Chapter 57
Chapter 57
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 57
Chapter Title: 14. Life and Death Ledger - Beginning, Development, Turn, Conclusion (3)
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"...The Empire wants to extend the broadcast of Life and Death Ledger?"
The first emotion I felt upon hearing the news from Kaya was utter bewilderment.
I mean, come on.
Sure, this fantasy world runs on a filthy caste system, a rigid class society.
But now they're meddling in whether an anime gets aired or not?
God, it's so dirty.
But that shock didn't last long.
After Kaya relayed everything said at that day's council meeting, I realized the Empire wasn't just throwing a tantrum at me for no reason.
"So... the Empire's crime rate has plummeted dramatically thanks to Life and Death Ledger?"
"Yes. Honestly, even I can hardly believe it... but according to the Security Chief, that's the case. He wouldn't lie to me about something like that, so it must be true."
"....."
To be honest, it still felt absurd on some level.
But when I thought about it calmly, it wasn't entirely implausible.
After all, hadn't various Earth anime proven it time and again?
Once a work transcends mere "well-made" status and reaches the level of a true "masterpiece,"
it escapes the confines of just being an anime and exerts massive influence on society as a whole.
The work that inspired Mecha God Chronicle did it, and so did the one behind Life and Death Ledger.
Though different in direction, both had etched their names into history—known even to those with zero interest in anime.
Of course, I'm not saying my works here stand shoulder-to-shoulder with those.
"If it were some forceful demand like with Mecha God Chronicle, I would've blocked it myself... but this seems reasonable enough. So we've left the decision to you, Director."
Kaya said this with an expression handing the choice to me.
'What am I supposed to do?'
I had no clever solution up my sleeve either.
Truth be told, with Kaya putting it like this, I did want to extend Life and Death Ledger a bit longer.
The problem was forcing an extension would just tank the story's quality.
Especially for Life and Death Ledger—I wanted it to end cleanly, with a perfect beginning, development, turn, and conclusion.
'Damn, on Earth, I'd just pivot to other media mixes and call it a day.'
Back home, when a work blew up, they'd churn out side stories, spin-offs, endless brainrot to milk that IP forever.
But in this primitive fantasy world, with no decent subculture beyond my animes, that was impossible—
'Wait a sec.'
Other media mixes?
Hmm.
That... might not be impossible here.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Ever since "anime" appeared in the Empire, people had plunged headfirst into it, obsessed beyond reason.
Conversely, all other cultural pursuits were utterly sidelined.
Theater, opera, musicals.
These pillars of imperial culture were now ghosts towns, barely any patrons in sight.
Of course, anime's arrival didn't bankrupt theater or musicals outright.
Just like on Earth—movies and anime dominate popularity, but people still go to plays and musicals.
The Empire had its diehards who'd enjoyed theater and musicals for years, keeping the embers alive.
But no denying it: attendance had cratered compared to before anime hit the scene.
"Grr...! If only that Raguna bastard didn't exist...!"
"Why did the heavens birth theater, opera, musicals... only to birth anime next?"
Naturally, those in theater and musicals harbored no love for Raguna.
What galled them most? His animes were just too damn entertaining.
From Eli and Hamel's Disappearance to Mecha God Chronicle, and now Life and Death Ledger.
The bold stories and setups unseen in traditional theater, opera, or musicals—even they had to admit it.
In the end, they realized the truth.
Outmatched in pure entertainment value and accessibility, theater and musicals would never overtake anime.
So producers bent over backward to contact Raguna.
If he could casually craft such fresh stories and genius premises, surely he could pen scripts to reignite passion for their mediums.
But despite endless efforts, Raguna never responded once.
Months passed, hope faded entirely—right then.
"Hello. I'm Raguna Tersion, director and producer of Mecha God Chronicle and Life and Death Ledger."
For reasons unknown, Raguna suddenly summoned them and tossed out a proposal.
"To the point: I hear my animes are tanking theater, opera, and musical box offices lately?"
"...Ahem."
"Er, well..."
The industry folks shifted uncomfortably at his words.
Spot on, but not something you want to hear from the culprit.
However.
"With that in mind, I have a proposal. What do you think about adapting Life and Death Ledger into a theater play or musical? With a slightly different ending from the anime?"
"Pardon?"
"What did you just say?"
Raguna's idea shattered their expectations.
"Let's be frank. Everyone here must know Life and Death Ledger, airing on TV."
How could culture pros not know it?
Pride kept it unspoken, but everyone present had binged it to the latest episode.
"And I'm planning to conclude Life and Death Ledger around now. For the sake of its integrity, this feels like the right stopping point."
"...Whoa, seriously?"
"Ending Life and Death Ledger? A shame, but inevitable."
Stunned expressions rippled through, but no outrage like the nobles at council.
They were creators first, fans second.
They could grasp Raguna's intent to end on a high note for quality.
"I've agonized over wrapping Life and Death Ledger perfectly and settled on an ending. But some alternate endings I considered felt too good to scrap."
Of course, Raguna plagiarized via Pakuri, so no real creative torment.
Unaware, the execs empathized instinctively.
"So here's my proposal: adapt my Life and Death Ledger into theater or musicals, but with one of those alternate endings. Viewers who've seen the anime finale would flock to it, I bet."
Yes.
This was the solution Raguna sparked from Kaya's words.
Its Earth inspiration spawned movies, dramas, plays, musicals—every medium.
So why not adapt Life and Death Ledger here too?
"Hmm..."
"Follow the original story... but twist just the ending..."
"Solid idea. Even anime completists would be hooked."
The execs nodded positively.
With Life and Death Ledger's empire-wide smash hit status,
news of stage adaptations would draw huge crowds from the fanbase.
But.
"We'll gladly accept your proposal, Raguna. No reason to refuse. But... will it actually make money?"
"...Pardon?"
"Embarrassing to admit, but audiences for theater and musicals have dried up. Even Life and Death Ledger fans might not show..."
One exec voiced doubts sheepishly.
But Raguna had that covered too.
It was simple.
"We're planning official Life and Death Ledger merch soon. Heard of it?"
"...Life and Death Ledger merch—like character figures?"
"Yes. Unlike Mecha God Chronicle, limited production. So we're tweaking sales."
Tweaking sales? How?
"We'll distribute raffle tickets. Enter via tickets; winners get merch. More tickets, more entries."
Of course, these weren't freebies.
"And for everyone who sees a Life and Death Ledger theater or musical? One raffle ticket per ticket."
"Handing out merch raffles like that?"
"Such devilish schemes exist?!"
Execs' eyes bulged.
But honestly, Raguna couldn't fathom their shock.
This was child's play compared to Korean marketing.
So he decided to share a bit more proud K-gaming wisdom.
"Collect 10 tickets, upgrade to a 'Super Raffle Ticket'—higher priority draw."
"...Super Raffle?"
"Eh, that might be a bit..."
"But gachas without pity systems get called trash games. So 10 Super Raffles guarantees merch. Sound good? Folks will mob theaters and musicals for tickets."
"....."
"....."
No one responded, reasons unknown.
And so.
The fantasy world welcomes dog meat... no, the K-whaling model.
Opening soon.