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.n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

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.