Chucky!
Segawa-san!
Segawa Misato Animation Supervisor
Segawa-san! Segawa-san!
I'm fine. I just got a little dizzy.
More importantly, the phone...
Ah, Oi-chan? It's me, Shizuka.
Zuka-chan?
Huh?
Oh, sorry.
Sakaki Shizuka Newbie Voice Actor
This probably isn't the best time to call.
I'll call you again later...
Okay. Take care.
"I Think My Harem is Slowly Falling Apart, But I Might Just Be Imagining It (Not Final)"
Audition Script
Please make sure you stay in bed today.
Also, call me if you need anything.
And please take these, if you like.
What about episode four? I'm sure my fever will go down soon.
It'll be fine.
We'll figure something out.
"Something" isn't very encouraging...
If you work too hard and get really sick, this would all amount to nothing.
We're out of options!
Did this have to happen now?
It happened because she worked so hard on episode three's key frames!
Now, now...
We only have one week until episode four's dubbing.
This really isn't good.
Oh, me! My episode three is almost in video editing.
Which means I can deliver the complete package soon— Ow!
You're not sorry at all, are you?
So what do we do about episode four's animation supervisor?
The only one who can help Segawa-san is...
Please, Endou-san!
Endou Ryousuke Animation Supervisor
Yamada Masashi Animation Director
Well, there's no one else.
I'm spent from doing the layout supervision for episode eight.
You need to pay her back.
I told you, owing and paying back have nothing to do with it.
I'm pretty sure Segawa-san doesn't like guys like me, either.
Segawa-san said the exact same thing.
Huh?
She was saying that she didn't think you liked her.
She was worried since she drew everything in such a rush.
Er, no... I was actually impressed with Segawa-san
for producing such quality in that amount of time.
But it's not flashy enough.
Why do you have to say that?
If you accept, I will buy you some Pekka donuts.
I don't like sweet things.
What about bitter things?
What do you mean by bitter things?
What about spicy things?
That's not the point! I'm not interested in food.
Power, then? Fame?
You're going to get those for me?
I'll do my best!
I don't want it!
All right, fine. I'll do it.
Arupin is Here!
Marukawa Masahito President
Good morning!
Yes, good morning.
So, starting at 11 AM, we have the
3D check and partial rush on episode six.
Filming for episode seven is set to begin at 1 PM.
Episode three, which I am in charge of, has video editing today,
and then all goods should be delivered!
Oh, well done.
I worked so hard!
Honda Yutaka Production Desk
Um, delivery three days prior when we're only on episode three isn't normal.
Huh? Isn't three days before pretty efficient?
Takanashi Tarou Production Assistant
We were shooting for two weeks prior for all the episodes of Exodus.
Yano Erika Production Assistant
Episode one was two weeks prior, episode two was one week prior,
Ochiai Tatsuya Production Assistant
and episode three is three days prior...
At this rate, episode four onward is going to be hell.
Miyamori Aoi Production Assistant
Miyamori-san, how's the filming going for episode four?
I'll make sure it's done by today.
Do your best.
Watanabe Jun Line Producer
I have a meeting in Shinjuku. I'll be back at 11 PM.
I hope you win today.
Please clear out any personal belongings left in Meeting Room 2
Okitsu Yuka General Manager
by the end of today.
That is all.
Yasuhara Ema Key Animator
Ah, Zuka-chan? Can you talk right now?
You didn't have to go through the trouble of calling me back.
Thank you, though. Yeah. How's work?
Sashimi Platter 950 Stewed Kinmedai 750 yen Fried Shrimp 750 Chicken Cutlets 630 Fried Chicken 630 Butter-Sautéed Scallops 630 Salt-Grilled Spanish Mackerel 520 Salt-Grilled Mackerel 520 Tuna with Grated Yams 580 Tsukimi Potatoes 450 Chicken Tofu 550
It's taking everything I have to finish the work that's right in front of me.
Oi-chan seems to have it tougher than me.
We only see each other in passing at work.
Wow! It sounds like you're really busy.
She has both episode four and episode nine right now, so...
You can't help her at all?
The animator's job is totally different from production's job.
If I got better, I might be able to help a little...
I see... Well, I guess it is work.
It's not like when we were in our club.
How are you, Zuka-chan?
Ah, yeah... I'll tell you later.
We're all still getting together once this month, right?
Yeah. I'll remind Mii and Rii-chan.
Okay, see you later.
Sugie Shigeru Key Animator
I'm heading out.
Eh? Oh...
Thank you for your hard work.
Kinoshita Seiichi Director
Good morning.
Wow! The director is drawing storyboards. What episode is that?
The final episode.
What happens in the end?
What do you think should happen?
Inanami Yoshikazu Sound Director
So when will the storyboards be finished?
Well, I'm not sure.
I think the A part will be done by the end of this month.
What? Come on, Director!
Kazushiro Koutarou Maker Producer
We can't delay the delivery any further.
Yamabuchi Atsushi Mixer
You went through hell with the last project you worked on.
You need to learn your lesson.
That's very true.
Even I ended up getting yelled at for that. I'm over it.
Fuji Asuka Mixing Assistant
I'm so sorry!
Nakata Eri Sound Producer
I know! That's Jiggly Jiggly...
Shh!
Everyone is here.
Well, then...
We'll be conducting the after-recording for Exodus episode eight today.
Thank you all for coming.
Thank you.
This is Nakaharu Mei-san, who plays Akane.
Nakaharu Mei Plays Akane
Thank you for having me.
This is Itou Suzuka-san, who plays Aya.
Itou Suzuka Plays Aya
Thank you for having me.
This is Kayana Mui-san, who plays Arupin.
Kayana Mui Plays Arupin
Thank you for having me.
Okay, we'll start with the A part.
Rolling.
You say that, but there's nothing we can do now.
Then what are we going to do?!
Just knowing it can't be helped isn't going to help anything!
Just whose fault are you saying it is?!
You know, cotton candy...
Huh?
...always disappears by the next morning. Why is that?
Hmm, for the cotton candy part...
Instead of sounding like an airhead, maybe make it sound a little more urgent?
All right.
While keeping the airhead thing in mind,
please bring out her feelings of wanting to stop their argument a little more.
Should I sound a little more excited when I say it, then?
Well...
Holding it back completely is an option, as well, but... What should we go with?
What do you think, Director?
Hmm... I think being excited
sounds more like Arupin.
Madoka Hironori Animation Director
What do you think, Madoka?
She's holding back,
but her excitement is showing through, maybe?
I'd like to hear that.
You know, cotton candy
always disappears by the next morning. Why is that?
You know, cotton candy
always disappears by the next morning. Why is that?
I think that's more like it.
All right, we're going to start the real take of the A part.
Rolling.
Ramen
Asian Dining
Man, voice actors are so good.
What are you? New?
But isn't it amazing?
They can just be like, bam! And change their voice as directed.
That's their job. You're getting excited over it now?
I'm all about Arupin, myself.
I'm totally okay with older chicks.
Seriously...
Madoka-san,
do you know how they pick voice actors?
Auditions.
Have you ever seen one?
No. That's only for the director and higher.
That'd be awesome! I totally want to see one.
You're an idiot. I heard it's really rough.
You have to listen to a hundred people say the same lines in a single day.
Seriously?! You get to meet a hundred voice actors?
That's awesome!
Exodus!
What? Why?!
No, it can't be true! It can't be!
Tell me it's not true!
Is it true? Were you really tricking us, Onee-san?
Who are we supposed to believe now?
I knew it.
I knew that
Onee-san belonged to Ginger.
I knew it!
About the door sound at cut 210...
I'd like to make it sound heavier.
Ooyama Takumi Sound Effects
Okay.
A little heavier.
I'll play a few different ones.
Oh, that's the one.
Got it.
Also, Inanami-san, about the music...
At 248, I'd like to change it a little.
In what direction?
Um...
Right now, it's set more to the mood, but would you prefer it set to the situation?
Well, setting it to the mood is fine, but...
Well...
I knew it.
I knew that
Onee-san belonged to Ginger.
I knew it!
Hmm...
That's not right?
Yeah.
Then let's try something else.
Let's go back to the original music. I'm sorry.
Then what's not right?
Maybe it's the drawings...
What?
Um, well...
Arupin's crying face is cute, right?
Well, yeah.
But I don't think it's supposed to be this kind of cute.
"This kind"?
I was thinking during this morning's after-recording session...
Arupin's the most unique character,
but she's also the most real character.
I think girls will like her more than guys will.
Huh? Girls?
Really?
Yes! I like her a lot.
Oh, I see.
So Arupin appeals to girls...
Exodus!
The Arupin I'm going for is different from other moe characters...
I'd like her to be a little off.
I mean, the Arupin we just saw was cute,
but I think it's not quite right.
Was my directing wrong?
No, it's not the directing...
I think it's the character that's the problem.
Eh?
Arupin has an annoying side, in that she can't let go of her past...
Exodus!
And I don't think she got along
with others in her early twenties.
I think she was also bullied,
and had been labeled as a little weird all her life...
And then, I think it was Onee-san
who came in and changed that for her.
Something like, "Can I stay here?" "Sure, you can!"
So Arupin actually met
Onee-san before Akane or Aya.
What?!
Huh...
So I think her shock here is a bit more complicated.
Um, I'm sorry!
I don't think I confirmed that setting...
Oh, sorry. That's all just in my head.
Her setting is just in your head?
No, I mean...
Also, this is a bit late in the game, isn't it?
Huh? Is it?
But characters grow while you're making their story, don't they?
No, I'm saying that trying to make
a new character setting right now would make trouble for us.
So, do we keep the music as is?
Or change it?
Oh, we're going to change the drawings.
What?! Um,
does that mean we're correcting the expressions?
No, I think it'd be the acting and everything else, too.
Starting now?!
Like, before Arupin shouts, "I knew it!"
all these conflicting emotions swell up,
and the chaos inside makes her breathing coarse, like...
Um... Does that mean we have to start over from the key animation?
Eh? Uh, yeah. I guess that's what it means.
Seriously, Director?
We'd have to go with pretty still frames rather than broken animation.
If we have to fix everything from that point, we won't make the delivery!
Well, the acting just isn't like Arupin...
I don't think my directing is off at all!
Yes, so with a little correction...
This isn't just a little correction!
Director,
you do the same thing time and time again, don't you?
What do you mean by that?
Do you want that to happen again?
Well, th-that was...
N-Now, now... We don't have to talk about that now.
If I remember correctly, the studio, the budget,
and the schedule were all really tight.
But the one who dealt the final blow was you, Director!
That's not...
Well, that is true, but...
You obsessed too much over the fact
that it was an original and killed our schedule,
which is exactly what's going on right now!
It's not that bad...
My debut as an animation director was
that legendary series where the animation was totally wrecked!
Episode nine of Jiggly Jiggly Heaven.
The terms "beyond Jiggly" and "on the verge of Jiggly" even became internet slang!
"Beyond Jiggly" is the nickname for episode 9 of Jiggly Jiggly Heaven.
In various (especially in bad) ways, a legend. It is rumored that nothing will ever beat it in this generation. With only creepy backgrounds and surreal booby shaking, the meaning is unknown...
Those terms will be spoken now and forever!
I'm sorry!
Don't apologize!
What are we going to do, Nabe-P? Are we going to fix this or not?
Hm?
What should we do, Miyamori?
That's asking too much of me, Watanabe-san!
I mean, is there even time? There isn't, is there?
We have five more days until delivery.
If we recalculate things...
and start the key frames tonight, we might make it.
Really?!
Seriously? Are we seriously doing a retake on the key frames?
We can't?
The key frame plan you're telling me right now...
I have no confidence that I can explain it to the key animators.
Um...
If we're redoing the key frames for this episode,
before we go into production,
why don't we all sit down and decide on
Arupin and the other Exodus characters one more time?
I think that's rather important.
The director has something very important to say.
I'm not really good at speaking in front of everyone.
He's saying that our interpretation of Arupin is completely wrong.
I didn't say it's totally wrong! Just a little.
Apparently, we have to completely reconsider our directing.
Yamada-san, that's a rather mean way of putting it....
It's the simple truth.
Talk about a sudden change of events!
It's not about the directing...
I'd just like us to discuss our understanding of the characters.
Ogasawara Rinko Character Design General Animation Supervisor
That basically means everything.
Iguchi Yumi General Animation Supervisor Assistant
Huh? It does?
You made it sound like we had no choice since we'd be changing the character.
I did?
It was, "characters grow while
you're making their story," to be precise.
That's right!
So, on that note,
I tried putting together chronologies and
Akane
Musashino Animation
Aya
Musashino Animation
histories for the characters.
Arupin
Musashino Animation
Huh? Did Akane come from an all-girls' school?
Arupin Akane Aya
They mention it in episode five.
Oh, right.
Arupin's publicized age is seventeen, but she's actually twenty-nine.
She has declared that she became an idol to make a lot of money.
But I believe that she is the center of all of the dramatic events,
like finding their manager's body first and being kidnapped by the enemy.
Right. And I think
we used that a bit too much.
I'd like for us to explore her inner self a bit more.
Her inner self?
For starters, you know, maybe raise her intelligence a little bit...
What? But Arupin's great because of her stupidity.
Well, stupid is fine, but she also understands what's going on the most.
Apparently, a very important plot point is going to be revealed
where Arupin had known Onee-san in her past.
What?!
Seriously?!
Is this something that'll affect the final episode?
Uh, I'm not sure. Sorry.
I really wish I could explain it better.
To judge, make decisions, and relay them to everyone is a director's job.
I understand that, but...
There are also directors who aren't very good at speaking.
Is that why you got divorced?
What?!
If you keep leaving your nice wife alone
and saying, "I thought she'd understand," it's like stepping on a land mine.
Oh? Does that hit close to home?
No, not at all!
Iguchi-san, how did you know?
You mention it every time you drink.
You're kidding!
I've heard it so many times, my ears hurt.
Holy crap, I don't remember that at all.
You got divorce papers because you pissed off your wife? That's harsh.
It was a peaceful divorce! I even paid a settlement!
I don't think we really want to hear about that.
Anyway, just hear me out!
Can you guarantee you won't suddenly change things on us again?
I can!
I think...
See?
This'll be crazy! It's almost like Jiggly Heaven Returns.
It'll be a hit!
It's not a hit! Who would think it's a hit?
The citizens of the internet?
Don't they only look at the internet?
Thank you.
Not only the internet!
I won't look at the internet!
I decided that I'd never look at the internet after that incident.
Never again!
By the way, this might be a very simple question,
but does Arupin prefer donuts or youkan?
Uh, where'd that multiple-choice question come from?
Well, her blood type, height, and weight have been decided,
but I don't think her favorite things have been decided yet.
Personally, I hope she prefers donuts.
Arupin likes strawberry shortcake!
Is that because your wife liked them— Ow...
Strawberry shortcake is too cliché.
It's fine that it's cliché!
I think it's fine.
That definitely won't make the character stand out. At least make it dorayaki.
What is she? A cat robot?
Well, it sounds like Arupin, doesn't it?
Arupin doesn't eat sweets.
I agree. She's twenty-nine, after all.
She eats them because she's twenty-nine!
She's the type to eat the strawberry last!
You're so filled with dreams, Director.
Iguchi-san, you're way too harsh on me.
You think so?
Oh, but...
What a person likes reveals their personality, doesn't it?
If she likes donuts, I can totally relate to her,
like she's a comrade.
I'm not getting it, Myamori.
Um...
How about something surprising like dried stingray fins?
It'd be Ayachin who likes those.
Aya... "chin"?
Yeah, that's right. I'm rooting for Ayachin. Is that a problem?
No wonder you seemed to work harder with her.
Ayachin's destined to become a heavy drinker in the future.
I'd love to have a drink with her!
Yeah, I totally get that!
Huh? Isn't this a moe anime?
If Ayachin were holding a bottle of sake, I think that'd be pretty moe.
Yeah, that's totally moe.
Moe this, moe that...
It's a dead word.
Yeah, I'm not sure about that...
No, it's totally making a comeback. Moe's definitely back.
Hey, Iguchi-san's on our side.
Yeah!
Akane doesn't drink, but she seems like she'd still hang out.
Arupin's the type to immediately fall asleep.
For better or worse, her defenses are weak.
Exactly!
That's why she gradually realizes that Onee-san betrayed them,
but she can't tell the other two.
After thinking about Arupin and her feelings, I just...
I just...
When Arupin says, "I knew it,"
I think it needs to be packed with every kind of emotion,
along with their whole story and all the time they shared.
There's no way she could say that with just a pretty face.
She needs to be more scrambled and messed up on the inside!
You mean she needs to look ugly when she says it?
Huh? But aren't ugly faces moe?
Uh, I don't know about that...
That'd be pretty hardcore.
Before she starts crying, doesn't seeing her nostrils flare
or the way her face wrinkles as the emotions well up make you feel something?
Does it?
We might end up leaving the audience behind...
Or just scare them off completely.
It'll be fine! We're going to kidnap them, not leave them behind!
Like, swoop!
It's easier said than done.
Well, yeah, that's true...
But expressions filled with symbolism get boring, however pretty they are!
Challenge! Challenge yourself to new horizons!
New horizons, huh...
Is animation the classic example of being confined to some template? Of course not!
It means we're breathing life into something!
But you're not the one drawing everything, Director.
Well, that's true... But still!
Arupin's a bit stupid and not very talented, but she's delicate, and concerned.
I want to express all of her complexities!
Arupin is right here!
She's here, right?
Huh?
She's here, right?!
What?
She's here, right?!
Yes! Arupin is already right here!
See? We just have to
make it take shape!
You say "just," but...
We can do it! Please make this happen!
Let's do it!
Let's bring Arupin into life... into this...
let her be in... let her stay in this world?
Calm down!
Anyway,
Arupin is here!
All right...
Huh?
I'm sure Ogasawara-san and Iguchi-san can do this.
Though the schedule... is a bit tight.
"A bit"?!
Does that mean I'll be drawing them
and Ogasawara-san will be the animation supervisor?
Please.
Okay?
Understood.
I made too much takoyaki. Would you all like some?
Heck, yeah!
Ow, that's hot!
Miyamori-san,
please bring me that cut.
Yes! Right away!
Yes, this is Musani.
Oh, Endou-san, thanks for your hard work.
Oh... Sorry. I forgot about that.
Next time on Shirobako, "No More Recap Episodes."
No More Recap Episodes