My Name is Hiroshi Nohara, Star of Neon Film and Television!

Chapter 79: Variety Show "Kasou Taishou"! The Whimsical Ideas of Nohara Hiroshi!

The smile on Asumi's face became even more brilliant. He picked up the teacup before him and took a gentle sip, that gentle tea aroma seemingly also stained with a bit of the sweetness of victory.

"Nohara-kun, having finished talking about achievements, let's talk about the upcoming... war." Asumi put down the teacup in his hand.

The atmosphere inside the meeting room quietly tightened.

Asumi's knuckles gently tapped on the smooth mahogany tabletop: "The higher-ups of the station, have placed unprecedentedly high hopes on this artwork 『Tales of the Unusual』. Therefore, in terms of promotion, our Kanto Faction, has also obtained an unprecedented tilt in resources."

"Starting from next Monday, all of the station's ace variety shows with viewership ratings exceeding 10%, will specially open up a promotional segment for you. At the same time, major cooperating magazine publishers and newspaper publishers, will also use front-page headline space, to report on the latest masterpiece of ours this 'genius producer'."

He paused, his gaze landing on Nohara Hiroshi's peaceful and wave-less face, his tone carrying a trace of probing:

"Of course, in order to achieve the best promotional effect, they will definitely repeatedly mention your identity as the father of 『Yamishibai』, as well as the creator of 『Urban Legends』, and the author of the explosive manga 『YuYu Hakusho』. After all, these are the brightest tags on you, and also the ones capable of attracting the audience the most."

The meeting room quieted down.

Kurosawa Eiji, Sato Kenji, and Yamamoto Takeshi, these three veteran generals of the Kanto Faction, the expressions on their faces all underwent subtle changes.

They are all old foxes who have immersed themselves in the vanity fair of the television station for decades. Almost instantly, they sniffed out behind these words, that lingering smell of gunpowder belonging to power struggles.Their gazes landed on Nohara Hiroshi by prior agreement, their brows faintly wrinkling, seemingly carrying an additional trace of sighing.

Because they all knew Asumi hadn't finished his words.

And the fact was indeed so.

"Moreover..." Asumi's voice sounded anew. This time, he completely stopped beating around the bush, straightforwardly laying things out on the table.

Asumi was also very frank:

"During the promotional process, they will definitely ask, why you didn't continue producing 『Yamishibai』 season three. When that time comes, the official statement given by the station is —— you needed to invest all your energy into the filming of this more important S-class live-action drama 『Tales of the Unusual』, therefore, you had no choice but to reluctantly part with what you treasure and concede the production of 『Yamishibai』 to excellent colleagues like Section Chief Iwata."

"This is both clearing your relationship to let you focus on your new work, and also... covertly, providing an endorsement and promotion for that season of Iwata and the others."

Here it is.

Sato Kenji and Yamamoto Takeshi looked at each other, both seeing a smear of suppressed anger in the other's eyes.

This manipulation, is truly too insidious!

This is clearly those guys from the Tokyo Faction, squeezing dry the last bit of surplus value from Nohara Hiroshi!

They want to use the empire personally conquered by Nohara Hiroshi, to wave flags and shout cheers for their usurpation of the throne!

They want to let Nohara Hiroshi this true 'father', personally admit, that the 'child' snatched away by them, is doing very well now!

No, the external statement isn't even that it was 'snatched' away by them.

But that this 'father' Nohara Hiroshi...

'Gave' it away!

If 『Yamishibai』 season three succeeds, that means their Tokyo Faction leader directed well, that Iwata Masao's capabilities are outstanding.

If it fails... then that also doesn't matter.

Because Nohara Hiroshi has already cut ties with this artwork in a public setting. Any blame, naturally will all be shouldered by the Iwata Section that took over.

While their Tokyo Faction, can borrow this opportunity, publicly claiming "Even the ideas from the father of 『Yamishibai』, after leaving our Tokyo Faction's mature production system, are difficult to sustain," thereby further suppressing the Kanto Faction's right to speak in the production domain.

No matter win or lose, they stand in an invincible position.

This open scheme, is venomous, and has no solution.

"This is somewhat going too far." Even the always steady Kurosawa Eiji, at this moment also couldn't help but wrinkle his brows. Inside those sharp eyes, flashed past a trace of worry towards his junior.

Only when he looked at Nohara Hiroshi, he slightly froze.

He discovered that young man from beginning to end, the expression on his face barely had any superfluous changes.

That peacefulness even made an old man like him who was accustomed to seeing wind and waves, feel a trace of shock.

Just how good is this self-control and cultivation!

Nohara Hiroshi is of course peaceful.

Because within his memory blueprint traversing space and time, the current predicament of the Iwata Section, had already been internally rehearsed by him countless times.

Because while he was busy with the filming of 『Tales of the Unusual』 during this one month's time, he was also observing the Iwata Section. And he already knew that currently inside the Iwata Section, those several illustrators temporarily invited over, were scratching their heads and ears, entirely at a loss facing the unique, rough drawing style full of 『Kamishibai』 pull-and-slide feeling of 『Yamishibai』.

He even more so knew about Iwata Masao and Hashishita Ichiro's arguing sounds suppressing irritability and unease, when facing that completely un-progressing production schedule.

Based on the fragmented words transmitted back from his Iwata Section, he could already piece together a complete fact full of black humor ——

The Iwata Section, on the path of producing 『Yamishibai』 season three, had already thoroughly veered off course.

They fundamentally didn't understand what is the essence of urban legends "originating from life, yet terrifying when pondered upon".

In order to pursue the so-called 'grand scenes' and 'visual impact', they actually added genuine green-faced, fanged evil spirits into the script, even arranging an Onmyoji holding talismans and chanting spells, staging an out of place 'subduing demons and exterminating devils' play.

This is already no longer 『Yamishibai』.

This is merely a modern version of a subduing demons and exterminating devils horror animation wearing the skin of 『Yamishibai』!

A gigantic joke about to detonate!

While he, Nohara Hiroshi, what he needs to do now, is smilingly watch these enemies trying to be clever, step by step, walk into that trap they personally dug for themselves.

And then, at the most appropriate time, gently, cover them with the final handful of earth.

"『Yamishibai』 was an animation produced by mobilizing the elites from the Production Bureau of TV Tokyo in a neon past life, exactly for the sake of seizing evening viewership ratings. How could it be that easy to imitate?"

"Even I, was merely copying their finished product, and similarly don't understand concerning the details."

"Let alone the Iwata Section itself, wanting to produce subsequent project programs similar to 『Yamishibai』. If there isn't the guidance from those elites of my past life, then the ending definitely will be exactly like the later dozen or so seasons of 『Yamishibai』, entirely degenerating into popcorn artworks for killing time."

"Moreover... things like urban legends, truly will result in aesthetic fatigue!"

Nohara Hiroshi's eyes grew increasingly mocking.

However, no matter how loud his inner calculations were, he still needed to fully act out the play on the surface.

Nohara Hiroshi slowly raised his head, inside those clear eyes, appropriately revealing the unwillingness and forbearance after being schemed against.

He didn't look at Asumi, but landed his gaze, onto the three faces of Kurosawa Eiji, Sato Kenji, and Yamamoto Takeshi written full of concern.

Only then did he look towards Asumi.

"Deputy Director Asumi." His voice was peaceful, carrying a trace of gratitude: "My personal honor and disgrace, doesn't matter. Since this is the station's decision, I naturally will cooperate."

He paused, his words taking a sharp turn: "But, since I have made a sacrifice, then, what kind of benefits can our Kanto Faction exactly exchange back?"

This sentence was very plain.

But it was like a bomb tossed into deep water, causing everyone present to violently tremble!

Kurosawa Eiji, Sato Kenji, and Yamamoto Takeshi, the three of them almost simultaneously raised their heads, looking at that young man. The expression surfacing in their gazes, was like looking at an incomparably unfamiliar, yet making them incomparably admire strategist.

They never expected at this time, what this young man merely twenty-three years old considered first unexpectedly wasn't his own gains and losses.

But the honor and disgrace of the entire faction!

This broad-mindedness, this breadth of vision, has already far exceeded the paradigm of a producer, or even a Section Chief!

Asumi was even more thoroughly shocked by this sentence.

He looked at Nohara Hiroshi. On that face always scholarly and steady, for the first time surfaced a smear of heartfelt being moved and high appreciation.

He knew he bet correctly.

That old fellow Suzuki, didn't find a fierce general for their Kanto Faction.

But a... King sufficient to command the three armies!

"Hahaha! Good! Well said!"

Asumi swept away his prior heavy solemnity, emitting a hearty and thoroughly delightful loud laughter: "Nohara-kun, I just knew, you wouldn't disappoint me! You're exactly right, we of course have exchanged benefits!"

His voice was loud and resonant, full of a victor's high spirits:

"Those guys from the Tokyo Faction, although they control the Variety Department, but their so-called ace programs, over the past half year the viewership ratings have also been continuously sliding, urgently needing new explosive points for stimulation. While over here on our Kanto Faction side, Director Kurosawa's movie, that medical drama in Section Chief Sato's hands, and the criminal investigation drama Director Yamamoto is preparing to film, all need promotional platforms!"

"Therefore, the exchange condition this time is ——"

Asumi struck the final decision, within that voice, carrying an irrefutable resolution allowing no room for interference: "Starting from next month, all prime time variety shows of TV Tokyo, must unconditionally open up promotional windows for our Kanto Faction's projects! Moreover, it must be the core time slot, and must be given more than ten minutes of full duration!"

These words, caused a smear of joy to instantly surface on the faces of Sato Kenji and Yamamoto Takeshi.

They are too clear on the gold content of this condition!

In this era, the television station's variety shows, are the top-tier promotional battlegrounds! Getting onto the core time slot once, its effects, far surpass buying ten pages of advertisements in a magazine!

However after the wild joy passed, yet a trace of helpless sighing surfaced on Asumi's face.

"Sigh, in the end, it's still that in our own hands, we don't have a single presentable variety show ace ah."

He rubbed the center of his brows, his voice carrying quite a bit of weariness: "Our Kanto TV, previously wasn't skilled at doing this. Arriving at TV Tokyo, we are even more constrained by them everywhere. The Variety Department over there, is entirely filled with people from their Tokyo Faction, we don't even have room to stick a needle in. Every time we promote, we have to exactly like this, use projects to exchange resources with them, truly... too passive."

"Yeah."

Sato Kenji also exhaled a long sigh, that gentle and refined face written full of unwillingness: "If... if we ourselves, could have a national-level variety show capable of influencing a generation like 『Start Chatting Together』 or 『Stars Shining in the Starry Sky』, then our Kanto Faction, would never need to look at their faces (be at their mercy) anymore."

These words caused the meeting room to sink into a patch of dead silence once again.

Everyone knew, this is only a beautiful fantasy.

The birth of a national-level variety show, requires the right timing, favorable location, and harmonious human relations, and even more so requires a genius-like creative core.

And this kind of thing, can be encountered by chance, but not actively sought.

They TV Tokyo has been arranging their layout since the 60s, nurturing an innumerable amount of variety talents and artists/stars.

Even right now.

After Kanto TV merged, wanting to film a variety show project, as long as the TV Tokyo side leaked even slightly a bit of a gap, it could allow them to film a not bad variety show.

Sufficient to show exactly how immense the volume of TV Tokyo is.

Now these people of theirs want to innovate.

To open up a new variety show.

Truly is an idiot's dream (fool's dream).

However, right amidst this silence nearing an extravagant hope, an untimely, tiny sound carrying a bit of thoughtfulness, quietly rang out.

"Hm..."

Everyone's gazes, instantly focused onto that young man currently using his right index finger, lightly rubbing his own chin off and on.

Nohara Hiroshi.

It's him again.

Kurosawa Eiji looked at his signature thinking expression, inside those sharp eyes, flashing past a smear of knowing amusement. He picked up his teacup, blowing on the hot steam, using an unhurried tone akin to watching a good show, asking:

"What? Nohara-kun, listening to your implication, could it be... even regarding variety shows, you have an idea?"

"Swish——!"

The gazes of Asumi, Sato Kenji, Yamamoto Takeshi, the three of them, were like three searchlights, instantly, firmly locking onto Nohara Hiroshi's body.

Inside those gazes, was full of unbelievable shock, and a kind of anticipation nearing absurdity.

After all Nohara Hiroshi has created miracles before!

Under everyone's scorching gazes capable of melting a person, Nohara Hiroshi lowered his hand. On that handsome face, slowly, blossomed a confident smile also carrying a bit of mystery.

He nodded his head.

"An idea, indeed... I have one."

『Boom——!』

This affirmative answer, was like a genuine atomic bomb, boisterously exploding within the minds of the three Kanto Faction big bosses!

They looked at that young man. That gaze, was like looking at a Doraemon who just pulled out a brand-new gadget out from his 4D pocket again!

One 『Yamishibai』, overturned the late-night slot.

One book of 『YuYu Hakusho』, detonated the manga industry.

One release of 『Tales of the Unusual』, even more so used an approach nearing a miracle, to challenge the production limit of the entire television industry.

Now, this monster, actually wants to get involved with... even the variety field that their entire Kanto Faction is helpless against?!

"Nohara-kun, you... you aren't joking right?" Sato Kenji's voice was even trembling. He felt his own worldview, today, had already been repeatedly overturned by this young man countless times.

"Of course not."

Nohara Hiroshi stood up, walking before the whiteboard. He didn't immediately start writing, but asked everyone a question.

"Seniors, in your view, for a successful variety show, its most core defining element, is what?"

"It's stars." Yamamoto Takeshi replied without even thinking. This is the most universal consensus in the industry: "As long as you invite currently popular idols, comedians, or trending stars, viewership ratings basically have a baseline guarantee."

"It's segments." Sato Kenji added: "Interesting games, thrilling challenges, capable of making the audience generate a sense of substitution and a sense of participation."

"It's production." Kurosawa Eiji pondered saying: "Gorgeous stages, excellent equipment, capable of elevating the overall texture of the program."

Nohara Hiroshi listened quietly, and then, shook his head.

"What all Seniors said is correct, but they are all not the core."

His voice wasn't loud, yet like a heavy hammer, ruthlessly striking everyone's heart.

"The core of a variety show truly capable of becoming national-level, capable of traversing eras and being remembered by countless people, forever is only one ——"

He turned around, picking up the marker, and right on that pure white whiteboard surface, wrote down two words.

——"Creativity".

"Moreover, this creativity, must originate from life, originate from the purest, imagination-filled... folk wisdom of every ordinary person by our sides."

He looked at those few faces written full of confusion, the smile on the corners of his mouth growing even thicker.

"This program I envision, is very simple."

"It doesn't need any stars, its main characters, are exactly the thousands upon thousands of ordinary folks of our Neon. They can be students, be housewives, be company employees, or even old grandpas and grandmas retired at home."

"It also doesn't need a gorgeous stage, and even doesn't need complicated props. What they will use, is exactly their own bodies, and some of the most common items in life, such as bedsheets, cardboard boxes, flashlights..."

"And what they will do, is within exactly a short three minutes of time, using these simplest things, to accomplish a, imagination and fun-filled... live-action imitation show."

Nohara Hiroshi paused, painting specific scenarios filled with imagery for them.

"For example, a person, using a black cloth to cover their whole body, only revealing two hands, wearing white gloves, in front of a black background, imitating bowling. Those two hands, are the rolling ball and the knocked away bowling pins."

"For example, a group of people, using their bodies to form a human pyramid, then coordinating with the brightness and darkness variations of lighting, imitating a glass of beer slowly being poured full. Those rising foams, are exactly their heads bobbing up and down."

"Or for example, a girl, using a simple piece of white cloth, and an electric fan, can imitate out Marilyn Monroe's classic moment of her skirt being blown up by the wind."

Every time he gave an example, inside the meeting room, those few big bosses' eyes, would instantly brighten by a degree.

When he finished speaking the final example, the weather-beaten faces of Asumi, Kurosawa Eiji, Sato Kenji, and Yamamoto Takeshi, the four of them, were already enveloped by an unprecedented astonishment.

Which promptly turned into wild joy.

"This... this... this is simply a genius-like conception!"

Asumi forcefully slapped the table. On that face always scholarly and steady, at this moment was written full of undisguised excitement: "Letting ordinary people become the main characters! Using the simplest props, to ignite the most infinite creativity! This... this is already no longer a simple variety show, this is a kind of behavioral art involving the participation of all citizens!"

"Moreover, this model, has practically zero threshold! Its replicability is extremely strong, and its discussion topic generation capability is even more unparalleled!"

Yamamoto Takeshi also excitedly stood up. In those sharp eyes, sparkled a producer's fanaticism: "The artwork of every episode, can all become the hottest discussion topic in all offices and schools the next day! Heavens, I seemingly can already visualize the scene of it detonating the entire nation!"

"Most importantly..."

Kurosawa Eiji exhaled a long breath of air. Within that breath, carried an admiration of having seen through to its essence: "This program, it is filled with positive energy. It encourages innovation, praises wisdom. It can maximally, ignite the creative passion of our entire nation. This... this completely aligns with the station's highest requirement regarding the 'educational significance' of programs!"

In Neon, variety shows, have always sat at the very bottom of the chain of disdain.

Even the most top-tier variety stars, in front of those movie and television drama actors, also always feel like they are a head shorter.

Its fundamental reason, is exactly that the majority of variety shows, are perceived as 'sensationalism' and 'unnutritious' fast-food culture.

While this project proposal raised by Nohara Hiroshi, yet cleverly draped a sparkling and holy coat of combining educational with entertainment and creation by all citizens, onto this program destined to be incomparably hilarious!

This instantly elevated it from a pure entertainment product, up to the height of a cultural phenomenon sufficient to make anyone unable to criticize!

This capability, this foresight, this paradigm...

The four people once again looked at that young man. That gaze, could no longer be described with simple admiration.

That is a kind of... respect, originating from the bottom of their hearts, after witnessing a miracle.

"Then... what is the name of this program?" Asumi's voice, carried a trace of uncontrollable trembling.

Nohara Hiroshi turned his body around, on that whiteboard, slowly, stroke by stroke, writing down several giant characters filled with child-like fun and magical charm.

——『Kasou Taishou (Super Transformation)』!

(Japanese: All Japan Costume Grand Prix)

He put down the marker, looking at those four Kanto Faction big bosses who had already been thoroughly shocked by his conception beyond measure. On his face, surfaced that calm and indifferent smile anew.

"Seniors."

"Now, do you still feel, we need to look at the Tokyo Faction's faces, to exchange for that pitiful bit of promotional resources?"

"No."

His voice was peaceful, yet carrying an absolute confidence sufficient to overturn the entire card table.

"If we only make this variety show well, then starting from now, it should be them, coming to beg us, to be on our program."

Nohara Hiroshi's eyes sparkled with the light of confidence.

Through his thinking just now, he already realized that current Neon variety shows, the genres are either singing or dancing, and then dressing up beautifully, and glamorous variety stars sitting there chatting together.

It's still very ancient variety shows.

No wonder variety stars fare the worst in the film and television circles, after all, their singing skills can't match singers, and their acting skills can't match actors.

Just pure flower vases and nothing more.

Similar to idols.

Now, Nohara Hiroshi directly tossed aside these generations of idol stars raised in captivity by TV Tokyo for decades, directly letting all citizens participate into the variety show.

Could it not be innovative?

Furthermore, this 『Kasou Taishou』, that in his neon past life, was also an absolutely well-deserving national-level variety show!

Consequently as higher-ups Asumi and Kurosawa Eiji, and also middle-management Sato Kenji and Yamamoto Takeshi, just hearing Nohara Hiroshi's ideas, generated a feeling that this variety show proposal, was completely viable!