The Strongest Animator [Rebirth]

The sad atmosphere did not last long in the cafeteria.

The old lady who always had a gentle smile frowned, apparently a little unhappy about this topic, she reprimanded: "What nonsense are you talking about? Are you confusing Qixi Festival with the opening of the ghost gate?"

The old man did not speak.

He stopped what he was doing, and stared at the plate in front of him for a moment. When the camera turned, it also fell on the enlarged tofu dish. Just when Luo Gaofeng thought he was in a daze, the old man suddenly said: "By the way, this morning, I dreamed about that guy."

"Who are you talking about?"

"It's Sakura's dream," he said. "There was the sound of making miso soup from afar, and then I heard a voice waking me up, like, 'Daddy, how long are you going to sleep until?'" Like this."

Then the dream woke up.

The elderly man slowly opened his eyes in the darkness, subconsciously sat up from the bed, raised his head instinctively, and looked in the direction of the kitchen.

But it was quiet all around, there was no one, and of course there would be no sound of miso soup boiling.

"It's been a while since that guy got married." The old man said, with a bit of self-deprecating tone: "I never thought I would have such sissy dreams, it's really bad when I'm old ah."

"It was so beautiful at that time, Sakura's wedding dress..." the old woman said, "Time flies so fast... It's been a few years since that?"

"...almost five years."

It turned out to be the case.

Luo Gaofeng thought about it.

No wonder the traffic police would call the old man "Father". If you think about it, you can be called a father. Besides your own biological father, isn't there only your wife's father left?

The plot of the animation is still going on.

The time on the screen is unhurriedly interpreted by the storyboard where the sun and the moon intersect. Luo Gaofeng is also developing the plot bit by bit, gradually clarifying the plot line and character relationship of the first short story.

One of the diners, an old man with a stubborn personality, runs a watch shop not far from the Showa Cafeteria. Because there are no customers in the watch shop, he often does not even turn on the lights at night, because "there are no customers anyway."

The young man in the second diner is an enthusiastic and responsible traffic policeman, always with a gentle smile on his face, but when he talks about traffic safety-related issues, he will put on a serious face, caring about the old man, but often because of unknown Even in the Showa cafeteria, he never met the other party.

Although the traffic police used the name "Dad" when referring to the old man in front of the grandmother, the two were not actually father-son in the true sense. The connection between the stubborn old man and the young traffic policeman was not the non-existent blood relationship, but the old man. daughter, the traffic policeman's wife, Sakura.

So where did Sakura go?

Luo Gaofeng looked at the phone screen.

As he had expected, as the stubborn old man got up and left, the next episode logically became the scene of the traffic police.

The clock moved towards seven o'clock in the evening under the afterglow of the setting sun. The old lady put away the tableware left on the table one by one, took them to the counter, cleaned them, and put them neatly in the cabinet.When she was busy with the work in hand and her eyes accidentally fell on the last person in the cafeteria, the young traffic policeman had lowered his head and stared at the table for a long time.

"What's the matter, just sit like this." The old man's voice is as gentle as ever, it is the inherent gentleness of an elder that has gone through thousands of sails and gradually settled down, and his eyes moved down along the young man's line of sight: "That, Is it a photo?"

"...Yes," said the traffic policeman, "it's a photo from a trip a few years ago, with my wife..."

Putting away the tableware in front of the young man, and recognizing the place in the photo at a glance, the old woman laughed: "This should be Hakone, right? That's a good place."

Infected by the elder's smile, the traffic policeman also showed a shy but soft smile: "Yes, it's a very good place. The two of us took the bus from the station to the hotel. The journey was bumpy. We were so shaken that we were afraid of biting our tongues, so we just didn't say a word."

"Hahaha."

During the ordinary chat between the two, the animation shot was also transferred to the photo in the young man's hand in a timely manner. In the neatly bound photo collection, a beautiful cherry blossom specimen was carefully sandwiched in it, and it was placed in the photo impartially. Next to the girl's bright smile.

"Is this a pressed flower?"

"Yes. Because it happens to be the season of flying cherry blossoms," the traffic policeman scratched his head, with an embarrassed expression on his face, but a soft smile in his eyes: "'When you are working, please treat this as It's me' she told me."

A completely different attitude from the old man.

When one talked about his wife's past, he had a happy and gentle smile on his face, and when the other talked about his daughter, an almost sad expression flashed across his usually stern face.

But Luo Gaofeng clearly understands that the essence of the two is actually the same.

It may seem that only the old man is still suffering from the loss of his daughter and thus loses enthusiasm for life itself, but he is not.

It's just that the two express their emotions differently.

Stubborn people become even more stubborn, and they seem to no longer pay attention to their own health problems.The good-tempered one still looks enthusiastic, but when he mentions his wife, he is seldom sad, but instead shows a very gentle and silly expression.

This made Luo Gaofeng's mood more complicated.

Just like the "blandness" advertised by this animation itself, the expression of emotions in the whole animation is actually very subtle, and it does not exaggerate a certain emotion too much. It was enough for Luo Gaofeng to understand: this lovely wife who was talked about by the traffic police may have passed away.

Considering the traffic police's overly serious attitude when talking about traffic safety issues, the reason for his death may be related to this.

If the animation clearly expresses the sadness of the traffic police, Luo Gaofeng may feel better.

But this animation has no intention of creating a sad atmosphere at all. Even if the traffic police occasionally show a sad look, it is only for a moment, and soon they will show a look of trembling and serious work, or change the topic , Seriously talk to grandma about other things.

Understatement, but with unspeakable truth.

People are like that sometimes.

If "Showa Cafeteria" is really desperately sensational, Luo Gaofeng might not be touched. However, whether it is the old man's self-mockery or the traffic policeman who often wears a warm smile, it gives people a feeling that he is not immersed in sadness, but still Live seriously, responsibly, and well.

It was also this kind of understatement that instead poked a soft corner of his heart, causing him, a person with a high self-abuse point, to be defeated in an instant.

And the producers of this animation clearly know this well.

Just like the character design of the traffic policeman himself, he didn't get too immersed in sadness, and escaped from his memory. He gently stroked the photo in his hand, and suddenly said: "Well, grandma, I have something to trouble you .”

"what is it then?"

"This photo... that... If you meet Dad, can you pass it on to him?" The traffic policeman said: "I think he must have never seen this photo before, and he will be very happy."

It is obviously a very plain and everyday plot, but after substituting such a background, it gives people an indescribable feeling.

Luo Gaofeng took a deep breath.

No, he can't be shaken. As a tough guy, how can he cry for such a sissy plot?No matter how gentle this kind of abuse is, it won't work!

He was trying to hypnotize himself in his heart, while the grandmother in the animation shook his head: "Is it better to hand over such important things to the other party by yourself? Or, you don't want to see him?"

"But actually, it's not that I can't understand it. After all, it's that stubborn old man..."

"No!" It wasn't a big topic, but the attitude of the traffic policeman became serious all of a sudden, he pursed his lips: "It's not that I don't want to see him, it's just that... there is actually one thing that I have to talk to him about." It’s impossible to say... But this matter is really a bit difficult to say, so I just..."

"What, where did your usual good spirit go?" The old woman looked at the young man in front of her with accusatory words on her lips, but she smiled encouragingly: "If it's something important, Just tell me now."

"…makes sense."

As if awakened by the other party's words, the young traffic policeman stood up all of a sudden. He still looked a little hesitant, but he had a hint of enlightenment compared to before he came. The old lady bowed: "I'm sorry for keeping you here for too long! Then I'll go back to work at the police station now!"

It's hard to say something, I don't know what it will be?

Luo Gaofeng thought, while looking at the animation in front of him casually, the next plot was still memories in twos and threes, and then, as expected, one time, the two people who came to the Showa cafeteria one after another, when they didn't know each other , mentioned a special dish——

"I just suddenly remembered that between my father-in-law... there is a dish that reminds Sakura..." the traffic policeman said.

"I want to eat that thing called a hamburger," said the old man.

Ah, here we come.

Now that the final core dish is here, the first story is probably coming to an end, right?

Although he has never seen food animations with similar themes, he thinks he has seen a lot of common routines. If there is no accident, the next plot should be that the old man and the traffic police get comfort from cooking, and the two reconcile As before, and then step into a bright future or something?

The plot is not new, and even has some routines, but it is the first time it has been seen in a food-themed animation. The most important thing is that the performance of "Showa Cafeteria" is very good. It seems that all emotions are expressed without saying anything. , Just looking at the pictures in the animation is enough to arouse the resonance of the audience.

Overall, it's a pretty good animation.

I just don't know what will happen at the end.However, since there are so many foreshadowings in the front, it shouldn't disappoint people, right?

in animation.

"..."

"How about this hamburger meat?"

"It's really delicious." The old man, who has always been picky about the food in the cafeteria, was full of praise for the hamburger meat in front of him: "There is such a delicious thing..."

"Will this take time?" he asked.

"It's almost the same. It needs to be kneaded first and then fried. It's actually a bit troublesome." The old woman said, "Why, you don't want to do it yourself, do you?"

"No," the old man briefly denied.He paused, as if recalling, but also as if hesitating whether to say it: "... Before, that guy did it before."

After getting married, she suddenly came back one day.

Already grown up, the daughter, dressed in mature and elegant clothes, frowned, and babbled about what her father didn't eat well. The cooking was clearly out of care and good intentions, but was stubbornly denied by her father.

"I don't eat things that look good." That's what he said at the time.

The old woman sighed, "You really will be punished."

The old man who wanted to be stubborn after being so unceremoniously accused had no intention of turning back this time.He was silent for a long time before he said, "Yes, it must have been retribution. Not long after that, the car accident happened..."

"Then, from now on..."

"That's the last time she made the food with her own hands." The memory that she had dreamed about countless nights out of regret, and thought she would never bring it up, suddenly emerged like this clearly.

Just because of the boring jealousy of an old man, because "I know it must not be my favorite taste, but it must be something her husband likes to eat anyway", so important food, but I didn't taste a single bite.

"Thank you," he said, "the hamburger is delicious."

The lens turns.

Between the rising of the sun and the setting of the moon, the Showa cafeteria in the animation has also changed into another world.The place originally occupied by the old man has now been replaced by a young traffic policeman, and the dishes that are placed on the table in front of him are also familiar dishes.

"What's the matter, are you full?" From chewing big mouthfuls to small mouthfuls slowly, seeing the traffic policeman gradually stop what he was doing, and half of the hamburger meat was left on the plate , the old lady was disappointed and said: "Sure enough, my craft is still not good enough."

"It's not like this!" As if to prove his point, the traffic policeman seriously emphasized: "It's very delicious...very, very delicious!"

How could you not like it?

That is his favorite food, and his wife used to make it for him.It started out pretty poorly done, then got more mastery, slightly runny and slightly ketchup-like.

only……

He thought for a while, and added: "I think the hamburger made by Sakura tastes better."

"Of course it is."

When the old grandma said this, the young man smiled a little embarrassedly: "I'm sorry," he apologized honestly, and said softly: "But, to be honest... I have begun to slowly forget, that Time for the taste of hamburger."

"There is no way." The old lady said: "The so-called passage of time is just like this. When you get older, you will really be able to experience it."

While the two were talking, the camera turned to the door at this time. The ginkgo tree beside the road seemed to grow taller. The leaves of the thick green leaves in summer were slightly golden. Occasionally, a few leaves fell from the branches, shaking You leisurely fell onto the path where people come and go.

"Grandma, in fact, this time... I have decided to remarry."

"Is that why you hid? That stubborn old man."

"That's the way it is, I'm really sorry..."

The boy's respectful and apologetic voice still faintly came through the open door of the cafeteria. From the perspective of the door, the expressions of both of them seemed unreal.

"Actually, you don't have to care so much," she said. "How many years have passed? Since that girl died."

"It's been about five years."

"So I guess it's about time, no one's going to object."

At this moment, the animation shot was pulled back into the cafeteria. The old lady’s smile was still gentle. She suggested with a smile: “If you really don’t have the guts, why don’t you drink some wine to strengthen your courage? Do you want to have some more hamburger meat and eat more?” , it won’t taste good when it’s cold.”

"Yes, I'm going to start!"

Corresponding to the energetic words, the traffic policeman chewed with the same fighting spirit. There was less and less hamburger meat on the plate, and he put the last piece of meat in his mouth. While placing the cutlery neatly on the tray, he But suddenly lowered his head.

"But, grandma," in the animation, the voice of the traffic policeman suddenly became hoarse: "I...actually, really, really want to eat the hamburger meat she made with her own hands. For me...she worked so hard Practice, for someone like me..."

"Don't worry about everything." The old lady said softly, "No one here will laugh at you, even if a policeman is crying."

Luo Gaofeng: ...

Obviously, the characters in the animation have untied their knots, but what is the matter with the uncomfortable feeling in his heart right now?

No, be patient!Luo Gaofeng told himself.

You are already a mature star fan, you can't foolishly turn over the car when the dog thief has reminded you!I!A real man with iron blood would never cry about such a sticky plot!

The first episode of "Showa Cafeteria" is gradually coming to an end.

It was rare for him to send away a bad guest with a good temper, and the old man sat back on the only chair in the watch shop.As if noticing his unprecedented good mood, the old lady smiled and was very happy for the change of her old friend: "Why do you seem to be so active all of a sudden?"

"The last time my son-in-law came to the store, I had a rare chat with him about the old... Sakura thing." The old man said: "Then he, he said, was going to remarry."

"Five years have passed, and he is actually still young. Thinking about it, it's actually quite normal."

As if remembering something a little funny, the old man curled the corners of his mouth. People who are used to cold faces, even if they smile at this moment, it is inevitable that there will be a little stiffness, but at least it can be seen that he is in a real mood at the moment. very nice.

Because it reminds me of good words, right?

Five years have passed, and when the guy who abducted his precious daughter appeared in front of him again, he still had the same nervous and serious expression as before——

"He was very nervous that day...just thinking that he didn't get drunk after drinking so much...he said it all of a sudden, and he said it on his knees."

The lens turns.

The living room is not too big or small, but the interior decoration has the softness and warmth of home. The boy who was shy and nervous one second suddenly knocked his head on the floor in the next second, saying loudly as if swearing "Give me your daughter, please."

"So, I also want to try a little harder. It makes me feel a little uncomfortable that only he can start a new life."

The old grandma couldn't help laughing: "Hahaha, that's right."

"..."

"I seem to have bound his life unknowingly." The old man said, "And then I was bound back unknowingly... I don't know what it is, but I was bound by that dark and dark thing." Be bound."

"So, I also want to try a little bit harder in business."

"Then you should first change your withdrawn face to make it easier to get along with," the old woman joked, "Come on, have a laugh!"

The first episode of the animation ended here. Luo Gaofeng watched the animation in front of him silently, not knowing how to evaluate it.

Undoubtedly, this is not an animation in the traditional sense. The characteristics of the animation and the second class are hardly displayed in this animation. On the contrary, this animation is from lines, storyboards to plots. Into a three-dimensional work, it will not bring any sense of disobedience.

Without him, the performance of this animation is too real.

Unlike "The Gift of the Magi", which is reflected in the reality of the paper man's acting skills, it arouses the resonance of the audience through a series of storyboards and seemingly ordinary but meaningful lines.And it is precisely this truth in emotional expression that best determines the empathy of the audience.

As for tenderness...

Although he was reluctant, Luo Gaofeng also had to admit that the "Showa Cafeteria" in front of him can indeed be said to be a gentle gourmet animation.

This so-called tenderness is not only the characters in the animation, but also refers to the director's narrative techniques and methods when telling this story. Strictly speaking, even the end of the first episode can be said to be a typical healing system. Ending - The two protagonists finally let go of the things that bound them, and walked towards a bright and warm future.

Pretending not to notice the weird eyes from other people and even the waiter in the Xingping Hotel at this moment—wasn’t it just watching the video and crying accidentally!Who still chases dramas and has never been moved?

Luo Gaofeng thought indignantly, while he settled the game, he turned his head and went back in the direction of his home with the sense of loss that he had just watched the animation.

After thinking for a while, he took out his phone again, quickly posted on Weibo, and silently reprinted Mu Suxing's clarification Weibo about gentle animation——

alright, you win.