Tokyo life starting with painting.

Chapter 418 Junji Ito (4000 words)
After writing the testimonial of the end of the serialization of "Hansawa Naoki", Higashino Division also let out a long sigh of relief.

According to Hosokawa Koharu, this serialized testimonial "Heshi" will set aside a special page.

This can be regarded as giving Dong Yesi enough face.

Generally speaking, for ending comics like this, one or half a grid is basically given for the author to make a closing speech.

A full page. This is enough to show that Fushima Publishing House attaches great importance to Higashino Division.

Higashino put down his pen, rubbed his temples, secretly thinking about the honors that "Naoki Hansawa" has won along the way.

"Heshi" comic department reader survey ranked first for 25 issues in a row.

Japanese manga ranks No. [-] in average volume sales, No. [-] in annual sales volume, and No. [-] in total sales volume (related to the number of volumes).

These are data that can be touted.

There are also various. For example, some newspapers and magazines surveyed 'the most popular comics for young people', 'one of the top ten most popular comics', and 'the most anticipated works by readers'.
In short, there are many other honors.

These honors come quite inexplicably.

But basically all certificates were issued, so Higashino thought about it, and put it in the exhibition counter that Konoe Suzuka gave him.

The original shabby transparent glass display cabinet has also been enriched a lot.

And except for these.
"Finally, I can stop here for a while and focus on the painting of "Spirited Away."

Higashino stretched comfortably.

Yes.

Over the past few weeks, all his energy has been devoted to "Naoki Hansawa".

After all, quietly breaking records seems easy to say.

But it is really difficult to actually operate it.

Even Dong Yesi didn't dare to be distracted. After two weeks, he tried his best and finally drew the last scroll steadily.

Looking at the speeches on the Internet that ""Naoki Hansawa" is over, so is my youth".

Higashino Division is also a little funny.

The end of "Naoki Hansawa" will indeed have some impact on the current Japanese manga market, but its impact is far less than that of "Unnatural Death" and "Midnight Ring".

Because the Japanese manga market has gradually come out of the cold winter period.

Workplace comics based on "Hansawa Naoki" and "Unnatural Death" are gradually becoming popular in the market
Higashinoji was also called "the father of Japanese workplace comics" by some people as a joke.

But seeing this title, Dong Yesi was much calmer than expected.

Maybe it's because of the three years in Japan, the mentality has become much more stable than before-mainly because this title is not very useful, if I have the time to care about this kind of thing, I might as well continue to draw "Spirited Away".

Thinking of this, Higashino groaned, thinking about the current situation of "Spirited Away".

Higashino Studio has basically taken shape, unlike when it was first established, Higashino Division could not continue to work without him.

Therefore, in the past few weeks, they have come up with some results that Dong Yesi feels are good.

The general original painting work at the beginning of "Spirited Away" has been completed, and some areas that need to be refined are handed over to Tonoji for production.

As for the soundtrack of Joe Hisaishi in "Spirited Away" in his previous life, this is actually not difficult for Higashino Tsukasa.

After all, he used to have a school girl who was studying animation. The project he had done was about "Spirited Away".

Higashino Division re-entered the work of "Spirited Away".

During this process, Higashino Division also occasionally heard the news that Nakano Yusaki contributed "The Grudge" to the Higashino comics website.

This made Higashino Division more or less interested.

He basically didn't pay much attention to Nakano Yusaki in the past few weeks, and basically let her develop freely.

I don't know how she is doing with her skills in the past few weeks.

Higashino Division was a little curious, so he made a special trip to Hosokawa Koharu.

As soon as he entered, he was overwhelmed by the strong smell of coffee in Hosokawa Koharu's office——

Although the coffee itself has a strong aroma, it is too much.
Higashino Division almost thought that Hosokawa Koharu had been soaked in the coffee jar these days.

This taste.
Dongyesi didn't do anything like pinching her nose, but just helped her open the ventilation window behind her: "Editor Hosokawa, why do you smell like coffee?"

He made a teasing tone, after all, the two of them were considered acquainted, so it was fine to make a joke.

But what Dongyesi didn't expect was that.

As soon as he finished speaking, Hosokawa Koharu on the other side stared at him with particularly resentful eyes.

Those usually bright eyes were now dull, with thick dark circles under them, but they were covered by the foundation just now, and with his head lowered, Higashino couldn't see clearly.

"Editor Hosokawa, what's wrong with you?"

Hosokawa Koharu's overly weak face, as if he had been up for several days and nights, made Higashino Tsukasa startled when he saw it.

Those who didn't know thought that the other party was a female ghost who came to claim her life.

"." Hosokawa Koharu didn't speak, but just rubbed his eyes, thinking about complaining to Higashino Division.

Yes!

Just complain!

Because she can be said to be a father and a mother these days.

"Naoki Hansawa" broke the record, and Fushima Publishing House needed her assistance to sort out all the honorary documents of "Naoki Hansawa".

Nakano Yusaki's "The Grudge" was submitted and uploaded, and she was busy helping to review and promote it.

Then she has to submit her own resume.
In addition, all the miscellaneous things have accumulated, and she has abruptly changed from just messing around every day at the beginning, to a high-intensity work state of working overtime until more than ten o'clock every day, and finishing the documents before daring to leave work.

Almost the whole person turned into a spinning top being twirled.

And the culprit behind all this
There is no doubt that it is Dong Yesi in front of him.

She naturally wanted to complain to Higashino Division.

Of course, this is just thinking about it in my heart.

Higashino Division is her right-hand man, and many people want to do the job of editor-in-chief of the "Japan's No. [-]" manga, but they still can't do it.

This can be regarded as a sweet trouble for her.

"It's nothing, it's just that I haven't been very energetic recently, and I drank coffee to refresh myself."

Hosokawa Koharu wanted to rub his face, but felt that this action was not elegant, so he raised his head and asked, "By the way, Mr. Higashino, is there something for you to come here this time?"

"I want to see the original manuscript of "The Grudge" drawn by Arisaki."

Higashino saw that Hosokawa Koharu didn't want to explain too much, so he went straight to the point.

"Oh that's right."

Hosokawa Koharu suddenly realized.

Arisaki Nakano was regarded as Higashino Division's apprentice, although he could not reach the level of entering the house, he could still be regarded as a half-apprentice.

It was only natural that he would care about the development of his apprentices.

Thinking of this, Hosokawa Koharu did not hesitate, and took out a box of manuscripts from under the desk, not copies, but originals.

"This is the original manuscript revised by Arisaki, and this is the final draft."

A box with a copy of the finished manuscript.
This number is actually not too exaggerated for a comic author.

After all, Higashino Division is just a pencil draft that was shot and piled up in three years to fill a room.

Nakano Yusaki worked hard for a month or two, and it is quite normal to have a box.

Higashino Tsukasa took out the manga manuscript from the box, flipped through it roughly, and found out that Arisaki Nakano was improving really fast.

If there is a problem with the action, it will be marked with a red pen; if the lines need to be considered, it will be marked with a yellow pen;
Dong Yesi looked at the green hair of the person above, and couldn't help coughing dryly.

To be honest, if it weren't for the fact that Japan doesn't have the term "green hat", Higashino really thought that Arisaki Nakano did it on purpose.

put this aside
Higashino Division can be seen that Nakano Yusaki is really working hard to learn how to draw manga.

This made Higashino Division very satisfied.

After reading a box of drafts, Dong Yesi did not hesitate, and turned to look at the finished draft of "The Grudge".

First up is the cover.

Thick black ink covered the topmost characters unevenly, and below was a little boy with a pale face and dark eyes without any whites.

It is the very impressive little boy Saeki Toshio in "The Grudge".

At this time, Saeki Toshio's face was facing Higashino Division.

It was as if the resentment that penetrated into the bones could pass through the medium of paper and exert resentment on Higashinoji.

can.

Looking at the cover, Higashino raised his eyebrows in satisfaction.

Nakano Yusaki also said before that she does not know how to draw the front face of a character.

But obviously, after these two months of training, she has been able to control the front face of the characters.

including expression changes
If someone saw her painted cover at night, they might gasp.

Higashino continued to look down.

Only then did I see the note on the title of "The Grudge".

"Grudge" refers to the curse cast by the person who died with resentment, because of the strong resentment generated by the anger in the heart after the person died in vain
The distorted words make people feel shuddering.

That's the end of the cover.

Arisaki Nakano has definitely improved.

Look at the content again.
Saiki house shrouded in shadows.

Wraith that makes a 'clack-cluck' sound
The poisonous resentment has already entangled you silently when you pushed the door open.

Higashino looked at Arisaki Nakano's manuscript, and a look of admiration flashed in his eyes.

Really good.

Not to mention scaring Dong Yesi to the bum, but with a numb scalp and a chill down the spine, it can still be done.

No wonder Hosokawa Koharu allowed her to submit this work.

Truly boutique quality.

"In addition to these finished manuscripts, Mr. Higashino, do you want to take a look at the comment area under Ms. Nakano's comics? There are some interesting comments."

"Interesting comment?"

Higashino saw Hosokawa Koharu working next to the computer, put down the manuscript in his hand, and walked forward.

Arisaki Nakano's "The Grudge" is obviously very popular.

Although it is not as popular as "Naoki Hansawa" and "Unnatural Death", it can be regarded as attracting a lot of people to watch it just after it was published - the number of comments reached more than 1000.

It can also be seen from the "special praise" in the evaluation that this "The Grudge" is indeed very popular.

And put aside these evaluations
Secretary Higashino actually saw in the comment area, "It's very like Mr. Higashino", "I heard it's the work of Mr. Higashino's apprentice?The quality is very good. 'comment of.

This made Higashino Division look at Hosokawa Koharu in surprise.

"I asked the person in charge of operations to add the words 'Teacher Higashino's apprentice'."

Hosokawa Koharu replied with a smile.

"Is it?"

Higashino Division nodded without commenting.

Some people may say that this behavior is a bit of a joke against Higashinoji.

But reality is not like fiction.

Use the relationship that can be used as much as possible, and the result is the most important thing.

It is simply nonsense to talk about sevens and eights without achievements.

So Higashino didn't care.

Besides, it is Nakano Yusaki who has played well to get such a lot of recognition.
Seeing this, Higashino couldn't help but nodded, and at the same time asked casually: "By the way, what is Yusaki's pen name?"

This is just a random question.

He thinks that Nakano Yusaki is probably similar to him, his pen name is 'Higashi', and Nakano Yusaki may be called 'Nakano'.

"Ah, I think it's called Ito Junji."

Hosokawa Koharu glanced at the background record and said.

However, her words.

Dong Yesi couldn't help but glance at her sideways, what are you talking about?
Junji Ito?

"Is your name Junji Ito?"

Higashino Division confirmed it again.

"Well, it's Junji Ito. Any questions?"

Hosokawa Koharu had a strong foundation in observing facial expressions, and immediately noticed that there was something wrong with Higashino Division's expression.

That's really problematic.

Higashino Division did not expect to hear such a name here.

Ito Junji
That was a famous horror manga author in Japan in his previous life, the true ceiling of Japanese horror manga.

Although Higashino doesn't like to read comics, he has heard of his name.

What works such as "Fish" and "Vortex".
But to count his most famous works. That may be "Fu Jiang".

Fu Jiang is a beautiful woman with charm and unlimited reproduction. Even if she is killed, a drop of her blood and a hair of her can grow a new Fu Jiang
But Higashino did not expect that such a ruthless name would be used by Nakano Yusaki in this parallel world.

This naturally surprised Higashinoji.

He asked, "Did Arisaki tell you why she used the pseudonym Junji Ito?"

"Huh? I don't remember any particular reason."

Hosokawa Koharu shrugged: "It seems that there is a small town called Ito in her hometown, Junji is a name she thought of at random. It seems that she wants to be more masculine, and does not want people to notice her identity as a female author."

"That's right."

Higashino Division can barely accept this reason.

In Japan, women have always been a disadvantaged group. It is quite normal for Arisaki Nakano to use a male pen name to get rid of this stereotype.

But I chose the pen name 'Ito Junji'.
Dong Yesi didn't know what to say.

This situation
Should you say it's a coincidence?
Or should it be said that there is God's will in the dark?

It's really weird.
(End of this chapter)