Full-time comic artist

Chapter 383 "Puella Magi Madoka Magica" and "Paprika" Movie

The rankings for the "Akazuka Award" were announced quickly. The few manga that were nominated as finalists could only occupy a corner of a page, simply announcing the manga's name and the manga artist's name.

"A finalist for the 'Akazuka Award,' that's really impressive." Soma Ichiro looked at Jump and praised his nephew highly. "I couldn't even get nominated."

"I'm still a long way off," Soma Satoru shook his head. "It's just too difficult to serialize a story."

According to Hattori's editor's arrangement, their serialization would continue until at least after university.

He used to be proud of being the nephew of a cartoonist, but now, after hitting a wall, he finally understands the hardships of this industry.

"Don't worry too much about your grades," Soma Ichiro said. "The only manga artist who can serialize in Jump while still in high school is Tori Akino Mirai, let alone you who is only in junior high school. Don't be discouraged by failure, keep trying."

Satoru Soma rallied his spirits. "I realized that serialization is difficult; it's something that can't be accomplished even with hard work and sweat. It takes talent, hard work, patience, and despair. Only after going through round after round of setbacks can you see hope. Even so, I will never be defeated."

"Having this kind of perseverance is half the battle won." Soma Ichiro nodded in satisfaction. "He truly is my nephew."

"By the way, there's something I need to tell you."

"what?"

"My new work has passed the serialization meeting!"

"Ah!!!" Soma Satoru's mouth dropped open.

I just described how difficult it was, and you're telling me it's going to be serialized!

I really don't want to wish him well.

In this situation, it's hard to be happy for him.

"Hmm." Soma Satoru's cheeks puffed up in anger.

……

In August, at the Jinshikai Law Firm, Bei Ben's long-awaited work finally came to an end.

He picked up his water glass and drank it contentedly.

Are you happy?

"Hosaka-senpai!"

Kitamoto quickly stood up and gave a slight bow.

Hosaka was his senior from university, and after they joined the same agency, he took good care of him.

"No, don't be so polite. You're always so serious."

Hosaka quickly asked him to sit down, glancing at the power of attorney on Kitamoto's desk. "Is it still that case about the right to sunlight?"

"Yes."

Hosaka flipped through the documents. "Hey, you only have consultation fees, why are you taking this so seriously?"

"Oh, you even went through the trouble of doing 3D modeling, but the reward is far less than the effort. Really."

Kitamoto said, "My mother-in-law's family is not well-off, and I usually have nothing to do, so I'm just accumulating experience."

"In the legal profession, you can't be too kind-hearted."

"I'm just doing what I can."

Hosaka looked at him and shook his head helplessly.

He noticed the water glass on Kitamoto's desk. "Humans can't work like machines; they also need to consider interpersonal relationships, right?"

Kitamoto picked up his water glass, surprised, and asked, "Have you also read 'Hanzawa Naoki', senior?"

The water bottle's rubber mat is printed with an image of Hanzawa respectfully handing over his business card while wearing a suit. It's a recently released piece of merchandise from the "Hanzawa Naoki" manga and costs 1130 yen.

“Of course, after all, it’s a manga by Tori Akino-sensei.” Hosaka tilted his head back. “I really like Puella Magi Madoka Magica.”

"Compared to this set, I prefer another one: a black background with a yellow speech bubble that says 'Tenfold Repayment!!!' That better suits Hanzawa Naoki's style."

Asano Tadashi and Higashida are classmates. The 5 million yen loan was a conspiracy between the two, and Hanzawa was the scapegoat.

Asano Tadashi, as a branch manager, betrayed the bank's interests, which Hanzawa found deeply despicable.

The line "Tenfold return!" appears here, a famous scene from the comic, and related merchandise was quickly released.

"That's so hard to buy."

Is it difficult?

Kitamoto said sincerely, "There are many people queuing up to buy it."

Hosaka asked, "Hehe, can it be compared to Puella Magi Madoka Magica merchandise?"

"probably."

Hosaka said smugly, "The total sales of 'Puella Magi Madoka Magica' merchandise are over 10 billion yen, while 'Hanzawa Naoki' merchandise has not exceeded 100 million yen. How can you compare them? They are far inferior, ahahaha."

"Does Hosaka-senpai care about this?"

"Of course not!"

Kitamoto smiled, pursing his lips.

"Hosaka-senpai is such a veteran anime and manga otaku."

He said, "As long as you're happy."

……

The editorial office of Weekly Shonen Jump.

A month later, Hibiki Higashino returned to this place.

"The DVD sales of 'Puella Magi Madoka Magica' have exceeded 80 copies, and the merchandise has sold out. It's no wonder that it's a manga by Akino Higashino," the producer of Madhouse flattered Hibiki Higashino before revealing his purpose, "'Puella Magi Madoka Magica' has a huge market, and its potential has not yet been fully explored."

He proposed a theatrical version of "Puella Magi Madoka Magica".

"Teacher, please look."

Hibiki Higashino looked at the data he presented. There was a survey on audience willingness. The percentage of people who wanted to see the theatrical version and decided to go see it was as high as 82%, which was frighteningly high.

"This is all thanks to Director Araki," Hibiki Higashino said modestly, putting down the documents.

The survey was based on viewers of the "Puella Magi Madoka Magica" anime, who were willing to spend money on the theatrical version because of the high quality of the animation.

Many excellent comics have failed miserably due to poor animation.

"The original work is just too wonderful."

Producer Watanabe made polite remarks.

“Mr. Watanabe,” Hibiki Higashino said, “I don’t object to the theatrical version, so what can I do to help?”

Watanabe rubbed his hands together. "I'll leave the script to Mr. Tori Akino."

……

After several subsequent meetings, the collaboration on the theatrical version was finalized, and Hibiki Higashino will produce the script by the end of the year.

Sasaki, representing the editorial department, was present throughout.

The Puella Magi Madoka Magica movie is a major event for the Jump editorial department in the second half of the year.

One Piece movies are released every year, and the average box office of the five movies is around 20 billion yen.

"Puella Magi Madoka Magica" may not be as good as "One Piece", but it's not far off.

Maintaining the popularity of a work is also crucial, and this is something Sasaki should take seriously.

"How are the plot considerations for the theatrical version going?"

After Watanabe left, Sasaki asked Hibiki Higashino.

“I have an idea,” Hibiki Higashino said. “It’s probably a story from another timeline.”

Sasaki nodded thoughtfully. "Oh, I see. I'm looking forward to it."

Hibiki Higashino is also preparing to go home; he has accumulated quite a bit of work.

Unexpectedly, Sasaki's next words made him stop.

Did you know that Soma-sensei's manga is going to be serialized?

"Hey! It's a serialized story!"

This is truly an old tree blossoming.

Hibiki Higashino was very interested in this matter. He quickly returned to Sasaki's side, his eyes wide open, and asked, "What kind of manga is it?"

"Romance comics".

"What!" Hibiki Higashino exclaimed in surprise again. "A virgin in his thirties without a girlfriend can write romance comics?"

"You're so rude." Sasaki felt sorry for Soma Ichiro. "People who have never been in love are more likely to write compelling romance manga."

Because it's something you haven't experienced before, it can actually broaden your thinking.

Most people believe that love stories that transcend science fiction are the kind of things that only ignorant people would conceive.

Unfettered imagination blossoms without constraints.

“It looks like the story is going to be very exciting,” Hibiki Higashino said. “Soma-sensei’s terrible drawing skills make it hard to attract people with just his drawings. If the editors who know this appreciate his work, then the plot is definitely something I’m looking forward to.”

“That’s right, that’s how it is.” Sasaki nodded.

"This is the fantasy of an older virgin, the culmination of over thirty years of experience. Can you handle it?"

……

Watanabe returned to the madhouse excitedly.

Maruyama Masao looked at him with a smile, "Did you deliver the message I asked you to pass on?"

"What?" Watanabe asked in confusion. "Oh, right! A preview screening of Paprika!"

After three years of production, "Paprika" is finally nearing completion.

Masao Maruyama is preparing to hold a preview screening and finalize cooperation details with relevant parties.

Akino Mirai, the author of the original work, was also present.

“I forgot…” Watanabe was extremely frustrated.