The Third Anime Plan (4)

“…Animation director? Kaya?”

“Yes. According to the news I’ve heard, Her Highness has been put in charge of producing a new work called “Lulu’s Adventure” this time.”

At Duke Grünewald’s answer, the Emperor unconsciously tilted his head.

“But wasn’t that child already serving as assistant director under Ragna?”

“She was. But I heard that Ragna told Her Highness she has ‘talent’ and recommended that she try producing an animation on her own.”

“Hmm…”

At those words, the Emperor narrowed his eyes.

The apex of all imperial citizens, and simultaneously a member of the imperial family who should be looked up to by everyone, is going to properly step into the art world?

‘It doesn’t seem bad?’

That’s right.

If news had come that Kaya was going to take on a directorial role in fields related to theater or opera, the Emperor would have been furious.

Because the Emperor himself loves art very much, so he knows very well about the realities of that industry and the treatment artists receive.

But.

‘If Kaya takes on the role of animation director, doesn’t that mean two animations will come out at the same time?’

For the past two years.

Thanks to the animations Ragna made, the Emperor was able to spend happy weekends, but.

At the same time, it’s also a clear fact that one animation alone couldn’t satisfy the hunger welling up in his heart.

But since the only person in this world qualified to create works called ‘animation’ was Ragna, he had to endure that hunger until now, but.

If Kaya could become a person who produces high-quality animations following Ragna.

There was no reason to be reluctant about it, he would welcome it with open arms.

Also, since the Empire’s crown prince was a workaholic immersed only in work without any hobbies, he was hoping that at least Kaya wouldn’t become like that…

“Ahem. So, is Kaya performing the role of animation director well?”

“From what I’ve heard, she’s showing an even more capable appearance than when she was serving as assistant director under Ragna.”

In fact, that was a very natural thing.

Because although Kaya’s image had recently solidified as a woman serving as assistant director under Ragna.

Kaya’s essence was that of an imperial princess, and simultaneously a being who reigned above many others as a member of the imperial family.

If such a Kaya couldn’t properly perform one role of animation director even if she’s not used to it, that would be stranger.

“Rather, if there’s a problem, it seems to be on Ragna’s side.”

“…Ragna? What do you mean by that, Duke?”

“According to my daughter, Ragna has been doing things that defy common sense recently.”

“…?”

By the way, that wasn’t a figure of speech but could be called a fact itself.

Because the “Attack on Heaven” production staff, except for Serika, were seriously considering switching over to the “Lulu’s Adventure” production team even now, saying it’s not too late.

So, should we say things like this are happening?

“…Excuse me, Director?”

“What is it?”

“About the mecha that the protagonist is mainly supposed to pilot… Is this really correct?”

The staff member in charge of design was saying this with a tearful expression, and.

In his hand was a grotesque mecha design where the arms, legs, and body had disappeared somewhere, leaving only the head remaining alone.

“…No matter how you look at it, this isn’t right, is it? It’s not just anything, but the mecha that the protagonist of “Attack on Heaven” will pilot. Such an important mecha having only a head without arms or legs…!”

The design staff member pleaded to Ragna with an expression that looked like he might burst into tears at any moment.

That’s right.

No matter how you think about it, this wasn’t right.

What he wanted to design was a cool mecha that gave a sleek and sophisticated feeling like the Machine Gods in “Machine God Chronicles”, somehow stimulating men’s romanticized ideals.

Designing such a strange-looking mecha was certainly not what he wanted.

But Ragna stared at the design of the mecha with a large head and limbs attached, then made a satisfied expression.

“Excellent. This is exactly the design I wanted. Please continue designing like this in the future.”

“…Pardon?”

“The next mecha I want you to design is one without a head, just the body. Ah, to be precise, a mecha with a face attached to the body part.”

“…..”

“Oh, by the way, these two mechas are planned to combine into one. Not only that, but the combined mecha will then combine with another mecha, and through repeated combinations, it will eventually be reborn as a mecha larger than the universe-“

By the way, the designer doesn’t remember what Ragna said after this.

Because this was the limit of what the designer could understand.

No, so… what?

Even the 40-meter-tall mechas appearing in “Machine God Chronicles” were criticized as unrealistic.

Not stopping there, he plans to introduce a mecha larger than not only the Earth but the universe?

Is Ragna really in his right mind?

He regretted it.

If he had known this would happen, he should have gone to the “Lulu’s Adventure” production team instead of joining the “Attack on Heaven” production team…!

By the way, currently, the “Lulu’s Adventure” production team led by Kaya was focusing on animation production in a more energetic state than ever before.

“First, the vampires appearing in “Lulu’s Adventure” will be portrayed in a form slightly different from the classical vampires we’re familiar with.”

“…A slightly different form? What does that mean?”

“Well, when you hear the word ‘vampire’, you usually think of a life form different from humans that sucks human blood. Isn’t that right?”

At Kaya’s words, the people present unconsciously nodded their heads.

Indeed, that was true.

That’s how vampires were commonly depicted in fairy tale books on the market, or in plays and operas.

“But the vampires appearing in “Lulu’s Adventure” are not a different species with special powers. I’m thinking of inserting the setting that they were originally human.”

“…Pardon?”

“The true identity of vampires… was originally human?”

“Does that perhaps mean that vampires suck human blood to make them their subordinates?”

To the staff’s questions, Kaya shook her head.

“No. The vampires in “Lulu’s Adventure” were originally human, but became beings that transcended humanity due to brain stimulation from a ‘jeweled mask’ with special magic cast on it. Also, the reason they suck blood is purely to replenish nutrients through blood.”

“Oh, ohh…!”

“That’s a really novel setting…! The true identity of vampires was actually humans who gained superhuman powers…!”

“If it develops like that, it seems plausible enough that an ordinary human might choose to become a vampire themselves to surpass humanity!”

Thus, the staff members kept marveling as they listened to the settings related to “Lulu’s Adventure” that Kaya explained, and.

“…..”

Kaya also felt somewhat proud as she heard the staff’s cheers.

‘As expected of the Director. To capture the hearts of the staff with just such a simple setting.’

In fact, the person who came up with the idea of showing humans transforming into vampires through the ‘jeweled mask’ wasn’t Kaya but Ragna.

No, not just such minor settings, but from the story development to character design.

It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that there was no part of “Lulu’s Adventure” that Ragna’s hand hadn’t touched.

But rather than feeling jealous of Ragna, Kaya only felt proud of him.

That’s because Ragna trusted her and entrusted the production of this work to her.

In other words, doesn’t this mean that Ragna recognizes Kaya as a talent capable of taking on the role of animation director in his place?

She felt proud.

So, she should work harder too.

Because she must keep receiving praise from Ragna from now on.

So Kaya drew the storyboard for “Lulu’s Adventure” more diligently with a happy heart and showed it to Ragna, and.

“Excellent.”

“…Really? Is that true?”

“It’s true. I wouldn’t lie to you about something like this, Miss Kaya, would I?”

A few days later, after appreciating Kaya’s storyboard, Ragna nodded his head.

Indeed, she had improved a lot.

From the composition to the weight of the characters, and the overall direction.

Kaya’s skills had grown to the point where they wouldn’t be inferior even compared to decent animators on Earth.

However, if there was one problem.

“Hah, if I’m tasteless, are you saying you’re delicious?”

“Stop showing off and take this!”

“You’re leaving me out! I really hate you!”

“…..”

The dialogue sense, hmm….

Is this really….

Right?