Shinozaki Ikumi moved quickly. In less than two days, she and the company team, along with her assistants, compiled detailed character profiles for the live-action film adaptation of 'Rurouni Kenshin' and for 'Fate/Zero'. Using her industry connections, she sent the character lists to major and capable talent agencies across the industry.
Dimensional Pictures was no longer what it had been two years ago.
For supporting roles, there was no longer any need for Shinozaki Ikumi and Su Yan to personally conduct open casting calls. She only needed to send out the character information. If a company were interested, it would first screen its own artists internally before replying to her.
And they would treat it with absolute seriousness.
In the Xia Nation's film and television industry, who wouldn't want to hitch themselves to Su Yan's war chariot?
Even a supporting role in his project could draw more popularity than a leading role elsewhere.
Very quickly, audition lists for the two productions poured in from companies across the Xia Nation—hundreds of submissions in total.
After Shinozaki Ikumi confirmed the candidates, a large number of actors immediately boarded flights to Tokyo.
Starting Thursday, the audition venue arranged by the Tokyo branch was flooded with actors.
'Rurouni Kenshin' was manageable, but 'Fate/Zero', with its heavy infusion of Western cultural elements, required a large number of Caucasian actors for auditions.
Rider Alexander, Lancelot, Kiritsugu Emiya, and the various Heroic Spirits appearing in the story—actors of all types came to try out.
With such large-scale movements from Dimensional Pictures, how could it possibly remain hidden?
Su Yan was now practically a beacon in the Xia Nation's television industry—let alone something as public as an audition event.
Through various channels, news outlets, and Su Yan's fans finally figured out what he was up to.
When a post went viral online that Thursday, the entire Xia Nation fanbase was thrown into an uproar.
A 'Rurouni Kenshin' movie.
And a brand-new battle fantasy drama?
Have you lost your mind, Su Yan?
What kind of workaholic are you?
'Puella Magi Madoka Magica' hasn't even finished airing yet, and there are still two films waiting for release.
And now you're holding auditions for two new projects?
In the Xia Nation's entertainment industry, there were indeed prolific screenwriters who produced three to five works a year.
But someone like Su Yan, who had maintained that output for several consecutive years?
There was only one.
Industry peers were shocked by his productivity.
But his fans felt like it was New Year's all over again.
Everyone has a "white moonlight" in their heart.
And for Su Yan's fans, if there was such a "white moonlight" among his works, it was 'Rurouni Kenshin'.
It was the first time they had come to know Su Yan through his work.
[Brothers, it's exploded!]
[We've been talking about a sequel to 'Rurouni Kenshin' forever—and now it's here!]
[What the hell? I'm still in a daze. When did this sadist become so considerate?]
[Maybe his conscience finally kicked in. After screwing us over so badly before, he's giving fans some benefits.]
[A fantasy battle series and a 'Rurouni Kenshin' movie. I bow to no one—except the sadist. He's truly a genius of the Xia Nation's entertainment industry!]
[Any screenwriters in the industry care to comment? What level is this move? Is it normal to produce this many works a year?]
[Normal? Not a chance. This guy's a freak.]
[Most screenwriters are lucky to get one successful script every two years! Su Yan's pumping out several a year—and they're all top-tier.]
[I don't care anymore. Su Yan fulfills all my fantasies about a creator. Talented, handsome, and insanely fast at producing content.]
[I was worried that after 'Puella Magi Madoka Magica' ended, we wouldn't see his work for a long time. His recent projects all had long production cycles—at least a year. Who knew he'd already prepared in advance?]
[Say no more. Just for how hard Su Yan works, no matter how the last three episodes of 'Puella Magi Madoka Magica' turn out, I won't criticize him!]
Just a bit of wind in the grass, and news about Su Yan spread across the Xia Nation.
Meanwhile, in Tokyo—
The auditions for 'Fate/Zero' officially began.
Inside the prepared venue, hundreds of people held audition scripts in their hands.
"The moment hope turns into despair… how is it? The tender taste of fear and death."
A sharp, excited voice rang out.
"Mm, that's enough."
Su Yan made a few marks in his notebook and smiled, signaling for the actor auditioning for Gilles de Rais to step aside for now.
He then shook his head slightly.
After several more actors tried for the role, his expression finally relaxed.
"The progress is a bit slow," Shinozaki Ikumi said, glancing at the notes in Su Yan's notebook.
"It can't be helped," Su Yan sighed. "Fortunately, I have a clear understanding of the character modeling and visual positioning. While we're holding auditions here, the VFX companies we're partnering with are already preparing the post-production effects. As long as filming moves faster later, we won't delay the schedule."
'Fate/Zero' had over a hundred roles, big and small—and hardly any were mere background extras. Even minor characters had their narrative functions.
At the very least, Su Yan and Shinozaki Ikumi had to finalize the seven Servants and seven Masters.
Other supporting roles were left to their assistants to handle.
Though the focus was on 'Fate/Zero', they had also discovered quite a few actors potentially suitable for the 'Rurouni Kenshin' film, so Su Yan kept meticulous records.
"We're trying to finish these auditions within the week. Also, regarding the actress you're looking for—the one with Western features, combining beauty and heroic charisma. Many domestic agencies have sent photos. But honestly, they're still somewhat lacking compared to Gu Qingyuan and Shen Liqian. However, among current students at performing arts schools in the Xia Nation, we've actually found some promising talents. They're complete newcomers, though…" Shinozaki Ikumi said.
"That's fine," Su Yan replied. "Fame doesn't matter. As long as their look and acting meet the standard."
"She might be unknown when the first episode airs. By the time the final episode broadcasts, she won't be."
"In that case, I'll send audition invitations to those students," Shinozaki Ikumi said after a pause. "Next week will be busy for you. Adding the many supporting roles for 'Rurouni Kenshin', that's at least a few hundred more."
Su Yan froze briefly, then sighed.
"I'm mentally prepared."
A show like 'Puella Magi Madoka Magica', with fewer than twenty speaking roles from start to finish, could wrap up casting in a day or two.
But 'Fate/Zero' and 'Rurouni Kenshin' were by far the most complicated audition projects since Su Yan's debut in the Xia Nation.
Although everything was kept confidential, details about the auditions still leaked online at night.
For an entire week, related news trended almost daily.
Soon, Sunday arrived again.
And by Sunday, all discussions were temporarily overwhelmed by information about 'Puella Magi Madoka Magica'.
Everyone's focus was on Episode 9—how would it continue the story?
Would Su Yan personally shatter the seemingly complete and happy ending of Episode 8?
As night fell, all Madoka fans were ready.
Shao Shichang had prepared his favorite snacks and drinks early, waiting in front of the television.
When the time came—
A brand-new opening theme began.
As a freshly graduated office worker and long-time Su Yan fan, Shao Shichang's eyes lit up.
The opening still featured the five magical girls, indicating that Episode 9 would continue to revolve around them.
Now that was interesting.
["After Episode 8, how can this story even continue? What can Homura Akemi do in the reset world?"]
Still confused, he watched as the opening ended and the title appeared:
['Rebellion Story - I']
The art style changed abruptly.
Under the night sky, girls moved through the darkness, chasing the traces of curses in a distorted world.
First to appear was Mami Tomoe.
She was singing.
Then came the Dessert Witch—
The very "little cutie" who bit Mami Tomoe's head off in Episode 3.
Shao Shichang's eyes widened.
What was going on?
Fine, Sakura Kyoko's appearance was one thing.
But Sayaka showing up with a smile?
And the Dessert Witch, too?
Finally, it was Madoka.
She woke from a dream.
Madoka hugged her pillow as she sat up.
The scene felt familiar—it was identical to the scene in Episode 1 of 'Puella Magi Madoka Magica' when she first woke up.
?
Shao Shichang was completely lost.
["What's happening? Madoka's still alive? Did Su Yan mess up his own setting? Did he forget she already died in Episode 8?"]
Or was this an earlier timeline?
Morning at the Kaname household, as usual.
The only difference—Madoka was already a magical girl.
There was also a transfer student in her class.
And at home, she now had a rabbit-like pet constantly by her side—Kyubey.
The new transfer student was Homura Akemi.
But this time, Homura wore braided pigtails, looking exactly like when she first met Madoka.
So if this was a flashback, was it their first timeline together?
No. That wasn't right.
In Episode 7's flashback, their first meeting wasn't like this at all.
And Homura already knew Mami Tomoe here—she had transferred in as a magical girl.
Moreover, their enemies were no longer witches—but "Nightmares."
All five girls reunited, getting along harmoniously.
Huh?
Did I skip an episode?
Shao Shichang stared at the TV while frantically scrolling through forums on his phone.
The moment he entered, he saw countless posts from others just as confused as he was.
[I don't get it!]
[What kind of plot is this?]
[At first, I thought Su Yan messed up his own lore. But no way—he wouldn't make that kind of mistake, and his team wouldn't let him. Is there some deeper meaning?]
[Parallel world?]
[What are Nightmares?]
[Where are the witches?]
[Insane! The sadist is definitely stirring things up again.]
[Let's just keep watching.]
The following plot developments only made Shao Shichang more bewildered.
The so-called enemies of magical girls—the Nightmares—were actually evil born from the cursed hearts of ordinary people.
And the five girls set out to eliminate the darkness within their friend Hitomi Shizuki.
At this point, Shao Shichang gave up.
Aside from the characters being the same five girls from the previous eight episodes—
The entire setting was completely different.
Even in the reset world, curses had manifested as magical beasts!
What the hell were these Nightmares?
Old thief, are you playing riddles again?
Moreover, the magical girl transformation sequences that followed carried an eerie atmosphere.
Though the music was cheerful, the visuals were deeply unsettling.
There were obvious symbolic parallels to the scenes of death from the earlier episodes.
["What kind of setting is this? Did I miss some foreshadowing in 'Puella Magi Madoka Magica'?" Shao Shichang began doubting whether he had overlooked something earlier.]