Creating the MAD wasn't difficult. It was completed in just two days. When selecting the music, Kamiyā Yuu tried his best to use tracks that were either copyright-free or publicly licensed, only then considering how well they matched the MAD. Although the 'Red' arc was his personal work, he chose to be cautious given the potential for future profits. As long as the 'Red' arc gained popularity, he wouldn't have to worry about funding anymore.
"Dear user Yosuganosora, are you willing to comply with the relevant terms of the 'Fakebook' crowdfunding project? In return, 'Fakebook' promises to protect your personal privacy and information security."
"Yes."
"Dear user Yosuganosora, the materials you have submitted for your crowdfunding project will be reviewed by dedicated staff. The review process will take 2–3 working days. Regardless of whether your project is approved, you will receive a response from the reviewer in your messages. Please wait patiently during the review period."
After uploading all the required crowdfunding materials, Kamiyā Yuu let out a long breath in front of his drawing desk. Given the strictness of the review process, he had tried to include as much information about the 'Red' arc as possible—its purpose, the MAD, and Uehara Etsuki's role as character designer.
With such substantial content, there was no reason for "Fakebook" to reject his crowdfunding project.
...
Tom was a general reviewer responsible for the cartoons section of "Fakebook." His usual job was to review animation and key animation works uploaded by regular users. When users wanted to initiate small-scale crowdfunding projects, those would also be passed to him, along with two other reviewers for cross-evaluation. Once at least two reviewers approved a project, it would be submitted to their superior for final execution.
To be honest, he had grown tired of reviewing crowdfunding projects. Almost everyone who came to the site to start one was a daydreamer with no real evidence—people essentially trying to scam money with vague ideas. They were probably influenced by a few successful crowdfunding cases online and foolishly believed their own little schemes could capture public attention.
"Ding dong, a new crowdfunding project requires your review." The notification from his computer made Tom even more irritated as he was reviewing key animation. Honestly, he didn't understand why the site even had this crowdfunding feature. Anything with real creativity and commercial value would have already been acquired by big companies—why would it end up here?
"Damn it! I've already got over 300 key animation pieces waiting to be graded. Can't those stubborn opportunists just behave themselves? Ugh, why are all these key animations filled with those damn animals? Fine for kids, but why torture adult nerves? Who besides those ridiculous animal protection groups would get excited over these 3D animals?" Tom grumbled as he looked at an anthropomorphic rabbit key animation on his screen. Still, due to task priority, he closed his current work and opened the crowdfunding review email.
"Good heavens, what kind of broken English is this? Which country—what backwater monkey wrote this? They probably haven't even learned basic English grammar!" Seeing the poorly written English made Tom even more annoyed. He almost threw up his mouse. Bad English meant he'd have to spend more time deciphering the content.
He decided to skip the email text altogether and directly check the attachments. Usually, there was at least something in them that could amuse him—before he tossed everything into the trash.
"Files? Hmm—sheet music? Damn it, I don't even understand music. And this is the animation section—why is there a music-related project here?"
"Oh, there's also a video."
Tom tapped his fingers on the desk as he waited for the download to complete, then opened the video player.
A grand yet sorrowful classical ensemble filled the air. On the screen, a bright full moon slowly emerged against a pitch-black sky. The astonishing detail of the moon and the jade-like glow of its light made Tom freeze for a moment. The realism made him feel as if he were sitting in a cinema watching a blockbuster. He had to admit—the moon was beautifully done.
The camera slowly descended. Immersed in a night bathed in moonlight like cool water, a ruined and desolate rose garden came into view. Countless white roses bloomed across the ground, wrapped in the moonlight and radiating a soft glow. Everything looked harmonious and beautiful. A girl in a red cloak slowly extended her hand, gently touching a massive tomb covered in white roses—the only one in the garden. Around her, hundreds of different weapons were planted in the ground, exuding a heavy, decayed aura.
"This is 3D animation!?"
Tom's eyes widened. He swore to God he had never seen such a uniquely styled 3D animation. The overly exquisite and detailed visuals gave him a strange sense of awe. Any single frame could be taken as a desktop wallpaper.
"What is this art style?"
As the girl in the red cloak withdrew her hand, eerie wolf howls echoed from the dark forest. Pairs of crimson eyes, filled with a thirst for blood, lit up in the shadows.
The oppressive, terrifying atmosphere stirred intense curiosity within Tom. As a professional reviewer in the animation section, he was naturally a deeply knowledgeable enthusiast in this field. Yet from his perspective, these beautifully crafted 3D scenes rivaled those produced by major companies.
No—different! Tom's breathing quickened. These 3D visuals were even more refined and distinctive than any similar animation he had seen before.
"Good heavens, how did they achieve this fur texture!?" When hundreds of shadow wolves emerged from the forest, Tom couldn't help but exclaim. The quality of fur often revealed the sophistication of 3D animation, and the fur texture of these unknown shadow wolves surpassed even that of a recently released animated film by a famous studio.
That film had been marketed as a $500 million production. Even if the promotion was exaggerated, it still shouldn't be something a personal project could rival. A closer look revealed that this 3D animation still had some gaps compared to major productions—but its handling of details was extremely pleasing to the eye, amplifying its strengths while masking its weaknesses.
"The one who made this must be a genius!"
Holding his breath, Tom focused intently on the animation, his curiosity fully ignited. At that moment, he felt deeply frustrated—why was this damn progress bar only three minutes long? What could three minutes even do? It wasn't even enough time for a proper bathroom break!
"Click—clack—!" Even though Tom had already anticipated the upcoming battle between the girl and the monsters, he was still astonished when Ruby Rose pulled out her transforming giant scythe. The crisp mechanical sounds of its transformation, combined with the background music, gave him a strange sensation—tingling, almost intoxicating, as if even his mind were being drawn in.
It boiled over!
Tom felt both his body and thoughts ignite with excitement, eagerly anticipating the battle between the girl and the shadow wolves. This was the same feeling he had only experienced when watching the most thrilling scenes of special effects blockbusters in theaters.