Full-time comic artist

Chapter 249, "Earrings," was published in Jump.

“Akami is my wife,” Hibiki Higashino replied.

"They are a perfect match," editor Fukatsu said with slight surprise.

Akemi Akemi blushed slightly. "You flatter me."

"This is my true opinion."

After exchanging greetings, the three of them each ordered a glass of orange juice.

“Let’s get straight to the point,” Editor Fukatsu said, looking at the file bag Akemi Akemi had brought. “Is that the storyboard for ‘Sakura Quest’? Please let me take a look.”

“Of course, but…” Akemi Akemi answered carefully, “It’s been a while since the storyboard for ‘Sakura Quest’ was completed, and I also brought the original manuscript I drew…”

"The original manuscript?" Editor Fukatsu was taken aback. Her mouth was dry, and she licked her lips. "Please let me see it."

"They've already drawn the original manuscript before even confirming the serialization; they must be really confident."

In fact, this was Akemi Akimiya's best effort to ensure the success of the serialization.

He told the editor that serialization was not a problem for him.

She couldn't wait any longer and didn't want to waste her free time.

Editor Fukatsu opened the file folder, and in an instant, her pupils contracted.

This drawing skill is truly amazing.

It's even better than most shonen manga.

Although limited by realistic themes, she couldn't create surreal backgrounds and character designs, but editor Fukatsu could still sense Akemi Akimiya's skill in every detail.

Take hair for example, there are very few shoujo manga that can draw hair with a sense of fine strands.

"Is it really necessary to do this for a shoujo manga?" Editor Fukatsu wondered.

She looked up in surprise and glanced at Akemi Akemi, who was looking on expectantly.

"Editor Fukatsu, is there a problem?" Akemi Akimiya asked hurriedly.

“No,” Editor Fukatsu lowered his head, hiding the excitement in his eyes. “Please wait a moment.”

She hit the jackpot.

This comic has a very interesting storyline and the artwork is top-notch; it has a promising future.

Fukatsu, the editor, started reading the manga, and Akemi Akemi waited anxiously.

Hibiki Higashino quietly drank her orange juice, not disturbing their work.

With one year left until the end of "Slam Dunk," he plans to dedicate all his energy to the series and will not have time to draw short comics.

However, since "The Garden of Words" and "5 Centimeters Per Second" have already been drawn, shouldn't "Your Name" be put on the agenda?

He then pondered what kind of comic he should draw for a long-running series.

We need to guarantee results...

While Higashino Hibiki was lost in thought, editor Fukatsu took the manuscript of "Sakura Mission" and turned to the last page.

"A total of 80 pages of original manuscript, that's really impressive."

From the heroine Yoshino Koharu to becoming the king of Manoyama, and then to the group that gathers members such as Shiori Shinomiya, a member of the tourism association, Maki Midorikawa, a skilled part-time worker, Ririko Oribe, a girl who collects information on unidentified creatures and paranormal phenomena, and Sanae Kazuki, who is familiar with web design, in order to sell the local specialty steamed buns.

This king and his four ministers began their efforts to revive tourism in the Manoyama area.

"Sakura Mission" is on the right track.

Editor Fukatsu asked, "Is there no male lead?"

Akemi Akimiya shook her head.

They began their discussions, which lasted for two hours before they finally finished communicating.

……

"Could you give me the storyboard and the original manuscript?" Editor Fukatsu asked.

Akemi Akemi quickly replied, "Of course."

“Well,” editor Fukatsu said, “I can’t guarantee it either, but I will submit it to the serialization committee, and the chances of it being approved are very high.”

"Thank you!"

Under the table, Akemi Akemi squeezed Hibiki Higashino's hand tightly, her expression impassive, but inside she felt like dancing with joy.

After the formal work is completed.

Editor Fukatsu said to the grinning Higashino Hibiki, "Tori Akino-sensei, I heard that 'Earring' is going to be published in Jump?"

Hibiki Higashino nodded. "In Jump two weeks from now."

“That’s great,” Fukatsu said with a broad smile. “Because of work, I couldn’t go to Jump Festa and missed seeing this side story, which I’ve regretted for a long time.”

She stated frankly that she is also a reader of "Slam Dunk".

I've liked this work for a long time.

Because there are so many handsome men in "Slam Dunk", each with their own unique characteristics, "Slam Dunk" is also a very popular manga among girls.

"I hope this satisfies you," Hibiki Higashino said.

……

Two weeks later.

The long-awaited novel, "Earrings," has finally come into view.

"Ryota has been performing very well in the recent Slam Dunk storyline. I heard that Earring is also his story."

Hibiki Higashino's old classmate, Kazuya Takasugi, who is currently a graduate student, is flipping through Jump.

Because he is 1.6 meters tall, he really likes Ryota Miyagi.

Even though Miyagi's popularity wasn't as high as Kogure Kiminobu's, he still silently supported Miyagi, dreaming that one day Tori Akino would draw more content about Miyagi Ryota.

Draw what makes him stand out.

In the more than four years since the serialization of "Slam Dunk" began, among the five starters of Shohoku High School, only Miyagi has the fewest good shots. He has always been the one assisting and has silently shouldered the responsibility of the point guard.

While facing the strongest opponent, I am willing to play a supporting role.

"Tori Akino-sensei finally had a change of heart, and Ryota got his own side story."

Takasugi Kazuya opened the jump.

He first watched "Slam Dunk," because the tense and exciting matches couldn't wait any longer.

Three minutes later, having entered the mood of a Slam Dunk reader, he began reading Earring.

After a while, Kazuya Takasugi closed the manga.

"That's how the earrings on Liangtian Earrings came about."

In the flashback of "Slam Dunk", Ryota Miyagi, a first-year student, joined the basketball team because he liked Ayako.

The first close-up of Liangtian is of him squatting on the ground with his head raised like a thug.

His earrings were very noticeable, almost sparkling.

This is one of the few truly memorable shots of Ryota Miyagi.

"The story of 'Earring' drawn by Tori Akino is not melodramatic and confirms the destiny between Ryota and basketball. He likes Jordan and got his ears pierced to emulate Jordan. On the other hand, his joining Shohoku was not simply for Ayako, but also because of his own love for basketball."

"That's really good."

……

It's Friday.

Sasaki is in the meeting room on the first floor of Shueisha.

Opposite him was Nobuhiro Watsuki, who had brought his new work.

Rurouni Kenshin ended last year amidst the regret of many readers.

At its peak, this work held the number one spot in Jump.

After Dragon Ball ended, it barely managed to maintain its current state.

However, it was soon overshadowed by manga such as "Hikaru no Go", "Slam Dunk", and "One Piece".

Therefore, Nobuhiro Watsuki successfully completed "Rurouni Kenshin".

Nobuhiro Watsuki's new manga is titled "Western Gunslinger".

The work is very formulaic.

A boy who longed for the West and dreamed of becoming a sharpshooter embarked on a journey to the West after encountering a gunslinger from the West.

It's set in the US and features gunmen, but it has a Japanese anime feel to it, making it a strange read.

"Please revise it again." Sasaki temporarily refused Nobuhiro Watsuki's offer.

However, it was not directly rejected.

"Okay." Nobuhiro Watsuki's face was grim as he withdrew the storyboard.

Sasaki shook his head as he watched his departing figure.

A cartoonist can achieve great success if they create one outstanding comic book in their lifetime.

After creating a classic work, many popular comic artists will fade into obscurity; this is the fate of many.

There are too few people like Yoshihiro Togashi who can repeatedly bring out classic manga.

"I wonder what kind of work Akino-kun will release after finishing 'Slam Dunk'?"

He returned to the Jump editorial department with regret for Nobuhiro Watsuki, and with anticipation and worry for Hibiki Higashino's new work.

“Mr. Sasaki,” Yoshihisa stopped him as soon as he entered the room and handed him a data sheet, “the results for this term’s Masashi are out.”

Sasaki took it and glanced at it.

"Slam Dunk is number one, One Piece is number two, Naruto is number three..."

"Naruto's achievements are outstanding."