Tokyo 1970: I'll draw Doraemon?

"!"

The assistants' eyes widened in disbelief. Just moments before, Oikawa had said he wouldn't draw anymore, but he immediately changed his mind and decided to draw horror manga.

This man is so fickle.

"Is...is it Tomie?" Asano Megumi asked tremulously.

She was unusually afraid.

When she was a child, Fushimikawa often told stories about Tomie to scare her.

The sight of human centipedes, resurrected chunks of flesh... sent chills down her spine, and she developed a phobia of paranormal events from a young age.

I'm always worried that a flower will run out when I go to the toilet.

A person's childhood takes a lifetime to heal, and Megumi Asano is still in the process of healing.

“Yes, we need to draw it.” Fushimikawa nodded.

Otherwise, it would be awkward if Junji Ito drew "Tomie" and Megumi Asano criticized the original author instead.

He thought about it carefully and realized that apart from a momentary whim, he hadn't told any other future stories, so he breathed a sigh of relief.

“Don’t worry, everyone,” Fushimikawa waved his hand, “I’m especially happy drawing horror manga, it’s completely different from ‘Confessions’, so please look forward to it.”

Otherwise, why would Junji Ito be so happy? He must be smug, thinking that many people would be frightened by him.

Hirokane Kenshi and Arima had no objections, but Asano Megumi was somewhat conflicted.

I couldn't make up my mind for a while.

“It won’t be drawn very quickly,” Fushimikawa comforted her. “You don’t need to make a decision early. It will have to wait until after the Mid-Autumn Festival at the earliest.”

Asano Megumi breathed a sigh of relief.

……

A week later, the incident escalated, and Fushimikawa learned from Osamu Tezuka that he had received many complaint letters from parents.

“It’s corrupting children, it’s malicious, hahaha,” Osamu Tezuka laughed heartily, “I won’t show it to you.”

Fushimikawa isn't a masochist, so naturally he didn't want to watch.

He was just a little depressed, because in his previous life, "Confessions" was both critically acclaimed and commercially successful.

But when it came to him, it became a source of trouble.

Fushimikawa probably understood that in the 70s, the students' problems were not so acute; incidents like the "Drunkard Rose Saint" incident and the "Ayase Cement Burial Case" had not yet occurred.

"Confessions" is too alarmist.

How bad can a child be?

The only bad guy could be the writer himself who stirs up trouble.

His work was too ahead of its time, which caused him to stumble. Subsequent choices needed to be more realistic.

Just like how "The Elephant and the Uncle" is now receiving widespread praise, but if it were released after the millennium, Fushimikawa and Fujiko Fujio would definitely be infamous for their criticism.

"Don't be too sad. Actually..." Osamu Tezuka's tone was strange, "Many manga artists have asked me to print 'Confessions' as a standalone book..."

"what?"

……

The second CM Comic Con is about to begin, but Maki Fujiwara has brought bad news.

"A group of veteran doujinshi circles and seasoned manga enthusiasts have spearheaded the formation of the 'Japan Manga Convention,' which will also be held during the summer vacation, aiming to compete with our CM Comic Convention."

The popularity of CM Comic Con is so high that some people are envious and have launched similar events in a fierce manner.

"They have the support of comic book magazines behind them, and many professional comic artists will serve as guests and hold seminars..."

Maki Fujiwara was somewhat worried. Compared to the professionalism of the "Japan Manga Convention", CM Comic Con was just a makeshift operation. How could they compete?

They'll probably lose badly.

“Speaking of CM Comic Con,” Fushimikawa said with a strange expression, “are there any seats left? I’m planning to put the ‘Confessions’ manga volume here for sale. There will probably be... a few dozen manga artists coming.”

Chapter Fifty-Seven: 45 Years Later

"You're going to participate in CM Expo!" Fujiwara Maki exclaimed, her arms crossed and head tilted in surprise.

The participation of renowned manga artist Ji Oikawa will greatly boost the popularity of CM Expo.

Unlike last year when his works were popular but he remained relatively unknown, he is now a rising star with a higher profile than many veteran comic artists.

I wonder how many readers will come, wanting an autograph, curious about his appearance, or wanting to discuss the plot of "Doraemon". In any case, there will be quite a few.

August 4th, a month from now, will probably be an unprecedented spectacle.

Fortunately, the exhibition hall was located in a multi-purpose stadium; otherwise, an accident might have occurred.

After the initial excitement, Fujiwara Maki belatedly asked in confusion, "Dozens of manga artists... so many? What are they doing at CM Expo?"

“To buy ‘Confessions’,” Fushimikawa explained, “and to discuss the future of manga.”

People who are eager to learn realistic comics are either left behind by the times or temporarily lack ideas for serialization. They are all eager to make a breakthrough, so when they get together under similar circumstances, they might come up with something amazing.

Fujiwara Maki nodded thoughtfully: "I'll be ready."

Having received two pieces of good news, she no longer worried about the "Japan Manga Convention".

This organization only started promoting itself a month before its event, showing no consideration for the participating fanfiction authors. She understood everything they were thinking.

"Within a month, a doujinshi circle has to draw manga, print it into a book, and pass the 'Japan Manga Convention' assessment. The timeframe is too tight. Whoever made this arrangement is either an idiot or a cunning schemer."

Thinking about it, the latter makes sense. Large comic book clubs keep the best resources for themselves, leaving the scraps to others. If it's this unfair from the start, future development will be difficult.

"Thank you, Fushimi-kun." Fujiwara Maki's mind was filled with many thoughts, but her face was filled with a sweet smile, her dimples were captivating.

She subconsciously wanted to rely on Shimofushimikawa, but unexpectedly gained something from it.

“I’m also a member of the manga club, but,” Fushimikawa shook his finger, “Maki-senpai, didn’t we agree to just call each other by our first names? What should you call me?”

“In front of everyone in the manga club, I won’t mind if you call me Fushimi-kun. But now that we’re alone together,” he asked again, “what should you call me?”

“Kawa…” Fujiwara Maki stammered, “Kawa.”

Her face was a little hot, bright red, like a tomato.

“Yes,” Fushimikawa nodded in satisfaction, “That’s more like it.”

Maki Fujiwara is beautiful, ambitious, and comes from a wealthy family, making her an excellent choice for a partner.

It would be a bright future if they could start a magazine together, make a name for themselves, and raise Megumi Asano.

Although she was shy, Fujiwara Maki did not leave immediately.

Instead, he stayed close to Fushimi Kawa and they ate lunch together. They only parted ways when it was almost time for class.

"You're laughing so smugly and happily," asked Naoya Onishi, his deskmate, curiously. "Like a wild boar that's just stumbled upon a cabbage."

"Something good has happened." Fushimikawa said with a smile as he opened his professional book.

……

Although "Confessions" boosted the sales of "COM", Fushimikawa suffered a major setback in terms of reputation.

There are quite a few people who criticize his work because of the plot.

Fushimikawa also experienced what it felt like to be the target of everyone's criticism.

However, in Weekly Shonen Sunday, Doraemon took first place twice in a row.

This is the remarkable achievement of the chapter titled "45 Years Later," which brought tears to the eyes of many.

Nobita was severely reprimanded by his teacher for repeatedly forgetting the notices the school sent to parents.

This made Nobita reflect on his actions and decide to strive to grow into an outstanding adult.

Although he quickly lost his motivation.

"Isn't that obvious? That's just how Nobita is."

Yuka Higashino watched with amusement.

"Confessions" is scary; "Doraemon" suits her better.

Watching Doraemon every week is her most relaxing and enjoyable time.

With Nobita as her "role model," even if she had no fighting spirit, she could rest for a while with peace of mind knowing that she was better than Nobita.

"Anyway, I have plenty of time. I don't graduate for another two and a half years. If I pursue further studies, I won't have to face the trouble of finding a job. What's wrong with reading comic books?"

With that in mind, she started looking at comics again.

When Nobita returned home, he found that someone had slept on his pillow, leaving a dent; his treasured comic books were spread out on the table; and even his cake had been eaten clean.

This made him very angry, and he wanted to teach the other person a lesson.

Arriving angrily at the secret base in the back mountain, Nobita discovers that in this place known only to him and Doraemon, a strange uncle is lying there.

"I am you 45 years from now."

That's right. Having lived more than half his life, Nobita, now in his fifties, wants to relive his childhood, so he comes to ask his past self for help.

This is something many people dream of, but young Nobita cannot understand it.

His childhood was anything but exciting; he was often bullied and didn't do well in school. He longed to experience adult life.

The two used the "Swap Rope" to swap their souls.

……

"Childhood... If only I had a time machine, I would really like to go back to the past."

Adults who watch "45 Years Later" will probably have this feeling.

Their childhood may have been materially impoverished, with limited entertainment options.

But it was indeed a safe haven, the most carefree time of my life, healing the bitterness and hardship I faced in adulthood.

Look at what my hometown looks like in my memory, play happily with my friends, and don't worry about the present or the future.

Just enjoy yourself to the fullest.