January 21, 2000.
Friday.
A light snow was falling.
Inside the president's office at the IG Office Building, Kazuchika Kise handed a resignation letter to President Ishikawa Mitsugu, asking with a headache, "What should we do about this?"
Of course, this wasn't his own resignation letter. He was quite comfortable at IG, managing the Second Division, and had no intention of leaving.
The one actually resigning was Lin Zhiyan.
Unlike the Lin Zhiyan who had joined five years ago, the current Lin Zhiyan was unquestionably a major asset to IG. His departure would be a significant loss, which was why it was so troublesome.
After reviewing the resignation letter, Ishikawa Mitsugu recognized the gravity of the situation.
Staff turnover was relatively high in Japanese animation companies, especially in the Tokyo area. Resignations were not uncommon.
Over the dozen-plus years since IG's founding, many employees had left. But this time, the person leaving was completely different from all the others.
When employees resign, it's usually just their direct supervisor who tries to persuade them to stay. If they can be retained, that's great, but if not, it's not a big deal. Everyone parts on good terms, and since they're all in the Tokyo animation industry, there will likely be future opportunities for collaboration.
There's no way to force someone to stay. The animation industry isn't like the entertainment world, where blacklisting or shelving talent is possible.
However, this time, a mere attempt by the direct supervisor wouldn't be enough. The president himself would have to intervene.
As these thoughts raced through his mind, Ishikawa Mitsugu said, "Leave this to me. I'll do my best to persuade him to stay."
"Thank you for your trouble," Kazuchika Kise replied politely.
Ishikawa Mitsugu nodded and looked down at the resignation letter in his hand.
After studying it for a moment, he suddenly asked, "Lin wants to strike out on his own and start his own animation company. Do you think he'll succeed?"
"He's bound to fail," Kazuchika Kise answered without hesitation. "Running an animation company is completely different from being an artist. He's a genius Key Animator, not a business prodigy. How could he possibly succeed so easily? At least here at IG, he'd have a much more comfortable life than starting his own company."
"That makes sense," Ishikawa Mitsugu agreed wholeheartedly. "In that case, go and call him over. I'll talk to him personally."
***
"Good afternoon, Mr. Hayashi."
Lin Zhiyan walked through the hallway, and most of the people he passed greeted him warmly.
Though only 23, he had already been with IG for five years. In the fast-paced animation industry, five years was considered a respectable tenure.
Over those five years, he had become close with almost everyone in the company, including Vice President Goto Tatsuyuki and President Ishikawa Mitsugu.
He could even joke with animation master Oshii Mamoru occasionally.
His natural social skills, combined with his rebirth as a time traveler, gave him an edge. With his knowledge of the Japanese animation industry's gossip from the internet of the future, he was a natural conversationalist. Add to that his good looks and his willingness to spend money on social events in recent years, and it was no wonder he was so well-connected.
But he wasn't just about social skills.
Over the years, he had participated in the production of many acclaimed animations, including *Ghost in the Shell*, *Neon Genesis Evangelion*, *Let's & Go!!*, *Martian Successor Nadesico*, and more.
He had served as an animation supervisor and character designer, and had been a key animator at IG. In 1998, he began contributing to storyboarding and directing.
In the 1990s, the role of Chief Animation Supervisor was rare in animation production. None of the anime Lin Zhiyan worked on had this position, otherwise he would undoubtedly have that experience on his resume.
In essence, besides becoming a Supervising Director or Chief Animation Supervisor, he had essentially done everything else a Key Animator could do.
Under these circumstances, it was natural for him to become close with his colleagues at the company.
He walked down the corridor to the president's office door.
Before knocking, he mentally prepared himself for what Ishikawa Mitsugu would say.
The summons was undoubtedly to persuade him to stay at IG.
IG had treated him well over the past five years. With his skills, staying there would have guaranteed a comfortable future. But it was time to leave.
One must dare to step out of their comfort zone.
Moreover, he hadn't forgotten his original purpose. He had joined IG five years ago to gain experience and build connections. Now that he had sufficient experience and connections, and had even made a substantial profit during the 1997 Asian Financial Crisis, it was time to move on.
With all the necessary conditions in place to start my own animation company, why wait any longer?
It was late January 2000. At this time, Kyoto Animation was still an obscure small studio, surviving primarily on outsourcing work.
Gen Urobuchi of Nitroplus had just finished the script for his first game, *Phantom of Inferno*, and hadn't yet unleashed his soul-crushing magic on the animation industry. Makoto Shinkai was still a corporate drone at the game company Falcom, enduring high-pressure work while pouring his frustrations into self-made animations, completely forgetting his status as a rich second-generation heir.
Mamoru Hosoda had only recently gained some recognition with *Digimon: The Birth of Our Digimon* the previous year. Akiyuki Shinbo hadn't yet faced major setbacks or ventured into adult animation. Hayao Miyazaki, after a brief retirement, was fully focused on producing *Spirited Away*.
Although the golden age of animation production was over, Japan's animation market and operational mechanisms were gradually maturing. In the years to come, a flood of talented animators would emerge, make their mark, and even set trends in the industry.
A new era of animation was just beginning, and the future of the animation industry would be even more brilliant.
Lin Zhiyan had been itching to leave IG for some time, his hands already rubbing together in anticipation.
*No matter what reason he uses to convince me to stay, it will be a waste of time!*
With that thought, he knocked on the president's office door.
"Come in," Ishikawa Mitsugu called from inside.
Lin Zhiyan opened the door and entered the president's office.
"Lin, you're here. Please, sit down," Ishikawa Mitsugu said with a warm smile, gesturing for him to take a seat.
After Lin Zhiyan was seated, Ishikawa Mitsugu personally poured him a cup of hot tea.
"Thank you, President," Lin Zhiyan said, cupping the warm mug and taking a sip.
Then, he began, "President, I..."
Before he could finish, Ishikawa Mitsugu interrupted, "Are you absolutely set on leaving?"
"I'm very sorry, but I've already made up my mind," Lin Zhiyan replied, nodding firmly, his tone and expression resolute.
Ishikawa Mitsugu sighed. "To start your own animation company... The cost of paying employees aside, you'll at least need to rent a decent office space. Do you have that much money?"
"Yes," Lin Zhiyan answered instantly.
Ishikawa Mitsugu: "..."
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