Full-time comic artist

Having known each other for several years, Yoshida had been busy serving him and had done a great deal of work for him. Even if he hadn't done anything particularly meritorious, he had certainly put in a lot of effort.

Hibiki Higashino wanted to reach out and stop Yoshida from leaving, seeing his lonely figure.

In the past few days, he has kept thinking about apologizing.

But to everyone's surprise, before Higashino Hibiki could apologize, Yoshida showed up eagerly, his enthusiasm undiminished, even more fervent than before.

"Is Yoshida a masochist?"

Higashino frowned deeply.

"What's wrong, teacher?" Yoshida asked, then said, "Look, this is the new manga by Soma Ichiro-sensei that you've been waiting for."

"Oh, let me see." Higashino Hibiki became interested.

He took over Weekly Shonen Jump.

Soma Ichiro's new manga, "I Love You So Much," even has a color cover.

It says "Kawaguchi Taro's" latest masterpiece.

Jump is a very promising new work by Ichiro Soma.

It could also be due to a lack of new talent.

The latest edition of the "Golden Future Cup" is arguably the worst ever, failing to discover any promising new talents, and only two of them were able to be serialized.

In Shu, there were no great generals, so Liao Hua became the vanguard.

“I really like romance manga,” Hibiki Higashino said. “I hope this will satisfy me.”

The story takes place after he graduates from junior high school, when the protagonist finally musters up the courage to find the girl he has been secretly in love with for a long time.

"Soma-sensei's drawing skills have improved a lot," Higashino Hibiki remarked upon seeing the female lead.

This female protagonist has reached the passing grade for romance comics.

While it may not evoke memories of first love for readers, it does reveal a sailor's youthful and naive side.

The protagonist hesitated, and finally, his courage was exhausted after three attempts.

Under the heroine's surprised gaze, he handed a book to the girl, saying, "This is a graduation gift, Kishikawa-kun."

Then he covered his face and fled.

Time flies, and it's already the second month since the start of the school year.

During a physical education class, the male protagonist lies to the side watching the flight path of an airplane, lamenting his first love that ended before it even began.

"A girl is looking for you."

The teacher said to him.

The male protagonist arrived at the school gate and saw Kishikawa, whom he had secretly loved for a long time.

The girl stood under the cherry blossom tree, her long hair blowing in the wind, blurring her vision.

"I've finally... I've finally found you..."

The girl threw herself into the male protagonist's arms.

……

It was such a dreamlike story that Higashino Hibiki had a big smile on his face.

The male protagonist's gift contained a love letter, revealing his deep-seated love for Kishikawa.

The female protagonist had been too afraid to open the gift that symbolized their separation. After the start of the school year, she accidentally knocked over the book on the bookshelf, and the love letter finally saw the light of day again.

A relationship, thanks to an unexpected turn of events, did not become a regret.

"It's so good that it went smoothly."

“Yes, yes.” Yoshida Koji nodded repeatedly.

The comic begins with a story of courage, emphasizing that love should be expressed.

Keeping it to yourself guarantees failure, but speaking up gives you a chance of success.

After reading the story, Hibiki Higashino looked at the manga from a professional perspective. "It seems that Soma-sensei has been preparing for a long time. Although the story is simple, the narrative is very logical, smooth, and coherent. The plot is delicate, and the paneling is smooth. Not bad, really not bad."

Koji Yoshida added, "Jikoku I Love You is much better than Space Railroad Hero; it's more mature in every aspect."

Hibiki Higashino closed Jump. "It seems that during the ten years that he couldn't serialize, Soma-sensei was never idle. Even without serialization, he was always learning and enriching himself."

Ten years of honing a sword.

"I Really Like You" has generated a lot of discussion since its serialization began.

Campus romances that touch people's hearts never lack an audience.

Ichiro Soma benefited from "Taro Kawaguchi," and when he succeeded, he also boosted the viewership of "Bakuman."

This is a victory achieved without making a sound.

“See?” Hibiki Higashino said, looking at the news of rising sales of the Bakuman manga. “There’s no need for messy marketing. When the time is right, Bakuman will naturally succeed.”

"Yes." Yoshida Koji was completely convinced.

Hibiki Higashino is not a newcomer and has no shortage of attention.

If "Bakuman" has a bit of substance, it will naturally win over readers when the time is right.

……

December has arrived.

The Tezuka Prize and the Akatsuka Prize banquets were held simultaneously.

As a manga artist signed with Jump and a judge for the Tezuka Award, Hibiki Higashino naturally had to participate.

“Every Tezuka Award banquet is filled with so many energetic young people. Even I, an old man, feel a bit younger now,” Osamu Akimoto joked with a smile.

"Teacher, you are still as vigorous as ever," Higashino raised his champagne glass. "I wonder when I will be able to draw manga as effortlessly as you do."

Chapter 392 The Golden Lion Award (

"I'm not like you, you've already started having two relationships."

Osamu Akimoto smiled, clearly referring to "Hanzawa Naoki" and "Bakuman".

"Teacher, don't try to fool me," Higashino raised his eyebrows. "While you were serializing 'Kochikame,' you were also serializing 'Ultimate Angels.'"

Akimoto Osamu's face fell. "Oh, you've discovered this embarrassing past of mine."

"It's not a dark history," Higashino Hibiki shook his head.

It's just not as good as "Kochikame".

On the other hand, there are very few comics that can compare to "Kochikame".

It's nothing short of a miracle that a comic book has been loved by readers from 1976 to 2016.

Over the years, readers' aesthetic preferences, changes in manga art styles, and so on have all needed to adapt to the times. Jotaro's art style in several parts of "JoJo" is an example of how the art style changed due to the needs of the times.

The fact that "Kochikame" didn't have a major impact in the hands of the increasingly older Osamu Akimoto proves his ability.

On the other hand, the fact that he has been drawing weekly comics continuously for 40 years is terrifying, surpassing everyone else's achievements.

Akira Toriyama ran away after 10 years of serialization, Yoshihiro Togashi ruined his health drawing, and Eiichiro Oda, overwhelmed by the workload, took regular breaks. You can tell that this is something no human can do.

“Learning from Professor Akimoto is something I’ve always wanted to do, but it’s just too difficult,” Hibiki Higashino sighed. “Now I’m getting a little tired.”

“Then adjust yourself,” Akimoto Osamu said. “Rest well and face the challenges ahead.”

“That’s right,” Hibiki Higashino said. “Cheers.”

"cheers."

The glasses clinked together, and Higashino Hibiki downed his drink in one gulp, then instinctively knocked it over.

"What's this?" Akimoto asked, puzzled.

"Ah, sorry." Higashino Hibiki gave an awkward smile.

This was a completely subconscious action of his; even after more than a decade, he still hasn't forgotten the act of discussing cooperation over drinks.

"I'm probably drunk."

"This is champagne."

"It's not the wine that makes you drunk, it's the person who gets drunk."

……

The newcomers were all energetic and radiant, imagining their moment of triumph.

Bird Akino was surrounded by envious, admiring, and nervous gazes; too many people were watching him.

But no newcomers dared to step forward.

“Tori Akino-sensei!” Yashiro Sei said, “The manga you’re asking us to finish must be Slam Dunk!”

This guy wasn't scared at all and greeted everyone familiarly.

Hibiki Higashino asked, "Why do you think that?"

"Because if it were me, I would make the same decision."

He was absolutely certain that the work that had ended was "Slam Dunk".

Even if Higashino Hibiki told him it wasn't true, he wouldn't believe it.

"Then keep that in mind and continue watching Bakuman."

"Yes!"

……

At the awards ceremony, Yashiro Naruto, the only recipient of this year's "Tezuka Award", had the opportunity to speak.

He looked down at the audience, his heart filled with longing.

"When I was little, I liked reading Akino Tori's manga. It gave me a sense of novelty from another world."

"At the beginning of this year, I suddenly decided to draw comics. From being completely clueless at the beginning to now being an expert, I've grown to love drawing comics more and more, and it's gradually becoming a part of my life."