Magical girl anime had always held an awkward position in Japan's animation industry.
In Kamiyā Yuu's previous world, 'Cardcaptor Sakura' and 'Sailor Moon' were probably among the finest early magical girl works. They had also become childhood memories for young people in China and many Western countries. Even now, most people probably have not forgotten the setting in 'Cardcaptor Sakura' where the heroine changed outfits every episode, or the classic line from 'Sailor Moon': "In the name of the moon, I'll punish you."
Yet from these two works alone, the limitations of the magical girl genre could be seen.
For children? For women? For men? For young boys?
Undoubtedly, when everyone was young, the people they saw discussing 'Sailor Moon' were mostly little girls. But who could say they had never watched those two anime? Who had never felt an inexplicable embarrassment while watching a magical girl transformation scene?
If he wanted to make a historic breakthrough in this world's Japanese animation industry with the magical girl genre, the first thing Kamiyā Yuu needed to consider was the target audience of 'Magical Girl Nanoha.'
Unlike the current mainstream magical girl works in Japan, which were positioned toward young girls, Kamiyā Yuu intended to improve some flaws in the original work and turn 'Magical Girl Nanoha' into a work aimed at young male audiences.
Although the main characters were all female, the anime's themes were closer to the friendship, effort, and dreams often found in hot-blooded shounen manga.
"The male characters who barely mattered in the original really didn't have much purpose. I might as well change them all into women. If I remember correctly, Yuuno Scrya was originally supposed to be the male lead of 'Magical Girl Nanoha,' but unfortunately, he was left dozens of streets behind by Fate in the popularity polls and ended up becoming a tragic male supporting character who barely appeared two or three times across an entire season in later sequels. After the officials tasted success, they simply turned the 'Magical Girl Nanoha' anime completely yuri."
Kamiyā Yuu recalled the related details of the 'Magical Girl Nanoha' anime.
"Yuuno Scrya was originally supposed to be paired with Nanoha, and Chrono Harlaown with Fate. But in the end, the officials split them apart and reduced them to male side characters. I might as well set them as female from the beginning. That way, they can just form a pair."
"Overall, 'Magical Girl Nanoha' belongs to the orthodox magical girl genre with a fresh setting. Especially in the second season, Belkan-style magic combat has quite a few similarities with 'RWBY.'"
"The areas that need improvement are the anime's pacing, battle design, transformation scene design..."
"..."
"No, there's still something else..."
Inside his room, Kamiyā Yuu, who was drawing anime storyboards, stopped the electronic stylus in his hand and let out a long sigh.
Although he was fairly satisfied with the overall quality of 'Magical Girl Nanoha' in his hands, and although it had improved several levels compared to the original work from his previous world, he always felt that something was missing.
Something that would make him feel interested and excited.
"The thing that's missing..."
Kamiyā Yuu muttered in confusion and tossed aside the electronic stylus. He vaguely felt as though he had grasped something, yet at the same time had grasped nothing at all.
Tomorrow was June 1.
It was also the official date when 'Yosuganosora' Animation Studio would begin producing the 'Magical Girl Nanoha' anime. There was no extra time left for Kamiyā Yuu to think about the part of the anime he felt was missing.
...
In the morning, because he had spent too much time inside his consciousness space, Kamiyā Yuu was still drowsy when he returned to the company.
Last night, he had reviewed 'Magical Girl Nanoha' many times inside his consciousness space. Although he had found many areas that could be improved, he still could not identify what exactly made him feel something was lacking.
A newly joined female employee hurriedly bowed and greeted him when she saw Kamiyā Yuu enter the company.
"Good morning, President."
"Morning~ Yuu."
With such a casual form of address and that soft voice, there was no need to look to know it was the fake loli Yūki Chinatsu. Wearing cute pink rabbit pajamas, she slowly shuffled past Kamiyā Yuu. Judging by her appearance, she had only just woken up not long ago.
"Good morning, Mr. President."
Majima Hana, the assistant supervisor of the 3D Department, greeted him with a smile.
In the office corridor, Gogyo Ruri, who was holding a stack of key animation documents, subconsciously used the drawings to cover her small face when she heard Kamiyā Yuu's voice. After realizing her reaction was inappropriate, she hurriedly blushed and greeted him.
"Good morning, Mr. Kamiyā."
"Morning."
Kamiyā Yuu smiled and nodded.
Morishita Aoi, who was currently teaching new members of the Production Department how to use the computer system, noticed Kamiyā Yuu passing through the office corridor. She brushed her short black hair beside her ear and glanced at him calmly.
"Yuu, you're twenty-four minutes late."
'Yosuganosora' Animation Studio had become much livelier than before.
Kamiyā Yuu stopped and yawned. Before returning to his office, he thought for a moment and said to Morishita Aoi,
"Aoi, have the department heads come to the meeting room at ten."
This would be the final preparation meeting before the production of 'Magical Girl Nanoha,' meant to confirm the detailed content and production process of the anime.
As for the thing he personally felt was missing, he could only leave it aside for now and take things one step at a time.
"Mm."
...
At ten in the morning, the not-so-spacious conference room of 'Yosuganosora' Animation Studio was already filled with people.
Company President, Chief Director, and direct supervisor of each department — Kamiyā Yuu
Key Animation Department Supervisor and Key Animation Director — Uehara Etsuki
Animation Department Supervisor and Animation Director — currently vacant, jointly handled by Kamiyā Yuu and Uehara Etsuki
Art Department and Photography Department Supervisor — Kumamoto Alice
Production Department Production Director — Morishita Aoi
Sound Department Supervisor — Shindō Tsukasa, participating through online video due to being unable to attend on time.
"What an incredible work! Were all of these drawn by Mr. Kamiyā alone!?"
A woman with long golden hair flipped through the storyboard drafts Kamiyā Yuu had brought and praised them in an exaggerated tone. From the light in her eyes and the flush on her cheeks caused by excitement, one could tell that this was heartfelt admiration, not flattery.
She wore a deep blue Western-style formal dress. At first glance, she looked like a noble young lady who had stepped out of Victorian England. Yet certain modern designs in the blue dress prevented it from having the overly complicated and excessive feel of clothing from that era.
Her slender, jade-like hands, which held the storyboard drafts of 'Magical Girl Nanoha,' were covered in exquisite and luxurious white lace gloves. Every movement she made was filled with aristocratic elegance and intellect.
If a Japanese woman dressed this way, many people might think a fever had burned her brain. However, this blonde woman's elegant and proper speech and conduct, combined with her beautiful exotic features, allowed her to carry such formal attire with ease.
Anyone who saw her at first glance would sigh in admiration at the beauty of this elegant Western noble lady.
Intellectual, elegant, solemn, and gorgeous.
She was like a blue rose bathed in morning light, radiating a distinctive exotic beauty.
Among all the women Kamiyā Yuu had seen, the only ones who could rival her in feminine charm were probably Uehara Etsuki and Kamiyā Sora.
Gogyo Ruri, Morishita Aoi, Busujima Murasaki, and Yūki Chinatsu each had their own style and charm, but they were still slightly inferior.
Kumamoto Alice.
The newly hired Art and Photography Supervisor of 'Yosuganosora' Animation Studio.
At present, aside from being a returnee from overseas and of mixed heritage, there is no other information about her.
As for why she had been made supervisor of two departments, during her application, she had carried over a huge bag full of all kinds of art-related certificates, enough to bury Kamiyā Yuu. She had specifically requested to serve as Art Department Supervisor.
Her young-lady-like domineering aura and absolute confidence in her own abilities made Kamiyā Yuu choose to agree to her request.
"I spent about a month preparing these, but I still feel like there are parts I'm not satisfied with."
Seated at the head of the table, Kamiyā Yuu crossed his arms and sighed.
Uehara Etsuki looked at Kamiyā Yuu and lightly nodded. Then she rolled up her long sleeves and placed a thick stack of character design drafts onto the conference table.
"These are the detailed character design drafts created according to Kamiyā-kun's requirements. Does anyone have any better suggestions?"
Sitting beside Kamiyā Yuu, Morishita Aoi explained calmly,
"During the company recruitment period, the existing members of the company had already completed the corresponding preparations for producing the anime. Miss Alice and the other newly joined members need to catch up to the production schedule as quickly as possible. If anyone has better suggestions, it would be best to raise them now."
"Because production is starting one month ahead of schedule, we can't really say we have much time. On July 3, I will deliver the first episode of 'Magical Girl Nanoha' to the television station in preparation for broadcast."
Kumamoto Alice reservedly placed down the storyboard draft in her hands and smiled toward Morishita Aoi.
"No, I have no particular suggestions."
From the laptop video facing everyone at the conference table came Shindō Tsukasa's voice.
"The composition side is directly handled by President Kamiyā, so everything on my side is generally okay. We can keep up with the production schedule."
"Then, regarding the finer details of the anime, does anyone have any other opinions?"
Kamiyā Yuu looked around at everyone and asked.
...
By the time noon arrived, Kamiyā Yuu and the other department heads had finally finished discussing the details of the anime. Each department also had a clear understanding of what they needed to do.
After confirming that there were no omissions, Kamiyā Yuu thought for quite some time before saying solemnly,
"Since no one has any objections, I hereby announce that from today onward, 'Magical Girl Nanoha' officially enters production!"