[157] Submissions for Voice Actors
The work began.
Everyone was excited.
However, there was an important matter on Kazuya's side regarding voice acting.
"Do we really need to worry so much about voice acting?" Takeshi Okada couldn't understand. In this era, voice actors were still behind-the-scenes workers.
But...
From Kazuya's perspective, a good voice actor was essential for creating an interesting anime, especially for JoJo's Bizarre Adventure. And if he had to choose the most critical character in this anime, without a doubt, it was the voice actor for the antagonist boss, Dio Brando, also known as "Takehito Koyasu."
"Takehito... Takehito..." Kazuya pondered when Takehito Koyasu started his career.
He couldn't remember!
Although he liked the character's voice before, he hadn't paid much attention to it.
What if... he tried something else? Like summoning Andersen or Ozymandias? Forget it... he didn't have that ability, and even if he did, it probably wouldn't help.
Thinking carefully...
He couldn't come up with anyone!
He should have checked his encyclopedia; it should have been recorded there... right!
He remembered.
In the data he prepared when he crossed over, to avoid forgetting, he probably recorded everything there.
But... besides Dio, there were many other important characters...
"Advertise it for me," Kazuya said. "Advertise it on major Japanese TV stations, Fuji TV, Asahi TV, Tokyo TV, NHK, and in all major newspapers and magazines, without exception. Everyone, go and recruit voice actors!"
"Huh?" Takeshi Okada was taken aback.
"Yes... those selected will receive bonuses ranging from 500,000 to 5,000,000 yen and can sign long-term contracts with us, JOJO Company. If they're not chosen for a particular role but still show potential, they'll receive bonuses ranging from 100,000 to 1,000,000 yen and can also sign contracts. The specific amount of the bonus will depend on the importance of the character. I leave this to you, and you can create the ad copy. In any case, I want to see nationwide coverage of TV commercials on all major Japanese TV stations in the next two months! It's also an ad for the animation adaptation of 'JoJo's Bizarre Adventure.' Two months from now, we'll begin the official selection process!"
"But... this will require a significant amount of money..." Takeshi Okada couldn't help but say.
"It's alright; I'll cover the expenses, and it won't be deducted from the budget of each episode. You just go ahead and get it done."
"...I understand." Takeshi Okada remained silent for a moment, gritting his teeth. What more could he say? After all, he wasn't the president, and he wasn't the one providing the money. If the president had a lot of money and wanted to spend it, what could he do but agree?
...
Seven days later, JOJO Company didn't start producing the first episode of JoJo's Bizarre Adventure. They focused on preparing the advertisements they planned to run on various TV stations.
This ad was over a minute long and represented a significant effort for JOJO Company. It made them feel somewhat anxious...
The ad went through three iterations, from visuals to style, before finally matching Kazuya's vision.
"Alright, let's put it on air now," Kazuya said, looking at the completed ad with satisfaction. This was what he had in mind for JoJo's style.
This effect... it would surely attract people!
Two advertisements were created in total, with one being the opening theme song for the first part of JoJo, as he remembered it, with information like "Voice Actor Recruitment" instead of subtitles.
The other was a genuine one-minute advertisement introducing how to apply for the voice actor recruitment. When combined, it was a little over two minutes long. The back part took only half a day to complete, but the first part took seven days.
For the recruitment location...
Why not place it at the JOJO Theme Park?
It worked out well, and that day was also the opening day of the JOJO Theme Park.
...
"Da-da-da-da—da—da-da-da-da—da! JOJO, JOJO!"
"Pfft," as Iwamoto Yu watched the sudden advertisement on TV, he sprayed water from his mouth. "Are you kidding me? They just started production, and they're already advertising?"
On the TV screen, the music played, and the images of the main characters from Parts 1 to 3 alternated in black and white until "JoJo's Bizarre Adventure" appeared on the screen in big letters.
Then the screen changed.
"Voice Actor Recruitment?"
...
"Voice actors..."
After finishing work, Takehito Koyasu returned home. "I guess I should consider developing this path a bit more. This year, I started my career as a voice actor. However, all the roles I've received so far are minor, supporting roles. There isn't a role that really interests me. But I've been in this industry for half a year now, so maybe next year, I'll get a good role."
As he contemplated, he turned on the TV.
Suddenly, he was taken aback by an unexpected advertisement.
Through a long tunnel, the gates opened suddenly, and even the sound of the gate opening was convincingly heard.
"Two stars falling from the sky—"
At the same time, the TV displayed this song.
But what caught his attention was not the subtitles, but the text: "Voice Actor Recruitment!"
"Gradually devoured, dissolving into the mingling light and darkness on the surface of the water." The voice continued, and the visuals kept changing. Two characters, one with blonde hair and the other with blue hair, stood opposite each other on two staircases. The screen shifted between color and black and white, accompanied by lifelike sound effects.
A goddess-like figure spiraled, transforming into something held by a person's hand.
But what he found more interesting...
Were the big words that appeared on the TV.
"Voice Actor Recruitment—"
"Three months later! On January 22, 1989, in Morioh Town, the JOJO Theme Park will officially open, and at the same time, a voice actor recruitment ceremony will be held!"
"The selected individuals will receive bonuses ranging from 500,000 to 5,000,000 yen, and those who show potential but are not chosen will receive bonuses ranging from 100,000 to 1,000,000 yen. They may also have the opportunity to sign long-term contracts with JOJO Company."
"What is this?" Takehito Koyasu's eyes widened. "Is this about an anime?"
No... that couldn't be right. The imagery and presentation style...
Voice actors...
"Maybe... I should give it a try," Takehito Koyasu clenched his teeth, threw on some clothes, and rushed out. Anyway, he should first become familiar with 'JoJo's Bizarre Adventure'!
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