Full-time comic artist

The 22 manga submitted for the Akatsuka Prize each have 37 pages, so reading them slowly would take quite a while.

Even if you don't like a comic, you still have to watch it seriously and responsibly.

The cartoonists have different approaches.

Some sat upright and proper, while others were unrestrained and dissolute.

"A 15-year-old newcomer!"

Higashino Hibiki heard a gasp.

He looked over and saw it was Professor Masanori Morita.

"I'm sorry," Morita said to Hibiki Higashino, muttering, "Manga artists are getting younger and younger these days."

At the age of 15, he made up his mind to draw manga and even passed the preliminary round of the "Akazuka Award". His ability and determination were both impressive, which greatly surprised Masanori Morita.

Higashino nodded in a friendly manner. Instead of flipping through the manga by the 15-year-old newcomer, he watched it methodically.

……

The entries for the "Akazuka Prize" are gag manga.

This type of comic has a low barrier to entry; even those with poor drawing skills can achieve good results.

However, it is equally difficult to draw funny comics that can make people laugh.

Hibiki Higashino flipped through the manga with a blank expression, a whole bunch of puns and references.

He was very unhappy with this kind of content.

Hibiki Higashino watched Japanese animation in his past life, and he always didn't understand puns or homophones, so he subconsciously resisted them.

The key point is that Japanese manga especially likes to use puns.

"So it's not my fault."

Hibiki Higashino gave many manga a score of 2 for the plot, and the artwork of the entries was also very average, not reaching the level of the "Tezuka Award" review. He also gave them a score of 2 to 3.

After scoring, he needs to write comments, which will be compiled into a comic book file bag and handed to the new contestant.

"The drawing skills need to be improved, but it's difficult to serialize something at this level."

Gradually, Hibiki Higashino saw the last manga.

The authors are a duo: Satoru Soma, who did the artwork, and Eiichi Yamada, who wrote the story.

Upon seeing the name "Soma Satoru," Higashino Hibiki couldn't help but smile.

Four years later, he finally saw the name "Soma Satoru" again.

The children who once dreamed of becoming cartoonists are now charging towards their dreams.

"This art style is very similar to that of Tori Akino-sensei."

"The child is only 15 years old, but his drawing skills are quite outstanding. He deserves a score of 5."

Everyone marveled at Soma Satoru's performance.

Hibiki Higashino made no attempt to hide it, saying, "He is the nephew of Ichiro Soma, and he once studied under me."

"No wonder, a great teacher produces a great student."

"The plot is also very good, with a lot of originality, making it a great comic."

"The story is profound beyond its years and elaborates on its plot. Although it is a comedy comic, it can make people think."

The cartoonists present really liked the comic and gave it high marks.

It ranks among the top 4 of all comics.

Sasaki shook his head upon hearing their comments.

From his perspective, the protagonist of this manga is just an ordinary person, lacking the characteristics of typical Jump manga protagonists—not a superpowered individual, and without any special gadgets. He cannot display any extraordinary abilities.

It's more like a novel than a comic.

However, this is also why cartoonists like it.

Akira Toriyama and his team were more concerned with storytelling than with the characteristics of manga.

……

After the rankings were completed, Higashino Hibiki breathed a sigh of relief. It was a simple matter, yet he felt immense pressure, constantly worried about overlooking any geniuses.

"That's the meaning of being a judge, isn't it?" Seeing him like this, Akira Toriyama patted him on the shoulder.

"Yes." Higashino felt a warmth in his heart and nodded.

They walked out side by side.

"I've been reading 'Hanzawa Naoki' the whole time; it's a truly exhilarating manga."

"I just hope the teacher doesn't mind that I use tricks."

“That’s how commercial comics are. How could I possibly force you to create works with depth?” Akira Toriyama shook his head.

"Hanzawa Naoki" is a work that provides readers with emotional value, and in terms of its purpose, it is no different from online novels.

If the reader feels great, then it's a success.

However, "Hanzawa Naoki" also pursued rationality.

"It must have been tough serializing 'Hanzawa Naoki' and 'Bakuman' at the same time, right?" Akira Toriyama asked him. "What are your plans after these two manga end? Will you take a break for a while?"

He gets goosebumps when he reads Hibiki Higashino's manga.

It would be a great pity if one only drew comics in life but didn't learn to enjoy life.

“I’ll probably stop for a while,” Hibiki Higashino said. “A few years or a decade or so, maybe. I’ll never draw again.”

When the mood strikes, I'll draw a short comic strip.

"For half my life, I've always been learning from my teachers and climbing along their paths. Now that I've stopped learning from them, it's never wrong to stop."

Higashino Hibiki spoke earnestly, which moved Toriyama Akira.

"Then get some rest," he said.

……

The results of the "Red Jade Palace Prize" were announced quickly.

Hattori Tetsu, an editor at Weekly Shonen Jump, contacted the new duo he had his eye on.

"Unfortunately, I was eliminated in the final round."

Selected, shortlisted, and honorable mention are the results of winning an award. The next level down is the final candidate.

Satoru Soma was eliminated in the quarterfinals, unfortunately unable to go on stage to receive the award.

"How could this happen..."

Soma Satoru sat blankly on the sofa.

A comic strip full of confidence, but the result is just so-so.

Eiichi Yamada encouraged him, "It's already amazing that you made it to the final round of submissions for your first time, Satoru!"

"Hmm." Soma Satoru gave an awkward smile.

He studied drawing comics for so long, but he still couldn't compare to Yashiro Naruto, a newcomer.

When Yashiro Naruto received the "Tezuka Award" shortlist, he said, "I submitted my work rashly because I wanted to follow in the footsteps of Akino-sensei, and I didn't expect to get shortlisted so easily."

Recalling those words, Soma Satoru's clenched fist bulged with veins.

Having made a bad start, how could he face his teacher, Tori Akino, who had taught him?

"I'm still too weak."

Seeing that he was getting stuck on something, Yamada Eiichi asked, "Satoru, Editor Hattori invited us to Shueisha to summarize what we learned and what we failed this time. Should we go?"

"Of course I'm going!"

……

The next day after school, the two of them went to Shueisha. Not long after, Hattori Tetsuya came to the reception room to meet them.

"The cartoonists gave you very high marks during this review; your drawing skills are good and your story is excellent."

"Why then?"

"Because the editors' evaluation was poor. They said the manga style wasn't suitable for Jump, and the main character lacked distinctive features, etc."

Hattori Tetsuya explained one by one.

"I see." Yamada Eiichi said thoughtfully.

This lowered his reputation, so that's his problem.

He needs to draw manga that's more suitable for Jump.

“Keep your own characteristics in mind and find the intersection between Jump and yourself,” Hattori Tetsu advised. “This requires a lot of experimentation.”

"Participate in more newcomer awards and serialize short stories in 'next' magazine. Over time, you will improve your skills."

This is the path most newcomers take.

"These are the comments from the cartoonist teachers. Take a look."

Hattori Tetsu handed them the document bag.

Soma Satoru quickly took it and looked at it carefully.

Eiichiro Oda: "The artwork is excellent, and the story is very unique. Keep up the good work and maintain your distinctive style."

Masashi Kishimoto: "I see the influence of Akino-sensei in your drawings. I have high hopes for you."

He read through them one by one, and they were all the hopes of his senior cartoonists, which made his eyes well up with tears.

Finally, he saw Tori Akino's words: "You've finally started submitting your work. Your manga hasn't gotten any worse, keep it up, Satoru. And Yamada-kun too."

"Eh? Tori Akino-sensei mentioned me!" Yamada Eiichi exclaimed with surprise and delight. "Do you know Tori Akino-sensei?!"

"Mmm..." Soma Satoru choked back tears, which soaked the hem of his clothes.