Original subtitles

Look!

We were featured in Playboy!

And we've been appearing on U Station's idol show from time to time.

I finally feel like I fit into this class.

I can call myself a full-fledged entertainer, right?

You were still worried about that?

Of course I was.

I felt alienated and left out every time you guys talked about work.

I actually feel more awkward talking to people in the same industry.

Oh, I get what you mean.

Really?

Even when I'm just whining about my work,

other models think that I'm bragging.

I want to casually tell someone that the actor, Douyama, DM'd me yesterday

to ask me out for dinner.

That is bragging.

Busted.

Frill, your story is on a different level.

So, are you going?

I'm not sure.

I hear that he's a player.

Oh, yeah. NANAMI, who was in that morning drama,

also said she got a DM from Douyama.

So, the rumors are true.

Miyaemon! Give me more work!

I want to work so much that I can complain about work too.

I don't know what you're talking about.

Do you want to ask Pieyon to collaborate with us?

That's fine too, but I want to do another concert!

We can't do concerts until Arima's stage play is over.

It seems like it'll be quite a while.

What?

Oh.

Your rehearsal's over already?

They've been postponed, to be precise.

The original author and the staff are arguing.

We could be on break for weeks.

For real?

Oh, where's Aqua?

That guy is...

There are so many people.

I'm glad they still had tickets.

This is a pretty popular stage play.

This is...

Wait and see.

Huh? What is this? Wind?

Is this 4DX? No, it's not.

Is this for real?

COLLABORATION DRINK

What did you think?

Well, to be honest,

it was 50 times better than what I expected.

Right?!

First of all, their curtains were screens.

That way, they can use plenty of video production.

What surprised me the most was that the seats rotated 360 degrees.

With this, they can prepare several stage sets beforehand

and change the scenes swiftly and seamlessly.

That's right.

They're physically solving the structural restraints of the theater.

Not just the facilities, but the stage play was really good too.

The staging was filled with ideas that people in film couldn't come up with.

That fascinated me, so I was able to enjoy the actors' performance as well.

The story was pretty good too.

To be honest, it was great. It was awesome.

I understand why you called it experience-based content.

You can't experience this by watching a movie.

That's a huge smile. Why are you so happy?

Because I was worried that you might not enjoy theater.

But I knew you'd appreciate the quality of it.

Of course, this is one of the most luxurious theaters in Japan.

So, like you said, there are still a lot of traditional theaters.

But I also find their use of originality and creativity to solve issues appealing.

I'd be happy if this helped you to enjoy theater more.

Well, I've become a little more interested.

That's good enough.

You're a movie guy to begin with.

Hi there, love birds.

-Mr. Raida. -Why are you here?

Why? Because I'm in charge of this play.

When I'm depressed, I come to see the audience's faces as they leave.

Their expressions are honest.

They smile if they enjoyed it.

If not, they'll have a straight face.

Watching them motivates me.

Your face was priceless, Aqua.

You made this old man very happy.

Oh, I wish I'd seen that. What kind of face was it?

-Do it again. -No.

I came after you to say hi because I saw you two,

but did I disturb you?

No, you didn't.

Mr. Raida, how's the script going?

I went to convince the publisher side again today,

but the original author seems to be very determined.

She wants GOA off this project

and wants to rewrite the script herself.

But she can't. I can tell after watching today's play.

Tokyo Blade's script was

filled with ideas to make full use of this stage's strengths.

Even cheesy long lines would've looked great here.

The original author probably knows nothing about theater or this stage.

She'll write a script assuming it'll be performed in a high-school gym.

This play was a work of a pro,

where the script and equipment came together beautifully.

She may be a popular manga artist,

but I doubt she could come up with a script of that level.

Well, we'll help her out in that area.

Did you notice?

GOA wrote the script for today's play too.

He really is good at his job.

He loves theater deeply and is studious.

He's also patient with the rewriting process.

When he writes a script for a play,

the audience always leaves the venue with a smile.

I really didn't want him off the project.

Can't you do something about it?

That'll be difficult.

We're not strong enough to go against a major publishing company.

But,

you're the only one who can do something.

That is true, but...

I wonder if Mr. GOA is going to be removed from the team.

From the original manga's perspective,

I'd be lying if I said I was happy with his script.

But overall, it was a good script. That's why I went along with it.

Yeah.

I guess they both have their opinions.

The problem is the existing miscommunication.

If we can solve that, this might become an even better stage play.

Well, you did bring me to a great show today.

As a thank you, I guess I could give them a nudge.

Thank you for having us!

Oh, welcome everyone!

I'm sorry. I have nothing to do with Sweet Today, and still...

It's absolutely fine. I'm happy you came.

It's my first time coming to a manga artist's house.

This is my first time too...

I've been to one several times when we were shooting a movie.

Yeah? Good for you.

How do you draw?

This is called an LCD tablet.

It lets me draw directly on the screen.

So it's all digital.

That's the standard nowadays.

I-I think manga artists are amazing.

Doing both illustrations and coming up with the story.

Yeah. I guess.

She's giving me the cold shoulder, isn't she?

Well, you do have quite the nerve coming here.

I'd like to say, "Let's drink," but how old are you guys?

I'm 16.

-17. -16.

I'm 17.

So young. Makes me want to die a little.

Sorry. Then I'll go ahead and drink.

I bet she's a heavy drinker.

There's a bar that serves great sake.

Their fish dishes are great too.

I love fish!

Hey, I thought we were going to help Mr. GOA out.

What does visiting her have to do with that?

Someone who took care of me once said...

Not just manga artists,

but any creator who became successful once

thinks they are the best at what they do.

They'll stop listening to their editors.

They're surrounded by suck-ups, so they'll ignore any advice.

They'll only listen to people in the same profession.

Even better if that's their seniors or mentors.

"If you want to kill the General, aim for his horse."

She's the only one who can convince Abiko Samejima.

I see.

Sensei, thank you for having us when you're so busy.

I do monthly serialization, so I'm free when my work is done.

I'm guessing Ms. Abiko can't make it after all?

Well, yeah. She's doing weekly serialization.

Even for that rehearsal visit,

she had to adjust her schedule and make time for it.

Basically, weekly serialization is not a job for human beings.

It's a job for soldiers, whose brains are tuned up specifically for that job.

That's scary.

Only those who'd think about storyboards while on a date

are fit for the job.

No way.

Ms. Abiko must be especially busy right now.

With the anime adaptation and everything, she has color illustration work,

merchandise to supervise, and tons of other things to do.

Have you been friends with Ms. Abiko for a long time?

Well...

She was my assistant for Sweet Today.

She's always been eccentric.

Socializing isn't her strong suit.

She didn't even speak much to other assistants.

But her manga speaks for her.

Manga artists can tell

what kind of person another author is by reading their manga.

How can you tell?

Mostly by their art.

Like, which parts they're fixated on and where they cut corners.

After reading Ms. Abiko's manga, I knew instantly.

She wants to be friends with others.

But she's suffering because she can't.

So, I started bugging her a little

and she warmed up to me.

She's a sweet girl.

Well, she got serialized in Weekly Jump soon after that

and became popular without a hitch.

She surpassed me in a flash.

She became popular without any setbacks,

so you can tell that she thinks her opinion is absolute.

Doesn't her editor say anything?

Editors have two jobs.

Take a guess.

To make sure their manga sells.

Correct. That's one.

I wonder what the second one is.

Suggesting dialogue?

Advertising?

The answer is

to make sure that popular manga doesn't end.

That's scary!

Letting a cash cow manga end will affect their evaluation.

Especially, if it's a media adaptation series, they'll never let you end it.

So, taking care of an author's mental health is also a part of their job.

And editors end up becoming babysitters for the selfish author.

As a result...

I'm busy! I'm not doing that!

The popular manga artist becomes conceited.

They'll use their busy schedule as an excuse for their arrogant behavior.

What's wrong, Arima?

That sounds very familiar and now I feel like dying.

Being surrounded by yes-men is really bad.

Once you're popular, you can't help but become confident and conceited.

The playwright is on the verge of getting fired.

Sensei, do you think you could talk to Ms. Abiko for us?

There are a lot of things I want to say to Ms. Abiko too.

You caused trouble for the production side.

Maybe you could consider their situation a little more.

I think you're being too considerate.

What?

You trusted and relied on them.

Isn't that why Sweet Today turned out the way it did?

I think that 90 percent of the world's creative work is garbage.

Meaning, 90 percent of the world's creators are third-class.

The only thing I can trust is my own talent.

Sensei, you put too much faith in others.

I think you should be more assertive next time.

Maybe.

You can say that

because you're a genius.

Sensei, they're doing an anime adaptation of my manga!

That was fast. Congratulations.

My manga has sold over 10 million copies

and they told me I'm getting some fancy award too!

As someone in the same profession,

it's not like I felt nothing about her instant popularity.

But...

You'll always be my mentor, Sensei.

I have to be on her side.

I'm sorry.

I completely understand Ms. Abiko's frustration

about someone messing with your work.

I'm not good at meddling with other people's jobs.

So I tend to leave media adaptations to the production staff.

But deep down, I feel the same way she does.

If possible, I want my characters to be treated with love.

After all, they're like my own children.

I'm really sorry.

I know the schedule has been pushed back because of it.

But I don't think I can help you with this.

Oh, I'm sorry too. For asking such a selfish favor.

We understand.

But, just one favor.

Could you

give this to Ms. Abiko?

ABIKO SAMEJIMA THANK YOU FOR TODAY

I NEED TO GIVE YOU SOMETHING. CAN I COME OVER?

THE DOOR'S UNLOCKED, SO JUST COME IN.

Ms. Abiko? I'm coming in.

I'm working on my draft, so please excuse me.

Huh? Wasn't that deadline yesterday?

-Did you miss it? -Yes.

Sorry about the messy room.

This is beyond messy.

How can you call your assistant here?

I don't have one right now.

What?

No matter how many times I tell them, they won't match my designs.

And their background drawings have no emotion.

It's faster if I draw it myself than to keep fixing it, so I fired them.

When?

Last month...

No, ever since chapter 163, so it's been two months.

Are you sleeping?

I sleep at least two hours every day.

So, yeah.

But today's my deadline, so I haven't slept.

That will kill you.

More like, you'll get depression and retire.

You won't be able to draw at this pace again.

Well, I want to die already.

I have a color page next week

and they need new drawings for my manga.

What about the script?

Oh yeah, that too.

I'll do it when I finish this.

I'll help.

I'll fill in some backgrounds, okay?

You don't have to.

Just take a seat and relax.

You have no time to argue, do you?

Geez, just how much do you draw in each panel?

It's too much for weekly or for one person to do.

Seriously, get an assistant.

I've been asking the editor for one, but he hasn't sent anyone capable.

I bet he's sending all the good ones to the big names.

He's so useless.

Maybe you're just being too picky.

You're supposed to train your assistants.

I don't have time for that.

Even when I try to train the more capable ones,

they quit if I'm a bit harsh.

I doubt you're only "a bit" harsh.

I know you're particular about your work, but you can't live like this.

Live more like a human being, even if you have to compromise.

My work will be over if I compromise.

My readers will abandon me in no time.

That's not true. You're just doing things poorly.

What do you know?

I, at least, know that this is wrong.

Aren't you just using the quality of your work

as an excuse to avoid proper communication?

You look like you're blaming others for your incapability.

You'll eventually end up digging your own grave.

Could you say that after selling 50 million copies?

That's the level I'm competing at!

I push myself to live up to their high expectations every week!

I don't want to hear that from someone who's only doing monthly!

You talk big now, huh?

Most manga artists today can't say anything back to that.

That really is a perfect argument.

Sure, my manga doesn't sell as much.

But I'm sorry! My manga is more interesting than yours!

Your manga that you draw solely by relying on your talent

may seem original and fresh to the readers!

But that's all! It's essentially not entertainment!

What?!

There! A self-proclaimed professional, who confuses

a plot twist to satisfy readers with entertainment!

An outdated belief that the cliché plot twist is the best way!

That's how Tokyo Blade has been recently!

It hasn't been great since volume 12, where you started sucking up to readers!

What's with Touki and Tsurugi's pairing?

You half-heartedly made that happen for readers, didn't you?

Stop drawing half-assed manga!

That's so mean.

I was only trying to live up to my reader's expectati...

So, I'm right, huh?!

Did the hotshot author get swayed by readers' opinions?

Have you forgotten who taught you entertainment?

I can see right through you!

You too, Sensei. Aren't you the one who's lost your drive?

I watched the drama adaptation of Sweet Today.

It was terrible!

How can you let that happen? Have you no pride?

Hearing that from an outsider ticks me off the most.

Everyone is doing the best they can.

Of course, it's ideal if everything goes well.

You may have forgotten since everyone's flattered you as a genius or prodigy,

but two out of three manga we produce end up being rejected!

You only succeed 30 percent of the time.

Yet you expect other people's work to always be a masterpiece? How selfish!

But you were too hands-off with your drama!

Well, yeah! That's true!

There are a lot of things I can't do well too.

Deep down, I'm an introvert.

If you're an introvert, what am I?

If it weren't for manga, I'm just a social misfit shut-in!

I heard you invited the cast to a dinner party at your house!

Not fair! You extrovert!

You can do that much too!

There's no way I can!

I can't get along with others like you do.

But I wish I could also...

Geez! Stop crying!

Just hush and keep inking!

When was the last time you drew backgrounds?

If the perspective is off, I'll reject it! Got it?

Don't underestimate me! How long do you think I've been doing this?!

MOTORBIKE MESSENGER

I wonder every time.

I always think I won't make it this week.

But why do we always manage to get it done on time?

Probably because we're professional manga artists after all.

We have our pride.

Your place was pretty bad before deadlines too.

We often worked from nine in the morning to four at night.

I'm sorry about what it was like during Sweet Today.

We have better working hours now.

I'm sorry too.

I hadn't slept and I've been multi-tasking

and I wasn't thinking straight.

I said a lot of horrible things.

It's fine. I said a lot of things too.

But if you say that stuff elsewhere, they'll cut ties with you on the spot.

So, be careful.

How can I get along better with people?

Learn to compromise.

You must work with others for media adaptation.

It's a collection of things you can't do alone.

Whatever the outcome was, it's not like it made my manga boring.

Just think that you're lucky if it turns out great.

Still, I'm upset about the Sweet Today TV drama.

Your work

is way better than that.

I'LL GO WITH SWEET TODAY

I'll be working here starting today.

I'm not great at drawing backgrounds,

but I'll do my best.

I'm a huge fan of yours.

And it's my dream to become a manga artist like you.

Sweet Today is the best manga in the world!

I hate it when my favorite manga gets ruined.

I understand that the most.

Geez.

You shouldn't say what's on your mind without thinking.

Such an awkward girl.

WHO WILL SAVE THE LONELY GIRL?

You know what? I'm glad I did that TV drama.

This is for you. From Aqua, who's playing Touki.

It might be a good reference for writing that script.

Subtitle translation by: Aya Kudo