Tokyo 1970: I'll draw Doraemon?

Before Fushimikawa could react, Fujiwara Maki introduced him: "This is Mr. Takei Toshiki, editor of Weekly Shonen Sunday."

"Takei Toshiki, the legendary editor who assisted Akatsuka Fujio in drawing 'Osomatsu-san'!"

"It really is an editor, and one who belongs to Sunday."

People were discussing it animatedly.

Fushimikawa did not respond, but looked at Fukuda Tomoyuki with a puzzled expression.

"Wait! Wait a minute!" Fukuda Tomoyuki couldn't hold back any longer. He quickly stepped forward and shouted, "Fushimi-kun has signed a contract with our 'Elementary School Fourth Grader' magazine, and his manga will be published on the first day of September!"

As soon as Fukuda finished speaking, the activity room erupted in cheers.

"Is it already going to be serialized?!"

"So, Fushimi-kun was busy submitting articles to magazines the other day!"

"Such big news, and he didn't mention it at all!"

Is serialization such an easy thing to do?

Surprise and disbelief filled the activity room.

Although Fushimikawa is a legendary figure, this is too exaggerated and directly exceeds their tolerance threshold.

"So now, two editors are vying for Brother Chuan's attention?!"

He's right.

Although Toshiki Takei had some doubts, his determination to sign Fushimikawa remained unwavering.

"I really don't know what you're up to, Fukuda?" He shook his head at Fukuda.

"However, we are both manga magazines under Shogakukan. Serializing in 'Elementary School Fourth Grader' does not affect Oikawa-sensei coming to our 'Weekly Shonen Sunday'."

It wasn't impossible for a cartoonist to simultaneously serialize two comics, one weekly and one monthly, in 1970.

It's just a little hard work, and Toshiki Takei doesn't think it's a big deal.

Fukuda certainly understood this principle.

However, he couldn't accept that some of the new talents he had discovered were snatched away by others just when he had put in a lot of effort and was preparing to work together to create a new situation.

He said curtly, “Ikkyu the Clever is a great manga, and I think Fushimi-kun should focus on creating it.”

Toshiki Takei understood Fukuda's position, so he looked at Fushimikawa and asked with a smile, "What do you think, Oikawa-sensei? If you partner with me, I can take you to adult places, it'll be very interesting, think about it."

Fujiwara Maki asked curiously, "What kind of adult place?"

Takei replied, "An izakaya, huh? Let's drink to our hearts' content."

Fushimi Kawa had black lines all over his forehead.

What is all this?!

"So, what manga does Editor Takei want me to serialize in Weekly Shonen Sunday?"

The man came in excitedly talking about a serialized novel, describing the izakaya as an "adult place"—things that Fushimikawa didn't understand.

We haven't gotten to the main point yet.

“Huh? Didn’t I say so?” Toshiki Takei scratched his head. He brought up “Try to Say Goodbye” and said matter-of-factly, “Of course it’s Doraemon.”

"Huh?" Fushimikawa's mouth dropped open.

"I...I'll draw Doraemon?!"

Are Hunter x Hunter, Naruto, and Bleach considered national-level manga?

Well, it's probably a little close.

But most middle-aged and elderly people may not understand this.

The only truly national-level manga in Japan can be something like "Sazae-san," which is integrated into the daily lives of ordinary people and is read by grandparents and elementary school students alike.

And what about Doraemon?

It's probably the pinnacle of national popularity; even children in other countries grew up with Doraemon.

This seems to be a legendary comic that never fades and brought joy to the childhoods of many generations.

So, Fushimikawa opened his mouth wide and stammered, "I...can I?"

He was undoubtedly tempted.

Takei Toshiki smiled.

"I will contact Fujiko F. Fujio through Shogakukan. If he can authorize you to serialize Doraemon in Sunday, then none of this will be a problem."

It's not unheard of for multiple cartoonists to collaborate on a single work.

At present, Doraemon is still relatively unknown. With the involvement of Shogakukan and the fact that Fujimoto Hiroshi doesn't care much about the ownership of the work, Takei's idea can be easily realized.

Fushimikawa nodded; it was a natural progression for him to serialize the story in Weekly Shonen Sunday.

"What is Mr. Fukuda's opinion?"

He kicked the ball to Fukuda.

……

Fushimikawa wasn't in a hurry to serialize "Doraemon," after all, haste makes waste.

Right now, only Toshiki Takei is enthusiastic; Shogakukan's intentions are still unknown.

Therefore, Fushimikawa used Fukuda as an excuse and did not rashly agree.

Let Toshiki Takei handle the coordination.

As Fukuda said, his most important task right now is to prepare for the serialization of "Ikkyu the Clever".

Rent a studio, buy several sets of comic drawing tools, and find three to five trustworthy assistants.

The next day, accompanied by Fukuda, he went to see the room.

After finding no problems, he decisively rented the place.

Because of its location near a subway station, the rent isn't cheap. It's 5.6 yen a month, which is equivalent to an average person's monthly income.

Not only did he have to pay a huge rent, but he also had to pay a deposit of 50 yuan.

Even though Fushimikawa himself was quite wealthy, he still felt a pang of regret when it came to spending this money.

Capitalism is a cannibalistic force.

He painstakingly painted "Trying to Say Goodbye," and sold his work under the scorching sun for half a day, earning over 4 yen, but that's barely enough to make a splash here.

Drawing comics is not as good as getting into real estate.

"I really want to give up comics and go into business."

Fushimikawa made a joke at Fukuda.

"It will be fine once the collected volume is released," Fukuda said.

The resources for "Fourth Grade" are far fewer than those for "Sunday," not only in terms of readers and sales channels, but also in terms of the opportunities and time to publish a standalone book.

Will Fushimi have a better future in Sunday?

Fukuda thought to himself.

……

After renting the apartment, I said goodbye to Fukuda. At 7 p.m., Fushimikawa went to attend the manga club's celebration party.

"Everyone, the CM exhibition has successfully come to an end. Thank you all for your hard work during this time."

Fujiwara Maki stood up, revealing two dimples to the rosy-cheeked company members.

"Whether it's maintaining order or selling doujinshi to increase popularity, our CM exhibition shines because of everyone's efforts."

"We accomplished a miracle, providing a venue for tens of thousands of people to exchange comics, which is talked about by many university students in Tokyo, who want to participate in the doujinshi convention again. So... we are the champions!"

"Oh!"

The cheers were so loud they could lift the roof off.

They forgot about the serialized manga artist Fushimikawa; tonight they were only there to reminisce about the CM exhibition and reward themselves for their hard work.

Chapter Twenty is really cute.

While others are celebrating.

Fushimikawa found Arima, a member of the company.

"Ah, Kawa-nii," Arima said, startled, then exclaimed happily, "Thanks to your guidance, all my doujinshi have sold out!"

Fushimikawa smiled and said, "Congratulations."

Arima is a very thin person. He is 19 years old and only about 165cm tall.

Children who are physically weak are often bullied by the ringleader, a phenomenon that has occurred in Japan in any era.

In the past there were Osamu Tezuka and Hiroshi Fujimoto, in the future there will be Hajime Isayama, and Arima may also be one of them.

Despite his frail body, he possessed a tenacious spirit.

Strive to do your best in everything and never give up easily.

Fushimikawa learned this deeply during the days he taught him.

So Fushimikawa extended an invitation to him: "Would you like to be my assistant? Please."

"Huh!" Arima was stunned. After a long while, he pointed to himself and asked, "I...can I?"

Fushimikawa said earnestly, "Of course, you've always been reliable, haven't you?"

Arima pursed his lips, his expression turning serious: "Don't worry, I will do my best!"

He agreed without even asking about the payment.

Fushimikawa couldn't help but smile: "You've had a lot of fun these past few days, but you won't have much free time from now on."

"I will stay in good shape."

In a small corner of the banquet hall, Arima and Fushimikawa experienced a joy different from that of the other members.