Chapter 447: Shingo Is so Annoying

The circulation of Springfield Bookstore's supplement "RED" has been showing a slow downward trend recently.

Takano Ran was actually very anxious.

For several years, the circulation of "RED" has been steadily declining, after all, the overall environment is not good. With the development of online books and other cultures, "RED", which features yellow, black and red as the main colors, is inevitably impacted.

A few months ago, Oda Shingo's "GANTZ" came out, and immediately pulled up "RED", which was on the verge of suspension.

When the plot entered the Battle of Osaka, the wonderful battle chapter made the sales reach the edge of one million, and a supplement magazine that could be suspended at any time was forced to enter the level of a second-tier comic magazine, and it can even be said that the chrysanthemum of the three major families was seen.

It's just that the Thousand Years of Death has not appeared yet, and the first part of "GANTZ" has been completed.

Takano Ran actually thought of various methods, hoping to let Oda Shingo publish another comic.

But Oda Shingo launched "Peacock King" by his half-apprentice Nobukata.

Although this comic has indeed received good response, it is still incomparable to the extremely popular "GANTZ". Although it is popular, it lacks the pioneering power to expand market demand.

Takano Ran didn't know that this comic was a comic from the last world on Earth, nearly 40 years ago. It is inevitable that there are many things that lag behind the times. Although Oda Shingo revised it, it is difficult for it to stand out in 2024 even if it is a classic.

It can only be said that this comic has allowed "RED" to survive for a while.

But now the situation is different. Oda Shingo suddenly announced a new work, and Mikami Saburo was willing to give it to "RED"!

Takano Ran immediately rewarded Mikami Saburo a little, and then returned to the office to announce the good news.

The editors of the supplement department burned incense to the statue of Oda Shingo together.

"Thank you for the gift of the Great Demon King!"

"Thank you for the food and water given by the Great Demon King..."

The Japanese like to worship everything.

For example, tripping over a stone on the side of the road and falling, and then finding that the bus you missed had an accident. Ah, this stone must be worshipped.

So in the mountains and even in the streets of cities in Japan, you can often see various small shrines.

Some people even worship feather dusters because they help open the door with a stuck bolt...

Now Oda Shingo's work is the holy object of the entire "RED" supplement department, so of course the god who gave the holy object, no, the devil, must be worshipped.

"Mr. Minister, Mr. Oda's manuscript is here! It's a new work! "Koga Ninja Scrolls"!"

"Long live! Long live! Long live!"

Applause and cheers rang out in the editorial department.

Soon, the "RED" editorial department received an email forwarded by Fujido Kaoru, which contained the original comic manuscript.

Electronic typesetting is now very convenient and clear, so the original comic manuscripts that use professional optical scanning equipment can be sent directly to the editorial department for electronic typesetting.

"4 episodes! A full 4 episodes!" The editor who opened the electronic manuscript excitedly reported to his colleagues.

The director of the supplement department, Ran Takano, made a prompt decision: "We will eat as much as Mr. Oda gives us!"

Increasing the number of pages will also lead to rising costs. She calculated the recent printing budget. Because she was more frugal before, and with the help of GG of "GANTZ", she saved a lot of budget.

"Director, the number of pages is limited." An editor reminded.

"...How many comics can be cut?" Ran Takano immediately looked at the popularity ranking.

"The number of pages of comics to be cut has been prepared in the number of pages. Mr. Oda's number of pages is twice as much as expected, so..."

Ran Takano's eyes glowed green: "We must eat them all! Eat as much as you give us!"

No matter how big, long, or thick, we can eat it!

But considering that it would be unfair to ordinary cartoonists to cut comics that should not be stopped, Ran Takano rejected this idea.

She went straight to apply for an increase in the number of pages.

In Japan's publishing system, the number of pages of comic publications is limited and cannot exceed the approved number of pages, but can be reduced. Just from the perspective of protecting readers, the number of pages should not be reduced by less than 10% of the approved upper limit.

If you want to increase the number of pages temporarily, you need to apply for a temporary change at the license issuing office.

According to the tradition of Japanese authorities, if you submit an application today, you will be approved in half a month.

Therefore, most comic publications have never planned to increase the number of pages, because the publication date has arrived before the approval.

Inside the Cultural Bureau.

"Hey? Let me wait?" When Takano Ran personally went to the Cultural Bureau, submitted the application and was about to leave, she heard such a reply.

According to the familiar process before, it should be a notice to wait for a reply within 15 working days.

Takano Ran planned to find someone to say hello later.

"Yes, please wait for my reply." The clerk bowed, stood up and whispered a few words to the section chief who was in charge of approval.

The section chief was stunned, looked at the application form handed over by the clerk, looked at Takano Ran again, and immediately stood up with the materials and walked to the inner room.

Takano Ran waited anxiously.

Is there something wrong? It shouldn't be, right? Is it because the ninjutsu battle scenes are too bloody, or the female characters' clothes are too revealing?

But soon, the section chief came out and handed over a document with both hands: "Madam, it's done."

"Huh?" Takano Ran took it in a daze.

When I looked at the document, it turned out to be the approved permission to increase the number of pages of "RED", and the approval was for twelve consecutive issues. This means that the number of pages can be temporarily increased within half a year!

"The works of Mr. Oda should be strongly supported!" The section chief of the Cultural Affairs Bureau pointed out the key point in one sentence.

This is a preferential treatment given for the sake of Oda Shingo. The issuance time is fast and the approval period is long!

Takano Ran hurriedly bowed to express her gratitude. She understood that the Cultural Affairs Bureau is an agency under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Culture, and it was with Oda Shingo's connections that she received strong support.

Mr. Oda, you are really amazing!

She walked out of the Cultural Affairs Bureau and looked at the street a little blankly.

As a result, she saw a bookstore not far away, with a cherry red Oda family crest hanging at the door.

Takano Ran walked over and saw Oda Shingo's comics occupying half of the best-selling shelves.

One person's work occupies half of the best-selling shelves!

Takano Ran waved her fist fiercely.

As long as we hold on to Oda Shingo, the development of "RED" will definitely have a bright future!

Oda Shingo's studio.

"Have you thought about the comics you want to create for me?" Fujido Kacheng asked expectantly.

This is the nth time Fujido Kacheng has asked Oda Shingo, and no one can remember.

"Here, I made a sign for you." Oda Shingo got a sign from somewhere, and it said "Have you thought about the comics you want to create for me?"

"What is it for?"

"Every time you want to ask me, just raise the sign."

"Huh? Why do you want to do this?" Fujido Kacheng took it subconsciously and waved it in front of Oda Shingo.

"Avoid harassing me." Oda Shingo took out another sign and placed it on his desk.

It was a sign that said "まだです" (Not ready yet).

"Shingo, you are so annoying!"