Full-time comic artist

In the color page of Jump, Sayaka is sinking into the deep sea, tears welling in her eyes, while Kyoko embraces her with a smile, as if they are dancing.

Kyoko, who wanted to redeem Sayaka, eventually slept with her.

"Why would Kyoko go to such lengths for Sayaka? The two of them were initially at odds and couldn't stand each other," a girl asked sadly.

A boy looked up and said wistfully:

"Because Sayaka and Kyoko are so alike. Faced with Sayaka, who is full of a sense of justice and struggling with her magical girl destiny, Kyoko rediscovers her former self. Beneath her nonchalant face, she is actually filled with guilt, because her rash wish led to the destruction of her family."

"When Sayaka became a witch, Kyoko also decided to save Sayaka's soul. She took the light that Sayaka gave her and eventually left the world with her."

This is a story of mutual redemption.

In "Puella Magi Madoka Magica," the storyline involving Sayaka and Kyoko evokes sadness and sighs.

Xiaoyuan said, "Isn't it despicable of me to just let others fight while I do nothing myself?"

Kyoko comforted her, saying, "Only someone who has no other choice would risk their life to do something like that."

For example, Mami Tomoe, who is about to die.

Madoka, who has a happy family, doesn't need to become a magical girl.

Perhaps Kyoko was thinking of herself here.

It is terribly foolish of me to make a wish simply because my father has no believers and I am starving.

If you don't have an absolute belief in becoming a magical girl, you'll only have regrets in the end.

In the classroom, the students gathered together remained silent for a long time.

Until someone asked, "Hey, have you guys read that 'Magical Girl Duel' manga?"

"That's so boring."

"It's just a bad work that uses dark and violent themes as a gimmick to attract readers."

"I want to learn from 'Puella Magi Madoka Magica,' but I don't have the depth of 'Puella Magi Madoka Magica.'"

"Huh? I think it's pretty good."

"It's actually quite interesting, isn't it?"

……

Tuesday, at Hibiki Higashino's studio.

Koga glanced at Higashino Hibiki.

I took another look.

Look again.

“Sigh,” Higashino Hibiki sighed, putting down his pen. “Mr. Kogawa, just say what you have to say. Don’t be so coy.”

"The teacher found out, I'm so sorry." Xiaohe smiled apologetically.

"Look at how frequently I do that..."

“Then I’ll be frank,” Xiaohe asked. “Magical Girl Duel was published yesterday, and I’ve read it. I’m also keeping an eye on the readers’ feedback. Most people are saying that this manga is a very basic dark and gritty story, extremely disgusting and boring.”

"What's your opinion, teacher?"

After Xiaohe finished speaking, he leaned forward.

Akemi Akemi was also very curious, so she smoothed her hair and listened intently.

"Huh? Is the review really that bad?" Hibiki Higashino asked in surprise. "I think it's quite interesting."

"Is that what the teacher is thinking?"

"Yes, the concept is novel and very interesting."

The first episode of Magical Girl Duel tells a story.

The protagonist is a student at the Takarazuka Music Academy who aspires to join the Takarazuka Revue.

At first, the comic's pace was light and enjoyable.

She entered the prestigious school she had long dreamed of attending.

Moreover, this school also houses a senior from her high school whom she used to know.

That was someone she admired.

Gentle, kind, beautiful...

It seems like every beautiful word can be used to describe my senior.

The senior student also helped her many times when she was impulsive.

Therefore, he was able to attend the same university as his senior, and in the early stages of the manga, a smile was always on the protagonist's face.

until……

She began to experience the school's "traditional system".

Greeting the senior student is just the basic requirement; you also have to appear obedient.

A look of awe and tension is essential.

For example, on rainy days, if a senior student doesn't have an umbrella, even if you have one, you should still get wet with her.

The younger female students are responsible for cleaning the bathhouse for the older female students.

You should bow to the passing tram, because there might be a female student on the tram.

Senior students can criticize and educate junior students at any time, and the junior students can only obediently listen.

Compared to other schools in Japan, it places even greater emphasis on seniority and hierarchy.

In such a school, the protagonist gradually changed from cheerful and lively to timid and hesitant.

Higashino Hibiki found it very distressing to watch.

This is the process of a person's personality being tamed.

Bullying incidents inevitably followed.

Extorting protection money, slapping people, burning faces with curling irons...

In this environment, the protagonist is sustained by his dream of joining the Takarazuka Revue with his dazzling senior.

Then...

She was bullied by her senior, who was her idol.

That wonderful person has forgotten the protagonist; now, with an air of superiority, they have no kindness whatsoever.

So the protagonist broke down.

She realized that next year, when facing her juniors at Takarazuka Music Academy, she would become just like her current senior.

Ferocious and unrestrained, like a wild beast.

She chose to become a magical girl and change everything.

It starts with revenge.

"Isn't this interesting?" Hibiki Higashino asked.

He was reminded of "Hell Girl," where characters choose to sacrifice their own souls to send their enemies to hell when faced with injustice.

Akemi Akemi nodded subconsciously.

“But,” she asked, “this comic is clearly a copy of 'Puella Magi Madoka Magica,' don’t you have any objections at all?”

The little river also wants to know.

Most of the people who criticize "Magical Girl Duel" online are readers of "Puella Magi Madoka Magica".

They don't approve of Ryuzawa's work because of their own preferred manga.

"Anyone can draw a dark and gritty magical girl, it's no big deal." Higashino waved his hand. "I'm actually very curious about how this manga will develop, it's the most anticipated work in Jump right now."

"The teacher is really bold!" Xiaohe smiled and gave a thumbs up.

He was actually quite awkward. He was engrossed in watching "Magical Girl Duel," but subconsciously denied watching "Duel" because of Akino Mirai's identity as her assistant.

The struggle of liking something yet forcing yourself not to accept it is truly uncomfortable.

……

On Friday, Hibiki Higashino learned about Masashi's results in "Magical Girl Duel".

Koji Yoshida said with relief, "It's fourth place."

Hibiki Higashino was puzzled, "How come you're only fourth place?"

Most manga series that debut on Jump achieve considerable success.

Getting first place is difficult; most people get second place, and fourth place is quite low.

When he watched "Magical Girl Duel", he judged that he would at least be in third place.

"The audience for 'Magical Girl Duel' is watching 'Puella Magi Madoka Magica'," Yoshida explained.

If you had to choose between "Puella Magi Madoka Magica" and "Duel," even a brainless person would choose "Puella Magi Madoka Magica."

Readers who enjoy dark magical girl manga cast their polls for "Puella Magi Madoka Magica," naturally leaving "Duel" out of the running.

“And another thing,” Yoshida continued, “readers really dislike that ‘Duel’ is copying ‘Puella Magi Madoka Magica’, and the manga has a bad reputation.”

……

"Only fourth place."

The assistants looked at Long Ze, whose hand holding the phone was trembling uncontrollably.

After hanging up the phone, Longze was dejected and stopped drawing comics.

The deadline is fast approaching.

At 8 PM, with Ryuzawa feeling dejected, the fourth episode of "Duel" was finally completed after working overtime.

The editor was busy submitting the original manuscript.

Long Ze stared blankly into space, his eyes vacant.