The day after Kamiyā Yuu released Weiss Schnee's promotional illustration, a survey from the official "Fakebook" account caught the attention of users in the animation section. Originally, this questionnaire had been quietly posted in the forum's low-traffic survey area without drawing much notice. However, once the first user discovered it, the popularity of the survey topic exploded exponentially within the same day.
"Do you know the 'RWBY' character promotional series?"
1: Yes (1,583,682)
2: No (54)
"What is your impression of the 'RWBY' character promotional series?"
1: Excellent (1,578,463)
2: Pretty good (3,752)
3: Still needs improvement (32)
"If 'RWBY' released a movie version, would you choose to watch it?"
1: Yes (1,658,329)
2: No (45)
"If it uses an online paid streaming model, what price would you accept?"
1: $6 (14,893)
2: $10 (38,652)
The numbers behind each option represented the users who selected them. At first glance, the number of participants might not seem particularly high, but even surveys launched by the most popular American animations of the moment usually only reached this level of popularity. It was not unusual for a work's true popularity to be ten or even a hundred times greater than what the survey results reflected.
Many users combined Kamiyā Yuu's subtle replies from the previous day with today's survey questionnaire and had already guessed what the so-called major announcement was about.
The 'RWBY' series was going to be adapted into a movie!?
Regardless of whether the news was true or false, the moment this speculation appeared on the "Fakebook" animation boards, it instantly caused a huge uproar. A uniquely styled work could attract loyal fans. A uniquely styled work with outstanding production quality could gather a massive number of devoted fans and widespread praise. 'RWBY' clearly represented the pinnacle of the latter. As such, it had already become a household name within Western ACG circles. Combined with the legendary and mysterious nature of the work itself, countless animation enthusiasts were fascinated by it.
The rumor of a movie adaptation spread like wildfire, igniting the already restless excitement among fans. Discussions surrounding 'RWBY', which had already been incredibly heated, instantly became even more explosive and uncontrollable.
...
Leonid, the famous Russian tycoon livestreamer, lavishly gave away hundreds of thousands of dollars to his viewers today while boldly proclaiming:
"I think everyone already knows I'm a loyal fan of 'RWBY'. And today, I received an exciting piece of news—'RWBY' may officially announce a movie adaptation. I should thank that bastard named Yosuganosora for bringing us such an incredible work. I absolutely love those thrilling scenes, and I absolutely love Yang as a character!"
"To express my excitement right now, I've decided that on the official release day of the 'RWBY' movie, I'll purchase one hundred thousand viewing slots and give them away for free to all fans of the 'RWBY' series. You're all welcome to follow my Fakebook account as well, and when 'RWBY' officially premieres, we'll celebrate together!"
...
Lin Ye, the member of the fan-upload group who officially received Kamiyā Yuu's authorization last night, was basking in glory. Due to the overwhelming popularity of 'RWBY' in China, many other uploader groups on video-sharing websites had been preparing to rush in and claim the series first. However, Kamiyā Yuu's authorization from last night was equivalent to a shot of adrenaline for him.
Although Kamiyā Yuu had stated that anyone was welcome to upload the character promotional trailers, those words had been directed specifically at Lin Ye. In other words, he had effectively received official approval.
If other uploader groups wanted to compete now, they at least had to consider the pressure of public opinion first.
At present, Lin Ye's 'Romance of Wind, Flowers, Snow, and Moon Upload Group' has already surpassed one million followers, becoming one of the hottest uploader groups on video-sharing sites. The group had even created its own website, maintaining an average traffic count of around ten thousand users online. Every month, audience donations alone allowed the uploader group members to receive bonuses equivalent to an ordinary person's monthly salary. For a passion-driven uploader group, this was undoubtedly an enormous source of encouragement.
Today, the headline banner displayed on the homepage of the 'Romance of Wind, Flowers, Snow, and Moon Upload Group' website read:
"'RWBY' Series to Be Adapted into a Movie!?"
Clicking into it revealed the translated version of the survey questionnaire along with a series of analyses, attracting a massive number of 'RWBY' fans to respond.
In Kamiyā Yuu's previous world, there was no need to mention 'RWBY's popularity in America. At any anime convention, one could easily see dozens of cosplayers dressed as Ruby Rose, Yang, Blake, and Weiss Schnee.
As for China's fan circles? It was more of a series that was neither explosively popular nor obscure. However, Chinese 'RWBY' fans possessed extremely strong loyalty, preventing the series from becoming outdated even after long periods of inactivity.
In this world, where Japanese anime was in decline, one could easily imagine the impact of the greatly enhanced version of 'RWBY'. The combined popularity of the three-character promotional trailers alone was already comparable to the hottest anime of the current season. Even people outside ACG circles were drawn into this massive rabbit hole by the unique style of the 'RWBY' animation.
...
A large number of new comments appeared under the Yosuganosora account.
["Mr. Yosuganosora, is the major announcement you're about to reveal that 'RWBY' is getting a movie adaptation? That would truly be incredible. I already can't wait to see the movie. — Ellis Moore"]
["If it's becoming a movie, then why choose online streaming instead of theatrical release? I mean, wouldn't showing it in cinemas like normal animated movies be even better? Damn it, just the promotional trailers alone already make me desperately want to experience them in theaters. The impact of those visuals on a giant screen is on a completely different level from watching them on a monitor! — Tom"]
["I rushed over as soon as I heard the news about the 'RWBY' movie adaptation, but it still hasn't officially been announced yet? Still, judging from Master Yosuganosora's answers last night, the movie seems like it'll release around May!? — Red Little Dwarf"]
["May? Oh my god, how much production time would that even leave? Or has it already been completed and they're just waiting until May to release it? — Miss Question"]
["Only eight days left until the fourth character promotional trailer releases. Judging from Mr. Yosuganosora's illustration, it looks like a silver-haired female knight. And her enemies are two giant knights? As always, an amazing setup! — Sunday Means Sleeping In"]
...
At the beginning of February, the final installment of the 'RWBY' character promotional series, 'White — White Oleander', was officially released.
Alongside this promotional trailer came the major announcement Kamiyā Yuu had previously teased—
The production team behind 'RWBY' would collaborate with the "Fakebook" website to release an official animated movie version, which would premiere no later than June of this year through a paid streaming model on the Fakebook animation section.