People are in Tokyo, there is a wishing machine

Chapter 35
Editor's Office.

Tashiroya was looking at the detailed sales data of the latest issue of Weekly Shonen Jump.

As of yesterday, the sales volume of this issue of JUMP was 316 million copies.

Seeing this, Tashiroya nodded.

He is 62 years old this year, and he will retire after three years in the position of editor-in-chief.

Since entering social work, he has been a member of JUMP's editorial department.

In the 40 years of working in the editorial department, he has witnessed the prosperity and decline of Weekly Shonen Jump.

20 years ago, JUMP was in full swing, with a single issue selling an astonishing 650 million copies.

After the peak, there was a decline. In the following ten years, due to the end of the pillar works one after another, the new works could not bear the burden of the pillars, and the development of the mobile Internet, resulting in a sharp decline in sales.

In ten years, by 2010, only 500 million single-issue sales remained.

This is more than that. In the next five years, due to the rapid development of the Internet, readers' tastes became more and more picky, and the sales of JUMP dropped even more alarmingly.

Five years ago, when he took over as editor-in-chief, there were only 350 million single-issue sales left.

After he took office, he took many measures. After a few years, he finally stabilized the rapid downward trend.

It dropped below 310 million in the middle, but fortunately, under his vigorous support strategy, several new popular works have emerged, and now the sales volume is no longer declining, but has rebounded somewhat.

However, under the influence of the tide of the Internet, as well as the emergence of smart phones, the decline of the industry is unstoppable.

Sitting in the position of editor-in-chief, he has a heavy responsibility, and he dares not take it lightly.

Otherwise, it is very likely that it will be reduced to the same as the "Hot Blooded Youth Weekly" next door.

How many sales are there for Hot Blooded Youth Weekly?
It seems that there are more than 50 copies.

Back when it was established, it still shouted to fight JUMP, but now it is not far from closing down.

If they go bankrupt, the sales of JUMP may be able to increase.

Doodle.

There was a knock on the door.

"Come in."

Tashiroya put down the data and looked at squad leader Morita who came in.

"Chief editor, I have something to discuss with you about the author of the "Dragon Ball" manga discussed this morning."

Squad leader Morita briefly explained Hirozawa Higashino's request.

"Remove the exclusive clause for him alone? Absolutely impossible!"

Tashiroya categorically rejected it without even thinking about it.

"The exclusive treaty is the foundation of the magazine's talent system, and no exceptions of any kind are allowed! Those cartoonists who have made great contributions to the magazine have signed it, so why doesn't he, a newcomer, not sign it!"

"If he doesn't have to sign even a newcomer, how can we face those authors who have been working with the magazine after signing the exclusive contract? How do we deal with them? What do they think? Are we going to allow everyone not to sign?"

"What our magazine wants is his people, and it is him who spends so much resources to cultivate, not his pen name! A pen name, no matter how loud it is, what's the use!"

"You go back and tell him that the exclusive contract cannot be changed, whether he likes to sign it or not!"

Tashiroya said without a doubt, his tone was very severe.

This newcomer is a bit talented, but no matter how talented he is, the magazine does not allow exceptions.

"I see, I will go back and let An Teng tell you."

Squad leader Morita nodded.

Before he came in, he already knew the result.

Tashiroya was originally a legal editor, specializing in helping manga authors resolve contract issues.

It can be said that no one in the editorial department is more aware of the importance of the exclusive treaty to the magazine than him.

Now someone, or a newcomer wants to challenge the exclusive treaty system, no wonder he has a bad tone.

I knew this was the result before I came in, but because I discussed "Dragon Ball" at the serialization meeting in the morning, several editors and monitors thought it was good, so monitor Morita came in to report and let editor Tashiroya make a decision.

Morita felt a little pity to reject Dragon Ball and such a talented young author.

But it's just a pity.

Although "Dragon Ball" is not bad, it is far from enough to allow the magazine to make an exception, and the magazine will not have much influence because of a new serial that has not yet started.

This is Morita's idea, and also the editor-in-chief Tashiroya's idea.

It's no wonder they think so.

Comics are a carrier that needs long-term serialization to accumulate popularity. There is no comic that can be sure to be popular just by reading the first few episodes.

Most of the comics need to be serialized for a year and a half, and only after the accumulation of dozens or hundreds of chapters can they gradually gain momentum.

If the quality of the manga is good enough, after accumulating a certain level of popularity, it can use an opportunity to detonate in one go and gain huge popularity.

Dragon Ball is no exception.

In fact, in the early stage of Dragon Ball, it inherited the relaxed, funny and humorous style of Ala Lei's comics, which can be seen from Ala Lei's random search for Dragon Ball.

This style makes people look relaxed and comfortable, and is very popular with some people.

But in terms of audience, it is far inferior to the bloody and kingly battle.

At that time, Akira Toriyama's editor was very aware of this. He strongly suggested that Akira Toriyama should work harder on the battle and increase the proportion of the battle plot.

Akira Toriyama followed the editor's suggestion and began to change the style. Dragon Ball also started from the plot of the world's number one Budokai, and its popularity gradually skyrocketed.

That's how Dragon Ball came about.

Tashiroya and Squad Leader Morita just watched the first four episodes, so of course they don't know what they missed.

……

"Really? I get it. Okay, I get it."

An Tengwu hung up the phone and returned to the private room.

"Teacher Akira Toriyama, the editorial department does not agree to change the exclusive contract."

An Tengwu said to Higashino Hirosawa with a wry smile.

Squad leader Morita conveyed his decision to refuse, and of course it was impossible for An Tengwu to follow Tashiroya's angry words.

"Really, that's a pity."

Hirosawa Higashino was not surprised.

This result was not what he expected.

Since its inception, the magazine has never been an exception, and it is unlikely that he will set a precedent for a newcomer.

"Ms. Akira Toriyama, do you really stop thinking about it? The opportunity to get serialized on JUMP is really rare. Your refusal to sign this time may mean that you will never be able to serialize on JUMP again in the future. of."

An Tengwu still wanted to persuade Higashino Hirosawa.

This is the most talented person he has ever met since he started his career, and he really doesn't want to give up.

He said this not to threaten Higashino Hirosawa.

From the perspective of the magazine, the magazine does not welcome a person who resists the magazine system, because once such a person becomes famous in the comics of the magazine, he is very likely to run away without renewing his contract after the end.

In this case, the magazine is tantamount to wasting resources and cultivating a white-eyed wolf.

That being the case, why doesn't the magazine reserve resources to cultivate a more loyal cartoonist?
"Thank you, Editor Iteng. But I really can't sign the exclusive contract."

Higashino Hirosawa shook his head apologetically, but was not swayed by it.

Not being able to serialize on JUMP, he has a loss, but it is not a big loss.

With the quality of Dragon Ball, it is not difficult to find another manga magazine to serialize.

In the world before time travel, Dragon Ball became popular all over the world.Even if it is serialized in a smaller manga magazine now, the time to become popular will only be delayed.

An Tengwu had no choice but to return the Dragon Ball drawing to Hirosawa Higashino, and watched him leave.

……

"The editorial department of "Hot-Blooded Youth Weekly" is nearby, just go there."

After leaving the Black Cat to open a coffee shop, Hiroze Higashino found the position of the editorial department of Hot Blooded Boys Weekly using a computer.

When An Tengwu called, Hiroze Higashino expected that JUMP would most likely not make an exception, and he had already thought about his next home.

It would take too much time to mail it to other magazines, and he is in a hurry to spend money now.

Taking advantage of asking for leave today, Hiroze Higashino wanted to get things done today.

Therefore, "Hot Blood Weekly Boys", not far from the JUMP editorial department, became Higashino Hirosawa's first choice.

If it cannot be serialized on JUMP, it does not make much difference in which small magazine it is serialized in.

But Hot-blooded Youth Weekly is still a good choice.

Hot-blooded Youth Weekly had used the slogan of competing with JUMP at the beginning, and wanted to snatch the market of JUMP.

This can be seen from the title of the magazine.

It's a pity that I was later taught by JUMP to be a man, and now the situation is getting worse, and the sales volume of the magazine is only about 50.

Competing with JUMP, the magazine style and readers' tastes are undoubtedly similar to JUMP.

Because of the name of the magazine, even if the sales volume is dismal, Hot-blooded Youth Weekly cannot be completely transformed.

Ignoring the poor sales volume, it’s okay to regard Hot-blooded Youth Weekly as a small JUMP.

(End of this chapter)