Death Note, le remake. J'ai adoré quand il nous dit qu'il ne veut pas introduire de nouveau méchant à la fin. Oué, oué, même Light et L ont eu leur Near. Enfin, à défaut de surprise de comment ça va finir, ça reste relativement potable dans le traitement de l'histoire pour le moment.

Exact, on dirait vraiment que ce chapitre est une auto-critique de Death Note, j'adore.

Mashiro and Takagi while in a meeting with Hattori, lets Hattori know what they plan to do with Reversi; just give it their best in one shot and slowly build up the story until the final clash between Black and White demon and then end it there. Hattori eventually agrees with them in the end, but says to think about whether they can extend it when they get to that point. Right now, what's important is just focusing on each chapter, week by week.

Pas si sur lol... Apparamment dans le dernier chapitre, Hattori leur demande de penser à la possibilité de prolonger leur manga une fois qu'ils auront bouclé l'histoire telle qu'ils l'ont prévu actuellement...

Source: MH
Credits: RHN, saladesu
Verification: confirmed

Page 161: A breather and a party

Hattori tells Ashirogi not to worry as both Reversi and Zombie Gun are selling well, just that Zombie Gun is selling absurdly well. Hattori says that he, too, is wondering about why such a great disparity exists, but says that he'll leave that discussion to the next time they meet. They meet on Friday, and Hattori says that the reason why Zombie Gun is selling so much is because it's byy Niizuma Eiji, the mangaka of CROW, the long-time JUMP flagship, and there are many who would buy the volumes even if they don't buy JUMP, jut because it's his new manga. Shuujin points out that there are many people who don't buy the magazine but just the volumes, and that while CROW typically sells 1.5million a volume, PCP sells 500k at most. Shuujin says that it can't be help, but Saikou disagrees. Saikou reminds Shuujin of how he said that a flagship manga should at least sell 1million/vol. Shuujin says that he meant that for series that are a little more established and have more than one volume published. Saikou reminds them their goal is to become the real top, defeating Eiji and Zombie Gun. Hattori agrees, saying that they should aim to be the top in both the Jump questionnaires and volume sales., and says that he believes that with REVERSI, they stand a good chance of getting far in terms of both these goals.

The issue is that while they're doing well on the questionnaires and the volumes are selling, it's not selling as well as Zombie Gun. Nevertheless, they must make sure they don't get hasty and make a big mistake instead. Saikou points out that Shuujin's stories get more interesting the more you read them, thus making for the kind of manga that are actually better read in batches (volumes), which was the reason why TRAP and PCP were republished more bit by bit. They also discuss how REVERSI is popular among the average age group of the JUMP readership, but has less popularity among the girls compared to Zombie Gun, and the content is too difficult for kids. Hattori suggests they try and make the explanations less complex and try to use less difficult vocabulary. However Shuujin thinks that's a bit difficult as difficult words are cooler, so Hattori says to dumb it down but not to the point of changing the flavour of the manga all together. Shuujin suggests having a mascot character, something they can use to draw omake pages with to entice people to buy the volumes. Saikou suggests having breather chapters, less serious chapters in between the heavier chapters, which can also be used to develop the characters further, something like the stand-alone chapters that aren't stand-alones.

Meanwhile Yuujirou is rejoicing at Eiji's, thinking that at this rate it's possible to even hit 4million per volume. Eiji states matter-of-factly, "it's impossible". Yuujirou asks Eiji why he thinks Zombie Gun is selling better than REVERSI, and Eiji says it's because each chapter of Zombie Gun is in and of itself a good read. Yuujirou concludes that this makes Zombie Gun more interesting to read as a volume, but Eiji disagrees. Yuujirou repeats the question and Eiji gets irritated.

Shuujin is taking notes, thinking that by taking note of and correcting these minor details, it will all pay off, though whether or not they can catch up to Zombie Gun's flying start is a different story altogether. Saikou agrees with Hattori that they shouldn't be too concerned, and just make Reversi as enjoyable as they can, until the very end. Saikou notes that in TRAP and PCP's cases, the core concept never changed, and as a result the series got more and more popular, and says that as long as they continue writing REVERSI in the same way, all that matters is that by the very end, they've beaten Zombie Gun.

The next day, the female assistant (Katou) has a request for Ashirogi. Her friend wants Ashirogi to help get an invitation for the joint party for the two big awards - Tezuka Award and Akatsuka Award. Ashirogi has been invited every year since getting serialized, but they've never attended because the year end period is rather busy. Saikou rummages for the invitation card, and says that he thinks that as long as you have the invitation card, you can bring as many friends as you like with you. The head assistant has been to the party twice in the past, and he tells them how grand the party is and etc. The male assistant with long hair (Moriya) thinks about how Hattori didn't seem to like his latest manuscript much but still helped him submit it for the Tezuka Award anyway, though he hasn't received any news so far. The editor of Three had also told him it was too "dark," which probably explained that result.

Saikou points out that since Eiji is a judge for the Tezuka Awards, he would definitely be there. Saikou suggests going, even if it means that they have to delay their deadlines a little. The head assistant says he has to go to work at Three so he'll pass on the party. The other 3 assistants, as well as Katou's friend and Kaya will be going to the party with Ashirogi. Katou's friend's name is Kitami Ririka, and she's a budding seiyuu. She smiles at Saikou. Seeing the displays of the winning pieces on the walls, Moriya understands why he lost, though he's still sad that he didn't even get into the final selection.

The group kinda inadvertently splits up, and Saikou, Katou and Ririka are left alone together. Ririka asks Saikou if he has a girlfriend. Saikou gives a sort of vague reply, "well...". Katou tells Ririka that Saikou's girlfriend is the super popular seiyuu Azuki Miho, and Saikou is a little embarrassed and asks Katou not to tell anyone that. Ririka is surprised that Saikou is Azukyun's boyfriend, then says she thinks they'll be the couple of the century and that she feels like leaving (which she does). Saikou then talks to Takahama, and the topic of Eiji comes up.

Meanwhile Eiji is in the middle of a mob of people, who seem to be representatives of various animation studios, who are trying to fight to animate Zombie Gun after the CROW anime ends in the summer. Eiji is wearing a ribbon (prize ribbon) on his head that says "Tezuka Award Judge, Niizuma Eiji". Saikou wonders if they will be able to ever beat Eiji and Zombie Gun. Shuujin appears just then and says that it must be because of Eiji's reputation once again. Shuujin says they have to make REVERSI their big hit so they can match up in terms of reputation.

Eiji leaps up upon seeing Ashirogi, "LONG TIME NO BLEACH!" (his usual) He tells them how REVERSI is ultra interesting, and how he's been losing in the questionnaires week after week, especially as of late, but declares that he will rise above them in the questionnaires, and will also definitely not lose to them in volume sales. Eiji says he'll see them again at the new year's party.

Saikou is happy that they came for the party because he got to hear Eiji's declaration that he wouldn't lose to them, particularly with regards to volume sales, which Eiji was already leading in. Saikou was also happy to hear that Eiji thought REVERSI was ultra interesting "especially as of late". This shows that even Eiji knows that at this rate, REVERSI could overtake Zombie Gun and turn the tables. Ashirogi declare that they will close the gap between them and Eiji.

Scantrad chinois chapitre 164
http://coldpic.sfacg.com/AllComic/435/164/?p=1

Faut croire que Reversi a été choisi plutôt que Zombie Gun^^
(Mais si Azuki décroche pas le rôle, pas de mariage )

Credits: Red Hawk NEO, saladesu
Source: MangaHelpers

Azuki is reading lines from Reversi, pretending that she is voicing one of the characters. She gets interrupted by her sister.

Hattori is meeting with Ashirogi. He tells them (and Kaya) to keep news of the anime to themselves, and the official announcement in WSJ itself will only come in Spring. Saikou hurriedly asks if that means that the anime isn't set in stone till the official announcement, but Hattori tells him that the period before the official announcement will be used to discuss things like who will sing the opening/ending themes, what timeslot etc. Hattori mentions that seiyuu will be chosen by audition. Knowing what Ashirogi are thinking, he quickly adds that they will of course take their opinions into consideration but ultimately the final decision rests with the animation studio. Saikou says that it's a good thing - he wants Azuki to get the role through her own abilities (and in the discussion we also learn that the female lead's name is "Naho").

Saikou sends a text message to Azuki telling her about the anime and the fact that the seiyuu will be chosen by audition. Azuki's eyes begin to water when she reads that they got the anime, she starts to type "congratulations," then decides to call Saikou instead! Azuki congratulates him, then starts spouting Naho's lines from Reversi that she's memorized and practiced. We get to see some pages from Reversi. She's actually managed to recite every line of Naho's from the entire first volume. Saikou praises her, they have a nice exchange about working hard for their dreams, then Azuki tells him that she's also memorized the second volume and asks if he'll listen.

Saikou talks to Shuujin about Azuki taking the role of Naho in the studio the next day. Shuujin brings up the fact that Azuki's already in 4 regular series, and how he thinks they should instead be worried that she may not be able to take the role as a result. Saikou gets kinda testy at that, haha.

Azuki is talking to her manager. Her manager tells her about her 2 new job offers, and she turns them both down, and also adds that she doesn't want any more work until the summer because by then, all her other series would have ended except one.

Cut to Ishizawa's apartment. He's grown obese, is sitting around in an otaku's dream room, eating chips (?). His mother's knocking on the door but he tells her he's gonna become a mangaka, to which she replies that he hasn't achieved anything or done anything in the past 5 years. He says he's charging his batteries. He's on 2ch chatting with people, and the topic is actually on seiyuu. He thinks to himself that Azuki's popularity is over, and mentions Ririka. Some of the others know who she is, some don't, Some think she is cuter than Azuki and that Azuki is too old (they call her nattou - fermented beans! And a pun on her name kanji). Ishizawa reads Ririka's blog, which has a post about how she met Ashirogi at the party. She also mentions that they're both hunks, but that one is married and the other is "in a relationship with the seiyuu she admires". For some reason, Ishizawa picks up on this point and smiles sinisterly to himself.

Page 166: Rumour and News

Takagi and Kaya while watching Impromptu 12 noticed Ririka's name come up and realized she's in it. Kaya wonders if she and Azuki know each other. Takagi looks up her blog to see which part she plays and they both see her blog entry (the one we saw last chapter). Takagi calls up Mashiro to tell him about the blog entry. And after he sees it, Mashiro tells him to call Kato to tell Ririka to delete it. And after Kato gets the call, the blog entry is eventually deleted.

The next day, Kato apologizes profusely. Takagi says it's okay, thinking it's alright, thinking she's not that popular and it was only up for a few days so it probably wasn't spread around much. Mashiro says well technically Ashirogi Muto is made up of two people. And one of them is married, and the other has a girlfriend. It's the truth he says. But Takagi hastily says it'd be problematic if it was known your girlfriend was the seiyuu Azuki Miho. Because voice actors usually have lots of fans and if they were to find out their idol has a significant other who knows what they'd do (clearly a jab at the weirder otakus). Takagi also notes because they want Azuki to voice Naho, if people were to know of their relationship, they'd accuse her of connections. But Mashiro notes the roles are picked by auditions though. Takagi replies others will see it differently.

Jan. 26, Hattori wants them to meet the anime production team, in the second week of February, to go over plans and talk about what kinda anime you want.

Back at Ishizawa's place, he notices Ririka's last blog entry was deleted and fumes. He then deduces the meaning behind Ashirogi Muto (A for Azuki, Shiro for Mashiro , Gi for Takagi etc), and that the popular seiyuu Ririka mentioned is Azuki Miho. And with that he starts the rumour mill to the fans. Saying Azuki Miho is in a relationship. And how Ashirogi Muto is a two man team. And that one of them is going out with Azuki. And if they don't believe him to just look up 2009 photos from the school he went to. One of them even asks Ishizawa to upload some proof himself since he's so adamant.

In some random news studio (literally says "Things Sport". Lmao), one reporter asks if the headline of "Popular Seiyuu's Relationship Uncovered" is even interesting or not. Their chief editor says it depends who it is. It's Azuki Miho. She's cute, and quite popular. Any pics of her with her boyfriend. Nope, it's a rumour being spread around the net and that the guy is supposedly a popular mangaka. The chief editor tells him to print it if he can get the faces of them.

The next day all hell breaks loose.

Fukuda calls Ashirogi up to ask how they're dealing with the rumours. Ashirogi asks what rumours and Fukuda says the one where Mashiro is going out with Azuki Miho. Tells them it's spread like wild fire. They both jump online to see for themselves. And to their dismay, people are already commenting on the connection between PCP and the drama CD, some fans going the length of throwing away her CDs, some fans going the length of throwing away Ashirogi Muto's books. Fukuda notes how they're calm about it. Mashiro says they are and they should because they've don't nothing wrong. Mashiro then thinks they may think that but dunno how Azuki's side is going.

Cut to Azuki just finishing a voice recording. She goes outside to find rabid fans and a reporter bombarding her with questions. She makes a quick getaway in a taxi. Her assistant (or some management guy anyway) looks up the rumours and asks whether they're all true. They are. He tells her no matter what to deny them to the public. And that she shouldn't see him because it's an important time right now. Azuki says they don't even meet often. And besides she firmly exlaims they did nothing wrong anyway.

Cut to WSJ editorial department. The fiollowing takes place:

"Hello WSJ here". "ASHIROGI MUTO, GO TO HELL!! -hangs up-". ".....eh?" XD

Seems like the entire editorial department knows about it too. And Yoshida yells out that any questions regarding the personal life of their mangaka is not to be replied to.

Cut to a meeting with Hattori and Ashirogi. Takagi asks if Hattori's heard the rumours. Replies yes, and tells them not to worry, the editorial dept won't answer anything (to phonecalls). Hattori notes it's not their style to be worrying, but Takagi wonders what would happen if she voices the role of Naho in the Reversi anime. Hattori calmly tells them if that's the case then what. If a person online says a manga is boring and to drawing, will you stop being a mangaka then. Mashiro agrees with Hattori. What they should be doing is give their best on the manga, and Azuki to give her best on the voice. After a bit of uplifting talk from Hattori, they're both back to normal.

But the very next day, the newspaper speaks all. Things Sport has headlines like "It's WSJ's popular mangaka, Ashirogi Muto's artist Mashiro-sensei", "They've been seeing each other for 8 years now!", and a smaller section where it notes PCP's drama CD in 2014 and that headline basically reads "Unfair or Fair?" (literal meaning of the phrase used is "unable to keep professional life from private life and vice versa" btw).

Takagi: "That's....that's going too far...."
Hattori: "......."

MDR ce chapitre.

Azuki's agent set up a radio show for Azuki to announce she isn't dating anyone
and this is what Azuki said....

Azuki: Good evening, I am Miho Azuki.
Do everyone has dream/goal?
To those who hold on to their dream and continue to pursue it,
To those who are looking for their dream, I want to cheer for them.
I am dating Ashirogi Muto's Moritaka Mashiro san.
I am deeply in love with Moritaka Mashiro san.
before I am a voice actor, before he is a manga artist.
In high school, we made a promise. That one day, his manga gets turn into an anime, I will be the voice for the main female character.
If this dream come true, we would get marry. This is the dream he and I have been pursuing

Page 168: Correction and Declaration

Fukuda reveals that Ashirogi Muto's Mashiro is going out with popular seiyuu Azuki Miho. Pretty much spills his guts out to the audience.
Next day, Heishi gets an earful from Azuki's manager telling him to tell Fukuda to deny what he just said and also sets up for Azuki to deny all claims.
Fukuda gets an earful from Yuujirou but later stands on their side.
A touching scene between Azuki and Mashiro occur through sms. And a heart to heart moment with Azuki and her mother.
Later, when the time comes, despite being told otherwise, Azuki comes out and says she's in a relationship with Mashiro and loves him very much, dreams, wedding, etc.

Page 171: Microphone and Script

A scene between Takagi and Kaya. Takagi gives the low down on what just happened to Kaya. There'll be a public audition and voting scheme. 22nd of April will when they give the auditions, and then until the 26th is when voting will occur. One vote per phone. Kaya doesn't think it's a good idea since there'll be very popular and talented seiyuus too, but then thinks it's just like him to go with it.

Back at Azuki's work place, his manager is stressing out on the decision, thinking she doesn't stand a chance, but Azuki reassures him she's motivated and has confidence in winning.

We then get some screen time of two companies getting their seiyuus ready for it. One in particular is a friend of Azuki (Natara Kanra). Apparently, she's the most popular seiyuu at the moment. The other pits their hopes on Otsuki Nanakan, the 2nd most popular at the moment.

At Ashirogi Muto's studio. The announcement of Reversi's anime and the audition appears in this weeks Jump. They'll be having commercials on TV to get exposure as well, and on the the 24th when Crow ends, there'll be a trailer for Reversi too. And once the issue goes live, people are talking about it. At the bookstore, and also online. Everybody's talking about it. (And staring at it too, *cough*Ishizawa*cough*)
And all this is being closely followed by Takagi. Preliminary online polls have Azuki placed in 5th. Takagi tells Kaya not to worry, since it's just-for-fun polls, and Kaya tells him to stop making such faces if it's nothing to worry about.

Day before the auditions, on their balcony, Takagi talks about their dreams and how far they've come now and that tomorrow's the day when Azuki will stand before the microphone that will lead to her dreams. At Azuki's place, Mina, jokingly says her sister is getting marry so she's gonna be lonely now. Then gives her a lucky charm she got for her, and afterwards they go downstairs for dinner and their mother has made practically a feast for her, it's what she can do to cheer her on.

The day of the audition.

Right when Azuki gets to the venue, she's bombarded with protests ("PEOPLE WHO TAKE THE BACKDOOR SHOULD GTFO", etc).
In the backstage room where all the seiyuus are getting ready, the atmosphere is looking pretty thick. We see Azuki and her friend, Natara, say hello to each other, Otsuki says hello to Azuki, we see some fodder seiyuus gossiping about Azuki. We also see some bigshot mentor-ish seiyuu making her grand entrance, who think she'd easily take the win. Otsuki thinks (to herself) otherwise, since she's 27, no way they'll get her to voice a young high school teen. Once it begins, one by one they get called up, while Ishizawa, Mashiro and co, and even Fukuda are watching it live.

And then finally Azuki gets called up. She stands up and takes the stage. Natara notes she forgot her script. But then notices her copy is so clean, like it hasn't been used at all and there's no written notes or anything.

Azuki: "I am #7, Azuki Miho, your help is appreciated..."

Chapter 172: Miho and Naho (the chapter title itself is a spoiler...)

Continuing from where we left off last week, Azuki stands before the microphone which lead to her dreams. She begins reading back the script and everybody's making nice comments so far, and even pointing out how she's going script-less.

Until she reads one line wrong. She said "black demon" instead of "white demon", in one line.

And this is when the other seiyuus grin, Ishizawa grins, and the netizens gasp. Once she finishes though, she leaves quite the lasting impression (note the double spread page) on everybody. And in the waiting corridor, Otsuki points out her performance was nice but she made an error when reading the dialogue, the studio won't gloss over that mistake. Before #9 takes her stand, the producer makes an interlude.

Apparently, #7 Azuki Miho in the place where it read "white demon" said "black demon" instead. But this is actually an error on their part. The script they had for the audition was based on the serialization manuscripts. In the manuscripts, it has "white demon" in it which is a printing error, which has been corrected in the tankobons (now reads "black demon"). And so she's not completely wrong, nor are the earlier seiyuus (#1-6, , and that the rest use "black demon" instead (out of respect to the mangakas).

At the end of the audition, which lasted 3 hours, the sound director thanks them all for their work. One seiyuu holds up Azuki's copy of the script she left on the chair and makes a fuss about it. Noting that the script doesn't have any notes in it or not even looking like it's been so much as opened, she makes an accusation that she knew the script by heart because she has connections with Ashirogi Muto. That's also why she knew the correct line was "black demon" instead of "white demon". But Goda-san stands up for her. And the sound director also stands up for her saying the script they've used for the audition, even Ashirogi Muto hasn't seen it so it's not possible. Sound director tells them all they'll be in contact with whoever won, which will be announced live at 3pm on 27th and on TV this time as well. On their way out, Azuki thanks Goda-san for what just happened.

The days leading up to 27th, we see people discussing who they think will take it, everybody's saying it'll be out of Azuki, Otsuki, Natara, and Goda, these four.

On the 27th, 3pm.

At the studio, everybody's a bit nervous and Kaya even goes so far is to say, the assistants will be here soon after, and then Hattori-san will be coming tonight to pick up teh manuscript, if it goes bad there's gonna be a gloomy atmosphere in the air. Takagi says she's thinking too much. At Azuki's place, her mom tells her Mina wants them to all watch it together in the lounge.

The live broadcast comes on.

There were 241,728 votes altogether.

Note the amazing double spread here.

#7. Azuki Miho. 102,801. Votes.

She won!!!!!!!!!!! : D

And everybody cries, shouts, etc.

Mashiro falls out of his chair from [silent] excitement (same as that time when anime was announced pretty much).


Kaya: "What's the matter, what's wrong, did he faint?!"
Takagi: "He's been nervous the entire day, so he's practically worned out now that he's relaxed"
Kaya: "No worries though right? Hey should we call an ambulance?"
Takagi: "It's okay..."

Mashiro: "It's great"."This is really great...".

Takagi: "Yep! This is great! This is really great now, Saiko!"

Mashiro: "Yup, Azuki's really amazing"
Takagi: "Yep, amazing, very amazing"
Kaya: "Uuwahhh~"