sinovels Chapter 284 Special Guest at the Concert
Chapter 284 Special Guest at the Concert
Chapter 284 Special Guest at the Concert
A few days later, at a high-end, private restaurant in Ginza, Tokyo.
Kitahara Shin sat opposite director Andrew Lau, who had flown in specifically from Hong Kong. An exquisite kaiseki meal was laid out on the table, and the two sipped sake while engaging in a deep discussion about the future plans for the film and the crime thriller that had just begun to take shape.
In this private setting, Kitahara Shin spoke candidly about his overall strategy. He knew very well that trying to achieve instant success and win an Oscar by simply making a popcorn movie was a completely unrealistic pipe dream. The judges in Europe and America had their own rigid aesthetic standards.
Therefore, his current project, *The Inspector*, is a precise trial and an attempt to win awards. The film's script is quite profound, exploring Eastern philosophy regarding life and death. Kitahara Shin bluntly told Andrew Lau that films leaning towards art and depth often receive critical acclaim but not box office success. Like his previous film, *Love Letter*, even with its phenomenal critical reception, its box office performance had an absolute ceiling and couldn't possibly compete with the upcoming *Titanic*.
Those industrial monsters built with massive investments are trying to compete for global box office success.
The reason he entrusted this kind of art-house award-contending film to Masahiro Motoki, while he himself moved behind the scenes to serve as screenwriter and director, was not only to hone his directorial perspective, but also to dedicate his limited energy to those blockbuster films that could truly ignite the global commercial market and have unlimited box office potential.
After listening to Kitahara Shin's clear-headed and grand strategic plan, Liu Weiqiang's hand holding the wine glass trembled slightly, his eyes filled with admiration. This young man was not simply making movies; he was using the method of playing chess to deduce the future of the entire Asian film and television industry step by step.
"So, let's get back to that undercover cop film we were just discussing." Kitahara Shin put down his glass and got to the point. "Now that we have a rough draft of the script, how does Director Liu plan to arrange the two core male leads—an undercover gangster and a police officer? If I remember correctly, you previously mentioned wanting to cast Andy Lau or Tony Leung as co-stars?"
In Kitahara Shin's eyes, the script for "Infernal Affairs" absolutely could not be altered, otherwise it would lose its classic flavor of fateful entanglement. But this raised a problem: this was originally a duel between two heroes, so if he were to participate, how should the roles of Andy Lau and Tony Leung, the two absolute protagonists from his previous life, be divided?
Upon hearing this, Andrew Lau burst into laughter. Without hesitation, he waved his hand and said, "Mr. Kitahara, you're overthinking it! As long as you agree to participate, you'll definitely be the leading man in this film. Whether you play a gangster or a policeman, you can choose whatever you like!"
This is something that doesn't even need to be considered.
"As for the remaining spot—" A glint of shrewdness and excitement flashed in Andrew Lau's eyes, "Let's see who can win the competition between Andy Lau and Tony Leung based on their true abilities! To be honest, with your current terrifying box office appeal in Asia, being able to play a duel between two heroes in a film is an opportunity that countless people would kill for. This time, let them compete properly; whoever is in better form and shows more sincerity will get to act alongside you!"
Upon hearing these words, a smile appeared in Kitahara Shin's eyes, and he even felt a strange sense of exhilaration, as if he had returned from another world.
In his previous life, they were the two unparalleled stars of the Chinese film and television industry, figures he could only look up to. Now, these two superstars were actually competing for a single role opposite him. This experience of wielding top-tier resources of the era was indeed incredibly exhilarating.
The two reached a preliminary consensus in a pleasant manner at the dinner table. Liu Weiqiang is also a decisive person. After finalizing the general direction, he said with a beaming face that he would fly back to Hong Kong the next day to immediately begin the script polishing and pre-production work for "Infernal Affairs".
Even after Liu Weiqiang left, Kitahara Shin's schedule remained packed.
He set the start date for "Departures" two months from now. The reason for allowing such a long buffer period was that he had several very important matters to handle personally during these two months.
The first thing he did, of course, was to agree to be a special guest at Izumi Sakai's national tour in Tokyo, a task entrusted to him by his three close female friends. He absolutely could not fail them.
The second thing is to cooperate with the TV station to complete a series of variety show promotions for the final stage of "GTO".
The show's ratings have been absolutely phenomenal, with each episode breaking Kansai TV's all-time high. As the plot unfolds, Eikichi Oni's unconventional and heroic redemptive character has not only resonated with a massive audience but has also directly led to a geometric increase in the sales of the original manga.
The original manga author, Toru Fujisawa, was ecstatic. He not only lavished praise on Shin Kitahara in the author's notes at the end of the manga serialization and in the afterword of the newly published collected volume, but also lauded Kitahara's superb acting skills in interviews with newspapers and various television entertainment weekly magazines. The original author even personally visited Kitahara's agency several times, imploring Kitahara to put the second season project on the agenda in the future.
When it comes to the soaring sales of comics, Kitahara Shin, sitting in his office, immediately conjured up a massive future industry empire—anime and manga.
If you calculate the time, it's already the mid-to-late 1990s. One Piece is about to begin serialization next year, followed by Naruto and Bleach. These three major shonen manga, along with countless other excellent anime and manga works, will unleash a terrifying global impact in the 21st century, becoming Japan's sharpest and most profitable weapon for cultural export.
Conversely, Japanese live-action films and television dramas have gradually declined in the 21st century due to the short-sightedness and infighting of capital. Apart from a few occasional hits, their overall influence is far less than that of the golden age of the 1980s and 1990s.
Kitahara Shin was well aware that he was currently living in the last golden age of Japanese live-action film and television. If he couldn't use massive capital and a forceful approach to revolutionize the industry, then the ceiling for live-action film and television would be reached. But this didn't mean he would just watch the enormous gold mine of the two-dimensional world slip through his fingers.
To truly dominate the Japanese entertainment industry, acting alone is not enough; one must penetrate in all aspects.
After years of rapid expansion, Kitahara Agency has long since transcended the scope of a simple talent agency. Backed by a massive cash flow, the company not only owns some of the largest location shooting bases in Japan and a top-notch post-production special effects studio, but also holds controlling stakes in several cinema chains, record labels, and GG Media.
While the Kitahara Group may not yet be comparable in terms of historical foundation to century-old super conglomerates like Mitsubishi and Mitsui that control the lifeline of the nation, its market value and influence in the vertical field of culture, entertainment, and media broadcasting have already reached a terrifying level that allows it to be called a newly emerging conglomerate.
Relying on this massive capital base, Kitahara Shin gave a direct order to his investment and mergers department: immediately begin making extensive contacts with established manga giants such as Shueisha.
He not only intends to fund the establishment of a top-tier animation production company directly under the Kitahara Group, but also to leverage his capital advantage to forcefully enter the production committees of those phenomenal anime destined to become huge hits, engaging in deep, multifaceted investments. Whether it's publishing, animation adaptations, or future merchandise, Kitahara Shinzen aims to take the most lucrative slice of the pie.
Just as Kitahara Shin's capital tentacles began to aggressively invade the anime and manga industry, the dedicated phone line on his private desk suddenly rang.
Kitahara Shin answered the phone, and a familiar, slightly teasing, hoarse laugh came through the receiver.
"Oh dear, President Kitahara is such a busy man these days. I heard your appearance fee has skyrocketed. If this old man who draws animation wants to see you, I'll have to wait in line and make an appointment, won't I?"
Upon hearing the voice, Kitahara Shin was taken aback at first, then chuckled, his tone natural and familiar: "Director Miyazaki, please don't joke with me. Back when I was dubbing 'Porco Rosso,' you nagged me a lot in the studio. What brings you here today?"
The caller was none other than Hayao Miyazaki, the mastermind behind Yoshishita Riki's studio and a renowned animation film director. The two had forged a good friendship several years earlier through "Porco Rosso," but Kitahara Shin's business empire had expanded so rapidly in recent years that they hadn't seen each other for a while.
"Haha, you're incredibly famous these days." Miyazaki laughed heartily on the other end of the phone, then got down to business. "Actually, I'm calling you today because I have something important to discuss. I have a new film, *Princess Mononoke*, that's been in development for a long time, and I'm currently casting for the voice of Ashitaka. I've listened to a lot of auditions, and after much deliberation, I still think your clear and resonant voice is the most suitable."
Kitahara Shin truly didn't expect that Miyazaki Hayao would call him just when he was preparing to take a step into the animation industry.
"Of course I'd be delighted to receive your personal invitation," Kitahara Shin replied with a smile, his tone filled with the joy of reuniting with an old friend. "I'm almost done with my work these past few days, so let's find some time to meet. I've been really missing the days we chatted together, and we can also talk about your new film in person."
"Okay, it's a deal. Let's find an izakaya and chat over drinks."
3
Inside the izakaya.
Kitahara Shin and Miyazaki Hayao sat on the tatami mats in the corner. Several plates of sizzling yakitori sat on the table, and two bottles of warm sake were beside them. Without the formality of a high-class ryotei, the two chatted casually over drinks, like close friends despite their age difference.
After a few rounds of drinks, Miyazaki rubbed his slightly sore shoulders, sighed, and said, "I'm getting old, really old. Shin-kun, let me be honest with you, after finishing 'Princess Mononoke,' I definitely won't be able to draw anymore, and I'm planning to retire. I'm also planning to sell Studio Ghibli to someone else. Seeing how well-funded you are now, are you interested in taking over?"
Upon hearing this, Kitahara Shin paused for a moment, then couldn't help but laugh out loud: "Old man, please don't joke around. Your talent and energy go far beyond that."
Kitahara Shinichi knew perfectly well that this was Miyazaki Hayao's "routine resignation announcement." This god of animation would announce his retirement almost every time he finished a major theatrical film, but in his previous life, he "retired" all the way to the 2020s, and was still winning an Oscar in his eighties.
Moreover, Miyazaki's true peak was yet to come. His film *Spirited Away*, released a few years later, would hold the top spot at the Japanese box office for nearly eighteen years!
In this timeline, many may not yet realize it, but in the future, Japan's box office charts will be quite "humorous." Looking at the top ten, they will be almost entirely dominated by various animated films, with very few live-action movies managing to break through. This is enough to demonstrate just how terrifyingly powerful the Japanese anime and manga market truly is.
Thinking about the future of the animation market, Kitahara Shin suddenly thought of another extraordinary talent, and casually asked, "Grandpa, have you ever heard of a young man named Makoto Shinkai?"
"Makoto Shinkai?" Miyazaki paused, put down his glass, and searched his memory carefully before shaking his head blankly. "Never heard of him. Is he a new illustrator at some studio?"
Kitahara Shin smiled but didn't offer any further explanation. This was understandable; given Miyazaki Hayao's current legendary status in the Japanese animation industry, he didn't need to actively seek out others. Meanwhile, Shinkai Makoto was probably still working quietly at some game company.
After exchanging a few playful jokes, the atmosphere became very pleasant. Kitahara Shinya readily agreed to voice Ashitaka, the male protagonist of *Princess Mononoke*. He never refuses opportunities that not only increase his recognition among anime fans but also allow him to forge a good relationship with a top-tier master.
1
Time flies.
Although dubbing for animated films is a tedious task, it progressed very smoothly thanks to Kitahara Shin's current command of dialogue. The recording work was completed successfully in about two weeks.
Next, he will fulfill another promise—to serve as "free labor" at Izumi Sakai's concert.
The Tokyo Budokan, the ultimate hall of fame that all musicians in Japan dream of.
Tonight, the place is packed, and glow sticks have created a dazzling blue ocean. As one of the most representative national divas of the 1990s, Izumi Sakai (ZARD)'s appeal is undeniable.
On stage, Quanshui, dressed in her signature simple shirt and jeans, captivated the audience with her clear, powerful voice alone, without any elaborate backup dancers or flashy special effects. Classic songs like "Don't Give Up" and "Swaying Memories," deeply ingrained in the national consciousness, sparked a massive sing-along from tens of thousands of people.
Midway through the concert, Akina Nakamori appeared on stage as a special guest, and the dreamlike duet between the two divas brought the atmosphere to a fever pitch. Not only that, but even Rie Miyazawa, who was originally in the audience, was jokingly pulled onto the stage by them. The three stunning women smiled radiantly under the spotlight, their beauty beyond compare.
At this moment, Kitahara Shin was standing in the shadows backstage, quietly watching the stage in front of him.
Although he was used to being watched by countless people in front of the camera and often watched recordings of his female confidantes' concerts, this was truly the first time he had stood on such an occasion as a "special guest." Listening to the cheers from the audience, which rose wave after wave like a tsunami, and looking at the dazzling lights, he felt that this pure musical carnival was indeed quite interesting.
On stage, the song ended.
Holding the microphone, Izumi was slightly out of breath, a happy smile on her face. She exchanged a somewhat sly glance with Akina and Rie beside her.
"Today, besides Akina and Rie, there is actually a very special mystery guest who has come to the event." Izumi's gentle voice echoed throughout the huge venue.
Akina immediately chimed in with a smile, "That's right! This guest is usually incredibly busy, and I've heard his appearance fee is outrageously high. We had to beg him for ages before he agreed to come and surprise everyone. Can you guess who he is?"
The tens of thousands of audience members held their breath instantly, their curiosity completely piqued.
As a low and soothing prelude began, the stage lift in the center slowly started moving.
A dazzling white spotlight shone on the rising platform. Kitahara Shin, dressed in a well-tailored black casual suit and holding a microphone, slowly rose onto the stage under the gaze of tens of thousands of people.
When the familiar yet striking face was seen, the entire martial arts hall fell into a deathly silence for two seconds.
Immediately afterwards—
"boom!!!"
A frenzied scream, ten times more intense than ever before and almost enough to lift the dome of the Budokan, erupted! Countless female fans were so excited that they jumped up from their seats, covering their mouths and screaming Kitahara Shin's name in disbelief.
Kitahara Shin himself was somewhat surprised; he hadn't expected to have such terrifying popularity among Izumi's fan base. Facing the overwhelming cheers from below and the smiling, expectant gazes of the three women on stage, he calmly took a few steps forward.
He held the microphone to his lips and, along with the accompaniment, slowly sang the first line of the classic love song "Spring Water".
As soon as Kitahara Shin opened his mouth, the venue, which had been so noisy it seemed about to explode, miraculously fell silent. Everyone pricked up their ears.
With the system's various enhancements, Kitahara Shin's control over pitch and vocal cord muscles had long since reached a highly professional level. While he wasn't singing any flashy high notes, his deep, magnetic, and story-filled voice instantly imbued the song with a completely different kind of masculine charm. It's no exaggeration to say that this is absolutely the level of a true powerhouse vocalist!
Standing to the side, Izumi, Akina, and Rie all gaped slightly in surprise. This was the first time these three women had ever seriously heard Kitahara Shin sing on stage. Before, when they asked him to sing at home, he always made excuses and maintained an air of mystery. Now, hearing him sing, his skill was simply unexpectedly good!
After a brief moment of surprise, the three women immediately harmonized with him on stage, singing softly in sync with his rhythm. The perfect interaction between the four on stage brought the atmosphere of the entire concert to an unprecedented climax.
The following morning, entertainment newspapers and television news across Japan crashed, with the same headline dominating the front pages:
A mysterious guest worth 200 million! He delivers an amazing performance at the Kitahara Shinbudokan!
Countless fans who missed out on tickets were filled with regret after seeing the news clips. Everyone was frantically discussing Kitahara Shin's magnetic voice, speculating whether this meant the film mogul was preparing to enter the music industry. Suddenly, the clamor to hear Kitahara Shin sing was overwhelming.
Although Izumi's nationwide tour has just begun, the surprise appearance of Kitahara Shin caused all remaining tickets to sell out within an hour. Everyone is eagerly anticipating whether Kitahara Shin will make another surprise appearance as a guest at the next concert.
Even the live concert DVDs hadn't started production yet, but pre-orders were already sold out, with the response being extremely enthusiastic.
Amid the aftermath of the nationwide celebration sparked by the concert, the two-month preparation period quietly slipped away.
Autumn is deepening. Outside a quiet, traditionally Japanese house in Yamagata Prefecture, all the cameras and lighting equipment have been set up.
Kitahara Shin sat in the director's chair behind the monitor, looking at Motoki Masahiro and Yamazaki Tsutomu, who were completely immersed in their roles, holding a walkie-talkie in his hand, his eyes becoming incredibly focused and profound.
After two months of reflection, "Departures," a film that carries his Oscar ambitions, has finally begun filming. This also marks the first time in his two lifetimes that Shin Kitahara has taken control of the soul of a film as a pure director.
"All departments, prepare. Scene 1, one take, one shot."
-
Kitahara Shin stared intently at the monitor screen, his calm and powerful voice echoing across the set:
Action!
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