Chapter 736: Tokyo Studios March 26th Weekly Meeting I
Chapter 736: Tokyo Studios March 26th Weekly Meeting I
Theo cleared his throat, signaling the start of the meeting. "Alright, let's begin with Sword Art Online. We're in the final stretch, and I want to make sure everything is on track for next
week's premiere."
Aidan Davies, head of the Composition Department, leaned forward, his hands clasped together. "We've completed post-production on the first 20 episodes. The last four episodes are in the final stages of composition, and we're coordinating closely with the sound engineers and voice actors. We should be able to deliver everything by midweek."
Theo nodded, visibly pleased. "That's excellent. The quality of the episodes we've completed so far is stellar, and I have full confidence the rest will follow suit. Kido," he turned toward Kido Emina, the Head of Sound Design, "how are things progressing on the sound side?"
Kido flipped through her notes before replying. "We're almost finished with the final sound mix for episodes 21 through 24. The voice actors have wrapped up recording their lines, and the engineers are just putting the final touches on the audio. Isaki and his team have been meticulous, and everything is sounding incredible."
"Great to hear. I'm assuming Eto and Lauren's work on Kirito and Asuna's final scenes went smoothly?" Theo asked, referring to the series' protagonists.
Kido smiled. "They nailed it. Eto's voice acting brings an emotional depth to Kirito's character that I think the audience will really resonate with, and Lauren-san is an absolute talent, now I understand why she has such an extensive career. Their performance in those climactic episodes is some of her best work yet."
There was a hum of approval around the table as the team appreciated the talent that had been brought together for the project. Theo made a mental note to send a message of gratitude to Ozawa later in the day.
Next, Nora Wells, head of the Editing Department, raised her hand slightly. "We've already completed the editing for episodes up to 20, and the final episodes are just waiting for the sound to be finished. Once we get that, we can polish up everything in a day or two. Given our current timeline, we'll definitely be ready for the premiere."
Theo's fingers drummed lightly on the table. "That's what I like to hear. The first episode airs next week, and it's crucial that everything goes off without a hitch. The marketing team has already ramped up the promotional materials, but I want to make sure we're all set for the official release."
Ally Riddle, head of the Marketing Department, perked up at the mention of her team. "We've been working overtime to generate buzz for the release. Our social media campaigns are performing beyond expectations, and we've got several key interviews lined up with prominent anime magazines. The response from fans has been overwhelmingly positive, especially since we dropped that teaser trailer last week. We registered an increase of searches for the [SAO] Anime since the PrimCon, and the Ink Magazine article, we expect a decent amount of audience when the first episode airs."
"The trailer was spectacular," Ryoko chimed in. "It showcased the heart of the story without giving too much away, which is exactly what we needed. Have we heard anything back from the TV Channel?"
Ally nodded. "They have seen the first episode, and they have approved. Everything's been approved. We've also secured some prime-time slots for reruns, so it'll have plenty of exposure. Plus, with the incoming launch of Kuramaroll, we have secure distribution to almost all the globe already."
As the meeting progressed, it became clear just how far they had come. Sword Art Online was no longer just an ambitious project for the fledgling studio; it was the culmination of months of hard work, dedication, and passion. For many in the room, this anime represented a dream come true. They weren't just creating another series-they were helping to define the identity of Tokyo Animation Studios.
Brianna Shiori, head of the Art Department and Ryoko's best friend from college, leaned back in her chair, her voice filled with a mix of pride and exhaustion. "The final animation for those last few episodes is some of our best work. Zofia and the keyframe animation team have been pushing themselves to the limit, and it shows. The fight scenes in the final arc are fluid, dynamic, and visually stunning. I think they'll leave a lasting impression on the audience."
Zofia Webb, the Keyframe Animation Chief, gave a small nod of acknowledgment. "We knew that the climax of the series had to stand out, so we pulled out all the stops. I can't wait for people to see it."
Theo smiled, looking around the room at the faces of his talented team. "You've all done an outstanding job, and I can't thank you enough for your hard work. I know this project has been demanding, but I truly believe it's going to pay off in a big way."
The room was filled with a sense of accomplishment, but Theo knew there was still more to discuss. Sword Art Online was their debut, and its success would determine the future of the studio. But as confident as he was in the series, he also knew that this was only the beginning. They had other projects on the horizon, and now was the time to start thinking about their next moves.
Before they could move on, Ryoko cleared her throat, her usual composed demeanor tinged with a trace of excitement. "Before we wrap up on Sword Art Online, I just wanted to say how proud I am of this entire team. I know many of us have worked together before, but this project has felt like something special. It's been a long journey, but we're almost there. We did it, guys, we managed to produce an anime in less than 6 months!"
Her words resonated with the room. A few months ago, most of them had been facing the cruel face of unemployment and having to work freelance jobs to make ends meet, but now they were leaders of a studio that was about to release its first animation!
"Yes, when I founded this studio a few months ago, I never imagined that we could go so far. And we couldn't have done without the work of each one of you and the others." Theo said with a brilliant smile.
Everyone smiled back in happiness at being part of such an important project. After all, they were realizing their dreams!
They couldn't believe how far they had come, and they were extremely grateful to Theo and Ryoko for giving this opportunity to them.
Many of the people gathered had put countless hours into making Sword Art Online the best it could be, often pushing themselves to their creative limits. Ryoko's acknowledgment of their efforts wasn't just a formality-it was genuine, and it uplifted the atmosphere even more.
Theo leaned forward slightly. "This is our debut project, and it's been a major undertaking. But we've proven that this studio can produce top-tier content. Now, with only editing and minor post-production left for the final episodes, we can shift some of our focus toward whatn/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om
comes next."
He glanced at his notes and tapped the table lightly. "But before we dive into those discussions, I just want to make sure we're all aligned on the timeline for the final delivery of these episodes. Nora, do you think we'll be able to expedite the editing process once the sound department hands over the last audio files?"
Nora looked over her tablet, her expression thoughtful. "Given how smoothly things have been going, I don't foresee any delays. As long as Kido's team sticks to their schedule, we should be able to finalize everything by Wednesday, leaving us a couple of days to review and make any last-minute adjustments before the premiere."
Theo nodded, his gaze shifting to Kido. "Sound team?"
Kido gave a reassuring smile. "No worries from our side. Isaki and Kanai are both overseeing the final touches, and I've been checking in daily. We're on track."
"Perfect," Theo said, his voice filled with quiet confidence. "That's all I needed to hear. Once the first episode airs, I'll want the marketing and public relations departments' attention focused on monitoring feedback from the audience and any technical issues that might arise. We can't afford to miss anything in those crucial first days."
Ally, the marketing lead, leaned in. "We've already got a team set up for real-time engagement once the episode goes live. We'll be responding to fan reactions, monitoring social media, and gathering data on viewership. If there's anything that needs addressing, we'll have it covered."
"Good. Let's make sure this launch goes as smoothly as possible," Theo said, his voice firm yet calm. "Now that Sword Art Online is nearing completion, we can start thinking ahead. But let's finish strong. Everyone in this room has poured their heart into this project, and I want to
see it shine."
The room quieted for a moment, the weight of what they'd accomplished settling in. It wasn't just about making a good anime-it was about establishing the reputation of Tokyo Animation Studios. For most of the team, this was the culmination of years of hard work and passion. And now, they stood on the brink of something big.
Theo glanced at his watch. "Alright, we'll discuss our next projects in a moment. But before we move on, any last thoughts on Sword Art Online?"
A few heads shook, with satisfied looks exchanged between colleagues. Everything seemed on track, and the team was ready to move forward.
Theo leaned back in his chair, his eyes sweeping the room one last time. "Then let's prepare to shift gears. Next, we've got some other projects to discuss."
As the energy in the room began to shift toward their future endeavors, Theo felt a sense of pride and excitement building within him. Sword Art Online was just the beginning. The road ahead was filled with opportunity, and he knew this team was ready for whatever came next.