Great Mangaka

"Create your own animation?"

Alice took Takumi to the company to ask about animation, but President Tsukimoto Genji refused: "Mirai-sensei, you said it very simply, but we don't have an animation department."

He prepared tea, served it himself, and poured hot water into the teapot. After several steps, he finished it.

"Dongting Biluochun, Mirai-sensei, try it..." Tsukimoto Genji placed the aromatic tea in front of Takumi and said with a smile: "As for animation production, forget about it. The company will not enter the animation industry for five years."

Hinotori Publishing is a publisher, a single publisher whose core is manga. They lack sufficient funds and technology to get involved in animation, and it is also very dangerous to easily get involved in an industry.

Takumi took the teacup and took a sip. He found that this cup of tea was the same as the one Alice used, but it tasted much better. 'Indeed, old ginger is still spicy. After all, the daughter doesn't compare to the father.' Takumi looked at Alice, who was beside him. She frowned slightly, as if she knew what he was thinking.

"Well, President."

Takumi wanted to take the initiative to produce animation, but he didn't have to do it himself: "Do you know any animation production companies?"

"No."

Tsukimoto Genji shook his head. He held the teacup, and a gleam flashed in his eyes: "But, Mirai-sensei, if you really want to make animation, I have a suggestion."

"What suggestion?"

Takumi's eyes lit up.

"The development of the company is determined by the shareholders. As long as you convince the shareholders, you can enter the animation industry, but..." Tsukimoto Genji said with a smile: "80% of the company's shares belong to me. As long as I don't agree, you can't do anything."

'So he's talking nonsense!'

Takumi almost blurted out what he was feeling in his heart. Tsukimoto Genji seemed to understand what he was thinking and calmly said: "I want to make a bet with you. If you win, the company will add an animation production department. But if you lose, you have to promise me something."

"What?"

"I haven't thought about it yet." Tsukimoto Genji smiled and said: "But I won't make it difficult for you; I won't force you, and it's not something that goes against the will of heaven."

Takumi, moved, asked: "What's the bet?"

"Within half a year, your royalties exceed 10,000,000 yen." Tsukimoto Genji stretched out a finger: "You can also use the royalties to buy company shares. Together with the previous 5%, the total is 25% of the shares, but it cannot be calculated together with the money. You can only choose one standard."

Either 10,000,000 yen in royalties or 25% of Hinotori Publishing's shares. This requirement is very strict in anyone's eyes. The market for Takumi's first volume of Detective Conan is already saturated, with royalties exceeding 2,000,000 yen. He can publish at most three more volumes in half a year. To reach the standard of 10,000,000 yen, he needs to exceed the current standard. The average royalties per volume exceed 3,300,000 yen!

"Can I draw two manga?"

Takumi asked. Tsukimoto Genji began to think. In fact, his purpose was to delve into Takumi's talent. If the author obtained 10,000,000 yen in royalties, the money Hinotori Publishing would earn would be astonishing.

"Yes, but the second manga must be published in Weekly Shōjo Manga."

Tsukimoto Genji nodded. In fact, it doesn't matter where money can be made, but Tsukimoto Genji hopes that the development of the company's departments will be more balanced. Takumi's drawing style is very suitable for girls' manga, and it will undoubtedly increase the sales of Weekly Shōjo Manga.

However, this sentence made Takumi a little nervous. 'Girls' manga? He had never seen girls' manga in his previous life. Even with photographic memory, it didn't just come to him out of nowhere.'

"...Okay."

But after thinking for a long time, he accepted. 'Although there were no girls' manga, there were many neutral boys' manga. For example, Detective Conan is a typical boys' manga; don't many female readers read it too?'

So the bet was made, and the production of the Pokémon animation had to be postponed. Takumi felt a little... regretful, but he was confident he would win the bet and that this way he could make the animation himself, without having to give up the copyright to third parties. You know, any copyright to this animation can generate incredible profits.

After refining some details, Takumi was ready to say goodbye. Tsukimoto Genji seemed very satisfied, but just as he was about to see Takumi off, Alice coughed loudly several times.

"What's wrong?"

Takumi turned his head strangely and Alice looked away awkwardly.

"It's alright." Tsukimoto Genji smiled bitterly: "Regarding this bet, can I make another request?"

Takumi understood that they were just exchanging secret codes.

"Mirai-sensei, during the six months of the bet, I hope you can follow Alice's instructions." Tsukimoto Genji said without pause: "She will prepare courses for you, but she will not limit your daily life."

Alice and Takumi have been together for a while. Takumi is very proactive, and Alice never interferes. Even in daily study, as long as Takumi doesn't want to learn, Alice has no way to control him.

This makes her feel very defeated. She hopes to guide Takumi better, so she let Tsukimoto Genji speak for her.

"I don't intend to force you at all." After Tsukimoto Genji finished speaking, Alice added: "If you don't want to learn something, you don't have to learn it, but you should listen to my opinions and Aika-san's more often, and not spend all day just watching manga."

Takumi was surprised. 'Had he given Alice that impression? He looked back and thought he seemed a little stubborn. There was still a long way to go. If it weren't for forced study, it would be too much to reject Alice's kindness.'

"No problem."

So Takumi accepted the condition.

Upon returning home, he published the news about Pokémon on the official website. He did not give up on this animation. Since NHK considered it worthless, half a year later, Mirai-sensei produced it himself.

This news was intended to appease the enthusiastic fans. Takumi was very confident in the bet.

Of course, this statement was ridiculed by many media outlets, who claimed that there was no need to retreat and that he had run out of ideas. Takumi was too lazy to argue with them, but he noticed that Kaze was jumping around on the internet and was very proud, so he kindly reminded him anonymously to maintain his image as a mangaka.

But he didn't know if mangaka who adapted novels had a problem with their mentality or something else. Kaze not only wasn't frugal, but he boasted that if Pokémon was successfully animated in half a year and surpassed The Cat and Mouse Couple's viewership, he would eat live feces.

Many people lose their IQ when talking online. 'Of course, this was just a casual comment from Kaze, and most would forget it after reading it.' Takumi, as a good person, simply took a screenshot of this statement and saved it.

Tatsuryū Publishing took such good care of him that he didn't mind returning anything. But this cycle of returning is too long and a little rude. 'Didn't Tatsuryū Publishing say they had run out of ideas?' Sales of this company's female manga are also very good, and they can certainly be compared in this aspect.

But before that, the day had come for him to meet his fans.