Tokyo: Earth Online Manga Artist.

Chapter 101 Year-End Party Jump Festa

The fact that Masaya Sakurai is calling at this time most likely means it's work-related.

Seeing this, Ayane Takeda decided not to disturb Eri Aragaki for the time being. She turned down the TV volume and then picked up the controller to try to pass the level in Metal Gear Solid that she had been stuck on.

This time she learned her lesson and first crouched in a corner for a while to observe the enemy's movement.

"Mr. Sakurai, is it another part that needs to be revised?"

Eri Aragaki asked instinctively.

"Yes, I will send the parts that need to be modified to the teacher via fax."

As expected, Masaya Sakurai's voice came through the receiver, "Besides that, there is one more thing I need to inform you about, teacher. You need to submit two weeks' worth of manuscripts by the 14th of this week."

Because of the combined year-end publication, the deadline for these two weeks is now set, and the page count is double the usual amount. After that, there's no need to prepare any manuscripts for the next two weeks, which is essentially a holiday.

"Okay, I understand."

Eri Aragaki nodded and said.

"Also—we'll be holding a year-end party for manga artists on the 18th—"

Masaya Sakurai then added, "We invite teachers, their families, or assistants to attend. The location is in Chiyoda Ward—"

"A year-end party?"

Eri Aragaki blinked, switched her phone to her other hand, and asked, "Is this something all manga artists do?"

She knew nothing about it, mainly because she had never heard of it before.

But it sounds like an event similar to a cartoonist gathering.

"No, it's just invited manga artists and editors from within Shueisha who will be attending."

Masaya Sakurai explained in detail, "It's mainly about renting out the hotel so everyone can eat and chat together. There's also a lucky draw with prizes. Last year's grand prize was a brand-new game console. I wonder what it will be this year—"

"So that's how it is."

Eri Aragaki suddenly realized that this was similar to her company's annual party in her previous life.

However, it should be much better. The first participants are all important manga artists from Shueisha who have been invited, such as popular manga artists from various publications.

These people are not ordinary office workers; they are truly top figures in their respective industries.

Secondly, as the leader in the Japanese manga industry, Shueisha's benefits are self-evident. The annual meeting venue is directly booked with a hotel, and the prizes for the raffle are likely to be very generous.

"Alright then, no problem."

Eri Aragaki agreed, and she didn't have any other plans for the 18th.

The key point is that it's also a good thing to be able to meet other popular comic artists.

I bet Kishimoto, Oda, Tite Kubo, and Akira Toriyama will all be there for this gathering.

However, Masaya Sakurai then asked, "Riko-sensei, besides the year-end party, there's also a JUMPFesta afterwards, which you absolutely have to attend."

"what?"

Eri Aragaki blinked, then asked, "What is this? Mr. Sakurai, could you tell me?"

"Um----

1

Masaya Sakurai immediately replied, "JUMPFesta is an offline event for readers hosted by JUMP at the end of each year. It includes autograph sessions with popular manga artists and announcements of new works. It is mainly for readers and fans to have face-to-face interactions and get autographs."

In previous years, new manga artists usually didn't participate, but Attack on Titan did very well this year, and the editor-in-chief specifically requested that you attend the autograph session.

"This—is fine too, okay?"

Eri Aragaki, however, was mentally prepared for this. She closed her eyes briefly, then opened them before speaking.

The real photos are already printed in the magazine, so there's no point in trying to cover them up anymore.

Moreover, her mindset has changed now. If showing her face can help Giants sell better, she doesn't mind showing it a few more times.

"Then we'll ask the teacher to be there."

Masaya Sakurai said, "In addition to the teacher himself, the teacher can also bring 2 to 3 assistants or family members to the event. They will also be eligible for a lucky draw and receive a gift, but they need to inform us of their names in advance so we can prepare them."

"Ah—this—"

Needless to say, Eri Aragaki definitely wanted to bring Erina, Ayane Takeda, and Akane Natsume along.

Erina just finished her exams on the 17th, and the results came out, so we can go to the year-end party together and relax.

However, Erina is her younger sister, so she can basically make decisions for her, but she'll have to ask Ayane Takeda and Akane Natsume for their opinions.

What if Ayane Takeda and Akane Natsume have class or other plans that day?

So she immediately replied, "Then I'll give my name to Mr. Sakurai and the others later."

"Okay, no problem."

Masaya Sakurai replied immediately.

The call was then disconnected.

Eri Aragaki put down her phone, only to see the image of Ayane Takeda failing at the game again.

"Why----"

She sighed, feeling somewhat helpless.

"Senior—you've finished your call—"

Hearing Eri Aragaki's sigh, Ayane Takeda blushed again.

"Ayane—I have a question for you—"

Eri Aragaki briefly explained the year-end party, but hadn't yet asked Ayane Takeda if she wanted to go.

Ayane Takeda asked, "Senpai! Can I go?!"

"Forehead----"

Eri Aragaki blinked and said, "Actually, I just wanted to ask if you wanted to go—"

"Of course I want to go!"

Ayane Takeda said, "After all, there will be delicious food, and—lots of amazing manga artists! I want their autographs!"

"All right----"

Eri Aragaki breathed a sigh of relief and said, "Then I'll ask Akane again later. If there are no problems, the four of us will go together on the 18th."

"Yay!"

Ayane Takeda was extremely excited and cheered, "Long live senpai!"

"Um... there's no need to exaggerate like that..."

And after hanging up the phone—

On the Shueisha side, Masaya Sakurai put down the microphone, looked at his cup, and finished drinking the coffee.

He immediately stood up and prepared to go to the tea room to make a new cup of coffee.

result----

What do you all think?

"Tomorrow is the day to—"

Which ones did you vote for?

"I think it's '81diver' ————"

"That novel next door, 'The Legend of the Warring States Genius,' is pretty good too—"

There were many editors gathered here, seemingly chatting about something.

However, the content of their conversation was quite obvious.

But Masaya Sakurai wasn't really interested and planned to make some coffee and leave.

However, at this time—

"Sakurai, come over and let's talk—"

One of the men, who was also a senior editor, immediately smiled and said...

"Koike, anyway, 'This Manga Is Amazing' is coming out tomorrow, so there's not much to talk about."

Masaya Sakurai replied immediately.

-

"We're guessing which comics will make the list, or even take number one."

Koike Hitoshi immediately smiled and said, "By the way, the Giants are also within the scope of this year's selection, right? Do you think there's a chance they could be on the list?"

《进击的巨人》是在7月开始连载的，而今年《这个漫画真厉害！2008》评选的漫画範围是2006年10月到到2007年9月开始连载的作品，自然也算是在这个範围。

However, given the current state of Attack on Titan, its chances of being selected are extremely slim.

"I believe her."

However, Masaya Sakurai simply said it calmly.

Then he ignored Koike Jun and the others and returned to his office to work.

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