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HELIO SCANS
[Translator - Hestia]
[Proofreader - Kaya]
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Chapter 44: Is it just me?
[Enju’s back! Personal website is now live!]
Full version of 'Monogatari' is up for a limited time!
Also, parts of the 'Monogatari' drama CD have been released as videos!
('Monogatari' full version link)
('Monogatari' drama CD link)
ㄴWhoa, seriously… Thought they’d gone quiet, but turns out they were charging up a Genki Dama the whole time.
ㄴDo they even know what a drama CD is? This is practically an anime;;
ㄴNot quite an anime, but it feels like a really well-made story music video.
ㄴAfter 'D Note', there’ve been more projects like this, right?
ㄴBut this one’s easily the best in terms of quality so far.
['Monogatari' drama CD features an all-star voice cast!]
[Enju’s 'Monogatari' Vol.1 - Full version limited-time release!]
['Monogatari' Drama CD Vol. 2 now out!]
(link)
ㄴBut seriously, who made that site? It’s way more polished than the last one.
ㄴLooks like it had a professional touch.
ㄴThey even locked down copying and screenshots.
ㄴThe layout’s super clean too. Really easy to navigate.
ㄴApparently the videos are okay to share. No protection on those, at least.
ㄴWhoever’s handling the promo—chef’s kiss.
“Fufufu…”
Scrolling through the posts with a faint chuckle was Sanae, head of Field Scroll.
“So you’re saying you’re the one who hooked Enju up with that developer?”
“Damn right I did! I was the one who introduced them!”
Sanae thumped her chest confidently, beaming at Manato, her deputy.
Even from the way she was talking, it was obvious how excited she was—but Manato nodded in agreement too.
The site really was well-made. Clean layout, solid servers. Even with the surge of traffic from the surprise drama CD and full-version release of 'Monogatari', there hadn’t been a single crash.
Clearly, they’d prepared for this kind of load.
“Seriously though, it’s impressive. You said it was a company? This isn’t just ‘good work’—this thing is dripping with love.”
One of Field Scroll's circle members muttered in awe as they browsed the site.
“Pretty sure the developer’s a hardcore Enju fan. They even brought their portfolio to the initial meeting.”
Hearing that, the member nodded in understanding.
“Yeah, no way you pull this off without some serious love in the mix. I mean, the banners, the fonts—everything’s so meticulously done. Even the security’s solid.”
“Sure, but if someone really wants to rip it, they’ll find a way.”
Sanae added with a wry smile.
The member gave an awkward chuckle and nodded in agreement.
“But you know…”
Manato, who had been following their conversation, now eyed the site with a hint of suspicion.
“You said it hasn’t been that long since you made the introduction, right? But this kind of site—there’s no way it got built in just a day or two.”
He continued.
“If the site went live exactly when the drama CD and full version of 'Monogatari' dropped… then when the hell did they start planning this?”
“Huh? Now that you mention it... I hooked them up when I passed along the drama CD proposal.”
“…No way… Right?”
As he mentally calculated the timeline, Manato’s expression slowly turned to stone.
＊ ＊ ＊
“They really know how to keep the audience on a string.”
“I told you, the guy’s nuts.”
Mitami muttered as she watched the online reactions, and Utahara responded with a grin.
The internet and social media were ablaze.
- So they keep releasing this 'Monogatari' drama CD bit by bit, but when’s the full thing actually supposed to drop?
ㄴNo clue
ㄴThey just post whenever they feel like it…
- LOL we’re mere mortals; all we can do is wait
- AAAAAAAHHH! This is pure torture. They release the audio separately, then drop the video at some other time—this is just cruel!
The 'Monogatari' drama CD was initially released in parts on Enju’s personal website.
At first, they boldly unveiled a version that included both audio and video, which sparked a huge online buzz.
Then came the push-pull.
They started releasing versions either with audio only, or with both audio and visuals—alternating the formats.
There was no set schedule. No release plan.
Just a steady stream of surprise drops.
“They’re luring people back with the unpredictability, and by splitting it into two formats, they’re stretching out the content and keeping it in the spotlight…”
It was a marketing strategy Mitami hadn’t seen before—but seeing how well it worked, she had no choice but to accept it.
Of course, one reason they could pull off this kind of rollout was because they had so much 'Monogatari' content ready to go.
The full version drama CD was massive. But the viral traction 'Monogatari' already had played a big part too.
With only 500 physical copies printed, 'Monogatari' stirred up major anticipation among those who couldn’t get their hands on it.
You know how people are—if they can’t have something, they want it more. Tell them not to touch, and suddenly, they ‘have’ to.
Sure, a few people who got to hear the full version said it wasn’t as great as they’d hoped—but the overwhelming majority loved it.
Some of the special tracks from the drama CD were even released directly on Avid Works’ company website.
That exposure gave Avid Works instant name recognition.
“I knew from the contract talks that this wasn’t gonna be a normal project.”
Utahara recalled, thinking back to Jung Junhyuk’s proposal.
At their very first meeting—the same one where they discussed the contract—
“This is gonna be so fun. Why don’t we just turn every part into a drama CD?”
Junhyuk said.
“If that’s on the table, I’ve got a few proposals of my own.”
Utahara replied.
Before Mitami could even jump in to calm things down, Junhyuk had already barreled ahead with another bombshell.
“If we go all-in and turn every part into a drama CD, I’ll publish the full version of 'Monogatari' on the website.”
“...Excuse me?”
Mitami and Utahara had looked at him like he was certifiably insane.
Junhyuk continued, unfazed.
“Of course, it’ll only be available for a limited time. But I already got a solid offer from someone who wants to handle the website.”
“Are you sure about this? No matter how tight the security, once it’s online, leaks are inevitable.”
Utahara said, half-accusing him of being too hyped.
Junhyuk just smiled and nodded.
“That’s fine. But not for free—only if Avid Works agrees to produce the drama CD for 'Monogatari' Volume 2.”
Then he added—
“I already released the beginning of 'Monogatari' online, so I think the promo side’s covered. But since only 500 copies of the print version exist, there are still plenty of people who have no idea what it’s about.”
Mitami nodded in agreement.
Thanks to that, they were able to seal the deal without spending too much.
“But what if—when the drama CD is completed—we release the full version of 'Monogatari' along with a preview video like the one I just showed you?”
“If that happens…”
It was hard to predict how big it could get, but it’d definitely spark conversation.
'Monogatari' hadn't gone mainstream yet—if anything, that made its premium value even higher. In that kind of climate, releasing the full version while simultaneously dropping the drama CD would absolutely create a ripple effect that would benefit the original work.
“And if it goes through—how about releasing Volume 2’s drama CD and manga together?”
“…So you’re saying bundle them as a package?”
Utahara looked at Jung Junhyuk with a sharp gaze as she asked.
“Of course, the package would be priced accordingly, but we’ll sell them individually as well. If Volume 1 performs well, Volume 2 can ride that wave.”
“That’s only if Volume 2 is as entertaining as Volume 1, right?”
“Well, honestly, my bigger concern is whether the drama CD can bring it to life properly.”
Utahara’s sharp eyes locked onto Jung Junhyuk’s, and he looked right back with a light smile.
After a few seconds of silent eye contact, Utahara suddenly snorted and laughed.
“Alright, sounds like a blast. Though we’ll need to look over Volume 2’s content first.”
“I had a feeling you’d say that, Director.”
“I don’t really care about age hierarchies. I’ve been rotting in this industry since I was a kid. As long as you're not being rude, talk however you want.”
“This is how I’m most comfortable. I don’t mind, so you don’t need to either.”
“Cool.”
Utahara spun her chair around with a grin and asked, “So? When did you come up with all this?”
“Just now.”
“…What?”
“More precisely, right when you suggested turning every part into a drama CD.”
The look in Jung Junhyuk’s eyes as he stared at her didn’t seem like he was lying.
And he wasn’t. He’d pieced it all together the moment Utahara had thrown out the idea of adapting the whole thing into a drama CD.
Only then did Utahara realize—just as she’d been sizing him up, he’d been doing the same to her.
She burst out laughing.
She’d assumed he was just a kid showing early signs of talent—someone like herself back in the day.
But she was wrong.
Back when she was in middle school, she was just a kid who happened to be good at drawing. But this boy? He was on a whole different level.
He was already hiding a snake in his gut—calculating, dangerous, far too sharp for his age.
That thought crossed her mind as she turned to look at Mitami.
“We’re gonna need to rewrite that contract.”
Utahara let out a crooked smile, thinking back to that meeting from just a month and a half ago.
At that moment, beside her, Mitami suddenly shouted in delight while checking the inbox.
“Director! We just got an event request! And the thing’s not even officially released yet!”
If this is what they’re getting before the official launch… How much more is going to pour in afterward?
Mitami let herself bask in that sweet daydream, grinning ear to ear.
Meanwhile—
“Just what kind of monster have I started working with…?”
Fshffft—
Leaving behind the excited Mitami, Utahara reached for the stack of papers on her desk—the video storyboards—and flipped them open.
Shfft—
She laid out the sheets and stared at the computer monitor, that familiar glint in her eye that only appeared when something genuinely piqued her interest.
“If it’s already this much now, can we even handle the shockwave once that drops?”
She glanced at the empty seat, as if speaking to Jung Junhyuk himself, already wondering what kind of storm he’d stir up next.
＊ ＊ ＊
A few weeks after the 'Monogatari' drama CD and full version of Volume 1 were released,
a post appeared on an online community:
[Is Enju the same person as Jun Wakayama?]
Is it just me, or does the direction in the final chapter of 'D Note' feel kinda similar to 'Monogatari'?
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HELIO SCANS
[Translator - Hestia]
[Proofreader - Kaya]
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