Animation Producer in a Fantasy World

Living in this world, there are times when you feel like the world is trying to screw you over.

For example, when you need quick cash and try to sell Meso, but suddenly the market crashes and you end up not even making minimum wage.

Or when you buy stocks at their peak, but as soon as you enter, they miraculously start to decline.

If not that, then when you make an anime prepared to be criticized as a mess.

But people watch that anime and cheer, calling it a ‘masterpiece’, like the current situation.

“…..”

How on earth did things turn out like this?

I mean, honestly speaking, isn’t “Machine God Chronicles” episode 17 just a messy plot development and nothing more?

If no one else, even I, the producer, made it with that intention, so that’s an undeniable fact.

But why are these self-proclaimed experts and academic professors making such a fuss and ruining my ‘perfect plan’?

‘What should I do now?’

At this moment, I realized that I needed to take some kind of action.

I had a strong feeling that if I stayed still as usual, those ridiculous fake news would somehow turn into truth and eventually come to strangle me.

In the end, there was only one way to resolve this whole situation.

‘Head-on breakthrough.’

That was to confess with my own mouth that episode 17 of “Machine God Chronicles” was a messy plot development.

But this world is so primitive without internet, SNS, or online communities that there was virtually nowhere to publicly express my opinion.

Then what should I do?

How can I spread the fact that episode 17 of “Machine God Chronicles” was a mess to the public in a very natural way?

After much contemplation, I came up with a solution.

First, I tried to contact the guy who first raised a rebellion against the imperial family at the place where those rebel bastards dared to raise bamboo spears against the imperial family.

“…Could it be, Mr. Ragna?”

“Haha, it’s been a while. Mr. Hikardo.”

The person I tried to contact was none other than the mustached guy who failed art school.

Although he’s an extremely dangerous person, I’ve been maintaining contact with him judging that he could be useful in many ways.

“Aren’t you extremely busy producing ‘Machine God Chronicles’ right now? Then why are you here…?”

“Ah, it’s nothing else but because of an issue related to episode 17 of ‘Machine God Chronicles’ that aired yesterday.”

“…Because of episode 17 of ‘Machine God Chronicles’?”

At my words, Hikardo makes an expression of incomprehension.

“No, what problem could there possibly be with episode 17 of ‘Machine God Chronicles’? I only thought it was perfect when I watched the anime yesterday…”

…That’s because you’re an ardent fan of “Machine God Chronicles”, my friend.

This bastard would probably applaud even if I ended “Machine God Chronicles” episode 18 with a ninja-killing meteor drop ending, so I decided to get straight to the point with him.

“I heard that you’re in charge of the chairman role for the ‘Machine God Chronicles’ related gathering.”

“Ah, yes. That’s right.”

“And that gathering is at the center, gathering in the square for discussions the day after each ‘Machine God Chronicles’ broadcast. I hear that discussion meeting has become so famous that even people who are critical of ‘Machine God Chronicles’ are often invited as guests?”

“You knew? Indeed, it’s as you said. Well, unlike us who participate in the discussion purely because we love ‘Machine God Chronicles’, those people participate in the discussion to fill content for critical articles or columns. After all, you need to know the content of ‘Machine God Chronicles’ well to be able to criticize it.”

Listening to Hikardo’s words, I nodded.

A discussion meeting where people with critical views on “Machine God Chronicles” appear in droves, watched by many people.

Where else could there be a better place to easily achieve my goal?

“If that’s the case, would it be alright if I also attend this discussion meeting?”

“…Pardon?”

At my words, Hikardo shows a somewhat perplexed reaction.

“Um, Mr. Ragna… for some reason I can’t understand, wouldn’t it be better to think about that again? To be frank, the people participating as guests don’t have a very favorable stance towards ‘Machine God Chronicles’.”

“That doesn’t matter.”

If they’re not favorable towards me, that’s even better.

Because they’ll write lots of critical articles about episode 17 of “Machine God Chronicles” the next day based on various sources they got from the discussion meeting.

“Why… did you suddenly think about attending the discussion meeting?”

“It’s nothing much. I just happened to read newspaper articles mentioning episode 17 of ‘Machine God Chronicles’ this morning.”

“What?”

“Honestly, the articles contained such ridiculous content that I thought I should correct it to some extent. And I also want to change people’s perceptions a bit.”

“…Ha.”

At my words, Hikardo looked at me with a somewhat newfound gaze.

And I realized that I had made a mistake.

Could it be that I revealed too much of my intentions?
But then.

“Haha, well I’ll be. As expected of you, Mr. Ragna. I really can’t handle you.”

“…Pardon?”

“I’ve heard well about the episode at the voice actor audition for ‘Machine God Chronicles’. I heard you directly confronted a daughter of a noble family to protect a lead voice actor with no background? As expected, you care for and protect your production team and staff more than yourself.”

“…?”

I couldn’t understand what he was saying now.

But since my goal was achieved anyway, I nodded saying I understood.

“Ah, come to think of it, I didn’t ask about the name of the small group you created, Mr. Hikardo. Can I know what the name of that group is?”

“It’s not such a grand name. So my…”

“…My?”

“…It’s a group named ‘My Struggle’. It’s a name that embodies my heart trying to challenge the art world once again without being discouraged even after failing the art school entrance exam.”

“…..”

It might not be too late to just kill this bastard here for the peace of the world.

I seriously thought that.

A few hours later, guided by that Hikardo guy, I arrived at the place where the discussion meeting would be held.

The participants and audience for the discussion were already all seated there.

Because of that, when I suddenly appeared with Hikardo, people’s attention focused on me.

“Ahem, I apologize. We were slightly delayed bringing today’s special guest for the discussion meeting.”

“…Special guest? Who on earth could that be?”

“Come to think of it, I haven’t told you yet. Then I’ll formally introduce him. It’s Director Ragna Tersion, who is in charge of the overall production and direction of ‘Machine God Chronicles’!”

“Hello, everyone.”

As I bowed my head to the audience, people made expressions as if they couldn’t believe it.

But that was only for a moment.

Waaaah-!

The next moment, a cheer so loud it hurt my ears came from the audience.

And I couldn’t help but be a little surprised seeing people like that.

I didn’t understand why they were so happy when I was just a simple director and producer.

“Hello, I’m Ragna Tersion, in charge of directing the production team of ‘Machine God Chronicles’.”

First, I calmly greeted the audience and slowly cleared my throat.

From now on, I needed to choose my words carefully.

Depending on each of my statements made here, it could determine whether I would become an anime slave of the imperial family or a NEET.

“The reason I came out here today is none other than to-”

But then, it happened.

“R-Ragna! No, Director!”

Someone I knew well burst into the discussion meeting with a very urgent look.
And I widened my eyes seeing her.
“…Serika?”
Why on earth is Serika here?
No, more than that, I didn’t tell Serika a single word about coming here, so how did she know and come?

Wh-Who is that?

W-Well? Judging by her appearance, she doesn’t seem to be an ordinary person.
The audience making dumbfounded expressions looking at Serika’s face.
Well, I don’t misunderstand their reaction.
Because even I, when I first met Serika at the magic tower, ended up fantasizing about things like how many children we would have after entering the wedding hall with her.
Meanwhile, Serika bows her head to the audience, regardless of the numerous gazes pouring towards her.
“Hello. I’m Serika El Grinewald, who voices ‘Saya’ in ‘Machine God Chronicles’.”

Wh-Who did she say? Saya’s voice actress?

Is that person really in charge of Saya’s voice? Really?
People just gaped, as if they couldn’t believe Serika’s words.
And Serika looked at such audience members and quietly opened her mouth.
“The reason I came here is none other than because I heard the news that Ragna… I mean, the director of ‘Machine God Chronicles’ was going to explain about the recent newspaper articles.”
“Those articles mostly contained content like this. Episode 17 of ‘Machine God Chronicles’ is perfect, but the voice actors’ performances are too immature. The immature voice acting of the voice actors is only holding back that masterpiece…”
Saying this, Serika bites her lip firmly.
“When I heard the news that the director was attending this discussion meeting, I realized what you were trying to do. You probably came here to save us, who are being criticized by critics for being too immature compared to the perfect masterpiece that is ‘Machine God Chronicles’.”
“…?”
What on earth is she talking about?
I had no such intention at all.
I just… came here to give some shit to the critics who are praising “Machine God Chronicles” as a masterpiece.
“We know it well too. My acting, and the acting of the voice actors including myself, is infinitely insignificant and shabby compared to the artistry of ‘Machine God Chronicles’.”
“…But, because we know that fact well, we’re constantly making efforts. For the next episode to be better than the previous one, and to produce voices that suit ‘Machine God Chronicles’, we’ll continue to put in a lot of effort, so please blame us voice actors rather than the director.”
“That’s all I wanted to say. I’m really sorry for suddenly intruding here.”
Saying this, Serika bowed her head to the audience once again.
“…”
“…”
The audience members seemed to be at a loss for words watching such a scene, not saying anything.
But that was only for a moment.

Wooaah, waaah-!

A cheer with power that made this whole area resound, incomparable to the one that poured on me earlier.
And the people in the audience started to rush towards Serika like sasaeng fans of an idol.

“From today, Saya is my favorite character! Eileen? Chloe? Get lost! From today, this place is occupied by the Saya faction!”

“Eileen? Chloe? Aren’t those all losers of the era?”

“Eileen faction, Chloe faction! Sign here! The final victor of ‘Machine God Chronicles’ is none other than Saya!”

“‘Machine God Chronicles’ is a mess? No, seeing Serika’s face, ‘Machine God Chronicles’ is a cosmic masterpiece where everything is calculated!”

“…..”
Watching the discussion venue that had instantly turned into Serika’s fan meeting, I sensed it.

Ah, shit. This has completely gone to hell.