I am the Entertainment Tycoon

Sakura City, Sakura Abode Country.

South Section, 31th East Street, Otarabu Anime Bar.

This bar was the meeting place for anime otakus over 18 years old to discuss their favorite animes while drinking alcohol.

Not only does it have a large assortment of alcoholic beverages to enjoy, but it's packed to the rafters with anime posters, figures, and toys.

The establishment is separated into three sections: Otarabu the anime bar, Wotamenshi the anime diner, and Otaraku the anime karaoke parlor.

Two men could be seen entering the anime bar.

They looked like they were over 30 years old but in reality, they both were 26 years old.

They looked older because their faces exuded tiredness and lack of sleep.

And it was understandable as they both were freelancers in-between animators.

They worked 16 hours per day and earned a meager amount of money for that.

"Did they arrive yet?" Kato asked, he had long black hair and black eyes.

"I think so. They said they were arriving 20 minutes ago." Bruno replied; he had short brown hair and green eyes.

They entered the bar and a smile appeared on their tired faces as they saw the inside.

They loved that place.

They arrived just as the place opened at 7 p.m., so it was a bit of a surprise to see several people already there, drinking and happily chatting with the bartenders about everything going on in the anime world. 

Apparently one of the draws of the place is the knowledgeable staff, and lots of people show up alone just to chat with them.

The bartenders there were not just eye-candy; they know their stuff. 

Imagine an obscure anime that very few people know about it.

Yeah, they've already cosplayed as every character from it. Twice.

And of course, and while ordering, waiting, sipping, and gossiping about the 2-D world, the clientele is surrounded by a nearly endless amount of anime figures and posters.

That place was the meeting point of many otakus around the capital.

And it was where Kato and Bruno were meeting their friends.

Both looked at the table for a while until they saw 3 men seated while drinking beer and talking.

"Look who's here?" One of the men suddenly raise his voice and stood up when he saw Bruno and Kato walking to their table.

His name was Mark, he was the tallest between them, he had long blonde hair and black eyes.

The other two who were seated also stood up.

The two of them were identical twin siblings.

Their names were Jiro and Joben. They had medium height and short black hair.

The five friends hugged each other with enthusiasm.

They had been friends for years and worked in the same field.

All of them were freelancers in-between animators.

They worked extra hard to be able to survive in the industry.

But life was not easy for them, even though they had the qualifications, they couldn't even be hired to work in a studio.

That's why they worked as freelancers.

They laughed and seated at the table.

Bruno and Kato ordered some beer and appetizers as they started talking.

"What you guys have been working with?" Mark asked as he sipped his beer.

"I've been working on the second season of [Gudan]" Kato replied.

"We have been working on an anime that will be launched next spring season." Jiro replied for him and his brother.

"I've been working on an anime, but they let me off. So, currently, I'm not working on anything." Bruno replied wryly.

"Yeah, me too." Mark said as he shook his head.

Working in their industry was normal for them to not have anything to work on.

They started talking about their job as they drank their beers.

Even though they were underpaid and many times didn't have work, they were happy to work in the field that they loved.

They just hoped that someday, they would be able to live comfortably while working with what they liked.

"Did you guys see the new episode of [Blackout]?" Kato asked with shining eyes.

"Oh my god! Yes!" Mark exclaimed excitedly.

The five friends discussed with enthusiasm the new episode from the anime.

It was not by chance that [Blackout] was one of the most popular animes in the world.

"Talking about the Whale Studio that produces the [Blackout] Anime. Do you guys remember that I did some work for one of their animations, last year?" Bruno said suddenly.

"Yeah, you told us about it." Joben replied.

The other three nodded their heads and waited for him to finish his story.

"My contact there to receive my work was an intern. Her name was Ryoko Riverdale. You guys won't imagine what happened."

"I received a call from her yesterday. She was asking if I was interested in applying for a job as an animator in a studio that is opening." Bruno said.

"What?" Jiro and Joben exclaimed with twin-like coordination.

Mark and Kato were wide-eyed too.

It was important to notice that throughout all years that they have been working as animators, they never received an invitation to work as direct employees of a studio.

Even though the salary was the same as freelance animators, studio animators had much more stability of work.

They all dreamed about working in a studio and rising through the ranks to become the boss and produce their own animes.

"She even said that the studio would pay double compared to the market price of each animation drawing." Bruno continued with a smile.

"No way!" Kato exclaimed without believing what Bruno was saying

The twins and Mark were in doubt too.

It was a rare occurrence for a studio to pay their animators decently.

And for a studio that was just opening to do that?

It was a crazy decision.

"Well, it was what she said." Bruno said when he saw their doubting faces.

"But there's a catch…" Bruno said mysteriously.

"Just say it already!" Mark exclaimed impatiently.

The others exclaimed agreeing with Mark.

Bruno laughed when he saw his friends so curious.

"The studio will open in Elffire City. So, she asked if I would like to go there for an interview. And if I pass the interview, I will have to move to Elffire City." Bruno said as he sipped his beer.

"I knew that there was something!" Kato said as if he was expecting a catch the whole time.

"But you have to admit that the offer is tempting." Jodan said.

"Are you going for the interview?" Mark asked.

"I don't know yet." Bruno replied.

"But the person who called me said that if I knew any freelancers animators, I could ask them if they wanted to go for the interview too. So, what do you guys think?" Bruno asked.

The four who were listening froze for a moment.

One thing was hearing what happened to their friend, and another thing was getting the invitation to the interview themselves.

Bruno waited for his friends to process the information as he sipped his beer.

"Are you serious?" Jiro asked.

"Of course! The interview is on the day after tomorrow, Monday." Bruno replied.

The twins looked at each other and their sibling telepathy worked as they decided without even having to say anything.

"We will go!" Both of them exclaimed loudly.

Even though they worked here and there in some animes, they earned to be part of a studio.

Even if the studio was in another city.

The other three were surprised they decided so fast.

"Bloody hell! I will go too!" Mark exclaimed and laughed happily.

"Count me in!" Kato said with enthusiasm.

Now, there was only Bruno left.

The four of them looked at him and waited for his answer.

"How can I let you have all the fun? I will go too!" Bruno exclaimed loudly.

They all laughed and clinked their beer cups.

They drank the whole night to celebrate their decision.

Freelance animators were contacted by Ryoko for the entirety of the week.

Most did not want to leave Sakura City to work in an unknown studio.

But, some people were like the five friends in the anime bar.

They hoped for a better life while working with what they liked.

So, they took this chance and hoped it was what they hoped it was.

Ryoko wasn't planning to hire all freelance animators in Sakura City as there were tens of thousands of them.

She hoped that she could at least be able to get a few hundred of them to do an interview.

And freelancers throughout the city decided to go to Elffire City in search of a better life.

The job interview was highly anticipated!