Hmm... To express myself?
I want to make something that I'll want to watch myself.
I want to make a company like Pexar in Japan.
I'll strike out on my own someday!
I've liked coloring ever since I was a kid.
I'm just continuing to do what I like.
It kept getting more and more fun, until I couldn't stop.
A ten-year-old boy
continues to live in my heart.
Anima—
And you?
What's your reason?
Because she ate too many donuts.
That has nothing to do with anything.
I see you're working hard.
Don't Hold the Quality Hostage
Don't Hold the Quality Hostage!
The dubbing's done... So can I go home now?
There are still post-dubbing retakes that need to be done, aren't there?
Dubbing for episode five is done.
Thank you!
Thanks for your hard work.
Thanks!
I'm pretty drained
from trying to steer the ship away from the iceberg.
Iceberg?
Oh, episode five was from Titanic!
That place seriously doesn't understand
how important the color is to dubbing.
How is it important?
If there's no color, it's hard to dub sound in
because of the lack of information.
Walking on dirt doesn't make the same sound as walking on concrete.
Oh, that's true!
If it's left as a rough draft, it's also hard to gauge the timing of detailed movements.
So the picture and sound become discombobulated.
Exactly. Here, Myamori.
The episode eleven storyboards, fresh off the drawing board.
They're already done?!
You worked with Iketani-san, right?
He's famous for taking at least three months to even finish a single episode.
He even said himself that it was a new record.
What trick did you use?
I just smiled at him, that's all.
Like the North Wind and the Sun, huh?
I guess people are weak to kindness, after all.
And Yano-san's smile multiplies fear.
Does it?
I'm sorry! I'll watch what I say!
Now, once we're through the director's check, all of episode eleven will be done.
To get some coloring done before dubbing...
will require some serious infiltration tactics.
Hey, Miyamori.
Chazawa-san sent his reaction to episode thirteen's scenario.
He said we can proceed with it.
Yotaka Booksellers Chazawa Re: Episode 13 Scenario To: Musashino Animation Watanabe
I think this is fine, so, funny story, go ahead and proceed. Chazawa
Then I'll have them get into storyboarding right away.
The end is finally in sight.
I'll ask the director to try to get the storyboards done
in the four weeks left before the end of next month.
Even if that gets done in time, we'll only have about six weeks until delivery...
Um...
Will the last episode be ready on time with this schedule?
It's the job of the production assistant to make sure it gets done on time!
The ones who have to work hard to finish on time aren't us,
but the animation directors and everyone actually working on the anime, right?
I just end up working hard so everyone else can work hard,
or something...
So, Myamori,
who's going to be in charge of the last episode?
Normally, it'd be me since I'm the lead production assistant,
but I've got episode twelve.
Going by the rotation, it'll be Satou-san.
Huh?
I won't be able to help you, but I can listen if you want.
I won't need you to listen, so please just help.
Right.
I need some time to think about who's in charge of the last episode.
Studio Kanabun
Shimoyanagi-san just contacted us.
They were wondering if we could do this scene here.
The baby boar moves up. It doesn't understand the situation at all. If we can, please do full 3D. The F1 speeds up.
A baby boar?
Right. The scene where the baby boar that Aria saved is in the jet.
I'd like you to do this motion, Toudou-san.
What?
Not just the motion of the jet, but of the character, too?
It's a zoomed-out shot, so the movements can be basic.
Aria is the protagonist, right? Are you sure I can do it?
In fact, I need you to do it.
All right. Please allow me to do it.
I'm counting on you.
The scene where the baby boar goes berserk in Aria's cockpit...
We'd love to have you work on this scene, Sugie-san.
Oh, sure.
I haven't drawn boars in years, though.
There are cuts with just the character, too?
Wouldn't the younger folks
be better at drawing characters like these?
Yasuhara-san, would you draw this with me?
What? Are you sure?
I'd love to have you do it,
but you also have cuts for episode nine, don't you?
I'm waiting on the layout backgrounds,
so I can probably finish while I'm waiting.
Thanks!
How's the A part going, Madoka-san?
Yamada-san finished episode twelve's B part.
It'll be done by the end of today... I think.
So episode twelve's storyboards should be done by tomorrow.
You and Hiraoka are in charge of that, right?
Yep! I'm in charge of the A part, and Dai-chan's on the B part.
Will you guys be okay?
Come on, now. We're Musani's prized golden duo!
We're the ultimate buddies.
Hey, is Miyamori-san here?
She's not in the office right now.
I beg your pardon, but may I ask who you are?
I'm Miyamori-san's boyfriend.
Huh?!
I'm kidding. I'm Isokawa from A.C Tsuchinoko.
Oh, the company in charge of finishing episode twelve.
Hello, Isokawa-san.
Here are the episode ten supervising animator cuts.
It must be rough, having the president bring them himself.
President?!
Yeah. I'm in charge of production, and I'm also the president.
Isokawa Hisamitsu A.C Tsuchinoko President
It's only been a year since I started the company, so I don't have many employees.
We're not a big company like Musani.
I don't think we're a big company.
Hey, you look like someone who takes her job seriously.
We're hiring production assistants right now. How about it?
You'd work for free—
I respectfully decline.
I'm kidding. Kidding.
Hey, it's Daisuke.
Huh?
Hey.
I thought you were at Kimon Pro.
That was the company I was at before my last one.
Um, do you two know each other?
We went to technical school together.
What?
We even made a graduation production project together.
Yeah...
Huh? So that means Daisuke
and Erika from our class both work at Musani?
Erika... You mean Yano-san?
Yeah. I went to school with her, as well.
I had no idea!
So, Daisuke.
I forgot whether I told you or not, but I started a company last year.
I know.
Give me your business card.
I'm out right now.
Ah, Isokawa-kun.
Hey, speak of the devil.
Erika, how have you been?
Pretty good, President.
You don't need to call me that. We're not at some bar.
I heard your dad collapsed. Is he okay?
He managed to recover.
I see. Glad to hear it.
I was pretty sure you'd be back, though.
I don't know how to do anything else.
Once things calm down, I'll come visit your company.
Sure. You should come, too, Daisuke.
Unfortunately, unlike you, Mr. President,
I don't have a lot of time on my hands.
What the heck?
Come on! Help me out, for free.
Um, apparently, he's kidding.
I know.
Well, when you have time, let's go out to eat somewhere.
Yeah, sounds good. I'll look forward to it.
Your treat, of course.
Hey, cut me some slack.
Ema-senpai, Zuka-chan-senpai,
sorry to call you out on a Sunday.
No problem.
Sundays don't matter at my job, and I didn't have any plans.
But what does creating motion have to do with amusement par—
It's a scene where the protagonist is in her jet
that can speed up or turn around instantly!
I s-s-see!
I'm so happy I'll be working on the same scene as you, Mii-chan.
It'll be the first time you guys actually work together...
Did this help?
Sorry to have you go again...
No problem.
One time wasn't enough for us, either. Right?
Right...
Oh, yeah, Ema, could you tell me Aria's line?
I can't see, baby boar.
I can't see, baby boar!
I'm so sorry...
Are you all right?
Thanks. Seriously, don't worry, Mii-chan.
I've never actually gotten motion sickness before.
But if I ever get a scene like that, I'll nail it.
Same here! I now have a good idea how people look when they're scared.
I hope you'll be able to make a great scene.
I'll do my best to make it!
And I'll do my best to draw it.
Then, can we ride it again?
Huh?
What do you think will be a hit this season?
I think Guncolle.
Come on, now. Let's be confident and say it's our Aerial Girls!
So you worked at that studio, as well?
Yeah. You can still see where it blew up in the microwave.
I'm thinking about buying a hybrid bike.
I'm thinking about buying my own personal bat.
Ner—
Yeah, it's always nerve-wracking when it airs.
This is one thing that never changes.
Hey, where's Nabe-P?
At Tenpai, probably. For crying out loud...
Don't worry about him.
As long as he brings in the work, we're good.
Why did you put fried chicken in your curry, Director?
The comments have already started.
You don't have to tell me that.
Madoka, you spend too much time on the Internet.
Satou-san, Andou-san, there's still plenty of curry.
Thank you!
Just twenty more seconds. Shall we create a hashtag and tweet?
We don't need the Internet!
I hope no one will say the key animation is off...
As long as you've done your best, that's all that matters.
What are you talking about? Episode one looks awesome!
This is Musani's best project ever!
Episode one, which I,
Takanashi Tarou, was in charge of, is filled with my passion,
blood, sweat, and te—
Shut up!
You can be quiet for eternity.
Mean...
A Certain Shrine's Pumpkin
Now on sale!
It's started!
Yeah...
We'll make sure, then get it back.
Get it back?
You're going to try to land?
That's impossible in this situation!
Sponsors: Western Entertainment Bukkomi Games Gorioshi Music
This program was brought to you by the following sponsors.
We ranked number one in the keyword ranking!
I've shut down all other information, so don't tell me that!
There's plenty of curry, everyone. Eat up.
Heck, yeah! I'll have more.
Oh, I'll have more, too.
Next week will be episode two. It goes by so fast.
What did you think?
It was moving!
It was amazing.
That's the same thing Myamori once said.
There were thousands, millions of others watching with us, weren't there?
I don't think there were that many.
Yeah, the reason the first episode aired
with no problems is because I worked so hard.
Whenever I ask for something,
people are like, "I can't decline if you're asking, Tarou-chan."
Not only do they make the deadlines,
but everyone finishes early and says, "Tarou-chan, hurry and pick them up!"
That's the kind of person I want to become.
Please become that person.
Let's do it!
Segawa-san Incoming Call
Could you take Hiraoka-kun off the episodes I'm in charge of?
What?
The key animators he gets always do iffy work.
I won't see him for two or three days, then he suddenly shows up with all the cuts.
When I ask for retakes, he gives me grief.
Worst of all is how he thinks that if he brings the necessary number, nothing else matters.
At this point, I'm starting to think Tarou-kun would be better.
Oh, I'm just saying, if I had to choose.
Anyway, could you not assign him to me anymore?
I understand what you're saying, Segawa-san.
Please let me talk to him.
What did you want to talk about?
I've gotten complaints about you from animation supervisors and episode directors.
And?
Please deliver cuts as they come up every day.
If you need more key animators, please let me know.
There are enough. What are you talking about?
I'm saying there aren't enough key animators that
the supervising animators and episode directors approve of.
Don't talk like you're above me.
You only became the production desk because there was no one else.
Please think about the quality of the work, and not just getting it done.
Don't hold the quality hostage!
Everyone only cares about the time their own work takes,
and doesn't consider anyone else's jobs.
And yet if the schedule falls behind, it's all production's fault!
If you think like that, I believe it shows up in the work.
It does not!
If you tried to do this job properly, you wouldn't last!
Then why do you continue doing this job, Hiraoka-san?
Well, if I've gotten complaints,
you can get someone else.
All right, all right.
Time for dinner, Kemeko.
What Hiraoka-kun was like in school?
Yes.
What was he like?
Both Hiraoka-kun and Isokawa-kun
were insistent that they wanted to work in anime, no matter what.
Huh?
Both of them came in after college, so they were both older than me.
Isokawa-kun didn't come to classes much,
but Hiraoka-kun was serious about it.
Serious...
He had leadership ability, too,
and directed everyone during the cultural festival.
He was so determined,
and would always passionately talk about what kind of shows he wanted to work on.
You're wondering, "Then why?" Aren't you?
Huh? Oh, no...
The more serious someone is,
the more likely they are to be hurt and lose hope when they learn what the reality is.
I came into this business just because,
and am continuing just because...
So I can't blame Hiraoka-kun for how he is.
Because I know how he used to be.
If we were to let Hiraoka-kun go right now,
I feel like it'll be over for him.
What?
It could be that in production, having a screw or two loose
actually helps yourself and the people around you.
I'm not sure if it applies when you have three or four loose like Tarou, though.
Did you call?
No.
A.C Tsuchinoko
Pardon me.
Combustible Garbage
Oh, Miyamori-san?
Did you come looking for a job here?
No, I've brought correction sheets.
Oh, thanks. Well, at least have some tea.
Huh?
Since you came, I'm assuming something happened.
Sorry I don't have a better place.
Not at all. Thank you.
By the way, that one guy quit Musani, didn't he?
Do you mean Ochiai-san?
The "I'm out of ideas!" guy.
Oh, Honda-san?
Yeah, Honda-san.
He's working at a cake shop nearby now.
Oh, so he was serious about that.
You knew about that?
Yeah. When I was starting up my company, he gave me some advice.
And he introduced me to some people, too.
I see...
It's true in Honda-san's case, too...
At first, you're working so hard, and then after a while, you wonder
if you should even continue.
I'm thinking about that lately, as well.
Huh? Seriously? If you want to change jobs, you should do that early on.
No, no. I don't want to quit.
I came into this business with just
the desire to make anime.
I'm just wondering what I should do in the future.
Oh, totally the same.
I can't draw at all, but I wanted to make anime.
I became a production assistant and worked hard on the projects in front of me,
but ended up in awe at how amazing and passionate some creators were.
I wanted to do something to help nurture their talents,
so I started thinking about how I could do that.
So, I realized that what I could do for creators
was to make a place for them.
That's why I started my company.
Huh? Did I just say something serious?
You and Hiraoka-san are complete opposites.
Huh?
Hiraoka-san was
very angry at the creators.
If he was just angry, he would have quit this job a long time ago.
But I think he understands
that without them, animation can't be made.
I think he still has some respect for them.
Respect for their ability to make something with such high impact and quality.
Quality...
How do you balance quality with the schedule you're given, Isokawa-san?
I search together with creators for goals
that we can all agree with,
and I think it's important to look for flaws, too.
The smallest thing can tell a creator if we in production
are taking quality seriously or not.
Everyone is fighting to make a great project.
Huh? Did I just say something serious again?
Hurry up and finish your work!
I can't do this anymore!
I've had enough of these ridiculous schedules!
Here's some coffee.
I'm sorry. Let's do our best together.
Okay!
If only things went this smoothly...
I wonder what I can do...
I'll talk to Segawa-san, so I'd like you and Takanashi-san
to continue working on episode twelve.
However, please talk about the key frames with Segawa-san and Yamada-san.
Please deliver cuts every day, as soon as they're done.
Also, please be sure to communicate clearly
with Segawa-san and the others.
All right.
You know, we really wanted to work on Aerial Girls.
You totally stole it.
I think you should come up with
a new project instead of complaining to me.
What the heck? Are you lecturing me?
You've grown up, Watanabe.
If I had grown up, I would've declined this invitation, Inami-san.
What? Do you not like drinking with us?
That's not it.
And after all we did for you when you were new.
By the way, I watched all of Exodus.
I could see the director, but I couldn't see you at all.
You need to put more of your soul in your work.
By the way, I heard you had some production people quit,
but the first episode of Aerial Girls seemed fine.
Our production desk is working really hard.
She's still new, in her second year.
Oh, I think she mentioned that she failed her interview at The Born.
Huh? What's her name?
Her name's Miyamori Aoi...
Oh, I think I remember her.
I don't remember her at all.
She was the girl who was shaking because you threatened her, Inami-san.
I didn't threaten her! Right?
You're asking the wrong person...
All right, let's ask her, then.
What?
Let's ask!
Bring her here!
Who's that?
That's Miyamori.
Oh! The girl who'll do anything.
Man, so you joined Musani, huh?
Bathroom
I had no idea.
I saw you at The Born once last year...
I don't remember.
You've changed quite a bit.
Huh? I have?
You were really shaky and nervous at the interview.
Because you threatened her, Inami-san.
I did not! Right?
Oh... You were a little scary.
Oh, sorry.
Here you go, Oi-chan.
Thanks.
What? You know each other?
Oh, yes. She's a voice—
Bathroom
Enjoy.
Thanks.
So, what can you do now?
Huh?
I... I don't think there's anything
I can do now or in the future...
Nothing?!
But
I'll keep doing my best so that everyone can make amazing anime.
R-Right.
Now you look like you're in production.
I'll remember your name now, Miyamori Asari!
It's Aoi.
I'm done!
Congratulations!
What?!
The storyboards for the last episode...
...are done?!
Wow! He finished them in three weeks.
It took three months for Exodus.
That's four times faster.
I think the director was just really into it.
Not to mention, the scenario was really interesting.
Then let's hurry and send it to Yotaka Booksellers.
Right!
Who's the episode director?
There's no time, so the A part will be Yamada-san and Madoka-san,
and they'll work together with the director on the B part.
As for production, I'm thinking about having
Satou-san, Andou-san, and myself work on it.
There's not much time, but let's do our best together!
Okay!
Hello, this is Yano at Musani.
Oh, Iketani-san.
What? You just woke up?
I'll be right there, so don't you move!
Next time on Shirobako: "Noa's in Her Underwear."
Noa's in Her Underwear.