After 'Puella Magi Madoka Magica' finished airing, a subtle change took place inside Yosuganosora Animation Studio. As for what exactly had changed, perhaps even veteran employees could not say. It was probably something like finally being able to hold their heads high or a stronger sense of belonging to the company.
'Puella Magi Madoka Magica' was the first work produced after Yosuganosora Animation Studio's production department had fully matured. Every department had coordinated and grown through its production, and through the work itself, they had all been connected. The successful conclusion of 'Puella Magi Madoka Magica' was something worth celebrating for the entire company.
At the very least, Yosuganosora no longer felt like an animation studio cobbled together from temporary workers.
At present, Yosuganosora Animation Studio has already begun producing the anime 'Fate/zero'. By July, Episode 3 had been completed.
Taking advantage of the relatively ample time, and a few days after 'Puella Magi Madoka Magica' ended, Kamiyā Yuu held a celebration banquet.
This time, Kamiyā Yuu booked an entire large hotel not far from Yosuganosora Animation Studio. In addition to all staff involved in producing 'Puella Magi Madoka Magica', including the voice actors, outside guests were also allowed to attend.
For example, Fujiwara Tora and the others who had received invitations from Kamiyā Yuu, as well as reporters from the animation industry who had come for interviews.
As mentioned before, when an anime succeeded, a celebration banquet was truly a celebration. Otherwise, it would become an apology party.
At a celebration banquet, it was inevitable that Kamiyā Yuu would need to release information to the outside. Whether it was his thoughts on 'Puella Magi Madoka Magica' or previews of new works, all of it counted as information. The reporters who came to interview him were the channels through which that information would spread.
Letting the company staff enjoy themselves freely, Kamiyā Yuu received the animation industry reporters and other industry figures alone.
In a relatively quiet corner of the banquet, a young reporter wearing glasses carefully recorded Kamiyā Yuu's words and asked:
"Mr. Kamiyā, 'Puella Magi Madoka Magica', which you directed, has been called the finest animated work of the past ten years. What are your thoughts on that?"
Kamiyā Yuu thought for a moment and answered with a smile:
"It feels within expectations. After all, I know better than anyone how much effort I put into producing 'Puella Magi Madoka Magica'. Even if it had failed to achieve good results, this work would still be an outstanding anime in my heart. Fortunately, it proved its own value, so my pride didn't turn into regret."
"I see. Director Kamiyā is also quite confident in his own work. The anime you previously directed, 'Magical Girl Nanoha' and 'RWBY', were indeed both very popular and well-received. Then next, I would like to ask Director Kamiyā, who is known as a genius and has produced three widely recognized anime, how do you view animation?"
Kamiyā Yuu chose his words carefully and asked:
"In what specific sense?"
"Your feelings toward animation. Having created three outstanding anime, Director Kamiyā must have a perspective on animation different from others. In your heart, what is the standard for an excellent anime?"
"The standard for an excellent anime is probably... whether it's interesting. Whether viewers find it interesting after watching it."
"That answer is rather unexpected. For someone like you, who produced 'RWBY' and 'Puella Magi Madoka Magica', wouldn't there also be options like depth of plot? 'Puella Magi Madoka Magica' conquered viewers through its carefully designed story. Even I was shocked while watching it, wondering how the plot could develop like that."
Kamiyā Yuu muttered thoughtfully:
"No. In my heart, the standard for an excellent anime is simply whether it's interesting. That includes music, visuals, plot, and characters. As long as a viewer finds it interesting, then, at least for that viewer, it is an interesting work.
When I create a work, what I consider is whether the plot and characters will feel interesting from the audience's perspective. The audience's interests are always different. What I can do is the same as most animation directors: try my best to cater to the majority of viewers and make them feel that the anime is interesting. Only after that do I add some of my own understanding of animation."
At this moment, another reporter beside him asked respectfully:
"Thank you for your explanation, Director Kamiyā. Then, regarding the results achieved by 'Puella Magi Madoka Magica', do you feel proud or puzzled?"
"Of course, I feel proud. As for puzzlement, this was the audience's choice."
"I heard that you previously had a popularity contest with Director Kitagawa, the animation director of 'Mobile Suit 007'?"
"Yes. Because of that, Director Kitagawa had no choice but to treat me to a meal at Sukiyabashi Jiro. As expected, the title of Sushi God is well deserved."
Kamiyā Yuu said with a smile.
"Then what do you think of 'Mobile Suit 007'?"
"It is also an extremely outstanding work. Whether it's the childhood memories associated with the 'Mobile Suit' series or the anime's plot, both are very interesting."
"Director Kamiyā, what are your thoughts on the current animation industry?"
······
During one round of questioning, Kamiyā Yuu drank several cups of barley tea. Only when the banquet was approaching its later stages did he finally escape from the reporters' endless questions.
"Saved..."
Kamiyā Yuu sighed and returned to his seat at the banquet.
"Kamiyā-kun, welcome back."
Uehara Etsuki covered her lips and chuckled. She had long since understood the suffering of being entangled by reporters' messy questions.
Yūki Chinatsu, who was already drunk at the banquet, immediately beamed when she saw Kamiyā Yuu return. She squeezed over, placed a large bottle of Japanese sake in front of him, and said with a grin:
"Yo, Mr. Kamiyā, read as director and written as idol, has returned. Everyone else has already drunk their share, so you can take care of what's left!"
Seeing her face flushed red, Kamiyā Yuu said in amusement:
"You drank this much again. Who's going to send you back to the company later?"
"No problem, no problem. We still have Black Cat, don't we?"
Yūki Chinatsu placed her hands on her slim waist and said carelessly.
On the other side, Gogyo Ruri, who had been named by Yūki Chinatsu, raised her delicate head. Her small face also showed a faint drunken blush as she giggled charmingly:
"I am the dark resident, the Fallen Saint Black Cat. Such a small matter is effortless."
She's drunk too.
Kamiyā Yuu looked speechless toward Morishita Aoi on the other side.
Fortunately, she did not seem very drunk this time. She sat beside Uehara Etsuki, eating side dishes in small bites.
Noticing Kamiyā Yuu's pleading gaze, she brushed the black hair beside her ear aside, nodded to him, and smiled faintly.
"Relax. I'll send them safely back to the company."
"That helps a lot."
"Yuu, want some?"
Sitting beside Kamiyā Yuu, Busujima Murasaki received his response and lifted the bottle, pouring a small cup for him. She also filled her own cup. Just as she was about to drink, she noticed a straight, unfriendly gaze.
It came from Kamiyā Sora, who was sitting on Kamiyā Yuu's other side.
Her deep eyes made it impossible to know what she was thinking, but Busujima Murasaki knew that this gaze could definitely not be called friendly.
Their gazes lightly met, then quickly separated.
Busujima Murasaki smiled gently, lifted the bottle, and asked softly:
"Would you like some? This bottle doesn't have a very high alcohol content. Even people who don't usually drink won't find it unpleasant."
Kamiyā Sora glanced at Kamiyā Yuu, asking for his opinion.
Kamiyā Yuu took a sip of the sake and felt it was about the same as beer. He stroked her head and said with a smile:
"Sora can decide for herself. But alcohol isn't exactly tasty."
"Then I'll trouble Miss Busujima to pour me a cup."
Kamiyā Sora had never drunk alcohol before, but she was still rather curious about what was so magical about the drinks that fascinated Yūki Chinatsu so much.
Soon, she finished the small cup Busujima Murasaki handed her. Feeling that the taste was not very strong, she continued taking small sips from several more cups.
A blush quickly appeared on her soft, snow-white face.
But unlike her usual calm and aloof demeanor, her drunken expression changed completely. Her slender brows furrowed slightly, and she looked timid and pitiful in a way that stirred protective feelings.
Her small hand tugged at the corner of Kamiyā Yuu's clothes as she almost moaned softly:
"Yuu~"
The soft and adorable Kamiyā Sora, together with the tempting and lovely blush on her face, gave Kamiyā Yuu a suffocating sense of beauty.
He took the cup from her small hand, placed it aside, and said gently:
"Don't drink if you're not used to it. If you feel uncomfortable, I can take you back to your room to rest for a while."
Kamiyā Sora clutched the corner of his clothes and shook her head.
"Mmn~ no. I want to stay with Yuu. I don't want to be apart."
Kamiyā Yuu's expression turned strange.
Normally, she would never act spoiled like this in front of outsiders. Was alcohol really that magical?
"So cute! What is this? Isn't this totally cheating!?"
A petite figure excitedly pounced over and hugged Kamiyā Sora from behind, affectionately rubbing against her cheek.
"Is this really the Sora I know!? What is this!? She's as cute as a small animal. Rub~ rub~ rub~ As expected, alcohol is a wonderful thing."
At the end, she did not forget to continue praising alcohol.
Just how much does this girl like drinking?
"Eek!?"
Kamiyā Sora, suddenly hugged, was startled. But she could not resist at all and could only look at Kamiyā Yuu with pitiful eyes, asking him for help.