Entertainment: You're asked to make a graduation project, but you're asked to film Ultrama

Chapter 147 Crossover Collaboration! The Pitcher of Light!

More than an hour has passed since the premiere of episode 19 of "Ultraman Dyna".

But the atmosphere in Gu Nan's "Chasing the Light" film was still as intense as boiling water.

The various indicators on the data monitoring screen are still climbing at an exaggerated rate. On the trending lists of major social media platforms and video websites, terms such as "Mayumi, Nozomi is back!", "Takuma", and "Is the human soul made of plasma?" have firmly occupied the top positions.

"The viewership growth rate of episode 19 has surpassed that of the previous main storyline episodes!"

Chen Bo looked at the report in his hand and couldn't help but get excited.

In this episode, Dyna's emotional appeal and excellent script and acting improved the data.

"Moreover, the viewer retention rate for this episode is astonishingly high, and the number of comments on the screen has broken recent records!"

Gu Nan sat in his office chair, looking at the screen filled with countless bullet comments expressing the audience's emotions.

Sure enough, selling nostalgia is definitely an indispensable part of tokusatsu!

"Alright, everyone's worked hard."

Gu Nan stood up, clapped his hands, and attracted everyone's attention in the studio. "Today's episode was so well received, as usual, it's on me!"

Let's go out for a nice meal tonight and relax. The filming schedule is getting heavier from here on out, so make sure you're all well-rested!

"Yay! Long live Director Gu!"

"Okay, I'm going to inhale it like crazy!"

"Let's go, let's pack our things!"

A cheer erupted in the studio.

Everyone began to tidy up the scripts and storyboards scattered on the table, preparing to enjoy this rare celebration banquet.

Just as Gu Nan picked up his coat, preparing to leave with everyone, his personal cell phone, which was on the table, suddenly vibrated.

Gu Nan looked down and saw a familiar name flashing on the caller ID—Li Guoqiang.

It was his former mentor.

Gu Nan didn't dare to delay and immediately answered the phone, his tone respectful: "Hello, Teacher Li, how have you been? It's so late, is there anything I can do for you?"

Li Guoqiang's hearty laughter came from the other end of the phone: "Haha, Gu Nan, did I disturb your work?"

I just finished watching your new episode of Dyna at home, and it's just as good as Ultraman Tiga! That line, "The future is created by yourself," got this old man's blood pumping.

"Teacher Li, you flatter me. It's my honor that you like it," Gu Nan said with a modest smile.

After exchanging a few pleasantries, Li Guoqiang got down to business: "Xiao Gu, actually, I have a favor to ask of you today."

Do you have time tomorrow? I'd like to meet you in person and introduce you to a friend.

Gu Nan was slightly taken aback.

The filming schedule for "Ultraman Dyna" has been very tight lately. Not only do they have to prepare for the upcoming main storyline, but they also have to keep an eye on the production line of the peripheral toys. The work is indeed very busy.

However, Li Guoqiang was, after all, a senior who had been kind to him, and in this circle, interpersonal relationships were indispensable.

Moreover, someone who can get Teacher Li to personally call and introduce them is definitely not an ordinary person.

"Since you've asked, I'll definitely have time."

Gu Nan agreed without hesitation, "You decide the time and place tomorrow, I'll be there on time."

"Good lad, that's great! Tomorrow at noon, I've reserved a private room at 'Tingtao Pavilion' in Jinghai City. See you there!"

After hanging up the phone, Gu Nan put on his coat while pondering to himself.

Who would Professor Li introduce to him?

Moreover, judging from the tone of his voice, it seemed that he needed something from me.

"Never mind, we'll find out tomorrow."

Gu Nan shook his head, collected his thoughts, and turned to call out to everyone in the studio, "Brothers, let's go! Tonight, we're drinking until we drop!"

……

The next day at noon, the sun shone brightly. Inside a high-end private restaurant in Jinghai City, the environment was quiet and antique.

Gu Nan pushed open the door to the private room right on time.

Two people were already seated in the private room. One was Li Guoqiang, a sprightly man with graying hair.

The other was an extremely muscular middle-aged man with a buzz cut. Even though he was wearing a loose casual suit, you could clearly see the bulging muscles beneath the clothes. His skin had a healthy bronze color from years of sun exposure, and his hands had large knuckles, clearly indicating that he was a trained fighter.

"Hey kid, you're here!"

When Li Guoqiang saw Gu Nan enter, he immediately stood up with a smile to greet him.

"Teacher Li, you're too kind. How could I let you wait for me?"

Gu Nan quickly stepped forward and respectfully shook hands with Li Guoqiang.

"Hey, we just arrived a little while ago too."

Li Guoqiang pulled Gu Nan to a seat, then pointed to the robust middle-aged man next to him and introduced him.

"Come, my beloved student, let me introduce you. This is the chairman of our Xia Country Baseball Association, and also my nephew, Chairman Li Cheng."

Gu Nan was slightly surprised. The chairman of the baseball association? What could a tokusatsu drama actor like himself possibly have to do with the sports world?

But he didn't show it on his face, maintaining a polite smile, and extended his hand: "Chairman Li, hello, I've heard so much about you."

Li Cheng grasped Gu Nan's hand; his grip was strong, carrying the straightforwardness of a martial artist.

"Director Gu, you're too kind! I should be the one who's long admired you. I've watched every single episode of your 'Ultraman Tiga' and now 'Dyna,' they're all so exciting!"

Li Cheng's tone was excited, even carrying a hint of the nervousness of a fan meeting their idol.

After the three were seated, the waiters began to serve the dishes. After a few cups of tea, the atmosphere gradually became more relaxed and comfortable.

Gu Nan knew that Teacher Li wouldn't have organized this gathering for no reason, so he took the initiative to steer the conversation back on track.

"Teacher Li, Chairman Li, you two elders must have something important to tell me today. If there is anything I, Gu, can do to help, please don't hesitate to ask."

Li Guoqiang glanced at Li Cheng, smiled, and picked up his teacup: "Xiao Cheng, why don't you talk to Xiao Gu yourself?"

Li Cheng took a deep breath, put down his teacup, and a look of helplessness and bitterness appeared on his originally forthright face.

"Director Gu, to be honest, I've swallowed my pride and asked my second uncle to act as a go-between today because there's something that concerns the very survival of baseball in our country, and I'd like to ask for your help."

Gu Nan's expression turned serious: "Chairman Li, you flatter me. Please go on."

Li Cheng sighed and slowly said, "Director Gu, as you know, in our Xia Country, sports are incredibly diverse. Table tennis is our national sport, with a deep-rooted history; basketball and football, although their performance fluctuates, have a strong grassroots following and extremely high commercial value. But... what about baseball?"

Li Cheng's voice carried a deep sense of powerlessness.

"In Xia Guo, baseball is a completely niche sport."

"The vast majority of ordinary people can't even understand the rules of baseball, let alone follow the game."

"Attendance at our professional leagues is dismal; sometimes there are fewer spectators than staff members on the field."

"Without attention, there are no sponsors; without sponsors, our players won't get decent salaries, and our youth training system can't be built."

"If this continues, it'll be a vicious cycle!"

Li Cheng became increasingly agitated as he spoke, his eyes even reddening: "We baseball enthusiasts are suffering! We don't lack talented kids, nor do we lack the perseverance to work hard and sweat it out. What we lack is an opportunity for the public to understand and pay attention to baseball!"

Gu Nan listened quietly without interrupting.

He could understand Li Cheng's anxiety. Any pioneer in a niche field has to experience loneliness and difficulties that are hard for ordinary people to imagine.

"So, what does Chairman Li mean?"

Gu Nan asked softly.

Li Cheng raised his head and stared intently at Gu Nan: "Director Gu, I may be a rough man, but I am also an Ultraman fan."

While watching Ultraman Dyna, I noticed something—the character design of the protagonist, Shin Asuka!

Upon hearing this, Gu Nan's eyes narrowed slightly.

Li Cheng continued, "In the drama, Shin Asuka was once a very talented high school baseball pitcher. His father, Shin Ichima, also taught him not to give up on his dreams."

Even in several episodes' dramatic scenes, Shin Asuka's pitching and batting motions are shown, and the Super Victory Team's uniform design also bears a resemblance to sportswear.

"And I also inquired about that actor. He used to be with our Jinghai team. Although he's not a baseball team, his professionalism is definitely not an issue."

"Director Gu, the Ultraman series is now a national IP in China. Kids love watching it, and adults love watching it too! Shin Asuka's never-give-up and passionate spirit perfectly matches the core of our baseball sport!"

Li Cheng suddenly stood up, placed his hands on the table, and said in an almost pleading tone, "So, on behalf of the Xia Country Baseball Association, I would like to ask Coach Gu if it would be possible for Ultraman Dyna and Shin Asuka to serve as the official ambassadors and mascots for this year's Xia Country National Baseball Championship?!"

The moment the request was made, the private room fell silent.

This guy seems really sincere; if he were in a neighboring country, he'd be bowing deeply in respect.

Gu Nan raised an eyebrow slightly.

Should Ultraman endorse real-world sporting events?

This was a bold idea that had never been seen before.

However, from the perspective of business operations and IP expansion, this is definitely a good move.

This crossover that breaks down the barriers between dimensions can not only greatly increase the attention given to baseball games, but also make the image of Ultraman Dyna more deeply rooted in people's hearts, and may even gain official recognition and favor.

This is a win-win situation.

"Chairman Li, your idea is very creative."

Gu Nan nodded, giving an affirmative answer, "The character of Shin Asuka is indeed closely related to baseball, and I also hope that Dyna's brilliance can illuminate more people who persevere in their dreams. In principle, I agree to this endorsement."

"Really?! That's great!"

Li Cheng was so excited he almost jumped up. He was about to reach out and shake Gu Nan's hand when he suddenly remembered something. His face instantly darkened, and he sat back down in his chair, rubbing his hands together, looking extremely awkward.

"But...Director Gu..."

Li Cheng's voice became even softer than a mosquito's buzz, "But our baseball association is just too poor... We've emptied our coffers and still can't come up with a decent endorsement fee... I know that with Ultraman's current influence, this request is just too shameless..."

Watching from the side, Li Guoqiang couldn't help but sigh for his nephew.

He knew how high Gu Nan's commercial value was now; even a casual GG endorsement would fetch an astronomical price.

The baseball association's meager funding isn't even enough to cover a fraction of the costs.

Li Cheng lowered his head, like a child who had done something wrong: "Director Gu, if you feel uncomfortable, just pretend I didn't mention this today. Here, I'll punish myself with three drinks!"

As he spoke, Li Cheng picked up the wine bottle and was about to pour the wine into the glass.

A long, strong hand suddenly pressed down on the wine bottle.

Li Cheng looked up in surprise and met Gu Nan's calm eyes.

"Chairman Li, you've misunderstood."

Gu Nan smiled and removed the bottle. "I, Gu Nan, make Ultraman films not to make a lot of money, but to bring light and hope to more people."

Gu Nan stood up, his gaze sweeping over Li Guoqiang and Li Cheng, his voice firm and resolute:

"I'll take this endorsement."

"And, not a single penny. Free endorsement!"

"What?!"

Li Cheng stared wide-eyed in disbelief, as if he couldn't believe his ears.

Even the well-informed Li Guoqiang was stunned: "You, you kid... that's an astronomical endorsement fee!"

Gu Nan smiled and waved his hand: "Teacher Li, Chairman Li, just consider this my humble contribution to the sports cause of our Xia Kingdom, and to those baseball boys who are still sweating and persevering on the field."

"As long as more people can see baseball, that's enough."

"Director Gu..."

Li Cheng, a man of unyielding integrity, had tears welling up in his eyes at this moment.

He stood up abruptly, took a step back, and bowed deeply to Gu Nan. "I, Li Cheng, on behalf of all baseball enthusiasts in Xia Country, will forever remember Coach Gu's immense kindness!"

……

a few days later.

Gu Nan Studio and the Xia Guo Baseball Association simultaneously released a joint statement across the entire internet.

[Passing on the Light, Swinging with Passion! Shin Asuka and Ultraman Dyna, the main characters of "Ultraman Dyna," have officially become the official ambassadors/mascots for this year's Summer Kingdom National Baseball Championship!]

Along with the statement, a high-energy three-minute promotional video was also released.

The promotional video doesn't start with an intense monster battle, but with a lush green baseball field.

Under the blazing sun, Shin Asuka, dressed in his Super Victory team uniform, stood on the pitcher's mound with a determined look in his eyes.

He held a pure white baseball in his hand, his mind flashing back to his father Shinichima's teachings and those moments when he never backed down when facing the Spyia chimeras.

The camera zooms in on Asuka, who takes a deep breath, suddenly lifts her leg, twists her waist, and gathers all her strength into her right arm!

"Dyna—!!!"

With a roar from the bird, the baseball in his hand was hurled away!

The moment the baseball left his hand, Asuka's body burst into a dazzling light.

The baseball transformed into a dazzling streak of light, tearing through the air with unstoppable momentum, and precisely struck the catcher's glove with a deafening bang!

The next second, a burst of light shot into the sky.

A giant Ultraman Dyna appeared in the sky above the baseball field, striking a standard pitching pose, his fingertips shimmering with light energy.

Several powerful characters appeared on the screen: 【Never give up! Never give up until the very last moment! Xia Guo Baseball awaits your challenge!】

Once released, this promotional video was like a deep-sea bomb dropped into a calm lake, instantly igniting the entire internet!

Initially, many netizens were unfamiliar with the word "baseball".

Baseball? What's that? Do people in Xia Country play it?

Why did they choose such an obscure sports brand for endorsement? Was Director Gu kidnapped?

I don't understand the rules. It feels weird to hit a ball with a stick.

But after seeing the promotional video, the tone changed drastically!

Holy crap! Asuka's pitching form is so cool! It's like he's unleashing a finishing move!

[Damn, I had absolutely no interest in baseball before, but this promotional video got me all fired up, what's wrong with me?!]

[The pitcher of light! I'm going to learn the rules of baseball! I'm watching this tournament for Asuka!]

[Gu Laozei really knows how to create crossovers! He perfectly combines Ultraman's indomitable spirit with sports competition. His vision is truly grand!]

Not only ordinary netizens, but countless Ultraman fans have also become "baseball spirit ambassadors," enthusiastically promoting it on various social media platforms.

Soon, various educational videos about baseball rules and highlight reels of amazing shots began to spread wildly online.

Some baseball clubs that were facing dissolution due to funding problems suddenly saw a large number of parents bringing their children to sign up for a trial experience.

"Mom, I want to play baseball like Asuka! I want to throw a ball that shines!"

"Okay, okay, if you like it, we'll learn it!"

Unbeknownst to many, a "baseball craze" is quietly rising across the land of Xia.