ZENSHU (全修。)

I am the Natsuko Hirose.

My meteoric rise in anime started

when I got a studio job straight out of high school.

A humble junior animator honing her craft.

From there, I went from animation director,

to storyboards, to episode director,

to directing a series, all in the span of an instant.

Though the sun may forgive you,

my lighting does not!

It cries for justice!

It was a once-in-a-generation hit.

And now, I'm directing an original rom-com feature film

called First Love.

It's gonna be a big, career-defining masterpiece

for the ages.

In theory.

Natsuko! My darling!

My genius!

How are those storyboards coming?

Hon, ya gotta tame that mane.

But first, let's see what you've got so far.

Ah, no big!

I know I won't see any real progress

until the eleventh hour.

That's just how you do!

By the by, what's your passport situation?

'Cause we're submitting First Love to festivals

around the world, and we're gonna need you there.

- - I don't have time.

Oh, well, excuse me.

I'm just gonna put these bentos down and skedaddle.

Make sure you grab one!

Hey, you two! Hush up!

The Great Director Natsuko is over there laboring away,

trying to push a 10 billion yen blockbuster

into this world!

Hee-hee-hoo. Get it?

-Hee-hee-hoo. -

- - She sure is?

Be a dear and put these out.

And be sure to toss the clam ones, yeah?

They're leftovers from last time

and very expired.

Miss Hirose?

I have the keyframes for the teaser ready to go.

Just need your signoff.

- Start over. -Ah?

Unsalvageable.

They need to be redone.

- I-I don't-- - Start over.

Could you please be a bit more specific?

Like, maybe, where we went wrong?

Forget it, I'll do it myself.

I can't let you do that!

The president made it explicitly clear

that you can't work on anything else

until you're finished with the storyboards.

No, the hair's on purpose.

It's her motivation.

Said she won't cut it until the storyboards are done.

Well, fingers crossed

I catch her at the salon soon.

Apparently, we are so far behind right now

we might miss the premiere date.

Yikes, that bad?

From what I hear, yeah.

But no one's worried, worried, you know?

It's a Natsuko Hirose film,

so it's not like it's gonna be bad or anything.

"Having been unable to reach her,

the late Director Tsuruyama's family visited her home,

where they found her unresponsive."

"The cause of death is thought to be food poisoning."

Miss Hirose?

Um, can the team help you with anything?

-Like maybe the storyboards? - No.

Of course, still had to ask.

I'll do everything myself.

Oh, get your head out of your ass.

Huh?

Don't you ever get tired of pretending

that you can do it all on your own?

Oh.

Oh, dear.

- Excuse me? -

Hey, I'm talking to you!

Who said you could go make

that ramen on your own?

A Tale of Perishing.

Otherwise known as the best movie

you've never seen since the industry wrote it off

as a flop when it came out.

Said it was "a joyless slog."

The rest of the world just thought it was trash.

The story follows Luke Braveheart

and his band of friends as they fight to stop

the formation of the Great Void

that will bring an end to the world.

It's not the most nuanced of plots.

I've seen it a million times and still don't get it.

But that's kinda why it's the best.

I wonder if it'll get the live-action treatment.

If it did, Luke would need to be a hot, action-y guy.

Oh, yeah, like, ah... What's-his-name.

Ah, I remember he was really good as a Rider.

Why am I blanking on his name?

Natsuko? Are you okay?

Natsuko!

Natsuko, what's wrong?

Are you sick? You're turning blue!

Stay with me!

Jun Kaname.

- - Natsuko!

This isn't the office.

Ah!

Oh, this is hell!

Amideki Magiya!

Ah!

Ah?

Calculating void response.

Zero percent.

Wait, Luke Braveheart?

Ya trying to die?

What? No.

Wait, am I dead?

Hold up, are those sand dunes?

- Luke! - Am I in Tottori?

Are you okay?

Unio?

And you're Memerun and QJ?

Shut up! Your cosplay is perfect!

Especially yours.

I mean, you smell just like a real animal.

I smell like a what now?

Who is this hairy gremlin?

Beastfolk, perhaps?

I've not seen such strange dress before.

Probably a village idiot who wanted to see a Void.

What?

So, who are you?

Natsuko Hirose.

Should I know of you?

Director of Sukeban Magical Girl Darkness Academy?

That Natsuko Hirose?

Hey, can I use someone's phone?

I need to call my office.

- Natsuko Hirose. -

Listen, next time you hear the bells, take shelter.

Let's head back.

I gotcha!

Hop on.