Full-time comic artist

"Hibiki," Principal Ota suddenly spoke up, "Will you be watching Mirai's soccer game too?"

“Because that child’s eyes were so eager, telling me, ‘I hope Daddy can come and watch my amazing performance,’” Hibiki Higashino said. “I used to find it strange that when Dragon Ball ended, Toriyama-sensei was still very young, but he stopped drawing manga. Now I understand that we parents need to be present in our children’s growth, accompany them, encourage them, and give them a wonderful childhood.”

“You are a good father,” Principal Ota nodded with satisfaction. “It makes me so happy that the child I once was has now become such an excellent parent.”

He didn't ask any further questions about what would happen to Tori Akino's future manga, because he already knew the reason.

……

The match lasted only 30 minutes, and Higashino Mirai ultimately won.

He performed well, much better than the opponent's inferior horses. Later, when the opponent's superior horses were too tired to run, his side won 2-1.

Higashino Mirai, his face ashen, found his parents. He looked up and said, "I'm sorry..."

"Why are you apologizing?" Akemi Akemi squatted down and took out a handkerchief to wipe the sweat and dust off Higashino Mirai's face.

"I performed terribly, I couldn't keep up with Kishine-senpai at all..."

“No,” Akemi Akemi said, “it’s because you worked so hard that you inspired your teammates to play their best, and that’s how you beat them.”

"Really?"

"Really, you can ask your dad if you don't believe me."

Higashino Mirai and Akemi Akimiya looked up at Higashino Hibiki.

“That’s right,” Higashino Hibiki gave a thumbs up, “You’re a kid I’m proud of, well done!”

"I'm not that good," Higashino Mirai said shyly, fidgeting.

As dusk fell, Higashino carried his tired, sleeping son on his back and held Akemi Akemi's hand as they walked home.

……

"Is 'Hanzawa Naoki' about to start airing?"

“That’s right,” the TBS producer nodded. “Because it was a particularly important project, everyone worked very hard to complete the assigned tasks.”

Chapter 406 Surrounded by Powerful Enemies

"Hanzawa Naoki" airs on TBS Sunday Drama slot, which is 21 PM on Sundays. This is one of TBS's main drama slots.

The airing records of numerous excellent TV dramas such as "Life Is Beautiful" and "Stubborn Old Man" made this time point firmly memorable for TBS viewers.

Of course, because it's the peak time period, competitors will also target this period with their own strategies.

"The 2007 FIVB Volleyball Women's World Grand Prix was broadcast by Fuji Television at the same time."

China was the host of the 2007 FIVB Volleyball Women's World Grand Prix, and Japan was ranked first in Asia outside of China.

Volleyball has a large market in Japan. The honor of the East Asian Witches once greatly inspired the Japanese people. At the same time, countless volleyball comics and TV dramas appeared one after another, which made the women's volleyball team even more powerful and became an unforgettable glorious era for a generation of Japanese people.

The Japanese women's volleyball team is participating in this World Grand Prix, which will definitely be of great interest to the Japanese public, making them a major rival to "Hanzawa Naoki".

Hibiki Higashino was also planning to watch it.

He pursed his lips; even "Hanzawa Naoki" had to face challenges.

"At the same time, Asahi will broadcast the 2007 U13 Baseball World Cup final between Japan and the United States."

Higashino Hibiki's expression worsened.

Baseball's status in Japan goes without saying; it's the undisputed number one sport. The final between the Japanese and American teams will undoubtedly attract a large audience.

The producer didn't mention the other programs, so they probably aren't anything special.

That's true. Compared to the broadcasts of those two sporting events, nothing else matters.

Perhaps, the same will happen with "Hanzawa Naoki." "Hanzawa Naoki," on which everyone placed high hopes, is destined for a Waterloo right from the start.

Higashino Hibiki's face was stiff, and he remained silent.

"I'm counting on you, teacher, to take down these two shows!" the producer said through gritted teeth.

Their production team was going all in on "Hanzawa Naoki," with the best director, screenwriter, and actors, and the production budget was maximized. If the results weren't satisfactory, he would have to bow and apologize.

"Huh? I..." Higashino pointed to himself in surprise, feeling that the other party was making things difficult for him.

"That's right! 'Hanzawa Naoki' will definitely be a hit!" The producer clenched his fist, stood up, and exclaimed excitedly, "Because it was the most popular manga last year!"

"This Manga is Amazing!" is a guidebook published by Takarajimasha in Japan. It was selected by a vote of countless participants, including university manga research groups, bookstore staff, writers, illustrators, editors, and critics.

The number one male-oriented manga in 2006 was "Hanzawa Naoki".

Undisputed number one.

The second place goes to Naoki Urasawa's "Pluto," adapted from Osamu Tezuka's manga "The Strongest Robot on Earth."

This comic caused a sensation as soon as it was published, and the story of the coexistence and conflict between humans and robots will never go out of style.

The sixth place is Fullmetal Alchemist, and the ninth place is Moyashimon.

It is clear that the success of "Hanzawa Naoki" is of great value.

"If it's 'Hanzawa Naoki,' then there's definitely no problem!"

The more excited the producer was, the more worried Hibiki Higashino became.

Even the TV series producers are excited; the results are truly unbelievable.

The producer noticed Higashino Hibiki's worry and sat down to comfort him: "Tori Akino-sensei, don't be nervous. Our production team has done our research, and 'Hanzawa Naoki' is definitely going to be the lead series, absolutely."

"Hmm." Higashino nodded. He could tell that the producer was putting on a brave face, but he didn't say anything. Now, they had no choice but to face the enemy head-on; there was no possibility of backing down.

……

"If you get messed with, you'll definitely retaliate tenfold! A new hero is born to deal with a bad boss!"

Can you get your 5 million back? The fight between wives in the company dormitory—is it for their husbands' advancement, or for friendship?

A spirited announcer's voice came from the television as Hiroshi Motomiya walked out of his workroom.

"What's wrong?" his wife asked, munching on an apple, surprised.

She knows her husband well; once he starts drawing comics, he becomes completely absorbed and rarely leaves his workspace except to go to the bathroom, let alone put down his comics when attracted by TV drama trailers.

“This is Tori Akino’s ‘Hanzawa Naoki’,” Hiroshi Motomiya said, rubbing his chin as he watched the trailer. The male lead, “Hanzawa Naoki,” had his lips tightly pressed together and his brows furrowed, looking as if he had something on his mind.

"The acting was very good, and the production seems to be fine, which is good."

He nodded repeatedly in satisfaction.

"This is the work of the talented junior you mentioned before," Lady Ben said, watching the television. "It looks very interesting. He's a remarkable young man. You should mentor him."

“Teaching?” Hiroshi Motomiya looked at his wife and said seriously, “Hanzawa Naoki should have much higher ratings than Salaryman Kintaro. That kid Tori Akino is better than me.”

"Huh? That's unbelievable," Lady Ben said with a start, then smiled. "But in my heart, you will always be number one."

Honmiya Hiroshi blushed, a smile playing on his lips. He turned his head away, saying, "Why are we, an old married couple, saying such mushy things..."

He hurriedly went back to his workroom.

Lady Ben watched his retreating figure and burst into laughter.

……

"It'll be broadcast on September 23rd during the Sunday Theater time slot," Kito said to Kuriyama Minami. "Isn't that this Sunday?"

“Yeah, that’s right,” Kuriyama Minami licked her lips. She had been looking forward to the "Hanzawa Naoki" drama for so long, almost two years, and now it was finally about to begin. “This week has been so long. Shall we watch it together?”

"Well..." Gui Tou scratched the back of his head awkwardly, "I was planning to watch a baseball game, haha... haha..."

Kuriyama Minami glared at him angrily, "You traitor! Baseball games can be replayed! But if 'Hanzawa Naoki' is gone, it's gone."

Gui Tou said weakly, "I'll record it."

Kuriyama Minami glared angrily, "What's the point of not watching it immediately!"

"It's the same with baseball games; you get spoilers the next day..."

"what?"

That's all for now!

Kito ignored Kuriyama Minami and started working.

Kuriyama Minami was furious and had nowhere to vent his anger. He typed on the keyboard and opened a forum to see what others thought.

"I know the plot of 'Hanzawa Naoki', so there's no need to rush to watch the drama, right? The women's volleyball team is more important. There's a match between Japan and Kazakhstan in Tokyo on Sunday."

"I don't want to miss the U13 baseball final either..."

"It's really difficult. It would be better if these time periods could be separated."

"I'd better not watch 'Hanzawa Naoki'. The plot is just about Hanzawa dealing with a 500 million yen bad debt. I could recite it by heart."

Kuriyama Minami's anger intensified as he realized he was on the verge of being persuaded.

"What a terrible day."

……

On Saturday afternoon, Hibiki Higashino and Akemi Akimiya went on a date in Ikebukuro.

They sat in an open-air café, watching a female voice actress perform on the street.

"Voice actors have become idols too?" Akemi Akimiya said in surprise.

These voice actress girls are not only beautiful, but their skin is so tender it looks like you could squeeze water out of it.

They were dressed in cosplay outfits matching the anime, with little leather shoes, bubble socks, mini skirts, sailor uniforms, and pigtails, looking youthful, energetic, and very attractive.

There was a bunch of otaku cheering from the audience.

Hibiki Higashino spotted a guy taking pictures up a skirt with a camera.

“It’s been going on for a long time now,” he said, taking a sip of orange juice. “After all, becoming an idol can earn you extra money, and the voice acting agency doesn’t lose out.”

"What about Mei? Do you have a video of her dancing?" Akemi Akemi asked with interest.

“Mei? She,” Higashino Hibiki scoffed, “is an old maid who’s almost thirty and not pretty at all. Who would want her?”

“That’s so mean,” Akemi Akemi puffed out her cheeks. “Mei is so cute.”

"If you say so, then so be it," Higashino Hibiki said helplessly, shrugging his shoulders and muttering under his breath, "She's clearly an old maid who can't get married."