Full-time cartoonist

Chapter 240 "Jump Festa" Goodbye Toriyama Akira

In October, the maple leaves in Hanhai Villa turn red.

The Dongye couple did not have time to go back and watch.

Even if they bought the villa because of the maple trees.

The workload of painting "Slam Dunk" and "Earrings" was so heavy that I couldn't take a luxurious vacation.

"Watching the content of "Slam Dunk" is really suffocating." Yoshihiro Togashi said so.

The comics of "Slam Dunk" are astonishingly bold and use a lot of lines to make readers feel the same and make their blood boil.

And that’s just for Slam Dunk.

In the evening, Akimiya Akemi is still busy with the storyboards of "Sakura Mission".

The two of them had no intention of doing anything else.

In this way, the time has come to December, and the "Jump Festa" of 2000 is getting closer and closer. Yesterday, Nao Sasaki took away the short comic "Earrings" that Hibiki Higashino finally completed.

There are also original manuscripts for many other works.

"Soul of Chess", "Spirit of Go - Go Revolution", "Garden of Words", "Slam Dunk", "5 Centimeters per Second" and "Millennium Actress" have not been spared.

For exhibition use.

"Yui, what does Mount Kano look like in winter?"

Akimiya Akemi often talks to Nanase Yui on the phone to perfect the manga settings.

She had not yet obtained the authorization from the town of Kanoyama, because Akimiya Akemi was used to rejections, and she was not confident that she would pass the serialization meeting, so she decided to ask President Kadoda after passing the approval.

"Every winter, there will be heavy snow on Mount Maano," Yui Nanase replied immediately. "The Sakura Pond will also freeze. By January, the ice will be thick enough to support many people, and everyone will be able to skate."

Akimiya Akemi nodded, and they talked about other topics for a while.

Nanase Yui suddenly said: "On December 18th, the "Jump Festa" will be held at the Makuhari Messe in Chiba City. I heard that Mr. Tori Akino, who drew "Slam Dunk", is a specially invited cartoonist at the venue. His short comics will be released at the event. They are short comics that can only be purchased at "Jump Festa" for a short time. "

Akimiya Akemi looked back at Hibiki Higashino, who was looking at the "Sacred Light Stick" curiously. She was silent for a while, then nodded, "That's the case."

"That's great!" Nanase said excitedly, "Will sister Akemi participate? I'm really looking forward to it."

Akimiya Akemi thought about it. Nanase Yui seemed to be a loyal reader of "Slam Dunk".

She replied, "Of course I will."

On the 18th, Mr. Akimiya also said he would go and have a look.

There is also a storyboard by Akira Toriyama at the exhibition. He saw it once in 1996 and wanted to review it again.

Most of the people who come to "Jump Festa" are young people, and Akimiya Akemi has to protect her old father.

"It's agreed," Nanase said quickly, "See you on the 18th."

She will go too.

"Okay." Akimiya Akemi smiled.

After hanging up the phone, she saw Dongye Xiangyu twisting his waist and transforming in a silly way, saying "Whoa! Whoa!" and she couldn't help but feel speechless.

Anyone who plays "Jump Festa" because of Mirai Tori Akino will definitely regret it.

…

Thanks to Shueisha's publicity, the news that "Jump Festa" is preparing to officially open in 2000 has been known to readers.

"I heard that there will be merchandise for sale such as "Yu-Gi-Oh!", "Dragon Ball", "Jojo" and other works. There will also be cosplay and stage plays, which are worth a look."

"My home is in Gucao City, it's too far away."

"I'm still in Osaka..."

"I really envy my friends in Tokyo and Chiba."

Some people are discussing it on the Internet.

In daily life, it's a bit dull.

For example, in the chess academy.

Honda 6th Dan, who works at the chess academy, contacted Odagiri 9th Dan.

"An event party invites you to participate in the event."

"Please help me refuse."

"There are 2.3 million event expenses."

“I don’t have time to waste attending events.”

"This is an event of "Weekly Shonen Jump". The specific content is a game in the "Soul of Chess" exhibition hall."

"...Please help me refuse."

Odagiri finally refused.

Kiyuan could only reject Shueisha's invitation. When Sasaki Nao mentioned this matter to Hibiki Hibiki, Hibiki was very happy.

"Odagiri has already moved on from Shindo Hikari."

Now he is "Honinbo".

This event can only be cancelled. It would be meaningless for other chess players to attend.

…

"Chiharu wants to go to "Jump Festa"? "

"what is that?"

"It's a place similar to a comic exhibition..."

"Will Takagi-senpai go?"

"No, I still have work to do."

"Me too."

Most of the employees at "Future Society" are around 25 years old, and they are already past the age to participate in such activities.

After entering social work, there is a huge gap from what I did in school. Most of my former hobbies have no energy to continue, so I can only part ways with my previous life.

I used to play with butter, buy books and figures, and attend comic conventions.

Now in suits and ties, running for life.

After they occasionally mentioned it, they stopped discussing it.

…

Hibiki Higashino's colleagues work very hard, and they will not go to "Jump Festa" unless specifically asked to do so.

Most cartoonists are energy savers, and it’s better to recharge when they have time off.

“This year’s “Jump Festa” will be held again. "

Naoko Takeuchi saw the news and said to Yoshihiro Togashi.

Togashi was invited to participate in the "Jump Festa" in 1998. At that time, the trial OVA of "Hunter" was aired.

"Yeah," Yoshihiro Togashi nodded perfunctorily and started playing the game again.

"Want to take a look?"

"forget it."

"go Go."

"I'll give you one million, just stop bothering me."

That's it, so now, Higashino Hibiki looked around and found that very few people he knew participated in "Jump Festa".

This made him not sure whether he was happy or helpless.

…

On December 15th, there were snowflakes in the sky.

TV stations reported that snow fell in many areas of Japan.

The impact on traffic is very similar to the scene in "Sakura Sho" when Takaki goes to see Akari. There was no one at the station, the carriages were empty, and the tram was driving hard in the snow.

And this snow will continue to fall for several days.

Even fewer people will come to "Jump Festa".

"It's been so cold these days."

"I was sealed by the kotatsu."

"Whoever likes can go."

There are more negative voices on the Internet.

Akimiya Akemi turned off the computer, looked at Hibiki Higashino, and asked worriedly: "Is it okay?"

Hibiya Hibiki put on Tiga's facial mask, his eyes shining brightly, "Of course it doesn't matter, I don't care if there are more or less people there."

This is something Shueisha should discuss.

…

On the 18th, Shueisha sent a driver to pick up Hibiki Hibiki. He was the only one who got on the bus. Akimiya Akemi went to find Mr. Akimiya. They had a dedicated driver, so Hibiki didn't need to worry.

Two hours later, Higashino Hibiki arrived at the Makuhari Messe safely.

When he looked up, he saw "Jump Festa" in large English letters.

There is also a logo on the side.

It is a design of a child wearing a jump pirate hat drawn by Akira Toriyama. It is very easy to remember.

"Why are there so many people..."

In the snowy weather, there were countless people waiting outside the exhibition hall, and Higashino Hibiki felt dizzy.

They were waiting in a long queue, chatting non-stop among three or five friends, passing the time.

"There must be tens of thousands of people..."

Didn’t you say you won’t come to participate?

Dong Yexiang was very surprised.

After seeing the special car arriving, the staff who had been waiting on site for a long time came forward, opened the door for Hibiki Hibiki, and said respectfully: "Teacher Tori Akino, thank you for your hard work."

"Thank you." Dongye Xiang thanked him.

He followed the staff into the exhibition hall through the small door. The wind and snow suddenly disappeared and it became much warmer.

"Tori Akino-kun, thank you for your hard work today."

Another person came up to him, Sasaki Nao.

He is the person in charge of the jump site.

"I feel much more relaxed," Higashi Hibiki said with a smile, "I got in the car and got off the bus and came here."

Behind Sasaki, there are several people. They are the people in charge sent by "V-Jump" and "Jump Square".

"V-Jump" is a magazine founded by Kazuhiko Toshima, which is responsible for publishing information about games and comics. The card information effects of "Yu-Gi-Oh!" will be familiar to readers through "V-Jump". It is part of Torishima Kazuhiko's reform plan.

"JUMP SQUARE" is a monthly comic, and "Kishin Doji" is the current masterpiece.

By 2001, a famous comic will be published on it, that is "Big Sword".

"Tori Akino-sensei, "Earrings" is such a wonderful manga."

“Thank you so much for taking Jump Festa so seriously. "

They warmly approached Hibiki Higashikata.

Hibiya Hibiki replied, "Because it's what I want to draw."

Sasaki Shang saw that he was a little uncomfortable, so he explained to him the future arrangements, gave the internal staff identity cards, and let him go out to enjoy the reward.

…

The tourists haven't arrived yet, and the current staff seems very nervous.

Although they have done enough preliminary preparations, they are ready to deal with a large number of customers.

The actors in the stage play were a little nervous about reciting their lines, and some closed their eyes to meditate.

The cosplayers were wearing jackets and holding cups of hot water in their hands.

Bandai, Capcom, Square, Enix and other game companies have set up booths and placed billboards in prominent locations, ready to go.

Dong Yexiang looked at these and felt very fresh.

He has never participated in similar activities and has never been to a comic convention before, so he is very interested.

Unknowingly, he came to the place where "Earrings" are sold, right at the main entrance to the venue. It is the most important item of "Jump Festa".

"Hello." A staff member greeted him.

"Can I take a look?" Higashikata asked.

"Of course," he said.

According to the staff, there are a total of 10,000 single volumes of "Earrings" here, and there are another 40,000 volumes in the warehouse.

It seems that the Jump editorial department is full of confidence.

Higashino Hibiki wonders where they got the confidence. The Internet is also making negative comments. A total of 50,000 copies have been printed, aren't they afraid that they won't sell out?

The staff member smiled and said: "This is the work of Teacher Tori Akino, only 50,000 copies."

Hibiki Higashikata: "Thank you."

"Eh?" He was stunned.

Higashino Hibiki looked at the price tag again, and one volume sold for 2,000 yen.

He flipped it over and found that the paper felt smooth and thicker than Junior Jump's.

The printing effect is very good and the pictures are clear.

After all, it is a collectible volume.

He looked carefully and found nothing missing, and the color draft he drew showed good results.

Higashino Hibiki put down the single volume, thanked him, and walked to the Akira Toriyama Works Exhibition Hall.

"Don't you take a closer look?" the staff member asked in surprise.

"I know all the content." Dongye pointed at his head.

The staff member shook his head slightly.

The exhibition hall of Akira Toriyama's works is next to the exhibition hall of Toriyama Mirai's original manuscripts, and the master and apprentice are right next to each other.

Dong Yexiang walked in and sighed again.

"Toriyama-sensei's paintings are so good, so admirable."

His imagination is truly terrifying, and the machines and animals are drawn in unique and detailed ways, as if they are real.

Hibiki Higashino feels that even if he draws comics for decades, he still won't be able to reach this level. This is already a level that only talent can achieve.

"I'm blushing at what you said."

Behind Dongye Xiang, someone said to him.

"Teacher Toriyama..." Hibiki Higashikata was stunned, "You will also be there."

"Editor Toriyama asked me to be there, but there was nothing I could do." Akira Toriyama said helplessly.

"Besides, I also have a lot to say to you."

At Higashino Hibiki's wedding banquet, he said that we would see each other soon, and it turned out that he meant now.

After being surprised for a while, Higashino complained, "Mr. Torishima didn't inform me either, it's true."

"It's not necessary," Toriyama said.

Higashino Hibiki: "That's right."

The two of them chatted side by side, telling the stories behind each shot.

Ten minutes later, at Akira Toriyama's request, they arrived at the Storyboard Exhibition Hall of Mirai Toriyama's works.

Akira Toriyama first came to the "Millennium Actress" area.

"The painting is really good..." he sighed, "I have always wanted to talk to you about "Millennium Actress". This comic can be called a work of art."

"Millennium Actress" created by Hibiki Higashino surprised Toriyama Akira.

This alternative comic on Jump is very popular with Akira Toriyama.

"When I saw "Millennium Actress" on Jump, I couldn't help but groan," Akira Toriyama said: "The content is very profound, whether it is anti-war or the meaning of pursuit, it surpasses many comics."

Not only the significance of the work, but also the use of comic storyboards in "Millennium Actress" is also pioneering. "

"The smooth alternation in the comic storyboards, the next story begins unknowingly, like a kaleidoscope, as it turns, a new world emerges."

"The "reality-illusion" technique is integrated, and the film is used as a carrier to easily travel through time and space, speeding up and enriching the narrative rhythm. "

"It covers stories from the Warring States Period, the Shogunate Period, the Taisho Era, the Showa Period, and all major eras; it also covers all types of Japanese movies, including costume period dramas, war spy dramas, postwar period dramas, and science fiction dramas, etc. , it’s truly a fantastic and amazing piece of work.”

After watching "Millennium Actress", Toriyama Akira rambled on for a long time. It was obvious that he had endured it for a long time and finally talked to Hibiki Hibiki in person today.

This was beyond Hibiki's expectations.

Akira Toriyama didn't have such a big reaction to his painting "Slam Dunk".

"Especially the ukiyo-e in front of me," Akira Toriyama touched the storyboard, "war, women, swords, and guns are all perfectly integrated."