Tokyo 1970: I'll draw Doraemon?

Unable to say goodbye to his best friend, Fushimikawa felt a mix of disappointment and worry.

'Did something happen to her? Is it cancer or something? She doesn't want me to worry.'

Recalling these classic scenes, Fushimikawa was startled.

'No, no, there can't be that many dramatic and unbelievable things.'

He quickly shook his head, banishing the absurd idea from his mind.

'A girl changes a lot as she grows up; perhaps she's just starting a new life.'

"All good things must come to an end."

After comforting himself for a moment, Fushimikawa looked up and saw the recruitment booth of the Manga Research Club.

The manga club, with its dozen or so members, stood out from the other clubs. But Fushimikawa's gaze was completely drawn to a girl sitting there.

She has fair skin, thick black hair, and delicate features; she is very beautiful. When she smiles, two sweet dimples appear on her cheeks, which reduces the sense of distance she seems.

All the members of the manga club, regardless of gender, revolved around her. She was the center of attention and took care of every member.

Making friends with someone like that would be a wonderful thing, so the anime club was surrounded by new students.

"It's the club that Onishi joined."

However, since it was none of his business, Fushimikawa kept his eyes straight ahead and passed by the manga club.

He wasn't interested in dating sims or manga clubs.

……

"Is she Fujiwara Maki, the eldest daughter of the Fujiwara printing family? She's as beautiful as the rumors say."

Miss, your family is involved in printing.

Hearing the conversation of passersby, Fushimikawa's ears twitched, and he couldn't help but stop in his tracks.

"It's definitely her. She came to last year's recruitment fair too."

"Everyone says she's approachable and has helped a lot of people."

“That’s true. Last year, a senior student organized a student movement and called on the school to reduce tuition fees. He was almost expelled. It was thanks to Maki Fujiwara’s help that a settlement was reached between the student and the school.”

"That's really amazing."

It was actually a timely help!

Fushimikawa turned around and strode quickly toward the manga club behind him.

Looking back now, the Waseda Manga Club was established more than a decade ago, and with so many members, its network must be extensive. Joining it wouldn't have been a bad deal.

He shouted, "Please let me join the manga club!"

……

Waseda Manga Research Club focuses on creation, research, and fan interaction, emphasizing practicality over theory.

Most of the members who came to recruit new members were quite talented; their fan fiction works were widely circulated on campus.

Therefore, they pay close attention to the abilities of newcomers.

Have you ever drawn comics?

Before Fushimi River, a senior named Hideki Kurokawa asked.

"I drew it, and it was published in the high school's school magazine."

“Oh~” Hideki Kurokawa understood, “That means you don’t have much experience.”

He believed that Fushimikawa was the type of person who drew manga as a hobby.

"The activities in the manga club are not child's play. You have to systematically learn manga, practice it yourself, and even try to submit your work to a big publishing house like Kodansha."

“That’s truly remarkable.” Fushimikawa’s words were devoid of emotion.

Hideki Kurokawa, however, didn't care. He raised his eyebrows twice, patted his chest proudly, and said, "For example, I participated in the Weekly Shonen Sunday Newcomer Award."

Fushimikawa asked, "And what was the result?"

Hideki Kurokawa frowned and muttered an explanation: "It takes a lot of courage to participate. Those manga magazines have no innovation whatsoever. They just don't appreciate my style."

“So it was a failure.” Fushimikawa understood.

He stood up and handed the completed club application form to Hideki Kurokawa.

"What are you saying! What are you saying?!" Kurokawa Hideki shouted. "I call this a strategic mistake!"

"Hahaha."

Before Fushimikawa could react, the other members of the manga club burst into laughter.

"Eiki, you're telling jokes again."

"Don't end up fooling yourself instead of the newcomers!"

Upon hearing this, Hideki Kurokawa blushed and retorted, "It's because Sunday doesn't appreciate my art! My failure to be selected... it wasn't because I lacked ability..."

"Hahaha."

Everyone laughed again.

Even Maki Fujiwara covered her mouth and kept laughing, creating a wonderful atmosphere.

"Alright, alright," she said after a long while, "Kurokawa-kun is actually right. It's difficult for us amateur creators to get our comics published in commercial magazines. We're all in the same boat."

She said something hurtful, and everyone lowered their heads.

Their alternative comics and fanfiction were simply not respectable enough to be recognized by magazines.

I felt very stifled for a while.

until……

"Fushimi! Fushimi!"

Someone came running quickly from the Literature Department dormitory with a letter in their hand.

"Fujiko Fujio-sensei sent you a letter!"

"boom!"

The atmosphere at the scene immediately exploded.

"Is it Fujiko F. Fujio, the artist who drew 'Q-Taro'?"

"Who is Fushimi? Who is Fushimi?!"

The crowd erupted into chaos.

When Hideki Kurokawa saw the words "Fushimi River" on the club application form in his hand, his mouth dropped open.

He looked up and stared blankly at the freshman in front of him, speechless with shock.

Chapter 4 Fujiko Fujio

"Daishi, I'm here."

Fushimikawa raised his right hand to greet his dormitory neighbor, but his eyes were fixed on the envelope in his hand.

He received a letter from Fujiko Fujio's studio before he could even contact his senior, Suzuki.

Suzuki-senpai is really kind-hearted.

Naoya Onishi breathed a sigh of relief, quickly walked up to Fushimi River, and handed her the letter: "You're here. Take a look at the letter. Don't keep Fujiko-sensei waiting."

Although Doraemon, which is known to readers all over the world, has only just started serialization, six years ago, Fujiko Fujio and his partner were already top manga artists in Japan because of the national-level manga "Q-Taro".

In terms of fame, he is second only to Osamu Tezuka.

He is an idol worshipped by countless comic book lovers.

Meeting the Fujiko F. Fujio duo in person is a dream for many, let alone receiving a letter written by them personally.

So for a moment, the manga club's recruitment office fell into an unusual silence. Whether new or old, everyone was filled with envy or jealousy as they waited earnestly for Fushimikawa to read Fujiko-sensei's letter.

……

The Fujiko Fujio duo works in Tama Ward, Kawasaki City, Kanagawa Prefecture.

These two old friends, who have known each other since elementary school, are now creating comics separately, but they still share the same pen name.

While his collaboration with Motoo Abiko on "The Laughing Salesman" is currently being serialized, his own painstakingly conceived "Doraemon" is not very popular.

This caused Fujimoto Hiroshi some distress and frustration.

He has always had a dream: to create a masterpiece that children will remember forever.

While "Little Ghost Q-Taro" is excellent, due to various reasons, it has been difficult to develop subsequent works, and fewer and fewer children are coming into contact with this comic.

My dream remains, but can it be realized?

It's going to be very difficult.

Adding to his distress was the fact that his longtime manga artist assistant recently expressed his desire to give up drawing manga.

On the one hand, it's about seeing familiar people leave in disappointment and feeling sorry for them.

On the other hand, excellent assistants are rare, let alone someone who has worked well with you for a long time and who can understand you with just a pat on the back.

Even Osamu Tezuka had to search among his own admirers for excellent assistants, rather than just finding anyone.

Fujimoto Hiroshi felt that his personal charm could not attract outstanding geniuses such as Ishinomori Shotaro, Akatsuka Fujio, and Matsumoto Leiji.

He just longs for a new person who can inspire him.

"Nobita met Doraemon, and I met Motoo Abiko. I pray to the gods that I will have a second Doraemon."

"Squeak."

As Fujimoto Hiroshi was praying, the door to his studio was opened.

The person who entered the room scratched his head and said awkwardly, "Teacher, I'm here to work."

“Suzuki-kun,” Fujimoto Hiroshi exclaimed in surprise as he stood up upon seeing the newcomer, “You weren’t planning to…”

Although Suzuki Jiro felt a little embarrassed, he still said seriously, "I've thought it over carefully. I really can't give up manga, so I've come back from my hometown."