Tokyo 1970: I'll draw Doraemon?

Akira Toriyama regained his senses.

During the 30-minute program, Keizo Takahashi asked a number of questions.

For example, the core creative concepts, the setbacks and difficulties encountered.

The conversation flowed smoothly, and Fushimikawa answered all of them.

Until a somewhat pointed topic came up.

Why did you choose to end Doraemon at the height of its popularity? And leave Sunday? Can you answer that?

This is a question many readers want answered, and they are all gathered in front of the TV station, eagerly awaiting the answer.

“What’s wrong with that?” Fushimikawa shook his head. “I’ve loved Doraemon ever since Fujiko-sensei started serializing it in early 1970. It’s a great honor for me to be able to collaborate with him on the serialization of Doraemon.”

"But in Doraemon, I have already drawn what I wanted to draw, and I want to create other comics without restrictions in the future. Readers who like Doraemon can read Fujiko-sensei's works in Shogakukan's 'School Year Magazine,' which are just as interesting as mine."

"Unrestricted?" Takahashi Keizo grasped the key point. "Why do you say that?"

"Mr. Takahashi should know about Tezuka-sensei's 'com', right? Like him, I also co-founded my own manga magazine, 'Weekly Young Future,' which will be available to everyone in early March. My new work will also be serialized in it at that time. Please look forward to it."

He stated his purpose for going on stage in one breath.

Instead of stopping him, Keizo Takahashi went further, asking, "How is your new work different from your previous works?"

"My new work is a pure comic story, without any social criticism. You can just relax and read it."

Readers who were initially reluctant to read Oikawa's new work due to his capriciousness suddenly became interested after hearing this.

They felt that March was too far away, making it impossible for them to see Fushimi River's figure clearly.

At the end of the program, Fushimikawa revealed Mirai-sha's contact number and company address.

"We are the publisher that cares most about the rights of cartoonists, and we welcome submissions from everyone."

Keizo Takahashi was both amused and exasperated. The previous guests were all masters; none of them had the shamelessness of someone like Oikawa.

But no matter what he thought, at that moment, in front of the television, a high school student named Akira Toriyama was eager to submit his work.

Chapter 78: Weekly Youth Future is on sale!

Thanks to Fushimikawa's promotion in "Talking with This Person", more works were submitted to Weekly Young Future.

The program team later contacted Fushimikawa and said, "Our program's ratings are usually around 4%, and when we interview niche artists, it's only 1.5% to 2%. But this episode with Mr. Oikawa actually reached 10%. It seems that many people are paying attention to your activities, Mr. Oikawa."

According to their data analysis, many of the viewers of "Talking with This Person and Kawajima II" are young people.

Most of them watched the show out of curiosity about the creative story behind Oikawa, because they liked "Doraemon", and there were also college students who looked forward to him creating seinen manga because of "Confessions".

This is also why Fushimikawa first established a youth magazine.

In terms of influence, his reputation as the founder of the realistic style is even stronger than that of the author of "Doraemon".

Many readers will buy Weekly Youth Future specifically because of Confessions.

Many cartoonists who decide to delve into a realistic style will also submit their work to Weekly Young Future.

Even before it was serialized, the magazine already had a loyal audience and creators whose style matched its appeal.

Two days ago, a submitted comic made Toshiki Takei hesitate, so he contacted the behind-the-scenes boss, Fushimikawa.

"The title is 'Barefoot Boy,' and the content is a semi-autobiographical work by the author, Keiji Nakazawa."

Is there a problem with this?

"He was a survivor of the Hiroshima atomic bombing, and his works directly criticize the war and the Emperor, believing that the atomic bombing tragedy was caused by the outbreak of a war of aggression."

"I am proud when others criticize me for being unpatriotic. This war was wrong from beginning to end because it was only about plunder and slaughter. If there were more people who dared to stand up against a crazy government, they would be the true patriots."

"This is a line from one of his works."

Fushimikawa knew that painting this subject would inevitably be resisted by conservatives.

He didn't agree immediately, but instead asked, "How's the drawing? Can the story be serialized?"

Regardless of the theme, if a work is not capable of being serialized, it should not be published.

“The author, Keiji Nakazawa, has been drawing manga for several years, so serialization is definitely not a problem. In fact,” Toshiki Takei said seriously, “this manga has great potential. Even without the atomic bomb, it will make people think deeply, and I think it will become a hit.”

“Then let’s continue the serialization,” Fushimikawa nodded. “No need to consider other issues.”

Not long after its founding, Weekly Shonen Jump gained instant fame by serializing "Shameless Academy," becoming the first to venture into the realm of borderline manga.

Fushimikawa, navigating the challenges of Jump, used manga that would have a huge impact on society to make Weekly Young Future a household name in Japan.

After Sunday, Magazine, and Jump, another challenger has arrived!

……

With a renowned editor as editor-in-chief, a printing press behind it, phenomenal fame, and a wealth of professional cartoonists, Weekly Youth Future is just one step away from success: its release.

“Oikawa-sensei said that his manga magazine will be released in early March, right? That’s not many days away.”

"Yes! I've been waiting for so long, I really can't wait to see his new work!"

"It might be even more fun than Doraemon!"

"But that's a young adult comic..."

"What does it matter? It's just a young adult comic, there's nothing to be afraid of!"

Ms. Yamada, the cashier at the convenience store, shook her head helplessly. Another child had just asked her that question.

"Has Oikawa-sensei's manga magazine arrived yet?"

Honestly, it's only March, and these elementary school students can't wait.

Watching them walk away, Yamada pursed his lips.

"What are elementary school students reading about youth comics?"

Even the president of a convenience store chain was prompted by elementary school students to consider ordering a new batch of "Weekly Youth Future" magazine.

The company's original decision was to first observe and see if the magazine met the readers' needs before considering whether to purchase it and the quantity.

Now I've decided to take the risk.

"Yamada, someone will be delivering 50 copies of Weekly Youth Future tomorrow. Remember to take out 20 copies and place them on the shelf in the most conspicuous spot by the door, so that customers can see them at a glance," the store manager told her as he walked out of the break room.

"Yes." Yamada nodded seriously.

She was initially annoyed by this sudden job, but upon hearing the name "Weekly Youth Future," she felt only anticipation.

'Tomorrow, tomorrow I'll finally get to see Oikawa-sensei's new work.'

……

Wednesday, March 8, 1972.

"Sister! Sister! Do you sell Weekly Youth Future?"

In the quiet morning, Yamada was startled by a sudden sound.

She looked down and saw that it was a primary school student.

“Yes,” Yamada said with a smirk, a hint of vengefulness in his eyes, “it’s over there behind you.”

Opposite the convenience store checkout counter, twenty comic magazines were neatly arranged.

The cover features a beautiful girl with a beauty mark at the corner of her eye, outstanding looks, and a captivating charm.

Her expression was haughty, as if she were proud of her beauty.

The "Written by Oikawa Ji" in the lower left corner clearly indicates that this is a new work by the well-known manga artist Oikawa Ji.

Remembering how he was caught off guard by this short manga called "Tomie," and how he was terrified for a long time, and how he was almost scared out of his wits by the little devil in front of him, Yamada continued with ill intent: "Oikawa-sensei's new work is quite original."

"Oh," the child nodded and walked towards the door.

"Huh?" Yamada was taken aback and called out to him, "Little kid, you forgot to buy the comics."

"I just came in to ask, I didn't say I wanted to buy anything."

I'm furious.

Yamada was very angry.

Fortunately, sales of Weekly Youth Future went very well afterward.

Many people entered the convenience store with excited expressions, their purpose being to buy this comic book magazine; they came and went in a hurry.

The comic books on the shelves are visibly disappearing.

Left with no other choice, Yamada had to rush to the warehouse to restock when there were no customers.

"so beautiful!"

Just as she restocked the goods, she heard someone behind her speaking in a daze.

Thinking he was being praised, Yamada felt a little smug.

But when she turned her head, she found that the middle-aged customer was staring straight at Tomie, looking as if he had been bewitched.

"He ignores me, a great beauty, and only looks at paper dolls. He really doesn't know what's good for him."

During her lunch break, she spoke to her female colleague who was taking over the shift.

"What's so interesting about a mere Yamada?" My female colleague shook her head with a smile. "By the way, I heard that Oikawa-sensei's new work has been released. Is it interesting?"

"It's very interesting!" Yamada suppressed his anger, his eyes curving into crescents. "Go and see it."

Chapter 79 "Fujiang"

What kind of genre will Oikawa Ji's new work be?

Because it's a youth manga, it can't be similar to "Ikkyu-san" or "Doraemon".

That might be a suspenseful mystery like "Confessions".

Of course, the most likely scenario is a new type.

Driven by curiosity and anticipation, readers flocked to buy the comics early Wednesday morning.

Yuka Higashino is one of them.