Full-time cartoonist

"I'm not you, I'm already having sex."

Akimotoji smiled, and of course he was teasing "Naoki Hansawa" and "Dream Eater".

"Teacher, please don't fool me," Higashino Higashi raised his eyebrows, "While you were serializing "Oolong Police Station", you were also serializing "Ultimate Girl"."

Akimotoji turned bitter and said, "Oh, you discovered this dark history."

"It's not a dark history." Higashikata shook his head.

It's just not as good as "Oolong Police Station".

But on the other hand, there are too few comics that can compare to "Oolong Police Station".

The comic that was loved by readers from 1976 to 2016 is simply a miracle.

Over the years, readers' aesthetics, comic style changes, etc., all need to adapt to the changes of the times. Jotaro's painting style in the "Jojo" series has changed due to the needs of the times.

"Oolong Police Station" did not have a big impact in the hands of Akimotoji, who is getting older, which proves Akimotoji's ability.

On the other hand, drawing weekly comics continuously for 40 years is terrifying beyond all others.

Akira Toriyama ran away in resentment after 10 years of serialization, Yoshihiro Togashi's paintings broke his body, Eiichiro Oda was overwhelmed, and he stopped publishing regularly. You know that this is simply not something that humans can do.

"Learning from Mr. Akimoto Haru is something I have always wanted to do, but it is too difficult," Hibiki sighed. "Now I am also a little tired."

"Then adjust yourself." Akimoto said, "Have a good rest and face the challenge."

"That's right," Hibiki Higashino said, "Cheers."

"cheers."

The wine glasses clashed together loudly, and Higashi Hibiki drank it all in one gulp, subconsciously tipping it over.

"What are you doing?" Qiu Benji asked doubtfully.

"Ah, I'm sorry." Higashikata smiled sarcastically.

This was a completely subconscious move on his part. Even after more than ten years, he still hasn't forgotten the act of discussing cooperation over a wine table.

"I'm probably drunk."

"This is champagne."

"If you don't get drunk with wine, you'll get drunk."

…

The newcomers are all energetic, their faces are glowing, imagining the scene of getting ahead.

Tori Akino's body was surrounded by envious, admirable, and nervous eyes. There were too many people looking at him.

But no newcomer dared to step forward.

"Toriakino-sensei!" Yashiro said, "The manga you want to finish must be "Slam Dunk"!"

This guy wasn't timid at all and he greeted me in a familiar manner.

Higashikata asked: "Why do you think so?"

"Because if it were me, I would make the same decision."

He is extremely certain that the finished work will be "Slam Dunk".

Even if Higashino Hibiki told him otherwise, he wouldn't believe it.

"Then just keep watching "Dream Eaters" with this thought in mind."

"yes!"

…

At the award ceremony, as the only selected winner of this year's "Tezuka Award", Yashiro Cheng had the opportunity to speak.

He looked at the audience, fascinated.

"When I was little, I loved reading Mr. Tori Akino's comics. There was a sense of freshness in another world."

"At the beginning of this year, I suddenly decided to draw comics. From being ignorant at first to getting started now, I like drawing comics more and more, and it has gradually become a part of my life."

"Thanks."

After the young man bowed on the stage, he couldn't help but raise the corners of his mouth while holding the trophy.

Hibiki looked at him and thought of Sōma Satoru.

"He has to work harder."

There was thunderous applause, and Hibiki Higashikata applauded.

After the "Tezuka Prize" was over, Hibiki hurried home, where Masao Maruyama was waiting for him.

Masao Maruyama brought news about "Paprika", and Hibiki Higashino had the handover of the script for the "Puella Magi Madoka Magica" theatrical version "Rebel Story".

It is now nine o'clock in the evening. Masao Maruyama has been waiting for a long time. Hibiki Higashino tries to walk as fast as possible.

"Where's Tori Akino-sensei?"

Yashiro Cheng squeezed out of the crowd and looked around the hall.

Koji Yoshida replied: "Teacher still has work to do."

"Eh..." Yashiro Cheng was a little disappointed, "What a pity. I want to ask the teacher for advice."

"Next time." Yoshida Koji nodded his forehead, "Now come with me to discuss the storyboards for the serialization."

"Yes." Yashiro nods.

…

"Please use tea." Akimiya Akemi added tea to the empty tea cup and pushed it towards Maruyama Masao and Araki Tetsuro.

"Thank you." Masao Maruyama nodded, his face calm, but his heart was very tangled.

He had already drank seven or eight cups of tea, and his stomach was extremely bloated.

"Um, Tori Akino-sensei..."

"Hibiki will be home in about half an hour."

"That's it, it's troublesome."

Masao Maruyama closed his eyelids.

Before Tori Akino Mirai arrives, he wants to review the awards won by "Paprika."

In August, he took his team to Canada, where "Paprika" won the People's Choice Award at the Montreal New Cinema Film Festival.

This film festival is one of Canada's oldest film festivals, but it pursues film innovation.

Movies that are quirky, unique, and cutting edge will get preference.

Paprika is undoubtedly such an animated film.

During the 11 days in Canada, many viewers were obsessed with "Red Hot Chili Peppers".

This animated film's unique form of expression and wonderful interpretation of dreams have conquered many people.

The heart-to-heart communication between the creative team and the audience also satisfied Masao Maruyama.

"It's just a pity that Tori Akino-sensei is not here."

He shook his head slightly.

It's a shame that the creators of the story didn't face the praise head on.

After Montreal, they went to Italy to attend the Venice International Film Festival.

This film festival has a great reputation. Many people who don’t watch movies know about the Venice International Film Festival.

"Ah, he's back." Akimiya Akemi looked out the window, the car lights coming from far to near, and then drove into her garage.

She stood up and went to the door to greet Hibiki Hibiki.

Maruyama Masao perked up and straightened his back.

Higashino Hibiki opened the door, and Akimiya Akemi hurriedly asked him, "It's much faster than the time said."

"Well, because it's hard to keep Mr. Maruyama waiting."

He handed the coat to Akimiya Akemi and walked into the living room quickly.

"Mr. Maruyama, I'm sorry to keep you waiting."

"I'm just impatient. There's still one hour before the time we agreed on," Masao Maruyama pointed at his watch and shook his head with a smile.

"I'm too anxious. I have a lot to say to you."

"Oh," Higashikata sat across from him, "Then I'm all ears."

"Okay." Masao Maruyama cleared his throat and told him his plans for the past few months.

Higashikata listened carefully.

In Montreal, Masao Maruyama was high-spirited. When he talked about the Golden Lion Award, he had longing in his eyes, and then sighed in disappointment.

Higashikata asked directly: "Is it not going well?"

"No, I'm just a little dissatisfied. In the end, it's just a nomination."

"Nomination..." Hibiya Hibiki paused.

Only films that are qualified for the Golden Lion Award can be nominated, and there are only 25 films in this film festival.

Everything is excellent.

Masao Maruyama’s words are a bit Versailles.

"Who won the prize?"

"It's Mr. Ang Lee's "Brokeback Mountain." It's such a wonderful movie."

It turns out that it lost to "Brokeback Mountain", which makes sense.

"Brokeback Mountain" swept all major awards in the United States, receiving eight Oscar nominations and winning three awards for Best Director, Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Film Score.

There is no shame in losing to "Brokeback Mountain".

"If I didn't win the Golden Lion, I have to work harder next time." Hibiki Higashino did not comfort Maruyama Masao, but cheered him up.

"That's right." Masao Maruyama is a strong man. He nodded and dropped the topic.

"Mr. Tori Akino, of course I'm anxious to see you not just to deliver news. I also have to inform you about the release of "Paprika"."

He took out two movie tickets and handed them to Hibiki Higashino.

Hibiki Higashino took a look and found that the premiere was at Theater Shinjuku.

"I will definitely go."

Masao Maruyama introduced that "Paprika" is created and distributed by Sony Pictures Entertainment Japan.

It will be tested on a small scale in the Kanto region first, and after observing the effect, it will be judged whether to release it on a large scale.

"They had no expectations of 'Red Hot Chili Peppers' being commercial."

Speaking of this, Masao Maruyama was a little depressed.

But this is also true.

Hibiki Higashino said: "Reality will make a fair judgment."

"You are so confident."

Regarding the ending of "Paprika", Hibiki Higashino can only wait patiently for the release date of "Paprika" at the beginning of the new year.

"Tori Akino-sensei," Araki Tetsurou waited for a long time, his anxious heart almost beating out of his throat.

He really wanted to see the script of "The Story of Rebellion" as soon as possible.

"please wait for a moment."

Hibiki Higashino stood up, walked to the studio, and rummaged through the drawer to find the script for the movie version of "Madoka Magica."