Full-time cartoonist

Editorial Department of "Weekly Shōnen Jump".

After editor Takanoori Asada finished the phone call, he lay on the backrest and stretched for a long time.

"What's the matter? Asada-kun." Ping Yoshihisa asked casually as he was sorting out documents.

Asada Takanoori covered his forehead and replied: "I am communicating with Kubo-kun about the short story. This guy is so difficult to deal with, so awkward."

Bozi suddenly nodded, "It's Kubo-kun, the author of the comic book "Zombie Fan"."

He finished organizing the files, put them away in folders, took a chair, sat down next to Asada Takanoori, and joked: "You are now in charge of the very popular "One Piece", and you still work hard to contact others. Really. Hard."

Currently, the only jump comic that has the potential of "Slam Dunk" is "One Piece".

Oda has a promising future.

Asada Takanoori swallowed, turned sideways carefully, glanced at Torishima Kazuhiko who was working, and whispered: "Oda-kun is also an awkward person. Because he failed the serialization meeting three times in a row, he asked the editor to say, "I was wrong. ” or something, it’s really scary. "

The New Year's party that year shocked him.

Finding that Toriyama Kazuhiko was not paying attention to him, Asada Takanoori breathed a sigh of relief, and then he continued: "But Oda is very creative, so he doesn't really bother in this aspect."

"So, how can I put it, I'm not working hard."

Poseidon Yoshihisa nodded, patted his shoulder and praised, "It is indeed Editor Asada who is highly recognized by the editor-in-chief."

"Where is it?" Asada waved his hand.

Bo Bo then said: "You came into contact with Kubo-kun in 1996, right?"

At that time, Kubo's leader was still called Kubo Sensho, and he serialized the short comic "ULTRA UNHOLY HEARTED MACHINE" in the supplementary issue of Jump in August 1996.

The name of this comic is very complicated, and it is also a very ordinary work.

The reason why the bottle is so impressive, in addition to the tongue-twisting name, is also because that issue also contains Eiichiro Oda's comic, "ROMANCN DOWN".

"One Piece" set sail because of this, and Kubo, who was ranked behind Oda, was also remembered in Bottle's mind.

Asada shook his head and said: "In the summer of 1995, Kubo-kun submitted "Hop Step". Although he didn't win the award, it made me notice his talent."

Asada was slightly proud: "At that time, the plots of Kubo's comics were very average, and the paintings were a mess. Even the dialogues were posted with post-it notes. He was quite unprofessional. However, the lines he set were very Gorgeous, like poetry, that struck me.”

It’s only a matter of time before you learn to draw using comic techniques, but talent cannot be learned.

So he later contacted Kubo and taught him how to draw comics.

"Kubo is talented, it would be a shame if he can't continue drawing comics."

Bottle Jijiu nodded.

He is also doing this kind of work.

Discover the talents of people who want to be cartoonists, and maybe their next cartoon will become a hit.

"How about the work Kubo-kun conceived this time?"

"It will feel very good." Asada said: "The name of the comic was initially planned to be "BLEACH". The god of death Rukia gave her power to the young boy Kurosaki Ichigo... Inoue Shiori was killed by her father who turned into a virtual one, and Kurosaki Ichigo Mamoru and Rukia kill Hollow with their Zanpakutō, and finally Inoue returns to Soul Society with Rukia.”

…

The two of them chatted endlessly.

Torishima Kazuhiko looked at the report and said to himself in surprise, "The sales volume of the 26th volume of "Slam Dunk" is 4.35 million copies."

This result shocked him.

After the sales of the single book "Slam Dunk" set a new record, it is still running wild, and its limit cannot be seen by Torishima Kazuhiko.

"It would be great if Tori Akino didn't finish Slam Dunk."

Thinking of this, his interest waned again.

"Even if it reaches 4.35 million copies, it won't last long. It's a pity."

…

"Why did there suddenly be an additional 200,000 viewers?"

After feeling tired, Torishima Kazuhiko called up the results of the last single issue of "Slam Dunk" on his computer, and was surprised to find that volume 26 had 200,000 more short-term sales than volume 25.

He thought about it left and right but couldn't figure it out.

"Isn't that boy Tori Akino trying to improve his grades? He commissioned someone else to buy 200,000 single volumes."

A ridiculous idea couldn't help but pop up in Torishima Kazuhiko's mind.

When Sasaki heard this, his face wrinkled into the word "囧".

In order not to let Kazuhiko Torishima think too much, he explained: "I am a viewer of the "Slam Dunk" animation that has stopped airing. Because I really want to know the plot of the later stages of the manga, I couldn't help but buy the single volume."

"Is there such a benefit?" Toriyama Kazuhiko pondered without changing his expression, "In this case, after "Slam Dunk" is completed, Toei will be given the authority to rebroadcast "Slam Dunk"..."

Sasaki coughed twice, "But we have already negotiated with Toei to start broadcasting the 127th episode of "Slam Dunk" in early October. And Toei will not agree to re-broadcast "Slam Dunk" after the manga is completed. "Requirements."

Now that the manga is over, who will watch the anime?

The ratings will be greatly reduced.

"Hehe, I was just joking." Torishima Kazuhiko stuck out his tongue.

Sasaki turned sideways speechlessly, holding his glasses and cursing inwardly, "How old are you..."

…

Higashino Hibiki soon learned of the high sales volume of the single volume of "Slam Dunk". He took a sip of water from a water cup printed with Sakuragi Hanamichi and nodded with satisfaction.

"That's great. I envy Teacher Tori Akino so much." Omori whispered.

The little boy Souma Satoru raised his hand, "I bought it too!"

"Thank you." Higashikata Hibiki said to him.

"Me too! I bought two copies!" Akane Nakajima, a junior high school student, had a tit-for-tat confrontation with an elementary school student.

Dong Yexiang couldn't laugh or cry, he touched her little head and said gratefully: "Thank you too."

In mid-July 2000, Hibiki Higashino still lived in the "Higashino family" in the Akimiya family's house and did not move back to his villa.

That villa has been vacant for more than a year after renovation and has been ready for move-in for a long time. Higashi Yexi also urged Higashikata for a long time because she missed her daughter-in-law very much.

And it’s also convenient to remind your grandson.

The highly respected Mr. Akimiya would not be embarrassed to do such a thing.

However, after Akimiya Akemi's manga was serialized, Hibiki Higashino also became busy, and neither of them could spare time.

So we decided together to live here first.

Dong Yexi's eagerness can only be postponed for the time being.

…

July is the time when students are on summer vacation.

Soma Ichiro contacted Higashino Hibiki and said embarrassingly that his nephew wanted to study with Higashino Hibiki for a few days.

He said that Sōma Satoru was a good boy and would not disturb Hibiki Hibiki's work.

If anything doesn't go your way, you can contact him immediately.

Higashikata told him not to be so reserved and agreed directly.

So in the past few days, Sōma Satoru has been at Tori Akino's studio, writing and drawing along with him.

Hibiki Higashino couldn't teach him much, he could only cultivate a desire to become a cartoonist.

It just makes him more determined.

As for Akane Nakajima, she just covets Higashino Hibiki's bookshelf.

The full volume of comics on it made her feel like a treasure, and she kept reading it in Higashino Hibiki's studio.

At this time, Nakajima Akane was lying on her side on the floor, supporting her head with her arms, just like Nobita Nobita, reading comics leisurely, with frozen orange juice poured by Akimiya Akemi on her side.

Sōma Satoru looked at Akane Nakajima with disgust. This degenerate female junior high school student made him no longer yearn for becoming a junior high school student.

If growing up means falling, then he doesn't want to grow up.

"Tori Akino-sensei," Sōma Satoru watched Hibiki Hibiki take a break. He raised his hand and said, "Excuse me, why is this place blank?"

Hibiya Hibiki came over to look at it. It was a manuscript from the single volume of "Slam Dunk". After Hisashi Mitsui hit a three-pointer, there was a blank frame, and then the audience cheered and applauded.

"This is blank space," Hibiki Higashino explained, pointing to the comic. "The meaning of its existence is to give readers time to imagine. It can also enhance the atmosphere and brew emotions."

"Sōma-kun, think about it, if it were a continuous plot, wouldn't it be too compact? It would make people breathless?"

Soma Satoru thought for a while and suddenly realized, "It's exactly what the teacher said!"

"oh!"

He read the comics and entered a new world.

This was something his uncle had not taught him.

"You're still far away," Akane Nakajima waved her hand lazily, "There are countless techniques in comics, and there are things you need to learn."

"Yes." Soma Satoru nodded, "I will study hard."

He took out his notebook and carefully wrote down what Hibiki Higashi had just said.

Higashikata nodded while watching.

No wonder the teacher likes top students. Children who study hard make him feel satisfied.

As for the other one...

When Akane Nakajima was laughing while watching "The Leader of the End of the Century", Hibiki Higashino walked up to her and tapped her on the head.

"Don't just talk about others, you should also do your summer homework."

What a drawing diary.

"No rush, no rush." ​​Akane Nakajima said leisurely.

…

Time flies and it’s the end of August.

"Teacher Tori Akino, thank you for your teaching. I have benefited a lot."

Sōma Satoru carried his backpack and bowed seriously.

He has been here for two months after all.

Higashino Hibiki also felt the perseverance of the child Sōma Satoru.

He didn't go out to play with his friends. While completing his summer homework, he tried his best to think about comics and eagerly studied Hibiki Hibiki's experience.

Beside Sōma Satoru stood his father.

This father, who has been sending Sōma Satoru away during the summer vacation, supports his child's dream, which is very remarkable.

"Tori Akino-sensei, I'm very grateful for your troubles during this time."

He also bowed and thanked him.

Higashino Hibiki hurriedly helped him up, "It doesn't matter, my place is always the same, and Satoru has brought vitality to this place. He will go to school after that, and I am quite disappointed."

"Tori Akino-sensei!"

Sōma Satoru looked at Hibiki Higashikata with wide eyes, speechless and choked.

Before parting, he said loudly that he would definitely become a cartoonist!

Hibiki Higashikata: "Come on!"

He was particularly pleased with Sōma Satoru's efforts and growth.

As for the other one...

"What happened!" Akane Nakajima shouted loudly, her tone full of anxiety.

"I haven't started writing in my diary yet! The thirty-plus pages of daily drawings are all blank!"

She screamed like a woodchuck.

Mrs. Nakajima on the side looked unhappy.

"Help me! Mr. Tori Akino!" Akane Nakajima saw Hibiki Hibiki as if she was seeing Doraemon. She hugged Hibiki's thigh and wiped her nose with tears. "Use your invincible painter to think of a solution." ah."

"If it were Tori Akino-sensei, he would be able to finish more than 30 paintings in a short time."

"No." Hibiki refused decisively, pulled her off and sent her to Mrs. Nakajima's side.

"What do you think? Let me draw it for you."

How could Akane Nakajima afford his wages?

"I think you were seriously ill and sought medical treatment."

"Thank you." Mrs. Nakajima nodded gently to Higashino Hibiki, then glared at Akane Nakajima with a straight face, "Follow me home!"

"Teacher! Tori Akino-sensei! I want to learn to draw!"

Akane Nakajima continued to struggle, but Hibiki Higashi seemed not to notice. After bidding farewell to Mrs. Nakajima, he returned home contentedly.

…

When Higashino Hibiki returned home, Akimiya Akemi was on the phone communicating with Editor Fukatsu.

"The results of "Sakura Mission" are very good!" Akimiya Akemi repeated excitedly, and then said loudly: "Ah, I heard it."

The serialization of "Sakura Mission" has reached its fourth episode. There are more than 160 pages of original manuscript content, and the story has already unfolded.

From the heroine's rejection of the king's identity, to her ignorant understanding of Mount Kano, to her acceptance of this identity, she worked hard for the revival of Mount Kano's tourism industry.

This delicate psychological journey, coupled with excellent character settings, makes "Sakura Mission" more and more popular.

Although it is not as good as "Little Witch", it is still a new star in "RIBON".

After a group of powerful cartoonists such as Yazawa Ai left "RIBON", "Sakura Mission" retained some readers for them.

The first step of Akimi Akimiya's serialization has been quite successful.

After she hung up the phone, Hibiki Higashi came up to congratulate her.

Akimiya Akemi smiled happily, but she still said: "I know how much I weigh. "Sakura Mission" is still far from "NANA"."

In July, Ai Yazawa serialized "NANA" on "Cookie", the story of two girls with the same name.

Hibiki Higashino is also reading this manga. Although it is a shojo manga, it is extremely artistic.

There is no pretentiousness in shojo comics, and the characters are very three-dimensional. It is a comic that you will have a new experience every time you read it.

This is rare in girls' comics. Compared with "Sakura Mission" and "NANA", it is indeed far behind.

"Slowly make progress." Higashino Hibiki said, "I believe, I believe in you."

"It's really confusing." Akimiya Akemi said with a smile, "But thank you."

On the last night of summer vacation, Hibiki Hibiki had a bad face.

Nanase always competed with him over Akimiya Akemi, and they kept calling him.

Tell us how many tourists came today and what they think of "Sakura Mission".

Akimiya Akemi listened carefully and took note of it.

It’s not easy for Higashi Hibiki to disturb her.