Chapter 20

Before my reincarnation, back in the 21st century on Earth, mecha anime was a genre that could be considered pretty popular among certain circles.

Of course, it wasn’t like it had massive mainstream popularity or was universally loved by all genders and ages.

Still, it was undeniably a genre with a strong core fanbase.

Otherwise, there would be no way to explain the insane sales of ‘Gan Dan’ plastic models costing at least a few hundred dollars each.

After all, the buyers weren’t all suspiciously wealthy furries… I mean, rich people, yet they were willing to splurge so much money out of sheer love for the works.

Because of its popularity, the mecha genre had quite a few established formulas over time—basically, clichés—for commercial success.

For example, having a “shouldn’t-exist” mech within the unit, or an “impossible-to-exist” one.

Or cobbled-together junk machines suddenly equipped with limiter-release systems.

Or forcibly-installed “non-standard parts.”

These kinds of ridiculous but dreamy clichés that stirred the hearts of men were abundant.

And when creating the first episode of “Knight Shin Chronicle,” I incorporated one of those cheat-like elements.

Rampage!

Isn’t it textbook that the protagonist’s mech goes berserk when they’re in danger?

Especially if the protagonist loses consciousness or the power cuts off, rendering the mech immobile under normal circumstances, yet it still rampages.

Why?

Because it’s freakin’ cool, that’s why.

Just as SkullGreymon, who undergoes a dark evolution, is far stronger than MetalGreymon who follows a standard evolution, the rampaging mech effortlessly tears through extras in the first episode.

Sure, it’s completely unrealistic, but fans of mecha anime don’t care about such common sense.

Why?

Because if it looks awesome, everything is forgiven and allowed.

So, without any regard for future settings or consequences, I just added the rampage scene for maximum impact in the first episode.

But…

“Hmm, maybe this was a bit too much…”

Though I had recklessly included the rampage scene to fulfill my own mecha dreams,

I started to regret it, wondering if it might’ve been a little too far-fetched.

Because, as I mentioned before, fantasy world inhabitants tend to treat magic like a documentary. If the setting doesn’t perfectly align with magical logic, they often nitpick.

While the rampage might have seemed impactful now,

once the hype dies down and they regain their senses, I couldn’t predict how they’d react.

“Ahh, whatever. I made the scene I wanted, so even if I die now, I’ll have no regrets…!”

Plop.

With that utterly irresponsible attitude, I lay down on the bed and fell asleep.

“Ragnar, Ragnar! Wake up quickly, hurry!”

“Director, something serious seems to have happened.”

The next morning, Serika and Karlreya woke me up urgently, acting as my alarm clock.

“What? What’s going on?”

“Well, you see…”

But Serika and Karlreya looked perplexed as they stared at me.

“They say the reactions from the public aren’t normal after yesterday’s broadcast of ‘Knight Shin Chronicle.'”

“Hmm, is that all?”

I wasn’t particularly surprised since I had anticipated that viewers would start regaining their sanity after the initial shock wore off.

However…

“Director, do you know what the people gathered in front of the palace square are saying right now?”

“I don’t know. How should I?”

Lying in bed all night, how would I know?

They’re probably yelling stuff like, “Send the animation director back to Hogwarts for re-education because he knows nothing about magic.”

But unfortunately, what came out of Karlreya’s mouth exceeded my imagination.

“They want the next episode immediately.”

“…What?”

“The people are protesting, demanding that ‘Knight Shin Chronicle’ Episode 2 be aired right now!”

“…What did you say?”

***

Rewinding a bit, right after the first episode of ‘Knight Shin Chronicle’ ended,

people were staring blankly at the merciless words floating on their televisions.

[To be continued in the next episode.]

“…”

“…”

Most people present were in a daze from the intense scenes they had just witnessed, but they were still smart enough to understand the meaning of the words on screen.

“To be continued… Does that mean today’s portion is over?”

“So, when exactly will the next episode air? Surely, they’ll take a short break and air it in ten minutes, right? Right?”

But mocking everyone’s desperate hopes, another message appeared.

[‘Knight Shin Chronicle’ Episode 2 will air next weekend. Thank you for your attention and support.]

“…”

“…”

It’s said that when people experience a shock so strong it feels like death, they go through five stages.

“This must be some kind of joke. I know the second episode will air in ten minutes.”

“Haha, this must be fake, right? This can’t possibly be real, right?”

Denial.

“Damn it! Ten minutes have passed, so why isn’t the second episode airing? Why?”

“Do you enjoy watching us lose our minds? Tell me, what happened after Knight Shin went berserk?”

“Release the next episode already, release it!”

Anger.

“Can’t you just air the second episode quickly if we pay every time we watch? Can’t you at least change the schedule to once every two days, or three?”

Negotiation.

“F***… Spending a week in a world without ‘Knight Shin Chronicle’ Episode 2… Is this something humans can endure…?”

“I wanna die… Someone knock me out for a week and wake me up ten minutes before the second episode airs…”

Depression, then Acceptance.

Like that, people went through the five stages of grief, slumping in their seats as if they had lost all will to live.

In reality, it was unavoidable.

Most people gathered at this tavern were experiencing their first-ever anime viewing through ‘Knight Shin Chronicle.’

They knew vaguely from rumors that anime—and ‘The Mysterious Disappearance of Eli and Hammel’ in particular—were trendy among nobles.

But since watching ‘The Mysterious Disappearance of Eli and Hammel’ required buying tickets, they could only sit and drool.

For these folks, who felt that even coming to the tavern for a beer was a significant expense, where would they find the money to go to the theater?

Thus, they watched ‘Knight Shin Chronicle’ without knowing anything about the fun of anime created by Ragnar.

Their eyes nearly popped out when they saw the deliberate dopamine rush-inducing rampage scene Ragnar inserted.

To commoners whose only entertainment was street performances and circuses, ‘Knight Shin Chronicle’ was nothing less than a cultural shock.

“Rather than showing us anything at all in the first place… Where’s the justice in this?”

“I’m so curious about what happens next; I won’t be able to sleep tonight.”

Just as everyone sat there dejectedly staring at their turned-off TVs,

“…Ladies and gentlemen here.”

Thud.

Someone who had been sitting there in a trance-like state suddenly stood up and spoke.

“Don’t you feel it’s too disappointing to give up everything like this?”

This young man, despite looking older due to his mustache, was clearly quite young.

“I’m a student who failed the entrance exam for the Imperial Art Academy. Though, I was reduced to drinking beer at a tavern after being shocked by my failure.”

“But?”

“I studied art, so I fully understand the value of the anime we just watched. That is undoubtedly a masterpiece crafted by a highly skilled artist pouring their soul into it.”

The mustachioed student said this with an expression of admiration.

“Something of that quality can’t be made overnight. It would require an investment of several days, or even months.”

“So what’s your point?”

“Probably, the animator has likely already finished the second episode.”

“What?”

“Is that true?”

At the student’s words, everyone in the tavern lit up with hope in their eyes.

Despair had been replaced by hope.

“For some reason, the animator is withholding the second episode, though they’ve probably already completed it. Perhaps the creator has personal reasons for releasing it next week, but…”

“But?”

“Isn’t that the creator’s personal issue? Not ours, right?”

“!”

“Isn’t it wrong to leave us hanging after ending the first episode like that? Can someone who ignores our curiosity about the next episode really call themselves an animator? I think not…”

The mustachioed student’s words carried a strange charm, captivating everyone present.

“Therefore, I believe we must all rise up. If we sit idly here lamenting our fate, the second episode will indeed air next week, but if we unite and show the power of the people, who knows, we might bring about change!”

“Oh… That makes sense!”

“That’s right. If we just sit here, nothing will change!”

Everyone was tipsy from beer, impairing their judgment.

That is, they weren’t thinking straight.

When drunken fools fall prey to the manipulative tongue of a charismatic agitator, absurd synergy ensues.

“So let’s stand up! Let’s show the power of the masses, the power of the viewers! Let’s unite, viewers of the world!”

“Let’s unite!”

“Let’s show our power and make the creator release the second episode tomorrow!”

“Wowaaaah! Let’s go!”

The revolution had officially begun.