Full-time comic artist

"So what are your suggestions? Please tell me what areas could be improved?" Maruyama Masao asked directly.

That's not what he wanted to hear.

"Actually, I've been thinking about this a lot." After finishing Paprika, Higashino suddenly had some insights.

"One drawback of this comic is that the emotions between the characters are too sudden, making it difficult for readers and viewers to empathize with them."

"Officer Funakawa's love for Paprika is alright, there's room for progress, but the feelings between Atsuko and Tokita, between Oyamachi and Atsuko, and between Oyamachi and the chairman still need to be improved."

After Higashino finished speaking, Maruyama Masao remained silent for a long time, pondering with his chin in hand. After three minutes, he clapped his hands and exclaimed, "That's it!"

Seeing his strong reaction, Tsutsui Yasutaka was puzzled. "Is there a problem with that?"

These plot points are all subtly hinted at.

Animation should focus its tight timeframes on the core elements, rather than wasting time on interpersonal relationships.

Masao Maruyama explained, "We need to consider things from the audience's perspective; most people don't seriously analyze movies."

Watching animated movies is just for fun and to relieve the stress of life.

The artwork is presented in a confusing and ambiguous way, which will make it difficult for viewers to understand.

This is something Yasutaka Tsutsui, the author of "The Dream Detective," wouldn't even bother to think about.

……

After the screening, the producer of Crazy House treated Hibiki Higashino to a kaiseki meal.

Hibiki Higashino commented that kaiseki cuisine is expensive, high-class, refined, served in small portions, uses relatively high-quality ingredients, but the taste is just average.

The service was what he was paying for, and Higashino Hibiki was under a lot of pressure.

This is the host showing his hospitality to his guests, and he can only smile and say that he is very pleased with the result of this intense competition.

After the event, Hibiki Higashino declined the producer's offer to see him off and drove away alone.

On the way, he saw a shop sign with Chinese characters that read "Spicy Frog Hot Pot," and he couldn't help but drool.

Higashino stopped the car, patted his stomach, and went inside.

After subconsciously ordering in Japanese, he ate the bullfrog hot pot 10 minutes later. He hadn't tasted such an authentic flavor in a long time.

Seeing that Higashino Hibiki was enjoying his meal, the proprietress asked, "Are you Chinese?"

"Yes...yes." Higashino Hibiki stammered in his Mandarin, nodding. "How did you figure that out?"

"Only fellow Chinese come to our shop," the proprietress said with a smile. "Japanese people don't appreciate Chinese cuisine."

The proprietress said that because there are enough Chinese people in Tokyo, they don't need to change the flavors.

Local Chinese people often come here to eat; the customers coming and going in the restaurant are mostly Chinese.

“That’s truly precious,” Higashino Hibiki said, picking up a piece of bullfrog thigh meat and stuffing it into his mouth. “It’s delicious.”

"Thank you."

Hibiki Higashino hadn't spoken Mandarin in a long time, and chatted with the landlady for quite a while.

The proprietress understood Higashino Hibiki's thoughts and showed no impatience.

"I was very satisfied with my meal."

"Well, a total of 5600 yen."

"So expensive!"

Higashino Hibiki was immediately dissatisfied.

Although it wasn't even a hundred percent of the price of a kaiseki meal, it was his money!

……

Higashino Hibiki had been busy at the Madhouse for half a day, so it wouldn't be right for him not to go to the "Mirai-sha".

He walked to the company entrance and was stopped by the receptionist, who asked, "Do you have an appointment?"

"Huh?" Higashino Hibiki was stunned by this question.

"No, right?" the receptionist said. "Please make an appointment first. You can only enter after making an appointment."

The security guard saw this and came over. "Sir, is there anything else you need?"

Higashino Hibiki sighed, walked outside the door, and started making a phone call.

Not long after, Minami Chiharu came out. When she saw Higashino Hibiki, she immediately hugged him. "Higashino-kun, it's been so long! I missed you so much!"

Hibiki Higashino took two steps back to dodge, saying, "Please keep your distance."

"Ah, sorry, I got too excited." Minami Chiharu blinked at Higashino Hibiki. "Why aren't you at the company? Is something urgent happening here?"

Higashino Hibiki was embarrassed to say that because he hadn't shown up, the employees didn't recognize him as the company president, which led to him being stopped and unable to go in.

That's so lame.

The key issue is that he can't say anything yet, since the front desk staff and security guards did the right thing.

If a stranger can easily enter the company, it would be too easy for him to cause damage.

Safety is of utmost importance.

"Ahem," Higashino coughed twice to ease the awkwardness, "Then let's go in."

Led by Minami Chiharu, Higashino took the elevator to the second-floor workshop.

"President Higashino!" someone exclaimed incredulously upon seeing Higashino Hibiki, "Is today the end of the world?"

“Kitamura-kun, what nonsense are you spouting?” Minami Chiharu retorted. “It’s probably just that the alignment of nine planets is rare!”

"It's pretty much the same!" Kitamura scratched his head and looked at his colleagues. "None of us know you, President."

Higashino Hibiki overheard the whispers.

"So our 'Mirai-sha' even has a president?"

"Never heard of it."

"Ah, there really should be a president."

They discussed it in hushed tones for a long time, and then one of them slammed his fist down, as if he had just realized something.

"Oh right! Our club president is Ms. Tori Akino Mirai! That's why I came here!"

Higashino Hibiki breathed a sigh of relief; he finally felt a sense of presence.

However, it wasn't because of the company president, but because of his identity as a manga artist.

How pathetic.

"Teacher, please give me your autograph."

"I also want!"

"please!"

Hibiki Higashino received a warm welcome from the staff.

They crowded around Higashino Hibiki, their eyes filled with admiration.

"Tori Akino-sensei, please don't go on hiatus so easily!"

Some people say that.

"Yeah, cartoonists who take breaks all the time are terrible."

"You need to have the spirit to keep publishing even when you're sick!"

These employees began to criticize Higashino Hibiki.

"Honestly, when I was looking forward to reading 'Little Circle' and then found out that there was a notice that the next issue would be suspended, my mood immediately turned cold."

"Please also consider the feelings of us readers!"

Higashino Hibiki felt embarrassed.

He looked at Minami Chiharu, seeking help.

"Idiots, this is the club president!" Minami Chiharu shouted angrily, "Show him some respect!"

"Ah! I'm so sorry!" Everyone immediately bowed respectfully.

Japan has a very strict hierarchy.

Even enlightened animation production companies are still affected by this.

Some people trembled and wanted to kneel down in reverence.

“It’s alright,” Higashino Hibiki stopped them and said with a smile, “This is my problem.”

He handed out the pre-prepared bonus envelopes and walked with Minami Chiharu towards Asahina Yuko's office.

"Tori Akino-sensei is so kind."

"He truly lives up to his reputation as a cartoonist I admire."

Even now, they still view Hibino Hibiki primarily as a manga artist.

"The title of president is too unrealistic."

……

Upon entering Asahina's office, Hibiki Higashino chatted with her about the current work plans of "Mirai-sha".

Some of his energy was devoted to "Your Name," and some was spent on animation production.

A recent project is called "Ouran High School Host Club," which is an adaptation of a youth romance manga aimed at women.

The story revolves around the love triangle between the female protagonist, Haruhi, and several wealthy young men from a private high school.

"I've read this manga; it's a very good work," Higashino Hibiki said instinctively.

"Stare!" Minami Chiharu stared intently at Higashino Hibiki. "You read this kind of manga too?"

“Because the protagonist has a great personality,” Hibiki Higashino said. “And manga artists always need to learn from their colleagues’ techniques.”

“That makes sense.” Nan Qianchun nodded.

Hibiki Higashino checked the progress of "Your Name" before leaving.