Full-time comic artist

Sometimes dialogue limits expression; there are some things that cannot be clearly explained through conversation.

Using paintings to express the plot, information is conveyed to the audience in a dynamic way.

"The expressiveness in this episode is amazing."

As a reader, Nobuhiko Horie can now guess the lines of every dialogue box in Mo Bai's "Slam Dunk" manga.

At this point, filling in the dialogue is no longer necessary.

"This guy is a genius, an unparalleled genius."

"There are very few cartoonists who can achieve this level."

Creating a silent comic is not difficult; many people can do it.

However, it is very difficult to showcase the strengths of silent comics like "Slam Dunk," making readers feel comfortable and excited without any sense of incongruity.

……

When Hibiki Higashino watched anime, there was often an episode where the characters didn't have any lines and used body language and facial expressions to advance the plot.

For example, an episode of "The Disastrous Life of Saiki K."

Higashino Hibiki found it particularly boring, as he would exaggerate the characters' actions in order to convey the plot in silence.

That would be too incongruous.

The plot serves a silent purpose; it's like dancing in shackles.

He was criticizing it when he first read it, but now that "Slam Dunk" is being serialized, he finally understands the difficulties.

He poured his brain cells and effort into drawing this story.

Since Slam Dunk is a sports manga, without dialogue, the panel design becomes extremely important.

The characters' actions must be connected, and their emotions must be expressed.

The speed line should be used to its fullest extent to give the character a sense of power.

Fortunately, he did it.

"I was really shocked that you could draw this at 24 years old."

Akira Toriyama's immediate phone call confirmed Hibiki Higashino's success.

"This is all thanks to Akira Toriyama's teachings," Hibiki Higashino said gratefully.

Akira Toriyama was particularly skilled at drawing action panels, and basketball scenes were also depicted through the breakdown of human movement. Hibiki Higashino frequently read the Dragon Ball manga to study Toriyama's paneling techniques.

"Don't flatter me." Although Akira Toriyama said this, he was still smiling.

“By the way,” he asked, “I heard that the Shogakukan Manga Award ceremony is in seven days, is that right?”

“Yes,” Higashino Hibiki nodded, his gaze distant, “It’s seven days from now.”

……

Another week has passed.

With only 20 seconds left in the game, Sannoh did not give up. Ten seconds later, Sawakita stopped abruptly, got up, and jumped to shoot. The ball went into the basket.

Sannoh has completed the comeback.

With 8.2 seconds left in the game, is Shohoku really going to lose?

Several more paintings without narration.

Sakuragi Hanamichi immediately rushed towards his own basketball hoop.

This scene reminded Takasugi Kazuya of the first match in "Slam Dunk," a practice match between Shohoku and Ryonan.

In the final seconds, when Sakuragi Hanamichi was feeling triumphant, Ryonan, who hadn't given up, scored a lightning-fast goal, turning the tide of the game and securing victory.

"Sakuragi has really grown a lot. Now, he's a lot like Sendoh back then," Kazuya Takasugi remarked.

He watched as Rukawa Kaede launched a counterattack, breaking through all the way to Sannoh's basket.

He watched as Rukawa Kaede turned around, his eyes following Sawakita's block, and noticed Sakuragi Hanamichi extending his hands to catch the ball.

"Just gently support it with your left hand..."

He saw Rukawa pass the ball to Sakuragi.

He saw Sakuragi Hanamichi jump up, throw the ball, and, under the gaze of everyone in the arena, arc through the air and land in the basket.

Goal!

The match is over!

Shohoku defeated Sannoh 79-78!

Kazuya Takasugi didn't dare to breathe. Even now, he still couldn't believe that Shohoku had won.

Rukawa's eyes widened, while Sakuragi remained expressionless. He walked through the Sannoh players to stand in front of Rukawa, their eyes meeting.

The two of them raised their hands simultaneously and gave each other a high five!

As they gasped for breath, sweat poured from their bodies, and the joy of scoring and winning was all poured into this historic high-five!

The two players' perfect teamwork brought Shohoku victory!

After their emotions subsided, they snorted and returned to their usual animosity.

……

"Ah, Shohoku won!"

Kazuya Takasugi suddenly realized what was happening.

Without realizing it, tears streamed down his face.

The five members of Shohoku celebrated wildly, embracing each other and cheering for their hard-won victory.

The other players rushed forward, moved and in tears, while Coach Anzai raised his hands, unable to contain his emotions.

The entire stadium is cheering for Shohoku!

"It's amazing!"

……

The competition, which lasted for more than a year, has finally come to an end.

While reflecting on his experience, Yamamura Morimichi looked at Jump with some doubts in his heart.

"Why is Tori Akino putting in so much effort? It seems like he wants to depict the characters' growth and the touching moments."

"So what about next? What will you draw next?"

Just like the death of Zhang Beihai, such a useful character was killed by Liu Cixin.

He probably didn't expect that the story of The Three-Body Problem would continue.

"Without anything to draw, wouldn't the subsequent chapters of 'Slam Dunk' become rather uninteresting?"

Takenori Akagi strengthened his resolve, Ryota Miyagi orchestrated the team's offense, and Hisashi Mitsui reached the pinnacle of his basketball career.

Rukawa Kaede integrated into the team and grew into a true ace.

Sakuragi Hanamichi performed at an unprecedented level, and the game against Sannoh was his most glorious moment. Facing Sannoh led by Sawakita, he was still the rebounding king. How will he grow after that?

The five members of Shohoku High School, when put together, are already a complete team.

Without growth potential, how can sports comics express the thrill and excitement of competitive matches where the outcome is unknown until the very end?

"Tori Akino Mirai, what is he really thinking?"

Chapter 260: The Youth of "Slam Dunk" Has Ended

After Mitsutoshi Shimabukuro received the award and stepped off the stage, he was met with thunderous applause that lasted for a long time.

He turned around in surprise to find that all the audience members had stood up, smiling and welcoming the next cartoonist to receive the award.

Bird Akino Mirai.

"Isn't that amazing?"

Someone nearby remarked, "He's already the center of attention even before he's made his appearance."

He raised his head and pointed to the audience below the stage, "Those people subconsciously acknowledged Toriya Mirai and couldn't help but stand up and applaud him."

This is a form of respect and affection.

"This phenomenon only occurs when readers really like his comics."

Mitsutoshi Shimabukuro was taken aback, realizing that what he said made a lot of sense.

Most comics are just for entertainment; once you've read them, you put them down.

However, some comics may convey a moral lesson or resonate with readers emotionally.

A cartoonist who draws comics like this will gain more recognition from readers.

That's how Tori Akino Mirai is.

"Mr. Urasawa." Mitsutoshi Shimabukuro bowed slightly, as did the same with the teacher's works.

Upon seeing Naoki Urasawa, those feelings immediately welled up within him.

"There's just one thing I don't understand," Naoki Urasawa muttered to himself as he watched Hibiki Higashino appear on stage.

"Why did he put the Shohoku vs. Sannoh match as the second game? Shouldn't that final showdown be the climax?"

"If Slam Dunk doesn't want to start strong but end weakly, then it has reached its end."

"Tori Akino Mirai, what are you going to do next?"

What exactly are you thinking?

"It's like... it's like the manga is about to end..."

……

In front of the television, as Hibiki Higashino appeared on screen, Kazuya Takasugi excitedly clenched his fist.

After reading the National Tournament arc of "Slam Dunk," he liked the manga even more.