I, Hiroshi Nohara, the star of Japanese cinema

Chapter 227 Good news for Doraemon! A major focus of the Tokyo Ministry of Education! A cause for celebration for Shueisha!
Three days after the engagement party in Sakura-no-sato was settled, Hiroshi Nohara sat on the tatami mat in the study on the second floor of the Koyama family home, with his sketchbooks neatly stacked into three piles in front of him.

Morning light streamed through the sliding window covered with washi paper, casting dappled patterns of light on the off-white manuscript paper. This made the short black hair of Yusuke Urameshi from Yu Yu Hakusho, the round belly of Doraemon, and the calloused hands of the owner of Midnight Diner all appear even more vivid.

He gripped the HB pencil with a slight pressure and signed "Hiroshi Nohara" in the lower right corner of the last page of the manuscript. The scratching sound of the pencil tip gliding across the paper finally stopped.

Hiroshi Nohara leaned back on the cushion, raised his hand to rub his slightly sore shoulders and neck, and glanced at the three stacks of manuscripts on the table—each with fifteen chapters, precise paneling, and the kana in the speech bubbles were so neat they looked like printed text. Even the golden sheen of the tamagoyaki in "Midnight Diner" was perfectly blended with a light orange marker.

"Phew, finally finished." Hiroshi Nohara picked up the green tea on the table. The celadon teacup touched his lips, giving him a slightly cool sensation. The sweet taste of the tea slid down his throat, relieving the fatigue of the morning.

He had just put down his cup when a vibration suddenly came from his pocket, accompanied by a short electronic notification sound. Hiroshi Nohara took out his phone.

The number flashing on the screen looked familiar, and upon closer inspection, I realized it was the landline number of Masato Tadokoro, a dedicated editor at Shueisha.

He pressed the answer button, held the phone to his ear, and said in a relaxed tone, as if he had just finished work, "Hello, Tadokoro-san?"

"Hiroshi-san! You finally answered the phone!"

The slightly excited voice of Masato Tadokoro came from the other end of the line, with the clicking of a printer in the background: "I paged you twice this morning but didn't answer. I thought you were busy with something else—how have you been lately? I heard you went to Kumamoto to prepare for a relative's engagement party. Did it go well?"

Tadokoro Masato's tone was filled with cautious concern, which made Hiroshi Nohara laugh.

This editor had been with him since he started serializing "Yu Yu Hakusho". He was a little too serious. Every time they talked on the phone, he would ask about his health first, and then talk about work. He was as considerate as a family member.

“I’m fine, Tadokoro-san. I was busy with Masaya-nee’s engagement party the other day, and I left my pager in the living room. I’m sorry to have worried you.”

Hiroshi Nohara picked up the sketches on the table, his fingertips lightly brushing across the pages: "As for you, you sound even busier than when we last met—is Shueisha rushing to finish a publication lately?"

"you do not say!"

Tadokoro Masato sighed, but his voice was full of energy: "Your 'Doraemon' is currently being serialized in Shogakukan's 'Happy Happy Monthly,' and the letters from readers each issue can fill half of my desk. The printing press is urging me to reprint it every day. Not to mention 'Midnight Diner,' the single volume that was just released last week sold over 50,000 copies in its first week. Editor-in-Chief Torishima praised you at the meeting yesterday, saying that you brought the 'warmth of everyday life' to life."

He paused, then unconsciously steered the conversation toward work: "By the way, Hiroshi-san, let me get down to business—you mentioned earlier that the follow-up manuscripts for these three manga volumes, when will they be sent to Tokyo? The printing press wants to expedite the process, and the manga association has also contacted us several times, saying they want to submit your work for the 'Annual Outstanding Manga' exhibition."

Hiroshi Nohara glanced down at the three stacks of artwork on the table, a relaxed smile playing on his lips. "They're all finished. Each volume has fifteen chapters, with storyboards and coloring instructions marked on the side. I'll be returning to Tokyo next week, and I'll send the originals directly to Shueisha then. You don't need to rush the scheduling; just let the printing press handle the other publications first."

"Chapter 15... all... all drawn?" Tadokoro Masato's voice suddenly rose, and the sound of the printer in the background seemed to stop for a moment.

Hiroshi Nohara could picture him staring wide-eyed at the phone receiver—after all, the fight scenes in Yu Yu Hakusho were complex, the props in Doraemon required meticulous design, and the scenes in Midnight Diner had to recreate the lively atmosphere of Tokyo's alleyways. To update three books simultaneously while maintaining quality would take at least two months for any other manga artist, but Hiroshi Nohara did it in less than two weeks.

"Hiroshi-san, you...you don't need to rush like this!"

Tadokoro Masato's tone was full of admiration, but also a little anxious: "Your health is the most important thing! Last time, a manga artist had to stay in the hospital for two days because he was rushing to meet a deadline. Editor-in-Chief Torishima specifically told me that if you submit your manuscript too hastily, you must advise you to rest more. As for the plot, you don't need to worry about it at all. Your story pacing has never been wrong. Even if you submit your manuscript two weeks late, the readers and the association will understand!"

Hiroshi Nohara felt a warmth rise in his heart upon hearing these words.

He leaned back on the cushions, his gaze falling on the view outside the window—in the yard of the Xiaoshan family's house, there were several cherry blossom trees, the buds already swelling, and they would bloom in a while.

He recalled the feeling of following these comics in his previous life. The plots etched in his memory were like pre-written scripts, requiring no effort to figure out.

“I know, Tadokoro-san.” Hiroshi Nohara’s voice was gentle but firm. “The plot won’t go wrong, don’t worry. I’ve already figured out the outlines of these stories, and I didn’t stay up all night while drawing them. I drew them during the day, so I’m healthy.”

What he didn't say was that every panel and every line of dialogue in these comics was clearly imprinted in his mind—from Yusuke Urameshi's first battle after his resurrection in Yu Yu Hakusho, to Nobita's adventure to Antarctica using the Anywhere Door in Doraemon, and then to the stories in Midnight Diner, he was simply "copying" his past life memories onto paper, stroke by stroke.

There was a few seconds of silence on the other end of the line, followed by Masato Tadokoro's voice filled with emotion: "Hiroshi-san, you are truly the most talented manga artist I've ever met—no, the most talented creator. You can direct movies, write scripts, do variety shows, and now you can even be updating three manga at the same time, and each one is so popular... Honestly, looking back now, it was the best decision I ever made when I volunteered to be your editor."

Tadokoro Masato's tone was full of sincerity, and Hiroshi Nohara couldn't help but smile as he listened: "You're too kind, Tadokoro-san. Without Shueisha's layout and promotion, my manga wouldn't have reached readers. We've helped each other achieve our goals."

"You're being too modest!"

Tadokoro Masato quickly said, then his voice became excited again as if he suddenly remembered something: "Oh right, Hiroshi-san! I watched the news on Kumamoto TV this morning and found out that the 'Kumamon' that's so popular in Kumamoto now was actually designed by you? That little bear wearing a red vest and wobbling as it walks is so cute! My daughter was begging for a Kumamon plushie yesterday!"

Upon hearing this, Hiroshi Nohara recalled how Yumeya had cheered while hugging a Kumamon plushie in Sakura no Sato that day, and his smile deepened: "I designed it. In addition to the short film, I also plan to turn it into a manga and have Misae's 'Future Manga Club' handle the illustrations—after all, the manga artists in the club are all young people, and they will have a better grasp of this cute style. When it comes to the publication of the manga, I'll have to ask you and Tadokoro-san to put in a lot of effort."

"Don't worry! There won't be any problem!"

Tadokoro Masato's voice immediately became respectful, even a little flattered: "It is my honor to cooperate with 'Future Manga Company'! President Misae previously helped you color 'Midnight Diner', and the details were handled exceptionally well. Editor-in-Chief Torishima even asked me if I could ask one of her manga artists to help with illustrations for other publications—don't worry, I will contact President Misae tomorrow to coordinate the layout and printing details of the manga!"

Hiroshi Nohara could imagine Masato Tadokoro bowing and scraping at that moment, and couldn't help but find it amusing.

He picked up his teacup, took a sip of green tea, and said slowly, "No need to rush. I'll have Misae talk to you in person when I return to Tokyo next week. She's been busy recruiting new manga artists lately. The company now has seventeen people, and they need some established publishing resources."

"Okay! Okay! I'll do whatever you say!"

Masato Tadokoro readily agreed, and then chatted with Hiroshi Nohara about the style of the Kumamon manga—whether it should follow a slice-of-life comedy route or incorporate adventure elements? Should they design a few supporting characters, such as Kumamon's "friends"?
Hiroshi Nohara listened patiently, occasionally offering his own ideas, such as having Kumamon "visit" various tourist attractions in Kumamoto in the manga, which would maintain the cute character design while promoting the local customs and culture of Kumamoto. Masato Tadokoro praised the idea, saying it was "both interesting and meaningful."

The two chatted for about ten minutes when Tadokoro Masato suddenly stopped, his tone becoming hesitant, even stammering: "Hiroshi-san... there's something I don't know if I should tell you..."

Hiroshi Nohara raised an eyebrow, tapping his fingers lightly on the tatami mat: "What's wrong? Is there a problem with the manga publishing, or is there something wrong with the association?"

"no no!"

Tadokoro Masato quickly denied it, his voice lowering further: "It's about Doraemon... The All Japan Manga Association sent a letter to Shueisha yesterday, saying they want to collaborate with the Japan Science and Technology Association to adapt Doraemon into an anime series and release it to elementary school students throughout Japan... But this is just a preliminary idea, it hasn't been finalized yet, so I didn't dare tell you..."

When Hiroshi Nohara heard the words "adapted into an anime," his heart skipped a beat.

He recalled the grand occasion when the Doraemon anime premiered in his previous life; that blue robot cat had become a childhood memory for several generations.

In 1991, when there was no internet and television was still the main form of entertainment, the Doraemon anime would undoubtedly become a phenomenon.

"This is a good thing."

Hiroshi Nohara's voice clearly showed approval: "The story of Doraemon is suitable for children to watch. After being adapted into an animation, it can be seen by more elementary school students. Does the Science and Technology Association have a suitable production team?"

“It’s not confirmed yet…” Masato Tadokoro sighed, his tone tinged with helplessness: “The Manga Association and the Science and Technology Association have only made initial contact and haven’t found a suitable production company yet. The people at the Science and Technology Association said that the gadgets in Doraemon are too complicated to design, such as the Anywhere Door and the Time Machine, which require high-precision animation production technology. Currently, Japanese animation companies either don’t have the capability to do it or are worried that the cost is too high… so this matter has not been decided yet.”

Hiroshi Nohara listened, his fingers gently stroking the edge of his phone.

He recalled his "Nohara Independent Production Club"—the animation production class was led by Ichiro Hashimoto, and the team had already worked well together when they were working on "Yamishibai," so now they had some free time.

Moreover, he is very familiar with the animation style and voice acting of Doraemon. If his own team were to do it, not only would the quality be guaranteed, but the problem of "drastically altering" the plot during the adaptation would also be avoided.

“If they really want to do it, I can help.”

Hiroshi Nohara's voice was calm yet carried an undeniable confidence: "My Nohara Production Department has a dedicated animation production class. Section Chief Ichiro Hashimoto was previously in charge of 'Yamishibai,' so he is very familiar with animation storyboarding and production processes. Moreover, as the original author, I have a more accurate grasp of the characters and plot—if our team adapts it, we should be able to create a work that satisfies the audience."

There was a sudden silence on the other end of the line. After a few seconds, Masato Tadokoro's voice came through, trembling with excitement: "Hiroshi-san! You...you mean it?! With your production department's help, the Doraemon anime will definitely be a success! I'll report this to Editor-in-Chief Torishima first thing tomorrow morning and have him contact the Manga Association and the Science and Technology Association as soon as possible—with you, the original author and director, personally overseeing it, they certainly won't refuse!"

"No need to rush, Tadokoro-san."

Hiroshi Nohara said with a smile, "When I return to Tokyo next week, we'll talk to the association in person—let's hand over the manga manuscript first, and we can discuss the animation later."

"Okay! Okay! I'll do whatever you say!"

Tadokoro Masato quickly agreed, his tone full of excitement: "Then I won't disturb your rest any longer. If you have any other plans, feel free to call me or leave a message on my pager—I'm at Shueisha 24 hours a day."

After hanging up the phone, Hiroshi Nohara put his phone on the table and his gaze returned to the three stacks of drawings.

Sunlight streamed through the window and fell on the drawing. The scene from Doraemon, where Nobita and Doraemon were sitting on tatami mats eating dorayaki, looked especially warm in the light and shadow.

"What are you thinking about? You're laughing so happily."

Soft footsteps sounded at the door, and then Misae walked in wearing a light purple pajamas, carrying a wooden tray with freshly cut strawberries and a cup of hot milk on it.

She sat down next to Hiroshi Nohara, placed the tray on the tatami mat, and looked curiously at the artwork on the table: "Was that Editor Tadokoro on the phone? Is there good news about the manga's publication?"

Hiroshi Nohara reached out and ruffled Misae's hair, then handed her his phone: "Yeah, Tadokoro-san asked me when I'd submit the next draft, and I said I'd bring it with me when I go back to Tokyo next week. Oh, and there's something else I need to tell you—the Manga Association and the Science and Technology Association want to adapt Doraemon into an anime, and I recommended our Nohara Production Department, as well as your Future Manga Club, to handle the character design and auxiliary drawing for the anime."

"Doraemon is going to be adapted into an anime?!"

Misae's eyes lit up instantly, and she even forgot to eat the strawberry in her hand: "Is it that manga with Doraemon and Nobita? When I saw you draw it before, I thought it would be so cute to make into an anime! If our manga artists were in charge of the character design, they would definitely be very happy!"

Misae excitedly grabbed Hiroshi Nohara's arm as she spoke: "Hiroshi Nohara, you don't know, Kobayashi-san from the company told me yesterday that she really likes Shizuka from 'Doraemon,' and said that if she could design an animated character for Shizuka, she would be willing to work overtime! And Sato-san, he loves Doraemon's gadgets the most, and last time he even drew several design sketches of the Anywhere Door for me to see!"

Hiroshi Nohara couldn't help but laugh as he watched Misae's childlike excitement.

He picked up a strawberry and handed it to Misae, speaking gently: "Don't rush. When we get back to Tokyo next week, we'll discuss the details of our collaboration with the association first, and then have the manga artists in our company start preparing. You don't need to rush; take your time and just bring out the cuteness and details of the characters."

"Ok, I know!"

Misae took the strawberry, took a bite, and the sweet juice spread in her mouth. She squinted her eyes in satisfaction: "Oh right, Mom just said she's going to make your favorite tonkotsu ramen and asked me to come and call you down to help—Dad said he's going to teach you how to make tonkotsu broth, saying it's a family secret recipe from the Koyama family."

Upon hearing this, Hiroshi Nohara smiled, stood up, and reached out to pull Misae up: "Great! I've been wanting to learn how to make delicious tonkotsu soup too—I can make it for you and the manga artists in the company when we go back to Tokyo."

Misae stood up with Hiroshi Nohara, picked up the sketches on the table, and carefully held them in her arms: "Keep these sketches safe, don't lose them—these are the original drafts that can be turned into an animated film!"

Hiroshi Nohara felt a warmth in his heart as he looked at Misae's earnest expression.

He reached out and took the sketches, neatly placing them into the sketchbook beside him. Then, he took Misae's hand and walked downstairs.

Downstairs, I could hear Koyama Takasaya chopping vegetables and Koyama Yoshiharu humming a Kumamoto folk song. The aroma of tonkotsu wafted from the kitchen, mixed with the sweetness of strawberries, filling the air.

Sunlight streamed in through the first-floor windows, casting long shadows on the wooden floor.

"Guangzhi-kun."

Misae suddenly stopped and looked up at Hiroshi Nohara, her eyes full of anticipation: "When the Doraemon anime is released, can we take Yumeya to the premiere? She told me last time that she loves Doraemon's bamboo copter the most, and that if she had one, she could fly to Tokyo to see me."

Hiroshi Nohara looked down into Misae's bright eyes, reached out and pulled her into his arms, his tone gentle yet firm: "Of course. Not only will we take Misae, but we'll also take Uncle, Auntie, and Masae-nee—when the anime starts airing, our whole family can watch Nobita and Doraemon's adventure together at our home in Tokyo, okay?"

Misae leaned against Hiroshi Nohara's chest, nodding vigorously, her cheek pressed against his suit jacket, feeling the steady beating of his heart.

The aroma from the kitchen grew stronger, and Koyama Takasaya's voice came: "Hiroshi! Misae! Come down and help make the soup! The pork bones need to be blanched first to remove the fishy smell!"

"Coming!"

Hiroshi Nohara took Misae's hand and walked quickly toward the kitchen.

Sunlight streamed down behind them, bathing the entire room in a warm glow—Kumamoto in 1991, cherry blossoms were about to bloom, and their story, like the upcoming anime, was slowly unfolding in a hopeful direction.

……

At seven o'clock in the morning in Tokyo, a light mist still hung in the air of Chiyoda Ward. The clanging and rattling of the train tracks spread along the streets. Office workers in navy blue suits hurried along, clutching their briefcases. Occasionally, someone could be seen taking out a pager and looking down to check messages.

This is Tokyo in 1991, a city synonymous with prosperity. Everyone is walking at a fast pace, and even the glass curtain wall of the Shueisha headquarters building exudes a busy atmosphere in the morning light.

Tadokoro Masato, carrying a thick leather folder and with a thin layer of sweat on his forehead, strode into the office building.

He arrived forty minutes earlier than usual today. His folder contained notes he had stayed up all night organizing, all about Hiroshi Nohara's manga drafts and details of the Doraemon anime adaptation.

This is a key project for Shueisha in the second half of the year, so he dared not be careless in the slightest. He didn't even have time to eat his convenience store rice ball this morning.

"Knock knock knock—" He
Standing in front of the walnut door marked "Editor-in-Chief's Office," I knocked three times lightly with my fingers, and immediately the calm voice of Editor-in-Chief Torishima came from inside: "Come in."

Pushing open the door, I saw a pile of manga manuscripts and magazine proofs half my height on the desk. Editor-in-Chief Torishima was sitting in a black leather chair, holding a red ballpoint pen in his hand, circling something in the single volume of "Midnight Diner".

His black-rimmed glasses had slipped down to the tip of his nose, and his gray hair was neatly combed. An old Panasonic television in the corner of the office was playing the morning news from Kumamoto Prefecture, with the image of Kumamon occasionally flashing across the screen. "Good morning, Editor-in-Chief Torishima," Tadokoro Masato bowed, gently placing his folder on the corner of his desk, careful not to knock over the coffee cup beside it. "Yesterday I spoke with Hiroshi Nohara on the phone about the manuscripts for those three manga, and also about Doraemon. I wanted to give you a detailed report."

Editor-in-Chief Torishima looked up, adjusted his glasses, and his gaze fell on Masato Tadokoro's tense face. He couldn't help but laugh: "Look how anxious you are. Have a seat. There's some freshly brewed matcha on the table. Help yourself to a cup—is there some good news from Hiroshi-san?"

"Yes! This is fantastic news!"

Tadokoro Masato quickly sat down, but didn't dare touch his teacup. He leaned forward slightly, his voice full of excitement: "Hiroshi-san said that he's already drawn fifteen chapters for each of 'Yu Yu Hakusho,' 'Doraemon,' and 'Midnight Diner'! The storyboards, lines, and even the reference color codes for coloring are all clearly marked. He'll personally deliver the manuscripts next week when he returns to Tokyo from Kumamoto—and he also said that he's finished the remaining fifteen chapters and will bring them over with him, so we don't have to wait!"

"Fifteen chapters in each book? And they finished them all at once?"

The ballpoint pen in Bird Island's hand fell to the table with a "clatter." He suddenly stood up from his chair, walked to the window, paced back and forth a couple of times, and unconsciously tapped the glass with his fingers.

The morning mist outside the window gradually dissipated, revealing a long queue outside the convenience store downstairs, but his mind was filled with Masato Tadokoro's words.

It's worth noting that the fight scenes in "Yu Yu Hakusho" are the most labor-intensive, with each frame's action transitions requiring precision; the gadget designs in "Doraemon" are meticulous, with the gears of the time machine and the textures of the Anywhere Door being flawless; and "Midnight Diner" must recreate the details of everyday life, with the oily sheen of tamagoyaki and the steam rising from miso soup depicted with a sense of everyday life.

If it were the most senior manga artist in the company, it would take at least two months to finish these three books at the same time, but Hiroshi Nohara finished them in just half a month.

"This efficiency... is outrageous."

The editor-in-chief of Torishima turned around, his surprise still lingering, but he couldn't help but laugh: "The last time I talked to him on the phone, he said he was helping a relative prepare for an engagement party. I was thinking the manuscript would have to wait until next month, but I didn't expect him to not even waste this little bit of time—Tadokoro, have you confirmed with him? Is the manuscript really okay? Don't let him miss some plot details in order to meet the deadline."

"I've confirmed it! I specifically asked three times!"

Tadokoro Masato quickly pulled out his notebook from the folder and flipped through the densely written text: "Hiroshi-san said that he has checked the storyboards for each episode, and the plot connections are fine. He even added two little Easter eggs to 'Doraemon' as a surprise for elementary school students. He also said that if we have any questions, we can call him or leave a message on his pager at any time. His cell phone is on 24 hours a day."

Editor-in-Chief Torishima took the notebook, glanced at it, and saw that Masato Tadokoro had circled "no plot holes" and "easter egg design" in red. He couldn't help but nod: "Good, good. But Tadokoro, you have to remember, when Hiroshi-san sends the manuscript over next week, you must check it page by page—especially 'Doraemon.' There are many elementary school readers now, so the characters' personalities can't go astray. Nobita's cowardice, Shizuka's gentleness, Gian's straightforwardness, and Doraemon's enthusiasm—all of these have to match the previous content. There absolutely cannot be any 'character inconsistencies' or 'plot inconsistencies,' understand?"

"Hey! I understand!"

Masato Tadokoro immediately straightened his back, his tone exceptionally firm: "I plan to take the manuscript to the proofreading room and go through it page by page with three senior proofreaders, checking the storyboards, lines, and even the details of the characters' expressions—for example, the position of Doraemon's bell must be the same in every episode; the angle of the scar on the owner of 'Midnight Diner' cannot be changed. If there is even the slightest problem, I will immediately confirm it with Hiroshi-san, and I will absolutely not allow any flawed manuscripts to go to the printing press."

The editor-in-chief of Bird Island patted him on the shoulder with satisfaction: "I trust you to get things done. By the way, besides the manga manuscripts, is there anything else? You mentioned 'Doraemon' earlier, is there any new development?"

Tadokoro Masato's eyes lit up and he quickly said, "Yes! Hiroshi-san asked about the Doraemon anime adaptation yesterday—he knows that the All Japan Manga Association, in conjunction with the Science and Technology Association, wants to turn this manga into an anime to promote it to elementary school students nationwide. He's particularly interested and even said he wants his Nohara Production Department to be in charge of the production!"

"Oh? He brought it up himself?"

Editor-in-Chief Torishima raised an eyebrow, walked to the television, and casually switched the channel to TV Tokyo. A rerun of "Tales of the Unusual" was playing on the screen. "This saves a lot of trouble. Actually, this was decided a long time ago. The Ministry of Education has already sent a letter saying that it wants to cultivate elementary school students' imagination through 'edutainment' animation, and 'Doraemon' is a key recommended work. And as you know, the ruling Liberal Democratic Party and TV Tokyo are from the same faction. Hiroshi-san is a director at TV Tokyo and the original author of 'Doraemon.' With him producing it, there will definitely be no objection from above."

He paused, picked up the Doraemon manga on the table, turned to the page where Nobita and Doraemon were eating dorayaki together, and said with a touch of emotion:

"Speaking of which, I first met Hiroshi-san two years ago. He was a recent college graduate who came to the company with the manuscript of 'Yu Yu Hakusho'. At the time, I was worried that he wouldn't be able to support a long-running serialization. I never expected that in just two years, he would not only become a third-level director at TV Tokyo with his own production department, but his manga would also become more and more popular—now even the Ministry of Education values ​​his work. Life is truly unpredictable."

Masato Tadokoro nodded in agreement, and couldn't help but laugh as he recalled the scene from two years ago: "Yes, back then Hiroshi-san was still wearing his school uniform and was quite shy when he spoke. Now, when he makes a phone call, his tone is as calm as a seasoned director. But he is still very polite to people. Yesterday, he asked me if Shueisha was busy lately and told me not to work too hard—unlike some authors who put on airs after they become famous."

"So you need to get along with him even more."

Editor-in-Chief Torishima turned off the television, turned around and sat back in his chair, his expression becoming serious: "Hiroshi-san is now the future of TV Tokyo and Shueisha. His works can boost our company's sales, and his resources at the TV station can also help our manga secure more opportunities for animation and live-action adaptations. In the future, pay more attention to his manuscripts, try your best to meet any needs he may have, and don't let him feel that Shueisha is neglecting its talent."

"Hey! I got it!"

Tadokoro Masato nodded vigorously: "From now on, I guarantee to reply to Hiroshi-san's pager messages within ten minutes; I will personally go to the door to pick up his manuscripts; if he has any new manga ideas, I will report to you immediately and try to get the project approved as soon as possible."

The editor-in-chief of Torishima smiled and waved his hand: "No need to be so nervous, just act normally—Hiroshi-san isn't the kind of person who cares about pomp and circumstance. By the way, when you came in just now, did you see the Kumamon plushie on my desk? My granddaughter insisted that I bring it yesterday, saying that this little bear is especially cute."

Following his gaze, Tadokoro Masato spotted a palm-sized Kumamon plush toy in the corner of the desk, its red vest bearing the words "Kumamoto." "I see! My daughter has one too. She sleeps with it every day and says she wants me to take her to Kumamoto to see the real Kumamon. By the way, editor-in-chief, were you watching the Kumamoto Prefecture TV station just now? When I called yesterday, Hiroshi-san said he was the one who filmed the Kumamon promotional video."

"you do not say!"

The editor-in-chief of Bird Island picked up the doll, gently pinched Kumamon's round ears, and smiled broadly: "I watch Kumamoto Prefecture's morning news every day just to see the Kumamon short video—you see it walking unsteadily, occasionally tripping and falling, not at all pretentious, much more pleasing to the eye than those idols who try to act cute. With my years of experience in publishing, if Kumamon were adapted into a manga, it would definitely be a hit, especially among elementary school students, they would definitely love it."

Tadokoro Masato immediately chimed in, “Editor-in-chief, you’re absolutely right! Hiroshi-san told me yesterday that he’s already preparing the manga manuscript for Kumamon, and his fiancée Misae’s ‘Future Manga Studio’ will be in charge of the drawing—you know President Misae, right? She’s the one who did the coloring for ‘Midnight Diner’ before. The manga artists in her studio are all very talented. The illustrations she drew for ‘Doraemon’ last time received particularly good feedback from readers. Hiroshi-san said that once the manga manuscript is finished, he will submit it to Shueisha for publication, and he asked me to let you know in advance.”

"Oh? Is there such a thing?"

The editor-in-chief of Bird Island's eyes lit up instantly, forgetting to put down the doll in his hand: "That's fantastic! Kumamon is already a hit in Kumamoto. If we can publish a manga and promote it with the popularity of the Doraemon anime, it might become this year's 'phenomenal manga'! We'll work closely with Future Manga Studio, and do the layout, printing, and promotion to the highest standards, aiming for sales of over 100,000 copies in the first week!"

"I think so too!"

Tadokoro Masato leaned forward excitedly: "I left a message on President Misae's pager yesterday, saying that Shueisha is really looking forward to the collaboration. When she returns to Tokyo, I'll arrange to meet her to discuss the manga's size, printing paper, and merchandise development in detail—such as Kumamon stickers and notebooks, which I'm sure will sell well."

Editor-in-Chief Torishima smiled with satisfaction, picked up the matcha on the table, took a sip, and said with a tone full of relief, "Okay, I'll leave this to you. We now have three manga sequels by Hiroshi-san, as well as two big projects: the Doraemon anime adaptation and the Kumamon manga. Our performance in the second half of the year is definitely secure. In a little while, compile today's report into a document and bring it to my desk. I need to report to the president this afternoon. Oh, and remember to clearly indicate the submission date for Hiroshi-san's manuscript next week. I'd also like to meet with him then to discuss future cooperation plans."

"Hey! I'll get right there and get it sorted out!"

Masato Tadokoro stood up, bowed, and quickly walked out of the office with his folder in his hand.

The sound of other editors discussing manuscripts could be heard in the corridor, along with the clicking of printers. Tadokoro Masato touched the pager in his pocket, and couldn't help but smile as he recalled Hiroshi Nohara's gentle tone from yesterday.

He had a feeling that his collaboration with Hiroshi Nohara would make Shueisha a hit in the manga industry again, and that he himself would be able to use this opportunity to establish himself in the publishing industry.

In the office, the editor-in-chief of the Torishima manga picked up the Doraemon manga, turned to the first page, and looked at the scene of Nobita and Doraemon's first meeting. The corners of his mouth unconsciously turned up.

He recalled what Masato Tadokoro had said earlier, and glanced at the Kumamon plush toy on the table, thinking to himself—when Hiroshi Nohara comes to Tokyo next week, he must talk to him about a long-term collaboration, and maybe he can even sign an exclusive manga rights deal with him.

After all, creators like Hiroshi Nohara, who are both talented and knowledgeable about industry rules, are not people you meet every day.

Morning light streamed through the office window, falling on the cover of the single-volume book. The blue Doraemon, holding a dorayaki, looked especially cute in the light and shadow.

Editor-in-Chief Torishima gently closed the book, already filled with anticipation—anticipation for the grand opening of the Doraemon anime, anticipation for the bestseller status of the Kumamon manga, and even more anticipation for Hiroshi Nohara to bring more heartwarming and creative works like this, so that Japan can have more memorable moments.

'Jingle Bell--'

Just as the editor-in-chief of Bird Island put the Doraemon manga back on the corner of the desk, the old-fashioned landline in the office suddenly rang, its crisp sound breaking the morning's tranquility.

His fingertips were still stained with the red ink he had used to draw the circles earlier. He subconsciously wiped them on his suit sleeve and reached for the microphone.

This old-fashioned rotary telephone feels heavy in the hand, and the metal handset is slightly cool to the touch when held against the ear.

"Hello, this is the manga department of Shueisha. This is Torishima." His tone unconsciously became calm and steady. Most of the calls that went directly to the editor-in-chief's office were official or important business contacts, and there was no room for carelessness.

A deep, formal male voice came from the other end of the line, with a distinctly official tone and every word exuding seriousness: "Good morning, Torishima-san. I am Takeru Satoh from the Education Promotion Bureau of the Ministry of Education, and I also serve as the liaison director of the All Japan Manga Association. I am calling to invite you to an important meeting."

"Director Sato! Hello, hello!"

Torishima quickly sat up straight, his fingers unconsciously tightening around the receiver. Direct contact from the Ministry of Education was rare, and he immediately tensed up: "What's the topic of the meeting? What materials do I need to prepare in advance?"

The theme of the conference was "A Discussion on Policies for Adapting Educational Comics and Animations for Primary School Students".

Takeru Satoh's voice came through the receiver, with the faint rustling of pages turning in the background: "Recently, the Ministry of Education has received feedback from many local education committees saying that there are too few high-quality comics suitable for elementary school students. They want to work with the Comics Association and the Science and Technology Association to select a batch of works that fit the 'edutainment' theme and focus on promoting their animation, so that more children can access positive content through animation. As a leading publisher in the industry, Shueisha will definitely participate."

Torishima's heart skipped a beat, and he almost immediately thought of "Doraemon"—Tadokoro Masato had mentioned before that the Manga Association wanted to promote the work, and now the Ministry of Education was directly organizing a meeting, wasn't this just handing the opportunity to him?
He quickly said, "Director Sato, don't worry! Shueisha will definitely cooperate fully! I happen to have a work on hand, 'Doraemon,' which tells the story of the robot cat and the elementary school student Nobita. It has themes of friendship, courage, and many plots about 'hard work pays off.' The feedback from readers has been excellent, especially among elementary school students. Every issue's letters fill half a drawer. I will definitely bring detailed information about this work to this meeting and properly introduce its advantages!"

"Doraemon, um, I remember that."

Takeru Satoh paused, followed by the soft sound of pages turning, as if he were checking some documents: "This work was given a very high priority in the list of recommendations submitted by the Manga Association. Torishima-san, you really need to prepare this introductory material well—not only should you talk about the plot, but you should also compile reader feedback and elementary school teachers' comments. It would be best to bring a few chapters of the original manuscript so that the committee members attending the meeting can get a direct feel for the style of the work."

His tone suddenly softened, becoming less official and more subtle: "This meeting will ultimately determine 3-5 key works to be promoted. The Ministry of Education will provide policy support for the animation adaptations of these works and will also coordinate broadcast time slots on television. The tone of some of these works is actually quite compatible with the Ministry of Education's needs. The more thorough the preparation in advance, the smoother the process will be at the meeting—you understand what I mean?"

Torishima's mind instantly brightened. Sato Takeru's words had made it very clear—Doraemon had most likely been "targeted" by the Ministry of Education, and as long as it was presented well at the meeting, its selection was practically guaranteed.

He quickly bowed and nodded into the receiver, his gratitude evident even though the other person couldn't see him: "Hi! I completely understand! Thank you for reminding me, Director Sato! I'll arrange for someone to compile the materials today, including the original manuscript of 'Doraemon,' excerpts from reader letters, and even the 'student popularity survey' that Shogakukan gave us. I'll make sure we can thoroughly explain the advantages of the work at the meeting!"

"No need to be so polite, this is also to promote the development of primary school education content."

Sato Takeru's voice returned to its previous formal tone: "The meeting is scheduled for 10:00 AM this Friday in the first conference room on the third floor of the Ministry of Education building. I'll have my secretary fax the meeting agenda and a list of materials to be prepared to the front desk of Shueisha shortly. Please have the staff check it."

"Okay, okay! I'll have the receptionist keep an eye out for the fax in a bit!"

Bird Island quickly agreed, afraid of missing any details: "I will definitely arrive half an hour early on Friday. If there is any additional material needed, please call me anytime. My phone is on 24 hours a day."

After hanging up the phone, Bird Island's editor-in-chief remained stunned for a few seconds, holding the receiver, until he heard the whistle of a tram arriving at the station outside the window, which snapped him back to reality.

He put down the phone, his fingertips tapping lightly on the table, his excitement barely contained.

With policy support from the Ministry of Education and Culture and broadcasting resources from television stations, once the Doraemon anime adaptation is finalized, it will not only boost Shueisha's sales to a new level, but also establish a closer cooperative relationship with the Ministry of Education, which is a great thing for the company's future development.

"Boom boom boom——"

The knocking sounded again, and Tadokoro Masato walked in carrying the prepared report materials. Seeing the smile on Editor-in-Chief Torishima's face, he couldn't help but ask curiously, "Editor-in-Chief Torishima, why are you so happy? Did you have some good news just now?"

"Good news! Great news!"

Torishima, the editor-in-chief, pointed to the phone on the table, his voice full of excitement: "Director Sato from the Ministry of Education just called and asked us to attend the policy seminar on Friday. The topic is educational comics and anime adaptations for elementary school students. I've already told him that we'll focus on introducing 'Doraemon.' He also subtly reminded us that the tone of this work is very compatible with the needs of the Ministry of Education. As long as we prepare our materials thoroughly, the probability of being selected is very high!"

Tadokoro Masato nearly dropped the materials in his hands, his eyes widening instantly: "The Ministry of Education directly invited us? And they even mentioned Doraemon? Doesn't that mean the anime adaptation is basically a done deal?"

"Whether it's stable or not depends on our performance at the meeting, but at least the opportunity is right in front of us."

Editor-in-Chief Torishima stood up, walked to the filing cabinet, and pulled out the reader letters and sales reports for "Doraemon": "You need to do three things right now: First, organize the serialized content of 'Doraemon' into a plot summary, highlighting the scenes that elementary school students will find relatable, such as Nobita helping Shizuka find her lost notebook, or Doraemon using gadgets to help everyone solve problems; Second, make ten copies of the 'student popularity survey' that Shogakukan previously provided, and select twenty representative reader letters to bind into a book; Third, go to the proofreading room and borrow the original manuscripts of the five most exciting chapters of 'Doraemon.' We'll take them to the meeting on Friday so the committee members can see the drawing skills and storyboards firsthand."

"Hey! I'll get on it right now!"

Tadokoro Masato, clutching the materials, turned and ran towards the door, his steps quicker than usual. He stopped at the door, turned back, and asked, "Should we inform Hiroshi Nohara beforehand? So he can be prepared."

The editor-in-chief of Bird Island thought for a moment and shook his head: "No need to rush. Let's wait until the meeting on Friday has a clear result before we talk to him in detail. Telling him now might distract him if there are any changes. Once it's confirmed that 'Doraemon' has been selected, we can invite him over to discuss the details of the animation, such as character design and coordination with the production team. That would be a more prudent approach."

“You’re right!” Masato Tadokoro nodded and quickly left the office.

The editor-in-chief, Bird Island, sat back down in his chair, picked up the Doraemon manga, and turned to the page where Nobita and Doraemon were repairing the old toys together.

In the scene, Nobita is squatting on the ground, carefully sewing ears onto a teddy bear, while Doraemon helps him with a mini sewing machine. Sunlight streams through the window, warming them together.

He lightly brushed his fingertips across the paper, and suddenly remembered what Takeru Satoh had said earlier—"The tone of some works is very compatible with the needs of the Ministry of Education."

Yes, Doraemon doesn't have intense conflicts or complicated conspiracies; it only has friendship between children, the pursuit of dreams, and the belief that "there is hope as long as you don't give up." This kind of work is truly "enlightening" content suitable for elementary school students.

The television in the corner of the office was still playing news from Kumamoto Prefecture. On the screen, Kumamon was clumsily helping an elderly woman carry her shopping bags, attracting passersby to take pictures.

Looking at the wobbly little bear and then at the Doraemon book in his hand, the editor-in-chief of Torishima suddenly felt that Hiroshi Nohara always seemed to be able to accurately grasp the softest part of people's hearts.

Whether it's a comic, an animation, or even a cute mascot, they can all bring warmth to people.

He picked up a ballpoint pen and wrote down "Friday's Meeting Highlights" in his notebook:
1. Highlights of the Doraemon plot;
2. Reader feedback data display;
3. Feasibility analysis of animation adaptation.

After finishing writing, he drew a small Doraemon head next to it, as if to cheer himself up.

The morning mist outside the window had completely dissipated, and sunlight streamed through the glass into the office, falling on the Doraemon manga volumes. The blue robot cat looked particularly vivid in the light and shadow.

Editor-in-Chief Torishima closed his notebook, already looking forward to Friday's meeting—he had a premonition that after this meeting, Doraemon would embark on a brand new journey, and Shueisha would also take a step up to a new level.

(End of this chapter)