Full-time comic artist

Just then, someone peeked out and stared in disbelief at the tearful Wataru.

“Eh…” Tetsuo Kameda was taken aback.

The dignity of being the older brother is gone...

He wiped away his tears hastily and asked in a hoarse voice, "Are you alright?"

If you have nothing else to do, hurry up and get out!

“Big brother,” Tsubasa walked over, staring blankly at Tetsuo Miantian, whose eyes were bloodshot, and noticed that he kept dodging.

"What happened?"

"What's wrong? Don't disturb me while I'm watching TV!"

Tsubasa then noticed the television, which was showing "Anohana: The Flower We Saw That Day".

Thinking about how her classmates were saying this anime was very moving, Tsubasa Kameda couldn't help but have an idea.

"Could it be? Brother, you are...?" He hesitated.

"If you tell me, I'll kill you." Tatsumi Matsuda's eyes widened, his murderous intent palpable.

"I'm sorry!" Tsubasa Miantian jumped in fright and immediately explained:

"What I want to say is that the video store near my home is selling the first volume of 'Anohana' on DVD."

Just then, the animation ended.

"Why didn't you say so earlier?" Mian Tianche rushed out.

Only Tsubasa was left standing in the living room.

Is Anohana really that amazing?

He couldn't understand it; it was just a very ordinary animated film.

……

There were long lines at the video store near his home, and Watada Tetsu, wearing slippers, was very annoyed. He could only wait patiently.

Two more minutes passed, and the shopkeeper handed out a sign at the end of the line, indicating that the item was sold out.

He breathed a sigh of relief, thankful that he hadn't arrived too late.

He often saw people arrive excitedly, only to leave disappointed.

"Does a youth romance anime like 'Anohana' really have such a large audience?"

However, upon closer reflection, this is a work made with care, and it is only natural that it has gained everyone's recognition.

Another twenty minutes passed, and finally we arrived at Mian Tian Che.

Luckily, he brought his wallet with him when he came out.

A disc cost 5600 yen, which was excellent value for him. This was a testament to his support for the animation company.

After all, broadcasting Japanese anime is like advertising, and you have to pay the TV station for that.

If you like their work after seeing the advertisement, then buying it is perfectly normal.

"I hope the animation company doesn't lose money; I want to see their other works."

He, an outsider, only bought one disc, while the otaku next to him bought three, saying that watching, collecting, and preaching were all indispensable, which Wataru couldn't understand.

"This is the best anime of April. And Mei is so cute!" The otaku gave a thumbs up.

"What's a little money for your wife?"

……

A week after the release of the "Anohana: The Flower We Saw That Day" DVD, Mirai-sha was filled with cheers.

While everyone was anxiously anticipating the sales figures, I couldn't contain my excitement when I heard that the first volume of "Anohana: The Flower We Saw That Day" had sold 3.2 copies!

That's 3.2!

It's truly terrifying.

Kiko Takagi calculated the profit; if the average sales volume per volume was around 3000, then she could break even.

If it's around 5000, then I'm just barely satisfied.

Her target was 10,000, and that's what made it a bestseller.

Mirai-sha's first step will be a solid one.

But no matter how hard she tried, she never expected that 3.2 copies would be sold!

3.2 multiplied by 5600 equals approximately 1.8 million yen. After deducting taxes and fees and the portion given to the publisher, receiving 1 million yen should not be a problem.

Based on the budget of 3000 million yen for two episodes per disc, Mirai-sha is making a killing.

Considering that 8-9% of animation in Japan are currently losing money, this can be called a beacon of hope for the industry.

"I'm so amazing!" she couldn't help but think. Although she knew that most of the credit belonged to Tori Akino Mirai and Asahina Yuko, she still felt inflated.

"Hahahaha!"

……

Hibiki Higashino suddenly had an idea: animation is so profitable, why bother drawing manga? He might as well just jump into the animation industry.

Anohana: The Flower We Saw That Day earned 7000 million yen per DVD, and a total of five DVDs will be released, which would amount to 3.5 million yen.

These are just the initial figures. As the anime continues to air, sales of the second and third volumes will continue to rise.

Ultimately, achieving an average sales volume of 4 should not be a problem.

In addition to single DC releases, music compilations, and merchandise licensing...

With that movie "Anohana," earning 10 billion yuan a year wouldn't be a problem for him.

"Ah, only 10 billion..."

This money is only enough for him to pay taxes on his comic book earnings this year...

"I think I'll just keep drawing comics..." he thought dejectedly, having thought he could retire.

……

Hibiki Higashino rushed to Shueisha with the storyboard for "Millennium Actress".

On the way, he saw a group of protesters, who were right-wing activists.

They believed that befriending China would harm Japan's interests.

The more friendly China-Japan relations are, the more likely some strange things will happen.

Upon arriving at Shueisha, Hibiki Higashino handed "Millennium Actress" to Takashi Sasaki.

"Why the long face?" Sasaki asked casually, looking at the actress.

"Nothing's wrong," Hibiki Higashino replied, looking out the window.

"I see."

Sasaki stopped asking questions and started reading the manga.

He spent 30 minutes reading the 200-page document, reading it very attentively.

After reading it once, Sasaki flipped back to the previous pages and read for a while longer.

This story is inherently complex, with a stream-of-consciousness feel, where time and space intertwine, and the characters' psychology constantly shifts, requiring careful appreciation.

After a long pause, Sasaki let out a long sigh, "What a wonderful story."

"It is on par with Osamu Tezuka's works."

He was referring to the depth of "Millennium Actress".

"The stories in Fujiwara Chiyoko's films are intertwined with her real-life experiences, both fictional and real, expressing a comparison between a thousand years of history and the individual's inner world, which is both grand and delicate."

"Beneath the magnificent and splendid atmosphere lies Chiyoko's emotions. The conflict between collective consciousness and the individual."

"Such works are as stunning and beautiful as the David statue."

As an editor, Sasaki Takashi's ability to quickly grasp the essence of "Millennium Actress" and express his own opinions demonstrates his reading comprehension skills.

“That’s what I think too.” Higashino Hibiki nodded.

Sasaki kept nodding as he looked at "Millennium Actress," clearly enamored with it.

This comic is destined to attract industry attention and receive widespread acclaim. But it's not the kind of work that should be available on the Jump platform.

He should appear on the big screen, not be watched by young readers.

Thinking of this, Sasaki said in surprise, "Tori Akino-sensei, this work doesn't seem like your style."

Unlike "Hikaru no Go" and "Slam Dunk," it carries the passion and fighting spirit of youth.

Unlike "The Garden of Words" and "5 Centimeters Per Second," it contains the pain and emotion of love.

It is so unique and distinctive.

Like Osamu Tezuka's "Phoenix", it carries philosophical thought and artistry.

Higashino was taken aback, but after a moment he came to his senses, "It just came to mind suddenly."

“Hmm,” Sasaki stroked his chin. He was really reluctant to part with “Millennium Actress.” This work might become another milestone for Jump, shining alongside the most popular “Dragon Ball.”

"Short serialization is perfectly fine."

He directly agreed on behalf of Kazuhiko Torishima.

He was still somewhat reluctant to hand the storyboard back to Higashino Hibiki.

"I should take my leave now." Higashino Hibiki stood up.

Sasaki saw him out.

Upon arriving at the lobby of Shueisha, the elevator happened to be on the first floor. Higashino saw the people inside the elevator: several university students wearing name tags and looking excited.

“They’re students visiting,” Sasaki said, noticing Higashino’s curiosity.

"Some of them dream of becoming editors."

People who treat their career as a dream would be great as editors.