Ryo leaves the bathroom, drying his hands, still thinking about which clone should be in which fight. But he barely has time to absorb the impact of his thoughts when he notices the other three looking at him.
Takumi (with an ironic smile): "So, Ryo... while you were playing hooky in the bathroom, we took a vote."
Ryo raises his eyebrows, already anticipating some kind of provocation. He looks from Takumi to Sakura and then to Yuki, who just nods with an air of resignation.
Ryo: "Hmm, and what did you vote for?"
Sakura (trying to contain a laugh): "It's simple. Since you were the one who came up with the brilliant idea of the 'entire planet of clones'..."
Yuki (interrupting, patting Ryo on the shoulder): "You've been promoted to arc leader."
Ryo: "Wait a minute... leader of what?"
Takumi (crossing his arms, satisfied): "Head of the clone planet arc. And as a bonus, you'll be writing four episodes."
Ryo's eyes widen, looking at the three of them in disbelief.
Ryo: "Four episodes? Me?"
Yuki: "Fair enough. We'll each write two, but you... well, considering this was your idea, we think it's only fair that you take a little more responsibility for it."
Ryo runs his hand over his face, trying to process what he's just heard. For a moment, he thinks about arguing, but the satisfied expressions on Takumi, Sakura, and Yuki's faces tell him there's no point.
Ryo (sighing): "You're kidding, right?"
Sakura (smirking): "Do you really think we're going to let you get away with putting us in this situation?"
Takumi: "Welcome to your own clone hell, Ryo."
The morning is drawing to a close and the four of them leave the office, exhausted but eager for a break, and head to the café. The evening breeze cools their weary expressions, and the silent walk, with the sounds of the surrounding streets, brings Ryo a brief relief.
Arriving at the café, they take a table at the back, where the light is soft and the conversations of others come as a muffled whisper. Yuki is the first to pick up the menu, absently leafing through the options, while Takumi leans back in his chair, studying the room with a critical eye.
Sakura is the first to order. She chooses a lemon tea and a piece of strawberry cake, saying with a smile: "I need a little sweetness."
Yuki watches her order with a puzzled expression, as if trying to understand what exactly she meant. She passes the menu to Ryo, muttering absently: "I think I'll have black coffee... better stay alert."
Takumi laughs and says: "Black coffee for you, seriously?" he says, shaking his head. "The last time you ordered that, you were more excited than the fourth ninja war."
Yuki shrugs and runs her hand through her bangs, slightly embarrassed, but firm: "This time I can handle it."
The waitress arrives with their orders, placing Sakura's tea and cake in front of her with almost reverent care. Sakura thanks her with a quiet nod. She wraps her hands around the cup, silently, lost in thoughts that no one can hear.
Meanwhile, Yuki observes the foam on his coffee with an almost scientific intensity, as if it held answers to the problems of the arc he had just inherited from Ryo. She takes a sip, and a shiver runs through him, but she doesn't complain.
Takumi, however, observes everything with attentive eyes, taking mental notes of each person's mannerisms.
He prefers orange juice - something that always makes others feel strange, but which he insists is the best choice.
"Coffee is just a disguise to try to ignore the tiredness," he comments, taking a sip of his juice with satisfaction. He lets out a sigh, observing the night outside.
Sakura laughs softly, hiding her expression behind the cup. "Maybe filler is like that too," she murmurs, and there is a sparkle in her eyes.
Takumi nods in agreement. "But we have to make it something worthwhile, otherwise it will just turn into a bunch of episodes where no one cares." He gives a meaningful look to Ryo, who just rolls his eyes.
The atmosphere in the café becomes relaxed, and the conversation fades into a comfortable silence. In a rare moment of tranquility, the four find themselves in tune, which is soon broken.
Yuki smiles: "Have you seen the trailer for the second season of Squid Games?"
Sakura: "I haven't even watched the first one. Too violent."
Takumi: "I watched it in one day. I don't remember much."
Yuki: "It's not the best series in the world, but it has its value." Yuki looked at Ryo but quickly lowered his face. "Have you seen Ryo?"
Ryo: "Look, I don't want to sound boring, but Squid Games is just a worse, digested version of Kaiji. Whoever adapted it didn't understand the essence of the story."
Yuki (rolling his eyes): "Seriously, Ryo? You're tripping. Squid Games is much better put together, leaner. Kaiji is a mess."
Takumi: "Besides, Kaiji's drawing is ugly, so I never got around to reading it. I don't like the art, taste is taste."
Sakura: "I read Kaiji because my brother liked it. He always talked about how intense and captivating it was."
Ryo: "It is! Kaiji is a realistic view of our world, especially capitalism. In games, everything is a sham, and the only way to win is to cheat, just like in real life. You think honesty will get you far? That's not how things work!"
Yuki: "Okay, but what about Squid Games? They show that if you follow the rules, you'll be rewarded. Isn't that a cool message too?"
Ryo (excited): "But that's Korean propaganda! They paint a world where, even in chaos, you can come out on top just by being 'good.' In Kaiji, the truth is harsh: cheating is the only way out. It was a rigged game, but it was the only game in town."
Takumi: "Still, you seem to have studied Squid Games more than any of us. I bet you watched that series from cover to cover!"
Sakura (laughing): "That's right! What were you doing while we were busy? Meditating in the bathroom?"
Ryo (defensive): "I watched one episode just to see what all the hype was about! And, okay, I admit it wasn't just one, but… that doesn't matter! What matters is the message! Kaiji has a deeper social critique."
Yuki: "I think they both have their strengths. But, like any competition, it all depends on what you're looking for. What do you think Kaiji teaches us about friendship and sacrifice, for example?"
Ryo: "Yeah, I'd say Kaiji is more about survival and tough choices. But Squid Games touches on themes like empathy and morality, even if in a twisted way."
Takumi: "Let's get back to reality for a moment, folks. What are we going to do? Create a survival game for our next arc? Based on Kaiji? We need to think about what really matters!"
Ryo smiles, his eyes shining.
Ryo: "That would be awesome! And we could add an even sharper social critique. A true test for our characters!"
Yuki: "Guys, before this conversation gets diverted into something work-related, let's get back to Squid Games. My point was that I liked the first season, but why a sequel? Look, I don't know about you, but I'm tired of seeing these new series that are just alternative versions of ideas that have already been explored to exhaustion. It feels like we're stuck in an endless loop of reboots and sequels."
Ryo (nodding): "I totally agree. It's like no one wants to take risks. They're just recycling old stories and hoping the audience will be satisfied." For a brief moment, his eyes meet Yuki's.
Sakura: "But is that really a problem? The stories we're seeing are just variations on universal themes. And deep down, that's part of human nature."
Yuki: "What do you mean by that? Do you mean we can justify these repetitions?"
Sakura: "Yes! The story of human beings is similar: everyone is born, grows up, searches for love and ends up disappointed. That's why you can rewrite a story a thousand times. Each time it will be different, because with each new version, you are a different person, in a different time, with a different mindset."
Ryo (thoughtfully): "Yeah. The way you perceive the story changes with your life experiences. What touches you now may be completely different from what touched you when you were younger."
Takumi: "But still, there's no denying that it lacks originality. How many times do we need to see the same formula before it becomes unbearable? Look at the series that are coming out now. They have potential, but most of them just stick to old formulas. It's an algorithm spewing out a tangle of things that have already worked, hoping that this aberration will at least pay off."
Sakura: "I think the key is execution. If a new series can bring a new perspective or a unique approach, even if the central idea has already been explored, then it's worth it. And that applies to everything: books, movies, games."
Yuki: "So, you're saying that creativity isn't just in the ideas, but in the way you present them?"
Sakura: "Yes! It's like our own conversation here. We're talking about topics that have been discussed countless times before, but that doesn't mean we can't add something new or personal to them. Or maybe make it worse."
Takumi: "That may be true. But I still prefer it when a creator really takes the risk of doing something completely new. That's what excites us, isn't it? When we find a work that defies convention."
Sakura: "But what if what we consider 'new' one day becomes a cliché too? That will never end, because human creativity is cyclical. What matters is how we feel about it at the time."
Yuki: "In the end, it all comes down to emotional connection. If a story resonates with someone, even if it's a reinterpretation of something old, then it has served its purpose."
Takumi: "Okay, so if we're going to talk about repeated stories, what do you think of our arc? We need something that's not just another copy. Something that really grabs the audience's attention!"
Ryo: "Watch out, Takumi! This smells like an attack of opportunity. Don't try to divert the conversation to that clone arc, we're discussing art here!
Yuki (smiling at Ryo): "And when we talk about repeated arcs, all I can think of are those character transformations that don't make sense. Have you seen how many animes try to give that 'upgrade' without even justifying it? It's a hair that grows, a tail that appears, a lock that comes loose…"
Sakura: "Absolutely! Like, in the last anime I watched, the protagonist became strong overnight just because he found some 'charm'. And everyone was like: 'Oh, yeah, sure, that makes total sense! Honestly, my friend, go hunt for cards, none of this slacking off, get to work!'"
Ryo: "And don't get me started on rivalry arcs. You know the rival who turns into a friend at the end? The classic 'Protagonist's Friend Who Turns into a Villain' who appears out of nowhere. Vegeta in the Majin Buu arc! It's always the same story!"
Takumi (laughing): "Yes! I was watching an anime that had a character like that. He was so well developed and, suddenly, he decided to become a villain just because he didn't win a tournament. What do you mean?!"
Sakura: "And let's not forget the battles that seem to never end. They keep attacking each other for three episodes, and in the end, the solution is... a conversation! I was even discouraged. 'Wow, all that for this?'"
Yuki: "Conversation Jutsu. I remember an anime where the villain was defeated because the protagonist simply 'awakened' a hidden power, like a superpower that no one ever mentioned. What was that? I didn't buy that idea either."
Ryo (laughing): "Don't badmouth my One Piece! What about that time when the protagonist had a friend who, for some reason, disappeared in the arc and never showed up again? What happened to him? No one cares, they just move on as if he wasn't an important part of the story."
Takumi: "Exactly! Or the cliché 'character who sacrifices himself to save the world' and instead comes back next season like nothing happened. I wonder if the writers really think that's a good idea!"
Sakura: "Now that you mention it, I remember one that did that and even had a flashback of the sacrifice. Like, man, we're all aware that you 'died'. We don't need to see that again. And they didn't even redo the animation, they shamelessly put in that cutout frame!"
Yuki: "The truth is, with so many repetitions, it's hard to have hope that the next series will bring something new, where can Squid Games go that it hasn't gone before? But then, suddenly, a series comes along that manages to make it all work and it's like: 'Where were you hiding that gem?'"
Ryo: "So we can conclude that our arc needs to be something that doesn't follow those cliché formulas. We need a little originality!"
Takumi: "That's right! And if we don't, at least let it be a fun disaster. That way, we can laugh about it later and blame it on Ryo."
Sakura: "That's it! Let's make an arc that's so crazy that no one will dare copy it!"
They slowly jotted down ideas on the napkin, but every now and then someone would derail the flow with some toxic criticism.
Ryo: Like, anything that involves a protagonist who gains powers just by being in the right place, like in Sword Art Online. That first season was amazing, but then… ugh!"
Sakura: "As if Kirito no longer has any sense of purpose, just fighting in different worlds. It's like each season is a new game just for the sake of being successful."
Yuki: "And let's not forget Overlord. I like it, but honestly, it's just Momonga getting more powerful with each episode, without much real development. What happened to the story? Sure, it's cool to see a guy playing an RPG, but there's a limit."
Takumi: "And what about No Game No Life? The idea is cool, but it ended up delivering nothing more than a series full of clichés and fanservice moments. It's like they made a list of all the popular things and just threw them in there."
Sakura: "I don't want to be mean, because I love it… but even My Hero Academia can be on that team, if you stop and think about it. Deku always outdoes himself, but sometimes it seems like that's all there is to it. In the end, it's the same pattern with repeated characters."
Ryo: "Exactly! Fairy Tail is another example. They have cool battles, but deep down it's always the same: they win, make friends, and everything turns out okay in the end. Where's the innovation? And don't get me started on the power of friendship again, that's already a joke!"
Yuki: "Yes! And the same thing happens in Naruto. The final fight is always a matter of 'Let's understand each other and unite against the real enemy, which is this. No, this. No, this'. It's a formula that, in the end, gets tiresome."
Takumi: "But I still have a special place in my heart for Naruto, even though it has its clichés."
Sakura: "And the repetition of battle arcs in Bleach, which ended up becoming a series full of filler and arcs that didn't add anything to the main plot. There was so much fighting that you lost track of what really matters in the story."
Ryo: "Don't come and talk bad about the impeccable god, Tite Kubo. Everything he did was right, and if you think he's wrong, it's because you still don't understand. But deep down, all these anime end up falling into the same trap. It's a story told in a thousand ways, but in the end, they're all just following a formula. What we need is a little courage to break some barriers!"
Yuki: "Then let's do something different! An anime that really surprises people. An arc that makes everyone think: 'How come I haven't seen this before?'"
Takumi: "That's it! Let's bring a new perspective! A story that makes everyone rethink what it means to be 'generic'!"
Ryo: "But seriously. Who else was completely disappointed with the Dragon Ball Z arc where Goku turns into a Super Saiyan 3? That fight with Majin Boo dragged on for so long that I almost gave up watching. And what happened to building tension? He just shows up and, puff, a new level of power, as if nothing had happened! And Gohan?!"
Sakura: "Even worse is the Naruto arc with the Akatsuki story. It was supposed to be something amazing, but in the end, what do we see? A bunch of characters who seem more like wallpaper than real villains. Not to mention the amount of forced 'drama' that ended up making everything boring, the only fight that stands out is the one between Shikamaru and Pain!"
Takumi: "And I can't forget to mention Fairy Tail. The Magic Tournament arc was a disaster. The amount of cheating and plot twists that didn't make sense, and villains who suddenly become friends! It was one of the greatest examples of 'deus ex machina' I've ever seen."
Yuki: "I don't want to kick a dead horse, but... Bleach! The Fullbringer arc... seriously, what happened there? I've never seen such a poorly structured story, where the new characters were more boring than interesting. It was almost like the series was forcing itself to move forward without knowing where to go!"
Takumi: "I agree! The Soul Society arc was amazing, but then it started to lose its way. And that fight with Aizen dragged on for a thousand episodes! What should have been epic turned into a soap opera, with plot twists that led nowhere. I just wanted Ichigo to win and that was it!"
Ryo: You're talking nonsense and you better stop it before I have to call the police! The Fullbringer arc ties up Inoue's story, it explains part of Ichigo's origins, and the villain of the arc returns in the final arc. Bleach is perfect, and anyone who dares to say otherwise is just being reckless.
Yuki: "Okay, okay, fair enough. It seems like we're all in the same boat. These arcs that should be exciting often end up being the opposite, or at least perceived that way. What we need is innovation, stories that make us really care!"
Takumi: "Exactly! And if we're going to do that, we have to remember that we can't repeat the mistakes of the past. We need to create an arc that is truly unique, that makes the audience ask themselves 'how has this never been done before?'"
Sakura: "What if, in the clone planet arc, we make the clones actually be better versions of each character? Like, each of the clones has a unique ability that improves on what the originals have. They would be stronger, smarter, and even more charismatic! This would create an interesting dynamic, as the protagonists would have to face their own insecurities and limitations."
Yuki: "That's actually quite interesting! We could explore the idea of self-knowledge and personal growth, with the protagonists having to question whether they are really as good as they think they are. The fight wouldn't just be against the clones, but also against themselves."
Sakura: "I agree! And this internal battle could generate many emotional twists and turns. It would be a great opportunity for character development."
Ryo, however, doesn't seem convinced. He raises an eyebrow and crosses his arms.
Ryo: "But wait a minute... this is just a version of the classic 'heroes vs. better versions of themselves'. Besides, what would be the justification for the clones being so superior? It doesn't make much sense that the technology that created the clones was so perfect that it surpassed the original. Without a solid explanation, it ends up just being an excuse to fill the arc with clichés."
The atmosphere is tense for a moment, until Ryo's thoughtful expression brightens.
Ryo: "What if, instead, we make the clones twisted and flawed versions of the characters? They could have the same traits and memories, but with a 'bug' that causes their personalities to manifest in completely opposite ways. That way, the clones could act selfishly or even maliciously, which would force the protagonists to confront their own flaws and the struggle would not only be external, but also internal, to regain what they lost sight of in themselves."
Yuki: "That's brilliant! It turns the narrative into something deeper, exploring the duality of human beings. Instead of fighting better versions of themselves, they would fight their worst versions!"
Sakura: "And at the same time, it creates a real conflict between them, because the clones could be a projection of their fears and insecurities. Plus, the ending could be open-ended, making the characters have to decide whether to exterminate these clones or try to save them from their own twisted nature."
Takumi's eyes light up as he processes the idea.
Takumi: "Wow, Ryo, this completely changes the direction of the arc! Instead of being a cliché, it will become a journey of self-discovery and growth. I love the idea that the struggle is not just physical, but emotional!"
With a satisfied smile, Ryo gets up from the table, feeling victorious.
He had managed to turn a cliché around and turn the clone planet arc into something truly special. The lively conversations of his friends echoed in his mind, and he headed to the bathroom, still pondering the new ideas that had come to him.
In the bathroom, Ryo washed his face quickly and took a look in the mirror, admiring his own brilliant reasoning. He left with his head held high, almost floating, convinced that he had made a difference. When he returned to the table, however, his smile disappeared.
The table was empty, and the atmosphere of the café, now silent, seemed to mock him. He looked around, looking for his friends, but there was no sign of them. With a mix of confusion and concern, Ryo approached the table.
Where they were sitting, he found the bill left for him, as a cruel reminder that his friends had had fun at his expense.
Ryo: "Oh, no... Really?" He looked at the bill, his eyes widening when he saw the amount.
Ryo let out a resigned sigh, already imagining the conversation he would have to have when he finally found Takumi, Sakura and Yuki. As he paid the bill, his thoughts turned to the arc he had just created and how, even though he had been left to deal with it alone, he was one step closer to doing something amazing.
At least he still had the victory of his idea.
Ryo: "I'll get revenge for this... next time, I'll leave them an even bigger bill!"
He left the café with a mischievous smile, determined not to let that small defeat discourage him. After all, he was still the head of the clone planet arc and, with an idea like his, there were many battles to be won ahead.
Before he opened the office door, a thought came to his mind. The editor's words: "...the hero creates a clone so he can... leave for a while…"
Ryo's eyes widened and he shouted: "The heroes won't be there. It'll just be the clones. Just them."
Written by Gilson Vilain Machado