Full-time comic artist

"Looking at Madoka, I was suddenly reminded of Dragon Ball, even though they are completely unrelated."

"In comparison, Oda's battle panels are terrible, messy and hasty. As Akino-sensei's assistant, why doesn't he learn more from him? One Piece is giving me a headache."

"I've heard people say that Oda focused his efforts on other areas precisely because he knew he couldn't surpass Akira Toriyama or Akino Toriyama in this aspect, believing that it was impossible to surpass them in battle paneling."

Many people started discussing that even though it's a magical girl manga, this is a rare battle panel by Tori Akino, something he has never shown in his 10 years in the industry.

Readers of "Hikaru no Go", "Slam Dunk" and "Death Note" all took a look out of curiosity.

"I used to think this was his weakness, but I never expected it..."

"Because there's no need to draw it; the storyline is enough to win."

"That's true."

"From this perspective, Puella Magi Madoka Magica does have its merits."

……

Katsura Hinagiku felt very uncomfortable after reading the comments.

She was one of the few Madoka fans, but everyone was talking about the battles and nothing about the plot.

"The witch possesses beautiful things like butterflies and flowers, yet she is also a product of evil—a truly contradictory concept. I wonder if this is foreshadowing."

"Mami Tomoe is a mature, steady and reliable senior. She is warm-hearted, gentle and elegant. All the wonderful words can be used to describe her."

"They will be our strongest support in the future."

She watched the third episode and grew to like Puella Magi Madoka Magica more and more.

The characters appearing in the story are: Madoka is innocent and cute, Senpai is reliable and charming, Sayaka is full of energy, and even Homura Akemi, who seems like a villain, has her own unspeakable secrets and will likely become companions in the future.

Chapter 332 This is a wonderful comic

"Teacher! What is this content?!"

Koji Yoshida, who was discussing the storyboard for episode six with Hibiki Higashino, let out a piercing scream!

Higashino Mirai was very curious. He climbed to the door of the studio and looked inside. "Haha, you idiot, you moron."

Akemi Akemi quickly picked him up and took him away to look at artworks with him to cultivate their minds.

Koji Yoshida's reaction was so strong because the title of this episode of "Puella Magi Madoka Magica" is "There's Nothing to Fear Anymore".

That is, the death of the gentle senior, Mami Tomoe.

She will die in a magical girl manga.

This episode should have been in episode five.

However, Higashino Hibiki was surprised to find that readers really liked his battle panels. In the third chapter, thanks to the battle between Mami Tomoe and the witch, Masato's ranking jumped to seventh place.

So he decided to draw some of the battle scenes that were omitted in the original work, expanding them into the fifth chapter.

Due to production constraints, the animation will be condensed into 12 episodes. Action sequences will be sacrificed for dramatic scenes.

Hibiki Higashino doesn't need this; as long as it's not canceled, he can keep drawing.

Moreover, more battle scenes can alleviate the dullness of the comic's dialogue scenes.

Like Death Note, it's so captivating that readers can't accept too much dialogue, let alone the early chapters featuring Madoka.

……

“No wonder the teacher said last week, ‘Let Mami have more screen time…’” Yoshida muttered, snapping out of his reverie. “Mami Tomoe is dying, so naturally she can’t participate. So that’s what that line meant…”

"Yoshida? Hey," Hibiki Higashino waved his right hand in front of his eyes, "What's up?"

"Teacher, what are you really thinking?" Koji Yoshida asked, his expression conflicted. "Magical girl protagonists are often portrayed as innocent and naive, engaging in fantastical and glamorous battles... just like in Disney animations, bringing readers the aspirations and hopes that fantasy works should offer. But Madoka..."

Before seeing the storyboard for episode six, he never imagined that a major character would die.

"It would be a miracle to fight an evenly matched opponent without suffering any casualties," Higashino Hibiki said, spreading his hands.

“It’s like this…” Yoshida bit his nails, “but…”

He wasn't sure how this drawing would turn out.

It might be ostracized as heresy and cut short because no one will read it anymore.

If the ending of "Puella Magi Madoka Magica" is so tragic, it will be a huge blow to Akino Tori's future work.

As his editor and... a friend of his own, Koji Yoshida did not want to see this happen.

"Mami Tomoe is the most popular manga character." Yoshida's mind raced, and he quickly raised an index finger to say this.

Even if you want to create something that makes you happy, teacher, please tone it down a bit.

The death of a popular character, especially in magical girl themes, can cause a reader uproar.

"I see." Higashino Hibiki sighed.

He used to get chills when he watched the third episode of "Puella Magi Madoka Magica," where the senior who led the main characters died suddenly. It was dark, cruel, and made people...despair.

"So?" Yoshida asked expectantly.

“That’s fine.” Hibiki Higashino stood up, looked out the window and thought to himself, “If Mami Tomoe dies, readers will better understand the theme of ‘Puella Magi Madoka Magica’: finding light in the deepest darkness.”

……

"Teacher Tori Akino, I think I understand what you're thinking."

Yoshida returned to the Jump editorial department, pondering Hibiki Higashino's quote, "The light in the deep darkness."

Gradually, he came to understand Akino Mirai's ambition for "Puella Magi Madoka Magica".

It was a dazzling and awe-inspiring moment when the firelight flickered in the darkness, was about to go out, and everyone was in despair, when the light suddenly burst forth again.

Therefore, Mami Tomoe, who revealed all of this, had to die. From beginning to end, she was just a tool to make Madoka and the readers realize the cruelty of the world.

"But... to do this, it's very likely that it will be a thankless task."

Many comics, due to the authors' lack of ability and their focus on darkness and cruelty, end with a forced plot twist.

Instead of being moved, readers found it disgusting.

This requires meticulous polishing of every aspect of the work, and full emotional engagement from the reader to achieve the desired effect.

"Tori Akino-sensei, I believe in you."

After thinking for a long time, Yoshida clenched his fist.

Mirai Toriaki, who has been creating miracles all along, will continue to create miracles forever.

After discussing with Hibiki Higashino, he said he needed to get the editor-in-chief's approval before making a decision, and then returned to the studio.

After thinking it through, Yoshida breathed a sigh of relief. He looked at Sasaki, who was in the main seat, and made up his mind.

……

As Kohei Onishi was tidying up his work, he suddenly noticed that Yoshida, who was sitting next to him, had stood up seriously, looking as if he was preparing to go to war.

"Yoshida," he called softly, but Yoshida did not respond.

"What are you trying to do?"

Onishi looked at Yoshida and walked straight toward Sasaki, the editor-in-chief who held all the power.

……

"How should I tell the editor-in-chief?" Yoshida was puzzled.

The style of "Puella Magi Madoka Magica" has changed drastically, and Sasaki needs to be informed, which is also something he and Hibiki Higashino agreed upon.

At the time, he hoped to use his status as Sasaki to put pressure on Akino Miki and make her reconsider.

But now, after careful consideration, he stands on Tori Akino's side.

How to persuade Sasaki became a problem for him.

"Yoshida, what's wrong?" Sasaki asked, engrossed in his work.

Gintama didn't do well at the beginning, but its reputation has started to improve recently.

Hideaki Sorachi's talent is on full display; readers love his short stories, which are both funny and meaningful.

Despite its cheesy and vulgar slapstick humor, Gintama is surprisingly entertaining.

What Tori Akino said at the serialization meeting is gradually coming true.

This comic has the makings of becoming a hit.

The 3 copies of the first volume of Gintama have been sold out.

Sasaki is already considering a reprint of Gintama.

The number of copies to be reprinted is about 30.

As Sasaki was thinking this, he noticed Yoshida Koji standing in front of him, lost in thought.

……

"Excuse me, editor-in-chief. It's about 'Puella Magi Madoka Magica'." Yoshida took a deep breath and told him what he knew.

"I see." Sasaki nodded.

He knew that Akino Mirai wouldn't paint mediocre works.

“Deciding on the direction of the manga,” he said coldly, pointing at Koji Yoshida. “That’s something you, as the editor, should consider.”

"so……"

Wasn't what I said clear enough?

"Understood, Editor-in-Chief!"

Koji Yoshida decided to let Akino Mirai draw it the way she did.

……

Monday is the release date for Weekly Shonen Jump. Koga doesn't have to work as an assistant that day, and she doesn't choose to take on any part-time jobs.

The salary that Tori Akino Mirai gave him was more than enough to cover his living expenses.

He decided to spend this special day with his children.