The aroma of freshly brewed coffee filled the small office as Kenzo Tanaka, a mid-level editor at a prominent manga publishing house, stared at his computer screen. His latest project, a series about a young eco-warrior fighting climate change, was proving unexpectedly challenging. Not because of the environmental science – Kenzo had meticulously researched the topic – but because of the internal politics of his company. His boss, Mr. Sato, a man whose worldview seemed frozen in the 1980s, considered environmental themes "niche" and commercially unviable. He had repeatedly pushed for a shift to more conventional storylines, shonen battle manga with little to no social commentary. Kenzo, however, believed his series, "Green Guardian," held the potential to not only make a positive impact but also attract a significant readership, a largely untapped market of young, environmentally conscious consumers. Kenzo’s arguments, backed by market research demonstrating the growing interest in environmental issues, fell on deaf ears. Mr. Sato’s focus was squarely on immediate profits and maintaining the status quo. He was due for promotion and any deviation from established formula was considered a risky gamble. Kenzo found himself caught in a dilemma: compromise his artistic vision for the sake of career advancement or uphold his convictions and risk jeopardizing his chances of promotion, potentially even his job security. He knew several colleagues who had sacrificed their creative passions to climb the corporate ladder, their eyes dimming with a kind of quiet resignation. He considered abandoning "Green Guardian," but the thought was agonizing. It felt like compromising his integrity. The fate of the manga, and the subtle message it carried of ecological responsibility, hung precariously in the balance. The weight of this responsibility, combined with the pressure of his career ambitions, left Kenzo feeling increasingly exhausted and frustrated. He took another sip of his coffee, the bitter taste mirroring the complexity of his situation. The upcoming annual performance review loomed large, a critical juncture that would determine not just his promotion, but perhaps the fate of his manga, and by extension, his convictions.
1. What is the central conflict in the passage?
2. Why does Mr. Sato resist Kenzo's manga project?
3. What does the phrase "niche" in the context of the passage imply?
4. What is the significance of Kenzo's upcoming performance review?
5. What can be inferred about Kenzo's overall attitude towards his work?