Tokyo, everyone is drawing comics, who still wants to fall in love?.

Chapter 309 Official Kiln Comics
The Agency for Cultural Affairs' award ceremony was held in Kyoto in previous years, but this time it was held in Tokyo.

Because most of the Cultural Affairs Agency's institutions have moved to Kyoto, but this time, it was obviously to compete with the Manga Association's Manga Awards, so the venue was changed. After all, most of the participants are local to Tokyo, and it can also maximize everyone's attendance.

Many cartoonists received invitations.

The ceremony was held at the Tokyo Convention Center, and Oda Shingo attended the ceremony solemnly in a suit and tie.

When he appeared in the live broadcast and TV broadcast dressed in a high-end suit, many female comic fans stared with wide eyes.

"Wow! Is this Mr. Oda? I can't recognize him after he puts on his clothes!"

"He's not in an action romance movie, so what do you mean he's unrecognizable in clothes?"

"Everyone says Oda Shingo is very handsome, but when he puts on his clothes, he's almost unrecognizable."

"It looks like an idol, so shiny."

"His teeth are glowing!"

Many female comic fans began to express various emotions in the comments.

Male comic fans were impressed by the three female assistants behind Oda Shingo.

"Teacher Oda is so lucky. Why are all his assistants so good-looking?"

"Big Bear, Middle Bear, Little Bear, a whole family together, I'm so jealous!"

"I finally understand why the female characters drawn by Oda-sensei are so attractive. There are ready-made models around."

"Damn it! I'm so jealous and envious when I think about Mr. Oda using such a beautiful female assistant as a model!"

Comic fans are just there to watch the fun, while people in the industry are the ones who understand the details.

Especially on comprehensive comics websites such as Yahoo Comics and YouTube comics channels, editors stare at the pictures and constantly speculate on the situation.

"The conflict between the Ministry of Culture and the Comics Association has finally come to light."

"Did you notice that? Several of Oda Shingo's comics were made into the main display board and placed in the most conspicuous position. This is completely different from the time when he was reviewed by the Comics Association. It is obvious that he is promoting this super popular cartoonist who was rejected by the Comics Association."

"What is more noteworthy is that the Agency for Cultural Affairs has changed its focus from artistry to marketability. If Oda Shingo's work wins the award, it means that the Agency is striving to gain control over the comics market."

In short, this time the Ministry of Culture has changed its pedantic and outdated evaluation style of previous years, and even invited Oda Shingo as a weather vane.

Shingo Oda and his group entered the venue, with the on-site cameras following them the entire time.

The lobby of the venue is also a standard comic exhibition area, displaying a large number of comic samples from the second half of 2023 to the first half of 2024.

Shingo Oda noticed that his comics such as "One Punch Man" and "JOJO" were in the most prominent positions, and even "GANTZ" was not missing.

This is a goodwill signal sent by the Ministry of Culture to itself.

"That looks like Oda Shingo!" People in the hall who were talking in groups of three or four all cast their concerned glances.

Oda Shingo and his group of handsome men and beautiful women were already eye-catching, and now they appeared on the stage as if they were walking on the red carpet.

Soon a young cartoonist came over to say hello.

The first person to come over was Nobukata, a young manga artist who had previously worked as an assistant under Gouda Takeshi: "Mr. Oda, I am so lucky to see you again."

He was serialized in some third-tier magazines and was also invited to attend the ceremony.

"Nobukata, it seems that you have achieved some success." Oda Shingo immediately called out his name.

"Teacher Oda, it's an honor that you still remember me." Ling Xinfang was very excited.

Oda Shingo chatted with him for a while, all about the direction of comic creation. "You lack comic ideas?" Oda Shingo heard what he said and guessed the dilemma of the young cartoonist.

Nobukata bowed deeply with a sincere look on his face: "Please give me some advice, Mr. Oda."

Oda Shingo thought about it.

This young man has always stood by me, and he spoke up for me when I was in trouble with the Qun Ying Society.

"Have you seen Goblin Slayer? If necessary, you can create a special edition or a sister edition." Oda Shingo promoted his own IP. "I can arrange the most suitable licensing price for you, and it is not an advance payment, but a commission based on the royalties."

"Ah! Thank you very much, Mr. Oda!" Nobukata was very grateful.

This is like riding on the coattails of a famous work, which is a good thing that young authors can only dream of. In addition, the licensing fee is reduced, which is definitely a great opportunity.

Then some other cartoonists and comics clubs expressed their goodwill.

Everyone's attitude is to stop at the right point.

Female cartoonists are generally not very good at looking good, and they feel completely inferior in front of Oda Shingo's female assistants, and are a little embarrassed to stay around them for any longer.

The comics company does have some ideas about Oda Shingo, but people in the industry know that Saburo Mikami and Oda Shingo are tied together.

There is even a comics company that found out that the petite girl next to Oda Shingo is the sister of Mikami Saburo...

Damn! In order to win over a popular cartoonist, Saburo Mikami sacrificed his sister to the devil! This is something that only a powerful and crazy person in another world can do!
Many female assistants who thought they were pretty were eyeing Oda Shingo. Then they ran into the sight of Namikaze Yukaku and Fujido Kaoshi, and were forced to retreat by the FBI's gaze on a suspect...

"Mr. Oda, I have long heard of your name. Thank you for taking the time to attend us." The assistant director of the Cultural Affairs Bureau was a young professional woman. She greeted Oda and his party with a bow. "Director Yonekura has been waiting for a long time. Please follow me."

Oda Shingo and his party were taken to the noble living room.

The assistant arranged for the three female assistants to sit in the outer hall for a while and invited Oda Shingo to the inner room alone.

"Ah, is that Mr. Oda?" An old man in his 70s came out and took the initiative to shake hands.

After being introduced, it turned out to be the current director of the Agency for Cultural Affairs, Shunji Yonekura.

The assistant served the fragrant tea and bowed and left. Shunji Yonekura and Shingo Oda started chatting.

"Teacher Oda, I'm really sorry. I should have gone out to greet you, but the people around me never allow me to break the rules. They just stick to the rules, and they are even more stubborn than an old man like me." The elderly director was not arrogant, and he didn't speak in an official tone, which made people feel very friendly.

"You're too polite. You can just call me Oda." Oda Shingo quickly said modestly.

He had learned about this director in advance. He was born in 1948 and was nearly eighty years old. He was also a well-known senior in the music industry. He really did not deserve the title of teacher.

The two chatted casually for a while, and Director Yonekura actually brought the topic to composition.

He talked about his views on Oda Shingo's "Midsummer Showers" and "Next to you", praised them highly, and put forward some of his own opinions.

Oda Shingo was surprised that this old senior's musical attainments were indeed high and what he said was really on point.

"If possible, I hope to hear your music again." The old director was obviously sincere. "Although you have made great achievements in the comics industry, I feel sorry for the music industry. Maybe it has delayed a genius."

"I am deeply honored to receive the praise from the Director."

While being polite, Oda Shingo thought it was time to get down to business. This senior official did not brag about business as expected, and was more of a practical person.

The old director looked at the clock on the wall and said, "I would like to talk more about music, but unfortunately we don't have enough time. Let's get back to the topic. Mr. Oda, you probably know that I do have a request for you."

Next, the old director talked about the needs of the Department of Culture.

The Department of Culture has direct education tasks every year, but education publicity in society is not so bad, after all, you can get things done by spending money.

But in terms of animation and comics, especially in Japan, a country with a large animation industry, the Agency for Cultural Affairs lacks any outstanding works - "official comics"!
(End of this chapter)