Chapter 54
Chapter 54
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: penny
Chapter: 54
Chapter Title: How Noisy
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Masked Hero - Black Moon
This was the new season of Masked Hero kicking off this year, a production that Asaha Broadcasting had poured their hearts into preparing.
Especially this quarter, with all of Asaha's other programs bombing hard, Masked Hero—known for reliably delivering at least solid hits and occasionally massive successes—was something they were pinning even greater hopes on than usual.
It wasn't for nothing that they'd put up with Director Oda's notoriously endless nitpicking.
On top of that, Asaha—famous for squeezing every penny out of production budgets—had unusually shelled out a generous amount this time.
The result? The Masked Hero team had cast some fairly well-known actors, which was out of character for them. Even so, they stuck to tradition by casting a rookie for the lead role.
Due to the tokusatsu genre's typical shoestring budgets, Masked Hero had no choice but to feature rookies in major protagonist roles.
But as the series dragged on endlessly and the core fanbase swelled massively, this "tradition" evolved into a launchpad for promising newcomers.
In fact, plenty of actors had proven their chops on Masked Hero and used it as a stepping stone to stardom.
And this tradition carried over even into this season, with its overflowing budget.
"Mm..."
A man sat there with a tense expression on his face.
Kujo Sakuya.
Age 20.
He'd just barely passed the grueling audition as a rookie actor, finally landing the lead role in Masked Hero—the dream he'd chased since childhood.
But right now, instead of the joy from passing that audition, his heart was gripped by a heavy burden.
'I've heard the stories, but... they're all such big shots...'
Thanks to Asaha finally opening their wallets, the Masked Hero set was packed with top-tier actors.
Sure, there were plenty of other rookies besides Kujo here, but in this moment, all he could see were the stars shining brightly around him.
'Over there, Kobayashi Mokou from the drama [Flames of the Moon]... and there, Kashiwagi Aya from the movie [White Crow]... Can I really hold my own against people like that?'
Actors well-known even in Japan.
He hadn't paid much attention to this side of things before, but having to debut alongside them was suffocating for a rookie like Kujo.
Just then, snippets of other actors' conversation drifted into his ears.
"So they really went with that actor from Korea?"
"Yeah, apparently. Someone confirmed Yuuko stamped the contract and took her script three days ago."
"Jeez... I mean, come on, putting some Korean nobody in Masked Hero?"
"Director Oda's such a weirdo. Honestly, we should be grateful the shoot hasn't dragged on even longer."
One of Japan's flagship programs with a long history, Masked Hero.
Of course, there had been occasional foreign actors, but never one in a lead-level role like this.
Especially with the rising Korean wave spreading in Japan lately, stirring up subtle rivalries—it was only natural for wariness and resentment to brew over a Korean actor invading their turf.
"So, what's this Korean actor like exactly?"
"Name's... Sai Suishou, I think? Chae Soo-jeong in Korean."
"Doesn't come up much even if you search her... Gotta be a total newbie, right?"
"She did one drama, I think. But yeah, basically a rookie."
"A young Korean rookie to boot... Makes you wonder what's going on in Director Oda's head more and more."
"Should we start calling him Six-Time Oda instead?"
"Whatever... Actually, this could be good. Let's use this chance to teach that clueless Korean girl how scary the Japanese entertainment industry can be."
The actors ground their teeth, plotting to crush this Suishou—or Soo-jeong, whatever—without mercy.
Meanwhile,
Overhearing his seniors' talk,
Kujo—the protagonist with the biggest role in this drama—found himself pondering the matter.
'A Korean actor, huh...'
Kujo had no particular feelings about Korea one way or the other.
He wasn't into history, and above all, he figured it was better to spend that time memorizing one more line of script.
But after hearing his seniors just now, a strange sense of kinship toward this Korean actor welled up in him.
'She's a rookie too, right? Must be tough coming all the way out here...'
Having rolled around in theater since childhood, he knew full well how rigid Japan's entertainment hierarchy was.
Especially merciless toward a foreigner, and a Korean at that.
Sending quiet sympathy to his future "colleague" in the drama, Kujo shook off his stuffy mood and dove back into his script.
Just then.
"Alright, let's get started."
"Ah... Yes, sir."
At Director Oda's instruction as he entered the studio, the actors sprang into bustling motion.
Today was for familiarizing faces and script read-throughs before principal photography began, but right now, an unusual grim determination etched their faces.
A woman standing behind Director Oda.
A beauty with black hair and violet eyes.
With the context, she was clearly the Korean actor in question. The cast's gazes naturally turned her way.
"Let me introduce her. This is actress Chae Soo-jeong from Korea. You've probably heard, but she'll be playing Asakura. She doesn't speak Japanese well, so go easy on her."
"Hello. I'm Chae Soo-jeong. Please take care of me."
The woman bowed politely with Director Oda's introduction.
Watching her greet them in slightly awkward Japanese, all sorts of thoughts bubbled up in the actors' minds.
'So that's the bitch...'
'Hm... Face is decent enough, I guess.'
'They said she was a real beauty—did they cast her just for looks?'
'Nah... Maybe for those tits...'
'Ahem, with a face like that... Even a Korean could get cast.'
'Hah... But acting isn't all about looks!'
'No matter how pretty, a mere rookie's skills are predictable.'
Her striking appearance and figure with serious impact potential.
The male actors started thinking, 'Korean or not, she's fine.'
Meanwhile, the female actors felt a twinge of defeat, their resolve to crush her with acting burning fiercer.
The actors took their seats, scripts in hand.
The tension ratcheted up another notch as the script read-through finally began.
*
The protagonist, Kawasaki Makado, an ordinary office worker.
His childhood same-sex friend Asakura, separated since they were kids, reappears before him.
Over 20 years since they last saw each other's faces, but their old bond lets them reconnect quickly.
One day, while enjoying time with Asakura, monsters suddenly appear before Kawasaki.
To save the people and his friend in peril, he pushes himself to the limit. Then, drawing on the power of a hero driver resembling the watch he'd randomly picked up while playing with Asakura recently, he awakens as "Masked Hero Black Moon."
From there, he fights on as a Masked Hero to protect his friend and the people.
This was the early plot of Masked Hero - Black Moon, and the first scene these actors had to shoot.
"The twist is, Asakura here is actually a woman."
"Childhood friend turns out to be a girl... Along with 'raised by a witch,' it's one of those plots blowing up lately, huh?"
"And not just any girl—she's the big bad final boss."
"Kaguya, Queen of the Black Star planet, who brainwashes Kawasaki Makado to conquer. That's Asakura's true identity."
"Hmm... But is it gonna work? The actress playing Asakura has those huge boobs."
"Boobs aside, the script calls for a manly woman. Not sure she can pull it off."
"And a queen at that... Pfft. Queen? She looks like a scrawny maid who'd fit right in."
"Before that, she can't even speak Japanese. Can she handle the lines?"
The actors snickered softly among themselves, mocking Chae Soo-jeong.
Figuring she couldn't understand anyway, they smirked, waiting for her to start the read-through.
"Then, let's start from Part 3."
A female actor spoke with a sneer curling her lips.
The most senior here, and well-known to the public: Ashida Kanako.
Along with Yuuko standing in the back, she'd play a Black Star executive.
Determined to put this Korean actor in her place, she stepped forward brimming with confidence.
Meanwhile.
'This is how it normally goes. I was the same just a few days ago.'
Unlike most expecting the Korean to falter or crack,
One of the people who'd been most upset about this casting,
A woman with a mysteriously haggard face like she hadn't slept—Yuuko—watched the sneering crowd with a wry inner smile.
She alone among them knew the "truth."
'No need to explain, though. They'll find out soon enough.'
Recalling last night's events, Yuuko quietly observed.
And...
"Welcome back, Your Majesty. Did you complete your task? You must be exhausted from dealing with that human."
Kanako launched into her lines with exaggerated, bombastic energy.
Anticipating awkward Japanese next, a cold smile played on her lips.
But...
"How noisy."
The next moment, a chilling line cut through.
Not a hint of awkwardness in the delivery.
At the same time, a sinister aura began to envelop her entire being.
Kanako instantly sensed something was wrong, dismay flickering across her face.