【Juhan Shuttai】 (Second edition being printed)
Words that make
everyone in the publishing industry happy
I undertook interviews with over 20 companies.
I desperately challenged them, without making any sense, unable to see my surroundings...
I failed them all.
In the midst of that, I learnt one thing.
Interviews are the same as judo.
Good morning.
No more than 10 people are employed.
I don't have to take down the other person.
I can be 1 of 10!
This year too?
Yeah, take a look.
That kid, on the end of the front row.
When he came here,
he had bad posture and appeared to have no self-confidence.
I had the impression he's quite docile.
Kojima Satoshi-san.
Yes!
However, now...
He has a forced expression and a forced posture.
It isn't natural at all.
I understand the feeling of wanting to make a good impression at an interview, though.
For kids who force themselves to act like a good young man,
even if they're employed, their mentalities often suffer damage.
You really have been observing for a very many years.
Not at all.
Kurosawa Kokoro-san.
Yes!
Excuse me.
I'm Kurosawa Kokoro, from Nippon Sport Science University.
Kurosawa Kokoro
Interviews are the same as judo.
When you get used to them, you can see it.
Your opponent's heartbeat and breathing.
Kurosawa-san has...
been devoted to judo until now, correct?
A technique should be pulled off at the same time as your opponent exhales.
Why have you applied to a publisher?
I!
From primary school, I have worked hard,
setting my only goal as the gold medal.
But I got injured...
... and could no longer aim for the Olympics.
Having lost my life's goal, I thought this over...
What do I want to do? What can I do?
The reason I started judo was...
Because of a manga called "Judo Club Story".
I read many other manga too.
Even after painful training sessions, when I could cough up blood,
I received energy from reading manga.
During overseas tournaments,
I was able to become close with international athletes by talking about the story of the manga.
The characters' names from the manga are known overseas.
I was moved!
I want to create that kind of work too.
To participate in the creation of a manga that will become a common language through the world,
and let everyone on the planet be excited!
For me right now,
I think the only place I can get heated up, from the heart,
is right here!
Anyone can shake with fervent speech, though.
In concrete terms, what will you do?
The ones who draw comics are the manga artists, you know.
I can help!
How?
I don't know in concrete terms yet, but in the judo world,
there are the quotes "Make good use of energy" and "Mutual prosperity with oneself and others".
If I follow those words...
Seya~!
Are you all unharmed?
- Are you alright? - President!
- Are you hurt? - Pre... sident?
President!
I'm fine.
Ouch~
What was that~?
I don't get the point~!
Kokoro!
Go, go!
Hold!
Please, somehow...
Make a miracle happen!
- Good morning. - Hello.
Good morning.
Koutokan President Kuji Masaru
She threw the president?
Vibes Editor-in -Chief Wada Yasuki
She threw him!
Vibes Deputy Editor-in-Chief Iokibe Kei
There was no chance to stop her.
She sure is interesting, that bear cub.
Vibes Editorial Department Mibu Heita
Bear cub?
Her looks.
I saw her at the second interview.
I asked what her favourite team was.
Baseball's got nothing to do with it.
I can't ask anything else!
Don't ask about parents' occupations, don't touch their university's name...
HR are annoying me to death saying that private stuff is OUT.
Vibes Editorial Department Yasui Noboru
Because now it's a pressure interview, they're saying all sorts of things.
Vibes Editorial Department Kikuchi Fuminori
What team was she a fan of?
No clue.
Kurosawa Kokoro-kun.
Yes!
What's your favourite team?
It's Nippon Sport Science University's Women's Judo Club.
Huh?
Their special move is a shoulder throw, and their special skill is pushups.
How many can you do?
200.
Okay, do it.
Yes!
75, 76...
77...
Kurosawa-san, that's enough.
I'm still going easy.
Seventy...
8...
8!
71!
- 72! 73! - You're going back?!
74!
That was fun~
HR must've gotten mad.
Quite a bit.
A fighting girl, huh?
Sounds sultry.
Even if she gets accepted, it'd be for a sports magazine.
If that musclehead came, it'd just be trouble.
But that girl...
She got full marks on the written exam, you know.
No way!
Were you alright?
It doesn't hurt at all.
She threw me beautifully.
It gave me a shock.
Because you suddenly went "Seya!"
I wanted to test what she's got.
When she was walking, her body axis didn't shift at all.
Just like how a waterfowl glides across the water's surface.
You play it too, right? Shogi.
Yes.
Among shogi, mahjong and sports players...
The really strong risk takers...
... all have their body axis steady.
Those types of people have the fortunes of war.
We, the publishing industry, too, are in a world of battle.
[Initiation Ceremony]
One month later...
So... why is she at our place?
Who knows...
I've just joined this year, my name is Kurosawa Kokoro!
After the one month induction course, as of today,
I've been assigned to my desired position in the editorial department of "Weekly Vibes"!
I will do my best with "good use of energy" and "mutual prosperity".
What did she say?
Please give me your support!
Kokoro?!
Ah, Kokoro!
It's been so long!
Kokoro!
Ta-dah!
Eh?
She's seriously an employee of Koutokan!
Yes!
Koutokan! Yeah!
Koutokan! Koutokan!
Yeah~!
Congratulations!
Cheers!
- Congratulations! - Thank you!
Gosh, when I heard you threw the president down,
I thought you'd definitely failed.
Me too.
Kokoro, you lose when we think you'll win,
and when it seems like you'll never win, you do,
You have some strange luck~
In the written test, there was a ton of the international politics
and Olympics stuff that I desperately memorised.
That's it. Hey, weird luck!
I have weird luck!
Weird luck~
Yummy~
How is it? Is your leg alright?
Yeah.
It's back to normal.
I can run too.
But...
When I threw the president, my brace was weak.
When I was active, it would've been more like...
"Supaan!", though.
Sara-chan?
Is it spicy?
Is that spicy?
Kokoro is...
Because Kokoro is smiling...
I'm glad you can smile again.
Isn't that great, Kokoro?
Congratulations.
Do your best, Kokoro!
I will...
I'll really do my best!
All of you, do your best!
And get the gold medal!
Yeah!
We'll definitely win!
Alright.
By the way...
What kind of stuff do you do in manga editorial?
To be a manga artist...
... 's helper?
Helper?
Do stuff like collect manuscripts?
To create their schedule?
Think of the content together?
All of those are questions.
If you had to put it in one phrase, what is it?
Like "soft and fair goes far".
Hmm...
Iokibe-san.
What exactly is an editor?
If you were to put it in one line?
That isn't something for me to answer.
It's something for you to find out from now on.
First off, if you can't read a name, we can't move on.
This is... that famous 'name'!
A 'name' has the panel layout and the arrangements of the people.
It has a rough indication of the composition and lines. It's the blueprint of a manga.
The artist creates a name,
runs it by the editor in charge, and then begins production of an actual manuscript.
There are many types of names depending on the artist.
Some are close to a completed manuscript,
some are just the lines,
and even some that don't make any sense.
To compare "read the name" to music...
It's the score.
If you can't read the sheet music, you can't imagine the melody.
In other words, to an editor...
Learning the ability to read names...
Is the most basic of basics... It's a must!
A dog?
Cuneiform?!
17.
"Weekly Vibes" is released every Monday.
It's a manga magazine aimed at young men that prints 500,000 copies.
Among magazines for young men,
it is placed 2nd after "Weekly Emperor".
By the way, from Vibes' first publication to now,
It has beaten "Emperor"...
[Take Emperor down!!]
[We won't lose!]
... never.
This...
... becomes this!
A car?!
Amazing!
Editors' working hours are all scattered.
Depending on if the artist they are in charge of is a night or morning type,
the time they work changes.
Good morning!
They're responsible for 2-3 artists each,
and are in charge of pages other than the serial,
such as the cover and special editions...
But I have none yet.
Musashi's extra extra hot... that was too much.
- It killed the flavour of the soup. - Really~
I ate that too! The extra extra hot!
I think extra hot plus 3 cloves of garlic
is the strongest lineup that just barely doesn't kill the flavour of the soup.
Yeah... you're right.
Yes.
Oh, I'll help!
Thank you.
Leave it here.
Okay.
Ah... sorry.
You wouldn't like it to be dirty here, right?
No, it calms me down.
Just like the clubroom.
The smell is close too.
I wondered how she'd do surrounded by men, but...
It doesn't look like a worry.
Kurosawa!
Yes?
I'm going to a briefing session, come along.
Sure!
Wait right there.
Take this with you.
I'm expecting great things out of you, as the hope of Vibes!
Yes!
They smell great!
Really? That's a good smell?
Did Hanshin win yesterday?
2 to 1 with Gomez' clutch hit.
I'll do my best to live up to the name on the business card!
That's the way!
Stop smelling it!
Right!
- Come on, we're going. - Yes!
- We're off. - Good luck.
We're leaving.
"Mikurayama".
Could this be Mikurayama Ryu-sensei?
Yeah.
Yes?
This is Iokibe from Koutokan.
- Please come in. - I'll go get changed. To the suit from my interview.
No, no, no, hey!
It's fine.
Okay!
Mikurayama Ryu-sensei is the feature artist of "Vibes".
He's such a leading figure that he's been said to stand alone at the pinnacle of the manga world.
Here you are.
Thank you.
Hashimoto-san, from before...
I was surprised when he took leave for illness.
But it really helped that the new editor was Iokibe-san.
A boss since entering the company.
They said "he's a promising editor".
You're already deputy editor-in-chief, right?
No...
I'm just Wada's servant.
Oh my. Should I tell Wada-san?
Just a joke.
Please wait just a moment.
She's a lovely wife.
They're famous for being a lovebird couple.
What kind of person is Mikurayama-sensei?
I'm putting it badly, but...
Even though he's a master, he's an artist that doesn't cause trouble.
Oh...
His names are very polished.
He never misses a deadline.
Sends issues to print multiple weeks in advance.
Manga Artist Mikurayama Ryu
And yet, he's a person of character.
"Dragon Rapids"
It's the latest installment in what's called Mikurayama-sensei's life work, the Dragon series.
With a kingdom as the setting,
It's an epic that shows...
Matsuei IX of the Kowloon house living strongly,
even while at the mercy of the world of war
That profound, big-boned story,
even as the series reaches its 30th year,
continues to be loved by many fans.
Thank you for waiting.
Everything here is old.
The tools here too,
I've been using the same ones since the first edition of "Dragon" in the same way.
There are 30 years history of the serialisation...
That's amazing!
A potential Japanese representative for judo is more amazing.
No, not at all!
Kurosawa flung the president at the employment interview.
I wish I'd seen your satisfying victory in one move.
It wasn't quite...
I'm very far off from when I was active.
How would you describe your one move victory when you were active?
I think it'd be "mu".
"Mu" for 'nothing'.
In the space of an instant,
moving unconsciously before thinking,
you can't even feel your opponent's weight.
Even the inside your head...
... goes completely blank.
After a moment that feels like eternity,
The umpire's voice saying 'Ippon!' resounds...
And the cheers of my friends flood into my ears.
That's when you first realise...
I've done it! I took the point!
Are you enjoying this talk?
Yes.
It must feel great, in that moment.
Yes!
Veeeeeery!
Kanbara-san... don't you think there isn't enough detail here?
How should I know?
I've said this before, but that's not the problem...
Can I have a moment?
This is the editor-in-charge this time, Iokibe-kun and
a new employee of Vibes, Kurosawa-san.
Nice to meet you. Please keep me in your favour!
Please keep us in your favour.
They're all aiming to debut while working as assistants.
Please do your best!
Yes, we will.
Then I think we'll take our leave soon.
Sure.
I told you to stop sniffing!
I love the smell of ink!
We use Indian ink so it has even more of a scent.
You're right!
We're in a place like this cause even if we do our best, we can't debut.
Mikurayama-sensei's place is special.
Manga Artist Takahata Issun
Special?
Guys from there like Masugo and Hattan Kazuo,
submit manuscripts even 3 weeks in advance, you know!
It's unbelievable.
You could submit them early too, Takahata-san.
N-n-n-no way... That's impossible.
That's another world, another level!
Um... Takahata-sensei...
I have all the volumes of "Horned Princess"!
Could I get a handshake?
Hey.
Ah... I'm sorry.
Why not? Just a handshake.
Horned Princess is so strong and cool...
I admire her!
Your grip strength is really something.
I'm sorry!
Thank you!
Icchan~
Not yet~?
Don't come in during a meeting!
Isn't it fine?
We're already done.
There's no problem.
Thank you.
About your next name...
... do you think I can have it next Thursday, as usual?
Yeah, no problem.
I've been in good condition lately. I might have it tomorrow.
A former rea-mo?
A reader model.
Oh, from fashion magazines!
If she dresses like that now, I wonder how she is in summer?
That'd be nude.
A nudist?
Did you see it?
It's just a hope.
Then it's fine.
What kind of ruling is that?
I was happy I met Takahata-sensei today too,
but Mikurayama-sensei was such a kind and lovely person~
He also takes good care of them...
His assistant's names...
He makes time every week to look over them.
Wow~
He really is a god.
Assistant Numata Wataru
It seems quite meek, but it's very well collected.
What did your editor-in-charge say?
He's someone who doesn't know rakugo,
[Comic storytelling]
he couldn't really understand that the story's based on Sokotsu Nagaya.
That must be tough.
If the humour doesn't get through to him, then...
How about making it strongly comical?
It might be too dignified.
I'll give it another go.
Okay.
- Thank you. - No problem.
Is that all for today?
Please help me next week.
Sure.
Kanbara-kun.
How's it going lately?
You haven't given me any names.
Did you quit drawing the story from around summer last year?
As it was, I couldn't quite understand the protagonist's feelings,
but if you make his motives clear...
The reason you don't understand my names...
Is because your sense is too old, isn't it?
Everyone on the net's saying it too.
"Mikurayama's lost it. His pictures are stretching."
- Stretching? - Kanbara!
Because an old man like you has everything his way,
young people can't debut!
Kanbara, what are you...
Apologise! Hey!
Hey!
Sorry about him.
He reached his limit...
Everyone gets like that at times.
If he calms down and cools his head, I'm sure my words will reach him.
If Kanbara-kun returns, please don't be angry with him.
[The character's faces in Dragon are well stretched this time, too. It's supposed to be 'Rapids' but...]
[Owacon!!]
["Make good use of energy" "Mutual prosperity with oneself and others"]
Hey... I asked on your first day too, but...
What does this "Energy..." something or other mean?
What is it?
Chan-san has...
... died!
At the end of the 2nd installment, his friendship with Yan was great, wasn't it?
It's the best.
I can't believe I haven't read this before!
I've been reading since "Dragon Drifting" though.
You moron!
The 2nd installment "Dragon Raging Stream" is the most intense!
Yes. I was a fool. I was a moron!
It couldn't be that you haven't read Mikurayama-sensei's legendary debut work,
"Demon Boy Beat It", could it?
I haven't.
Ugh... Redo it!
Restart your whole life!
I can't, I'll read it now!
It's from 40 years ago, you wouldn't have known it, huh?
My mother would've been 9.
Your mother's 49?
Wow, we might go out.
Mibu-san isn't my mother's type.
- You wouldn't know that! - My father wouldn't allow it!
[Name: An Editor's Cruel Story]
[Bear cub newbie's communication skills are high]
Continuing drawing for 40 years,
and to be at the forefront even now, is an amazing feat, huh!
I like his older drawings better though.
Criticising a master...
I wasn't...
It's just that his drawings now are...
They have stronger features, or...
Well, it happens often that artists drawing for a long time have their pictures change.
That's right, that's right... That's it.
[Bear cub newbie is stepping into taboo with shoes on. Youth is scary.]
What's that sound?
Just what is that...
Didn't they lose yesterday?
3rd consecutive.
Uwah...
We shouldn't mention it, huh.
Take it.
Huh?
Take the phone call, quickly.
I can't. It's a direct connection.
Who is it at a time like this?
Yes?
What?
Oh, excuse me, Mikurayama-sensei. This is Wada.
You haven't called in a while. Yes.
Right, right... Yes.
Yes, all of the manuscripts you've given us have been given to the plate-making shop.
Yes...
Huh?
Withdraw... the manuscripts?
No, what...
Sensei, uh...
Please wait a moment, sensei. Sensei, sensei!
Iokibe!
What's this about?
All 2 months worth that he submitted early...
He's saying to withdraw all of them!
Even the latest one, meant to go to print tonight... All of them!
What's happening?!
I'll go to Mikurayama-sensei's house.
Is there anyone who can publish an alternative?
Contact the plate-making shop!
Those in charge of the cover, table of contents and afterword prepare your changes!
- There's no time! - Editor-in-chief!
Huh?
How about this newbie? Isomaru Akira.
- Um... If I can do something... - Sorry.
Thank you for your help. My name is Kikuchi, from Vibes.
I'm sorry to trouble you suddenly, but...
I'm really sorry... You even waited this late.
In any case, could you please tell him I'd like to meet once directly.
I'll wait until whatever time.
I understand. I'll tell him.
Good morning...
[ Iokibe - Mikurayama's House ]
Oh, um...
Ah!
Huh?
You're Hattan-sensei, right?
... Yes, that's right.
Manga Artist Hattan Kazuo
I've just been employed this year. My name's Kurosawa.
I love your "Dandelion Railroad"!
I look forward to it every week.
Thank you.
Are you looking for Kikuchi-san?
I think he's supposed to be here in the afternoon, though.
Ah...
How do I say it? Who should I talk to?
Who is in charge of Mikurayama-sensei right now?
It's Iokibe, but I don't know when he'll be here today.
Speaking of, I heard you were Mikurayama-sensei's assistant in the past...
That's right. He helped me right up to my debut.
Huh? Hattan-kun?
What's wrong?
He was angry when it should've been the other way.
Even though sensei looks over us with great care.
That Kanbara.
He's been there the longest after me.
Under his care for as many as 10 years.
He's ungrateful.
He made reckless remarks and then rushed out.
Even though that alone wouldn't be forgiven...
That guy...
He sent faxes in the middle of the night.
Of message boards on the net that only have insults about Mikurayama-sensei...
I got a phone call from Mikurayama-sensei.
"Hacchan... what does owacon mean?"
Owacon?
It's short for "finished content"
What a terrible phrase.
I thought he had simply heard some young people's slang...
I told him.
"Owacon" means 'finished content'.
Basically, it's like "behind the times" or "no longer needed".
Not needed?
I see...
Later,
I heard about the faxes.
When I arrived,
he'd already read them all.
Mikurayama-sensei's someone who doesn't use the internet,
I think he's never seen that kind of badmouthing on message boards.
He might be extremely hurt.
Even though we sent you on break...
Thank you for coming.
Iokibe-san's still outside.
He said he doesn't want to see anyone.
Sorry about Kanbara.
It's not your fault, Numata-kun.
No...
Sorry.
There was even a call from editor-in-chief Wada-san, earlier.
It's nearly the season for the milkvetches, huh?
Some hasty honeybees are here, too.
Shall we go to Kanazawa?
What about work?
I had been drawing without realising that the balance of my pictures was off.
It's the right time.
But, what was more of a shock was...
What I'd always tried to convey in my manga...
That precisely because humans are valuable, beautiful,
and kind, are they precious.
But it didn't get through at all.
Even to them...
Even Kanbara-kun, who's always been close by.
It's pathetic.
I really am pathetic.
Welcome.
Huh? Seriously?
What happened?
Apparently Dragon's going on break.
I'm terribly sorry!
The resumption of Dragon Rapids is currently under discussion...
No, he isn't hospitalised or anything like that...
Like I said, the time is undecided.
This is Weekly Vibes.
I'm very sorry.
Yes, sorry. Excuse me, yes.
Isn't it about time to just leave it to the chief assistant or something?
Huh?
If he loses heart at that age, it's already hopeless right?
Changing the pictures after all this time...
Yes, this is Weekly Vibes.
Sorry to you have to come every day.
No... same here.
[This week's Vibes is terrible]
[Hooray for a sudden end]
[Wow, that's hilarious. That old man must have had a serious shock. I'm the one who printed the message board and faxed it to him! You guys, when that old guy disappears, it'll be easier to debut!]
[I couldn't care less.]
That's terrible...
What do you think of this?
Kanbara-san wrote this himself, didn't he?
There's no other option.
Unbelievable!
Next time I see him, can I strangle him and take him down?
Proprietress of eating house "Juhan Shuttai" Misato
Strangle him down?
If I so intend...
It only takes 5 seconds!
Good evening.
Welcome!
Iokibe-san, these are the posts from the net!
Yeah, I saw them.
- A beer, please. - Right away.
How was Mikurayama-sensei's situation?
I couldn't meet him...
I see...
Before it came to this...
I wonder if we could've done something.
Everyone noticed his pictures were getting worse.
Having the other person be a master...
Do you think there was a way to tell him?
His editor-in-charge was always Hashimoto-san, it couldn't be helped.
We shouldn't butt into another editor's work, after all.
See you. I'll eat ramen and go home.
- You can still eat? - Bye, Iokibe-san. Thanks for the meal!
- Hey, hey. - Thank you.
Do you think Mikurayama-sensei will really quit?
A weekly serial, you see...
It's like a marathon without a goal.
It isn't like in a relay race,
where you pass on the sash to someone else.
There's no one to pass to, like in soccer, either.
You're just running towards a deadline each week, all alone.
When you finally think you've reached it...
... you have next week's deadline.
Each and every week is a repetition of drawing names and using ink.
You have to keep running.
Mikurayama-sensei has continued at the forefront of weekly magazines for 30 years, without break.
It's no easy task.
When a person like that loses sight of which path to take...
... what words should one say to him?
What is an editor?
It's something you should find out for yourself.
I said that to you acting all high and mighty,
But I'm still right in the middle of that too.
Here you are.
Yes? This is Weekly Vibes.
Eh?
Huh?
That's hilarious.
I got it wrong~!
Honestly...
- 1, 2... - 1, 2...
- Okay, speed up! - Okay!
- 1, 2... - 1, 2...
- Kokoro, speed up! - Okay!
- 1, 2... - 1, 2...
It's a secret, but...
Nonomura-senshu is going to retire after this season.
Huh? That kaolin in the 48 kilo class?
Right. She's already 41, after all.
Huh~ That's sad~
She was close to 4 wins in the Olympics...
That's true~
Apparently the last few years, she's been training like a demon.
When you get older you start to lose muscle, after all.
Ah~
It must be nice to be a manga artist~
You can continue even when you get old, right?
An athlete is in a battle with their body, after all.
- Sara-chan... - Hm?
Manga artists have it really hard too, you know?
I would hate to retire like this~
You're right, she nearly had 4 consecutive wins...
That's true, but that's not it~!
Ouch! Ow, ow, ow!
Comic Sales Department Koizumi Jun
Um...
- Um, excuse me. - Kawa-sa~n!
Oh, Kurosawa-san?!
- Why? Why are you here? - It's been so long!
I was nearby,
so I thought I'd give you my business card.
My name is Kurosawa.
Book Shop Assistant Kawa Maiko
You're a real editor!
It's still only provisional. It starts from now on!
Thank you for your help during the induction course.
Same here.
Honestly, usually,
even if the newbies come for training,
they're often a nuisance.
But you were really useful, Kurosawa-san.
You were the best trainee ever!
I only have strength and stamina.
- I'll come carry cardboard boxes again! - You're so reliable!
You're from Koutokan...
Yes...
I'm from Koutokan too. I'm Kurosawa from the editorial department of Vibes!
I know.
Huh?
Oh, um...
I brought the promotions for "Haniimuu Forever"...
Oh, thank you for your work.
Nagano-kun!
- Yes? - Please look after Koutokan-san.
This way.
Ah...
A salesperson?
Right.
- These are the signs and... - What was it again?
I forgot his real name.
Real name?
He's always in the background,
so everyone calls him Ghost.
Ghost?
- Thank you. - Please look after it.
Mikurayama-sensei, huh?
His stories are interesting,
so he sells among long-time fans,
but his drawing isn't to young people's taste, so they don't buy it.
He might be dwindling away...
Honestly, for the last few years his sketches have been out of shape.
You could say he's getting slow?
- Welcome. - Welcome.
But it'd be a shame for him to retire... he is interesting.
I want to do something too.
But it's not like I'm in a place to say anything or can do anything.
Somehow...
Something!
Something, right?
That's amazing.
Did you notice?
My shelf... A special feature on Buddhist images.
The image I'm a fan of this month!
Bodhisattva of Houryuuji temple, Kannon.
Also known as Yumechigai Kannon!
Isn't it a bit too high up?
There's no point if it isn't in the field of vision of someone walking...
What are you saying?
Buddhist images were originally meant
for someone to sit in the temple, look up at and pay their respects.
That's why that arm was purposely made long, too.
Looking up at it gives it the most beautiful balance.
You can be soothed by his kind smile, right?
Kawa-san...
Yes?
Thank you so much~!
Sportspeople...
... don't neglect their everyday training.
In order to remain as the strongest, longest standing possible athlete,
They maintain their muscle strength and step up their efforts.
- Even so, it's difficult to defy age. - Excuse me!
No matter what, with age, muscle power deteriorates.
Not to mention Mikurayama-sensei, who for even 40 years,
singlemindedly continued to face his desk everyday...
Ah!
What is it?
We may be able to revive Mikurayama-sensei!
What?
Nothing can happen with the idea of someone like you.
For the newbie to run about...
What's that? Let me hear it.
Yes!
If you're going to turn them away, please do it yourself.
Eh?
I've had enough of this already.
Here they are, in person.
- Excuse me. - Excuse me.
Sorry, but...
Mikurayama-sensei.
I'm truly sorry.
Why are you apologising?
You just became my editor recently, didn't you?
There's no reason for you to apologise.
Including me, the whole editorial department...
... has been spoiled by you for many years.
In opposition to you, sensei,
who has continued making great work alone...
We had this sense of awe,
and at the same time,
we got used to the fact that we could get the manuscripts without doing anything.
And then, in the time you were suffering until you put down your pen,
... we became presences that you couldn't even consult for help.
Sorry, but I didn't even think of consulting you.
I've seen many an artist disappear because they relied on their editors.
We were the ones who let you think that, too.
I'm really sorry.
Stop that.
I'm quitting manga already.
Sensei's drawings aren't messed up!
Hey... not yet...
Now's the time to start.
What do you mean?
This is rude of me, but sensei, you have a hunchback.
But it wasn't like that in the past.
Since then,
sensei has continued using the same tools in the same way.
The angle of your drawing board, too, is the same as at that time.
But sensei has gotten on in years.
Your abdominal and back muscles have weakened, and your posture has become stooped.
The height of your eyes now, and the height of your eyes at that time...
Though you intend to draw them in the same way,
if you change the angle you view it from, it becomes a picture with strange balance.
Pictures that appear out of shape, too...
When we view it from the same angle as you,
they become perfectly balanced pictures, just like in the past.
You didn't lose your ability to draw.
The angle you're looking at it is just different.
If you end up slouching no matter what when drawing,
you could adjust the angle of your drawing board,
and draw directly...
I won't have to release embarrassing work to the world?
Right.
Sorry to interrupt your talk.
They're all here.
Those old friends.
You guys...
Mikurayama-sensei's?
Artists who were his assistants.
We've come to help.
Sensei, let's draw a manuscript.
I want to read the continuation of Dragon.
Please let us help.
We all want to help.
You guys... you all have your own serials too, right?
It's fine!
If you get a weekly serial, turn them in 3 weeks in advance...
Isn't that what you taught us?
We're keeping that up, right?
Of course!
We're Mikurayama-sensei's pupils, after all.
Let's draw.
Yes!
- Yeah! - I'm so glad!
I'll do that.
Looks like it'll be fine.
I'm glad.
Kurosawa...
Good job.
A satisfying one move victory.
This is...
... everyone's victory.
One day, I'll have that one move victory, too...
Ippon!
Like how I felt at that time, the moment my heart shakes...
In this new place...
This time...
For someone else.
You've changed this quite a bit!
From now on, I think I'll try challenging digital work, too.
The strength of my brushstrokes has gotten weaker, too...
How much can I maintain the amount of passion in my works?
It's a battle.
I still have some things to say.
I can't lose to something like age.
From now on, I'll consult you about various things.
Thank you.
This, you see...
If I tap like this with this pen, it turns out like this.
And then, look...
Bear cub! That's the way!
Keep this up and become an editor that'll topple our enemy Emperor!
Yes! I'll beat them down!
- Crush them~! - Yes!
Even though Hanshin lost yesterday...
He's smiling.
The bear cub newbie has tamed the wild beast.
These are the words of the founder of judo, right?
Yes, they're quotes from Kano Jigorou-sensei.
"Make good use of energy" "Mutual prosperity with oneself and others"
To use your power to the best of your ability, for good deeds.
Honour others and be grateful.
If you can create mutual trust, you can live on by helping each other.
Nice quotes.
Yes!
- Nice quotes. - Yes!
Is that the rumoured judo girl?
Right, Kurosawa Kokoro.
Girls are great.
They found her judo all too rare,
and she was simply placed in the editorial department.
I can't breathe...
Uh... Ono Yoshihito-sensei's "Hanimuu Forever"
has reached juhan shuttai.
Everyone gather!
Um... what does 'juhan shuttai' mean?
Oh, it's when they've sold out of books,
and there's an additional printing.
If you get an additional printing, you can reach many readers.
When making comics, juhan shuttai is the goal.
Let's do the custom thing...
Thank you for the additional printing~
How wonderful. Congratulations!
I want to say that soon too!
You're ten years too early.
Okay...
[Aim for Juhan Shuttai!]
Let's do this!