week to see the next step in Kenshin and Tomoe's relationship.
And finally, as the clock ticked closer to 8:00 PM...
Episode 2 of 'Rurouni Kenshin: Trust & Betrayal' launched right on schedule.