Honestly, I would really want to assign Gendou to the Vampire manga guy. I really want that guy to succeed and in past rolls his art was good while writing was lacking so he could definitely benefit.
It's a decent idea, but Aoki seems pretty poor and will probably be unable to pay him. Plus he's a new guy as well so Gendou might resent being with a guy that's technically only three weeks his senior.
But it's a good match seeing as Aoki is usually bad at writing but generally decent at art while Gendou is good at writing but bad at art.
Maesa's suggestion was slotting Gendou with The Greatest Fake Teacher, and honestly I can see why. Her plot's sort of not quite going anywhere from what MC can tell, and a writer specialist seems like exactly the sort to help resolve that issue. Plus she's already an Experienced Mangaka, so it's much more workable within company policy.
[X] Plan Editor More Like Networker -[X] [Overtime] Yes
-[X] Networking (Masaru-senpai): Since your direct superior is in a good mood, now's the perfect time to cement your role as his most trusted and reliable kouhai.
--[X] Learning the Ropes: With the sudden increase in the number of series you're expected to work with, it might be a good idea to ask Masaru for advice. Perhaps he has a few tips or tricks that he can show you? (Work on improving you Maeda's Editor Trait)
-[X] Networking (Mangaka): Paying a visit to one of your current mangakas might be a good idea, if only to ensure that they aren't having any problems meeting the deadline. (Gives you +1 Suggestion to that specific mangaka)
--[X] Aoki Akira: Seriously, what was with that mess that he submitted? What made him think that that was acceptable? You need to make it clear that this won't happen again.
--[X] Yuzuki Himari: Despite your initial fears, Yuzuki has done much better than anyone could have expected. However, if you want her series to stay healthy, you need to know what she has planned for the long term.
--[X] Gendou Ren: Unfortunately, Gendou just didn't have the art experience necessary to create a good manga. You're not completely sure about Masaru's suggestion, but it couldn't hurt to ask if he'd be interested in working as an assistant instead of jumping straight into the mangaka career.
-[X] Research: It's probably a good idea to make sure that you're not totally ignorant about your job anymore. (Work on improving Maeda's Editor Trait) --[X] The Trending: What's even in the top ten list now, anyway? Probably a good idea to see what the general public are into nowadays.
Despite knowing that your job is about as secure as it could be, your paycheck could still use a little padding out. After all, being related to a board member just gave you a foot in the door. Since your uncle didn't want to rock the boat too much, your salary is about the same as any other new, inexperienced editor; in other words, far too low for your liking.
You weren't in danger of being evicted or anything, but it was the principle of the matter dammit.
'Senior Editor' wasn't the most prestigious title out there, but despite all of Masaru's other problems, his salary was still pretty solid.
And so, as the end of the month approached you made an effort to spend more time with your senpai. After all, the sooner you proved your worth, the sooner you'd be able to request a promotion.
On Monday morning, you showed up at his office bright and early, ready to receive whatever words of wisdom your senpai had to offer… or at least do your best to pretend to listen as the older man rambled on like a philosophy professor who'd just gotten tenure.
"I know that it feels bad to reject people, but at the end of the day this is still a business," he said, looking as exhausted as usual as he clutched the coffee you'd offered like a lifeline. "If the series can't meet our standards, then they're simply not worth the cost of printing."
"When you're new, you want to make sure that every series is a big success. But we can't just baby our mangaka, no matter how much we like them," he continued, only pausing briefly to take a gulp from the cup in his hand.
Internally, you winced to see him chug down a steaming hot latte like it was tap water. How the hell hadn't he burned his tongue? More importantly, you'd paid good money for that drink! Would it kill him to at least appreciate it a little?
"Remember, as editors our time is valuable, Maeda-san. All the time you spend trying to drag a weak series up to mediocrity is time that you could have spent raising a good series up to greatness. It's all about balancing your schedule."
"Then how do I identify if a series is worth the time, senpai?" you asked, trying to look as attentive as possible as Masaru took another gulp of overpriced coffee.
Your senpai nodded, looking pleased at your eagerness as he leaned forward. "Well, in my experience, there's a few things to look out for. See, back when I first started out…"
[??? Progress Made on Maeda's Editor Trait]
===
Fortunately, Masaru can't ramble on for too long. Even - or perhaps especially - at the end of the month, there's still plenty of work to be done. Still, you like to think that you've made a good impression.
At the very least, Masaru had some nuggets of good advice among all his reminiscing. While most of it felt very common sense, it was still nice to get some ideas about what worked and what didn't when it came to such a prolific industry.
Still, you couldn't spend all your time cooped up in the office.
Gendou Ren's apartment was a bit further out than you'd expected. After stepping off the train, it took you another half hour of walking to find the right building.
"I'm not expecting anyone today. Are you - what's the name - Ren's friend? Maedo-san?" the old woman who answered the door asked, peering at you suspiciously through her thick glasses.
You coughed, unsure of what to say. "Maeda Hiroshi, yes. We're supposed to meet regarding his work. Is he available?"
"Oh, that boy is always hiding in his room," she shook her head, stepping aside to let you in. "The problem is getting him to come out. Go ahead and sit down. I'll make some tea. REN! YOUR FRIEND IS HERE!"
"ALREADY? HANG ON! JUST GIVE ME A MINUTE, GRANDMA!"
"WELL HURRY UP! YOU CAN'T KEEP YOUR GUEST WAITING! IT'S RUDE!" she replies, her surprisingly loud voice echoing through the hall as she turns back to you. "Now then, would you like something to eat as well? I've still got some biscuits in the back…"
Ten minutes later, you and Ren were seated uncomfortably across from each other while his grandmother putted around in the kitchen. You're not sure how, but you've found yourself being invited to dinner.
"I'm really, really sorry about this, Maeda-san," your mangaka said, looking mortified as you calmly took a sip of tea. "I told her that it's just going to be a work meeting, but…"
"It's fine, Gendou-san. I didn't really have any plans this evening either," you reassured him, mentally rescheduling your other meetings.
"Thanks," he sighed. "I know that my grandmother can be a bit… overbearing. But she'll get upset if a guest goes home without eating anything."
"Like I said, it's fine. But since we're here, let's get down to business."
Gendou makes a face as you pull his drafts out of your bag and spread them on the table. "Oh man. Were they that bad?"
"Story-wise? No. Art-wise, however…" you took a deep breath, trying to figure out the best way to say it. "I'm afraid that it didn't meet our standards. I know that you've already got experience with writing, but a manga needs to have good art as well."
He sighed, looking morosely at work in front of him. "Yeah, I figured. But I just need a bit more time. If you give me another chance, I know that I'll be able to do better!"
"Gendou-san, the Sunday Star is a weekly magazine. If you can't keep up with that kind of workload, you won't be able to make it."
"Ah, dammit," he groaned, rubbing a hand over his eyes. "So now what? I don't make the cut?"
"That's one option. But if you're still interested, I've got an alternative."
He perks up, looking at you with real hope in his eyes. It's a little disturbing.
"As I mentioned, your writing is decent, but your artwork is lacking. Instead of jumping straight into being a mangaka, have you considered working as an assistant instead?"
Gendou blinked, leaning back slightly. "An assistant? That… I guess it could work. How much would it pay, though?"
"Less than a full time mangaka, but it's a more steady paycheck," you answered, having already looked up this information earlier. "I've got some forms here with the details."
"Well, if it pays more than working at the convenience store I suppose I'm willing to give it a shot," Gendou shrugged. "But I still want to get my story published, though. Is that still going to be possible?"
"Well, I suppose if you fixed the art… but Gendou-san, being an assistant is already going to be a full time job. I don't think you'll have the time to keep working on your own manga on the side," you warned.
"I can manage it," he said confidently. "My grandmother tries her best, but she can't work and her pension isn't really that big, so we need all the money I can get right now."
===
Gendou Ren is willing to be an assistant, but also wants to keep producing his own work. What is Maeda's response?
[ ] Accept. He says he can manage it, so it should be fine, right? (No need to search for a new series this week)
[ ] Reject. Handling one full time job is going to be difficult enough for him. (Will need to find a new series to replace Lesser Evil, Greater Evil)
[X] Accept. He says he can manage it, so it should be fine, right? (No need to search for a new series this week)
As much as I think it would be a bad idea I like his work ethic maybe he can pull it off to support his grandmother. I'm always a sucker for these kind of stories and maybe if the magazine would spin-off a monthly or biweekly magazine it would help the workload for Gen like what they did to some Jump series.
[X] Reject. Handling one full time job is going to be difficult enough for him. (Will need to find a new series to replace Lesser Evil, Greater Evil
Look we had to reject cause hia art was too bad. If Wese is being a assistant all the type his art is unlikely to get better and he might get super overworked screwing our publication and weakening our hold
This went better than I thought. I want to help him, but he's not ready to be a mangaka yet. Maybe he can spend a few months learning on the job and resubmit LEGE? I don't want to be handed a random series this week, but it's better than getting Gendou's hopes up, just for his series to get canceled a week or two later.
[X] Reject. Handling one full time job is going to be difficult enough for him. (Will need to find a new series to replace Lesser Evil, Greater Evil)
[X] Reject. Handling one full time job is going to be difficult enough for him. (Will need to find a new series to replace Lesser Evil, Greater Evil
We're offering to help him get an assistants position because we think he can't handle being a full mangaka yet. Why on earth would we agree to him still working as one as well as working as an assistant?
[X] Reject. Handling one full time job is going to be difficult enough for him. (Will need to find a new series to replace Lesser Evil, Greater Evil)
He already had issues with art and while the job as assistant is meant to fix that, that is going to take a while since improving takes time. On the other hand, malus from not having enough time and being overworked are going to come almost immediately.
We have to be realistic here, if he tries both he is going to tank both jobs.
Wait, I'm confused by this choice.... If we accept, are we saying that we expect him to continue working on the series and hopefully give us something next week? Because that's going to be impossible with his assistant job.
Is there a way for us to reject, while making it clear we do expect him to work on this concept, and ways to get the art better (and not permanently shut the door on him?)
Like, I wouldn't mind sometime down the line running into his story again, but supposedly he fixed the art issues
[X] Reject. Handling one full time job is going to be difficult enough for him. (Will need to find a new series to replace Lesser Evil, Greater Evil)
Gendou-San will need an average of 20 points each turn to bring his Art up to a mediocre level even before considering the issues of working two jobs at once. That's just not viable.
[X] Reject. Handling one full time job is going to be difficult enough for him. (Will need to find a new series to replace Lesser Evil, Greater Evil
I think it would be better to say that he will have an advocate in us in the future but should concentrate on improving his art first. We'll be here when he is ready.
@zamin Can we reject but write-in a promise to give LEGE another shot as soon as a spot opens?
That way we show that we believe in him, somewhat subtly hammer in the fact that this is a competitive industry and people fail all the time, and give him time to hopefully improve.
In effect, accept but with built-in delay for him to gain some more experience and fix or find solutions for his deficiences.
At the very least, Masaru had some nuggets of good advice among all his reminiscing. While most of it felt very common sense, it was still nice to get some ideas about what worked and what didn't when it came to such a prolific industry.
And also we know just how many people seem to lack common sense. You can never be sure you're not one of them.
Look at how Masaru's superiors nearly killed him with overwork. If he crashed, there would have been nothing left to run this company.
[x] Reject. Handling one full time job is going to be difficult enough for him. (Will need to find a new series to replace Lesser Evil, Greater Evil)
Let's be real. He'd get even more maluses, and it's really too much. MAYBE he can try again after a few months of assistant experience, but he can't really do both, and it would be unprofessional of us to believe him.
If he REALLY thinks he can get a serialization, then he should refuse the assistant position. That's a valid choice, and he COULD get lucky.
Trying both is just dumb.
Don't go for the "feel good" option when it's OBVIOUSLY the wrong choice.
@zamin Can we reject but write-in a promise to give LEGE another shot as soon as a spot opens?
That way we show that we believe in him, somewhat subtly hammer in the fact that this is a competitive industry and people fail all the time, and give him time to hopefully improve.
In effect, accept but with built-in delay for him to gain some more experience and fix or find solutions for his deficiences.
[x] Reject. Handling one full time job is going to be difficult enough for him. (Will need to find a new series to replace Lesser Evil, Greater Evil)
Sure, MAYBE he could do it. With this first chapter alone, maybe, since he has a base to start with.
But week after? The argument is easy. We have full time mangakas that have trouble even managing their one story and he think he can devote time to both one as assistant and one as his? Nope, that's an easy to predict crash and burn. If he even WANT to try it, first he gotta show improvement in his art first. THEN we can talk.
Also, to smooth this over... We can point out that hey, assistant is maybe lesser paycheck, but it's still a steady one from just trying and crashing with his own series. And that experience will allow him to present his own story even better.
[X] Reject. Handling one full time job is going to be difficult enough for him. (Will need to find a new series to replace Lesser Evil, Greater Evil)
We're making him an assistant to fix his art inadequacy, to just allow him to continue as it is, along with a tighter schedule, is just not in the cards.
