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Chapter 175. Not the Ultimate Insult
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"No! I think Green Dolphin Studios is different from the production teams we've encountered before!"
Kinoko uncharacteristically argued firmly with Takeuchi Takashi, "Takeuchi, don't underestimate the results of my time spent continuously watching "JoJo's Bizarre Adventure"!"
"From "Phantom Blood" to "Stardust Crusaders", Green Dolphin Studios has always been challenging the industry, even venturing into unfamiliar territories!"
Admitted!
You bastard, you're finally admitting that you've been slacking off, and for quite a while too, aren't you!?
Takeuchi Takashi, hearing these words from Kinoko, thought of this first. And before he could respond, Kinoko's next sentence rendered him speechless.
"And most importantly—Pucci-sensei, the creator of "JoJo's Bizarre Adventure", is just like us, an industry rookie!"
"No, he's even more of a newcomer than us!"
Kinoko thought for a moment and said, "After all, we have experience with doujin conventions and doujin works, but Pucci-sensei was truly a complete newcomer when Green Dolphin Studios discovered him! And then he was entrusted with overseeing the entire "JoJo's Bizarre Adventure" series!"
"Takeuchi, do you understand what that means?"
What does it mean?
It means they're not sticking to conventional norms and they're giving opportunities to talented people!
Takeuchi Takashi, who had thoroughly read "Romance of the Three Kingdoms", and who had to learn a fair amount about historical legends due to one of their own projects, immediately thought of this ancient saying from a neighboring country.
If even a complete newcomer like Pucci could be entrusted with such great responsibility, what about them?
They're not asking for anything as far-fetched as that.
Even if they were given just a meaningful role in advising on their own film adaptations, rather than merely a nominal position, they'd already be more than satisfied!
But... could this really work?
Takeuchi Takashi felt a bit uneasy.
Although it might sound like an exaggeration, deep down, his heart was once again stirred after a long time by Kinoko's words.
It was the kind of hope he hadn't dared to dream about for a while, now feeling torn between excitement and anxiety about it being shattered.
"Trust me, I absolutely won't be wrong! Green Dolphin Studios is definitely a place where we can make our dreams come true!"
As if reading his thoughts, Kinoko smiled and said, "Besides, what's the harm in trying again?"
"The worst that could happen is another failure like last time, but if we get lucky, we could smack those who looked down on our work right in the face!"
Yeah, the worst outcome would just be another failure.
Just like how light novel adaptations often only serve as ads to boost the sales of the original light novels.
Whether the adaptation is good or bad doesn't really have that much of an impact on the novel's sales.
Those who like the original light novels would naturally continue following them despite the differences, and those who don't care would continue ignoring them.
Similarly, even if they experienced the same setbacks as before, it would be just another poorly executed ad campaign.
But if luck smiled on them this time…
"Alright, since you're so insistent, let's give it another try," Takeuchi Takashi finally said.
"Great, I knew you'd agree! So..."
Kinoko, quickly removing his hands from the workstation, excitedly exclaimed, "To celebrate this decision, and to help you better understand Green Dolphin Studios and their "Stardust Crusaders"!"
"Let's watch some episodes together!"
"By the way, it's almost time for the latest episode of "Stardust Crusaders"!"
Why did Kinoko suddenly bring this up to Takeuchi Takashi?
Besides the fact that Green Dolphin Studios' new technology had left a strong impression on him when he first saw it, and that their small studio, being much less capable than the bigger companies, had to take the initiative and become pioneers—
There was also the fact that Kinoko had been caught slacking by Takeuchi Takashi.
As a result, he hadn't had time to indulge in games or films after a day of overtime!
Naturally, Kinoko had to do everything in his power to convince Takeuchi to agree, just so he could catch the latest episode of "Stardust Crusaders" sooner.
Not to mention, he wasn't exactly bluffing.
Aside from his ulterior motives, everything he said was true!
So, with Kinoko's persuasion, Takeuchi Takashi was dragged along to watch "Stardust Crusaders" with him.
Together, they witnessed an overwhelmingly intense scene...
"What a human bridge you've become, Jotaro."
Even though Takeuchi hadn't watched "Stardust Crusaders" before, he could still tell who the protagonist was from the explosive opening sequence.
And precisely because he recognized the protagonist and antagonist, the scene unfolding before his eyes was unbelievable.
Jotaro was being used as a human bridge, trampled over as someone crossed a river or canal that could have easily been cleared with a simple leap!?
And to make it worse, the man crossing even made a point to stomp on Jotaro's hand twice as he held onto the edge of the canal!
Who's the protagonist here, again!?
Even though Kinoko had already explained some of the basic concepts of "Stardust Crusaders"—like the Stands, the century-old feud between the Joestars and DIO, and how DIO had sent Stand-wielding assassins to kill them along the way—
And even though the man stepping on Jotaro was one of DIO's assassins, sent specifically to deal with them...
Why hadn't Jotaro retaliated?
That was because the assassin's Stand, the [Lovers], was hiding inside Jotaro's grandfather Joseph's body.
If the assassin got hurt in any way, the Stand would retaliate, causing Joseph to suffer not only the same injury but with twice the intensity!
The Stand truly lived up to its name—the [Lovers]—as Joseph and the Stand's user shared a "life-or-death" bond.
With a hostage like that, and the fact that attacking or self-harm would both trigger the Stand's revenge mechanism, Jotaro was left with no choice but to comply, unless he was ready to lose his grandfather.
Still, despite understanding the situation, wasn't this a bit...
Before Takeuchi could voice his thoughts, the next scene left him even more shocked...
"Since the opportunity's rare, you might as well lick it clean!"
The man named Dan cruelly laughed as he stretched out his shoe in front of Jotaro's face.