This was a question Kamiyā Yuu should have asked others before officially beginning production on 'Magical Girl Nanoha.'
All this time, he had only asked for opinions during the production process itself, yet he had never considered placing the more fundamental aspects that formed an anime—the story, or even its spiritual core—within the scope of discussion.
As production on 'Magical Girl Nanoha' progressed during this period, what Kamiyā Yuu felt was not the joy of completing a work, but rather a kind of lingering disappointment mixed with uncertainty. Somewhere deep down, an indistinct intuition told him that while 'Magical Girl Nanoha' might become hugely popular because of its production techniques that surpassed the era, it still had not expressed the most essential part of animation itself.
Kamiyā Yuu had placed too much confidence in his own abilities and in his vision that transcended the times, to the point where he had gradually begun viewing the development of animation in this era through almost arrogant eyes.
He certainly had the qualifications to do so.
But because of that, he had also lost something, causing the original intention and passion that drove him to make anime to become covered in a layer of dust.
A director driven by pure interest.
His original goal had never been to make money, nor to compare animation quality with the works of this world. It was simply to create anime that was more interesting.
Under the pressure of his growing frustration, Kamiyā Yuu entered the consciousness space and examined himself with emotionless eyes before finally realizing this.
He could be proud of the works he created, but he could not allow that pride to weaken the pursuit of his true goal.
Arrogance and confidence were born from the same essence, yet the results they produced were worlds apart.
Ever since Gogyo Ruri handed him the key animation performance drafts, Kamiyā Yuu had been thinking about this question continuously. It was only after preparing himself mentally that he casually asked it aloud just now.
The overall quality of 'Magical Girl Nanoha' had risen by far more than several levels compared to the original, but at its core, this anime was still 'Magical Girl Nanoha,' not the 'Magical Girl Nanoha' that existed within Kamiyā Yuu's heart.
The anime's core had never changed.
But 'Magical Girl Nanoha' was a legendary pioneer-level magical girl anime. Meanwhile, Kamiyā Yuu himself had experienced the golden age of Japanese animation and now possessed professional-level knowledge.
If the overall quality of this rebooted version of 'Magical Girl Nanoha' still remained fundamentally stagnant, then did that not mean that even with all these extraordinary advantages, he still could not surpass the production company behind the original 'Magical Girl Nanoha' from his previous world?
He had never felt this way while producing 'RWBY.'
That was because he had already elevated 'RWBY' from its very core. The anime's themes, character settings, spiritual core, and countless other aspects had all been infused with Kamiyā Yuu's own ideas, successfully transforming 'RWBY' into an internationally renowned IP.
That was why, at this very moment, he had asked Gogyo Ruri for her thoughts on 'Magical Girl Nanoha.'
Only someone who had experienced 'RWBY,' only someone who had seen all the storyboards and plot developments of 'Magical Girl Nanoha,' and only someone who stood as both an outside observer and a veteran anime fan was qualified to answer.
······
The atmosphere inside the office turned solemn.
Even the air and sound themselves seemed to freeze into silence.
"Thoughts?"
Facing Kamiyā Yuu's serious gaze, Gogyo Ruri instinctively retreated several steps in timidity. Seemingly aware that she absolutely had to answer this question, she pondered for a moment before cautiously glancing at his expression and softly saying,
"It's an excellent anime. The story is good, and the production quality is also extremely refined."
Kamiyā Yuu shook his head.
"Those evaluations are indeed correct, but Kuroneko, you should know that isn't the answer I'm most satisfied with."
He continued while looking directly at her.
"Compare it to 'RWBY.' Think carefully about what exactly is different between the 'Magical Girl Nanoha' we're currently producing and 'RWBY.' Or rather, do you think 'Magical Girl Nanoha' can truly stand on equal footing with 'RWBY'?"
Gogyo Ruri lightly bit her lip.
The seriousness in Kamiyā Yuu's eyes carried an immense pressure that left her almost unable to breathe. In the end, she could only follow her own instincts and slowly shake her head in confusion.
Kamiyā Yuu spoke as though questioning himself, yet also asking for Gogyo Ruri's opinion.
"Then, which aspect do you think falls short? The visuals? The characters? The battles? The music? Or perhaps... the story itself?"
"I... don't know."
Gogyo Ruri stubbornly remained standing where she was.
Only at this moment did she truly realize that the person before her existed on an entirely different level—a master-class animation director who had created 'RWBY.'
"Think about it again. The answer should be very obvious."
"Mmm... mmm."
Gogyo Ruri blankly shook her head again. After a long while, she finally spoke with difficulty in a quiet voice.
"'RWBY' is more exciting and more interesting than the 'Magical Girl Nanoha' we're making right now."
—That was it.
The truth he wanted to hear was confirmed by someone else's mouth.
Kamiyā Yuu let out a long breath and stood up. He walked over to Gogyo Ruri in several steps and gently stroked her head as though soothing a frightened kitten.
"Thank you. That's enough. The answer to the question really is that simple."
More exciting. More interesting.
Such an evaluation sounded almost like the casual words of an amateur, yet that sentence was exactly what Kamiyā Yuu most wanted to hear. It was also the sentence that confirmed the thoughts within his heart.
As for why 'RWBY' was more exciting and interesting than 'Magical Girl Nanoha'—
That was something Kamiyā Yuu himself needed to think about.
Gogyo Ruri had nearly been brought to tears earlier, but under Kamiyā Yuu's gentle reassurance, she gradually calmed down. Even after Kamiyā Yuu returned to his seat, she still kept her flushed face lowered, too embarrassed to look up.
After Gogyo Ruri left the office, Kamiyā Yuu sighed softly and muttered,
"You all heard that, right? Aoi, immediately gather everyone for an emergency meeting. Every department head in the company must attend."
Morishita Aoi, who had been reviewing documents not far away in the same office, responded helplessly,
"Understood."
Their earlier conversation had already let her understand what was about to happen. Avoiding such risks had originally been exactly what she wanted, but Kamiyā Yuu's decisive tone made it clear that these risks could no longer be avoided.
They had to face them head-on.
"That guy Yuu wants to mess around again? I'm not responsible for whatever consequences happen."
Yūki Chinatsu curled her lips in dissatisfaction.
"Judging from his tone, Kamiyā-kun is serious this time."
Uehara Etsuki spoke calmly, though her voice carried a trace of anticipation.
After hearing the entire discussion, both Yūki Chinatsu and Uehara Etsuki exchanged smiles without showing any intention of opposing him.
Perhaps they did not know exactly what Kamiyā Yuu intended to do, but they were certain of one thing—
Whatever he wanted to do, he would definitely do it better.
······
Other than the upper management of the 'Yosuganosora' Animation Studio, nobody knew what exactly had been discussed during that meeting, which lasted the entire afternoon.
However, after the company meeting ended, Kamiyā Yuu announced that the already completed third and fourth episodes of 'Magical Girl Nanoha,' along with all subsequent production plans, would be discarded entirely.
The anime's broadcast schedule would also be delayed by one week to extend the production timeline.
What kind of decision was this?
Two fully completed episodes were being casually thrown away just like that, and the broadcast was even being delayed for an entire week?
All of the company employees stared in stunned confusion, their faces filled with complete disbelief.
Such an arbitrary decision would never have been permitted in any other animation production company.
But Kamiyā Yuu was both the chief director and the president of the 'Yosuganosora' Animation Studio.
His decision was the final decision of the 'Yosuganosora' Animation Studio.