"From one boy's command, the world was rewritten."
Mizushiro's new anime: Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion.
That single message caused shockwaves.
The genius behind Madoka Magica had just unveiled his next work in the most dramatic way possible.
Fans immediately caught on. It was the perfect handoff, using the emotional momentum of Madoka Magica to tease his next major project.
Even though no one knew what Code Geass was yet, the ten-second teaser had already lodged itself in the minds of millions.
The fans went wild.
"Wait, WHAT!? A new project!?"
"Mizushiro-sensei, you absolute madman!!"
"That teaser lasted 15 seconds, but I'm already hyped beyond reason."
"When's Lelouch the Rebellion airing? Someone find the schedule!"
The reveal sent ripples through the entire anime industry.
Producers at rival studios felt a chill. Mizushiro wasn't slowing down. He had just wrapped Madoka Magica, one of the most emotionally powerful shows of the year, and immediately followed it with another project.
"Does this monster ever sleep?" muttered one executive, staring at the calendar. Their hopes for Anime of the Year were already fading. From the teaser alone, it was clear Code Geass had the vision and scope to dominate. Any thought that it might flop was pure delusion.
The following Monday, Haruki and Kazuya arrived at Masafumi's studio. Mina, his assistant, led them to his office. Masafumi was at his desk, reading Lelouch the Rebellion again.
After Saturday's reading, he had researched both Kazuya and Mizushiro, reviewing Mizushiro's earlier works. He was impressed. In just two years in Tokyo, every new work had been completely different, showcasing immersive writing across multiple genres. Two completed manga, three anime scripts, and two new serializations underway — an output at monster level.
"So, you must be Mizushiro's," Masafumi said, glancing at Haruki. "Let's talk later. Did you bring the rest of the story? Your fan even gave a fitting title for the king of cliffhangers."
Haruki passed the draft across.
Masafumi flipped through it immediately. "I checked out some of your other work. Solid writing. Shame Rurouni Kenshin couldn't continue the way it should have. If you want, I've got connections. I could help get the rights back in your hands. Honestly, it's probably the second strongest thing you've written so far."
Kazuya raised an eyebrow. "Second strongest? Then which one's first?"
Masafumi tapped the manuscript in front of him. "This one. Without a doubt."
He read quickly, like he couldn't flip the pages fast enough. By the ending, he exhaled sharply and set the draft down with both hands. For a moment, he looked up, eyes focused, more determined than before.
Haruki and Kazuya watched as he digested each turn of the story. It was satisfying to see him so absorbed.
"I can say with confidence it's strong work," he said. "I never doubted it, not at this level. But endings… endings are tricky. They can make or break a story, shape how fans react, and influence how new viewers perceive it. After reading this, I think the ending is even more beautiful than I expected. Tell me, who else have you gathered for this project? This deserves the best hands. I'm serious, I want the best involved. If someone's missing, I'll make sure they join."
Haruki and Kazuya exchanged a quick glance. Masafumi's expression was exacting. It felt more like an interview than a casual presentation, and they could tell he expected nothing less than precision.
Seeing their slight tension, Masafumi leaned back and let out a short laugh. "Relax. I'm just too excited. I can't wait to start working on this."
Then, leaning forward, he locked eyes on Kazuya. "I know you've already brought in Wes Merrick and David Whitlock. You've filled all major positions: Art Director, Sound Engineer, Screenwriter, Director, Producer. But what about the composer? Music is just as important; sometimes it's what makes an anime truly stand out."
Kazuya responded quickly. "Haruki has a friend who handles all the music. He's composed the soundtrack for all of Haruki's works so far."
Haruki hesitated, realizing it was time to be honest. "Actually… I wrote all the music myself."
Kazuya wasn't surprised. He had suspected it, since no one else had ever seen Haruki outside of his own work. Masafumi, on the other hand, paused for a moment, quietly assessing just how much Haruki was taking on. It was a lot, but it didn't seem like it would overwhelm him. And with no decline in the consistency of his work over the past two years, there was no reason to question his legitimacy, his talent and steady output spoke for themselves.
Masafumi leaned forward. "So, what exactly are you offering me to join this team?"
Kazuya replied immediately, "We're offering you, along with Mr. Wes and Mr. David, each a 10 percent share in the production. How does that sound?"
Masafumi didn't care about the exact numbers. He had already decided to join. But with his reputation, he expected the compensation to reflect the weight of his name.
"And Kazuya," Masafumi added, "don't worry about the industry pressure. News about our team will leak soon. But stay focused on your work and avoid the public eye. There's already enough pressure for the director, you just handle your part."
Shout out to Scriven Crumb, LelouchLamerouge for joining my p-atreon! your support means everything to me.
(TL:- if you want even more content, check out p-a-t-r-e-o-n.com/Alioth23 for 60+ advanced chapters)