Full-time comic artist

Computers have developed rapidly in recent years, and online ordering has become possible.

There are more channels now.

It is a benefit of the times.

In addition, Slam Dunk dominated the top spot for three years during its serialization, attracting many readers, which was a much better environment than the serialization environment of Inoue-sensei.

At least it won't compete with Dragon Ball for readers.

"Teacher, keep it up!" Omori encouraged, clenching his fist.

"This isn't something you can just do by adding fuel," Higashino Hibiki shook his head.

……

The recent serialization of "Slam Dunk" is in a lull, with no matches to draw for more than two months, allowing Hibiki Higashino to focus most of his energy on "Millennium Actress".

Just then, something interrupted his plans.

Three and a half years later, Kazuhiko Torishima visited Hibiki Higashino once again.

"Ah, you've matured so much." He suddenly exclaimed as soon as he sat down on the sofa, "Although you attend the New Year's party every year, in my memory, you are still the same boy from 1993."

He started talking about the past, which made Higashino Hibiki's thoughts drift back to those days as well.

Six years have passed. Torishima Kazuhiko, the editor-in-chief of Jump, has aged considerably. His afro has long since been replaced by a neat middle part, styled with mousse.

"I am truly grateful for Mr. Torishima's boundless tolerance towards me back then."

Torishima Kazuhiko waved his hand, "Haha, because you are very talented."

The two of them were talking in the living room, and Omori was extremely nervous. "It really is Editor-in-Chief Torishima Kazuhiko! How cool!"

He said it was so cool, probably because Torishima Kazuhiko's visit to Hibino Hibiki was so cool.

Torishima Kazuhiko looked at Hibino Hibiki and said, "Don't take your health for granted just because you're young. Health is the foundation of drawing manga. Look at Togashi Yoshihiro; he can't draw manga well because of back pain. The last time I visited him, he was drawing manga while lying down."

"However, it's surprising that Togashi didn't take many breaks during the serialization of 'Hunter x Hunter'."

Hibiki Higashino touched his dark circles and said, "I've been feeling relaxed lately. The Slam Dunk tournament is over, so I can finally get some rest."

"However, Togashi-sensei might relapse into his old ways in the future. It's normal to have motivation when you first start serializing and setting up the world, but it will quickly become boring after that. Mr. Torishima, you should be prepared for that."

This is Yoshihiro Togashi, a character deeply hated by readers.

It was common for updates to be interrupted for a year or two. The longest hiatus was over 800 days.

“I had expected this,” Torishima Kazuhiko nodded with a smile, “After all, that’s Yoshihiro Togashi.”

Yoshihiro Togashi is a very easy person to talk to, gentle and reserved, and generous to his assistants.

However, he was unexpectedly tough when dealing with the editorial department, which troubled Torishima Kazuhiko. Gradually, he became numb to it and no longer cared.

Akemi Akemi handed over tea, and Hibiki Higashino asked curiously, "Mr. Torishima, is there something you need from me today?"

Torishima Kazuhiko's expression turned awkward; his eyebrows twitched, and he swallowed hard.

Higashino urged, "Just tell me."

He's very busy with work.

“Alright,” after a moment, Torishima Kazuhiko took a sip of tea, “Do you know ‘Jump Festa’?”

Hibiki Higashino naturally knew about "Jump Festa," which was an event jointly organized by Weekly Shonen Jump, V-Jump, and Jump Square.

The event will feature a limited-time sale of Jump manga merchandise, displays of original manga chapters, appearances by anime voice actors, and numerous cosplay events.

Oda and others participated in the 1998 "Jump Festa," but Hibiki Higashino was not invited and did not go to the event. He heard it was very lively.

"On December 18, 1999, the 2000 'Jump Festa' event will begin, marking the official opening of this event. I would like to invite you to participate! 'Slam Dunk' is one of the participating works."

On the day the event officially opened, Higashino Hibiki was deeply moved to find himself there, realizing that Torishima Kazuhiko truly valued him.

Rather, it's the two significant dates: the millennium and the official opening.

“So… cough,” Torishima Kazuhiko turned his head away and said in a low voice, “I need you to draw a short spin-off of Slam Dunk.”

Higashino suddenly realized that this was where they had been waiting for him. The opening ceremony needed a grand finale performance, so they chose "Slam Dunk".

When Torishima Kazuhiko came in, he told me to take a break, showing that he cared about me a lot.

Now he has to assign himself work again, no wonder he feels embarrassed.

"No, no, no!" Higashino Hibiki waved his hands frantically.

With "Slam Dunk," "Millennium Actress," and this spin-off, how can I possibly handle drawing so much content this year?

And he's getting married this year.

"You'd better find someone else."

Torishima Kazuhiko insisted, "Can't you try a little harder?"

"Akira Toriyama will also be attending this event; he was responsible for designing KAIZO-kun, the mascot of 'Jump Festa.'"

"Wouldn't it be wonderful if you master and disciple reunited and had a chat?"

Higashino was sweating profusely.

"Career is important, but love is definitely more important."

He stated frankly, "I really want to attend 'Jump Festa,' but I want to give Ms. Akimiya a happy wedding even more."

Torishima Kazuhiko scratched his head, "There's nothing we can do about it..."

“Let’s participate.” Akemi Akimiya, who was watching from the sidelines, exclaimed in surprise, “Millennium Actress can be finished in August, and a short spin-off of Slam Dunk can be completed in December with some effort.”

Hibiki Higashino retorted, "But we're getting married on September 24th."

“That’s right.” Torishima Kazuhiko nodded. “A wedding only happens once in a lifetime, so it’s probably best not to attend ‘Jump Festa’.”

He has now come to his senses. While "Jump Festa" is important, Hibiki Higashino's wedding is even more important.

"Jump Festa" will still be held in the future, but Hibiki Higashino's wedding will only happen once.

As an elder, Kazuhiko Torishima hoped to see him happy.

He abandoned his original purpose and immediately felt refreshed.

“Hibiki, please be frank,” Akemi Akemi looked into Hibiki Higashino’s eyes and asked seriously, “Is the wedding important to you? Do you consider such a ceremony sacred?”

Higashino Hibiki was taken aback. Faced with Akemi Akemi's question, he pondered for a long time before finally revealing his true thoughts.

“No,” Higashino shook his head. He didn’t like formalities and felt that such ceremonies were just a hassle for him. Neither the couple would gain any real benefit from a wedding.

He wanted to hold a grand wedding, all for Akemi Akemi.

Hibiki Higashino once attended a female classmate's wedding. It was in a big hotel with a catwalk, lots of bouquets, flashing lights, a white wedding dress, and hundreds of people offering their blessings.

The female classmate was very happy and enjoyed it. She also said that most of the girls were looking forward to this wedding.

Hibiki Higashino said, "I just want to make you happy."

“Actually, I think the same thing as you,” Akemi Akemi breathed a sigh of relief.

“I don’t want to waste too much time on unnecessary weddings,” she said frankly. “I’m more comfortable drawing comics.”

Higashino understood. He took a deep breath and said to Torishima Kazuhiko, "I will participate in this event. What is the latest date for the spin-off?"

With a smile on his face, Torishima Kazuhiko said that a couple with similar values ​​would surely have a harmonious future.

What did you just say?

He was startled awake by Higashino Hibiki and asked.

Higashino Hibiki, exasperated, repeated himself.

"We need to allow time for proofreading, review, printing, and distribution. Please submit the original manuscript to me no later than December 8th."

"Time is tight, but it's okay."

Hibiki Higashino stood up. "I won't see you out."

"what?"

"I'm in a hurry to draw comics. If you're not busy, the door is on the left."

Torishima Kazuhiko: "..."

He was indeed angry.

……

In mid-June, Hibiki Higashino was considering a spin-off of "Slam Dunk" and needed to find a starting point.

Since it's called "Slam Dunk," the content must be about basketball.

There's nothing worth exploring about Sakuragi Hanamichi during his delinquent period.

But when he started playing basketball, he was already quite mature, leaving no room for further development.

The same applies to Takenori Akagi and Hisashi Mitsui.

In Slam Dunk, their background lines are clearly defined.

I can't draw anything outstanding.

As for Rukawa Kaede, he is the purest, with only basketball in his heart and nothing else.

Hibiki Higashino now understands why Takehiko Inoue chose Ryota Miyagi for his "Slam Dunk" movie.

Of the five main players, only Ryota Miyagi has almost no off-court descriptions. Apart from the fact that he joined the basketball team because of Ayako, Miyagi's background is somewhat empty.

At 168cm tall, he faced opponents like Fujima, Maki Shinichi, Sendoh, and even the nation's number one, Sawakita Eiji. What experiences sustained Miyagi Ryota in the face of these monsters?

Adding details to Miyagi's life is Inoue Takehiko's contribution to "Slam Dunk".

All of this is meaningful.

However, he used this approach in the feature film of the national tournament.

This is an explanation to readers after 26 years of agonizing waiting.

The story of Miyagi won't satisfy readers. They'd much rather see a story about the five of them together.

They miss their lost childhood.

Aside from that, the movie is quite good.