Japan in 1988 was in the midst of its economic boom, with the average annual income reaching five or six million yen.
A game cartridge priced at over ten thousand yen wasn't actually too expensive. However, strategy games had a niche audience, meaning they were never expected to become massive hits.
But Kobayashi Tetsu refused to accept that.
Setting aside everything he'd said to Yoichi Koei, the improved version of Romance of the Three Kingdoms II was already on par with Romance of the Three Kingdoms III. If it still only sold ten thousand copies a month, he might as well pack his bags and swim from Tokyo Bay all the way back to Shanghai.
The next day, Kobayashi Tetsu headed to Toei's film studio in Tokyo.
He had brought a team to scout for actors and a director.
Sanada Hiroyuki was currently filming the live-action Ninja Gaiden movie, playing the role of Ryu Hayabusa, the urban ninja legend.
If he can play Ryu Hayabusa, Kobayashi Tetsu thought, he can definitely play Zhuge Liang.
Back then, Toei had approached CCTV for investment and even considered casting Sonny Chiba as Cao Cao, Sanada Hiroyuki as Zhuge Liang, and Akira Furuya as Lu Bu.
Of course, CCTV refused. They insisted that the key roles of Sun Quan, Cao Cao, and Liu Bei had to be played by their own actors, which meant Sanada Hiroyuki missed out on the role of Zhuge Liang.
However, in a sense, this also showed that in Japan, Sanada Hiroyuki was recognized as having the ability to play Zhuge Liang.
When Kobayashi Tetsu arrived, the film crew was busy shooting. He didn't want to disturb them, so he just sat outside and waited for a while.
As soon as this scene finished filming, Sanada Hiroyuki practically teleported in front of Kobayashi Tetsu.
"President Kobayashi!"
Sanada Hiroyuki enthusiastically introduced the set and the progress of the shoot.
"Well, you don't need to tell me about the rest. Just focus on filming. I heard your movie will be in theaters for the Christmas season. Good luck, I have high hopes for this film!"
Although these were just words of encouragement, Sanada Hiroyuki nodded vigorously.
This is the financier speaking!
If Kobayashi Tetsu told him to turn around and get on all fours right now, Sanada Hiroyuki would probably agree after a moment's hesitation.
Kobayashi Tetsu said, "When you have time, come help me film a commercial. The pay will be the same as last time, right?"
Sanada Hiroyuki was startled and instinctively reached back to touch himself.
It wasn't that he actually wanted to sell his body, but Kobayashi Tetsu had asked him to film a movie and now a commercial; Sanada Hiroyuki couldn't help but wonder if Kobayashi Tetsu had feelings for him.
"About that—" Sanada Hiroyuki said tactfully, "Actually, there are quite a few actors and celebrities who are very popular right now. Like that famous group, SMAP."
Kobayashi Tetsu rolled his eyes.
"Kimura Takuya? Johnny's? Shut up. I can't stand Johnny's, and of course, I won't hire them."
Kobayashi Tetsu was actually very curious whether Johnny Kitagawa had ever really gone over Kimura Takuya.
Theoretically, Kondo Masahiko had probably been scolded, but Kimura Takuya was a different story.
He stood up and waved his hand dismissively.
"Anyway, this commercial is for the game's promotion. You'll be playing Zhuge Liang. I'll have the costumes and props custom-made. Get ready."
Sanada Hiroyuki nodded gravely. "Then, what about the script?"
Kobayashi Tetsu said, "There is no script. When the time comes, I'll read a line, and you just repeat it after me."
Sanada Hiroyuki: ?
Is this really how they do things?!
At the commercial shoot.
A blue screen hung behind them, ready for post-production to composite other scenes.
Dressed in a simple linen robe and a square-brimmed hat, holding a feather fan, Sanada Hiroyuki stood before the blue screen, feeling increasingly anxious.
The crew had everything—except a director. He was deeply worried.
Meanwhile, Kobayashi Tetsu was hunched over, scribbling furiously. It looked like he was writing the lines on the fly, which only added to Sanada Hiroyuki's anxiety.
This commercial can't go wrong, can it?
Just then, Hideo Kojima came running over.
"President! Sorry I'm late! Where do you need me?"
Kobayashi Tetsu pointed casually. "Go over there."
"Right away!"
Hideo Kojima sat down, glanced at the megaphone beside him, then looked up at the equipment in front of him.
"President, what am I doing?"
"You're the director."
Hideo Kojima: ?
Hiroyuki Sanada: ?!
Kobayashi Tetsu nodded solemnly. "Stop asking. You're the director. Can't you handle being a director? Cut! That's a wrap! Next shot! You just need to know how to shout those few lines. Now, let's start filming!"
Hideo Kojima nearly jumped out of his skin.
This is way too hasty!
When Kobayashi Tetsu called him today and asked for his help, he thought he might be an extra or something. To be honest, Hideo Kojima loved doing that kind of thing; he was a huge movie buff.
But he never expected he'd actually be the one directing!
Hideo Kojima wanted to ask if he was even qualified, but Kobayashi Tetsu was already urging him to begin.
Hideo Kojima took a deep breath. Clapperboard snap! The scene began.
A crew member held up a marker for eyeline guidance. Hiroyuki Sanada gazed at it, his eyes filled with a deep, patriotic concern for the nation.
Kobayashi Tetsu cleared his throat.
"Hello everyone, I am Hiroyuki Sanada. I'll be waiting for you in Romance of the Three Kingdoms II! This Christmas, join me in restoring the Han Dynasty!"
Hiroyuki Sanada was stunned.
What kind of terrible line is this?!
Kobayashi Tetsu urged, "Say it. Make it sound more stirring, more passionate."
Hiroyuki Sanada took a deep breath.
Fine, let's just get this over with!
He repeated the line, his voice booming.
Hideo Kojima was bewildered.
Is this good or bad? He couldn't even tell!
But Kobayashi Tetsu was already giving him the eye. Kojima had no choice but to swallow hard and nod. "Pass. Next take!"
Sanada Hiroyuki's head snapped up, his eyes wide with shock.
It was his master, Sonny Chiba! And he had changed clothes.
With his square jaw, Sonny Chiba naturally exuded an air of majesty. In China, he was best known for his role as Xiongba in Wind and Cloud.
Of course, he had already been old by then.
The Sonny Chiba of this era was still in his prime.
And this outfit? It was, of course, Cao Cao.
"Repeat after me," Kobayashi Tetsu cleared his throat. "Hello everyone, I am Sonny Chiba. I'll be waiting for you in Romance of the Three Kingdoms II! This Christmas, join me in conquering the land!"
Sonny Chiba didn't have nearly as much baggage as Sanada Hiroyuki. The tough guy simply faced the camera and began to recite, his voice passionate and stirring.
Sanada Hiroyuki was on the verge of falling to his knees.
He desperately wanted to tell Sonny Chiba:
Master! If we keep filming commercials like this, we're going to become the laughingstock of all Japan! We can't go on like this!
But Kobayashi Tetsu had already raised his hand.
"Great shot. Take it away. Next!"
The commercial shoot was finished in no time.
Every actor involved in the commercial shoot wore a look of utter bewilderment.
But Kobayashi Tetsu kept nodding.
This is the commercial! The effect will definitely be perfect!
Fake cultural export: The Confucius Institute.
True cultural export: This man is named John, this woman is named Mary, borrowing money from Aunt Susie to buy two expansion bolts, I'm a janitor at the White House, The Overbearing CEO Falls in Love With Me, If You're My Brother, Come Chop Me—
Though filming such a commercial was quite embarrassing, Kobayashi Tetsu highly approved of its effect.
Because the simpler the commercial, the easier the information was to digest.
Everything was contained within the celebrity's face and that single line of dialogue.
Release date, release content, spokesperson—all settled in one shot.
Anyone, in just a few seconds and a single shot, could get all the information they needed.
Anyone who saw this commercial would know that Romance of the Three Kingdoms II would be released this year, and that it would be a magical game featuring siege warfare, restoring the Han Dynasty, and even the ability to swear an oath of brotherhood with Diaochan. And such a great game would be playable by Christmas!
A concise and clear commercial—this kind of viral marketing was more effective than any textbook education!
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