Full-time cartoonist

Chapter 121 New serial,

"Soul of Chess" is over.

The winter vacation is also over.

Higashi Hibiki returned to the classroom.

The students who had just experienced the New Year and holidays seemed particularly restless and happy.

As soon as Higashino Hibiki entered the classroom, he was surrounded before he could even say hello, and he was as welcomed as a panda.

"Higashiya, the ending of "Soul of the Game" is very exciting!"

"Ah." Higashikata nodded, "Thank you."

"The new comics will come out soon!"

"I really like your comics."

Higashikata thanked them one by one.

He looked around the classroom. After almost a year of getting along with each other, he realized that all of these classmates had unique skills.

There are CAF Student Art Award winners;

Some won the New Artist Award;

Others have works that have participated in art exhibitions.

They all look like a group of students, but in fact most of them are already somewhat famous.

Of course, there are also family reasons for this.

While Hibiki Higashino was being complimented by them, a voice came from the door, "Is Toya Akino here?"

There were about a dozen people, both men and women, looking straight at Hibiki Higashino.

Hibiki felt confused. His classmate Banri Tada whispered, "He's from the school's Go club. After Zuo Wei disappeared, there were rumors that the Go club was very angry. Be careful."

After finishing speaking, Tada Banri retreated behind the crowd.

"Thank you." Dongye nodded.

He watched these people walk into the classroom aggressively, his brain spinning rapidly, thinking of countermeasures.

did not expect……

"Thank you for your hard work! Tori Akino-sensei!"

The members of the Go club bowed together and said so.

Dong Yexiang was not panicked at first, but after hearing such words, he became panicked.

""Soul of Chess" is over!" Some people shed tears.

"I want to see what's behind."

""Chess Soul" is my favorite comic."

"I started learning Go because of "Soul of Chess"."

They finished talking at once and said another sentence at the same time.

"You have worked really hard for the serialization of "The Soul of Chess" which has not been published even once in two years!"

The college students in the art classroom looked at this scene in shock.

They just thought it was a pity that "Soul of Chess" ended, but they didn't expect the response from the Go Club to be so amazing.

"We're done," the leader said, "Excuse me."

They left the classroom.

Dongye Xiang didn't say a word and watched them leave in shock.

"That's right, "Soul of Chess" will be admired and loved by many people no matter what time it is. Because the emotions it expresses will never be out of date."

What he needs to do now is to break through "Soul of Chess" and use "Slam Dunk" to achieve higher achievements.

Hibiki clenched his fists, feeling a lot of pressure.

…

After a class.

Minami Chiharu came over, she patted Hibiki Hibiki on the shoulder and sat next to Hibiki Hibiki.

"How's it going? Do you have any ideas for new works?"

Higashino Hibiki looked at her and asked, "Nan-san, do you like playing basketball?"

"Basketball?" Minami Chiharu was a little confused, "Why are you mentioning this suddenly? Could it be that it's a basketball-type comic?"

In her impression, basketball is not popular in Japan and is a niche game.

Musashino also has a basketball club, but I heard there are only 6 or 7 members, and they haven’t even participated in basketball games.

On the other hand, the baseball club can be seen training vigorously every day. There are thirty or fifty people in the team. In the college baseball league, they can always break through to the third round.

Then he was beaten violently by Keio, Tokyo University and other universities.

"Well," Hibiki Higashino nodded, "My goal is to make more people like basketball."

Minami Chiharu gave a thumbs up, "A very powerful goal. Higashino's basketball manga must be very good."

Higashikata Higashikata didn't have time to say thanks.

"Basketball comics!" the classmate behind him suddenly said in surprise.

Seeing Higashi Hibiki looking over, he quickly raised his hand and apologized: "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to eavesdrop."

Dong Yexiang shook his head, "It's okay."

The voice of his conversation with Minami Chiharu was not lowered to begin with, so it was normal for others to hear him.

"You are Takasugi-kun, right?" Minami Chiharu asked hesitantly.

She was a pretty girl with a cheerful personality and a lot of fun to eat, but she was a little unsure of the identity of this classmate.

"Well, I'm Kazuya Takasugi. I like watching basketball games, so I accidentally disturbed you." Kazuya Takasugi explained in a low voice.

This person is very introverted, and Higashikata Hibiki has never seen him take the initiative to talk to others.

If he hadn't suddenly spoken, Hibiki would have almost forgotten that there was such a classmate behind him.

It may be due to his height. Kazuya Takasugi is only 1.65 meters tall, which is lower than the baseline in Japan today.

So I might have some low self-esteem and be introverted.

Thinking of this, Higashino Hibiki said kindly: "You know basketball very well, right? It's up to you. If I have any questions about the new comics, you can give me suggestions."

"Yeah! Yeah!" Takasugi Kazuya nodded vigorously.

…

After school, Hibiki Higashino went home and looked up information on the computer.

After getting the desired result, go to the black and white web page of "Weekly Shonen Jump".

On the cover are Himura Kenshin, Ryotsu Kankichi, Hinano Haruya, Higashikata Josuke...

Because "Soul of the Game" has ended, Shindo Hikaru, who was still on it, has disappeared and been replaced by a tall delinquent boy.

After clicking on the page, many readers are discussing, which comic does Jump's new character come from?

"The painting style is a bit like that of Tori Akino-sensei. Isn't it a new work after the completion of "Soul of the Game"?"

""Soul of Chess" has only been completed for two weeks, how could there be a new work so soon?"

"I'm still looking forward to his work."

"Uh-huh."

There aren't many comments. Jump's computer website is poorly maintained. Even Sakuragi Hanamichi's name is not written on it, let alone what manga it is.

After all, it was only 1996, and print media was still in power, so having a web page like this was already pretty good.

Three days ago, Weekly Shonen Jump's serialization meeting.

Sasaki is still hosting.

This new comic is very different from the previous one.

Three works needed to be cut in half, but after much selection, only two were barely qualified.

The editors present here inevitably looked unhappy.

Torishima Kazuhiko said in a deep voice: "This one is rejected, please tell me about the next one."

"Yes," Sasaki nodded, "The next work is the new work of Mirai Tori Akino, who I am in charge of. The name is "Slam Dunk". Sakuragi Hanamichi is a delinquent boy who joined the school because he fell in love with Akagi Haruko. The story of a basketball team.”

"The advantage is that Mr. Tori Akino has serialization experience, so you don't have to worry about him not being able to adapt to the rhythm of a weekly. The storyboard shots of "Slam Dunk" are very exciting, and the artistry of the original manuscript is also very suitable."

His words just stopped.

The other editorial team leaders started talking about it.

“The footage of the basketball game is really exciting.”

"Toriyama-san is probably Toriyama Akira-sensei's assistant. His serialized work is "Spirit of the Game". It's almost forgotten."

"Well, he has learned the lens art of Toriyama Akira-sensei's movie level."

"There's just one thing..." the editorial team leader Ziji Jijiu muttered, "the subject matter."

"Yes," others catered. "Basketball is not popular in Japan after all, and the popularity of discussion is also very low. It is really not a good choice."

Another team leader Yahagi said: "No, one advantage of the basketball theme is the fierce confrontation. As long as this kind of confrontation can be drawn, it will be popular. But, can Mr. Tori Akino do it?" "

Torishima Kazuhiko thought of the three pages of manuscripts he had seen. He tapped his fingers on the table a few times and made a sound, attracting everyone's attention.

"I have seen his original manuscripts, and they are wonderful. There is no need to doubt this."

Yahagi nodded, "Yes, I understand, then I have no problem."

Abomin Yoshihisa said: "Judging from the completion level of "Slam Dunk", there is no doubt that it has reached the level of serialization. Since it can draw advantages, I have no objection."

Other team leaders also expressed their approval.

Torishima Kazuhiko glanced at the editors. They had no suggestions beyond his own ideas, and said in a deep voice: "Include it."

He holds such a meeting because it is necessary for the process and will be included in it no matter what.

After that, the editors present realized his attitude.

"Sasaki, contact "The Yomiuri Shimbun" to reserve a spot for the newspaper to warm up the serialization of "Slam Dunk"."

"At the same time, notify the printing house to synchronize the news about the serialization of "Slam Dunk" to the new issue of Jump."

"Other channels have also begun to take action one by one to let all readers know that Tori Akino's new work will be serialized soon."

"As for the serialization time, it will be placed in two weeks."

"By the way, the title page of the seventh issue of Jump in two weeks will also be provided to "Slam Dunk"."

The team leaders present looked at Torishima Kazuhiko in shock.

There hasn't been such a big movement in Yoshihiro Togashi's series.

It seems that editor Kazuhiko Torishima really puts his hope in "Slam Dunk".

"Does he just approve of Tori Akino Mirai?"

For a moment, I didn't understand.

…

On Monday, there was an advertisement in the Yomiuri Shimbun.

"The author of "Soul of Chess", Tori Akino's new work in the future, "Slam Dunk" will be serialized soon!"

The picture in the newspaper is of Sakuragi Hanamichi. He is holding a basketball and wearing a jersey, looking like a bad boy.

"Hey! Are you starting a new series so soon?"

"Is it a serialized work about basketball? I don't know much about basketball."

"Since it's a manga by Tori Akino-sensei, I might as well read it. After all, I didn't know much about Go when "Soul of the Game" was serialized."

Higashino Hibiki went to class and was indeed asked by many people.

Even King Kong Riki, the head of the basketball department, found Hibiki Hibiki and expressed how moved he was with tears in his eyes.

He loves basketball and wants more people to understand this sport. He admires Higashino Hibiki for promoting basketball.

Kazuya Takasugi also smiled stupidly at Hibiki Higashikata.

…

At Tokai University in Japan, Hua Chao was stopped by the senior of the school's basketball club.

"Hey! Hua Chao!"

"Senior Machang." Hua Chao nodded.

"Tori Akino-sensei has drawn a basketball cartoon!" Senior Baba handed him the newspaper excitedly: "Maybe more people will like basketball. Our Tokai University Basketball Club can conquer Tokyo in the future!"

"Dongye's new work?" Hua Chao was stunned.

After taking the newspaper and reading it, I saw the giggling protagonist Sakuragi Hanamichi, and then read the text, ""Slam Dunk"..."

"That's right!" Ba Chang responded happily.

Hua Chao ignored him and looked in the direction of Musashino.

"I actually drew a basketball cartoon..."

"Thank you, Touya."

By the time Higashino Hibiki left the academy dormitory and looked at the message on the jump official website, it had already changed.

"Haha, I guessed it right!"

“It’s great that it can be serialized so quickly!”

"I'm looking forward to Tori Akino-sensei's new work very much! When jump is released, I will definitely buy it as soon as possible!"

It seems that they don't have many opinions on the subject matter.

After all, Tori Akino's debut work is Go, which many people don't understand.