My 2D anime story

Shining Animation Studio.

A veteran animation production company with decades of experience. Under its umbrella were three animation studios, and many of the industry's most renowned directors had worked here at some point.

It was known as a cradle for animators.

From original anime in its early days to modern light novel adaptations, nearly every anime produced by Shining Animation Studio had received a rating of at least nine out of ten.

And the Yukinoshita family owned a significant share of this company.

The company's president had originally been a passionate anime fan. However, as the company grew, he changed—eventually getting involved in gambling.

His luck was terrible. He lost a lot of money and was forced to sell off much of his stock.

Now, the Yukinoshita family controlled over 60% of the company's shares.

That said, they had never intervened in its management—they were simply investors.

Outside the Shining Animation Studio building.

Dressed in a formal suit, Su Yu stood before the towering building, taking in its imposing presence.

Before long, a woman in professional attire hurried over.

Upon seeing Su Yu, her eyes lit up, and she smiled warmly as she approached.

"You must be Su Yu-sama? I'm Sada Kana, Secretary to President Harada."

"Miss Sada, nice to meet you. Just call me Su Yu. I'm not some 'young master'—just a friend of Miss Yukinoshita." Su Yu replied in a low voice.

"Being a friend of Miss Yukinoshita already proves you're no ordinary person. Please follow me. I've arranged everything per your request. There are many animators without assignments at the moment—they're all graduates of the Shining Animation Academy, passionate and skilled in their craft…"

As she led the way, Sada Kana introduced the company to Su Yu.

From her words, he gained a deeper understanding of Shining Animation Studio.

It had started as a small production workshop, driven purely by a shared love for anime.

Originally, there had been only a dozen animators. Now, each of the three studios housed over a hundred staff members.

The First and Second Studios were filled with industry elites, while the Third Studio—established less than three years ago—consisted mainly of young talents.

Many of these newcomers had graduated from the animation school the company had founded, ensuring a continuous influx of skilled professionals.

Inside the Elevator.

Sada Kana subtly studied Su Yu.

He was undeniably handsome—the kind of guy who fit her ideal type.

Unfortunately, when Yukinoshita Haruno had called earlier, she had explicitly mentioned: "He's my little sister's boyfriend."

Sada Kana was a college senior of Haruno's and knew all too well how meddlesome she could be.

After all, Haruno had personally arranged this job for her. If she developed feelings for Su Yu, she had no doubt Haruno would transfer her elsewhere without hesitation.

The elevator stopped at the Third Studio's floor.

Sada Kana guided Su Yu inside and had a staff pass made for him.

With this pass, Su Yu could enter and leave Shining Animation Studio freely. Though he was technically a Third Studio member, he had no obligations—no assigned work, no need to clock in or out.

Once he put on the pass, Sada Kana finally pushed open the doors to the Third Animation Studio.

The room was vast, taking up an entire floor, and housed over a hundred people, all engrossed in their work.

Just then—

"Miss Sada, who is this?" A voice came from the side.

Su Yu turned to look, confused.

A kid? In an animation studio?

The speaker was a petite girl with golden hair, wearing a T-shirt and shorts.

"Hey, what's with that look? You're treating me like a child! I'm the team leader of the Third Studio—your senior." The blonde girl stepped forward and flashed her staff pass at Su Yu.

"Apologies. Greetings, senpai." Su Yu bowed slightly.

"Ahem—uh, Poem-chan, Su Yu-kun isn't a graduate of our animation academy. He's here as a guest to learn drawing." Sada Kana explained.

"Huh?" Miyazumi Poem blinked.

"Ahem… this was arranged from the top." Sada Kana knew the arrangement was unreasonable, but when Yukinoshita Haruno made a request—even the president wouldn't refuse.

"Tch. The president… if they don't assign us work, they just find random things to bother us with." Poem grumbled.

Sada Kana could only offer a wry smile. She, too, had plenty to complain about regarding the president—but wouldn't dare say it out loud.

With a sigh, Poem looked at Su Yu.

"Fine, follow me. I'll teach you myself. I'm the best artist in this team."

"I appreciate it." Su Yu replied sincerely.

"Sada-san, you can leave. I'll handle this." Poem said dismissively.

"If you need anything, Su Yu-kun, feel free to contact me."

Sada Kana handed Su Yu a business card before hurriedly leaving.

Su Yu pocketed the card and followed Poem.

In a Quiet Office.

Poem sat on the couch, one leg crossed over the other, studying Su Yu.

"Why do you want to learn to draw?"

"I want to make my own manga."

"What kind of manga?" Poem asked curiously.

"A relaxed, laid-back story about a little girl's life in the countryside." Su Yu thought for a moment before answering.

Poem's expression turned odd.

Su Yu, meanwhile, gazed at her with a pure and innocent look.

"Ahem. I get it now. But that kind of manga is too simple—it won't work in today's industry. You should just give up." Poem dismissed him outright.

"And who decides what works in the industry?" Su Yu asked.

"Obviously, the renowned directors and the top animators upstairs do." Poem pointed toward the upper floors.

"And what about the audience?" Su Yu countered.

"The audience? What do they have to do with this? Industry professionals understand anime. Regular viewers just need to watch what we make." Poem stated confidently.

"I believe that every story has an audience. A great anime isn't defined by a director—it becomes great when a majority of the audience recognizes it as such." Su Yu said firmly.

"Hah. There are always fools who think like you—believing in dreams, ignorant of how harsh reality is." Poem scoffed.

"But when you started, weren't you just like me?" Su Yu calmly met her gaze.

"Hmph! I was never that naive. I draw to make money. The best artists earn the most—nothing else matters. Dreams? They're just childish fantasies that never come true." Poem stood up.

Su Yu silently watched her, saying nothing.

Notes-Read advanced chapters in patreon.com/Shadow_D_X