Although 'Kimi ni Todoke' and 'Fate/Zero' had similar TV ratings, the gap in online streaming numbers was huge.
Even considering that the latter had aired a year earlier, having more than double the streaming volume was enough to explain everything.
There were many TV drama fans in Xia Nation, but not everyone had time to follow shows weekly on schedule. Nearly half of viewers watched online instead, and the expansion of a show's IP influence largely relied on these online audiences.
When Dimensional Pictures launched promotional activities for 'Fate/stay night' three months in advance—having Zhuang Yuxin appear as Artoria in Tokyo, hosting press conferences and fan meetings with multiple media outlets—
Within just three hours, 'Fate/stay night' shot to the top of Xia Nation's trending charts.
Not just in the TV/drama category—
But across all industries nationwide.
Zhuang Yuxin's fans, who had been quiet for a long time, all resurfaced that day.
["I've waited more than half a year—finally there's news about 'Fate/stay night' from that old sadist Su Yan?"]
["I watched the entire press conference livestream. This time, 'Fate/stay night' isn't just airing in Xia Nation—it'll also be broadcast in six mid-to-large overseas countries, and will be released on the second-largest overseas streaming platform, nk! And apparently 'Kimi ni Todoke' will be on there too!"]
["No way, seriously?"]
["Is Su Yan going international now?"]
["That's actually insane—he's directly pushing his works into Western markets?"]
["Why bother with foreign audiences? It's common knowledge that Xia Nation and Western tastes don't align. Over the years, hits here don't succeed there, and vice versa. Why step into that mess?"]
["You can't say that—Su Yan's already at the top domestically. If he wants to grow further, expanding overseas is the only path."]
["I'm just worried he'll change 'Fate/stay night' to cater to Western audiences and end up alienating domestic 'Fate/Zero' fans."]
["Probably not. 'Fate/Zero' already had a lot of Western elements and even mixed in original mythologies. Honestly, if it aired in Western countries from the start, it might've been a hit there too."]
["He's really going all in this time. Simultaneous TV broadcasts in multiple countries plus streaming platforms—the promotional costs must be insane."]
["That might be overwhelming for other companies, but for Su Yan? Probably nothing. Between ads, broadcasting rights, streaming revenue, merchandise, collaborations—plus both old and new works—he's making at least 1–2 billion a year."]
["That was last year. This year's probably even higher. Just 'Rurouni Kenshin' and 'Your Name' box office shares alone exceed that."]
["Honestly jealous. He's in his twenties, already successful, making hundreds of millions a month. I'm older than him and still asking my parents for money, can't even afford meals with my girlfriend sometimes…"]
["But you have a girlfriend! Someone like Su Yan probably can't experience that kind of happiness."]
["…"]
["Wait… that's true. He was 20 and single when filming 'Rurouni Kenshin: Movie'. Now he's 26—still single. Almost 27 soon."]
["Has it really been seven years? Since the 'Rurouni Kenshin' drama?"]
["Yeah. I became a fan in my first year of high school—next July I'll be graduating from university!"]
["Same! I watched 'Rurouni Kenshin' in third grade, and now I'm in high school. Planning to apply to the University of Tokyo for film studies and become a screenwriter someday!"]
["I'm already a junior in college—sold two scripts during my studies. Also chose this field because of Su Yan."]
["I'm studying acting. Hope I can at least be an extra in one of Su Yan's dramas someday."]
["So many people entered the film industry because of him?"]
["Of course. I used to not understand why people idolized celebrities—now I do. Someone handsome, talented, scandal-free, great at action scenes, musically gifted, skilled in multiple instruments, and with such a good personality—smiling at you every week on screen… It's hard not to like him."]
The promotional launch of 'Fate/stay night' sparked widespread discussion about Su Yan and his works.
The trending buzz lasted for three full days.
And for industry peers in Xia Nation, it was nothing short of discouraging.
How were they supposed to compete?
'Fate/stay night' hadn't even aired yet—just a press event alone caused this level of impact.
As for the three major TV stations—Sakura TV, Hudu TV, and Zhongxia TV—
They had already begun sending representatives to Tokyo to negotiate broadcasting rights with Su Yan.
Su Yan had repaid his favor to Sakura TV's production head, Kogenta Aya, with 'Kimi ni Todoke'. From here on, the broadcasting rights for his works would be open to fair market competition.
Among the three stations, the most eager for 'Fate/stay night' was undoubtedly Hudu TV.
Since founding Dimensional Pictures, Su Yan had collaborated multiple times with Zhongxia TV and Sakura TV—but never with Hudu TV.
Five years ago, when Su Yan left Sakura TV and personally approached Hudu TV seeking cooperation, he had been turned away.
The executive responsible had long since been dismissed, and the incident had become a running joke in the industry.
By now, Hudu TV's leadership had realized—
If you can't beat Su Yan, join him.
There's no shame in that.
So these days, aside from filming, Su Yan also had to find time to meet with Shinozaki Ikumi and representatives from the three TV stations.
Time soon reached mid-October.
Episode 15 of 'Kimi ni Todoke' aired.
Just as fans had predicted—
There was still no confession.
But what made it worse—
The story began to turn painful.
With the introduction of Miura Kento, the balance in the class was disrupted. Though he meant no harm, a series of coincidences involving Kazehaya, Miura, Sawako, and Kurumizawa led to a massive misunderstanding between the main leads.
As the most popular boy in school, the closer Kazehaya got to Sawako, the more she became the target of jealousy and hostility from other girls.
Because of this concern, he began holding back in his interactions with her.
And that made Sawako think—
That he disliked her.
Thus, their misunderstandings deepened.
Until the end of Episode 15—
Kazehaya saw Sawako getting along well with Miura and the rest of the class.
Yet with him alone—
There was a distance.
The ending theme began to play.
At that moment, countless fans of 'Kimi ni Todoke' in Xia Nation felt a sharp ache in their hearts.
When the show wasn't progressing the main plot, they complained about slow pacing.
But now that it was finally moving forward—
Just two episodes in, and fans were already panicking.
["No way… this isn't going down a depressing route again, right?"]