Full-time comic artist

"You're really not giving me any face."

Sasaki smiled and said, "The official business isn't over yet. I'll definitely join you after the discussion."

“That’s more like it.” Higashino Hibiki nodded.

Sasaki continued discussing work, handing Hibiki a form to Higashino.

These are the dates when various distributors urged the release of the "Hikaru no Go" manga volumes.

“The first edition was 100,000 copies, and it was basically sold out in less than two days,” he analyzed the data and said to Higashino Hibiki. “The reprint is 300,000 copies, and in my calculations, it will last for a maximum of 7 more days.”

"At this rate..." Hibiki Higashino couldn't believe it, "Could it break one million?"

One million is a huge gap; even Takeshi Obata's original "Hikaru no Go" only sold 70 to 80 copies per volume.

The difficulty is evident.

Higashino Hibiki calculated that each volume of the book would sell for 400 yen, and his share would be 10% of the sales price after tax, which is 40 yen.

700,000 multiplied by 40 yen equals 28 million yen.

This is the sales volume of one copy.

The manga "Hikaru no Go" is currently updated to chapter 53, so it could easily be published as a five-volume series.

He had tried to imagine the best possible outcome, but after listening to Sasaki's words, he realized that he had been too conservative.

"The Jump of 1995," Hibiki Higashino remarked, "a readership of over 6 million, truly terrifying."

The pinnacle of manga is Jump, the world's largest manga platform. It's not impossible for Hibiki Higashino to break 100 million copies of his manga on it.

“Yes,” Sasaki nodded. As an editor at Jump, he would proudly puff out his chest whenever he thought about this, as it was partly due to his own efforts.

“Shoujo manga comparable to Dragon Ball, Sailor Moon, has an average of around 67 copies per volume,” Sasaki said. “One reason for this is that the monthly manga magazine Good Friends is a niche publication compared to Weekly Shonen Jump.”

"Good Friends" actually sold around 200 million copies, which is quite a lot. However, it's still far behind Jump.

Hibiki Higashino's work is serialized in Jump, so the two works complement each other.

"Thank you very much, Mr. Sasaki."

He saw what Sasaki was doing behind the scenes.

Sasaki nodded. "So, what's next..."

He flipped through the notebook in his hand. "It's about Professor Akino's graduation. You mentioned before that you were admitted to Musashino Art University."

"Mmm," Hibiki Higashino replied, indicating that he was listening.

“Then there are a lot of things to deal with,” he said. “One of them is the studio issue.”

Sasaki looked around. In the living room, there were three desks and boxes stuffed full of things.

It contains many storyboards and original manuscripts, as well as some drawings that Higashino Hibiki created on a whim.

"Regarding this," Hibiki Higashino said, "I've spoken with Musashino University, and they'll allocate me a faculty dormitory room right across the street."

“Hmm,” Sasaki scribbled in his notebook, “If you need to move, please let me know and I will contact a moving company.”

"My friend and I can move it; it's not far."

Sasaki adjusted his glasses, looking very serious: "No, we can't let something as small as this hurt your hand and affect the serialization. The biggest worry for new authors is going on hiatus. Without building a loyal readership, a sudden hiatus can lead to a loss of popularity. This is a very serious matter for you and the editorial department."

Higashino Hibiki had no choice but to agree.

Sasaki then moved on to the next matter, "So, what about an assistant? Will you need one after graduation?"

“Yoshii will be going to Musashino with me, and as for Akimiya, it’s not that far. I…” Hibiki Higashino was about to refuse, but then remembered something and changed the subject: “I need a new assistant, thank you.”

Just as Sasaki Naomoto was about to cross out the assistant category, Hibiki Higashino suddenly made a 180° turn, almost knocking him over.

Maintaining his professionalism, he didn't complain and documented the incident.

Recently, a college dropout aiming to become a cartoonist is looking for an assistant job. You could try contacting him first.

He said that his year at university was a complete waste of time and that he had made no progress in the field of comics, so he dropped out.

Full of courage and sincerity, Sasaki decided to give him a chance.

"I have an assistant who won the Tezuka Award for Honorable Mention; he's about your age. I'll contact him."

Sasaki finished speaking, closed his notebook, and the business was over.

Hibiki Higashino stood up. In 1994, The King of Fighters '94 was released, and Jump staff specially updated the game library. Hibiki Higashino had wanted to play it for a long time.

Sasaki stood up as well; he hadn't played video games in a long time either. Most young people his age are obsessed with arcade games. This caused the arrival hall to be packed, comparable to a pachinko parlor.

Higashino Hibiki requested a match, and he too got the itch to play.

Someone suddenly popped out, and she asked with a smile, "Is work finished?"

It was Akemi Akimiya, holding the original manuscript in her hand.

"It's over. Are you going to ask me out?" Hibiki Higashino raised an eyebrow.

“No, it’s Sasaki,” Akemi Akemi said, holding the manuscript in both hands. “I want Mr. Sasaki to see the manga I drew.”

Sasaki was taken aback. He glanced at Higashino Hibiki, who had sat down, looking like he wasn't planning on leaving anytime soon.

"Sigh," Sasaki sighed, even though he was the one who was just so enthusiastic.

"Please let me take a look."

"Yes." Akemi Akemi was both happy and nervous.

After a long while, Sasaki made his judgment.

"No."

Her words were spoken with absolute certainty, and Akemi Akimiya's face turned pale.

Chapter 72 Assistant

Akemi Akemi was in a bad mood. She had spent more than half a year drawing a manga, only to have Sasaki point out a bunch of flaws.

Stream of consciousness, with too much focus on visuals and too little on storytelling, is not suitable for the Jump platform.

Rather than serializing it as a comic, it would be better to publish it as a picture magazine.

As the child of a master of ukiyo-e, Akemi Akimiya's paintings possess an indescribable artistic quality. Unfortunately, her dream was to become a manga artist, and she chose a path that was not suitable for her.

An hour after Sasaki left, she was still depressed and somewhat melancholy.

Hibiki Higashino rubbed his head; he didn't know why he liked Akemi Akemi so much.

Perhaps it was her pure love for comics, or perhaps it was because she was very beautiful.

He was instantly smitten when Ms. Akimiya appeared before him in a kimono.

Thinking of this, he stood up, grabbed Akemi Akimiya's right hand, and pulled her toward the door.

"What...what are you doing?" Akemi Akimiya asked in a panic.

“Ms. Akimiya, I don’t really like Japanese holidays,” Hibiki Higashino said as they walked. “For example, I didn’t go to the temple to ring the bell or draw lots to make a wish for this New Year. But I still can’t forget the fireworks display in 1993.”

“Ha…” Akemi Akemi blushed.

"So please, give me a chance to come to like the Japanese New Year."

“Is that all?” Akemi Akemi stopped, and Hibiki Higashino couldn’t hold her back.

"I'm going to change my clothes."

She went upstairs.

……

There is a temple near Yoshiwara-sho.

It's not very famous, but though small, it has everything you need.

On a cold winter night, Akemi Akemi, bundled up tightly and wearing long leather boots, quietly followed Hibiki Higashino.

Looking up at Higashino Hibiki, she felt safe.

Walking quietly along the tram tracks, Higashino exhaled, and a long mist began to spread.

More than 20 minutes later, they arrived at their destination.

The temple was deserted, and after the New Year, it returned to its usual tranquility.

Hibiki Higashino and Akemi Akemi walked up to the offering box. He put in a 10-yen coin, rang the bell, and clapped his hands together.

I made a wish in my heart.

"Is that how it's done?" he asked Akemi Akemi, turning to her.

Akemi Akemi shook her head. "Your ceremony was much simpler, but sincerity is what matters."

She imitated Higashino Hibiki's movements and made a wish, but read it aloud.

"I hope I can have my manga serialized." ×3

"Won't it lose its power if you just say it out loud?" Higashino asked.

"It's just a way to find some solace," Akemi Akemi said nonchalantly. "I think I'll be happier reading it aloud now."

“Hahaha,” Higashino Hibiki laughed, “How unique, Ms. Akimiya.”

Outsiders like him are often constrained by expectations, while locals, having seen so much of this, become indifferent.

"Please let Ms. Akimiya start serialization soon."

He expressed his wish from earlier.

"Huh?" Akemi Akemi was surprised. "Did you make a wish for me?"

“Yes,” Hibiki Higashino nodded, “My wishes have all come true, whether it's the serialization or the university entrance exam. Only…”

He looked straight at Akemi Akemi, "This wish may go against my dream, and Akemi-san may leave me to start a serialization, but I think only in this way will Akemi-san be happier."

She lowered her head, her ears turning red.

A moment of shyness washed over her, and her heart began to pound.

“I regret it,” Hibiki Higashino said.