Tokyo 1970: I'll draw Doraemon?

Osamu Tezuka, Mitsuru Adachi, and Ji Oikawa were at the front of the group, the two in the middle were the Fujiko Fujio duo, and as for Kenji Hirokane, he was staring blankly at his idol Osamu Tezuka.

He memorized the composition and planned to draw it as a keepsake when he got home.

So, at the book signing the next day, before the event started, this illustration of the cartoonist strolling appeared on the table at the signing event to pass the time.

Who are these people?

At the start of the book signing, a reader asked a question out of curiosity.

Ryo Watanabe explained, "Osamu Tezuka, Ji Oikawa... this is a picture of our reunion after the annual meeting."

“Oikawa II!” The reader suddenly became very angry.

"I've been waiting for the latest chapter of Naruto for a day or two, and Oikawa-sensei still has time to go out and play! How infuriating!"

You know, he felt like time had slowed down as he waited for the latest chapter of Naruto.

My most enjoyable holiday time has become unhappy.

He often thought that if he had a time machine, he could travel to the future and watch the entire Naruto series in one go.

Chapter 153 I gave up on watching Naruto.

Years ago, Yuta Honma made a decision: he would give up reading Naruto.

Isn't that very daring?

I will never watch Naruto again, not just one or two episodes, but all the rest of the series.

He told many friends about this, and they were all surprised: "You don't watch Naruto anymore?"

This is widely recognized by many readers as the most worthwhile shonen manga to read in 73.

Yuta Honma, who read shonen manga from elementary school to university, gave up on Naruto, which is an extremely rare occurrence, like a comet hitting the earth.

However, it was true, and Yuta Honma made up his mind.

He didn't buy issue 48 of Weekly Shonen Future, choosing instead to pass the boring end of the year with Jump.

This was all because he was fed up with Oikawa Ji, who was always at odds with his readers.

A commercial cartoonist, instead of creating content that readers enjoy, started drawing adult gossip and trivial matters. The passionate youth is gone, replaced by petty scheming and despicable acts, which disgusts and even makes him nauseous.

At first, he didn't feel good and gave up a habit he had maintained for almost a year. He even experienced withdrawal symptoms as a result.

I could only pass the time by watching TV or reading Jump.

But soon, not long after, he forgot about Naruto.

What Naruto? I forgot!

What Sasuke? I've forgotten!

Kakashi? I've forgotten all about him!

"Yuta, the latest chapter of Naruto is so good! The battle between the Third Hokage and the First and Second Hokage was like a superhuman showdown! A single kunai, amplified by shadow clones, created an overwhelming mass, much stronger than Gaara's sand. A simple water-style ninjutsu could unleash an ocean; with hands clasped together, a forest sprouted from the rooftop! It's incredible!"

"Xiong Tai...Xiong Tai..."

Ignoring his friend's urgent calls, Yuta Honma put the microphone aside and ran towards the nearest supermarket, tilting his head back in humiliation.

"I can't forget... I can't forget... Waaah."

then……

On Thursday afternoon, facing the clerk's ever-changing mouth, he felt despair.

"Naruto is sold out, and so are the surrounding shops. You should try looking at used stores; maybe you can find some."

By Saturday, 1973 had ended, and after a year, he finally found a copy of Weekly Shonen Future.

As for his feelings...

All I can say is that the new content in Naruto, after he overestimated it as much as possible, has brought him a great sense of surprise.

Ah, the dynamic feel of this intense battle.

Ah, the water and fire covered with comic books, the forest, and the walls that rise dozens of meters high all gave him an unprecedented sense of pleasure.

So this is what shonen manga is all about! This is what shonen manga should be like!

One day, two days, three days...

He couldn't wait to see what happened next.

What are the effects of Hiruzen Sarutobi's summoned beast? What other trump cards does Orochimaru have? How will the First and Second Hokage be dealt with?

Time was getting harder and harder to pass. TV programs were no longer interesting, and he abandoned Jump magazine, resorting to repeatedly reading Naruto to relieve his frustration.

During this period, he even went to buy a copy of the first volume of "Naruto" after the bookstores reopened after the New Year, to relive the story of the very beginning of Team 01.

Unfortunately, it's nowhere near as good as a battle with a shadow.

After enduring a week, the second week has arrived, and in just a few days, the first issue of Weekly Shonen Future will be released.

Yuta Honma was filled with anticipation.

During this period, he even attended a book signing event for an adult magazine published by Miraisha.

I want to get an autograph from Ryo Watanabe, the author of "The Tale of the Tide".

There were probably two or three hundred people at the event, so it wasn't exactly a small crowd.

The fact that the works he had been reading had become popular reading material filled him with emotion.

My mood ended when I saw the travel illustrations drawn by the cartoonist.

"I've been waiting forever, and Oikawa-sensei still has the mood to go out and have fun!"

He was furious.

"Huh? Honma-kun?" asked the senior student who came to the signing event with me, "Didn't you stop watching Naruto?"

……

How could I not watch it?

What an interesting comic!

On the second Monday after the New Year, Yuta Honma finally got his hands on Weekly Shonen Future.

His hands trembled, and his heart was in turmoil.

The thought of soon seeing the next part of the Naruto storyline filled him with excitement, making it hard for him to turn the pages.

If he could keep watching Naruto, he wouldn't even want to waste time smoking, and might even quit.

Title page, table of contents, first page of the main text, "Naruto", author, Oikawa Ji.

After looking at the cover, he eagerly read the main text.

then……

"Damn it! How could it be Gaara and Sasuke?!"

Yuta Honma never imagined that one day he would actually come to hate the battle he had been most looking forward to.

Facing Gaara, who terrified him even from a glimpse of him, Sasuke bravely unleashed his third Chidori, subsequently losing the ability to resist.

Even with the Heavenly Curse Seal imprinted upon him, he was no match for Gaara, who had transformed into a half-tailed beast.

This was supposed to be a very exciting battle between the new generation, representing the peak combat power of the village's genin. However, after watching battles of Naruto level, these scenes had already made Honma lose interest.

Right now, although he was looking at Sasuke, Gaara, Sakura Haruno, and Naruto who had rushed over, his mind was filled with thoughts of an old man, a transvestite, and two reincarnated puppets.

He smacked his lips and said helplessly, "I'm so annoyed."

……

Without the weekly updates of "Parasyte," Fushimikawa's workload was indeed much lighter. He only needed to draw "Naruto" and the monthly updates of "Doraemon."

He is currently enjoying a rare moment of peace and tranquility.

Welcome!

The cashier at the front desk bowed slightly.

Fushimikawa nodded in response, his gaze sweeping across the shelves, but he didn't see any snacks he wanted.

Until he saw a package of puffed snacks in black and white packaging.

The absence of flashy, colorful prints designed to attract readers actually gives it a sophisticated feel.

"Oh!" Fushimikawa became interested.

He picked up the bag of puffed snacks, paid for it, and leisurely headed towards the Future Society.

"Good afternoon, Mr. Oikawa."

"Click".

"Oikawa-sensei, Naruto must be number one again."

"Thanks, click."

While eating snacks, Fushimikawa greeted his employees.

He pushed open the door and entered the conference room.

Fujimoto Hiroshi has arrived.

"Mr. Fujimoto, thank you for your help today."

Putting away the snacks, Fushimikawa sat down opposite him.

"Calbee shrimp chips? I haven't had them in ages. Did they change the packaging?" Fujimoto Hiroshi looked at the puffed snack next to Fushimikawa with some surprise.

Fushimikawa explained, "It's probably related to the lack of oil, isn't it? Color printing uses much more ink than black and white printing."

Fujimoto Hiroshi sighed, "Has the situation become that serious?"

"It might also be related to the merchants' eye-catching advertising."

"hope so."

The heavy topic didn't last long before Fujimoto Hiroshi started talking about Doraemon.