Coffee... Coffee aliens...
They are black and live inside the coffee...
Mistaking coffee for noodle broth and getting into a fight with Mom...
Coffee economics expert...
Murder in a locked room while someone's concentrating and drinking coffee...
A stain from a coffee spill...
Office love... A black pearl hiding among coffee beans...
Onyx... Smuggling...
Good morning.
How's the progress of episode five looking?
Er... It's not what it looks like. This is...
You have a meeting for episode eleven's storyboards, too.
I'll Do My Best, Mustang!
The problem is episode thirteen, the last episode.
Yeah...
I managed to get episode twelve's script into manuscript checks, but...
What happens in the original story at that point?
I'm sorry.
I have Watanabe-san trying to find out, but...
"We'll leave it to you" is all I'm getting.
Maybe the author doesn't know, either.
That may be fine for the original story,
but anime doesn't work that way.
Now, now. Have some ice cream, Maitake-san.
Are you trying to tell me to cool down?
Huh? No, it's really good.
My personal favorite is Plateau Milk flavor.
Well, I'll have some.
So, how should we deal with this problem? What's the schedule?
It should be finalized by mid-September.
We're planning to have the storyboards up by October.
That's never going to happen. That's only two more weeks.
I'm so sorry. But there really is no time...
As it stands, we only have two months after
getting the storyboards up to deliver the final product.
Yet you're giving storyboards a month,
but so little time for me to finish.
We end up expecting a lot out of you because of who you are, Maitake-san.
We're counting on you.
Work faster, Director.
I'll do my best!
I'm not feeling your enthusiasm, fatso.
Wait! Did you just call me a fatso?
I may have, but I can't really remember.
But I lost 500...
Grams, right? That doesn't even count!
You can lose that much just by breathing.
What?! But I was eating this as a reward to myself...
What are you? An office lady?
You haven't even punished yourself in any way.
So, about the last episode...
Hey, we're back on topic.
I'd like to believe the editor's "We'll leave it to you"
and bring the scenario into order.
Yeah, but...
Um... Right now, Aria can't fly, right?
But in the end, she'll have to fly, right?
Well, if she doesn't, the story won't end.
Actually, maybe she shouldn't fly...
What?!
No!
No way!
I know you're going to want to let her fly while you're working on the storyboards.
In the original story, Aria hasn't flown for about half a year, right?
In the current arc, Cathy and the others are fighting against Bilder.
That sounds like it'll take a while.
Manga sure has it easy.
They can change things whenever they want.
Don't make this sound like someone else's problem.
It's obvious what they're going to do.
Aria will fly again, and they'll be victorious!
And then, the fight will continue.
You make it sound so easy.
Well, I think difficult matters should be explained as simply as possible.
I guess it's a matter of how Aria will come to feel like flying again.
That's just it! Aria lost her family, so flying is
the only meaning she has in life, right?
So the fact that she gave up on flying...
For the previous episodes, the whole lead-up to her not flying worked,
but with what happens next...
What should we do, Diesel-san?
Nope. I have no idea.
Hey!
If it were me, I'd never stop flying.
Especially knowing that if I gave it up, I'd have nothing left.
So I have no idea how she'd come to fly again.
What does it mean to fly, I wonder...
What does it mean? I'm not sure...
It must be difficult. I mean, I've never flown, but...
For us, I think it's just like
being asked why we make anime.
Oh, right! In that case, I'd understand.
Oh? Why are you making anime, Miyamori-san?
No, I just meant I understood the question, in that case...
As for why I make it, I'm not sure...
Yeah...
If someone asked me that out of the blue...
Why do you make anime, Director?
Huh? Me? Um...
Just because?
Huh?!
But I can't stop.
I wonder why.
What about you, Maitake-san?
I've never thought about an in-depth reason, either.
I was just trying to meet tomorrow's deadline,
and years ended up passing by.
Well, I guess I'd have to say it's for my livelihood.
In that case, wouldn't any job suffice?
That's right...
I wonder why I even picked a job like this.
"Like this"?!
I think I did it for the thrill.
Thrill?
I want to thrill the viewers,
and I want to thrill myself by making anime.
What's with the super cliché line? That's not like you at all.
Are you sure you didn't just want to become rich?
Of course I do! I do, but...
That itself wouldn't be much fun.
Anime is a less efficient investment than stocks.
You never know if you'll get a good project.
In fact, it's likely to be the opposite.
Seriously. I mean, you want to land a good project,
but that's not always the case...
You all have such different answers.
It's interesting.
Well, I'll at least try to establish the plot.
Thank you.
I'm really not confident about this, though.
Don't worry! We have faith in you!
We're counting on you!
You seriously make it sound so easy.
Maitake-san, I'm truly sorry.
It can't be helped. It's not your fault, Miyamori-chan.
More importantly, I have deadlines. Deadlines.
Ah, Master.
I told you, I'm not your master.
I did that assignment on coffee.
All right. The next subject will be fights. Five manuscript pages, and within 1,000 words.
Fights?
Reasons for, people involved, whatever.
Just write one scene involving a fight.
Roger!
Rii-chan, what was that about?
Um...
Something like writing training?
Coffee and fighting?
I had to think of twenty situations involving coffee.
Coffee alien. Normally a liquid.
Can turn into a gelatin and invade from inside the stomach...
Did you become Maitake-san's student?
No, he turned me down. He said he didn't take on students.
Nope. No Phantoms about it.
I'll do my best, Mustang!
Please, Messer!
Really? Schmitt?
Sukhoi! Sukhoi!
Let me warn you, Diesel-san. I don't take on students,
but...
He told me he'd give me a writing assignment.
Wow! That's great, Rii-chan.
You've taken the first step... No, third... Actually, maybe even the fourth.
I've still got a way to go...
We were talking about why we wanted to make anime earlier, right?
Yeah.
I believe
that you need a story.
Need? A story?
I know that there are people who don't need them...
Like my parents.
But I want to see the stories, and I want to create them.
Third Aerial Girls Squad
For me, there's no other reason than because I like it.
You just like BL, don't you?
I think that understanding the project and having the soul
to empathize with the characters is what 2D production is all about.
I believe it's a skill needed for production.
You're overrating yourself.
Takanashi-san, why are you making anime?
Well, isn't it obvious?
To, uh... take the world famous Japanimation, uh...
To exercise its potential for business...
You're just making stuff up, aren't you?
Well, it's fun.
That's it?
This business is filled with weirdos, isn't it?
Sloppy, immature, incredulous,
worthless pieces of trash.
But generally, they're all pretty much good people, so I think it works out.
I think I'm making anime
to confirm my existence.
Wow!
Man, that's grand.
That's what it means to be alive.
So I'm not going to pretend Jiggly Heaven didn't happen.
That show is a part of who I am, as well.
You must be a very positive person, Yamada-san.
Being arrogant isn't good,
but if you don't believe in yourself, who will?
I wonder what it is for me...
Maybe the reason I'm working on my current project
is because I can't wait to work on my next one.
What about you, Satou-san?
Do you have a reason?
Huh? I've never thought about it in depth,
but I think it's because I like it, too.
Huh? What? What's your moe?
That's not it. I like the atmosphere of the office.
Like the fact that we all work as one to complete something.
Is it really as one?
At a company like JusOn,
we had a lot of goals like making the customer happy,
increasing profits, and improving our likability.
On the other hand, with anime,
there's just the giant goal of completing the product.
I think everyone working so hard toward that goal is amazing.
Oh, I'm sorry.
Must be nice being a girl.
Huh?
If you give some guy googly eyes, you can get away with anything,
and everything goes the way you want.
There are plenty of people who are doing
their jobs properly and never get any chances.
Don't take this job so lightly, you newbie.
Must be nice being a girl...
Don't take this so lightly.
Are you stupid? What do you mean by, "take this lightly?"
Do you really think you can scare me with that?
Exactly that. This is why girls who aren't cute suck.
Girls just need to cooperate and agree to everything.
I wonder how I should spend the six hundred million I won in the lottery.
Maybe I'll start throwing bills off the top of a building.
I can't wait to see my daughter-in-law's crying face.
Feigning sleep is surprisingly pretty hard.
I just need to give this data to the transporter who will get on at the next station...
All right. That was a perfect act.
I guess it would end up this way... Yeah.
I think this is what would happen.
Really?
Yes.
Um...
I totally agree that
this is how it should happen,
but isn't it a bit heavy, schedule-wise,
to have it be all action from the end of the A part to the B part?
But it can't be helped, given where the story is heading.
Miyamori, could you email the plot to Yotaka Booksellers?
Sure.
This means I can start writing the scenario, right?
Please do!
Please.
Thanks for your hard work.
Oh? You had perfect attendance, but are you finally bailing?
I-I did it.
I did this.
What? Are you going to say you're not confident?
It's way too soon for that.
It's pretty graphic...
Master...
I'm not your master, but what?
I've...
never thought of you as a man!
What?!
I never thought about wanting
to work worrying about men and women,
and I'm not taking that for granted now, either.
Huh? What are you talking about?
Did someone say something weird to you?
Work is work.
That's all you need to know.
Musashino Animation
Also, redo this.
It's no fun just reading actual observations.
Could you tell me one more thing, Master?
I'm not your master, and what do you mean, "one more thing?"
Madoka-san,
how's episode seven's layout check going?
Can't you see I'm working on it?
It's a bit hard doing that and checking the key frames
for episode three right before cutting.
I'd like to return it to the key animators as soon as possible.
Huh?!
You brought me a mountain of cuts last night. Is that any way to talk to me?
Oh, sorry. But please hurry.
Hey, now. Does it look like I'm slacking?
Don't get testy.
It won't help to take it out on me.
Another retake.
Huh?! A re-retake?
There are notes inside. I apologize, but thank you very much.
Re-Retake Please draw everything more properly and nicely.
Come on, Madoka-san.
You realize that asking for more retakes would just mean strangling yourself, right?
People are going to quit if you ask like that.
That's fine.
Actually, I'd prefer it.
Huh?!
I'm telling you to make them quit. I don't want or need these.
What do you mean by that?
All of the animators you brought in with that smug face of yours.
Every last one of them. They're all useless.
All of them have brought me nothing but chicken scratches.
Then find some yourself!
Do your damn job!
You really are worthless, aren't you?
What?!
Why the hell are you working in production?
You always look bored out of your mind.
All your work is half-assed.
You always brag about all of the things you've done,
but do you think you can keep this career with how you work? Hell no!
Don't make me laugh!
An episode director shouldn't try to push responsibility onto a production assistant!
Stop acting all high and mighty! We're the same age!
Age has nothing to do with anything!
At this rate, it'd be more effective to have Tarou draw!
What's going on?!
Did you call?
You idiot! Stop them, Tarou!
I believe that violence is the absolute worst.
Be it direct or indirect,
violence is unacceptable, and I will not tolerate it.
Apologize! Let's all apologize to Okitsu-san! Okay?
We're sorry, Okitsu-san!
In my day, violence like this
happened every day, but...
You don't see it very often, nowadays.
I don't know how to drink green tea.
Just drink it however you like.
He hit the nail on the head.
That's why you got so upset.
If someone said something completely off-base, it shouldn't bother you.
Can I go now?
Are you not coming anymore, starting tomorrow?
That's not going to happen, is it, Hiraoka-kun?
Oh, there he is. The street fighter.
Not bad, Dai-chan.
That "bam" was something else!
Bam! Crash! So cool!
Tarou, seriously...
You weren't hurt, were you, Hiraoka-san?
Not really...
Madoka-san.
I'm sorry.
Yeah. I'm sorry, too.
Third Aerial Girls Squad
Please make sure all of the action flows together.
Like anyone would even notice any of this.
As long as everything above the neck is drawn correctly, the viewers will be happy.
How much effort you do or don't put into key animation doesn't matter.
Dif—
"Dif—"?
Finish your damn sentence!
Oh, thank goodness. I can go to the office tomorrow.
Yes?
Kunogi-san. How did you know where I lived?
Oh, did you ask Oi-chan?
Dis—
You're not disturbing me. What's up?
Kunogi-san!
Do you want to come in? My cold's mostly better.
Dif—
Yeah, there's a difference.
There's no way viewers wouldn't be able to tell.
It might be idealistic,
but I really believe that passion, determination,
and hard work truly show up on-screen.
So it's okay
to believe in yourself.
No. You need to properly dry your hair,
or you'll catch a cold. Hey!
I wonder what she's thinking about so hard.
Maybe it's about the fight from today.
Yeah, Madame Okitsu was pretty awesome.
Yeah, but that's not what I'm talking about.
Why not just let them fight?
They'll eventually get tired and quit.
Then it'd be a lawless zone.
Morning, Dai-chan!
We're buddies. Yeah, buddies.
What's with you?
You know, partners.
We're not partners.
About that...
The storyboards for episode twelve will be drawn
by both Yamada-san and Madoka-san.
I'd like both of you to be in charge of that, Takanashi-san and Hiraoka-san.
Huh?!
It was like, "bam!"
And "crash!"
That's pretty passionate. And then everything cooled back down, right?
Yes, sort of...
I don't think I can deal with any more trouble.
Do girls fight with each other at all-girl schools?
Maybe even some heated cat fights?
No, no. Not at all.
No falling-outs?
Well, maybe a little.
But even if there is a fight, both parties will act like it never happened,
and carry on into repairing their relationship.
Those are some serious people skills.
"Want some steamed sweet buns?" "Sure!"
That's about it.
Nah, you need donuts.
Donuts were a sign of making up.
Using that metaphor in real life... That's too high-skilled.
Speaking of which, in episode twelve, Cathy asks Aria
what she's going to do after this battle is over...
After this battle is over and the world is back to normal,
I've definitely gotta go back to Texas.
I'd definitely love to go back to the Conservatoire.
Though it'd probably be hard to get my body back to normal.
Tatiana wants to go see her grandma.
My grandma's homemade borscht and kasza...
Is your grandmother in good health?
She's okay. Tatiana believes that she's okay.
I see...
You seem like you'd have a very tough family.
What are you going to do?
I'm going to a spa at the Dead Sea.
You mean the one where you float?
Sounds wonderful. I'm jealous.
What are you going to do after this battle ends, Aria?
Huh?
You have something that you want to do, don't you?
Not really.
Nothing at all? You're joking.
What are you even fighting for, then?
But that's somehow very like you.
For Cathy, she was just asking her
about her future and dreams.
But for Aria, it pierced her heart.
Oh, I see! Aria probably thought Cathy was saying,
"Why are you even fighting? You've got no reason to."
That must be it!
Huh? Is Aria that weak?
If it were episode one, it might be believable,
but this is the same Aria who ate the horribly boiled spinach
that Cathy made without saying anything.
I believe that Aria was hurt by Cathy's words,
and she was shocked that she was actually hurt.
The Ice Doll is wavering...
That's why she stopped flying.
I'm...
quitting.
If that's the case, when Cathy understands Aria's feelings,
what kind of conversation could they have to make Aria feel better?
What would Cathy say? What about Aria?
Maitake-san, should we put this situation in episode thirteen?
Huh? But at this rate, wouldn't it be too direct?
"My friends in the battle are in a pinch, so I have to save them."
That'd be the easy way of doing it.
The easy way isn't bad, but this is Aerial Girls.
Let's do a bit more.
I agree! If possible,
I'd like the acting to take place through expressions rather than dialogue.
Having no dialogue would be a bit rough.
It'll be short and direct.
All right, Diesel-san. Try writing the dialogue that would take place here.
Huh?!
Maitake-san...
If I write it, I have a feeling it would end up too stiff.
Of course, I'll do the rewrite afterwards.
I'll do it!
The first draft for the last episode of Aerial Girls is up.
I don't think I'm better because I'm a girl, nor do I take this job lightly.
Whatever.
Not to mention, not a single line I wrote
ended up being used in the final.
When spring comes, let's go find some newborn calves.
The mother cow will be watching nearby, so it'll be easy to find them.
Newborn calves are a bit slimy and wobbly.
First, we have to wipe their noses and mouths,
and make sure there's no amniotic fluid or amnion left on them.
It'll be fine. They'll stand up quickly.
If we find one that's separated from its mother,
we have to hurry and wrap it in a blanket. Tightly.
When they're hugged, they feel at ease.
Don't worry... I'm fine.
So...
Promise me, Aria.
Promise me we'll go find some calves.
I don't...
I don't have anything that I want to do.
I don't know if I'll ever find anything, either.
But if everyone else has something they want to do,
I can
support them.
Yes, this is Musani.
Miyamori, the production desk?
She seems to be a bit busy... sir.
Next time on Shirobako: "Don't Hold the Quality Hostage."
Don't Hold the Quality Hostage