mijobooks Chapter 357 A Transition Between Eras: The Mebius Project
Chapter 357 A Transition Between Eras: The Mebius Project
They didn't feel sad for Old Tang for a moment about washing his hair upside down.
On major video platforms and tokusatsu forums, countless viewers have begun watching the Gaia series and the Cosmos theatrical version a second or even a third time.
They tried to uncover the hidden meaning in every shot.
Early the next morning after the movie's release, a post suddenly appeared on the front page of a well-known film and television forum.
The post is titled "The Easter eggs that Gu Laozei buried in the movie, you would never have discovered if you are not a true Oscar fan!"
He didn't write any long, pretentious posts.
He simply posted three animated clips from the movie.
The backgrounds of the three GIFs are from the beginning, middle, and end of the movie, respectively, and are from the Easter eggs that Gu Nan added specifically for the film.
The beginning and end of the movie are not much different; both consist of a greeting scene.
It was the old patrolman who greeted Musashi's stepfather, Haruyuki.
Musashi's stepfather, Haruyu, a patrolman, had just finished his shift.
He rubbed his shoulders wearily and slowly walked to the security booth at the entrance of the police station.
At that moment, an elderly man with a full head of white hair, wearing an old-fashioned security uniform, emerged from the shadows.
The old man still had an upright posture.
Time has etched deep lines on his face, but his eyes remain sharp yet gentle.
He reached out his calloused hand and gently patted Chunyong's shoulder.
Without any unnecessary movements, the old man looked at the rising sun on the horizon, smiled, and said his line: "Thank you for your hard work. It's time for your shift to change."
The camera lingered on the old man's weathered profile for a full two seconds.
Then the camera switched back to Musashi's main perspective.
At first glance, it's just an ordinary transition shot.
It recounts a small episode from Chunyong's daily work.
Besides the post-credits scenes at the beginning and end, there's another post-credits scene in the middle, where the reporter played by Santafu the Viper reports on the appearance of the Baltan aliens.
The audience is no stranger to this actor.
In the original world, Viper Santayu is a veteran Japanese actor and voice actor, a true "evergreen" of Tsuburaya Productions.
He is widely known for his roles in the Ultraman series: Daisuke Arashi, a shooting expert for the Science Patrol, in Ultraman, and Shigeru Furuhashi, a member of the Ultra Guard, in Ultraseven.
In this world, Gu Nan's portrayal of the Advisor Guqiao in the subsequent Seven OV series made the character even more familiar to many domestic viewers.
In addition, it had only been two years since then, and the audience had not forgotten him. Therefore, when "The First Strike of the Sun and Moon" aired, many people recognized the character.
However, Susumu Kurobe, who originally played the role of the first Ultraman, has not been active in the eyes of domestic audiences for decades. Even when he appears, it is mostly as his younger self in the first Ultraman. Therefore, the audience did not recognize him with a full head of white hair at first glance.
Therefore, to highlight the changes, the poster added bold red text below the GIF.
"Guys, check the cast list!"
"This old man is Susumu Kurobe! Not many new fans may know this name now, but before Tsuburaya Productions went bankrupt..."
"Back in the dawn of tokusatsu decades ago... he was the human form of the original Ultraman, the actor who played Susumu Hayata!!!"
As soon as the post was published, the number of replies skyrocketed at a visible speed.
[Really? No wonder it looked so familiar!]
No wonder that old scoundrel Gu gave this security guard a two-second close-up!
No wonder! And that line, "shift change," refers to these new Ultraman chasing the light taking over!
[Kurobe Susumu? The First Generation? Is this the same person?]
[After all, fifty or sixty years have passed. The actors have aged, so it's normal that people don't recognize them.]
Without the pioneering efforts of the early days, how could the tokusatsu genre have achieved its current glory?
To be fair, this kind of subtle tribute is far more sophisticated than those forced displays of affection that just pose for a nostalgia trip.
[Director Gu actually invited veteran actors from the old era to make cameo appearances?!]
[That old scoundrel Gu is truly despicable, exploiting the elderly!]
As the post gained traction, the video was quickly uploaded to Bilibili.
The original video's comment section was instantly covered by a dense barrage of text.
[666, there's another Ultraman human host on Earth!]
Thank you, Hayata.
If Gauss can't beat them, there's always the original!
[Laid-off elderly man finds new employment – a security guard.]
It's alright, Earth's security level is much better than the Land of Light's.
That's true, even Ultra Keys can be stolen!
Meanwhile, in the top-floor office of the Chasing Light Pictures building.
Gu Nan was sitting at his large desk.
He was looking up information on a hard drive.
It contains not only the materials sent by the production team for review, but also the old Tsuburaya archives that he painstakingly collected from overseas.
Just as he was focused on checking the logic of the next stage of the script, the office door was suddenly pushed open.
Chen Bo walked in with a ruddy complexion, holding a thick report in his hand.
"Brother Nan, the data is pretty good." Chen Bo's voice was filled with barely suppressed excitement.
He slammed the tablet directly onto his desk.
"The number of paid views for 'The First Strike of the Sun' within 24 hours has broken the previous record of 'Star Warrior'."
"And..." Chen Bo swallowed.
His finger swiped rapidly across the screen, bringing up the trending topics lists from various platforms.
"I never expected that someone would actually spot this kind of Easter egg. The Easter egg you arranged for Hayata to change shifts is now common knowledge in the tokusatsu community."
Gu Nan stopped what he was doing and listened to Chen Bo's report.
"Over in Japan, the agencies of the remaining veteran actors from Tsuburaya Productions are practically ringing off the hook with calls to our overseas department's landline."
They are all thanking you.
Chen Bo pulled up a chair, sat down, took a breath, and continued speaking.
"That's explosive enough, Director Gu."
"You wouldn't believe it, but the overseas department also mentioned that Mr. Kurobe Susumu was extremely grateful after seeing the full film."
"He thought that with Tsuburaya Productions going out of business, he would never have the chance to appear on the Ultraman set in any form again in his lifetime."
Gu Nan nodded and put down his coffee cup.
His gaze shifted to the floor-to-ceiling window.
In this parallel world, due to Tsuburaya Productions' early bankruptcy, the veteran actors who left a glorious mark on the Showa era disappeared from the public eye long ago.
There were no more theatrical versions, and no more year-after-year returns.
They are like heroes forgotten by time, only able to shine faintly in memories.
But Gu Nan didn't want them to grow old with regrets.
"This is just the beginning," Gu Nan said softly.
"Chen Bo, the overseas department has always maintained contact with those established brokerage firms, right? We can continue to deepen our cooperation."
Gu Nan withdrew his gaze, his eyes sharpening.
"If necessary, I can personally fly to Tokyo!"
Chen Bo paused for a moment, then scratched his head in confusion.
"Deep collaboration? Haven't we already had them make cameo appearances several times? The OV of Seven before, and this time the original cameo, the results were already very good."
"One cameo appearance is not enough. Far from enough."
Gu Nan shook his head directly.
He then opened an encrypted folder on his computer and typed a few keys.
A business plan was projected directly onto the office's huge screen.
A brand new Ultraman image slowly appeared on the screen.
The main colors are classic red and silver, but the design language is completely different.
It avoids the bulky, layered look that some previous Showa-era Ultraman series had.
To highlight the young soldier's upright posture, a large area of warm red was used on both sides of the tunic.
A wide silver area is left in the middle.
On top of this silver layer, thin and smooth red lines are meticulously outlined.
This visually creates a perfect effect of broad shoulders, a slim waist, and long legs.
Its chest is covered with a light armor structure with an undulating texture.
His shoulders, ribs, and ankles were adorned with gold stripes.
This seemed to be some kind of military rank symbolizing honor, adding a touch of solemnity to this youthful vigor.
Moreover, his head design is equally unforgettable.
The head features iconic, winding grooves on both sides, and the ears are deliberately elongated and widened.
This design can visually convey a youthful and vibrant feeling.
Gu Nan knew that the cheek lines of the original design for this suit were inspired by the facial patterns of a lynx.
Viewed from the side, it has a slight feline quality, which adds a unique charm to this new warrior.
Combined with a slightly longer philtrum and a mouth design that narrows inward at the corners of the mouth, it completely avoids looking old-fashioned.
The color timer on his chest was not a traditional circle, but a sharp diamond shape.
What's most striking is his left wrist.
There, they wore a device that emitted a mysterious glow—the aura of Mebium.
Looking at this look, which was completely different from the Heisei Three and Gauss, Chen Bo's eyes widened and his mouth slightly opened.
Cosmos has only just appeared, and they're already arranging for the next Ultraman?
As far as Chen Bo knows, Gauss's forms haven't even been fully revealed yet.
Director Gu, just how far have your eyes seen...?
"Director Gu, this... this is a new Ultraman project? The main series of Ultraman is about to start airing, and we're starting a new project now?"
"It will be held, but there's no need to rush."
Gu Nan stood up, walked to the curtain, and pointed to the red and silver giant.
"This new Ultraman is called Ultraman Mebius. Ultraman Mebius."
"Mebius..."
Chen Bo murmured the name, his brows furrowed slightly.
He quickly pondered the meaning of the word.
"Mebius...Möbius...hmm...Möbius strip?...Möbius? Infinity?"
"That's right, it means infinite."
Gu Nan nodded affirmatively.
He added, "Although the Möbius strip infinity symbol isn't directly printed on his suit, this element will serve as a core visual effect, running through every transformation animation and the pre-cast animation before unleashing his finishing beam. This symbolizes the infinite future that the younger generation possesses."
"There's some explanation for this!"
Chen Bo's eyes lit up.
But then a deep sense of worry surfaced in his mind.
"But Brother Gu, our production capacity is already at full capacity. The Gauss TV drama is about to premiere, and all the publicity resources are being allocated to it. In addition, the OV of the DiDaiGai trilogy is also being prepared intensively."
Chen Bo stood up and pointed to the data panel.
"Isn't it stretching the battle lines too far by starting to allocate production capacity to prepare for Ultraman Mebius at this point? We can't spend money like this even if we have it! Even if we have enough production, our cash flow is tight! What if we take too big a step and repeat Tsuburaya's bankruptcy?"
Gu Nan did not directly refute.
He walked to the curtain, stretched out his hand, and pointed to several blank photo frames next to the design drawings of Ultraman Mebius.
"I am aware of all the practical difficulties you mentioned. I have calculated them all, including cash flow, staff scheduling, and scheduling conflicts."
Gu Nan's voice carried an unusual sense of urgency, as if something was chasing him from behind.
"But... sigh, time waits for no one, Old Chen."
"Brother Nan... when... we don't have any deadlines we need to meet right now!" Chen Bo was even more puzzled.
"It's not our deadline..."
Gu Nan turned his head and looked into Chen Bo's eyes.
"As you just said, Mr. Susumu Kurobe is quite old. Not only him, but also Koji Moritsugu, who played Seven, and Hideki Go, who played Jack."
At this point, Gu Nan paused, his breathing becoming slightly heavy.
In his past life memories, Mr. Tokiro Dan, the actor who played Hideki Go, passed away too early and has left everyone forever.
That is a pain that will forever remain in the hearts of countless Olympic fans.
He could no longer recite the famous "Ultraman Five Oaths" himself.
But after arriving in this parallel world, the first thing Gu Nan did was to verify the information through the overseas department's database.
He received news that thrilled him.
In this world, thanks to the butterfly effect, Toshiro Dan, the actor who played Hideki Go, is still alive.
Although he is advanced in years, he is still in good health and is currently enjoying his retirement in a quiet neighborhood in Tokyo.
"In this world, the elders have not yet left."
Gu Nan's tone was firm, as if he were making a vow.
"They're all still here. The original Ultraman, Seven, Jack, Ace, Taro... the heroes of the Showa era are still breathing in this world."
"I hope to make a film that spans the history of Ultraman before these gentlemen pass away, as a tribute to them. It would also be a gift to everyone who experienced that era."
Chen Bo seemed to understand Gu Nan's meaning.
His expression gradually became serious.
He sat back down in his chair, his hands clasped on his knees.
"Brother Nan, you mean to..."
"I want to bring them all back."
Gu Nan placed his hands on the table, staring intently at Chen Bo, and said in an unquestionable manner.
"It's not just about having a few cameo appearances; I want them to be the true main characters in 'Ultraman Mebius,' as mentors to this fledgling young Ultraman!"
Chen Bo gasped.
Bring them all back?
The sheer scale of the project and the costs associated with cross-border communication are simply unimaginable.
Especially since many of the veteran actors are quite old, not only do they need to coordinate extremely special filming schedules, but they may also need a lot of special effects or even stunt doubles to assist them.
Although Light Chaser Animation had experience in this area, drawing so many key figures at once was an unprecedented and enormous challenge.
"Gosley's Easter egg and cameo were just a trial run."
Gu Nan straightened up and adjusted his collar.
"This also sends a clear signal to the outside world and to them: Light Chaser Animation has not forgotten them, and the audience has not forgotten them either."
"Ultraman Mebius will be our most important strategic project going forward. It's not just a new series, but a grand reunion."
"But Director Gu, at their age, they definitely can't handle the action scenes," Chen Bo raised the most practical concern.
"We don't need to arrange combat scenes for the human host."
Gu Nan waved his hand, his eyes gleaming with wisdom.
"The main theme of Ultraman Mebius is legacy. The characters played by the veteran actors were originally the human forms of Ultraman themselves, either transformed or fused with him! Susumu Hayata, Dan Moroboshi, Hideki Go, Seiji Hokuto..."
Gu Nan's mind was filled with classic scenes from the Mebius theatrical version and later TV series from his previous life.
"In Ultraman Mebius, they will hide in various corners of the earth in human form."
"They might be restaurant chefs, mechanics, or lonely elderly people gazing into the distance on the beach. When a young warrior is lost, they will step forward and guide him with the wisdom of their entire lives. And when the final crisis arrives, when Mebius can no longer hold on alone..."
Gu Nan took a deep breath and said clearly, "I want these white-haired old men to raise their transformation devices once again. I want the audience to see that heroes may grow old, but their light never dies!"
Chen Bo felt a chill run down his spine.
Even though he's more of a businessman at heart, after being immersed in the tokusatsu industry for so long, he can fully imagine how devastating such scenes would be to the entire fan base once they were filmed.
That was absolutely a nuclear-level tear gas that spanned decades!
"Chen Bo, you need to understand."
Gu Nan's expression became extremely serious.
"Birth, aging, illness, and death are natural laws that none of us can change."
"While they can still appear on screen, while they can still wield the transformation device, we must make this show. I cannot accept the absence of any of them. Absolutely not."
Gu Nan's words carried a sense of resolute determination, like burning one's boats.
In this world, he has a chance to start over.
He would absolutely not allow the regrets of his past life to repeat themselves.
Hideki Go's "Ultraman Five Oaths" must be shouted out by him personally on the screen of this world.
"I understand." Chen Bo nodded heavily.
He knew that Gu Nan's mind was made up.
Moreover, the commercial and emotional value of this project is immeasurable.
"I will lead the overseas department and spare no expense to finalize the schedules of all the senior colleagues!"
"That's right, give them the best treatment. All logistical support must be top-notch," Gu Nan added.
He then pointed to the design drawing on the screen.
"Regarding the script, I will personally lead the writing team to develop the outline. For the early defense team setting in Ultraman Mebius, we will return to the traditional team model, paying homage to the Showa era. The base, fighter jets, and uniforms should all have a retro yet modern industrial design."
"No problem, I'll arrange the itinerary." Chen Bo noted down the key points.
Just as Chen Bo was about to turn and leave, Gu Nan suddenly remembered something and called out to him.
"Old Chen, wait a minute." Gu Nan's gaze shifted away from Mebius.
Another plan came to mind.
Chen Bo turned around: "Brother Nan, is there anything else you need?"
"When you go to Tokyo for negotiations, please convey my message to Mr. Tsuburaya and those veteran actors: This is not a simple business collaboration, nor is it simply about making money off fans."
Gu Nan looked at him, his eyes shining with an unprecedented light, and said solemnly.
Gu Nan took a deep breath and said, word by word, "Tell them that this is the grandest farewell ceremony prepared for a hero."
Chen Bo nodded solemnly, a fire burning in his eyes.
"I understand! I guarantee I'll complete the mission!"
As I pushed open the door, the office fell silent once more.
Gu Nan looked at the design drawings of Mebius on the screen, and the corners of his mouth turned up slightly.
He could almost see the young warrior, under the watchful eyes of the older generation of heroes, growing step by step into a true giant of light.
Inside Light Chaser Animation Studios, an even larger war machine, carrying the youth and tears of two generations, has quietly started its gears for the project called "Infinity".
At this juncture where light converges, the remnants of the old era will finally be completely mended.
Everything is steadily progressing towards the most perfect ending.