Tokyo 1970: I'll draw Doraemon?

The exhibition in August 70 would have been considered good if 5000 people came.

Fushimikawa was considering that one in ten people would buy "Try to Say Goodbye".

Even if there's a lot left, he can just give it away and then he won't have the burden of storage.

"500 copies! That's amazing. Please reserve one for me."

Fushimikawa made a gesture as if asking for money: "Okay, thank you for your patronage."

"Hahaha."

Fushimikawa was called away by Fujiwara Maki after only a short time in the activity room.

……

"I can go to the printing factory by myself, why would the president need to trouble himself?"

Sitting in the back seat of the Toyota Crown S50, Fushimikawa felt somewhat uncomfortable.

He has become accustomed to supporting himself.

"You've provided such a great idea, I'll definitely take good care of you," Fujiwara Maki said frankly. She took out a bottle of mineral water and handed it to Fushimikawa. "Want some?"

"Thank you," Fushimikawa said, taking the bottle, prying off the cap with a bottle opener, taking a small sip of water, and then saying, "It's just printing 500 copies of a comic book, and the eldest daughter of the Fujiwara family personally took charge. Your family is sure to grow bigger and stronger in the future."

“Just give me the bottle cap,” Fujiwara Maki said, extending her fair hand to put the bottle cap into the storage box. “I don’t care about any printing factory.”

She's being a bit ungrateful.

Fushimikawa astutely pointed out, "The establishment of CM Exhibition also benefited from the help of Fujiwara Printing Company."

When releasing doujinshi (fan-made comics), the most important thing is definitely printing.

The requirement for small batches and high frequency is a hassle no matter where you place it.

Not to mention that Maki Fujiwara offered a 9% discount to entice the creator.

Fujiwara Maki replied, "Of course I know, but between reality and ideals, people yearn for the latter. All I can do is to do my best within the given time, and my time is precious. That makes me even more grateful to you, Fushimi-kun. Your advice has given me hope for success."

Organizing fan conventions allows us to discover talent, cultivate readers, and lay a solid foundation for establishing a comic book publishing house in the future.

This put Fujiwara Maki's plan a big step forward.

"So, let me do something for you."

She looked at Fushimikawa with a serious expression.

Fushimikawa was taken aback for a moment, then said earnestly, "I accept your sincere gratitude."

President Fujiwara is probably a good person.

……

With Maki Fujiwara's intervention, Fushimikawa only paid the cost price for printing.

Each book costs 50 yen, and 500 books will cost a total of 25000 yen.

That's about one-third of the average monthly income.

Fushimikawa set the price of his doujinshi at 140 yen, and he would make a profit if he could sell more than 200 copies.

He didn't need to worry about moving "Try to Say Goodbye"; the Fujiwara Printing Factory staff would place it at the exhibition venue the day before the CM exhibition.

This is also one of the perks offered by the young lady.

After finishing this task, Fushimikawa's only remaining task was to meet with the editor.

Tokyo in June was humid and hot. He took the subway to the Shogakukan building.

This building is also known as the Q-Taro Building because the profits from its construction came from the huge success of the anime "Q-Taro the Little Ghost".

The building covers an area of ​​more than 2000 square meters, has 9 floors, and three underground floors, which is enough to accommodate thousands of people to work.

"That's really an exaggeration."

Fushimi looked up and sighed.

This is a good thing. As long as you can produce a hit manga, making huge profits is not a problem in Japan's environment.

In the past there was a Little Ghost Q-Taro Building, and in the future there will be a Parasyte Building, or maybe an Inuyasha Building or something like that, right?

With anticipation, Fushimikawa entered the building.

"Hello, I'm looking for Fukuda, the editor of 'Fourth Grader of Elementary School'."

……

Standing inside the Shogakukan building, Fukuda felt grateful to the Fujiko Fujio duo. He also had high expectations for the newcomers they introduced.

"Please wait a moment, Mr. Fushimi. I'll be right down."

Hearing the editor's hurried voice on the phone, the receptionist became somewhat curious about the young man in front of her.

'Is he a famous manga artist? Fushimikawa... I've never heard of him.'

She memorized the name and also remembered what Fushimikawa looked like.

'He's quite handsome, though.'

……

Fushimikawa did not have to wait long in the reception room before he met Editor Fukuda.

This person was wearing a suit, and his hair was neatly combed. He looked like a very serious person, not at all like an editor.

"I am Tomokazu Fukuda, hello."

After a brief exchange, he got to the point: "Please let me see 'Ikkyu the Clever'."

Fujimoto Hiroshi mentioned it once, and he remembered the name of the manga.

I wonder what other preparations he's been making behind the scenes?

Fushimikawa pondered for a moment, then handed him the manuscript: "Please take a look."

One episode, two episodes, three episodes...

In a short time, Fukuda finished reading the entire content and then remained silent for a long time.

"boom!"

"It could totally be serialized directly!"

He slapped the table, his voice filled with excitement.

Fushimikawa was startled. Fukuda had been looking serious just moments before, but now he looked completely different.

Is this your style?

Calm in normal times, passionate in critical moments.

Chapter Thirteen: The Difference Between Geniuses and Ordinary People

"My senior editor Toshiki Takei of Weekly Shonen Sunday once told me that if you see potential in a newcomer, you will become very excited. I now deeply understand what he meant."

After the initial excitement subsided, the editor from Fukuda said somewhat embarrassedly.

“Thank you for your high regard,” Fushimikawa nodded. “I will continue to work hard.”

Worried that his words might make Fushimikawa complacent, Fukuda cautioned, "Hard work is essential; it's the most basic requirement to become a manga artist. As for the skills needed after that, Fushimikawa doesn't lack them. The only thing is..."

"what?"

"Luck is something even the editor can't judge, so we can only strengthen the other two aspects."

Luck...

In fact, Fushimikawa didn't value it.

He understands the future trends of the times and knows the types of works that readers in different eras like. Then he just needs to follow the clues and draw them carefully.

Therefore, he is already qualified enough to start a comic book serialization without needing to do anything.

Think this through...

"Phew~" Fushimikawa breathed a long sigh of relief, feeling quite pleased.

Editor Fukuda said with some concern: "Don't be complacent. You haven't always been this good, have you? It takes a long time and hard work to transform from mediocrity to being extraordinary."

Thinking back to my ordinary self and comparing it to who I am now, I understand the power of perseverance.

Fushimikawa explained, "I'm just temporarily relaxing my nerves and not being too tense."

He has been working hard on the serialization for six years since junior high school.

By not participating in club activities, giving up some social interaction, and forgoing entertainment and leisure, I have become the skilled artist I am today.

Therefore, the success at this stage relieved Fushimikawa's anxiety considerably.

As for my ordinary self in the past...

Fushimikawa said earnestly, "I've always been different from others since I was a child; I've never been mediocre."

After all, he was a time traveler; it would be strange if he didn't stand out among the elementary school students.

“Uh…” Fukuda was at a loss for words; he had never expected anyone to reply to him like that.

'Could it be because I'm just an ordinary person that I can't understand the thought process of a genius?'

He decisively changed the subject and talked about his profession.

"This scene in 'Ikkyu the Clever' probably borrows from a Chinese historical story."

Opening the original manuscript, he pointed to the monks pretending to be dead, saying, "It was recorded in the Tang Dynasty's 'Qiyanlu'."

Fushimikawa was taken aback: "Editor Fukuda, you really have a remarkable memory; you even know the sources."

"To become an excellent editor, you need to have a lot of reading experience," Fukuda said matter-of-factly. "Otherwise, how can you give advice to manga artists and help them apply it to other situations?"

Fushimikawa finally nodded: "You're a good editor."

Fujimoto Hiroshi's recommendation was indeed well-founded.

Afterwards, Fukuda carefully reviewed the plot of "Ikkyu the Clever" and found no major problems, so he decided to recommend it for serialization.

He was decisive and did not point out unnecessary mistakes in order to show off.