Creating Anime In A Fantasy World - Chapter 50: Promoting the Film in the Southern Territory

Tansang City is a small town located at the southernmost tip of the Southern Territory.

Although called a city, it’s really more like an ordinary small town.

Due to its remote location, Tansang City rarely sees any visiting merchants or tourists.

The only road leading out of Tansang City connects directly to Nosrick, a large city far away in the Southern Territory.

However, even with this connection, there is very little traffic between the two places because Tansang City is a self-sufficient border town.

For its residents, as long as they can maintain a subsistence-level lifestyle, they consider themselves quite fortunate.

Naturally, this lack of pressing needs dampens any desire for travel.

Merchants from other areas seldom visit due to the city’s isolated location and the absence of any valuable local products.

As a result, the residents of Tansang City often lag behind in awareness of world events.

Even significant changes, such as shifts in the imperial family, are only heard about occasionally from people returning from the city or from traveling merchants.

But today, something unprecedented happened in this small city.

Doyle, an apprentice blacksmith in Tansang City, was heading home after his usual day assisting the old blacksmith.

As he made his way through the streets, a lively crowd caught his attention.

“What’s going on? Why is it so lively?”

Seeing a fellow apprentice from the paint shop in the crowd, Doyle quickly approached to inquire.

“Oh, Doyle! Look, that’s a troupe from Nosrick. They even have a magician with them!” the paint apprentice said with a grin. “They seem to be some sort of theatrical troupe. Although I’m not entirely sure, I think it’s something like a stage play. But we don’t have any theaters here in Tansang City. Where are they planning to perform?”

“A stage play?”

Feeling somewhat disappointed, Doyle glanced at the people in the center of the crowd and reluctantly shook his head.

He had once seen a stage play on a rare trip to the town.

Honestly, it was quite boring—just a few people singing and dancing on a makeshift platform.

Their exaggerated performances left the young Doyle bewildered and sleepy; it was less entertaining than the street performances by circus artists.

So, hearing that these visitors might also be here for some kind of stage play, Doyle immediately lost interest and turned to head home before sunset.

However, just as he was about to leave…

“Oh, a movie! I heard about it once when I was visiting town and ran into old Nori. They say it’s something fresh and novel, something that can make even children laugh out loud.”

“Yeah, I’ve heard of it too. It seems quite interesting. Who would’ve thought that we’d get to experience something like this—a thing even the nobles haven’t enjoyed yet?”

“When I went to town last time, I saw it from a distance. I didn’t have time to watch, but everyone coming out seemed incredibly happy, like they had all won a huge prize or something. Look! I even kept the flyer I got back then. No matter what, I have to see this movie for myself this time.”

Hearing the chatter of the passersby, Doyle’s steps halted abruptly.

Though initially indifferent to the commotion, he now found himself curious about this thing called a movie.

He still thought these adults might be exaggerating, having not seen much of the world themselves, but Doyle, naturally fond of such things, couldn’t help but want to see it for himself.

The main reason was that he knew there wasn’t much he could do if he went home now, so he might as well linger a while longer.

As people discussed enthusiastically, those in the crowd began to beat drums and clang gongs, setting up for their event.

Soon, a huge white cloth was erected in the center of the square, and those maintaining order divided the initially chaotic crowd into several neat lines.

Finally, amidst Doyle’s confusion, a man emerged from the crowd and announced loudly, “Due to the lack of a local theater in Tansang City, this movie will be screened outdoors. The city square will be cordoned off, and admission will cost five copper coins. You may not bring any food with you; anyone caught sneaking food in will be asked to leave immediately.”

This no-food policy was a lesson learned from previous screenings in Nosrick.

Initially, when regulations were lax, many people brought snacks with them, which not only spoiled the viewing experience for others but also left behind a mess that took time to clean up.

Given that this outdoor screening had no limit on attendance, one could imagine the potential problems if everyone brought their own food.

To prevent this, they simply banned bringing food altogether this time.

As the crowd buzzed with surprise and murmuring, their attention was quickly drawn to the faint images appearing on the large white cloth in the distance.

“Heavens, what kind of magic is that?”

“It looks so thrilling! Is this a movie?”

“Is it really just five copper coins?”

As the trailer started to play on loop in the distance, the audience erupted with excitement.

Many people, after a moment of daze, quickly rushed toward the central square, eager not to miss the movie, and Doyle was among them.

Just watching a brief one-minute trailer was enough for Doyle to discard his previous biases about movies.

Now, his only thought was to secure a ticket before anyone else.

He had completely forgotten about getting home on time.

When he arrived at the scene, sure enough, he saw the central square cordoned off and a large screen big enough that, with good eyesight, you could just make out the images from outside.

“One movie ticket, please!”

Handing over the five copper coins he earned today without hesitation, Doyle was grateful for his stamina, as he was among the first to get in.

Soon, with people gradually entering and more gathering outside the square to watch, the first-ever movie screening in the remote border town of Tansang City began.