Full-time cartoonist

Takahashi Kazuki has not changed much. Whether he earns hundreds of millions a year or becomes a national-level cartoonist, his spiritual world remains the same.

A person writes and draws, immersed in the creation of games.

Masashi Kishimoto on the side was a little depressed.

Although the transfer of "Shippuden" went very smoothly, and the popularity of "Naruto" surpassed that of "One Piece", the Jump editorial department believed that Yahagi was too old to be an editor of shonen comics.

This Bole, who has been with Kishimoto for 9 years, finally left "Naruto".

Kishimoto, who has weak plot control skills, is very uneasy and now looks depressed.

"Tori Akino-sensei."

He stood up and said hello to Higashikata before sitting down sadly.

Nobuhiro Watsuki nodded to Hibiki Higashikata without much communication.

Just like that, the conference room became quiet again.

…

After a long time.

"When I first arrived, the sample issue of the new Jump issue also arrived, so I took a few copies in."

Oda entered the conference room and distributed the jumps to others one by one. He smiled and said, "Teacher Toriyama hasn't arrived yet. Let's watch the jumps first to pass the time."

Hibiki Higashino took the jump and thanked him. He didn't look too sad when he looked at Oda.

He didn't take it to heart about the unsatisfactory results in the "City of Seven Waters".

Higashino Hibiki opened Jump and watched silently. After half an hour, he finished reading all the content he was interested in, so he put down Jump and took a sip of coffee.

"Teacher," seeing his actions, Oda asked with great interest, "This issue of "Dream Eater" mentioned Takagi Akito's past. His father was a banker who resigned to take the blame for his boss. His mother forced Takagi Akito to study hard and join the senior management of a bank to avenge his father. Is this plot linked to "Hansawa Naoki"?"

After hearing Oda's words, others also looked at Hibiki Hibiki.

They also all read "Dream Eaters", which was very interesting.

"Of course not," Hibiki Higashi shook his head, "I just need this background story."

Compared to the hesitant Mashiro Takashi, Takagi Akito is more free-spirited and open-minded.

He dared to put aside his past achievements, step into the uncertain track, and encourage his teammates who recognized him.

Such a character requires a process of thinking change.

There are indeed people similar to Takagi in the real world, such as Oda, who draw comics regardless of the consequences.

But story is different from reality, it needs a reason.

"That's right." Oda nodded while holding his chin.

"So," Takahashi Kazuki asked, "if Takagi Akito accepts his mother's arrangement, will he become the "unscrupulous Naoki Hansawa"? "

Takagi Akito broke out in silence. He didn't want to be his mother's tool. He poured out his voice hoarsely. He wanted to live for himself.

Hanzawa Naoki entered the Industrial Central Bank to avenge his father, but he also remembered his father's teachings and paid attention to the relationship between people. While he was fighting, he was full of a sense of justice, helping others, and having a lingering fragrance in his hands.

"The unscrupulous Naoki Hansawa"..." Hibiki pondered. This was the manager of Owada. While possessing abilities, he also liked to give people the price of items and decide actions based on the level of benefit.

"Of course not. Takagi Akito... is a very kind person. He loves his companions, respects others, and will never resort to any means. After all, "Dream Eater" is a shonen manga."

"That's right," Takahashi Kazuki nodded suddenly, "Thank you."

"You're welcome."

After Hibiki waved his hand, he picked up "Weekly Shōnen Jump" and looked at Naruto on the cover. He said, "Speaking of which, Kishimoto-kun's drawing skills have improved a lot."

"The spatial perspective, depth, picture dynamics, and light and shadow control have all reached a master level."

There are many big scenes in "Naruto". For example, after Naruto returned to Konoha from Mt. Myoboku, he stood on a telephone pole overlooking the entire Konoha ninja village.

There is a lot of information in the painting, but it is not cluttered at all. The composition is clear, the houses are well-proportioned, and the lines are simple and clear. This is already an extraordinary ability.

"Yes," Morita Maha said seriously, "I have been secretly scared when I watched "Naruto" recently. Young people nowadays are all monsters."

Takahashi Kazuki then said, "I really envy you for having such a high talent."

"Everyone said that my drawings were too full, which made the comics look very crowded and uncomfortable." Oda was a little depressed, "But it was very easy for me to get distracted when I drew comics, and before I knew it, I filled up the entire manuscript paper. If I wish I had your painter, Kishimoto.”

"Haha, blah blah blah," Kishimoto scratched the back of his head and laughed sheepishly.

With everyone's approval, he became more and more cheerful.

"Yes, after all these years, I am no longer who I used to be! I am now...Super Kishimoto Masashi!"

…

Akira Toriyama opened the door and heard the laughter in the conference room.

Sasaki was beside him and nodded silently when he saw everyone living in harmony.

"What are you talking about? So happy."

"Teacher Toriyama, you're finally here," Hibiki Hibiki stood up, "I'm talking about Oda, who is a T1-level cartoonist."

"What's "the grid is enough"..." Akira Toriyama didn't understand.

"It has the same meaning as the T0 level "Diligent Toriyama Akira". "

"Okay, you are making fun of me."

"Teacher, you are too worried."

Higashikata raised his hands in surrender.

All the judges have arrived, and the "Akaratsuka Award" has officially begun.

The jump editorial department photocopied 8 copies of the 22 shortlisted comics and distributed them to everyone present one by one.

The editors have given their reviews, now it’s about the cartoonist’s perspective.

Editors care more about the market of comics and how well it fits the jump style, while cartoonists care about the interestingness of the story. If they find it interesting, they will give it a high score.

Based on the scores in terms of storyboarding, artistry, etc., the performance of the comic is finally summarized on a five-point scale.

There are 22 comics selected for the "Akatsuka Prize", one of which has 37 pages. If you read it slowly, it will take a lot of time.

Even if you don't like the comics, you still have to read them seriously and responsibly.

Several cartoonists have different postures.

Some are sitting upright, and some are acting wildly.

"15-year-old newcomer!"

Dong Yexiang heard an exclamation.

He looked over and saw that it was Teacher Morita Shinfa.

"Sorry." Morita said to Hibiki Higashino, and he murmured, "Today's cartoonists are getting younger and younger."

He made up his mind to draw comics at the age of 15 and passed the audition for the Akatsuka Award. His ability and determination both surprised Morita.

Higashino Hibiki nodded in a friendly manner. He did not flip through the comics looking for 15-year-old newcomers, but watched them step by step.

…

The works participating in the "Akatsuka Award" are comedy comics.

This kind of comics has a low threshold, and even a poor artist can produce good results.

But again, it’s hard to draw funny cartoons that make people laugh.

Hibiki Higashi looked through the comics with an expressionless face, and there were a lot of homophonic jokes.

He was unhappy with such content.

Hibiki Higashino watched Japanese animation in his previous life and was always confused when he saw homophones, so he subconsciously resisted.

The key is that Japanese comics particularly like to use homophones.

"It's not my fault."

Hibiki Higashino gave many comics two points for their plots. The drawing skills of the entries were also very average and did not reach the review level of the "Tezuka Award". He also gave them 2 to 3 points.

After the scoring is completed, he needs to write comments, which will be summarized on the comic portfolio and handed to the newcomers.

"The level of painters needs to be improved, but it's difficult to serialize it at this level."

Gradually, Hibiki Higashino saw the last comic.

The author is a duo, Sōma Satoru is the artist and Yamada Eiichi is the story writer.

Hibiki couldn't help but smile when he saw the name "Sōma Satoru".

After 4 years, he finally saw the name "Sōma Satoru" again.

The kid who once dreamed of becoming a cartoonist is now pursuing his dream.

"This painting style is very similar to Tori Akino-sensei."

"He is only a 15-year-old kid, but his painting skills are quite good. He can be rated as 5 points."

Everyone was amazed at Souma Satoru's performance.

Hibiki Higashino didn't shy away from it, "He is the nephew of Mr. Soma Ichiro and he once studied with me."

"No wonder, famous teachers produce brilliant disciples."

"The plot is also very good, full of originality, and it is a good comic."

"The story is profound beyond its age and pays attention to presentation. Although it is a funny comic, it can make people think."

The cartoonists present liked this comic very much and gave it high marks.

Among all comics, it ranks among the top 4.

Sasaki couldn't help but shake his head when he heard their comments.

From his perspective, the protagonist of this comic is just an ordinary person, and does not have the characteristics of the protagonist of the jump comic - he is not a superpower and has no special props. Unable to show an extraordinary side.

It's more of a novel than a comic.

But this is also why cartoonists will like it.

Akira Toriyama and the others care more about the story rather than the characteristics of the manga.

…

After the ranking was completed, Higashino breathed a sigh of relief. It was obviously a very simple thing, but he was under great pressure and always worried that he would miss the genius.

"This is the meaning of being a judge." Seeing him like this, Toriyama Akira patted him on the shoulder.

"Yes." Dongye Xiang felt warm in his heart and nodded.

They walked out side by side.

"I've been reading "Naoki Hansawa". It's really a hearty comic."

"As long as the teacher doesn't mind me playing tricks."

"Commercial comics are like this. How can I force you to draw a work with depth." Akira Toriyama shook his head.

"Naoki Hansawa" is a work that gives readers emotional value. In terms of purpose, it is no different from an online article.

Making readers feel good is a success.

It's just that "Naoki Hansawa" also pursues rationality.

"Isn't it hard to serialize "Naoki Hansawa" and "Dream Eater" together?" Akira Toriyama asked him, "What are you going to do after these two comics are completed? Do you want to take a break?"

His scalp was numb when he read Hibiki Hibiki's comics.

It would be a pity to only draw comics in life without learning to enjoy it.

"It should stop for a while," Hibiki Higashino said, "a few years or ten years, or maybe I will never paint again."

When the mood strikes, draw a short comic.

"For half of my life, I have always been learning from my teachers and climbing along the lines of my teachers' experiences. Now, it is always right to stop learning from my teachers."

Toriyama Akira couldn't help but be moved by Higashino Hibiki's sincere words.

"Then have a good rest," he said.

…

The results of the "Akatsuka Prize" were announced soon.

Editor Tetsu Hattori of "Weekly Shōnen Jump" contacted the rookie duo he valued.

"It's a pity that it has stopped being the final candidate."

Selected, semi-selected, and outstanding works are the results for winning the award, and those below are the final candidates.

Sōma Satoru stopped in the top eight and unfortunately could not go on stage to receive the award.

"why is it like this……"

Soma Satoru sat blankly on the sofa.

A comic full of confidence, but the result is just that.

Yamada Eiichi cheered, "It's my first submission, and it's already very strong to be among the final candidates, Satoru!"

"Yeah." Sōma Satoru smiled awkwardly.

He has been learning to draw comics for so long, but the result is still not as good as Yashiro, who is a newcomer.

When Yashiro was admitted to the "Tezuka Prize", he said, "Because I wanted to follow in the footsteps of Tori Akino-sensei, I hurriedly submitted the article. Unexpectedly, I was easily selected."

Recalling these words, the veins in Sōma Satoru's clenched fists bulged out.

How could he have the nerve to meet Mr. Tori Akino who taught him when he had a bad start?

"I'm still too weak."

Yamada Eiichi watched him get into trouble, "Satoru, Hattori Editor invited us to Shueisha and said we wanted to summarize the gains and losses this time. Do you want to go?"

"Of course I'm going!"

…

After school the next day, the two of them came to Shueisha. Not long after, Hattori Tetsu went to the reception room to meet the two of them.

"In this review, the cartoonists spoke highly of you, with good drawing skills and excellent plot."

"Then why?"

"Because the editor's evaluation is not good. The comic style is not suitable for jump, the protagonist has too few characteristics, etc."

Hattori Tetsu explains everything.

"That's it." Yamada Eiichi thought thoughtfully.

This aspect lowered the evaluation, and that was his problem.

He needs to draw comics more suitable for jump.

"Keep your own characteristics and find out the intersection between jump and yourself," Tetsu Hattori taught. "This requires more attempts."

"Participate in newcomer awards and serialize short stories on "Next". Over time, your abilities will improve."

This is also the path most newcomers take.

"These are the comments of cartoonists and teachers. Take a look."

Hattori Tetsu handed them the document bag.

Sōma Satoru quickly took it and looked at it carefully.

Eiichiro Oda: "The artwork is excellent and the plot is very unique. Keep up the good work to maintain your own characteristics."

Kishimoto Masashi: "I see the shadow of Tori Akino-sensei in your paintings, and I am very optimistic about you."

He read them one by one, and they were all the expectations of senior cartoonists, and his eyes couldn't help but heat up.

Finally, he saw Tori Akino's words, "I've finally started submitting. The manga hasn't slowed down. Keep up the good work, Satoru. And so does Yamada-kun."

"Eh? Tori Akino-sensei mentioned me!" Yamada Eiichi was overjoyed, "Do you know Tori Akino-sensei!"

"Well..." Sōma Satoru choked, his clothes wet with tears.