Anime Crossover: Becoming Mangaka in Anime World

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'That autumn, when I was eleven, I could no longer play the piano.'

'The moment I met him, my life changed. Everything I saw, heard, and felt—my entire world—was painted in vibrant colors.'

'—Yet, in my eyes, it was all dull and lifeless. Like sheet music, like piano keys.'

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"Hey, have you seen sensei's new work?"

"'The WorldEnd'? Of course, I have!"

"No, not that one. Didn't he mention on social media that he was starting a new series in Weekly Shonen Jump?"

"Wait, what? I didn't hear about that!"

"Well, because of a series of accidents, sensei ended up deleting that post. Maybe you just missed it."

"Oh, that must be why. I was busy around that time. How's the new series? Is it good?"

"It's only the first chapter, so it's hard to say. But…it feels like another gut-wrenching story."

"Why do you say that?"

"You'll know when you see the opening pages! Combined with sensei's art style, the atmosphere is just overwhelmingly heavy!"

"Well, it is their signature style. Lend me your copy?"

"Go buy your own!"

"I'm a bit short on cash… Please?"

"Ugh, fine."

"Hehe, I'll pay you back next week!"

"You better!"

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Sawabe Tsubaki: "A girl from our class asked me to introduce her to Watari."

"They're meeting up tomorrow. Kousei, you should come too."

Arima Kousei: "Huh? Why do I have to go?"

Sawabe Tsubaki: "If it's just the three of us—me, her, and Watari—it'll be so awkward!"

"It would definitely turn into something ambiguous. But if it's two guys and two girls, it balances out."

"Besides, that girl plays the violin and Kousei, you play the piano."

"You'd have something in common, right? When there's nothing else to talk about, you can discuss music. Isn't that nice?"

Arima Kousei: "I've already given up the piano… It's been two years since I last touched it."

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"Mom, I'm home."

"Today is your special day."

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Arima Kousei placed flowers before his mother's memorial, lost in thought.

Her dream was to turn him into a world-renowned pianist.

She once ran a music school, and her lessons stretched on for countless hours every day.

She scolded him. She disciplined him. Even when he cried, she never went easy on him.

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"You must succeed in Europe on my behalf."

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Her words from her hospital bed echoed in his ears.

"As long as it makes you happy, Mom, as long as it gives you strength, I'll do my best!"

Even as tears streamed down his face, Kousei swore to himself.

And then…

Three years ago, he finally got the chance to compete in a European competition.

But just then, his mother passed away.

He came to hate the piano.

Even so, he clung to it. Because without it, he had nothing.

Without the piano, he was an empty shell, filled only with echoes of the past.

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As the second chapter was released, fans started second-guessing their initial thoughts.

The protagonist was suffering—his mother was gone, and he had abandoned the piano, his only solace.

If the story kept pressing down this path, how could it possibly unfold?

Then, as the third chapter arrived in mid-December, everything changed.

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"Miyazono once said—"

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The moment I met him, my life changed. Everything I saw, heard, and felt—my entire world—was painted in vibrant colors.

The world…

began to shine.

A beautiful girl stood atop the playground structure, where children usually played.

Even though the panels were still in black and white, fans could feel the change.

Kousei Arima's gray world was starting to light up.

By the end of the chapter, these words appeared:

"At fourteen, in the spring, I took my first step forward on my own two feet. Time, which had stood still, began to move again."

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With the latest chapter, fans erupted with excitement.

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"Finally!!"

"I can't believe it—we've waited so long for sensei to draw something not tragic!"

"With such a lively and bright art style, this has to be a sweet, romantic comedy!"

[TL Note - .......]

"So let me guess—his mother died, he gave up on the piano, but then a girl saves him, he finds himself again, and he stands on stage once more? That's where this is going, right!?"

"Sure, it's a bit cliché, but damn it, I love it!!"

"Yes! Keep going, sensei! I need this story!"

"After reading The WorldEnd, this new series feels like a warm hug for my heart."

"Finally, it's not about breaking us—it's about healing us!"

"I knew sensei wouldn't just stick to one genre forever!"

"I mean, after so many gut-wrenching stories, it makes sense to switch things up, right?"

"It totally does! Absolutely! I hope sensei continues to explore different themes!"

"With their storytelling skills and art style… just imagining what's to come makes me so excited!"

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In reality, the Japanese market tends to favor tragedies over healing stories.

Like a piece of candy—once the sweetness fades, you forget about it.

But tragic stories leave an impression.

Just hearing Secret Base reminds readers of Menma or hearing someone said "There is nothing left to fear" brings back memories of Mami Tomoe.

As mentioned before, there's no need to go into deeper reasons here.

But no matter how much tragedy you consume, eventually, you'll crave something different.

Staying in a state of emotional suppression for too long? It messes with people.

And what better way to counteract tragedy than with healing?

After all, our tear glands have been overworked. It's time to let them rest for a bit—before the next emotional rollercoaster.

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"So, does this mean Akifumi-sensei new work is actually a healing story?"

Akifumi sighed. "Who told you that?"

"Wait… it isn't?" Mihari looked stunned.

After reading April Is Your Lie's third chapter, her thoughts had been in sync with the rest of the internet.

Something like, 'Finally! This sadistic mangaka isn't just here to make us cry anymore!'

Even within Shueisha's editorial department, many of Akifumi's fans had shed their fair share of tears.

Even she—

"Ah-hem." Mihari's face turned slightly red as she cleared her throat and asked: "So… the core of this story is still tragic, isn't it?"

Akifumi didn't answer directly. "No matter what, my stories are always about love and hope."

"It's just that different people see them from different perspectives, so what they take away from it varies."

Looking at Madoka Magica, Anohana, and The WorldEnd—

Love and hope were always central themes.

Most readers just overlooked them.

But in today's fast-paced world, people only care about characters and flashy effects.

Few take the time to think about what a story really wants to say.

If the fans could only see the surface-level sadness and sorrow, Akifumi didn't mind.

"So, the main core theme is still depression, right?" Mihari didn't dwell on the ambiguous explanation, instead cutting straight to the heart of the matter.

"In the end, it's still a tragedy?"

"I wouldn't say it's entirely a tragedy." Akifumi carefully chose his words. "On the grandest stage, Arima Kousei rediscovers the colors of the world, reignites his passion, and pours his soul into his music."

"As for the heroine, Miyazono Kaori, she withers away like a delicate flower in full bloom."

"Isn't that a breathtakingly beautiful sight?"

Hearing Akifumi's description, Mihari shuddered involuntarily.

'This guy... definitely has some screws loose!!' Just imagining the scene he described filled Mihari with an inexplicable sorrow.

The one who was saved gained a new life, while the savior faded away.

'You're creating an illusion of a happy story, letting everyone bask in happiness before tearing away the veil to reveal the true despair underneath. That's brutal!'

First, you lure them in, then you break them one by one!

For some reason, such thoughts surfaced in Mihari's mind.

She couldn't help but sigh. "You really won't rest until you've made everyone cry their hearts out, will you?"

"The story's core was decided from the start. They're the ones overanalyzing things—it has nothing to do with me." Akifumi shrugged innocently.

"Then at least stop misleading them!!"

"It's all for the sake of the plot, for the plot."

"Speaking of which, should we clarify this in a post?"

"What's there to clarify? It's their speculation—I never confirmed anything."

Mihari sighed, already able to foresee the fans' heartbreak when the truth was finally revealed.

"By the way, you're not planning to pull another surprise gift stunt, are you?"

"Hmm?"

Akifumi rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "That… actually sounds like a good idea."

"???"

"If I really go through with it, I'll just tell everyone that my editor reminded me. Otherwise, I would've completely forgotten about it."

"?!?!" Mihari's face turned pale.

Are you kidding me?!

I was just making small talk, and now you're saying it was my idea?!

The fans who cry themselves to sleep won't know your address, but they sure as hell know where Shueisha's office is!!

If they start sending 'special gifts' to the company, should I return the favor to you?!

"Akifumi-sensei, I was wrong! Please have mercy on me!!"

"Well, that depends on your performance."

Damn it.

I've matured so much, and yet this guy still has me wrapped around his finger!

Mihari felt utterly helpless.

"Fine, I'll behave."

"By the way, will you be attending the December 24th gathering, Akifumi-sensei?"

"Do I have to?"

Mihari hesitated. "There will be an awards segment… and you've been nominated for several categories."

"So, in other words, I don't have a choice?"

Akifumi sighed.

"Exactly. Not to mention, this time we've also hope you can invited Eriri-sensei and Shiina-sensei."

"Shiina…? Okay. I'll talk to Mashiro and Eriri about it. Whether she decides to come or not is up to her."

"Of course."

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After hanging up, Akifumi returned to his desk, the faint glow of his drafting lamp illuminating the pages scattered across his workspace.

The room was quiet, save for the soft scratching of his pen and the occasional rustle of paper as he flipped through reference sheets. 

Before he knew it, the clock on his desk blinked 1:00 AM.

He leaned back in his chair, stretching his stiff shoulders, and glanced at his phone. 

'Is Mashiro already fallen asleep?' he wondered.

But before he could dwell on the thought, the sound of a door creaking open broke the stillness. He step out from his room to check.

Akifumi open the door, an surprised, to see Mahiru standing in the doorway of his apartement, dressed in sleepwear. Perhaps from climbing a flight of stairs, her cheeks were slightly flushed.

"For the sake of your health, please get some more exercise."

"…Okay." The girl responded softly.

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Next door, Yor blinked in confusion.

"Why is Mahiru visiting the young master's room this late?"

"So strange."

She shook her head, deciding not to dwell on it. She leaned against the wall and closed her eyes again.