Before an editor takes a work to a serialization meeting, besides the manuscripts for the first three chapters, they also need to prepare a proposal.
The content of this proposal is a comprehensive analysis of the new work, compiled after in-depth discussions between the editor and the author.
It includes the setting, worldview, character designs for the main cast, color pages, and even the preliminary story outline of the new work.
But this is merely the preliminary preparation.
At the serialization meeting, after everyone has finished reading the new work, the manuscripts, and the proposal, the editor recommending the work must accept and answer sharp questions from other editors to prove that the new work is worthy of serialization.
This stage is the most difficult.
Because the number of serialization slots in Shonen Jump is limited, setting aside the Editor-in-Chief and the two Vice editors-in-Chief, the five editors present undoubtedly prefer for their own works, or the new works within their own teams, to obtain the serialization opportunity.
Therefore, during this stage, the other four editors are the hardest to deal with, as they will spare no effort in picking apart the work's flaws.
After intense debate and defense, it reaches the final voting stage.
Excluding the editor who recommended the new work, the seven meeting attendees each have one vote; as long as the 'approve' votes exceed half, the work can get the serialization opportunity!
Additionally, the Editor-in-Chief actually holds immense discretionary power and can single-handedly force the serialization of a new work or decide the conclusion of a certain work.
That said, in reality, this situation has rarely occurred since the founding of Shonen Jump.
Back to the topic.
— "So, let's start the voting now.
Those who support the serialization of this work, please raise your hands."
The debate concluded, and accompanied by Torishima Kazuhiko's words, the voting began.
Sasaki Hisashi, as one of the five section chiefs of the editorial department, was also a member attending this serialization meeting.
For this round of voting, he sat motionless in his seat, maintaining silence, which was equivalent to casting his vote against it.
Although he had his own selfish motives, even setting aside those, the work currently being voted on did not meet his standards.
And if he didn't set aside his selfish motives...
He could only say that compared to "Fate/stay night," this work was simply too far behind!
The voting results were produced quickly; only two people voted in favor, and the result was self-evident.
—"Rejected.
... Yes, I understand."
Torishima Kazuhiko calmly announced the result, and the editor who recommended the new work could only accept it and sat back down helplessly.
"Now for the next new work, it is "Fate/stay night" recommended by editor Sasaki Hisashi. The author, Akira, is a pure newcomer who has yet to debut..."
It's here!
Hearing his name, Sasaki Hisashi took a deep breath and assumed a posture ready for battle.
At the same time, hearing that the author of this new work was actually a pure newcomer who had yet to debut, almost everyone's eyes in the room turned to him, filled with shock, confusion, and curiosity.
A new work by a pure newcomer, coming to the serialization meeting?!
Is editor Sasaki Hisashi serious?
What on earth is this...?
But it wasn't the question session yet, so the other editors could only temporarily bury this question in their hearts.
Once the Vice Editor-in-Chief finished introducing the basic information, they entered the reading session.
The duration of this part was not fixed.
Some manga plots and settings were relatively simple, which could be grasped after reading the manuscript and proposal once; some manga were more complex, which might require reading them over and over again.
Time passed, and as the last sound of turning pages disappeared, the conference room fell into silence once again.
But for some reason, the atmosphere inexplicably became a bit strange.
At this moment, everyone's eyes turned to Sasaki Hisashi again, but the emotions in their gazes were completely different from before—realization, envy, jealousy... and so on.
Taking in everyone's reactions, Torishima Kazuhiko maintained a calm tone and looked at Sasaki Hisashi, saying:
"Since everyone has finished reading, let's open the floor for questions."
...
However, after Torishima Kazuhiko's words fell, the conference room remained in an eerie silence.
The other editors looked at each other, hinting and urging others to speak first, but no one fell for it; no one was willing to be the first to stick their neck out.
Some even started reading the materials in front of them again, as if they had forgotten that they had already read them over several times just moments ago.
Meanwhile, looking at Sasaki Hisashi, who was wearing a composed smile, the editors couldn't help but curse inwardly:
...How the hell are we supposed to offer criticism?!
Where on earth did Sasaki Hisashi find such a monster?
Can we even play this game anymore?!
In fact, if one really had to nitpick to find problems, it wasn't impossible.
For example, the quality of the storyboarding, compared to the other, more brilliant parts, seemed a bit mediocre.
But if they really did that, what would happen to the new works they recommended?
Should they just throw them in the trash?
After all, whether it was the artwork, plot, setting, worldview... or even the unique art style of the characters, this work was far superior to the new works they had recommended!
Not only that, but even compared to some of the popular manga currently being serialized, they felt that "Fate/stay night" seemed not to lose out at all!
Pitting a work of this caliber against the new works they were handling, is there any justice in this?
No questions?
On the other side, seeing that no one had spoken for a long time, Torishima Kazuhiko scanned the room and directly called out:
"Editor Tanaka, do you have any thoughts?"
Damn it, why don't you ask yourself?!
Weren't you asking quite actively just a moment ago?
Tanaka wanted to revolt against his superior on the spot, but ultimately didn't dare, and could only awkwardly say:
Uh...
... "By the way! I want to ask, is Teacher Mochizuki really a pure newcomer?"
"Indeed!"
"From the plot setting to the drawing technique, this work was just too mature; is this really a work that a pure newcomer could create?"
"Of course, I can guarantee it."
Sasaki Hisashi said with a chuckle:
"Teacher Mochizuki is only 18 years old this year, and 'Fate/stay night' is his second work.
And his first work was a one-shot manga, which had just been submitted to our Tezuka Award right before this."
18 years old?!
Second work?!
You're telling me that the person who drew such an awesome work is only 18 years old right now?!
The editors were now completely numb, and the looks they gave Sasaki Hisashi were filled with nothing but envy, jealousy, and hatred.
Damn it, this old guy really hit the jackpot!
Why can't they ever encounter such a good thing?
An 18-year-old super genius manga artist, this overflowing, exaggerated talent makes it hard to imagine what level of achievement they will reach in the future.
Is this another Toriyama Akira?
But even for Toriyama Akira, his performance when he first debuted wasn't this heaven-defying.
And this one hasn't even debuted yet!
The question raised by editor Tanaka not only failed to catalyze discussion but also dealt a critical blow to the other editors, including himself, causing them to shut down completely.
It seems this is as far as it goes.
Torishima Kazuhiko and the two Vice editors-in-Chief exchanged glances and couldn't help but smile.
In fact, when they first learned about the situation from Sasaki Hisashi, their reactions were about the same as those of the editors present.
Then—
Torishima Kazuhiko coughed lightly and said:
"Let's start the voting now. Those who support the serialization of this work, please raise your hands."
Swish, swish, swish—
Seven hands were raised simultaneously.
Up to this point, this was the time when everyone's opinions were most unanimous.
A pure newcomer starting serialization directly in Shonen Jump is a special case that hasn't happened many times since the founding of Shonen Jump.
But in the face of the quality of this work, all so-called rules seemed so pale and powerless.
So...
Torishima Kazuhiko announced with a smile:
"Fate/stay night", serialization approved!