Tokyo 1970: I'll draw Doraemon?

Phoenix Chapter of Firebird is a landmark in the Japanese manga industry, containing profound reflections on religion and life.

Fushimikawa read it many times and gained more and more insights.

The firebird is the embodiment of all life. The cycle of reincarnation is merely a process in which a portion of the firebird's energy is transformed into humans, beasts, insects, and so on, and then returns to its origin after death.

Therefore, all life in the world is equal, but those who are reborn as humans are destined to suffer from the troubles of waking up.

In this manga, Osamu Tezuka criticizes those in power for using secular religions and Buddhist statues to enslave the masses, and for making popular faith a tool of power.

Fushimikawa strongly agreed.

Even if Shakyamuni were reborn, he would still criticize contemporary Buddhism.

“Speaking of which, I’ve read ‘Ikkyu the Clever.’ Your manga is clearly about a monk. Yet Ikkyu uses a Buddha statue to exonerate himself and escape punishment. Fushimi-kun,” Tezuka Osamu smiled, “I share your opinion: Buddha statues are just rotten wood and stone; they have no power whatsoever.”

"Whether it's 'Ikkyu the Clever' or 'Doraemon,' your drawings are very interesting. I've been looking at them. Please keep up the good work."

He was clearly praising himself, but Fushimikawa felt somewhat resentful.

As is well known, Osamu Tezuka was a perpetually dissatisfied person who would feel jealous of his peers who could not be surpassed in a certain aspect.

This emotion will destroy his rationality, causing him to make outrageous remarks. Only after calming down will he apologize to someone.

Fushimikawa also wanted to create such a beautiful story with Osamu Tezuka.

He needs to think about which particularly high-quality comics he can copy.

In a few years, Osamu Tezuka will be more mature, and then he won't have the chance.

Fushimikawa said confidently, "I will produce a manga that will surprise you, teacher."

“Oh,” Tezuka Osamu raised an eyebrow, intrigued. “I’m waiting.”

……

At this annual meeting, Fushimikawa's biggest gain was getting to know many top manga artists.

Osamu Tezuka, Fujio Akatsuka, and his two biggest rivals in Weekly Shonen Sunday, Shinji Mizushima and Mitsutoshi Furuya.

Shinji Mizushima is a master in the field of baseball manga. He is extremely professional in realistic baseball and could easily be a baseball coach.

The later "Ace of Diamond" series likely continued his comic book style.

His "Big Fool! Koshien!" is also the baseball manga that is closest to "Star of the Giants" at present.

He is a formidable rival.

As for Mitsutoshi Furuya, he had served as an assistant to Osamu Tezuka and Fujio Akatsuka respectively, so he had a solid foundation and was able to portray comedic scenes with consummate skill.

His current work is "Useless Dad," which focuses on realistic daily life and is also a work that Fushimikawa is currently reading. It can be enjoyed by both adults and children.

If these two comics were released as standalone volumes, they would likely sell around 10 copies, which would be considered top-tier in the current comic book industry.

The present is not as promising as the future; readers have not yet developed the habit of buying individual volumes.

So you asked Fushimikawa if he had confidence?

I think he would say:

"We will win."

……

After the winter break, Fushimikawa went back to school.

After spending a long time together, his classmates had long since gotten used to it and no longer stared at him.

Once he sheds his identity as a manga artist, Fushimikawa is just an ordinary student.

Are you confident about the final exam? Don't fail!

As soon as we entered the activity room after school, senior student Hideki Kurokawa hooked his arm around Fushimi Kawa's shoulder and asked with a grin.

“I think it’s fine.” Fushimikawa broke free from his intimate contact, secretly tossed a piece of colored paper on the ground, and then whispered without any emotion.

"Ah~ I dropped Tezuka-sensei's autographed photo on the ground."

As Kurokawa Hideki stared wide-eyed like a bull, Fushimi Kawa slowly squatted down, picked up the photo, stood up, gently brushed off the dust, and was about to put it in his arms.

"Wait! Wait a minute! Let me see!"

Hideki Kurokawa moved behind Fushimi River and looked at the photograph.

The photo captures Osamu Tezuka smiling broadly as he happily chats with Fushimikawa.

He wore his signature beret, and his black-rimmed glasses couldn't hide his bright eyes; his wrinkled face was full of admiration.

The profound teachings of the seniors to the juniors are overflowing from the photos.

Anyone who admires Osamu Tezuka will inevitably feel envious upon seeing this photo.

"Ah, you're so lucky! You actually got to take a picture with Tezuka-sensei!" Kurokawa Hideki was so jealous that his eyes were filled with tears, wishing he could take Tezuka's place.

"What's wrong with that?" Fushimi shook his head slightly. "Tezuka-sensei is very kind, and he even asked me to see him again later. But I have to say..."

"what?"

"The experience of you and me getting to know each other will become something many people will envy in the future. So cherish it."

After patting Hideki Kurokawa on the shoulder and carefully putting the photo away, Fushimikawa went to find Maki Fujiwara.

"What...arrogance." Kurokawa Hideki watched his retreating figure, his lips drooping. "But...it might come true. Leaving aside the future, there are already many young people who idolize Fushimi-kun right now."

His Doraemon illustrations are really well done.

……

In the conference room, Maki Fujiwara was discussing the CM Manga Award with Utsunomiya.

"The winter break exhibition is absolutely impossible to hold; you should just give up. The summer exhibition in August almost caused a mess, and the school had objections."

The CM exhibition in August attracted tens of thousands of participants, more than twice the number reported by Maki Fujiwara.

It will be very difficult to hold it again.

"Besides, it's already January, and club members need to think about their final exams. Do you want to see a bleak exhibition?"

"I understand." Fujiwara Maki said dejectedly. "This is really annoying."

She was naturally restless and felt she was wasting her time during winter break.

"President, you'll be a fourth-year student when school starts. Aren't you considering working or continuing your studies?" Fushimikawa asked curiously as he entered the meeting room.

Chapter Thirty-Five, "The Chalk Circle," contains the following record.

"Fushimi-kun, it's been a long time!"

Upon seeing Fushimi River, Fujiwara Maki waved happily.

Even a black double-breasted wool overcoat couldn't hide her radiance.

She then answered Fushimikawa's question.

“I read in a literary magazine when I was a child that young people in Europe and America start working independently at a young age, have long-term plans and clear goals. So I have always been working hard for my ideal job, and I won’t wait until my senior year of college to take action.”

Her answer was frank and sincere, but Utsunomiya covered his face upon hearing it.

"Was it written by Namo San or an author who followed his lead? Let me tell you, it's all fake, made to cater to that era when people blindly worshipped foreign trends."

"Huh? Really?" Fujiwara Maki blinked. "But I think what he wrote makes a lot of sense, and I also try to hold myself to the same standards as the foreigners in his stories. For example, in the story where the protagonist's father bought two lottery tickets, and the one he bought for his friend won. The protagonist's father didn't keep it for himself; instead, he chose to be an honest person and gave the winning ticket—which won him a Mercedes—to his friend. What's wrong with that?"

Utsunomiya shook his head: "The purpose of portraying foreign countries as paradises on earth is not to teach us, but to belittle our national character."

"That's really going too far."

Fushimikawa remained calm and cleared his throat twice: "I wish the president's dream will come true."

“Yes,” Fujiwara Maki turned to look at Fushimikawa and nodded firmly. “CM Expo allowed me to meet many doujinshi creators with dreams, and my dream has already been half realized.”

Her innocent, doe-like eyes were filled with gratitude.

"That's good." Fushimikawa turned his head away.

Fujiwara Maki then said, "There's one more thing I'd like to ask you, Fushimi-kun."

"what?"

"My sister wants your autograph, please."

This is a reasonable request, and it's a routine thing for cartoonists to get used to. I doubt any author would ignore such a request.

He picked up his pen: "What should I write?"

Maki Fujiwara said seriously, "Girls shouldn't shave their heads."

"Huh?" Fushimikawa's eyes widened, wondering if he had misheard. "Baldy! Bald! And a girl!"

“Hmm,” Fujiwara Maki said, tapping her chin slightly, her tone filled with confusion and unease. “Chiko really likes watching ‘Ikkyu the Clever,’ especially the way Ikkyu thinks, so she wants to shave her head, saying it will increase her wisdom.”

Utsunomiya raised his palm, his words hitting the nail on the head: "People who have this kind of thinking probably don't have much wisdom."

Maki Fujiwara agreed: "I wanted to say that too, but I was afraid she would cry."

She bowed to Fushimikawa: "The one who tied the knot must untie it. I'm begging you again."

“No problem,” Fushimikawa said, feeling immense pressure and knowing he couldn’t ruin the girl’s childhood. “Leave it all to me.”

For the first time, he felt such a great responsibility, and he wrote with utmost care.

"Ikkyu doesn't want to shave his head either. Senko, who has beautiful black hair, is luckier than Ikkyu. Please take good care of it."

He drew a simple sketch of Ikkyu as Prince Senkikumaru before handing it to Fujiwara Maki.

"I'll keep it safe." Fujiwara Maki tucked it into the book she had been reading, "The Complete Book of Six Laws."

……

After staying in the activity room for a short while, Fushimikawa called out to Arima, and the two headed towards Oikawa Studio near the subway entrance.

The studio is located on the fourth floor of a six-story apartment building. It is only a little over 100 square meters in size and the decoration is very basic, but the rent is shockingly high.

Fushimikawa has already invested a lot of money in his manga even before he has made any money from it.

If there's an annual contract fee, it would make up for some of it.

Unfortunately, Shogakukan is unethical.