Editor's Office.

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

As of yesterday, the sales volume of this issue of JUMP was 3.16 million copies.

Seeing this, Tashiroya nodded.

He is 62 years old this year and will retire from his position as editor-in-chief in another three years.

He has been a member of the JUMP editorial department since he entered social work.

During his forty years working in the editorial department, he witnessed the prosperity and decline of Weekly Shōnen Jump.

Twenty years ago, JUMP was at its peak, with sales of a single issue reaching an astonishing 6.5 million copies.

After the peak came the decline. In the following ten years, because the main works were completed one after another, new works could not bear the burden of the main works, and the development of mobile Internet led to a sharp decline in sales.

In ten years, by 2010, only 5 million units were sold in a single issue.

That's not all. In the next five years, due to the rapid development of the Internet, readers' tastes became more and more picky, and JUMP's sales dropped even more astonishingly.

Five years ago, when he took over as editor-in-chief, sales of a single issue were only 3.5 million.

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

It once dropped below 3.1 million, but fortunately, with his strong support strategy, several new popular works emerged, and now sales no longer decline, but have rebounded.

However, under the influence of the Internet trend and the emergence of smartphones, the decline of the industry is unstoppable.

He sits in the position of editor-in-chief and has a heavy responsibility. He walks on thin ice and does not dare to take it lightly.

Otherwise, it is very likely that it will end up like the "Hot-Blooded Youth Weekly" next door.

How many sales of Hot-Blooded Shonen Weekly are there?

There seem to be more than half a million copies.

I think when it was first established, it was still shouting that it wanted to fight JUMP, but now it is not far from bankruptcy.

If they go bankrupt, JUMP's sales may even increase.

Dudu.

There was a knock on the door.

"Come in."

Tashiroya put down the data and looked at Squad Leader Morita who came in.

"Editor-in-Chief, I have something to discuss with you regarding the author of the "Dragon Ball" comic that we discussed this morning."

Monitor Morita briefly stated Higashino Hirosawa's request.

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

Tashiroya flatly rejected it without even thinking about it.

"The exclusive contract 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 shouldn't he, a newcomer, not sign it!"

"If he can refuse to sign even a newcomer, how can we face those authors who have been struggling with the magazine after signing an exclusive agreement? What does this make them think? Should we allow everyone not to sign?"

"What our magazine wants is his people. What we spend so much resources on cultivating is his person, not his pen name! What's the use of a pen name, no matter how loud it is!"

"You go back and tell him that the exclusive treaty cannot be changed. He will sign it or not!"

Tashiroya said without any doubt, his tone was very stern.

This newcomer is somewhat talented, but no matter how talented he is, the magazine will not allow exceptions.

"I understand, I will go back and let Itan tell you."

Squad Leader Morita nodded.

He already knew the result before he came in.

Tashiroya initially worked as a legal editor, specializing in helping manga authors resolve contract issues.

It can be said that no one in the editorial department understands the importance of exclusive treaties to the magazine better than him.

Nowadays, there is someone, or a new person, who wants to challenge the exclusive treaty system. No wonder he has a bad tone.

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

It was a pity for Morita 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 for the magazine to make an exception, and the magazine will not have much influence because of a new serialization that has not yet started.

This is Morita’s idea, and also the idea of ​​editor-in-chief Tashiroya.

It’s no wonder they think so.

Comics are a medium that requires long-term serialization to accumulate popularity. No comic can be sure to be a hit just by reading the first few chapters.

Most comics require a year and a half of serialization, and only after dozens or hundreds of chapters have been accumulated can they gradually gain momentum.

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

Dragon Ball is no exception.

In fact, the early days of Dragon Ball inherited the lighthearted, funny and humorous style of Arale's comics, which can be seen from Arale's chaotic 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 royal battle.

The editor in charge of Akira Toriyama at the time was very aware of this, and he strongly suggested that Akira Toriyama put more effort into combat and increase the proportion of combat plots.

Akira Toriyama followed the editor's advice and began to change his style. Dragon Ball also started from the plot of Tenkaichi Budokai, and its popularity gradually skyrocketed.

This is how the next Dragon Ball came about.

Tashiroya and Squad Leader Morita only watched the first four episodes, so of course they didn’t know what they missed.

…

"Really? I understand. Okay, I understand."

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 agreement."

An Tengwu smiled bitterly and said to Higashino Hiroyuki.

Squad leader Morita conveyed the decision to refuse. Of course, it was impossible for Itengwu to follow Tashiroya's angry words.

"Really, that's a pity."

Higashino Hirosawa was not surprised.

This result was within his expectation.

There have been no exceptions since the magazine was founded, and it is unlikely that it will set a precedent for a newcomer like him.

"Toriyama Akira-sensei, do you really not want to think about it anymore? The opportunity to be serialized on JUMP is really rare. Your refusal to sign the contract this time probably means that you will never be able to be serialized on JUMP again in the future.

of."

An Tengwu still wanted to persuade Higashino Hiroyuki.

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

He said this not as a threat to Higashino Hirosawa.

From the magazine's point of view, the magazine does not welcome someone who resists the magazine system, because once such a person becomes famous through a comic series in the magazine, it is very likely that he will not renew his contract and run away after the comic is completed.

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

In this case, why doesn't the magazine reserve resources to cultivate a more loyal cartoonist?

"Thank you, Editor An Teng. But I really can't sign the exclusive treaty."

Higashino Hirosawa shook his head apologetically, but was not shaken by this.

He suffered a loss by not being able to serialize it on JUMP, but it was not an important loss.

With the quality of Dragon Ball, it would not be difficult to find another comic magazine to serialize it.

In the world before time travel, Dragon Ball was popular all over the world. Now even if it is serialized in smaller comic magazines, it will only become popular later.

An Tengwu had no choice but to return the Dragon Ball drawings to Hiroyuki Higashino and watch him leave.

…

"The editorial office of "Hot-Blooded Youth Weekly" is nearby. You can just go there."

After leaving Black Cat to open a coffee shop, Higashino Hirosawa used the computer to find the position of the editorial department of Hot-blooded Youth Weekly.

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

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

Taking advantage of today's leave, Higashino Hirosawa wanted to get things done today.

Therefore, "Hot-Blooded Weekly Shonen", which is not far from the JUMP editorial office, became Hirosawa Higashino's first choice.

It cannot be serialized in JUMP, so it doesn’t make much difference which small magazine it is serialized in.

However, Hot-Blooded Shonen Weekly is still a good choice.

Hot-Blooded Shonen Weekly had originally made a slogan to compete with JUMP and wanted to seize JUMP's market.

This can be seen from the title of the magazine.

Unfortunately, I was taught how to be a good person by JUMP, and now things are getting worse and worse, with magazine sales only reaching over 500,000.

It can compete with JUMP. The magazine style and readers' taste are undoubtedly similar to JUMP.

Because of the name of the magazine, Hot-Blooded Shonen Weekly cannot completely transform even if its sales are bleak.
Chapter completed!