Full-time comic artist

So, when Hibiki Higashino was feeling melancholy about the end of the Slam Dunk anime.

A huge influx of traffic poured into Jump.

……

Two weeks later, Sasaki called.

His words greatly surprised Higashino Hibiki.

"Huh? Slam Dunk has surpassed Hunter x Hunter with a high number of 198 votes to take first place."

In this episode of Jump, each viewer can vote for three favorite manga.

Considering that some people only voted for one or two comics, it is quite alarming and terrifying that a contestant could come in first place with a margin of 198 votes out of 1000 reader surveys.

This represents a level of achievement that is unparalleled.

In the past, Hibiki Higashino always managed to get first place, but the difference was always in the double digits, since there are just too many excellent works in Jump these days.

If you divide this comic book among yourself, and that comic book among yourself, in the end, the difference between everyone is actually not that big.

Higashino Hibiki couldn't understand, "Where did this sudden surge in votes come from?"

Sasaki replied, "It might be related to the cancellation of the Slam Dunk anime."

The purpose of adapting comics into anime is to attract a wider audience to read comics through animation.

It's also part of the advertising.

The Slam Dunk anime has been airing for over two years and has made a significant contribution to the success of the manga.

Back then, Yu Yu Hakusho had top ratings, but it didn't attract many readers to the manga.

Because there is a big difference between animation and comics.

Togashi also complained for a while.

Unlike Slam Dunk, director Kaede Inoue brought the manga to life.

He added animation to the original artwork, making Sakuragi Hanamichi, Rukawa Kaede, and Shohoku run and shoot hoops.

Therefore, the audience of the viewers and readers is the same.

Now, with the end of the broadcast of "Slam Dunk," it has not only failed to reduce the number of new readers, but has instead created a final ripple effect.

"Because Slam Dunk is very interesting," Sasaki said. "Interesting works can attract readers."

He meant that the reason it has reached its current level of popularity is because "Slam Dunk" is so good.

Without animation, some viewers can only read comics.

"This is a pleasant surprise," Higashino Hibiki said with a smile.

In Jump, there are many manga that have seen their popularity decline and eventually been canceled due to the end of their anime adaptations.

In his case, it became a counterexample.

Sasaki said, "The new volume of Slam Dunk may also bring us good news."

Higashino nodded with a smile.

Afterwards, he called Director Inoue to thank him for his hard work over the years.

Director Inoue said that during the time that "Slam Dunk" was off the air, he did not plan to start any new work, but wanted to maintain the current feeling and offer a salute to the final ending of "Slam Dunk".

"Thank you so much!" Hibiki Higashino was very touched.

……

A month later, Kiko Takagi told Hibiki Higashino about the ratings of "Atashinchi".

Low-budget animations with heartwarming family themes are very popular in Japan, such as "Chibi Maruko-chan," which has consistently ranked among the top three in animation viewership ratings.

Therefore, the results are quite good. The animation production committee of Atashinchi revealed that there are plans to produce more than 100 episodes.

As a result, having secured a long-term meal ticket, "Mirai-sha" had no worries about performance in the short term.

Chapter 251 During the July Summer Vacation

Akemi Akemi's monthly serialization began soon after.

Because Ribon is a monthly magazine, and the original manuscript for Sakura Mission in January consists of about 38 to 42 pages, Akemi Akemi Akimiya does not plan to hire an assistant and will complete it by herself.

This workload was not difficult for her.

but……

"I'm sorry, Hibiki," Akemi Akemi said apologetically to Hibiki Higashino, "I can no longer be your assistant."

In her spare time, she would also help draw for "Slam Dunk," but she couldn't do it like a job.

Higashino looked at her with heartache and sighed, "It's true what they say, 'A woman three years older than her husband is a golden brick.' Akemi-neechan, you're so thoughtful."

He felt like he was being pampered endlessly.

Higashino Hibiki's eyes were fixed on him as he took a step forward, his toes just an inch away from Akemi Akemi's toes.

Akemi Akemi instinctively took a step back, staring at Hibiki Higashino in astonishment.

Hibiki Higashino stepped forward again, took her hand, and said emotionally, "You finally managed to serialize your work, and you're still thinking about my situation... Waaah."

"Isn't this what I should be doing..." Akemi Akemi said awkwardly, "And could you please not mention 'finally getting a serialization'? Are you mocking me?"

"Oh, I'm sorry."

After Higashino Hibiki's epileptic seizure ended, he returned to normal.

He said, "You can focus on 'Sakura Mission', I can handle things on my end."

If he really can't make it in time, he can always take a break from publishing, right?

Hibiki Higashino continued, "Be sure to tell me if you need anything."

“Yes!” Akemi Akemi nodded with a smile.

In short, Ms. Akimiya has started her serialization.

Hibiki Higashino met her in 93, and after getting to know each other, falling in love, and finally realizing her dream in the spring of 2000.

……

When Mei Higashino, Chiharu Minami, and Asahina learned that Akemi Akimiya's manga was being serialized, they came to the Higashino family's house to throw a party for the excitement.

Asahina nodded as she looked at "Sakura Mission," wanting to adapt the manga into a production.

Hibiki Higashino could tell that "Atashinchi" was a simple production, and she couldn't really showcase her talents, so she was itching to try.

That evening, they spread out their bedding in the living room and held a pajama party, throwing pillows and having fun. Higashino Hibiki wanted to join in, and Minami Chiharu and Asahina Yuko didn't object, but Akemi Akemi Akemi wouldn't allow it and pushed Higashino Hibiki out of the living room.

In the end, Higashino Hibiki could only play "Red Alert" in the study all night.

The next day, Akemi Akemi got up and looked at the messy living room. Remembering what happened the night before, she couldn't help but blush.

She quietly packed away her private belongings, worried that Higashino Hibiki might be watching.

By noon, when the sun was high in the sky, she still hadn't seen Higashino Hibiki. After searching the house for a long time, she finally found Higashino Hibiki asleep on the floor of her desk, with the computer screen still lit.

She couldn't help but smile. "There's really no need for me to worry about this guy."

A week later, Higashino Hibiki read "RIBON" until it was worn out, and finally he simply cut out "Sakura Mission" and pasted it on his bedside table.

Akemi Akemi was so ashamed that, under strong pressure, she finally tore it up, which Higashino Hibiki found very regrettable.

……

Time is about to accelerate.

While viewers of "Slam Dunk" were waiting for the anime to resume airing, summer vacation arrived before they knew it.

"Wow, Slam Dunk is so good!"

Koji Yoshida, a fourth-year university student, looked up at the sky as an airplane flew by, leaving a trail across the sky.

"I really want to see an animated version, with the characters moving, the sound of basketball shoes rubbing against the court, the cheers, the sound of the basket going in, the sound of a block hitting the hoop..."

It has been three months since Slam Dunk was taken off the air.

Faced with Kawata, Akagi was at a loss; he was no match for Kawata at all.

He couldn't figure out how he could win.

It wasn't until Uozumi, dressed in a chef's uniform, appeared that Akagi finally understood.

"Kawata, with his dazzling ball skills, is a sea bream."

"Do you think you can use the adjective 'gorgeous' to describe yourself, Akagi?"

"You're just a flounder, you only deserve to wallow in the mud."

Hearing Uozumi's words, an exhausted Mitsui seemed to ponder, "Kawata is Kawata, Akagi is Akagi... and what about me?"

He is searching for his place in the world.

Akagi also realized that he had always been the pillar of this team. Among the opponents they had faced, no center had surpassed him. In other words, Akagi had always been Shohoku's advantage.

Having grown accustomed to shouldering pressure, Akagi always thought, "I always believed that if I couldn't beat Kawata, Shohoku would be defeated..."

Even if I can't, I still have them!

"As long as I can utilize their talents, that's enough!"

"Wrap yourself in the mud!"

Even though Akagi is still no match for Kawata, he is now absolutely determined. The soul of Shohoku, Takenori Akagi, has finally been resurrected.

Mitsui was exhausted and unable to defend against Sannoh's shooting guard Matsumoto, allowing the opponent to overtake him.

But under the basket, there's Akagi, and behind Akagi, there's Sakuragi Hanamichi.

Shohoku's defenses have finally come together.

Matsumoto's layup was blocked.

Mitsui's breathing grew heavier and heavier, his tired eyes could barely stay open, he was covered in sweat, and he was about to be completely exhausted.

Matsumoto was puzzled as to why Mitsui, who was so exhausted, still had to stay on the field.