Hey there friendo, and welcome to my read-through of Chapter 153: World and Competition, in which unexpected sore losers bum me out, and we talk about leadership a bit.

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World and Competition Summary

The Record Was Broken?!

On Friday, April 21st, the boys sit by the phone, eager to hear the results of Reversi. Saiko urges calm: all the assistants and Miho said it was their best work by far.

Shujin knows that, but he can’t help thinking that people will be comparing it to the equally excellent Zombie Gun, which got a record-breaking 692 votes. He worries that Nizuma will pull another Nizuma and whip their asses. Saiko points out Shujin’s hypocrisy, backpedaling like that.

Shujin sees reason, but is still tired of how much these surveys worry him. Saiko’s flabbergasted.

They receive the call from Hattori, and Shujin is shocked and silent: PCP got fourth, and Reversi got first.

Saiko’s face must be shared for posterity as he freaks out at receiving first:

But Shujin is not done: the record was broken for the survey results of the one-shots. Saiko thinks he’s talking about Zombie Gun. Right Right right? Deshou ne?

No. They beat Zombie Gun’s 692 with a 694 vote that broke the record again.

WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO.

The boys are appropriately delighted about their unequivocal success. Saiko takes credit for being confident about it. Shujin takes the piss: he wasn’t optimistic about beating Eiji.

Saiko laughs it off as modesty. Shujin is already on his way to call Kaya, and he’ll text Miho.

Meanwhile, Hattori is still on the line…as they take a well-deserved victory lap.

Losing to Ashirogi

Uncharacteristically, Eiji seems down in the dumps as Yujiro tries to cheer him up and rationalizes that both one-shots were equally popular since they appeared in different issues.

Very uncharacteristically, Eiji announces that Zombie Gun is no good if it loses to Ashirogi.

Wow.

Yujiro points out it’s functionally a draw, and the editorial department has already authorized Zombie Gun for serialization. Yujiro doesn’t want Eiji to be depressed about this; compared to Ashirogi, Eiji’s story has global appeal, and it will be great.

He lost by two votes, though. Yujiro thinks he’s being obsessive

At Jump’s offices, Yujiro comes in wearing his heart on his sleeve and sighs his discontent. Miura asks what’s wrong…captain. Yujiro explains Eiji has lost his motivation due to Reversi…reversing the situation.

Ba dum tss.

Yujiro is at a loss. Miura thinks he shouldn’t have mentioned the vote count in the first place. Yujiro can’t do that when he’s asked about the votes directly. He also can’t lie to Eiji either. Yujiro’s surprised to find that Eiji is, in fact, the kind of guy who gives a shit about surveys. He assumes this one was too important to lose, though.

Miura asks after Ashirogi. Since Zombie Gun is going to be made into a series, Reversi will also need to be given the same consideration.

Kosugi’s alarmed by the idea: if that happens, then there will be even fewer slots for other mangaka to try their own stories. Yujiro reminds them that Ashirogi doesn’t have that kind of leeway, regardless. Miura thinks it will be a choice between continuing PCP or doing Reversi instead.

That can’t happen: PCP is a popular series, and they can’t risk it with another new series. If that’s the case, Miura wonders why they even bothered to allow Reversi to run in the first place.

Yujiro doesn’t know. The higher-ups decided it.

Yoshida, a voice of reason, points out that those two are stubborn about competing with Nizuma and will try for a new series no matter what. Miura agrees. Even if that’s so, Nizuma and Ashirogi are in drastically different positions as manga artists. Nizuma has done two series at once, and one of those stories was Crow to boot.

The others disagree and point out that they beat Eiji, so they must be clambering for a new series with Hattori

Which is one hundred percent the case.

Two Series at Once?

At the studio, Ashirogi asks for exactly the opportunity to do two series at one time. Hattori recognizes that there is nothing he’ll be able to say to sway them from their course, and he’ll relate their wishes to his boss. They thank him.

Hattori’s not sure how to proceed, however, to get it into series mode. He wonders about creating a series storyboard, but he worries he’ll need permission first.

Shujin got him covered: they should immediately jump into a series storyboard. Shujin has already started with a chapter 1 storyboard for the series. Hattori takes a look.

Hattori’s shocked to find that the series will almost certainly do better than PCP. However, they will have to work on PCP too. He wonders if they can really work on two series. Can they do it?

Hattori thinks it’s great and is excited to read the next chapter. Shujin decides to get on chapters 2 and 3, which he already has in his head: he only needs a week or so.

Hattori warns them that before they do anything, they have to be aware that they are facing an uphill battle even if they create the requisite storyboards. He has to remind them that they and Nizuma are different beasts.

They’re aware and are prepared to create a storyboard that will overcome that hurdle. Hattori’s not surprised, but takes it in good humor and wonders if they truly are ready for two weekly series at a time.

Eiji is Petulant?

Five days later, at Eiji Co. Ltd., Yujiro reminds Eiji that the serialization meeting is at the end of the week and asks if he’s going to turn in Zombie Gun for serialization. Eiji wants to know what is going on with Reversi.

Yujiro explains that it’s a non-starter, and given their current situation, it will be hard for them to get a series anyway. Eiji’s surprised: they beat him by two votes.

Yujiro chastises him for focusing on two votes instead of the world, which is his aim as evidenced by all the globes in his office.

Taking things literally as always

Eiji thinks it’s a joke to want to be the best in the world when he lost by two votes. So he’s just not going to submit storyboards for serialization just yet.

Yujiro has a panic attack.

At Jump’s office, Yujiro sulks into the office where Miura asks what’s wrong, again: Nizuma won’t turn in storyboards for Zombie Gun. It’s bad.

Kosugi and Miura agree: what a waste. Why would he do that?

Yujiro explains Eiji’s specious logic of wanting to be the best in the world so he can’t lose to anybody. Hattori walks up to Yujiro, referring to him as Captain, and asks him to review the new series.

Talk about a conflict of interest.

Yujiro, who is tired of all the fucking nonsense, starts expressing his exasperation at this whole situation with Zombie Gun and refuses to look at the storyboards at all. They can’t have two mangaka taking four slots in the magazine. Hattori points out that if it’s a matter of slots, then it will come down to the better one-shot and who will get it: Reversi or Zombie Gun.

Yujiro, his life flashing before his eyes, reminds Hattori that Nizuma gets priority, so he won’t be turning in Reversi next meeting. Miura, being his self, asks about the fact that Nizuma didn’t turn in his storyboards for the meeting. Yujiro yells at him to buzz off; he’s going to make Eiji submit no matter what.

Hattori calls bullshit on prioritizing his own magnaka over others. It’s unfair.

Yujiro gets into captain mode; it’s not personal, it’s about Jump’s status right now. Besides, the boys can’t work on two series at once. Hattori is confident they can. And he justifies their ability to work on two series because they are….two people: a writer and an illustrator

That’s just dumb. But whatever. But it’s also what they told Hattori.

Great.

Hattori insists he look at the storyboards: it’s better than Zombie Gun, PCP, and Crow and will become a flagship Jump title. Yujiro reminds him that’s what everyone says. Hattori disagrees.

The argument devolves, and Heishi interjects: cut it out. Heishi remarks that the Ashirogi are always causing trouble with their wishes. Hattori apologizes.

Regardless, Heishi wants Yujiro to review the storyboards anyway and if it’s good enough to submit for serialization. Heishi does a graceless exit and Hattori asks, politely, for Yujiro to review it. Yujiro reviews it with a sour look but admits it’s good and he’ll turn it into the serialization meeting.

Yujiro walks it over to Aida and submits the boards for Reversi for the next serialization meeting.

WWSD?

At the meeting, they all agree the storyboards are great and Nakano lobbies hard for the series: they’ve run a one-shot. It would be silly not to publish.

Aida points out that they’re working on PCP. Naakno thinks they can end PCP. Aida thinks it’s not that simple: PCP is a very popular series and they’re discussing a middle school arc as well.

Well, so much for a finale.

Nakano thinks they’re dragging it on like a gag manga.

A more reasonable counterpoint is brought up: Ashirogi’s storytelling is too dense, and the artwork too detailed, for them to make two series at once and get away with it. Not to mention Saiko’s previous hospitalization. Nakano reminds them that Saiko was producing chapters in the hospital, so he has the pure chutzpah to do it regardless. Why did they even place the one-shot if they had no intention of pursuing it?

Aida thought it was because there was an open slot in the magazine, and the storyboard was good.

Nakano is relentless: if they can’t do two weekly series, they could do a monthly series instead. Aida thinks that’s a ridiculous exception.

A point I agree on.

Heishi meditates on the fact that Sasaki was the one who gave the go-ahead as his last official act. Heishi’s mind weighs the possibilities heavily, and he wonders what Sasaki would do.

The next day, Heishi visits Sasaki at Hissho Jump to ask for help on the Reversi situation. He asks why Sasaki placed it in the magazine to begin with.

Sasaki chews on it quietly, then lets Heishi know: he has to make the choices now, he’s the editor-in-chief. Heishi switches to Editor-In-Chief mode and wishes to discuss something with Sasaki.

Hissho Jump

The boys sit in the studio, freaking out about the fact that they still haven’t heard about the serialization meeting, although it’s now well over. Shujin wonders if they won’t make it to this serialization meeting.

Hattori calls at that exact moment and asks whether the boys would be open to publishing Reversi in Hissho Jump. The boys freak and celebrate their success.

Eiji receives the news that Reversi will be published in Hissho Jump. Yujiro explains that the editorial team realized it was something that should be serialized; they’ve also recognized that Ashirogi can handle two series if one of those series is a monthly series. It was editor-in-chief Heishi’s decision.

Eiji has a bit of a crisis upon hearing the news, but congratulates Ashirogi on their new success. He thinks for a long moment, looks at his collection of globes, and decides to submit Zombie Gun for serialization.

Yujiro’s glad to hear it. Eiji’s rationale is that if Ashirogi gets a series, he wants a series, too. Yujiro panics and wonders if this was a fourth-dimensional chess gambit on Eiji’s part to get Reversi serialized.

No, he’s not that kindhearted. He’s been woken up to the truth. He was conceited and claimed he wanted to be the greatest in the world, but he was wrong.

His competition isn’t the world, it’s Ashirogi sensei. He’s sure of it now.

On that resolute note, the chapter concludes

World and Competition Reaction

A Bit of a Comedown

So this chapter continues the upward trajectory of the boys, but it was also, most certainly, a comedown chapter for me because it was moving pieces around.

Now I have to admit I’m surprised they pulled the trigger on beating Eiji in the first few pages of this chapter for a few reasons. I was leaning more towards a tie at this point. I have been humbled. But the way the last chapter was set up, I guess we were bound to get a win sometime.

But even the glorious victory of that can’t separate the downer element of this chapter, and the feeling is that the momentum has shifted. For two reasons: The hissho jump twist and Eiji being a sore loser.

I guess Hissho is going to be a monthly magazine, and Reversi is going to be their flagship title as part of the burgeoning magazine’s release. That’s….kinda deflating for a few reasons.

First: They’re not in Jump, yet. And there are a ton of incredible manga magazines in Japan that are not Shonen Jump, including among the Shueisha catalogue: Jump Giga, Jump Square, Shonen Jump+, Mangaplus; plus other magazines like Shonen Animal, Margaret, Young Jump, etc.

But look, man, Jump is Jump. It is the most famous masthead in the entire industry, and it has produced most of the most well-known series per capita. Every person outside of Japan who has fallen in love with Manga got their starter series from a Jump Property: Dragon Ball, One Piece, MHA, JJK, Demon Slayer, Fist of the North Star, Gintama, Spy x Family.

And the narrative has made no secret of its rah-rah-rah enthusiasm for Shonen Jump, the magazine specifically. It is, by all accounts, the gold standard manga and the one to which everyone aspires. It has the largest market and is synonymous with manga.

So, for the boys to get their biggest series placed in a monthly magazine? Ehhhhh, I don’t know man.

It feels like a consolation prize. It also makes the Sasaki move from he magazine a little cheaper since now he’s still going to be their editor-in-chief, which on the one hand is kind of relieving, but also, I dunno, I don’t want it to be a monthly series.

That said…

I Can See It being a Monthly Series

Having read Monthly Series as they come out is such a radically different experience from reading a weekly series. But the types of stories that I’ve read in monthly series tend to be more detailed, more complicated—not necessarily better, though—lore, and a lot more emphasis on sci-fi and action.

To wit, my first experience with monthly manga was with Twin Star Exorcist, Blue Exorcist, Seraph of the End, and I forget the fourth one I was reading.

If you’ve never read one, they are longer than a weekly magazine: 45 pages approximately per chapter, but narratively they usually cover the same amount of ground as a weekly series due to the underlying structure still being the same. So they can often feel more drawn out than a weekly series, which is usually between 15-19 pages.

I’m honestly just not a huge fan of monthly series, with some major exceptions like Shiori Experience, and Show-Ha Shoten – which is Obata’s most recent manga, it’s a banger – so to see Reversi moved to monthly feels like it could be a death sentence.

Not to mention the fact that monthly series also have the dubious honor of being the resting place for weekly mangaka who were too physically ravaged by the weekly schedule to post every week. World Trigger, Black Clover, D. Gray Man.…the list goes on.

So while I understand that there are a few narrative mechanisms that we’re likely to explore in the next few chapters: Saiko is going to have to still produce a ridiculous number of pages. Shujin is going to have to deal with monthly cycles rather than weekly ones, and that’s not to mention it’s going to be an uphill battle to get popular, I think this is a bit of a narrative misstep. It also reduces the potential friction with Heishi that might have happened had they been running two series in the magazine (more on that as well later).

But the other thing that took the wind out of this chapter’s sails is:

Eiji being a sore loser

So I will admit that this is actually a really obvious story beat that I wasn’t expecting because of how Eiji is set up as doing things for the love of the game to the tune of writing several whole ass series for just the fuck all of it.

So to see him be a sore loser after losing by a negligible margin was kind of disappointing. Especially since he’s the untouchable rival figure and has been for ages, it actually knocked my respect for him down a bit.

Because I think the narrative has set him up as this grand maestro with superhuman abilities to predict things about manga, and he’s been this unattainable goal for the boys for so long; this sensei in the wings who provided them with fodder. He was good folks.

So to see him react to his first loss with bafflement and a lack of motivation is humanizing in a way I don’t like.

And let’s be real, this is probably one of the most important beats of Eiji’s sarc for a few reasons. The most obvious is that now his sights are set purely on beating Ashirogi, he has entered a phase of the rivalry where he’s no longer the untouchable top dog, and that means the sparks that are to fly from their final battle are going to be fucking legendary. It’s important that he’s entered the rival battle with appropriate expectations.

Also, it speaks to the fact that he is too used to winning to accept defeat with grace and eagerness, which is one of the major downsides of being a prodigy.

While it is frustrating to see, it is a nice quirk to recognize that Eiji wasn’t just doing it for love of the game; he also knew he wouldn’t be beaten, so his good cheer was partially the result of the absolute confidence that he was untouchable. The fact that he reacts so poorly to losing is evidence of how much he needs to lose, especially to become the greatest, if that is his goal.

But I wish he didn’t express it with such hubris: oh, I lost by two votes, so I’m not the greatest, so I can’t be the greatest. It really rubs me the wrong way that he has started to think that way. But if you’ve never lost, I guess you don’t know how to handle rejection and failure.

Which, on the flip side, is why I’m so pumped to see the boys’ actual victory. There is a lot to be said for someone failing consistently and persisting in spite of it. To take it on the chin and then continue going is admirable because if you’ve ever experienced it, it’s fucking painful. I’ve experienced a lot of rejection and pain, and I’ve learned how to be graceful. I continue to, and will continue to. It never stops hurting. But it does get easier to bear over time. And you can adjust your expectations.

So when I do win – and I will, it’s just a matter of time – it’s going to feel fucking sweet as shit.

But I digress.

I know this was thematically important for Eiji, and it’s good that Ohba recognizes that someone who isn’t used to losing is going to handle it poorly. But it took the wind out of my sails.

But there were other things in this chapter worth discussing like:

Two Series at once?

Baka Mitai, I sing. I guess I should have seen this coming from a mile away since the boys have been squarely focused on beating Eiji, so of course they’d want to do it with two series rather than just ending PCP.

I wonder how much of this was planned out by Ohba. When they described the stand-alone that doesn’t stand alone, PCP sounded like it was in its endgame, and they were going to wrap it up to focus on Reversi, which makes so much more sense than the current setup. Like, this is one of the rare instances where the narrative machinery is so much more obvious because the most logical thing Ashirogi could do is simply stop making PCP.

But now they want to do a middle school arc? What? Like, what? I get being ambitious, but honestly, it would make infinitely more sense just to end it and focus on Eiji.

But given that there are a little over 20 plus chapters left in the series, which could be anywhere from 4-6 arcs of content for the final stretch, it’s obvious that they have to prolong the proceedings.

And I can see a ton of new conflicts arising from this setup: the boys get what they want and it physically harms them – I don’t want that, but I can see it – or PCP starting to fall off and them being left with only one manga, or a new sub-boss in addition to Eiji they have to beat in order to get forward.

But it’s all gonna feel slightly engineered since the series is going to give them two series to keep the narrative afloat.

I do like Nakano being the voice of reason this time. He’s usually been polarized against he boys previously, so it was nice to see him come to their defense during the serialization meeting. I also like how Hattori was full steam ahead on a new series for them and his total faith in them; and, let’s not kid ourselves, resignation about how they do what they do, and he can’t do much about that.

The boys themselves were sitting and waiting – which is more common now that they’re at this point in the story – but it was nice to see them have victory.

But where do we go from here?

I don’t know, but I do think Heishi is going to be a bigger role in this part of the story because

His Mini-Arc this chapter reinforced he’s got an arc now

Heishi has always been a significant-but ultimately one-note character who is mostly relegated to maintaining order and looking cool. But I really loved how he’s a bit out of his depth as the editor-in-chief. It’s also interesting to note how much Aida has changed. It’s interesting to see that now that he’s deputy editor-in-chief, he is taking a more global perspective on the magazine.

This chapter brings some interesting new dynamics aside from Heishi as well. Yujiro is in a much more interesting position as Hattori’s supervisor; I wasn’t accounting for the recent change to the org chart, so for Yujiro’s challenge, dealing with Reversi potentially being a massive conflict of interest was a nice change of pace.

Because this chapter was ultimately about leadership in a way, we have three leaders who are not doing their duty—Eiji as a creative leader, Yujiro as a captain, and Heishi as Editor-in-Chief.

So, to have Sasaki provide a very simple bit of wisdom: you have to make your own choices, was a nice, powerful reminder of what the essence of leadership is: being decisive and relying on your judgment. Eiji comes to the same conclusion, and even Yujiro puts aside his own personal preferences for reversi as the chapter concludes.

I learned this myself while shooting my film. Leadership is a lot less about action, and a lot more about decision making and weighing all the various tensions that are fighting for your time and attention. And waiting. It was quite rewarding, but it also required thinking less about what I want, and about what’s best for the story. Whether that’s changing scenes, or rewriting on set to get what we needed.

But will this have an impact on the next leg of the journey? It’s unclear. It seems like it was relatively self-contained to this arc. But I’ve been proven wrong time again when I’ve read this series, so maybe all these leadership woes are going to be front and center as the boys have to reckon with two series at different intervals.

Will they get a second editor? I don’t know. Does their logic hold up for making two series? No. Definitely Not.

But we’re in uncharted territory.

The only thing I know for sure is that Eiji is coming after them, and in the process, he might just become the greatest in the world.

The boys need to watch out.

Stray Thoughts

–I love that the boys won, but I didn’t get to express it too much. So satisfying.

–Yujiro, this chapter was hilarious. He was mostly a gag character, but seeing the life get drained from him due to Eiji’s petulance was hysterical. Especially the Yujiro/Captain bit that got switched around.

–This chapter was dense as hell, good lord.

Until next time,

peace