Tokyo Soft Rice King.

While serializing in Shonen Boom can bring immense popularity, it can also easily limit one's ability to reach the heights already achieved.

Especially for comic artists who create very long-running series, many of them only draw one work in their entire lives.

When this work is finished, if you want to start a new serialization, you either won't have the motivation or you'll be out of touch with the times.

Moreover, the more famous a work is in the past, the heavier the label it carries, making it difficult for sports comic authors to draw romance comics.

Although some might say that one work is enough to live off for a lifetime, why bother starting a new series?

However, for cartoonists, not being able to create new works is tantamount to 'death' in a professional sense.

Many cartoonists achieve financial freedom long before they do, and their motivation to continue creating is no different from that of artists—it's the pursuit of self-realization.

Just as a novelist who has written a masterpiece wants to surpass his past self and write even better works, creators are a greedy and insatiable group of beings.

This is the thirst for spiritual nourishment.

Although Mengmeng still thinks it's amazing that she can even serialize it.

But one day, she will have her own ideas and want to create her own works.

This first serialization will allow her to hone her abilities in various aspects. Once the work is completed, she will be able to independently create the works she wants to draw.

"However, I think that speeding up the plot too much is like pulling up seedlings to help them grow, which will make the plot very disjointed and even leave readers feeling confused."

"You're overthinking it. In my opinion, the current comics are too drawn out. Many times, it doesn't even take a minute to finish reading a chapter. Of course, I'm not referring to the pure battle parts, but to the parts with plot progression. There's too little information missing."

"That's quite a sharp comment..."

Sasaki Sugi didn't feel offended because it was a real problem that the editorial department had already discovered.

Editors are now reminding comic artists who are padding their content and trying to get paid to speed up the plot, but they don't dare to convey this message to veteran comic artists in a commanding tone. They can only discuss it with them, so the results are slow.

"Furthermore, I think that future comics will probably no longer be super long-running series. Two hundred to three hundred chapters is a more suitable length for a work to end."

In the future era of short video content where people's excitement threshold is constantly being raised, comics will also enter an era of high-speed reading with increasingly faster plot pace.

Series like Chainsaw Man and Demon Slayer ended after just over two hundred chapters, and even the longer Jujutsu Kaisen didn't exceed three hundred chapters. These are all new flagship works from later on.

What people want is content that is more exciting, faster, more intense, and with more dramatic twists.

"Why do you think that, Kuroba-kun? Oh, I'm not questioning you, I just want to know the basis for your thinking."

In fact, as the editor-in-chief, Sasaki Sugi was naturally aware that readers were becoming increasingly impatient. If the first three chapters weren't interesting, readers would simply abandon the story.

This is also why the cancellation rate has been rising year by year. If the initial setup is too long, the ranking in popularity surveys will drop significantly, and readers simply won't be able to wait for the more exciting parts later on.

Sasaki Sugi felt that this was related to the current social environment, but Kuroba Akira gave him a completely different reason that he had never thought of.

"Because mobile reading will change people's reading habits."

"Mobile reading?"

"Yes, I don't know if you've been following the news about smartphones. Soon, smartphones for the general public will be available on the market. A smartphone is a small screen about the size of your palm, which is perfect for reading novels, comics, and watching videos."

Sasaki Sugi had certainly heard about smartphones. Although they were currently only affordable for a small number of tech-savvy individuals due to their high cost, it was possible that they would become more widely available to the general public as technology advanced.

He is a middle-aged man who has experienced the upgrade of communication methods from pagers to mobile phones and the changes of the times. He understands that the replacement of communication tools will bring many changes. However, in his mind, mobile phones are still just tools for 'exchanging information', rather than tools for reading or entertainment.

This also reflects the limitations of his era; he could never have imagined that the 'least important function' of mobile phones would be making phone calls.

Before he transmigrated, if it weren't for the harassing and scam calls, and the verification code text messages, Kuroba Akira would have almost forgotten that his phone had these functions.

After all, people use chat software for messaging and voice or video calls for calls; the original communication functions have been replaced by upgraded apps.

Even in traditional and conservative Japan, it is the same.

"But Kuroba-kun, what makes you so sure that everyone will buy the new equipment? Some people might not want to change, especially middle-aged and elderly people, who might find it difficult to adapt to new things suddenly."

"Of course there will be people who don't want to change, but they are only a minority. Humans are creatures that seek convenience. When the convenience outweighs the cost of changing habits, people will tend to change. It's that simple."

When QR code payments become commonplace, even elderly people who are not very good at using mobile phones will learn to scan QR codes, which is the power of convenience.

"It's much easier to read comics on your phone than to carry around a thick, dictionary-like book like Shonen Boom, especially on a crowded train."

"Trains...! Subways! Travel time will become reading time!"

This is what fragmented reading is all about.

Nowadays, Japanese trains are like funeral homes when they are crowded. Everyone is listless and doing nothing. You can only open a book or a comic book when there are fewer people on the train.

But with cell phones, everyone will turn from stationary zombies into light-attracting zombies... and everyone will be staring at their cell phone screens.

"Novels may be less affected because the text on the screen is smaller and less convenient to read. People will probably still prefer to buy paper novels, which can also be used to decorate their bookshelves."

Of course, there will be something called audiobooks in the future, which will transform reading novels into listening to them, and will be very popular among middle-aged and elderly people, but let's leave that aside for now.

"But comics are all about the visuals, and there's not much text, making them easier to read. Plus, a huge advantage is that they're no longer limited by the thickness of the magazine. The number of works can be expanded, and readers no longer need to buy an entire magazine to follow the series they want. Instead, they can selectively buy only the works they want to read. They can even publish the entire series of a work, allowing readers to 'start from the beginning.' And if the first few chapters are then released for free..."

"...!"

Sasaki Sugi's eyes widened immediately.

Because these are indeed the drawbacks of weekly serialized comics.

Magazines can't be too thick, so the number of works they publish is limited. There are too many artists and not enough publications, which is why the competition is so fierce. Cartoonists are scrambling to get their works serialized in Shonen Boom, which is disadvantageous for the authors.

From the reader's perspective, to get into a manga, you have to buy four volumes first, and then buy the magazine after catching up with the latest serialization. Many people are deterred when they see that there are still hundreds of chapters to go.

After all, single-volume editions are relatively expensive. If you buy one and find it doesn't suit your taste, you can only sell it as a second-hand book, which is a waste of time.

You can watch the first few chapters for free on your phone, and then continue reading if you find it interesting.

The barrier to entry for creation and the reading experience have both been comprehensively upgraded! It's now easier for both authors and readers to get hooked!

But will this completely replace magazines?

“I know what you’re worried about, but I don’t think print magazines will completely replace it. As you said, there are definitely people who don’t want to be changed, and the magazines themselves will go from being recycled waste paper at the end of the year to being ‘collectibles’ that can be placed on bookshelves for decoration.”

While sales will indeed decline significantly, the reach will likely be wider compared to the growth on mobile devices.

Readers don't disappear; they just use a different reading tool.

Sasaki Sugi stared at Kuroba Akira in disbelief. Kuroba had seen through everything about him, and what he said…

Very convincing!

This young man seems to have truly seen through the future!

"Oh dear, I originally called you here to share some experience from a professional perspective and help you choose your future direction, but I didn't expect to end up being the one being advised..."

Sasaki Sugi scratched his head and gave a wry smile, but his eyes couldn't hide his excitement.

"A comic reading app for smartphones... I'll try to persuade the company president to develop the technology."

As the editor-in-chief, Sasaki Sugi has a long-term vision and is not pedantic, so he can understand the value of the information provided by Kuroba Akira.

He knew that if he could make arrangements in this area in advance, he would be one step ahead, or even several steps ahead, when the time came.

If such reforms can be implemented during my term as editor-in-chief, then I will become a capable editor-in-chief who will be remembered by the publishing house, the entire comic book industry, and even the general public!

Once you reach Sasaki Sugi's position, what you seek is not money, but fame. Most people are like that; after seeking wealth, they seek fame. That's what utilitarianism is.

"So, Mr. Sasaki, regarding the serialization length of our work..."

"Let's go with your idea, Kuroba-kun. Our editorial department won't interfere with the length of your work. In fact, we usually give cancellation notices and it's quite rare for a work to be extended. After all, there are always more talented newcomers emerging, and we need to make room for them, hehe."

"That's true. It seems my worries were unnecessary."

"This also shows that you, Kuroba-kun, believe that your work has the immense popularity that makes us hope you can extend the serialization, right?"

　"I can't say for sure. Maybe the popularity is so bad that it will be canceled after only twelve chapters, which would be less than the hundred chapters I expected."

"Hahaha! I can't figure out whether you want to continue the series or not, but in any case, you guys are serious about the work, right?"

"That's natural."

"That's good! Draw your thoughts, even your souls, into it! Then hand it over to the readers! Popularity will decide everything!"

This is the cruel reality of the content market... Boredom equals death.

But Kuroba Akira still grasped Sasaki Sugi's outstretched right hand without hesitation.

"Exactly what I want!"

He wants to work with Menghui to make a breakthrough and lead this era.

Chapter 416 Preparations Before Painting

"Then Mengmeng, let's go back and discuss the storyboards for the next few episodes."

"Okay, okay!"

After discussing everything, Kuroba Akira got up to leave. Moe hurriedly stood up as well, and followed Kuroba Akira in bowing politely to Editor-in-Chief Sasaki.

In the conversation just now, Moe didn't get a word in edgewise, and she didn't understand any of the new concepts that Kuroba Akira mentioned. She felt a little disappointed, thinking that she was indeed too stupid.

Skilled at reading other people's emotions, she read Sasaki Sugi's shock and excitement from his expression, clearly indicating that the man had fully understood.

Even the editor-in-chief was excited by what Kuroba-kun said... Kuroba-kun is indeed amazing.

Looking at myself... I can't even understand... I'm really so useless...

It even led to negative thoughts like, "Why am I here?"

Moe was aware that she was just an accessory, but she still wanted to help in some way, even if it was just a little bit...

"Then I'll call a car to take you back?"

"No need to trouble you. Actually, my home isn't very far from here. It's only one or two tram stops away, and it won't take too long to walk back. So if there's anything you need in the future, you can just call us to the editorial department."

"I see, that's so convenient..."

They live in Chiyoda Ward, and are either rich or noble.

Actually, judging from Aizono Moe's attire and her shy, delicate demeanor, one can tell that she is a lady from a well-to-do family. If Kuroba Akira hadn't stated that she was the artist herself, Sasaki Sugi would never have believed that such a girl could be a manga artist who is so fond of shonen manga. The contrast is just too great.

Kuroba Akira is the same. With such vision and knowledge, and a deep understanding of cutting-edge technology, he can afford the latest digital products. He must be the young master of a well-known family.

It's precisely because they have plenty of money that they can prioritize the quality of their work and propose speeding up the pace.

When you take their identities and family backgrounds into account, you realize how rare this duo of cartoonists truly is.

I've always been the one selecting comic artists; I never imagined I'd actually hit the jackpot...

However, this also means that it will be difficult to retain them if we don't provide them with more help and better treatment.

With this in mind, Sasaki decided to provide more comprehensive support and was even prepared to spare no expense to retain him.