If there were freelance key animators, then naturally there were also freelance in-between animators.
In fact, freelance in-between animators were the true mainstream of the industry.
Unlike key animators, in-between animators did not require the same depth of experience or technical skill, but their workload was every bit as heavy—if not heavier.
Their primary responsibility was drawing the in-between frames between key animations.
Rather than relying on artistic experience and creativity like key animators, they simply followed the instructions established by the key frames to complete the intermediate drawings.
The Key Animation Department at Yosuganosora Animation Studio was overwhelmed with work, and naturally, the Animation Department was no better.
Even after outsourcing part of the work to freelance in-between animators, the department's supervisor, Gogyo Ruri, was still living through extremely grueling days.
...
Inside Gogyo Ruri's office, she had already removed her crimson-colored contact lenses and was concentrating wholeheartedly on reviewing the completed animation.
No matter what, she couldn't wear cosmetic lenses for two consecutive days while inspecting animation.
Thousands upon thousands of animation sheets passed through her hands as she corrected inconsistencies in art style caused by different animators.
Even after working through the entire night without sleep, the mountain of animation sheets beside her desk remained almost untouched, silently waiting for her review.
No matter how one looked at it, the progress was utterly despair-inducing.
A crushing wave of drowsiness washed over her.
Even the hand holding the animation sheets trembled weakly.
She bit her lower lip hard, relying on that slight pain to keep herself awake.
Over and over, she repeated to herself,
"I can't hold Brother back... Just a little longer... Just a little more."
Staring absentmindedly at the mountain of drawings, she smiled bitterly.
"It's impossible for me to finish all this alone... But Chief Uehara is probably in the same situation. Who can I ask for help? What should I do?"
As feelings of uncertainty and helplessness grew stronger, she finally laid her head on the desk.
The instant she did, it felt as though every burden on her body had disappeared.
Simply lying on the desktop felt even more comfortable than the softest bed.
...
"Mmm... mm... ah!?"
Toward evening, a sudden jolt in her heart startled Gogyo Ruri awake.
The instant she regained consciousness, she understood what had happened.
She had only intended to rest her eyes for a moment while reviewing animation.
She had never expected that tiny moment of relaxation to send her into a deep sleep.
The honey-colored glow of the setting sun spilling across the office floor filled her with despair.
She hurriedly sat up on the sofa, wanting to check the time.
Only then did the suit jacket draped over her shoulders slide onto the sofa.
A suit jacket?
Picking it up in surprise, Gogyo Ruri looked toward what should have been her own desk.
Sure enough, Kamiyā Yuu was sitting there, meticulously reviewing the animation.
The mountain of drawings that had covered the desk had already shrunk by more than half.
...Teacher...
A flood of emotions welled up inside her.
Relief?
Disappointment?
Unease?
More than anything else, she felt she had let Kamiyā Yuu down.
"Brother..."
Hearing her voice, Kamiyā Yuu looked up.
He neatly organized the reviewed animation sheets and placed them aside before smiling.
"Awake? Did I wake you?"
Gogyo Ruri shook her head.
Clutching his suit jacket, she bit her lip and whispered,
"I'm sorry, Brother."
Kamiyā Yuu blinked in surprise.
"Why are you apologizing? If anything, I'm the one who should apologize to you, Kuroneko."
"You didn't sleep at all last night, did you? No normal person can keep working for that long."
"The Animation Department has the heaviest workload right now. If I leave you to shoulder all of it yourself, then I'd be the one taking the easy way out."
"I already said during the meeting that Episode 12 was entirely my own decision."
"So I'd also take part in producing it and help share everyone's burden."
Gogyo Ruri looked at him as though she wanted to say something.
"But..."
Kamiyā Yuu lifted the stack of animation sheets he had already finished inspecting and smiled.
"I've already completed the review for this batch."
"If you still have something to say now, then I suppose it'll just be complaining that I stuck my nose where it didn't belong."
Gogyo Ruri froze.
Whether because of the sunset or not, a faint blush appeared on her cheeks.
She suddenly laughed.
"You're right."
Looking at Kamiyā Yuu, she smiled brightly.
"I've caused you trouble again, Brother."
Carefully folding his suit jacket, she handed it back before placing one hand on her waist and proudly declaring,
"Now that the power of the Fallen Saint Black Cat has fully recovered, I won't make the same mistake again!"
"Then I'll leave the rest to Lady Black Cat."
Kamiyā Yuu smiled as he played along respectfully.
After spending an entire day helping with the reviews, the department's progress had finally returned to a manageable level.
There was no problem leaving the remaining work entirely to Gogyo Ruri.
His efficiency at reviewing animation was simply incomparable to hers.
While doing so, he had also completed direction checks, issued production notes, and handled numerous other tasks.
In a single day, he accomplished what would have taken Gogyo Ruri several sleepless days to finish.
...
As for Kamiyā Yuu himself...
Had his mental endurance been no different from an ordinary person's, he would have collapsed over his workbench long ago.
He had already stopped writing the 'Fate/Zero' novel and drawing storyboards beyond Episode 12.
Instead, he devoted himself entirely to every stage of Episode 12's production.
To keep Kamiyā Sora from worrying, he still maintained a normal daily routine.
However, whenever she wasn't around, he worked in an intensely focused state.
His efficiency was several times greater than that of an ordinary person.
The amount of mental energy he consumed, however, was ten or even dozens of times greater.
Even with his exceptional willpower, he could still clearly feel overwhelming drowsiness and exhaustion during this period.
As time passed, his body became as heavy as though it were filled with lead.
From script to storyboard...
Storyboard to animation...
Animation to coloring...
Then art...
Then compositing...
Aside from eating, drinking, and sleeping, every ounce of his energy went into production.
He simultaneously served as director, episode director, key animator, animator, compositor, art director, and more.
"Ah..."
Returning to his office after helping Gogyo Ruri, Kamiyā Yuu leaned back in his chair and let out a long sigh.
An overwhelming wave of sleepiness assaulted him.
Every cell in his body seemed to be protesting from exhaustion.
They refused to let him exert even a little more strength or think about anything complicated.
For the first time, Kamiyā Yuu genuinely felt like simply sleeping at the office instead of entering his consciousness space to continue working.
"What a disaster..."
"We're basically in the final stretch now."
"The day after tomorrow... what day is it? Wednesday?"
"Whatever. Doesn't matter."
"That day, everyone at Yosuganosora Animation Studio's production department gets a fully paid day off."
"And Murasaki still hasn't given me an answer..."
"Ah... I don't want to think about that right now."
"I'll deal with it in a few weeks."
Rubbing the back of his neck, Kamiyā Yuu smiled bitterly.
Despite the hardship, everything had been worth it.
After investing the amount of time normally required to produce an entire anime episode, they had overcome the greatest production challenge Yosuganosora Animation Studio had faced since its founding.
Episode 12 of 'Fate/Zero' had reached a level of craftsmanship worthy of being called "a theatrical film among theatrical films."
It was the very definition of "burning the budget."
In theory, Episode 12 had already reached the absolute peak of Kamiyā Yuu's understanding of 2D animation.
Whether in terms of grand spectacle or the portrayal of combat, even the finest 2D animation from his previous world would have struggled to surpass it.