Full-time comic artist

“Of course, there will be bodyguards who can defeat 10 strong men with their bare hands and kill someone in just 0.2 seconds,” Yoshida joked.

"You can't just say things like that." Higashino Hibiki looked at him reproachfully. The sentence sounded familiar, as if it was a line from a movie describing Abe's female bodyguard.

Sasaki glanced at him as well.

"I'm sorry," Yoshida Koji said, bowing his head. "I've been reading too many manga lately, and I can't suppress my chuunibyou (middle school syndrome) spirit."

“With your erratic behavior, how can you be a team leader?” Sasaki sighed.

"Eh!" Yoshida's eyes widened in disbelief.

"Editor-in-Chief! You just said... team leader, right?"

Chapter 339 The Cold-Hearted Creator

“That’s a consideration,” Sasaki nodded.

Koji Yoshida has been with Jump for over three years.

He was very diligent on the Hunter x Hunter project... well, the workload there was minimal.

But Yoshida really put a lot of effort into the serialization of "Death Note".

The newcomers were able to shoulder heavy responsibilities and didn't let the team down, bringing "Death Note" to a successful conclusion.

As for Paprika...

At least it didn't affect Akino Tori's future creative work.

"Huh?" Sasaki felt something was off. "Let's forget about the team leader thing."

"No! Editor-in-Chief!" Yoshida Koji was almost crying.

Sasaki stroked his chin, lost in thought, and ignored him.

Akino Mirai is a veteran manga artist who is not demanding of her editors.

No matter which editor from Jump he works with, they can produce excellent work.

Therefore, Yoshida did not contribute much here.

Sasaki's consideration of appointing him as the group leader is related to Hoshino Katsura.

Katsura Hoshino is the most outstanding newcomer recently. His potential in "D.Gray-man" is enormous, and he has the potential to rival Tite Kubo's "Bleach".

This work was mostly completed under the guidance of Koji Yoshida.

This demonstrates that Yoshida possesses outstanding abilities and already has the potential to become a team leader.

Another factor is Koji Yoshida's age.

Young editors are better able to connect with readers and provide cartoonists with the right guidance.

Therefore, as Jump editors get older, they either get promoted to management or transferred to other departments.

"It's a bit unreliable for Yoshida to become the group leader," Higashino Hibiki said with a smile.

“Teacher Akino…” Yoshida looked at Higashino Hibiki with tears in his eyes.

He desperately wanted to become the team leader; it was his dream.

“That’s right,” Sasaki replied.

"Huh?" Yoshida looked at the two of them, dumbfounded.

They ignored Yoshida and continued their previous conversation.

Sasaki said, "Then the matter of the sales meeting is settled."

"Of course, I'll leave it to Mr. Sasaki to handle."

The Jump editorial team needs to conduct market research and determine the time and location.

“This is my job.” Sasaki nodded.

After the conversation ended, Sasaki stood up and saw Higashino Hibiki out.

"Want to get together?" he asked.

"Forget it, we'll talk about it next time." Higashino Hibiki shook his head, then looked at Sasaki and complained, "Every time you treat us, it seems like it's always to some really ordinary restaurant."

The average spending per person is around 3000 yen.

It can't compare to the kaiseki cuisine served by the producer of Crazy House.

Oh, by the way, what was that producer's name again?

Hibiki Higashino doesn't remember.

"I'm short of money," Sasaki sighed.

"Then I'll treat you next time," Higashino Hibiki comforted him.

As for next time... definitely next time.

Sasaki saw Hibiki Higashino off, sighing. This time, he wouldn't be able to get his meal expenses reimbursed.

He can use the receipt from the upscale restaurant in his hand later.

……

Katsura Hoshino Studio.

"Editor Yoshida, you need to be gentler with me from now on, okay?"

Yoshida's face darkened. He had lost the editorial team leader position he was about to secure, and now he was being provoked by Hoshino Katsura.

Today is Monday, and there was work to discuss the storyboard for "D.Gray-man". Unexpectedly, as soon as we met, Hoshino Katsura raised his head and cautiously probed.

Both assertive and cowardly.

"What's wrong with you now?" Yoshida gritted his teeth.

"I...I've already seen how humble Yoshida-san looked when facing Tori Akino-sensei, so...so, you're not allowed to yell at me, okay?"

"That's ridiculous." Yoshida suppressed his anger and glanced at her. "If you were as easy to manage as Mr. Tori Akino, I wouldn't bother with you."

Katsura Hoshino clenched his fist, thinking to himself that he must strive to become a senior figure in the manga industry, possessing fame and influence.

I will no longer be bullied by bastards like Yoshida.

"Let me see the storyboard."

"Okay... okay."

After the discussion of the storyboard for "D.Gray-man" ended, Yoshida got up and left.

He complained, "I still have to go to Toriakino Studio, I'm too busy."

"What are you going to do?" Hoshino Katsura asked curiously.

"The signing event for 'Puella Magi Madoka Magica' has been decided. I need to inform the teacher."

"A book signing!" Hoshino Katsura exclaimed curiously, but Yoshida ignored her and turned away.

"So, what about the time and place? Tell me!"

She was somewhat inclined to attend; she thought that if everyone who liked Akino-sensei got together, they would surely have a lot to talk about.

……

"Teacher, I have some questions I'd like to ask you."

At 10 a.m. on Monday, Tanaka visited Hibiki Higashino as promised.

He had already called Higashino Hibiki yesterday to get his consent.

“Of course,” Higashino Hibiki said. “Actually, I understand what you want to ask.”

He had been reading Tanaka's "The Code" for a while. The manga was filled with a sense of fear that was not felt in the first place, and it was a typical Chinese horror.

This manga is one of the few serious works in Jump, which is why it has consistently performed poorly.

But because it's a niche market, the readership is strong and won't be halved in the short term.

"As expected of a teacher." Tanaka lowered his head.

He didn't actually care about Xiao Zheng's grades.

He would be content as long as he could showcase his talents in the serialized work.

He was quite satisfied that he could serialize his own work.

"Let me organize my thoughts," Higashino Hibiki said, looking up at the ceiling. After a while, he said, "I've got it."

"You have no problems in any aspect, whether it's the drawing skills or the plot, they are all above average."

"Thank you for the compliment."

"If we're talking about problems, it's about pacing. You haven't figured out the reader's psychology; in other words, you need to create from the audience's perspective."

"It sounds very difficult to understand."

"This requires more drawing and thinking."

"I see."

Ultimately, shonen manga is commercial manga, and the reader's experience is paramount.

"How good is Hattori's editing skills?" Hibiki Higashino asked him directly.

"He works very hard, pays close attention, and always comes up with excellent suggestions," Tanaka replied.

"That's good, it can help you."

Tanaka stayed for a few hours, then got up to say goodbye.

Akemi Akemi carried the matcha cake she had just finished out of the kitchen and looked at the empty living room. “It’s a real shame that Tanaka-kun has already left.”

Higashino Hibiki smelled the fresh, sweet scent and stood up. "I'll take care of it."

He didn't usually like desserts, but Akemi Akemi's desserts were not too sweet or greasy, and had a unique aroma that made them very delicious.

Higashino took the matcha cake, and before he could even sit down, he took a bite and popped it into his mouth. It was icy cold, delicate, and mellow.

"Mmm, delicious, as delicious as ever." Higashino Hibiki gave a thumbs up.