Tokyo 1970: I'll draw Doraemon?

"Please give me a copy of 'Parasyte'." He was so nervous he couldn't stand it, but thankfully he got the chance to sign a copy!

……

"That's great, it's really great to be a volunteer at CM Comic Con."

Yuka Higashino was very satisfied with the signed copy of Parasyte by Oikawa.

Knowing she was unlikely to get a spot, she joined the volunteer activities at CM Comic Con.

As she expected, she successfully collected Oikawa's works again.

"The second trial of the Itai-itai disease case in Toyama Prefecture is about to begin."

"I really hope the law can give the victims justice."

"It's very difficult. Capitalists have absolute power, and even the government is on their side..."

The volunteers around me were chatting.

This matter has recently become a hot topic, or rather, it has been one of the most important events for a long time. Now that it is finally coming to a close, it has attracted even more attention.

"Protecting the environment sounds simple," Yuka Higashino shook her head as she looked at "Parasyte," "but it's incredibly difficult to do."

……

This was the first time Fushimikawa had faced over a thousand people at the same time.

The crowd in the queue was growing larger and larger; given his typing speed, it would probably take him all day.

Fortunately, his pen name is very simple and can be finished in two or three seconds.

Taking a deep breath, Fushimikawa decided to finish quickly and not let the crowd linger here.

CM Comic Con only lasts for two days, it would be such a waste to waste one day here.

“Let’s begin,” he said to the volunteer beside him.

……

The crowd began to move forward.

Akira Toriyama stepped aside and looked ahead into the distance.

He couldn't even see Fushimi River's shadow; the other party was just a tiny dot.

Even though they were far apart, he felt incredibly close, making his heart pound as if it were about to leap out of his throat.

Why am I so nervous?

He tried to calm himself down, but found he couldn't.

The faces of the other people in line were filled with anticipation and excitement.

Why am I different from others?

Oh, Akira Toriyama understands now.

"I want to become a cartoonist."

If Fushimi-senpai denies this dream, I'll probably be quite disappointed.

I can no longer muster the confidence to try to become a cartoonist.

His future life will be just like the high school major he chose: he will work in an advertising company and draw posters day after day for more than a decade.

"It's so boring to even think about, that kind of future."

Chapter Ninety-Seven: A Powerful Helper

You still have to become a cartoonist.

Volunteer Sato was one of the people who maintained order at manga artist Oikawa Ji's autograph session.

He witnessed firsthand the long lines of people who were excited, thrilled, and prone to rambling, all because they could meet Oikawa and get his autograph, which he completed in just a few seconds.

Whether they are college students or office workers, whether they are beautiful women or handsome men, they all have smiles on their faces.

Sato could see the genuine joy in his eyes at a glance.

Ordinary working people will never encounter such a scene of being adored by countless people in their entire lives.

"Because I really like Parasyte, I took a day off and came all the way from Aomori after I heard that Mr. Oikawa was having a book signing event."

"I'm from Aichi Prefecture, and I came to Tokyo for summer vacation."

While waiting in line, Akira Toriyama chatted with the man next to him.

Akira Toriyama was somewhat curious as to why he would spend so much time traveling to Tokyo just for an autograph.

"Uncle, why do you like Parasyte so much?"

“I’ve always enjoyed reading comics, hahaha,” Uncle Aomori said cheerfully. “People used to think that comics were for children, but I found joy in Tezuka’s ‘Kimba the White Lion.’ However, after reading too many of these works, they became a bit boring, or maybe it’s because I’ve lost my childlike innocence.”

"But Parasyte is different; it's a very unique manga. The visuals are terrifying, and the suspense is off the charts, which is exciting enough on its own."

"On top of that, the message of Parasyte moved me again. We recklessly destroy the environment, releasing industrial waste gas, wastewater, and hazardous waste into the air, rivers, and the earth. People near the factories suffer from diseases, and the number of people who die as a result is no less than 10,000."

"Have you seen the documentary? Those who suffer from convulsions and paralysis due to Minamata disease, and who are gradually approaching death, suffer far more than the victims killed by the parasites."

"And how many people can the parasites kill? Dozens or hundreds would be considered a lot."

"Monsters more ferocious than parasites have already appeared around us. Oikawa-sensei drew this manga to visually demonstrate this point."

……

"Why wouldn't I ask for the original author's autograph to keep as a collectible?"

Akira Toriyama was still thinking about what Uncle Aomori had said, and was somewhat dazed, just moving with the crowd.

Before he knew it, there was no one in front of him.

"Ahem! It's your turn, reader."

The urging voice rang out, and Akira Toriyama looked up to see Fushimi River smiling at him.

It has been a long time since we last met. Ever since he saw his senior's speech at the Industrial High School two and a half years ago, his admiration for this incredibly talented senior has remained only in his heart, and he has been unable to express his feelings to him.

With this emotion building up inside him, he forgot the words he had been preparing for so long, and Akira Toriyama shouted, "Fushimi-senpai, I really like your 'Mothers,' and because of you, I also want to become a manga artist!"

"Fushimi-senpai?" Fushimi Kawa was taken aback, and the smile he gave to the reader turned into a smile for his junior.

Despite the constant gossip, he made many friends during his three years at the industrial high school, and Principal Fujino treated him very well, always taking care of him.

It's rare that no one advised him against abandoning writing for comics.

Therefore, he had some longing for the Industrial High School.

"Are you a student at the Aichi Prefectural Industrial Junior High School?"

"Yes! I am a third-year student at the Industrial High School. I heard your graduation speech before I entered the school. 'What kind of life do you all want to live?' That's what you asked me back then."

"You chose comics?"

"That's right, because of your influence, senior, I want to become a manga artist."

He recalled what the older man had said earlier: the significance of Parasyte to him went beyond just the manga.

Therefore, Akira Toriyama also said, "I want to draw works with depth such as 'Mothers' and 'Parasyte'."

Fushimikawa shook his head: "As long as a manga is interesting, it doesn't really matter how deep it is. Readers just want to have fun. I hope you understand that."

Akira Toriyama was somewhat puzzled, but he nodded nonetheless.

Feeling bad about taking up everyone's time, he handed over Volume 01 of Parasyte.

"Please sign your autograph, Fushimi-senpai."

“Okay,” Fushimikawa said, in a good mood after unexpectedly meeting a junior he didn’t know. “I hope you can make a name for yourself in the manga industry. I’ll write it like this. By the way, what’s your name?”

He picked up his pen, preparing to write the other person's name as well.

unexpectedly……

“Toriyama… My name is Akira Toriyama.”

Fushimi River stopped moving.

He looked up in surprise: "You're Akira Toriyama?"

……

"Parasyte sold out its 1000 volumes in a flash. Mr. Oikawa, you are truly amazing."

"Hundreds of people lined up in a long queue; such a scene is extremely rare."

"Teacher, you made sure everyone had a great time in just three hours. You worked so hard."

After the autograph session ended, a large crowd gathered around Fushimikawa.

Members of the Manga Research Club, editors from Mirai-sha, and other magazine staff who participated in CM Comic Con.

They took turns flattering Fushimi Kawa.

Although they knew of Oikawa's popularity, they were still shocked by the overwhelming popularity of the offline event.

"Only Tezuka-sensei has such appeal, right?"

"Yes."

Their exaggerated words and flattering remarks were endless, but Fushimikawa was getting impatient.

Although he continued the conversation with a smile, he soon said apologetically, "I'm sorry, I have something to do, so I'll have to leave first."

Everyone naturally expressed their understanding and watched Fushimi River depart into the distance.

"What else could happen at a time like this?" someone muttered.

……

During the book signing event, Fushimikawa discovered a talented individual.

The Parasyte manga sold very well, and the initial print run of 15 copies was far from enough to meet the demand from readers, making a reprint inevitable.

It remains to be seen whether the final sales volume will be able to break the 50 mark.

After earning tens of millions of yen from the Parasyte manga, Mirai Publishing, which was facing financial difficulties, can finally relax a bit.