Skip Street Happy New Year
Happy New Year, everyone.
Happy New Year.
Indeed.
Exodus!
Well, since this is the beginning of a new year,
I wanted to do a proper greeting.
Last year we produced Exodus,
and, being Musashino Animation's first project in a while,
we were able to maintain our honor.
And this year, we will be producing Yotaka Bookshop's top publication,
Third Aerial Girls Squad
as a 13-episode cour.
It will be airing in October.
Wait, "Third"?
We don't have too much time in our scheduling, but...
Third Aerial Girls Squad?! Seriously?!
How? How'd we get it?! You're kidding! Hell yeah!
Takanashi-kun, quiet.
If possible, I would have liked to have a year before it airs,
but the condition was we have it ready for the fall.
It'll be a bit tight, but I'm counting on you all.
I see... so Aerial Girls is coming to Musani... No, to me.
The time's finally come for Musani...
No, my time's finally come.
I'm sure that if Yano were here,
she wouldn't hesitate to lay it into Tarou.
Yano-san... It's a bit lonely without her.
Her father's condition isn't stable yet.
Today's Birthdays: Miyuki
Honda-kun has found a new goal and left Musani,
but Yano-kun is just taking some time off.
She'll be back eventually.
And so, let's go all the way towards the future this year.
Take off!
Yeah!
Yeah...
What did you want to talk about, all of a sudden?
I want to talk to you about how we're going forward with Aerial Girls.
Are we going to go meet the author?
Are you asking me to go with you because you're nervous to go yourself?
After talking with several people,
I think I'm going to have Miyamori on production desk.
Huh?!
Sure, why not?
Huh?
Please wait a second, Watanabe-san.
I'm just a newbie who'll be hitting her second year anniversary as of spring...
Who else is there?
Not to mention Takanashi-san's been in this career longer, even if it's just a month...
Nay.
I'm aiming for nothing other than director,
so I don't have time to be the desk.
Er, the director will be Kinoshita Seiichi.
What?! Seriously?! It's not going to be me?
Also, for the rest of the in-office staff, we'll mostly be going with the same staff as Exodus.
All right.
What am I supposed to do?
You're the head production assistant.
I'm planning to bring someone who has experience in February,
and in spring, there'll be two new recruits.
Until then, do your best solo.
Huh. Head production assistant?
Solo? I like the sound of that.
Um, Watanabe-san, what exactly does the production desk do?
Everything.
Huh?!
The person who makes the project is the director.
The one who runs everything on-site is the desk.
So you'll be in charge of everything.
First, you'll layout the entire schedule.
Air Date: October 1st
It's a bit early to decide the timeframe,
but keep in mind that it'll start airing on October 1st.
So the most severe things you have to think about are the post-production schedule,
dubbing, after-recording, and the cutting time.
Calculate backwards from the delivery day and figure out the dates.
Then, the staffing.
Storyboard writers, episode directors, animation supervisors, and collecting the key frames.
Key Animators
Storyboard Writers
Episode Directors
Animation Supervisors
And then...
W-Wait one second! Please!
You'll need to immediately have meetings with the director for the character designs and art direction,
and this series will be 3D-heavy, so we need to list that out.
Then, in accordance with that, you'll manage the orders and scheduling.
At the same time, you'll have to make a synopsis of the story
as well as relationship charts to hand out to the various departments,
and get together things to keep in mind for the animation supervisor and episode directors.
Also, you'll have newbies coming in the spring,
so you'll have to chart out the work flow to give them and
3D... relationship charts...
give them a list of rules they'll have to follow in production. That is all.
Things to keep in mind...
At least for when we're just starting out.
Starting out?!
Once we're actually in production, you'll be even busier.
Damn, that's rough.
Miyamori, did you read the original work?
I'm sorry, just the first volume so far.
Volume four just came out, so read them all as soon as possible.
Also, before you lay out the schedule,
talk with the director and think up a strategy for the project as a whole.
Strategy... Right!
Well, I'm counting on you.
W-W-Wait! Wait, Watanabe-san!
You haven't said the important thing yet!
What about the cast? The voice actors?
Oh... I think we'll probably have auditions in mid-February.
We need to hurry.
Leave it to me!
Takanashi Tarou's voice actor database will be on fire!
Nah, it doesn't need to be on fire.
Then could I at least sit in on the audition?
Could I be an observer?
Or just watch?!
What Kind of Cloud Do You Like?
Third Aerial Girls Squad 3
What?
"One day, a giant tower was built on the land"?
It's totally sci-fi. Yep, sci-fi.
So the usual mecha and cute girls. That's safe.
But the girls are cute.
You're totally a loli! Loliroro!
I'm not a loli...
I'm going to call you "Loli" from now on rather than Roro.
I'm not a loli!
She's crying! She's totally crying, reading a manga!
Come on, leave her alone.
What? Why are you crying?
Because... Aria-chan...
Listen! Listen to my favorite lines!
First, chapter two!
Tatiana's tearful "Spasíbo!"
Tatiana's such a good girl!
Next, in chapter three, Cathy and Noah—
I'm sorry, I tried making a simple schedule,
but we're already short on time.
And then, I like...
Please look at it carefully!
I am...
You may have forgotten, Director...
But in Exodus, we got pretty far ahead on production,
but then you didn't like the character portrayals,
and you ordered redos quite often...
"Ordered"? You make it sound so harsh...
And so, this time, I'd like to hear
out your thoughts completely.
Thoughts?
What you want to do with Third Aerial Girls Squad.
How you want to make it.
Aren't you being a bit hard on me, Miyamori?
I'd like you to be a bit nicer...
Man, that just means that she's already gaining her production desk personality.
Great job! You're a natural-born production desk!
Yamada-san, Madoka-san!
If the director gets off his game, you two are the ones who'll suffer most.
Do you realize that?
Yes, ma'am!
1.4 Million Copies Sold!!
Um, so... what was it?
What I want to do?
Yes.
Well, I want to exceed the expectations,
without betraying them.
Huh?
Well, we are basically borrowing someone else's work.
I want to be the one who knows the most about Third Aerial Girls Squad,
also known as Aerial Girls, after the author,
and deliver its best things and its strong points to the fans.
Oh... That was much more serious than I expected, so I just...
But I am serious! There's nothing unexpected about it.
Oh, I'm sorry. It really was surprising...
She just said "surprising" again.
In short,
I want everyone to be happy.
You know, a win-win situation.
"Win-win"?
And I want to be complimented in the end.
What? Come on, now, guys. Wanting compliments is important.
Right...
Don't worry. I'm not asking for meaningless compliments.
But I want to make a series that would be worthy of compliments,
and then get the compliments that I deserve.
So, win-win.
Stop. Don't repeat it, I'm getting embarrassed.
Then, Director, please make everyone happy.
Huh? What was that? A reverse proposal?
No!
Well, production and the director are
on the same boat, and share the fate.
In other words, like a married couple, so that's not exactly wrong.
Huh?
In poor times, tough times, and sad times...
And when you're overwhelmed by debt and attempt a double suicide,
you hold each other up and help each other out.
I'm sorry, a "double suicide"?
When are the happy times coming?
Hm...
I'm not sure...
Don't worry.
The storyboard and directing staff are top-notch,
and filming is Sakura, who's safe but up for challenges.
3D is the young and energetic Shimoyanagi,
and the character designer is the highly-acclaimed Gothloli-sama.
This is truly the Musani dream team!
I'm terribly sorry, but I must decline.
Huh?
I'm truly sorry, but I cannot accept the job this time.
Wait, why? Why? What is your reason?
The pay? Musani? You don't like the original story?
I know! You have another project...
Could it be me?
No. After helping Sugie-san with the key frames for the final episode of Exodus,
I'm finally beginning to see my task.
I am considering going back to my roots
as an animator, and relearning the basics and bettering my craft.
What? But once you've reached the level that you're at,
you don't need any more training...
That is unacceptable.
Character design and key animation
are two completely seperate jobs.
Well, that's true, but...
But there isn't anyone else, Ogasawara-san...
I have a worthy candidate that I would like to nominate.
Character design? Me?!
I understand Iguchi-san's work more than anyone else.
If I am to nominate someone, there would be no other.
What? But what about Endou-san? He's been doing this longer than me.
But he's more about effects than moe.
The original work is filled with girls, so it's better if the character designer is a girl.
Then what about Segawa-san?
Is there a reason you'd be declining this offer, Iguchi-san?
I'm not exactly declining, but... This is a big title, right?
Musani's fate is riding on this, right?
I've never done character design.
There is a first time for everything.
Yeah, but...
Though I may not be much help, I shall be acting as your support.
Iguchi-sa—
I also think that if you do the character designs, Iguchi-san,
the Aerial Girls anime will be something totally new and great.
You say that, but...
I always thought while watching you work
that your key frames were always so lively.
Your lines are so vivid, and when you draw them,
you seem to be having so much fun.
That, combined with Aerial Girls...
I'd love to see what happens.
Myamorin... You got really good at compliments.
I'm serious!
Third Aerial Girls Squad
If you'll give me the chance... I'd be thankful.
I'll do my best. Yeah!
160 Seats
Set Menu
And so, we will be moving
the hell out of all the fighter jets in 3D.
At the same time, I'd like to really concentrate on the backgrounds, too.
Atsumi Yuuji Art Director
The sky and clouds... To be able to get psychological description just from that.
That's the kind of art I'd like to see from you, Atsumi-san.
A psychological description...
Yes!
What kind of cloud do you like, Director?
Cloud?
Yes.
Um... Cumulonimbus?
And maybe mackerel sky?
Is that the same as cirrocumulus clouds?
I think so...
Cumulonimbus...
There's something about cumulonimbus that really makes you want to draw.
Right?
So, what kind of cumulonimbus?
If you think of summer in anime, all you see is cumulonimbus.
You always add in cumulonimbus clouds and cicadas crying.
Don't you think that kills the imagination?
Um... yes... maybe?
If were to perhaps do it as some kind of symbolism, then I think that's all right...
But when I just see some randomly drawn cloud, it really irritates me.
Uh... Right...
What kind of cloud do you think would be
a perfect psychological description of this moment?
Well, uh...
Ones that could envelop dark clouds?
I'm sorry! I didn't think that deeply about this.
Um... It might be rude to ask this,
but what is the appeal of clouds to you, Atsumi-san?
By that, I mean clouds themselves,
and drawing them as art.
That's...
I messed up...
It's fine.
He just asked to give him some time to think of the answer.
That's usually the flag signaling they're declining.
Really?
I think when people like Atsumi-san are about to decline, that's exactly when you have to pull them.
You think so?
Yes! I'm going to try to contact him again next week.
Right. I'm counting on you, Desk.
Desk? What position would that be for a normal job?
Senior staff? Chief clerk?
I'm not sure, but maybe it is.
Does your pay go up?
I'm not sure, but apparently I get some kind of "desk compensation."
That sounds pretty random.
I'm not sure, but I'll be getting a lot more work than before.
Does she still have hakusai cabbage and mandarin oranges?
Mom's asking if you still have hakusai cabbages and mandarin oranges.
I do! I just got some from New Year's!
I'm gonna be really busy now, so I don't think I'll be able to cook at home much.
Yeah, I know. I'll be careful.
Okay, bye!
Introductions to Fighter Jets
Oi-chan-senpai!
Rii-chan?! You scared me!
Diesels again?
No, it's something else today.
Planes...?
Yeah. The ones that fight with each other.
Apparently they're called fighter jets.
Wow, that sounds interesting.
What? I don't get it at all.
Other than fighter jets, there are attack aircraft,
bombers, and spy planes.
And apparently they're all different.
Wow, that's so detailed.
Apparently there are generations, too.
You mean like the carefree generation?
Apparently they're called, like, the third generation.
Huh... So then there was a first and second generation, too?
I think so.
I have to gather all the materials by sometime this week,
But I don't know where to start, or even what everything is...
Oi-chan-senpai,
if something like a report would suffice, I'll gather the information for you.
What? Really? Oh, uh,
I appreciate the help, but I can't really accept outside help...
So this is confidential task, right?
I'll just gather information on fighter jets, and not ask about anything else.
Can you? It seems like it'd be tough, on top of being vague.
So a third generation of some fighter jet, right?
First I'll make an overview. I think I can manage that much.
Also, I just realized
I love learning things that I don't know anything about.
Huh...
It sort of feels like I'm one step closer to my dream.
Your dream?
We all said in the anime club that we'd make an anime together, remember?
Oh, right.
You and the others are working so hard in the anime world.
I don't know if it's that hard or not, but...
You're totally different from me.
I'm still mooching off of my parents.
I was actually panicking a little.
It's still early! You haven't even started yet.
That's why I want to hurry and start.
You have an audition. February 9th.
What?
At R&B Studio.
The time's written there.
Hello, it's a pleasure speaking with you again.
This is Hidaka from Aka Oni Productions.
Yes.
Third Aerial Girls Squad Audition Manuscript
This is Aerial Girls.
It's already being turned into an anime?
Congrats! Well, come on, cheers!
Thank you. I totally failed last time,
so I didn't think I was going to get another chance for a while...
Or maybe I'm just going because they need a certain turnout.
Of course not!
The agency as well as the clients don't have time for that.
I'm sorry.
What you lack is confidence and resolve.
I have no confidence...
Failure is important, too.
If young 'uns don't hold on to baseless confidence, what else do they have?
Get a grip!
Right.
Hey, is that a personal decision?
Well, I am the one who appointed you,
and if Ogasawara-san isn't going to take the job,
Iguchi-san is a great alternative, but at least discuss it with me first.
What?
I said we'd be going with the same group as Exodus, didn't I?
Making changes like that at our level
due to personal reasons is unheard of.
There are cases where we were only accepted because of the staff,
so in the worst case scenario, if we can't deliver, the whole project might be called off.
I'm so sorry!
What should I do?
First, I'll go talk to Katsuragi-san.
What is it? Something good? Something bad?
And have Iguchi finish something real quick. I don't care if it's a rough draft.
Right.
Also, from now on, call and email me every day.
I'll be sure to check them.
You can do it, Desk.
That's Noah, from Aerial Girls.
Or, well, it's supposed to be.
Man, I really didn't think it'd be this hard.
What? But it looks really cute.
But right now, I'm just sort of copying the original work.
I still have to make reference points so that
any animators can draw her, so it's really hard.
I've got a long road ahead of me.
Reference points...
Yep. For example, here.
In the original work, the placement of the nose is
different in the face looking straight on, and the profile.
I'm having a hard time showing that on the character design.
The nose?
Mangas are two-dimensional,
but we have to make them move in the third dimension in anime.
Good morning.
I know, right? I totally get that, but...
It's essentially an imitation.
Imitation?
You look at the original artwork, and draw it with your own hands.
You keep repeating that process, and make it your own.
If you draw it that many times, and can't make it your own,
then you cannot do character design.
Yotaka Bookshop Main Office
Hello, sorry about that.
My last meeting ran a little late.
My name is Katsuragi from Western Entertainment,
and I will be handling the management for Third Aerial Girls Squad.
I'm Chazawa, and I'm in charge of Aerial Girls.
Chazawa Shinsuke Yotaka Bookshop Editor
Sorry, I'm out of business cards right now.
Not a problem.
And he's in charge of Director Kinoshita Seiichi and the script wri—
Oh, before you go on, I have to apologize.
Funny story, Sensei won't be able to make it today.
What?
He got stuck working longer on the comic, so he said he wouldn't be able to make it.
In order to properly run operations on our part,
we wanted to meet the creator and get his approval to carry on.
Nah, I think you can just go ahead.
That's not really possible...
Sensei is really busy, too.
He doesn't have the time to fuss over the anime.
Not to mention, funny story,
this is the second time Sensei's dealt with his work becoming an anime,
so I think he's used to it.
This is the staff that I'm thinking about going with.
TV Animation Third Aerial Girls Squad Project Plans
You know, funny story, I think that'll be fine.
If you have any requests, right now would be...
Yeah, I don't think he has any.
Sorry, funny story,
I booked another appointment at 4:00 PM, so I need to excuse myself.
Oh, hello!
It'll be a pleasure working with you...
See you later.
Oh, it's nothing. You're totally fine.
I couldn't get a single word in.
Me neither.
Whoa!
It's the real thing!
Director, the original story is heading into
the climax of the Great Chofu Battle arc,
but how did you want to handle that?
I'm thinking that we can totally drop
the battle arc and go for something completely original.
But will things get settled in the fifth volume that's coming out next?
Yeah, I'm not sure.
Right...
If the original work is going to continue, are we going to do a BOFC ending?
BOFC?
"But our fight continues."
But you know, I'd rather have the feeling that it's over...
You know, catharsis.
So we'd be going for an original ending?
No, we should stick to the story.
Roger.
We need to go to Ibaraki as well.
Ibaraki? Why's that?
The materials said that there was a Phantom II in Ibaraki.
You wrote that, didn't you, Miyamori?
Oh, actually... my junior who did all the research on
diesel trains gathered up all the materials for the fighter jets...
Oh, I didn't mention the title or anything to her though.
Ah, so it's Diesel-san.
That's why it's so high-quality. It's really easy to understand.
Is she a military otaku?
No, she's just a normal college student. She was my junior in high school.
What the heck? You mean Diesel-san is a female college student?
Huh? Oh, yes, she is.
Seriously? She's not even a military otaku and managed to research this much?
And she's a girl?
That's a sexist remark, Director.
She apparently likes to research things.
I'm sure she'd be really happy to hear that you
and Maitake-san complimented her.
In that case, could we ask for a little more?
Pardon?
I really want to research it myself,
but I just don't have the time, and the internet has its limits.
For example, the differences between black-out, white-out, and red-out.
The subjects they have to study in training and
maybe even actual textbooks they have to use.
The details of the process of going through a scramble.
Also, I'd like to get as much jargon that a pilot would say as possible.
That might actually differ between countries, though.
Black... Text...
Oh, I'll email it to you later.
So, Maitake-san, as for the ending...
Yes?
I think the most logical thing to do is leave the last two episodes blank,
and wait until the absolute last minute to see how the original story goes.
Hmm... I wonder if we'd be able to wrap it up with just two episodes.
You could do it, Maitake-san.
I'm pretty sure that Nogame-sensei won't be able to come to a script reading,
but maybe his editor could?
I'll have Watanabe-san give them a call.
Roger. Anyway, let's go with that for now.
Yeah, I think that's great! Let's go with this.
Thank goodness!
I was getting worried. Sorry it's so last minute.
No, I'm impressed that you were able to
get this close to the original work.
All right. I'll hand it to Watanabe-san immediately, so we can get it to the author.
Yeah, thanks.
Iguchi-san, about what's next...
I know. Sub characters, right?
Yes.
Bring 'em on!
Third Aerial Girls Squad Audition Manuscript
Yes, this is Watanabe at Musani.
Oh, thank you for the other day.
Sorry to take advantage of your hospitality.
Next time on Shirobako: The Ruthless Audition Meeting.
The Ruthless Audition Meeting