NOVEL NEXT Chapter 728: Intuition
Chapter 728: Intuition
The Ink Tribune Headquarters, Sakura City
Friday, March 19th, 9:30 PM
As PrimCon 35 wound down, the atmosphere inside the Ink Tribune's headquarters was just as bustling as it had been all week. Editors, reporters, and designers raced to compile their last- minute reports, eager to cover the convention's highlights for the portal's loyal fanbase. The office hummed with the sound of fingers rapidly tapping keyboards, muffled phone calls, and the occasional buzz of excitement as someone finished a piece and sent it off for editing.
For the Ink Tribune, PrimCon was one of the most important events of the year, and with good reason. The five-day convention brought together the biggest names in anime and manga, studios announcing new projects, and the most exciting cosplays that set social media abuzz. It was the one place where the industry's future was on display, and where one article could shape fan expectations for the next season's hottest shows.
Amid the controlled chaos, one reporter stood out, not because of any flamboyant actions or declarations, but because of the calm, focused demeanor she maintained. Yukari Aoki was a seasoned journalist at the Ink Tribune. She had been covering the anime and manga beat for over five years, and tonight, she had something in mind that her colleagues didn't seem to share enthusiasm for. As the chatter around her focused on the popular announcements from big-name studios like Elvish Studios, Phoenix Productions, and HardCover Publishing House, Yukari sat quietly, scribbling notes in a small notebook while sipping her third cup of coffee. Tokyo Studios wasn't the name on anyone else's lips, and why would it be? In the grand scheme of things, it was an unknown studio, a newcomer to the anime scene, and despite its grand debut at PrimCon, there wasn't much fanfare around it—at least not compared to the industry giants. But Yukari had noticed something while wandering the convention halls. Tokyo Studios had something unique in the air about it, and its debut anime, Sword Art Online, showed promise.
As her colleagues gathered around for a break, discussing their most memorable moments of the week, Yukari quietly returned to her desk. Her fellow reporters weren't interested in Tokyo Studios-they were all too busy crafting pieces on the latest announcements from studios like Midnight Phoenix and Cascade Wings. These were the juggernauts that would guarantee clicks and shares.
"Are you really going to spend your evening writing about Sword Art Online?" one of the senior reporters, Kazu, asked as he glanced over her shoulder. His voice had a hint of playful mockery in it. "Why don't you cover something big? Maybe the new Storm Riders trailer?"
Yukari smiled, with a polite but dismissive expression. "I think there's more to Tokyo Studios than we give them credit for," she said. "I'm following a hunch."
Kazu laughed, shaking his head. "You and your hunches. Just don't say I didn't warn you when no one cares about this article."
But Yukari wasn't dissuaded. She had been in the industry long enough to know that the smaller players often had the most interesting stories. Tokyo Studios had built its stand much smaller than the industry giants, but the energy at their booth had been undeniable. The crowd had been larger than anyone expected for an unknown studio, and the promotional material for Sword Art Online was polished, intriguing, and just different enough to stand out. There was something there-something that hadn't quite been grasped by the larger crowd of critics and reporters.
She opened her notes, recalling her visit to the booth. The studio representatives had been eager, and the footage they showed was unlike anything she'd seen in a long time. Sword Art Online wasn't just a typical isekai. It had depth. The world-building seemed expansive, and the characters, though briefly glimpsed, hinted at complexity. Yukari had watched as people crowded around the demo screens, eyes glued to the promotional videos. That spark, that initial connection with an audience, was what gave her hope that Tokyo Studios might be the next breakout success.
Her fingers moved swiftly across the keyboard, painting a picture of Tokyo Studios' quiet ambition. She started by laying the groundwork-introducing the studio as a newcomer but one with a bold vision and controversial decisions like building its headquarters away from Sakura City, Yukari even mentioned Rio's answer on this subject that happened during the Q&A Event. By this, we can see that Yukari had done her homework meticulously. Then, she focused on Sword Art Online, describing its plot, the potential it had for success, and why fans should be excited. The virtual reality aspect, and the psychological depth of being trapped in a virtual world—these were elements that set the series apart. In an industry increasingly saturated by recycled tropes, Tokyo Studios was offering something fresh.
All around her, the noise in the office had picked up again. Reporters were sending off their final drafts, preparing to sign off for the night. Someone near Yukari muttered about a new manga adaptation announced by Crimson Wave Studios, another powerhouse that would surely dominate the upcoming season. But Yukari stayed focused on her screen, crafting each word with care.
After nearly an hour of writing, Yukari finally sat back, scanning her work one last time. Her article wasn't flashy or bombastic, but it was sincere. She knew it wouldn't generate the immediate buzz that her colleagues' pieces might, but that wasn't her goal. She was documenting the rise of something new, something that had the potential to grow into a phenomenon.
As she hit the 'send' button, submitting her article to the editor, Yukari let out a small sigh of satisfaction. She believed in the power of storytelling, and even though Tokyo Studios wasn't a big name yet, she had a feeling that it wouldn't stay that way for long. If the studio played its cards right, Sword Art Online could be the next big thing, and when that happened, Yukari would be glad to have been one of the first to recognize its potential.
Kazu passed by her desk again as she stretched. "Done with your little piece?" he teased, still grinning.
Yukari shrugged, smiling back. "You'll see," she replied confidently. "Sometimes the little things end up being the biggest stories."
Kazu rolled his eyes good-naturedly but left her alone after that. The office buzzed with life as reporters prepared to call it a night. But Yukari wasn't done. She opened up another document, this time compiling notes for future articles. She knew she wanted to keep track of Tokyo Studios' progress, and the moment Sword Art Online premiered, she'd be ready with a
follow-up.
Across the office, the others might have seen PrimCon's end as the culmination of a long week of work. But for Yukari, it was just the beginning. She had a hunch that Tokyo Studios was going to become a name everyone in the industry would know soon enough.
And when that happened, she would be the one who wrote the story that introduced them to
the world.
She didn't know yet, but her small article that she decided to write following her intuition would become a historical article when the Tokyo Studios managed to compete and win against the animation industry giants in the future.