Full-time comic artist

However, the results cannot be guaranteed.

Basically, they are in an average position, outside the top 10, and there is even a possibility of their ranking being cut in half.

Thinking about it this way, drawing this comic is really not worth the effort.

"Teacher, why did you draw 'Puella Magi Madoka Magica'?"

“Because it’s very interesting,” Hibiki Higashino replied.

"I see." Yoshida suddenly realized.

Just like the manga Akira Toriyama drew after finishing "Dragon Ball," the results were not ideal, most readers never heard of it, and there was no possibility of it being adapted into an anime.

But Akira Toriyama even said that COWA! is his favorite work, surpassing Dragon Ball and Dr. Slump.

So, Yoshida Koji looked at Hibiki Higashino and said wistfully, "Teacher, you've followed in Toriyama Akira's footsteps and finally reached this point. You've begun to give up drawing works that readers like and to pursue your inner calling."

"??? Is that so?" Higashino Hibiki asked, still confused.

“I understand.” Koji Yoshida didn’t even discuss the merits or demerits of “Puella Magi Madoka Magica.” He stood up and said, “I will help you submit this work.”

"That's good." Since the result was achieved, Higashino Hibiki didn't care anymore.

……

"We may never see Akino-sensei's manga again."

"Just like Mr. Toriyama."

"Oh, what a pity."

When the editors at Weekly Shonen Jump questioned Koji Yoshida after reviewing the storyboards for Puella Magi Madoka Magica, they received Yoshida's analysis.

This analysis was so reasonable that the editors believed it, and believed it deeply.

Even if Higashino comes out to explain, they will think it's just Akino-sensei's last act of compassion, not wanting the readers to know this bad news.

……

"After finishing his new work, Mr. Tori Akino may retire from writing."

"This is a sudden thought from Takahiro Tsuchida, editor at Eiichiro Oda's studio."

"Huh! How could this be!"

"I can't believe it!"

"This news is amazing!"

Oda's assistants all stopped writing, exclaiming in shock.

"Tori Akino-sensei is only..." Someone started to say, then realized that Hibiki Higashino had been drawing manga for many years.

With works like "Hikaru no Go," "Slam Dunk," and "Death Note," along with some short manga, Mirai Toriaki has created many excellent works.

Counting from his debut in 93, it's now 04, which is quite a long time, almost the same as Akira Toriyama.

Literary creation is about drawing upon an author's accumulated literary knowledge, regardless of age. Tori Akino's future has been completely drained.

In addition, the constant creative work can also lead to mental fatigue.

Therefore, it is perfectly reasonable for 28-year-old Tori Akino Mirai to start her retirement.

"Teacher, you need to stop now."

"I really don't want him to leave."

They all wore smiles, filled with emotion.

Oda was also in tears, saying, "At the New Year's party, he compared himself to the old guard. At that time, he was telling me that he wanted to take a break... I really miss him."

"There's such a thing." Editor Tsuchida nodded. "Then it seems to be pretty much true."

……

Tsuchida brought this news to the editorial department.

Sasaki also overheard their discussion.

He rested his chin on his hand and began to think.

"Perhaps that really is the case..."

Mirai Toriaki's "Slam Dunk" took five and a half years to complete, while "Death Note" only took one year.

With "Puella Magi Madoka Magica," the planned serialization period was only six months.

The increasing desire to draw short stories is also a sign of cartoonists' weariness with long comics.

"From high school until now, it's finally time for Tori Akino to leave Jump."

He sighed and leaned back in his chair.

Chapter 328 Absolutely not!

Koji Yoshida has been extremely busy lately.

There are many problems with the newcomer, Hoshino Katsura, so as the editor, he needs to put in more effort to assist her.

Omori worked very hard, always discussing the storyboards with him, discussing them during the day and then at night, leaving him exhausted.

Fortunately, Tanaka was assigned to work with editor Hattori Tetsu by the editorial department, which relieved him.

"Puella Magi Madoka Magica was Tori Akino-sensei's last work," he said, resting his chin on his hand after a busy day, recalling something that made him feel regretful. "I'm so reluctant to part with his manga..."

"Slap, slap," he slapped his face twice. "Yoshida, you need to work hard to serve Mr. Tori Akino now, so that he can draw manga happily before he leaves. There's no time for sadness."

He tidied up the files on his desk, stood up, and prepared to go to Toriakino Studio to discuss the follow-up plot of "Puella Magi Madoka Magica".

"Yoshida, come here for a second."

Someone called his name. Yoshida looked up and saw that it was Sasaki, the editor-in-chief, who was in charge.

He quickly went over, bowed his head, and asked, "Editor-in-Chief, is there something you need?"

Although Sasaki Takashi's face was expressionless, Yoshida Koji could see a hint of reminiscence in his eyes.

"You know that Mr. Tori Akino is planning to retire from writing, right?"

“Of course.” Yoshida nodded.

His heart sank deeper and deeper. Even the editor-in-chief said so; it seemed that the matter was beyond repair.

Sasaki sighed, confirming the matter.

"Editor-in-Chief, is there anything else?" Yoshida Koji asked.

Sasaki pondered for a moment, "You've been working very hard lately. Let's find another editor to take over the work with Mr. Toriakino."

Upon hearing this, Yoshida Koji's eyes widened even further.

"Absolutely not!" he couldn't help but shout.

The noisy office was instantly quieted down by this one sentence.

They all looked at Yoshida and Sasaki with curiosity and fear.

After a while, under the suppression of Yoshihisa Bottle, they resumed their work.

"Is there something bothering you?" Sasaki asked Yoshida.

He didn't take his subordinate's offense seriously.

"I'm so sorry, editor-in-chief," Yoshida said, his face turning pale with fright. He immediately bowed and apologized.

Sasaki waved his hand, gesturing for him to quiet down. "What are your thoughts?"

“I…” Yoshida took a deep breath, “I don’t want to leave Professor Toriakino, and I want to stay with him until the end. As his editor, this is something I have to do. I hope you, editor-in-chief, will understand my feelings!”

Sasaki thought of Soma Ichiro.

The new cartoonist he discovered himself.

My emotions will fluctuate because of his grades.

But in the end, Soma Ichiro never got through the serialization meeting again.

Under the arrangement of the editorial department, I also notified Soma Ichiro of the external combat power announcement.

Koji Yoshida's feelings now are probably the same as his back then.

“Then that’s settled.” Sasaki looked up and said, “Since you’ve made that request.”

In fact, as an editor, one cannot refuse the editor-in-chief's arrangements.

Kosuke Yahagi, who devoted a great deal of effort to "Naruto", had no choice but to comply with the editorial department's arrangements and give up his position as editor of "Naruto" despite Masashi Kishimoto's refusal.

This is beyond human control.

"Thank you, Editor-in-Chief!"

Koji Yoshida kept bowing.

……

Puella Magi Madoka Magica quickly passed the serialization meeting, albeit amidst widespread sighs.

In late March 2004, news of Akino Mirai's new work began to appear in Weekly Shonen Jump.

People who play Go, people who play basketball, people who read comics, people who are in love...

Countless readers began to feel happy, joyful, excited, expectant, and even frenzied...

"After two years, Mr. Tori Akino's new work is finally about to be released!"

"Ah, I've waited for this! I've been waiting from junior high all the way to high school!"

"I wonder what kind of artwork the teacher will create? Will it be a sports comic? Or a mystery? Ah, whichever it is, I'm trembling with anticipation!"

"This is the best news I've heard this spring break! It's even better than when my dad took me to France! But Paris... it was awful!"

……

"A new work by Tori Akino?"

This time, Yamamura Morimichi did not start a new serialization. His "Blind Soccer" still has a lot of content to draw, and it will not be completed for two, three, or even more years.