Full-time comic artist

When Kogure uttered those words, Yamamura Morimichi trembled from head to toe.

The character of Kogure is incredibly vivid.

He now regrets not reading the comic book sooner.

Feel the charm of this episode while sitting on the bench outside the convenience store.

But it's not too late now; there's still some content left, and he couldn't wait to start reading.

Ryota Miyagi pointed at Mitsui and said, "You're the one who's stuck in the past and can't break free."

This sentence sums up Mitsui Hisashi as he is today.

His life began to change, and Mitsui never appeared in the gymnasium again.

However, out of jealousy towards Miyagi Ryota, she repeatedly caused trouble for Miyagi.

If you really don't want to play basketball, then you should stay away from all the controversies surrounding basketball.

Mitsui Hisashi's face was covered in sweat, and his emotions were surging.

Since entering the stadium, as Kogure recounts his past, his emotions have gone through many ups and downs.

Reflect on the past and understand yourself.

Lacking the courage to change, stubbornly denying their former selves.

Looking at Mitsui Hisashi like this, Yamamura Morimichi suddenly realized: "It really is a turning point in his life."

With the emotional build-up and the explosive performance, it's time for Mitsui Hisashi, the best player of the past, to make his comeback.

How spectacular would his performance be, wearing the number 14 jersey? The mountain village grew curious.

But the story doesn't reach its climax here.

A person came.

Because of this person's appearance, Mitsui's defenses, like the Maginot Line, collapsed instantly.

"It's me, open the door."

The camera focused on the closed doors of the stadium, with just two simple sentences.

This was the first time Mitsui Hisashi had ever been so flustered.

"Open the door quickly!"

Ayako immediately ran over.

As the stadium doors opened, a plump old man appeared in the light—it was Coach Anzai.

He didn't say anything; he just showed up there.

When Mitsui saw Coach Anzai, his composure crumbled.

Like ashes after a fire, one's mind goes blank, and one becomes completely at a loss.

“It’s you.” Coach Anzai adjusted his glasses and said gently.

Just those two simple words caused Mitsui's pupils to tremble violently. He remembered what Coach Anzai had said to him during the match against Yokota.

"Never give up hope until the very last moment. Once you give up, the game is over."

What followed was his own journey of moral decline.

Mitsui Hisashi had a bruised and swollen face, with blood all over his nose. He abandoned all his principles and poured out his heart to his elders in a disheveled state.

“Coach…Coach Anzai…”

Mitsui Hisashi burst into tears instantly, unable to support himself, his whole body trembling, and finally he knelt on the ground.

"I...I want to play basketball."

"I want to play basketball."

……

Upon seeing this, the village chief was struck dumb.

This is where the most exciting part is.

The masterful use of cinematography and superb camerawork, along with the emotions built up over time, culminate in this moment.

"Coach, I want to play basketball."

With the utterance of this sentence, the core of this chapter was elevated.

From a troublemaking thug to a fallen genius, and finally to a man who sees the error of his ways and returns to the right path, this is the central theme.

This story of a prodigal son returning home deeply moved the village chief.

"What a wonderful episode, what a wonderful ending."

He watched as Mitsui cut his long hair and returned to the basketball team, and breathed a sigh of relief.

"You drew it so well, thank you, Tori Akino."

……

“Mitsui cut his long hair, abandoned his pride and arrogance, and returned to the Shohoku basketball team. It may take him some time to get along with the team members, and the two years of absence cannot be easily made up.”

"I think one day he will become an indispensable figure in Shohoku."

Takasugi Kazuya sighed.

The character of Mitsui Hisashi is brilliantly portrayed, vividly depicting his triumphs, setbacks, and eventual resurrection.

This incredibly moving story touched Kazuya Takasugi deeply.

Mitsui Hisashi's story was something he could never forget for the rest of his life.

……

Kanda Takehito trembled all over.

He looked at a framed image in a comic book, depicting Mitsui crying and expressing his desire to play basketball.

Upon seeing this, he mentally retraced his own past.

I fell in love with basketball, found like-minded teammates, and set off for the national competition, dreaming of dominating the country!

After glory comes depravity, followed by idleness and a life of aimless drifting.

At this moment, as Mitsui Hisashi shed genuine tears, Kanda Takehito also felt the same way.

He wants to continue playing basketball!

With that thought in mind, Kanda Takehito, clutching a manga magazine, walked toward the basketball team.

Basketball team activity room.

"I want to join the Donghai basketball team! Please!"

"You bastard! At such an important moment, you're still holding a comic book! Are you even thinking straight?!"

However, after Kanda repeatedly bowed and apologized, he eventually joined the Tokai basketball team.

In return, the basketball team captain took away his comic book and started reading it himself.

Not long after, he burst into tears.

"Mitsui! Mitsui! This is truly touching."

"Coach! I want to play basketball!"

……

Akira Toriyama waited at the door, and not long after, a man rode by on a tricycle.

"Here's the Shonen Jump you requested."

"Thank you, Brother Tara," Akira Toriyama said gratefully.

In the countryside, Jump is also hard to buy.

Fortunately, there are always people coming to the city, and he will ask them for help.

“It’s nothing,” Taro said, pointing to the comic book. “But didn’t you stop drawing comics? Do you still need to read this?”

“Of course, comics aren’t just work, they’re also part of life and entertainment,” Akira Toriyama grinned.

Moreover, he paid special attention to a particular comic book.

That's Slam Dunk.

This work started out unremarkable, but as the competition gained popularity, the recent episodes have become particularly suspenseful, as if it is setting up a very interesting story.

Akira Toriyama was very curious.

He also wanted to see how far Higashino Hibiki could go.

Back in the living room, he sat down in a chair, spread out the comics on the coffee table, and began to read them intently.

As the manga ended, Akira Toriyama's expression became extremely serious.

"That kid, Tori Akino..."

At this point, even Akira Toriyama couldn't have imagined Hibiki Higashino's achievements.

"If the ending of Dragon Ball was due to him abandoning the rhythm of the work and taking shortcuts, then..."

"Then this chapter is definitely number one."

The most exciting part of the Slam Dunk manga begins after a single line from Mitsui Hisashi.

“Moreover…” Stroking the manga, Akira Toriyama looked at the drawing of Hisashi Mitsui crying and was filled with emotion, “I saw the spirituality in his manga, the finishing touch that brought the work to life.”

This frame made him feel as if he were seeing Higashino Hibiki's paintings when he was a child.

Moreover, these are not immature paintings, but works with a solid foundation, refined through countless trials and tribulations, resulting in works inspired by divine inspiration.

"It's really well drawn."

Looking at Jump's poor-quality graphics, he felt a surge of frustration.

Higashino Higashino's strengths in drawing were partially erased, and he was also unable to fully appreciate that spark of inspiration.

With that in mind, Akira Toriyama picked up the phone and dialed Hibiki Higashino.