Tokyo 1970: I'll draw Doraemon?

"What?" Morimoto was taken aback.

"I mean the world of Doraemon is going to be invaded."

"Ha ha……"

Morimoto forced a smile, his lips twitching slightly.

Why was he so nervous? It turns out it was just a comic.

That's right, he shouldn't have believed the child's words so easily.

This grandson used to treat me like trash just because of an article titled "Grandma's Memories".

It's understandable that people are worried and terrified about comics now.

“So, it’s Oikawa’s fault again,” Morimoto gritted his teeth. “He promised me the grandfather’s story, but he still hasn’t drawn it. Those damned people from Aichi Prefecture.”

……

Nobita and the Iron Man Corps won first place again.

Many readers learned about this highly acclaimed comic and began creating stories suitable for young people, and they all started buying and reading Sunday magazine.

"This is quite interesting. Is Nobita acting as a guide?"

"Mechs that can fly and fire lasers should make for exciting battle scenes, not just childish fights like heavy punches and slams."

"Lilulu is so cute, her expressionless face really appeals to me."

"Is Oikawa-sensei drawing anti-war themes again? Hopefully, it won't be any less impressive than 'The Elephant and the Uncle'."

There are many reasons why Nobita and the Steel Troops attract all sorts of people with their merits.

This ensured that Fushimikawa's efforts in commissioning experts to draw the Christmas samurai were not in vain.

Reader feedback surged through Shogakukan like the Hukou Waterfall on the Yellow River.

The anticipation, praise, and soaring sales kept Shizuo Watanabe all smiles.

He couldn't help but fantasize about the day when Weekly Shonen Sunday would surpass Weekly Shonen Magazine under his management.

"It will definitely arrive, and it won't be long."

Chapter Sixty-Eight: What's Most Important is What's Suitable for the Present Moment

In the editorial department of Shogakukan's Weekly Shonen Sunday, many editors are talking about Nobita and the Iron Army.

"The story hasn't even started yet, but it has already attracted so many viewers. As expected of Oikawa-sensei, he has an incredible appeal."

"Although the reviews of 'Confessions' are polarized, it has indeed attracted a large number of young people. When Oikawa-sensei draws a manga that suits them, these young people will come out to support him."

"That's true. Realism is amazing. My mentor, Fujii-sensei, is currently researching this."

The editors were discussing it enthusiastically, but Yamashita looked grim.

He has a very clear understanding of himself and is an obstacle between editor-in-chief Shizuo Watanabe and newcomer Oikawa Ji.

The stronger Oikawa becomes, the more dangerous he becomes.

"There's no other way but to go down this path to the bitter end." With a dark cloud over his face, he once again dissuaded Watanabe Shizuo from visiting Oikawa.

"Since Mr. Oikawa's work is going so smoothly, let's not bother him."

……

In the mirror world, under Lilulu's command, the war base is already under construction.

Numerous small engineering robots were busy at work, some welding, some carrying materials.

These mass-produced robots were drawn by Fushimikawa himself, and as he expected, they did indeed present a mediocre style.

The robots had a clear division of labor; some maintained order on site, while others acted as cogs in the machine. Their clothes were tattered and showed signs of fatigue, yet they were still working hard for their country's invasion.

"Maintenance can be postponed until tomorrow, so please focus all your efforts on the construction of the base."

"The Necatebia Legion is already preparing for deployment; the only thing missing is this base. This base is indispensable in the war against Earthlings."

Lilulu is conducting a construction mobilization.

“Oh dear,” Tezuka Osamu said, looking at the manga with an embarrassed expression. The image reminded him of his past.

At that time, he was making asbestos fireproof boards at the Osaka munitions factory. The managers said the same things, such as "For the future of the empire, the soldiers on the front lines are fighting desperately, and you should also work hard."

Because of the wartime government's comprehensive propaganda, Osamu Tezuka once felt that he was very proud to have contributed to the country.

It wasn't until the Osaka air raids that he witnessed the horrors of war and saw the thousands of his original manuscripts destroyed by the conflict, which led him to change his mind and begin to oppose the war.

"Does it really need to be drawn so realistically?"

These are all part of the dark history of this country.

However, the readers' perspective is now focused on the victims.

"As expected of Oikawa, he has always been an anti-war advocate. That's right, it would be a miracle if he seriously depicted the suffering of the invaders."

……

Lilulu discovers Nobita and begs him to expand the exit of the mirror world.

If you join the robot faction, you can get special treatment and won't have to be a slave.

"You're kidding me. So many construction robots are sacrificing themselves just to get the base built as soon as possible, and they're being exploited to the point of being dilapidated. What about the humans of different races?"

"Even though they're robots, aren't they actually no different from human society?"

The background of "Nobita and the Iron Army" is gradually being completed. The mysterious Necatebia robot civilization has not yet surfaced, but Osamu Tezuka has already been able to understand the social status of this civilization from a few words.

"It's no different from Japan in the past, using excuses like development and being forced to do so to brainwash and exploit its people while conquering other countries. No matter how cute Lilulu is, she is still an invader after all."

Astro Boy and Lilulu are indeed different.

One is a guardian of civilization, the other is an aggressor whose mind has been distorted by militaristic ideology.

"The plot is really well-conceived; it subtly guides today's children to reflect on their thoughts."

Regardless of what others said, he was reflecting on his past foolishness.

……

After a fierce chase, Doraemon and Nobita escaped the mirror world.

Lilulu forcibly expanded the entrance and exit of the mirror world, thereby triggering a dimensional quake, which completely blocked the entrance and exit.

They could never get out.

"The Earth is saved!"

……

"Huh? Is that it? It's over just like that? That's a bit of an anticlimactic ending."

In the manga club, Hideki Kurokawa was making sarcastic remarks while watching "Nobita and the Tetsujin Corps".

"President, it's obviously impossible if you just think about it." Liang shook his head helplessly.

He couldn't understand why former president Maki Fujiwara had chosen Hideki Kurokawa to succeed her.

This guy looks like he has no brains and no leadership skills.

Is it just because he's popular in the club?

"The main plot of 'Nobita and the Iron Army' is about resisting invasion. The cruelty of war hasn't been depicted yet, so how can it end? The 'bowling ball' brain of the Christmas Samurai is still stored in Nobita's storage room. I think the subsequent plot development will start from here," Ryoichi analyzed methodically.

"Oh! I see!" Hideki Kurokawa slapped his palm. "Now that you mention it, I understand. The manga's content is so detailed, no wonder I couldn't get it serialized."

“Mmm,” Liang crossed his arms and nodded in strong agreement.

Hideki Kurokawa then asked, "But Ryo, you know so much, why didn't you become a manga artist?"

good:"……"

Looking at his earnest and pleading expression, Liang couldn't tell whether the person was doing it on purpose or not.

He could only swallow his teeth and blood, forcing himself to endure it.

"I'm going to draw comics."

Ryo turned and left, failing to see Kurokawa Hideki's secret smirk.

……

"The Iron Legion couldn't wait for the base to be completed and has already marched to Earth in its entirety. They are currently undergoing continuous jumps and are swarming in."

Through "Bowling Ball," readers learned that the war was not over.

But no matter whether Da Xiong notified officials, contacted the police or reporters, he could not get their attention and they just thought it was a child playing around.

The only people he can trust are his good friends Gian and Suneo.

"Actually, I prefer the old version of 'Steel Troops' to the new one. That's because in this story, Gian and Suneo aren't just background characters, but important supporting characters with their own independent storylines." Fushimikawa couldn't help but think this when he was drawing the original manuscript.

Of course, there are other reasons as well.

At Suneo's suggestion, Doraemon ruthlessly invaded and modified the "bowling ball".

It degenerated and became a robot in the human camp.

In the new version, it possesses an independent personality and memories of its past with Lilulu. It was friendship that changed its thoughts and stance, leading it to willingly switch sides.

It's a fantastic storyline, but it undoubtedly weakens the sharp satire, and the heartwarming and healing moments lessen the critique of militarism.

It may be suitable for the future, but it will definitely not be suitable for the present.

Chapter Sixty-Nine: Robots and Humans Are Not So Different

"The editors at Sunday magazine have been feeling pretty smug lately."

"Who can blame them when their magazine circulation is rising? Sales are their top priority."

"Isn't our school yearbook also thriving?"

"Children's comics are ultimately not as good as teen comics."

The editors of the "School Yearbook" sighed deeply, while their colleagues in other departments of the company were riding high. They couldn't help but worry about losing out in the competition.