Tokyo: Earth Online Manga Artist

Moreover, it feels like the manga's storyline isn't over yet; this is just one battle in the series. Eren has vowed to drive out all the Titans in the world.

I think that not eating pears means he's already thought of the whole story.

"I feel the same way. In that case, I would look forward to this newcomer's next serialized work."

"The artist's skill in this work is truly remarkable, unlike that of a newcomer. The proportions, perspective, and dynamics of the characters are all handled very well, especially the scenes of the 3D Maneuver Gear flying. The angles are tricky, but the drawings are very accurate."

"Could it be a pseudonym used by a famous cartoonist to submit their work?"

"Unlike... well-known comic artists whose art styles are all distinctive, this one doesn't have that feel, it must be a complete newcomer."

"The pacing of the plot is also very well controlled. In just 31 pages, from the world-building to the outbreak of the crisis and the awakening of the protagonist, every page is moving forward. There is no nonsense or padding. This kind of control is not like that of a newcomer."

"Indeed, many new comic artists are lucky if they can explain a single event in 31 pages. This author has planted at least three foreshadowing elements in one chapter."

"You're all praising it so highly, so I have to pour some cold water on it... This work is indeed good, but it's not quite a masterpiece."

Although his drawing skills are good, there is still a gap between him and top professional comic artists.

While the plot is fast-paced, some of the transitions feel a bit abrupt.

“You’re right, but this is a newcomer’s work. You can’t compare it to the best works of currently popular comic artists. Among newcomers of the same period, this is the strongest.”

"Okay, I agree. It is indeed the best among the winning entries in the same batch."

……

Then people started discussing the other winning works of this year's Tezuka Award, even though "Attack on Titan" was the best work to receive the highest award.

However, some people may find the other winning entries to their liking.

"I watched 'HAMMER HEAD' and thought it was pretty good. Naotake Saito's drawing skills are very solid, and the plot is quite classic. Although it's not as amazing as 'Attack on Titan,' it's still a good work."

"HAMMER HEAD is good, but it pales in comparison to Attack on Titan; they're not in the same league."

"I like Daisuke Oikawa's 'DEVIL MAGIC!'. The magical style is really appealing. Although the artwork isn't as good as his previous two works, the concept is excellent."

"DEVIL MAGIC!" is interesting, but it feels like it needs further polishing.

"Taro Matsukawa's ANSWER is also good. It has a warm and healing style, which is a bit of a disadvantage in this kind of hot-blooded shonen manga competition, but the quality of the work itself is not bad."

“ANSWER is indeed good, but its style might not be a good fit for serialization in JUMP.”

"I think the most powerful thing about Attack on Titan is the sense of despair. Humans are locked in cages, and Titans could break through the walls at any time. There are very few manga with this theme, such as Claymore, which is very dark."

"Claymore is indeed dark, but Attack on Titan has a stronger sense of despair because humans are too weak and Titans are almost invincible."

"The 3D Maneuver Gear gave humanity hope for resistance. I thought Eren and the others could easily kill the Titans, but I didn't expect... they still don't have much of a chance against the Titans."

"It's probably like the situation has changed from ordinary people having no chance of winning against Titans to having a 10% chance of defeating them. And Eren and his comrades were just recruits. They were suddenly sent to the battlefield and suffered huge casualties... That's realistic, isn't it?"

"It seems that Attack on Titan might not actually be a short manga, but rather a series that will continue."

"I'm still worried about whether the subsequent plot can maintain this level of quality. Many new works start off amazingly, but then fall apart."

"That's possible, but at least this beginning is already quite captivating. Let's wait until the serialization starts to see."

"The pen name 'Don't Eat Pears' is quite cute. I wonder what kind of person the author is."

"The author of this hardcore, action-packed shonen manga is probably male, in his early twenties, and was probably an assistant or something."

……

Eri Aragaki was thus treated as a man... but that makes sense, since she was originally a man.

Although I've changed my gender, my hobbies remain the same as before. In other words, I'm female, but I like women.

However, manga fans are naturally unaware of these things. In fact, even if Eri Aragaki's gender were revealed, manga fans would probably only pay more attention.

There are quite a few female comic artists, but very few who attract fans based on gender differences.

Just like Crocodile Teacher, she gained attention not because she is a female manga artist who draws action-packed shonen manga, but because the story of the manga "Demon Slayer" is exciting enough.

Most manga fans are still more interested in the subsequent serialization of "Attack on Titan".

"I'm already looking forward to the serialization, and I hope it won't be too long."

"According to the Tezuka Award tradition, the authors of the selected works should be able to start serialization soon, probably within two or three months."

"But not eating pears doesn't necessarily mean that Attack on Titan will continue to be serialized."

"Two or three months, that feels so long..."

"You can read this chapter a few more times; there are many details in it."

"How could that be? The plot of this comic clearly indicates that there will be many more developments to come."

"I've watched it three times already, and each time I discover new foreshadowing. I really feel that not eating the pear in the first place was part of his ambition."

"Having ambition is a good thing, but I hope you can maintain this level of quality!"

"Hopefully it can stay that way..."

……

And just then, amidst the few discussions about Attack on Titan, a sentence suddenly emerged from a quiet corner.

"I feel confident that I can maintain it! There's no problem with that!"

Eri Aragaki confidently uttered these words, while repeatedly reading the comments praising "Attack on Titan" and showering her with compliments. As she savored them, a silly, enigmatic smile crept onto her lips.

This feels so good, so good! It really feels amazing to be praised for plagiarizing others.

No wonder everyone wants to be a plagiarist...

Although I haven't made any money yet, being a plagiarist is lucrative and provides a great deal of emotional value, which is really quite enjoyable.

It was worth it for Eri Aragaki to come to this internet cafe after dinner to surf the internet.

She knew that once the Tezuka Award winners were announced, there would definitely be some discussion about it.

As a creator, she, like most creators, certainly wants to see how people comment on her work.

After reading these effusive praises, Eri Aragaki couldn't help but exclaim again, "Wow! I must work hard to become a great manga artist!"

Afterwards, she got up and left the internet cafe with satisfaction. She felt full of energy and motivation after returning home.

Chapter Nineteen: Good Deeds Reward

Several days passed.

In the past few days, Eri Aragaki and Erina Aragaki celebrated their second time by going out for barbecue.

During this period, Eri Aragaki has been helping out at the convenience store and drawing storyboards for the official serialization of "Attack on Titan".

These storyboard drafts will need to be reviewed by Masaya Sakurai later, something she only truly realized after becoming a manga artist...

She had always heard that editors were half creators of comics in her previous life, but she didn't really feel that way.

But now I really feel it; it turns out that comic artists... especially new comic artists, can't just create their own works at will.

It's not that I'm being hindered or anything, but rather that I can't do whatever I want because there are editors controlling things.

Moreover, the editors have a lot of control; if there are any problems with the plot or setting, they can send it back to the comic artist for revision.

However, this is not a bad thing, especially since... many editors participate in the creation of comics.

For example, they will give you suggestions on how to modify the plot and settings of the comic, and they are genuine suggestions.

In fact, many comics have become even more popular because... editors gave good suggestions that led the comic artists to revise the plot.

Just like Jujutsu Kaisen, there has always been a rumor that the author of Jujutsu Kaisen originally intended to make Gojo Satoru the protagonist.

However, after learning about this, the editor of "Spellcasting" talked with the author and felt that it would be better to design a boy as the protagonist.

This led to the later hugely popular "Jujutsu Kaisen".

Therefore, a good editor is actually a mentor and friend to a cartoonist.

However, editors sometimes find it difficult to control cartoonists who have become famous.

But when it comes to Eri Aragaki, a newcomer manga artist...

They still have a lot of say in the matter.

So these past few days, she's been drawing until late at night after getting off work at the convenience store.

The storyboard drawings covered approximately three episodes, with each episode consisting of about nineteen pages.

She organized the manuscript, put it in a folder, and prepared to take it to the editor.

That morning, Eri Aragaki was still on duty at the convenience store with Ayane Takeda.

The convenience store is relatively empty in the morning, so their work is relatively easy.

Eri Aragaki is organizing the shelves, restocking the areas where items are out of stock.

Ayane Takeda sat behind the cashier, waiting for customers to come and pay.

The store was quiet, with only the air conditioner making a slight hum.

Sunlight streamed in through the glass door, casting a shimmering glow on the floor.

After settling accounts and seeing off the few customers who came in the morning.

Eri Aragaki happened to see Ayane Takeda reading Attack on Titan while holding this issue of Weekly Shonen Jump.

Ayane Takeda read very carefully, her eyes fixed on the pages, her brows slightly furrowed.

She stopped when she turned to a certain page and stared at it for several seconds.

Then she looked up and met Eri Aragaki's gaze.

"You're amazing, senior! This drawing is so good."

Ayane Takeda immediately said, "Senpai will definitely become a great manga artist."

She was also very curious after Eri Aragaki told her that her submitted work had won an award.

Since Weekly Shonen Jump wasn't very expensive, she bought a copy to see what it was all about.

Seeing it this way, she admired him even more.