"Your Name" Release Date Set (2-in-1)

"Not bad."

Ren looked at the new works, nodding in satisfaction.

He didn't plan to adapt these three works into comics right away.

First, "Carnival Phantasm" was a no-go without "Fate" and "Tsukihime" as groundwork, which might take a while to appear.

"Kamen Rider Kuuga" would definitely go to his tokusatsu company. With "Ultraman Tiga" done, the tokusatsu team had no work currently.

Although his assistant and apprentice were working on "Ultraman Nexus," the script would still take some time to complete.

After all, unlike Ren, Felix didn't have a system. Even with Ren providing the general world setting, Felix had to imagine the entire plot.

Even with Ren's help, Felix found it challenging.

As for "Kara no Kyokai"? Ren didn't plan to publish it as a manga directly in the magazine.

He still had "Fullmetal Alchemist" to release after "Tokyo Ghoul" finished.

Ren was looking forward to "Fullmetal Alchemist" hitting the stage.

So, Ren decided to adapt "Kara no Kyokai" into a movie. His wife was busy setting up an animation company, and this work would be perfect to announce the company's founding.

While Ren was excited about the new works, he received good news about "Your Name."

It was completed and had a release date!

"Adding another strong contender for the summer! The animated movie 'Your Name' is set for late July!"

"Do you remember the meteorite that fell from the sky? The manga adaptation 'Your Name' is coming! Experience the beauty of youthful romance."

"Will the rising star of the manga world surprise us at the box office?"

"A 70 million production, coming in strong! Can 'Your Name' leave a mark in film history?"

In early July, "Your Name" was only about twenty days away from its release. With a production cost of 70 million, the promotion budget was 20 million, boosting its publicity.

The Internet, billboards, TV, bus stops, cinemas... Posters were everywhere in most cities nationwide.

Ren and Picca Comics' Weibo pages also featured promotions.

With 70 million in production costs and Ren's fame, it was hard for fans to miss it.

"Finally! 'Your Name' is coming out!!! And it's in July, so I can watch it!!!"

"Hope the producers don't ruin this masterpiece!"

"My main concern is the art style! I hope it's even more beautiful than in the manga!"

"So, what's 'Your Name' about? I've only seen 'Ultraman Tiga' from the Porter."

"It's an amazing youth romance! You'll regret not watching it!!!"

The internet went wild.

"Your Name" quickly trended.

These days, what sells best? A well-known, well-adapted IP and a famous manga artist. As a winner of the Golden Mouse Award, Ren, the rising star in the manga world, was a guaranteed box office draw.

The release of "Your Name" had been planned in advance, and Ren would need to attend the premiere.

However, Ren's focus was elsewhere.

Recently, he had been at home, working on the script for "Kuuga," adapting some of the Japanese elements to fit their culture, aiming to bring it to the screen quickly.

His wife starting so many companies showed her trust in him, and he wouldn't let her down.

Plus, the company needed ample funds.

The profits from "Ultraman Tiga" had amazed Ren, and Kamen Rider, as one of the big three tokusatsu, wouldn't lose to Ultraman.

...

At Guyuan Company

"Mr. Ren, what's the next Ultraman story we're shooting?"

Andrew approached Ren, full of excitement.

"Is it the Ultraman who fought monsters with Tiga when he traveled to the past?"

While shooting "Ultraman Tiga," Andrew knew it was part of a series.

Especially when a different Ultraman, red and silver, appeared, Andrew was even more convinced.

The Land of Light seemed like the home of the Ultramen. Did Tiga travel back to this place? Would there be more stories on this planet? Was the new story one of them?

Andrew was eager to know.

"Ah, no, this story isn't an Ultraman series. My apprentice is working on the Ultraman series." Seeing Andrew's disappointment, Ren quickly added, "But I guarantee this new story will amaze you, just as good as Ultraman!"

Ren's words made Andrew unhappy: "Mr. Ren, I disagree. 'Ultraman' is a significant work, being the first giant hero on TV. Not many hero series can compare!"

Andrew, possibly a parallel universe counterpart of Tsuburaya from Ren's previous world, was a big Ultraman fan.

Hearing Ren say the new series was as good as Ultraman, Andrew was not convinced!

To him, Ultraman was the best tokusatsu!

"Oh? Maybe." Ren didn't argue.

Even if Andrew wasn't Tsuburaya, they were similar enough. He might not be as enthusiastic about Kamen Rider.

But as an artist, Andrew could surely recognize a good work from a bad one.

"Of course!"

Andrew puffed out his chest: "I am completely dedicated to Ultraman. I won't switch to the new work you mentioned!"

But despite his words, Andrew was curious about the new series.

Ren, being the father of Ultraman, must love his own work. If he was this confident, the new series must be excellent, even if not on par with Ultraman.

"Here, take a look at the new script..."

--------

"Hmph, I still don't believe there can be a tokusatsu series as good as Ultraman!"

Andrew snorted and took the script, reading the title—"Kamen Rider Kuuga."

Just from the title?

Andrew felt it was already a step behind.

However, he continued reading, and soon, he couldn't take his eyes off the page.

The story begins with the discovery of a mysterious ruin. Archaeologists find a coffin in the ruin, and inside lies an ancient corpse wearing a petrified belt.

This discovery drives the archaeologists into a frenzy.

The ruin's unique style, unlike any other in the world, could make them famous. They couldn't pass up this chance. Despite the oddity of the corpse, their curiosity prevails.

And then it all goes wrong.

Instead of bizarre creatures like water monkeys, a mysterious monster appears, killing the entire team.

Not only that, after this major incident, a spider monster emerges in residential areas, harming people and causing chaos for the authorities.

But just then, a man with 1999 skills steps up. Compelled by the unearthed belt, he puts it on. The belt mysteriously merges into his body, and the new Kamen Rider Kuuga is born!

Before he put on the belt, he already had glimpses of the truth through sporadic visions.

Perhaps, the moment he donned the belt, he ceased to be human?

But to protect humanity and make people smile, even if he would be the one crying in the end, he wore it anyway.

And so the story of "Kamen Rider Kuuga" begins.

"On the snowy mountain peak, the black hero weeps while the white devil laughs…"

After reading the basic script and character settings, Andrew felt his previously firm beliefs waver.

This work, as Ren had said, was indeed on par with Ultraman. Unlike Ultraman, this story had the feel of a tragic hero.

It was touching, filled with anger…

The key moment was on the snowy mountain peak, when the protagonist says, "Watch me transform!"

Reading this part, Andrew could vividly imagine the scene: snowflakes flying, the black hero weeping, the white devil laughing, and blood splattering!

The protagonist's character was very well developed.

The protagonist's design was simple—a simple, single-celled organism.

His goal never wavered from the beginning: to fight for the smiles of people!

As a child, his father, a war photographer, died in Afghanistan, making him experience the horrors and sorrow of violence, casting a lasting shadow over his childhood.

Yet, despite this, he grew up resolute, keeping a promise with his mentor to master 2000 skills by 2021. He faced any hardship with a bright, determined smile, maintaining curiosity and reverence for the world.

Even though this protagonist didn't grow to giant size, Andrew found himself unable to resist the story.

"Stay calm, Andrew! Remember what you said! You love Ultraman, not Kamen Rider!!!"

Andrew kept reminding himself, trying to resist this story's allure, but it was futile.

Soon, he was smiling, placing the script on the table, and excitedly saying, "Mr. Ren! This project is perfect for me!"

But then, he saw Ren take out his phone. Ren pressed a button, and a familiar voice played: "I am dedicated to Ultraman. I would never switch to another series…"

"Gotcha~" Ren grinned.

Andrew's face turned bright red, and he quickly changed the subject.

"By the way, Mr. Ren, are these characters on the script your creation or from another country?" Andrew asked, his eyes full of curiosity.

He had never seen these symbols before.

The translated meanings below each symbol made him feel a sense of revelation.

"Oh, I created them!" Ren shamelessly took credit for the symbols from the previous world, acting like it was a tough job. "Coming up with these characters was exhausting, but it's fulfilling to see them used."

...

While Ren's "Kamen Rider Kuuga" was preparing for production, he received an invitation to the premiere of "Your Name."

Although Yueyue was usually noisy, she behaved very well when it mattered.

Holding her parents' hands, she hummed a song from "Madoka Magica."

As the creator and original author of "Your Name," Ren faced numerous interviews.

He had prepared a set of standard answers during the Golden Mouse Awards, adding a few jokes to breeze through the questions.

Waiting in his seat, Ren felt a mix of anticipation.

With a much higher budget than the original, how would this movie turn out?

The storyline was naturally well-crafted since Ren handled it all.

But he was most concerned about the music. The songs from the original "Your Name" were excellent, and without similar quality, the movie's level might drop.

Thankfully, the music in this world was quite good.

The soundtrack featured traditional instruments like the qin, se, and zhu, and golden instruments like bells, filled with rich cultural elements;

Music centered around the erhu, emphasizing orchestral arrangements;

And vocal songs by bands that could serve as background music;

The ancient melodies brought a unique feel to the movie, different from the original.

"I feel like I've seen you before!"

"Me too."

"Your name is…"

With the traditional music playing, the male and female protagonists gazed at each other.

The movie ended.

Reflecting on the film, Ren gave it a full score without hesitation.