Tokyo 1970: I'll draw Doraemon?

"Your recent drawing, 'Nobita vs. Musashi,' is very interesting. Connecting 'Doraemon' with historical figures really creates a chemical reaction."

"Nobita vs. Musashi" is an original story created by the animation team and is a very attractive and memorable episode. Fushimikawa has watched it several times. Apart from the storyboard, he doesn't need to put in any effort to create the plot.

"Teachers can try it too."

The two of them were chatting when, not long after, Fujiwara Maki knocked on the door and hurriedly came in.

"I'm sorry to have taken up your time, teacher. I really apologize."

“It’s alright,” Fujimoto Hiroshi waved his hand and said amicably, “I understand that you company presidents are always so busy. Besides, I’ve only been here for a short time.”

"Thank you for your understanding."

Fujiwara Maki breathed a sigh of relief, only then noticing the snack packaging next to Fushimikawa.

"Black and white printing...you predicted it again..."

When the oil crisis first broke out, Fushimikawa raised this possibility, and if Fujiwara Maki hadn't seen it with her own eyes today, she would have forgotten about it.

Not long after, she brought up the agenda for today's meeting.

"Toei Animation has proposed to make 'Nobita and the Tetsujin' into a theatrical film. We need to get your permission first, Fujiko-sensei."

“That’s alright, and…” Fujimoto Hiroshi looked at Fushimikawa and said in surprise, “Isn’t ‘Nobita and the Tetsujin Corps’ Oikawa’s work?”

"What I wrote can only be described as a derivative work with the teacher's consent. Although it has copyright, but..." After organizing his thoughts, Fushimikawa further explained, "I only own a part of it; the other part is with Fujiko-sensei. Wasn't that the original agreement?"

“Oh,” Fujimoto Hiroshi realized, nodded, looked at the two of them, and said with a smile, “I agree, let’s do it this way, but you two have to keep a close eye on it and not let it affect the reputation of Doraemon.”

“Of course, no problem!” Fujiwara Maki breathed a sigh of relief. She hadn’t expected Fujimoto Hiroshi to be so easy to talk to. “If the teacher wants to supervise in person, he can call us anytime.”

"That's settled then."

Animation, even movies, weren't big deals for Fujimoto Hiroshi; what mattered to him today was...

Has the organization of the "Fuji Prize" been completed?

……

Weekly Shonen Future will be promoting the Fuji Award, a prestigious award for new shonen manga artists, in early March.

It aims to rival the "Tezuka Award" in order to attract more talented newcomers.

If it weren't for the oil crisis, "Fujisho" would have been created during the summer vacation.

Fujimoto Hiroshi cared a lot about this award. For a manga artist, it was a great honor. Even if he were no longer around, as long as the Fuji Prize continues to be awarded, people will not forget him.

"The groundwork has been laid. The head judge is Fujiko-sensei, and the judges include Oikawa-sensei, Tezuka-sensei, and Takei-sensei, the editor from Mirai-sha. The page count is around 35 pages, and the content is a combination of story manga and comedy manga." Fujiwara Maki explained the specific details of the "Fuji Prize" one by one.

Fujimoto Hiroshi listened very attentively.

Chapter 154 The Corpse Demon Sealing

Today, Future Society has 380 employees, making it the largest company in this startup park.

This would allow the company to undertake more work.

"After the nationwide selection, the editors will conduct a round of screening, eliminating most of the works, and the short comics that score above the passing grade will be submitted to you teachers for review."

"The awards are divided into three categories: shortlisted, runner-up, and honorable mention, with prize money of 50, 20, and 10 respectively. In the future, winning comic artists will be assigned editors to help them quickly get into the rhythm of serialized comics. Comics shortlisted and above can be published in *Shonen Future*..."

Fujiwara Maki further listed the various rules of the "Fuji Prize," and Fujimoto Hiroshi listened very attentively, nodding repeatedly.

"It's a very reasonable and sincere award for newcomers, and I have no objection."

He only needed to listen to these contents to understand the level of dedication Mirai-sha had put in.

Only publishing houses that want to cultivate a new generation of talent would go to such lengths to hold a new talent award.

With the warm air from the air conditioner blowing, Fujimoto Hiroshi felt a warm glow in his heart.

He stood up, extended his right hand, and Fushimikawa shook it. The two spoke at the same time.

"Pleasant to work with."

……

After leaving the meeting room, Fujimoto Hiroshi wanted to exchange a few pleasantries with Fushimikawa and discuss his experience in creating "Doraemon," but he was interrupted by a loud and boisterous editor.

"Mr. Oikawa, Mr. Oikawa, look at these reader surveys, they're so interesting!"

Sato waved the survey data around, a broad smile on his face.

Before Oikawa could react, Fujimoto Hiroshi became very interested.

"What is it? Would it be considered interesting?"

Sato was taken aback; he felt somewhat awkward in front of Fujimoto Hiroshi.

"Fujiko-sensei... it's like this, previous reader letters all complained that Oikawa-sensei drew the Konoha Crush Plan and stopped the Chunin Exams."

"Ah."

Fujimoto Hiroshi nodded; he was aware of this.

The fact that Naruto has lost its luster and is ranked below Touch and Black Jack is no small matter.

The ace magazine of Weekly Shonen Future has run into problems, and editors from many publishing houses have conducted simulation analyses.

Find out the cause of the problem.

Even comic artists who follow trends want to avoid this problem.

Fujimoto Hiroshi heard some unfavorable news about Fushimikawa from industry elites.

Because he wholeheartedly trusted Fushimikawa, he didn't question it. But judging from Sato's reaction today, it seems there has indeed been a reversal.

"But! But!" Sato became excited again at this point, "The teacher drew Sasuke and Gaara's unfinished battle in the first issue, and the readers actually objected. They said they wanted to see Hiruzen Sarutobi's side instead. Haha, this is so interesting. The change in the readers' opinions is so interesting."

Gaara's half-tailed beast transformation and Sasuke's cursed seal form are interesting points, and readers should have cheered for them.

However, contrary to their usual behavior, they expressed their dissatisfaction.

This shows that the plot of the Konoha Crush in Naruto is even more interesting than the Chunin Exams.

Oikawa's ideas surpassed those of the readers. Because he did not place the readers' opinions above his own, the scene we see today came about.

Sato, the editor of Future magazine who had been caught in the middle, finally felt relieved.

“I see,” Fujimoto Hiroshi patted Fushimikawa on the shoulder and exclaimed, “Readers’ hearts are hard to control. Manga artists must have their own ideas. You did the right thing.”

Fushimikawa remained calm; he had long anticipated this day.

That was also how he felt back then.

Therefore, it is understandable to readers, but there is no sense of surprise.

"The readers are getting impatient. In the next chapter, their attention will return to Hiruzen Sarutobi."

……

"This is a battle on another level!"

Holding a copy of Weekly Shonen Future, the young man named Honma Yuta was very happy.

After another week of hardship, looking at the majestic ape demon, he felt great, even more so than wearing new underwear for the New Year.

Hiruzen Sarutobi was bound by the forest of trees, but at the critical moment he used a summoning jutsu. Enma appeared and transformed into a Vajra staff, easily destroying the branches and vines, allowing Hiruzen Sarutobi to break free.

Orochimaru spat out a long snake, from which a grass sword appeared.

Next, after the unarmed exchange, they began to fight with hand-to-hand weapons.

This is a series of smooth fight scenes. Although it is just a comic, the transitions between scenes are reasonable. Whether it is Sarutobi's swing of his staff or Orochimaru's thrust, their parries are all imprinted on the reader's eyes.

Orochimaru faced numerous perilous situations. The Golden Cudgel, which could extend and transform at will, had many points of application. The distance of its parries and the immense force that followed caused Orochimaru a great deal of trouble.

"Wow! This summoning beast is amazing!"

Then Hiruzen Sarutobi, having grown old, was quickly outmatched by the younger generation, and his mentality began to change.

Seeing his disciple's dramatic transformation, he shed tears.

Orochimaru...you idiot!

Is he grieving for the disciple he raised who wanted to kill his master, or is he heartbroken for Orochimaru who has lost all emotion?

Or perhaps, at this moment, faced with the reality of having to take his disciple's life, even the Third Hokage could not control his tears.

Honma licked his lips, watching intently.

Facing three opponents of similar caliber, Hiruzen Sarutobi held his own.

However, the Impure World Reincarnation was too terrifying. Even though he used explosive tags to render the two Hokage immobile, their arms, which had been blown off, quickly returned to normal.

The winding, twisted giant trees filled the interior of the Four Purple Flame Array, creating a spectacular scene as seen in the comics.

Only Shadow can withstand this attack.

The ape demon's Vajra Ruyi Cudgel transformed into a cage, blocking the invasion of the forest.

"I will bury you to atone for my past mistakes!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi's gaze sharpened.

Honma understood: Hiruzen Sarutobi's tears were shed for the disciple before him.

The life-or-death battle between the master and his apprentice was about to enter its most intense phase.

Hiruzen Sarutobi created two shadow clones and formed hand seals:

"巳、亥、未、卯、戌、子、酉、午、巳. Snap!"

He clasped his hands together and shouted, "Dead Demon Seal!"

The phantom of Death appeared behind him, its arm passing through his abdomen—clearly, this was his trump card.

The Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze, once used this technique.

Hiruzen Sarutobi was using the Reaper Death Seal for the first time.

The Grim Reaper, with a dagger in his mouth and a face like a demon, looked exceptionally terrifying.

Its ability, like its name and appearance, is to extract and seal the target's soul upon touching their body.

Before being sealed away, the first and second generation finally regained self-control.