Draw This, Then Die! (これ描いて死ね)

Faster. Faster.

Yasumin, we'll be waiting outside.

Aw, wait up! Let me finish printing out these five books!

Sorry for keeping you waiting!

Okay, let's get going.

To Comitia.

Right.

Episode 6 Comitia Let's Make Manga That's Even More Interesting!

Look!

Say "Cheese."

Circle Pass

Circle Pass

Circle Pass

Circle Pass

Circle Pass

Circle Pass

So this is our castle.

Now I'm stoked.

My booth's over there, so I'll see you later.

Yeah, catch you later.

Okay.

Time to set up.

One long table is split into two booths,

so make sure you don't take up more than half the space.

A tablecloth works well as a clear visual reference.

Use stands to display the covers of your books upright.

Tales of Cats, Cats

and More Cats

yen

Sample

Akafuku Sou

Prepare a sample book with a price tag.

Hello. It's a pleasure to meet you.

The pleasure's all ours.

Make sure to greet your booth neighbors.

Yes, ma'am.

You can give them a copy of your book in lieu of a business card.

I-It's nice to meet you.

Thank you very much.

Prepare sample copies to hand over to the planning committee member.

Plus, a box containing spare change.

Looks like you're about ready.

Yes, ma'am.

When someone passes by, give a simple greeting of, "Please take a look!"

I'll walk by, so let's practice.

Please take a...

She passed right by!

About 90% of people will do the same, so don't let it get to you.

There are only two chairs, so please take turns manning the booth.

Rock-paper-scissors it is.

Sure.

Okay.

Rock, paper, scissors, shoot!

I win. Yay!

It should be any moment now.

The time is 11 o'clock.

Comitia is now officially open.

Okay, clap!

Please join us in a round of applause.

I'm going to take a look around the venue.

'Kay, I'll go make my rounds as well.

Tales of Cats, Cats

Tales of Cats, Cats

Tales of Cats, Cats

Tales of Cats, Cats

Tales of Cats, Cats

Tales of Cats, Cats

Tales of Cats, Cats

and More Cats

and More Cats

and More Cats

and More Cats

and More Cats

and More Cats

and More Cats

And get lots of eyes on this advertisement T-shirt!

Have fun.

Thank you.

Isn't this exciting?

Thank you very much.

I'm so happy.

Thanks a lot.

Hebichika-sensei!

H-How can I draw amazing manga like you?

Well, let me think...

More bloodlust, maybe?

Well, best of luck.

Bloodlust?

Blo-od-lust?

Excuse me.

I'll take a copy.

Please marry me!

Clap

Clap

Clap

Clap

Bing-bong

A happy ending.

Shogakukan

One person bought a copy of the book I printed 1,000 copies of.

I daydreamed about marrying her, and made a manga out of it.

Scary. And you printed way too many.

I think it's a solid approach, though.

There's a warmth to the writing, like I'm chatting with a friend.

Overall, there's a mellowness to the work...

I'm sure she's thinking, "Oh, but on closer inspection, it's kind of creepy."

Use this as a starting point and give it a good polish.

Polish away the creepy parts?

I didn't say that!

She complimented it.

A real compliment, for the first time!

I've found it! My fossil!

And I got to meet Hebichika-sensei.

I'm on fire!

I'm the king of the world!

But my euphoria didn't last long.

I can see you tried your best.

That means it's a dud.

She can tell just how much I struggled with it.

I want it to enthrall her. To make her laugh and cry.

Why is that what I care about?

I think you're also aware how forced the narrative ends up feeling.

For example, this turn of events at the beginning...

Teshima-san?

Sorry. Your comments don't interest me one bit.

So why are even here?

After that...

It was so...

So utterly...

m 0 0 l 100 0 100 100 0 100

Fun Go comedic! Lay off the angst! Don't elicit pity! Extend a kind, friendly hand! No navel-gazing, you idiot! Absolutely no being preachy! Be sincere! Be honest! Draw like you mean it instead of half-assing it, moron! Draw with your blood! Draw this, then die!

So much more difficult than I'd taken it for.

Shogakukan Newcomer Comic Award

Shogakukan Newcomer Comic Award

Shogakukan Newcomer Comic Award

Shogakukan Newcomer Comic Award

Shogakukan Newcomer Comic Award

Shogakukan Newcomer Comic Award

Seinen Category Honorable Mention

Seinen Category Honorable Mention

Seinen Category Honorable Mention

Seinen Category Honorable Mention

Seinen Category Honorable Mention

Seinen Category Honorable Mention

Hoshino Rei

Hoshino Rei

Hoshino Rei

Hoshino Rei

Even so, I managed to land an award.

Shogakukan Newcomer Comic Award Ceremony

Shogakukan Newcomer Comic Award Ceremony

Shogakukan Newcomer Comic Award Ceremony

Shogakukan Newcomer Comic Award Ceremony

Shogakukan Newcomer Comic Award Ceremony

I stood at the door of going pro.

Something to consider while submitting to contests for serialization:

How about trying to improve your art skills, Teshima-san?

Did you just tell me to drop dead?

I really didn't!

The art can be a big advantage in helping to get serialized.

Your drawings are charming in their own way, but—

So you're telling me to drop dead.

Listen to me.

How about studying under a veteran artist?

Ah. I see.

Hebichika-sensei, who I know you love, happens to be looking for assistants—

Hebichika-sensei?!

Please put in a good word for me!

I was deeply indebted to her after everything she'd done for me.

And yet...

Salpia Maru

Kongoji-san

Sunday Editorial Staff

Kongoji-san

Sunday Editorial Staff

Kongoji-san

Sunday Editorial Staff

Kongoji-san

Sunday Editorial Staff

Kongoji-san

Sunday Editorial Staff

Kongoji-san

Kongoji-san

Sunday Editorial Staff

Sunday Editorial Staff

One copy of this, please.

Oh, right away.

Thank you very much.

Thank you so much.

Please take a look...

I'll take one of these!

Thank you very much.