"Something is different from my own drawings.
Chazawa-sama
Somehow, they are lacking cuteness.
I just can't accept these. Nogame."
That's the email from the author.
Apparently, he just sent that to his editor.
Hmm... What does he mean by "something" and "somehow"?
I thought they were really good.
So did I.
And his editor said we could proceed with them...
Looks like he wasn't actually checking with the author.
I want to proceed with these character designs.
But if the author said they're not good,
we can't not fix them.
If we're not going to fix them, we need a reason that'll convince the author.
Yeah...
Um... We're currently in key animation stage up until episode four...
What's going to—
We're canceling the attack!
Whatever for?
The enemy is right before us!
I said, turn back!
I refuse!
Whoa!
An attack from behind!
That's... a retake missile?!
We're falling!
We're falling?!
You mean from episode one?
Table Flip
Table Flip.
Because we adjusted the lines a bit,
they might look a little more mature than the originals.
I wonder if we should make them look younger.
I see. Yeah, that might be it.
Make the eyes a little bigger, and lower them.
And could you make the contour of her face a little softer?
Right.
I'm going to ask the editor
to make the responses a bit faster.
Yes, thank you.
So, please stop all of the work you are currently doing.
What do you mean by "stop"?
We have to stop anything that has to do with the characters.
Myamori! You want us to stop when we just started running?!
We're going to lose time for the key animation!
Then what would you do, Takanashi-san?
I'd stop.
You see?
You aren't being very flexible, new Production Desk.
We should just keep going with the key animation
and then have the animation supervisors fix things later.
But that'd be too big of a burden on the animation supervisors.
If we stop, we'll have to finish all of the key frames in three weeks.
This is going to be Jiggly Jiggly all over again.
But we can't just proceed without the author's approval.
You can't get through production if you do everything by the book.
We've got new production assistants, too.
If they learn shortcuts first,
won't they keep relying on the wrong way of doing things?
Yeah, sure, whatever. We get it, oh great Production Desk.
I'm going out for a bit.
Um...
Which route should we be taking?
You just need to follow me.
First, we need to load the storyboard into the sorter...
The right route, Andou-san, Satou-san.
Right.
You're ignoring me?!
We're seriously stopping?!
I'm terribly sorry.
I already started doing layout animation checks for episode two.
I'm sorry. I'm going to fix them as soon as possible.
Er... Well, it's not your fault, Iguchi-san.
And I was getting so into the storyboards, too.
I wonder if this is the second coming of Jiggly Jiggly Heaven.
Stop!
Oh, right.
That wasn't because there was trouble with the author.
That was because your storyboards and storyboard checks were
so late that the schedule totally collapsed.
You're basically right, but don't confirm it with me.
Sorry, I've gotten into the habit of discerning truths.
We got a response from the author.
"The 'cute' and 'young' elements aren't quite right.
Please redraw. Nogame."
Any other input?
That's it.
Understood. I'll make her proportions a bit higher.
We got a response from the author.
"It's getting worse.
Does whoever is drawing this think it's good?
Is this person really going to be able to do the character designs? Nogame."
This is basically saying we should drop who we have, doesn't it?
We can't just tell Iguchi-san that...
What should we do?
I'm going to grab the editor and ask what direction we should be taking to fix things.
So, funny story.
Those emails from the author mean everything, so please figure things out from there.
Isn't that your job?
No, we don't know how we should fix things with just those emails to go by.
Do we really have to direct everything?
I apologize for inconveniencing you, but we need the author to—
And I'm saying that's not happening.
Funny story, but the author is facing a deadline right now.
Wait!
What? He hung up on you?!
I don't know what the hell to do. Funny story.
Apparently, you've adopted his speech pattern. Funny story.
I'm sorry.
I can't figure out how I'm supposed to fix this...
No, I'm the one who should be apologizing.
Sorry again and again.
If only we could actually meet with the author.
For now, we're just going to have to do something ourselves.
We'll go back to basics, and inspect everything from the beginning.
Understood.
I'll try to figure out what the author is concentrating on,
and make the character designs more similar to the original.
Which way is the cute road?
I think it's this way.
You're...
I am the great author.
And now for a bonus quiz!
Which one is cuter?
Hmm...
Tick, tick, tick, tick...
I wonder...
This one!
It's this one.
Buzz! You're both wrong!
We're falling again?!
Myamori, what happened with the character designs?
We still don't have the author's approval.
Seriously?! We only have three more months until it airs.
We're losing more and more schedule time, aren't we?
Will everything be okay?
No, it's not.
However, the ones who make it okay are the production team!
Wow.
Would you be able to fix this situation, Takanashi-san?
No.
Really?
Sorry!
Oi-chan?
Are you looking for Iguchi-san?
Yeah.
I think she's at the spot...
Iguchi-san!
Are you all right?
Huh? Oh, sorry. I spaced out.
I'm surprised you knew I'd be here. Oh, did Emacchi tell you?
Yes... I'm so sorry.
You keep getting all of the burden, Iguchi-san.
No, I'm sorry for keeping you waiting.
I just don't know how I should be fixing things.
But I'll do my best.
Ogasawara-san nominated me to do this.
And this is my first chance after six years of doing key animation.
Not to mention,
I really love Aria and Catherine now.
Um... Well, um...
This is my first time as production desk,
so there are a lot of things I don't know, but...
I'm going to do my best, meow.
Yeah. I will, too, meow.
"Third Aerial Girls Squad" Main Board List
I thought we stopped production.
Yes, but we can proceed with 3D and backgrounds
without the characters appearing, right?
Ah, I see.
They say the location is a living thing.
Something is happening all the time.
So we have to do what we can, for now.
Yeah, she's able to say that now...
But the first time she was put in charge of a first episode,
she was super panicked.
That's because you hid my key frames, Takanashi-san.
I did not. I just kept quiet about them being done or not.
But after that, I rose like a phoenix from the ashes.
And then it became a matter of whether Endou-san was going to leave the project or not, right?
You treated me well, Idepon Miyamori.
No, not at all.
What's an Idepon?
The deity that transcended over all mankind.
Oh, so that's why Takanashi-san can't win against Miyamori-senpai.
I totally agree.
Well, don't!
I don't really understand...
After 3D, there's a meeting with the background artist.
Also, we've got some props in, so please check those.
Man, you're going all-out, even in such an emergency.
That's exactly why!
Huh?
Your storyboards were done so unbelievably fast,
and the location started moving,
and everyone was just getting motivated.
I want to keep that enthusiasm and momentum.
"Storyboards were done so unbelievably fast"... That is a compliment, right?
You're not being mean, right?
Of course.
I work better when I'm complimented, so don't get too mad at me, okay?
I know that! And the fact that you start slacking off if we compliment you too much.
Teehee.
I think we were able to get it to move
like the real thing, but what do you think?
Hmm...
I think I'd like them to be a little faster.
I'd like Aerial Girls to be visually stimulating.
Then we're going to lose reality.
I think we'll just have to balance that.
We have to lie, but in a cool way... At least, that's what I'm going for.
I think I'd like the movements to be more lively and bold.
Like make the planes reflect how the pilots are.
Aria's F1 should be cool and strong-looking.
Catherine's Phantom should be cheerful and happy.
How's that?
Understood. I'll redo the motions along those lines.
The planes are the protagonists of this show.
The planes are the protagonists?
These are stratocumulus clouds that form at 2,000 meters in altitude.
Altitude?
You get various cloud types depending on how high they form in the sky.
I see.
These clouds express the emotions of the characters.
They seem sort of sad...
Yes.
They were flying, believing in the future, but they're still sad somehow.
That's what I wanted to express.
In episode one's return scene,
it'd be great to see clouds like this below the Aerial Girls' formation.
But the clouds' altitude is too low for that.
Then we'll just bring down the planes' altitude more.
What?
Of course, the altitude will be a lie,
but I'd like to put the emotions first.
I'd like to add some music, and just have
the picture be the sky and clouds for a while.
Even if it means ignoring the planes and characters?
The art and backgrounds are the protagonists of this series.
All right.
I will draw a sky and clouds worthy of being protagonists.
Director, you've been telling everyone the same thing, haven't you?
Huh?
Doesn't this series have a lot of protagonists?
Have I been saying that to everyone?
Yes. To the filming staff, and to coloring.
It's like you're a guy who's dating a whole bunch of girls at once.
No, no. I'm being serious when I say that.
Incidentally, I never two-or-more-timed anyone in my own personal life.
With Aerial Girls, I don't want to just go out with guns blazing,
but to make sure the art reflects in the viewers' minds.
The art reflects in the viewers' minds?
For example,
in the winter when I couldn't get my storyboards done,
and I looked up at Orion from the stairway outside.
The red sunset I happened to see on my way home,
almost in tears after my project got bashed.
The pale, indirect light in my living room that was
now too big for one person after my wife left.
And then when the delivery was denied...
I understand.
That's all pretty sad, though.
I see it...
I can't see it...
Sorry... I've dragged this out for more than ten days.
Not at all.
I keep going back to my old drawings...
I can't tell what's right anymore.
I'm so sorry.
I know we can't go any further if I don't finish the character designs.
No... I'm sorry.
One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight.
Ein, zwei, drei, vier, fünf, sechs, sieben, acht.
Ii, ryan, san, suu, uu, roo, chii, paa...
Oh, sorry.
What kind of calisthenics is that?
Oh... It's called angel calisthenics, and it's good for your shoulders.
Angel?
After you're done, apparently, you feel like you're an angel.
It's pretty popular with some people.
Huh...
One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight.
Uno, due, tre, quattro, cinque, sei, sette, otto.
Yeah, my shoulders do feel a little lighter.
Um...
Is there anything I can do for you?
I'm fine. Sorry to make you worry.
I love them.
Huh?
Your drawings are so full of life, and I love them.
And I get excited about making those move.
I'm excited, too.
No matter how long I've been doing this,
the feeling I get when I see my drawings move...
There are no words.
Not to mention, this time I'm the character designer.
I want to hurry up and see Aria and the others talking and laughing.
I really want to see it.
I believe that she does not have enough support.
This is the first time Iguchi-san has been in charge of character designs.
And yet, all of you
keep abandoning her.
Huh?
Well... The author won't tell us how we should fix things...
Just because the author won't say anything, that's no excuse.
Leaving everything up to Iguchi-san
is the same as all of you abandoning your jobs.
That's absolutely not fair.
If she was chosen for that position,
you need to discuss things with her and give her advice, too.
That's very true.
We're sorry.
Please create an environment where
Iguchi-san can concentrate on her work without being burdened.
And
please support Iguchi-san until the very end.
Right.
Then how about we invite Iguchi-san out for lunch to change things up?
Why don't we go drinking?
That is not your job.
You need to truly interpret what the author wants,
and then sit down with Iguchi-san to discuss what needs to be changed.
Right.
Please don't think that anyone can feel better with a little alcohol.
Remember, there are those who don't care for such things.
Right.
Miyamori-san, would you come with me for a moment?
Let's see... You, too, Yasuhara-san.
Where are you taking me?
To my oasis.
Your oasis?
Wow! I would never look good in that.
I'm not exactly sure what you're thinking,
but you're wrong.
This is your oasis?
Yes.
Play ball!
Strike!
Who is she?
This looks like it could be in an anime.
Gothic Lolita Women's Koushien
"Gothic Lolita Women's Koushien."
Koushien Stadium
Gyushadou
Hamburg Steak Lunch with Rice
Do you feel a little better?
Yes! I got to see something I don't see every day.
Ogasawara-san, did you play softball in school?
No, I was in the Go Club.
Go?
Oh, the black and white... That's very Goth Loli-sam—
I am very aware that people call me that.
Did you always dress like that?
I used to wear just t-shirts and jeans.
Really? You?!
I would have loved to see it...
Then when did you start dressing like that?
You want me to do the character designs?
It's a show adapted from a game.
Director
Do you want to work on it?
Yes! Please allow me to do it!
Hmm... It's not bad, but...
Please show us another variation.
Oh, okay.
Hmm...
It's not bad, but...
It's slightly off from my image.
Please show us another variation.
Yes, sir.
I think it's a bit too bland now.
No, it's too sharp.
Something seems a bit unrefined.
What's with these eyes?
No, not like that.
Or, actually, the thing is...
I thought she was a person who could survive
getting cornered and having everything turned on its head.
I think the first one was the best.
Yeah.
That was when I understood
that you can't just keep agreeing with everything.
Every creator is
sensitive and easy to hurt.
Yet, they relentlessly give criticism, judgment, and more orders.
That's why, in order to protect myself,
I donned my armor.
So that's armor...
It does look like it would have more attack points than a t-shirt.
Um, but why...
Because the heroine I was drawing at the time was wearing it.
Oh...
Since then, I have become stronger.
I'm relieved.
I guess even you had some hard times, Ogasawara-san.
Everyone does.
There is no occupation that doesn't have its difficulties.
That's why the rest is how much you're able
to endure after all of the humiliation you face.
"Something is different from my own drawings.
Somehow, they're lacking cuteness."
I've thought about it,
but maybe we concentrated too much on the moe.
Yes...
Perhaps making them more girly was not the correct route.
The cuteness that the author is talking about
may be something more internal.
True!
I think I understand why Aria looks cute now.
All right. Let's try this route.
Yes, sir.
Good morni—
Mornin'.
Iguchi-san, is that a cosplay of Aria from episode three?
I looked for a naginata, but couldn't find one.
Is that how you're trying hard?
Yeah. I'm going to put on my armor and do my best, too...
Though that's not everything.
It turned into Aria...
It looks closer to the author's while also making the movements smoother.
The ones before were great, too,
but this definitely has a likeness to the original.
I feel like cuteness and elegance were added,
like the strength of Aria's will.
If this doesn't work with the author, I'm going to convince him!
Thank you!
It's a home run.
All right, I'm getting an appointment with the editor as soon as I can.
I will get a response today, no matter what.
Right!
Well, funny story. I'm sort of busy right now.
Can't you do something about that?
I'm busy, so try again later.
Funny story. I know where he is now.
Judging by the sounds...
It's probably the place near the publisher's office.
Nice shot!
What the hell?! How did you know I...
Actually, funny story. I'm in the middle of wo—
We have already stopped production for a month!
Get confirmation from the author right now!
Funny story.
I got an email from the author!
"I believe it's gotten better. This will work. Nogame."
Hello, this is Andou at Musani.
Ah, Hirao-san. You participated in Summer Festival Circle, didn't you?
I bought one of your volumes.
Next time on Shirobako: "Where Am I?"
Where Am I?