Full-time comic artist

They were about the same age as Tori Akino, and entered this industry with sincere hearts.

I was a high school student when I watched "Hikaru no Go," so of course I didn't know anything about the manga and anime industry.

“I was fortunate enough to be invited to the Shueisha New Year’s party in 1995. I met Akino Tori then, and he looked to be only in his early twenties. When I asked him, I found out that he was almost 19. Thinking about it now, I feel really embarrassed.”

"Tori Akino, who is about to graduate from high school, has been drawing 'Hikaru no Go' for a year. He is a true genius. I admire him even more now."

Someone raised their hand and exclaimed joyfully, "Before graduating from high school, I finally mustered up the courage to confess my feelings to Sayuri!"

People chatted in twos and threes, saying, "Back then, I was still very confused and didn't know what to do."

"I really put my heart and soul into making this animation. Space Battleship Yamato was amazing! But nobody wanted it."

"After graduating from high school, I worked odd jobs to save money to learn animation production."

"I'm working hard to prepare for the makeup exam."

Mr. Jingchun said gently, "Everyone is remarkable."

He continued, "Winning the Tezuka Award at 17, starting serialization at 18, and becoming a pillar of Jump at 19—that's Mirai Toriaki."

"He achieved great success, but he was still not satisfied. He readily ended the very successful 'Hikaru no Go'. Everyone felt that he didn't know how to cherish it, and that such a flagship manga should naturally have more content drawn on it."

"None of us expected that Slam Dunk would achieve even greater success later on, and that it would become a milestone for Jump."

"Young people all over Japan love watching 'Slam Dunk,' and people still talk about and reminisce about the summers at Shohoku High School. Basketball courts, which were once rare, are constantly being built in the streets, schools, and gymnasiums. Basketball has become a popular sport, and at one point it overshadowed soccer."

"I still can't forget those scenes; their impact was astonishing. Today's flagship manga, One Piece, is still far behind."

Everyone nodded in agreement.

Many fans of Akino's Kuroko (a fan of Slam Dunk) were born out of their unwillingness to accept the end of the manga.

Mr. Jingchun rested his chin on his hand, his gaze returning to that summer.

His voice was low and somber, as if in a dream, “At the height of Slam Dunk’s glory, Sakuragi Hanamichi and Tori Akino’s career, unexpectedly, this manga came to an end. The tumultuous summer has been left behind forever.”

Mr. Jingchun let out a long breath before he came to his senses.

The younger colleagues remained silent, all lamenting the end of an era.

"After Slam Dunk, now it's Death Note. Akino Mirai continues to shine, and her career hasn't come to an end in the new century."

"Readers are still very fond of his comics."

"Back in the autumn of 93, I could never have imagined the enormous achievements that Tori Akino would later attain."

"Now, nine years have passed, and I've grown a few years older. The naive Tori Akino has become a senior in the industry, constantly creating miracles. Thinking about it really fills me with emotion."

Colleagues nodded, engrossed in the story of Tori Akino Mirai.

At that moment, the president's secretary came over to inform us that Mr. Maruyama Masao's fried chicken nuggets were ready.

They were still immersed in the legend of Tori Akino and hesitated to take any action.

"I'll take a look!"

Mr. Jingchun picked up the stainless steel bowl, stood up, and jogged over happily.

The employees of Crazy House couldn't help but look at each other in bewilderment.

What were we just discussing?

"It's probably... about the unfinished story of Tori Akino Mirai?"

"Maybe..."

"Let's go, let's go, eating is the most important thing."

Everyone dispersed like a flock of birds.

……

"Tori Akino, can you please stop leaving us in suspense?"

Hibiki Higashino answered the phone, and Yoshihiro Togashi's voice sounded resentful, as if he had been wronged.

"The story ends here, there's nothing I can do about it." Hibiki Higashino nodded with a smile.

He sat in the swivel chair, turned around and looked back, and found that Xiaohe had already tidied up.

"I'm a creator too, don't lie to me!" Yoshihiro Togashi simply didn't believe him.

"How could that be? Teacher, you really like to overthink things, haha. I have to go now, I have to end the call."

The phone went dead. Yoshihiro Togashi looked at Naoko Takeuchi in disbelief and stammered, "I...I'm being rejected?"

"Pfft!" Naoko Takeuchi couldn't help but laugh.

……

Hibiki Higashino put down his phone.

He has several mobile phones with SIM cards from different carriers.

It's a shameful business practice to prevent different operators from making calls to each other.

No wonder everyone prefers to communicate via email; it's all because the telecom operators are unethical.

Hibiki Higashino misses China Mobile a little.

"Teacher Akino, it's time for me to take my leave." Koga's wistful voice interrupted Higashino Hibiki's thoughts.

He finished drawing all the original manuscripts for "Paprika," his work was over, so he had to leave Toriakino Studio.

Hibiki Higashino quickly stood up. "I'll see you out."

"No need." Xiaohe waved his hand, but Dongye Xiang still followed him to the door.

“Tori Akino-sensei,” he said, “thank you for taking care of me for so long. Please be sure to contact me if you need anything in the future.”

“Of course,” Higashino Hibiki gave a thumbs up. “Mr. Koga is hardworking, diligent, and highly capable. It would be my loss to forget you.”

"I'm ashamed," Xiaohe said, lowering her head. "These are all I have to offer."

He left with a heavy heart.

At Bird Autumn Studio, Xiaohe felt the excitement and aspirations of someone just starting out in the comics industry.

Harboring the dream of becoming a cartoonist, I strive with pure and unadulterated effort.

Unfortunately, I've become someone who only cares about having enough to eat and wear.

Koga felt ashamed in front of Omori and Tanaka.

But now they can't bear to leave.

It seems that after leaving, I will have to face the reality of my situation again.

“Fine,” he patted his cheeks, “I’m fine as I am.”

He has a warm family, a gentle wife, and lovely children, and his future as a cartoonist is no less than what he envisions.

……

After Koga left, Hikaru Ibuki also left.

Because "Sakura Quest" had ended, Hikaru Ibuki lost her job after helping to draw "Paprika".

Akemi Akimiya's first experience as a manga artist ended smoothly.

Bird Autumn Studio has returned to normal.

“Tori Akino-sensei,” Omori turned around, “they’ve all left.”

"Yes." Higashino Hibiki nodded.

“It’s good that he’s gone,” Omori said. “A guy without dreams would only set a bad example if he stayed here.”

"Tch." Higashino Hibiki ignored him and sat down to the side.

The current Omori is incredibly passionate.

“Oh, right,” Omori continued, “I checked the Jump website, and they’ve already announced something about the Golden Future Cup.”

“投稿日期截止到2003年8月7号，经过编辑组判断，会有4～6部漫画入围。”

"The shortlisted works will be serialized in Weekly Shonen Jump in batches. After readers vote, they will be divided into winners and runners-up."

"The prize money for being selected is 100 million yen, and for those who qualify early, it's 50 yen, which is the same as the 'Tezuka Award.' It seems Jump is determined to create the 'Golden Future Cup.'"

Hibiki Higashino asked, "Is that all the content?"

Omori replied, "Furthermore, with the assistance of editors, shortlisted works will undergo review by Jump and will be eligible to enter the serialization meeting. In other words, the 'Golden Future Cup' leads directly to serialization."

"So that was mentioned too." Higashino nodded. "Looks like next summer is going to be exciting."

Many interesting comics will emerge.

"I'll do my best too!" Omori clenched his fists, looking determined to win.

"Go for it!" Higashino cheered.

……

A week later, Weekly Shonen Jump also published a call for submissions for the "Golden Future Cup".

Breaking News! The Golden Future Cup Call for Submissions is in Full Swing!

"That's a big move."

"Jump spares no effort in discovering new talent."

"I just have a great idea!"

"I'm going to start working hard right now!"

"Oh! It's a call for submissions about serialization opportunities! That's great!"

People who dream of becoming cartoonists were extremely excited when they saw this message, and their first thought was—I want to participate!

Some people are also very distressed, such as Hideaki Sorachi.

He has already faxed the revised version of "Dandelion" to editor Onishi. If he had known there would be a "Golden Future Cup", he would have saved this masterpiece for next year's competition.

"What a pity, but hehe," he chuckled, "maybe 'Dandelion' will be serialized, hahaha."

It would be even better if it could be serialized a day earlier.