Chapter 11: You Seriously Underestimate the Power of Cinema!

Chapter 11: You Seriously Underestimate Movies!

Akio Jissoji?

Ultraman?

This old man is none other than the original director of Ultraman. Of course, he has many other works, but Ultraman is always the first to come to mind.

Oh, he’s quite bald now.

Take Iwata was polite enough to use respectful language.

“Um, Mr. Jissoji, is there something you need?”

After all, the other party was older, and even in the yakuza, respect for one’s seniors is a must.

But the old man chuckled and said, “You must have many questions in your mind, right?”

“That’s true,” Take nodded.

The old man continued, “Actually, I saw you at the bookstore before, and I thought you would be perfect for a character in a film I’m about to shoot.”

Take Iwata had already guessed this, so he wasn’t surprised.

But then he heard, “Let me be straightforward. The movie is called ‘Teito Monogatari’—I think you’d be perfect as the main villain.”

‘Teito Monogatari’?

His blood pressure rose.

Most Chinese people don’t know much about ‘Teito Monogatari’ because neither the movie, the original novel, nor the anime were introduced here.

It’s full of lurid violence and feudal superstition—all the bad stuff.

However, there is one character we’re very familiar with.

In Capcom’s most famous game, Street Fighter, there’s a major boss named Vega. Many Chinese players call him ‘the cop.’

That Vega is modeled directly after the main villain known as the Military Uniformed Demon, Yasunori Kato, from ‘Teito Monogatari.’

If you call it inspiration... it’s essentially a carbon copy.

Take Iwata, professionally trained, knew this character well. After all, this is one of the most notorious villains in Japanese film history. Why else would Capcom have borrowed him as the final boss?

Digging deeper, Yasunori Kato represents the dark underbelly of Japan in that era. Many cultural workers at that time had a strong sense of right and wrong; they understood how evil this figure was.

In most works from that period, characters like Kato were eradicated by the people’s power.

In other words, they knew they couldn’t rely on the puppet government—they saw it as the enemy. From this, we can understand how impactful changes to textbooks and other actions were on Japan.

But now...

You old bastard, you actually want me to play such a vicious guy!

Take Iwata was about to lose his temper, but the old man simply sat down somewhere and smiled, saying,

“However, I’m sure now you won’t accept my invitation.”

Damn, this old fellow has self-awareness.

Take Iwata thought to himself but kept a refined, easygoing expression.

“Good that you know.”

Take’s refusal was exactly as Jissoji expected; the old man wasn’t angry.

But to Miho Nakayama, watching this scene, it looked different.

At first, it seemed these two men weren’t familiar with each other. Take’s unfamiliarity wasn’t an act. But now, it felt like they were quite close.

Jissoji didn’t even ask Take’s name.

What came next surprised Miho even more.

“Kid, you’re a yakuza, and you look fierce. Do you think I should be afraid of you?”

“Can’t I think that?”

“You’re right to think so, but since I’m sure you’ll refuse, why don’t you ask why I came?”

“Why should I ask? Won’t you tell me yourself?”

“Haha... so typical of a yakuza, always so shameless.”

“What do you mean shameless? You’re rude too! This is my place!”

“Fine, I’m rude, but there’s something I must say first.”

“Go ahead.”

“You’re a good man.”

“A good man?”

“Don’t be surprised. I say this because I read your script.”

“Huh? You...”

Take Iwata finally understood.

It wasn’t Akira Yamaguchi who wanted the script—it was this old bald man.

That also explained Miho Nakayama’s confusion. The script included Take’s basic information and address, but she hadn’t thought so far.

Jissoji continued, “The script is well-written! Especially the male lead, Ryosuke Wagatsuma. He’s a real man—fierce but full of justice and humanity. Even until the end... well, never mind. Do you know how hard it was for me, at my age, to stay up all night reading it?”

“Huh?”

Take sneered, “What are you saying? It’s not like I asked you to read it or stay up all night!”

Fair enough.

But the old man teased, “Who told you to write such a script? And who told you to look so fierce? If not for me, no one would even glance your way!”

They felt like rivals perfectly matched, so they just let loose.

“What? Is looking fierce a problem? Do I have to act in your film just because I look fierce? I don’t care about your damn movie!”

“Haha, you’ve got quite a sharp tongue.”

“Don’t underestimate me. I’m not just sharp-tongued; other parts of me are even harder.”

“Baka! What other parts?”

“My fists! What were you thinking, old man?”

“Haha... Take, you’re the funniest yakuza I’ve ever met.”

“Who gave you permission to call me that?”

“Doesn’t matter. I’m an old man and like calling you that. So?”

“Hmph! I’m not the kind of man to quarrel over such details.”

“You mean... you’re well-endowed?”

“Please retract that tone of doubt.”

“Bragging has to fit the occasion. What if a beauty finds out the truth? How embarrassing.”

“A real man wouldn’t be afraid.”

“Hehe... confident, aren’t you.”

Good grief!

Their banter here made Miho blush deeply.

She dared not say more; she increasingly felt these two men were quite close.

Suddenly, Jissoji changed the subject.

“You really underestimate movies, don’t you?”

Take fell silent.

Jissoji went on, “Do you know what it takes to make an excellent film? More importantly, do you have connections? Do you know any big shots at Toho?”

Take furrowed his brow.

In fact, Take’s original plan was to seize this ‘opportunity’ to win favor with a big company.

But now?

Take’s attitude suddenly shifted; he said sincerely, “Mr. Jissoji, I look forward to your guidance!”

At these words, Jissoji burst into laughter.

“You’re teachable, teachable.”

Miho Nakayama was even more confused.

...

Akio Jissoji had discovered Take Iwata when he was at Iwanami Bookstore, which led to all this.

‘Teito Monogatari’ was Toho’s most important movie this year. Whether it succeeded was crucial.

To elaborate, Toho was on a downward slope with only two films this year. That’s why they still held Cinderella contests in recent years, making quick money off appearances.

Jissoji was under immense pressure—especially since this film needed an unparalleled villain. At first sight, he thought Take Iwata would be perfect as Yasunori Kato.

Take was tall, with a fierce look; not casting him as the villain would be a waste.

But Jissoji never expected Take to come to Iwanami Bookstore just to submit a script.

Driven by curiosity, Jissoji instructed Yamaguchi to leave the script behind.

The cooperation between Toho and Iwanami Bookstore was unquestionable. Jissoji was one of Toho’s top directors; it would be strange if Yamaguchi disobeyed.

So the script was in hand, and the old man really stayed up all night reading it.

He was unexpectedly impressed.

He realized this fierce-looking man was quite talented.

The old man developed a fondness for talent.

As for Take’s identity... How could the old man not realize he was a yakuza?

This was perfect!

Toho coveted Shochiku’s yakuza films—they were very profitable. If they could poach Shinji Fukasaku, Toho would agree to any terms.

The key problem was that they couldn’t get him.

Now, with Take Iwata, if he could shock everyone with his debut?

Although ‘The Violent Man’ wasn’t a yakuza film, it was filled with violence and gang elements.

To Jissoji, Take was a guy full of potential!

If this kid could become Toho’s Shinji Fukasaku, wouldn’t the old man gain a great reputation too?

Before coming here, he had already planned to introduce Take to Toho.

But after all, Take was a yakuza.

When the old man was about to leave, he said,

“This film must be made well. If it fails, I won’t have anything to do with you.”

“Please rest assured, sir!”

Take wasn’t a fool; he understood what the old man meant.

Now he was connected to Toho, but if he didn’t have value, these bastards would abandon him without mercy!

That’s reality, and Take thought it was fair enough.

After Jissoji left, Miho Nakayama suddenly said to Take,

“Shinobu, she’s the female lead. Is that okay?”

???

Was this woman a shapeshifter?

Thanks to Casual X, Love Farewell, Book Friend 2020...1669, the Harem Guard, Intern Boyfriend from Sister Izumi, and everyone’s rewards, recommendations, and monthly votes. Thank you so much!

Please don’t worry; the unauthorized sequel is being written with full effort.

(End of chapter)