NOVEL NEXT Chapter 694: Setting the Stage for [SAO]
Chapter 694: Setting the Stage for [SAO]
Tokyo Studios Stand, Kizuna Hall, Sakura City.
Sunday, March 14th.
Amano Rio stood at the center of the bustling Tokyo Studios stand inside Kizuna Hall, overseeing the final preparations with a keen eye. As the Sakura City Branch Manager, she was entrusted with ensuring that everything was perfect for PrimCon, the most prestigious anime and manga convention of the season. Tomorrow, the world would get its first glimpse of Sword Art Online, Tokyo Studios' debut anime, and Rio was determined to make a lasting impression.
The Kizuna Hall complex was alive with activity. All around her, teams from various studios and publishing houses were rushing to complete their setups, each vying for attention in the massive sea of creativity and competition. But Rio's focus was solely on the stand that Tokyo Studios had managed to secure—a medium-sized space that would soon become the epicenter of excitement for Sword Art Online fans.
The stand itself was an ambitious display, designed to captivate and immerse visitors from the moment they approached. The backdrop featured a towering, high-definition screen that looped through carefully selected clips from the anime. Scenes of breathtaking battles, lush virtual landscapes, and the striking characters of Sword Art Online played in an endless cycle, accompanied by the hauntingly beautiful theme music that had been composed specifically for the show.
Standing by her side was a small army of professionals-designers, engineers, marketers, and technical staff—all handpicked by Ryoko Riverdale, the head director of Tokyo Animation Studios. Ryoko was known for her meticulous attention to detail and unwavering dedication to quality, and she made sure that this team reflected those values. Though she couldn't be there in person, her influence was palpable in every aspect of the setup.
Rio glanced around, satisfied with the progress. The stand was nearly complete, and it was shaping up to be a real showstopper. The main feature was a life-sized model of Kirito, the anime's protagonist, clad in his iconic black coat and wielding his dual swords. The model had been crafted with painstaking detail, capturing the intensity and resolve in Kirito's expression. It stood as a testament to the craftsmanship of Tokyo Studios, a beacon that would draw fans in like moths to a flame.
To the left of the Kirito model was an interactive exhibit designed to give fans a taste of what it would be like to step into the world of Sword Art Online. Using state-of-the-art VR technology, visitors would be able to experience the anime's virtual world firsthand, exploring the floating castle of Aincrad, engaging in battles, and even interacting with some of the characters. The VR stations were set up and tested repeatedly, ensuring they were ready to provide a seamless and immersive experience for the thousands of fans expected to attend. To the right of the model, a merchandise section was being assembled. It featured a range of exclusive Sword Art Online goods-everything from posters and T-shirts to limited-edition figurines and art books. Rio had worked closely with the marketing team to ensure that the merchandise was both appealing and of high quality, knowing that fans would be eager to take home a piece of the anime.
They also had set up a small stage had been set up here for live readings and Q&A sessions with the voice actors who would bring these characters to life in the upcoming anime adaptation.
As the crew continued to fine-tune the setup, Rio's phone buzzed in her pocket. She pulled it out to see a message from Ryoko Riverdale.
Ryoko: How's everything coming along?
Rio quickly typed a response, her fingers flying across the screen.
Rio: Almost done! The stand looks amazing. I think we're going to make a big splash tomorrow. Ryoko's reply was almost immediate.
Ryoko: Good to hear. I'm counting on you to make sure everything is perfect. This is our first anime- no room for mistakes.
Rio smiled, appreciating Ryoko's confidence in her. She knew how much this project meant to Ryoko, to Theo, and to everyone at Tokyo Studios. Sword Art Online was more than just an anime-it was their statement to the world, their way of announcing that Tokyo Studios was here to stay.
She pocketed her phone and turned her attention back to the stand. The team was now working on the final touches, adjusting lighting, setting up the audio systems, and arranging the last of the merchandise. The screen behind the stand was in perfect sync with the music, creating an atmosphere that was both exciting and ethereal. It was almost time for a final walkthrough, but Rio wanted to make sure everything was flawless.
"How's the VR system looking?" she called out to one of the tech engineers.
"We're running the final diagnostics now," the engineer replied, not looking up from his laptop. "Everything's functioning as expected. We'll be ready for a test run in about ten minutes."
"Great. Let me know if you run into any issues," Rio said, nodding in approval. She continued her circuit around the stand, making mental notes of anything that needed tweaking.
At the merchandise booth, she found Miya, one of the lead designers, carefully arranging the limited-edition figurines. Each one was a miniature masterpiece, capturing the essence of the Sword Art Online characters in intricate detail.
"These look fantastic, Miya," Rio remarked, picking up a figurine of Asuna, Kirito's companion and one of the main characters in the anime. The figurine was exquisite, from the flowing details of Asuna's battle outfit to the fierce determination in her eyes.
"Thanks, Rio," Miya replied with a smile. "We wanted to make sure the fans got something truly special. These figurines are limited to just 500 pieces, so they're going to be in high demand."
Rio nodded. "I have no doubt they'll sell out fast. Just make sure we have enough staff to handle the crowds-we don't want any chaos at the booth."
Miya chuckled. "Already on it. We've got a full team ready to go, and I've briefed them on crowd control. We'll be fine."
With everything coming together, Rio felt a sense of pride swelling within her. Tokyo Studios had come a long way from its humble beginnings, and now they were on the verge of making a major impact on the anime industry. She could already picture the fans lining up outside Kizuna Hall, eagerly waiting for the doors to open, their excitement palpable as they finally got to experience Sword Art Online.
As the day turned to evening, the team began to wind down their preparations. The main setup was complete, and only a few minor adjustments remained. Rio did one last walkthrough, checking each section of the stand to ensure that everything was in place. The lighting was perfect, the sound system crisp and clear, and the VR stations ready for action.
Satisfied, she gathered the team for a quick debrief.
"Great work today, everyone," Rio said, addressing the group. "We've done an amazing job setting this up, and I'm confident that tomorrow's going to be a huge success. Remember, this is our chance to show the world what Tokyo Studios is capable of, so let's give it our all. Get some rest tonight, because tomorrow's going to be a big day."
The team responded with enthusiastic nods and smiles, the exhaustion from the day's work tempered by their excitement for what was to come. They began to pack up their tools and equipment, ready to head home and recharge for the big day.
As the last of the team members left, Rio stayed behind to do one final check. She walked slowly around the stand, taking in the details, imagining how it would look tomorrow when the hall was filled with the energy and excitement of thousands of fans. She could almost hear the gasps of awe as visitors approached the stand, their eyes widening as they took in the impressive displays and interactive experiences.
Once she was satisfied that everything was in order, Rio pulled out her phone and sent a message to Ryoko together with a few pictures of the stand.
Rio: Everything's ready for tomorrow. The stand looks incredible-I think we're going to blow people
away.
A few moments later, Ryoko's reply came through.
Ryoko: Great job, Rio. The stand looks awesome! I knew I could count on you. Let's make sure
tomorrow is unforgettable.
Rio smiled as she pocketed her phone and turned off the lights at the stand. The hall was getting quiet now, the frenetic energy of the day giving way to a calm anticipation for what was to come. Tomorrow, Kizuna Hall would be transformed into a bustling, vibrant hub of creativity and passion. The Tokyo Studios had high promises to become one of the highlights of PrimCon, making their grand entrance onto the anime stage with Sword Art Online.
As Rio walked out of the hall and into the cool evening air, she took a deep breath, feeling a sense of accomplishment. The stage was set, and now all that was left was to see how the
world would react.