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HELIO SCANS
[Translator - Hestia]
[Proofreader - Kaya]
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Chapter 46: Either way, NO
“What?! A new release from Wakayama-sensei?!”
“Sensei! You didn’t abandon the spotlight! I knew you'd come back, damn it!”
“Heh… A manuscript from Wakayama-sensei? Let’s see if he’s still got it.”
The rumor that Matsuda had brought in a new manuscript by Wakayama-sensei spread like wildfire through the editorial department.
One by one, everyone scrambled to get their hands on the latest work.
And then—
“Kyaaaa!!”
Editors who were reading the manuscript screamed and bolted from the room.
“Why the hell does the protagonist’s mom get eaten by a giant in the very first chapter?!”
Hashida, who picked up the discarded envelope, let out a low groan.
“I mean, it IS interesting… but isn’t it just a bit… Well, a LOT too brutal?”
Looking at the pages and sneaking a glance at Matsuda, he added. Matsuda gave a subtle nod.
“Yeah, I’m worried about that too.”
Still, Matsuda clenched both fists with determination.
“Remember when we serialized 'D Note'? Same concerns back then, right? Who’s to say this won’t work out too?”
“No.”
“…Thought so.”
At the regularly held Weekly Shōnen Jump serialization meeting, Deputy Editor Sawada, after reading the draft of Titan of Tremor, shut it down immediately and firmly.
“Even if we DID serialize it, some scenes have to be cut. If we run stuff like this in a shōnen magazine, we’ll get hit with a tidal wave of complaint calls.”
The section chiefs gave an involuntary shudder at the mere mention of complaint calls—those were career nightmares engraved into their souls.
“So that’s why he brought the full manuscript. He’s basically asking, ‘Is this okay under current content standards?’”
Another senior editor mumbled while flipping through the pages.
Normally, they’d just submit a storyboard (conte) for serialization meetings. Submitting a full manuscript was extremely rare.
But Jung Junhyuk had deliberately chosen to submit a full draft.
A conte is, after all, just a rough storyboard—light on detail and nuance. By bringing in a completed manuscript, he was essentially saying, “These scenes are this graphic—are you okay with that?”
“Even so, I think we should consider giving it a trial run. There’s been so much noise outside the company lately. Maybe this is a good chance to clear the air once and for all.”
“Using public controversy as a reason to serialize something feels a little… off. We should be making decisions based on internal judgment, not external chatter.”
“I don’t think the manuscript itself is bad. How about we revise it a bit and review it again? Or, if not in the main mag (Weekly Shōnen Jump), maybe shift it over to Young Jump?”
“Well, since Jung-sensei already has an ongoing series, that wouldn’t be the worst idea. But it’s not like we have the breathing room to hand off a project to another magazine right now. We need to fill two open serialization slots immediately.”
“Since 'D Note', none of his new works have lasted long. They’ve all wrapped up early, one after the other. We might need this one to break that pattern…”
“Exactly—and making a decision like this based on—”
“Enough.”
In the midst of clashing opinions, the Editor-in-Chief cut in.
He opened his eyes slowly, which had been half-closed in thought. Every gaze in the conference room turned toward him.
And the meaning behind all those eyes was clear: Please—just give us a definitive answer already.
Everyone silently deferred to him. The Editor-in-Chief met all their stares and finally spoke.
“Let’s go step-by-step. First, putting aside whether the piece fits this magazine—does anyone here actually think it’s not interesting?”
No hands went up. Not one. A unanimous agreement: It’s a good read.
Seeing this, the Editor-in-Chief cracked a faint smile.
“Feels a lot like the situation with 'D Note'. Back then too, the work was solid, but other issues stirred up doubts about whether it was fit to serialize.”
“That’s true.”
The Deputy Editor added, with a few of the section chiefs nodding slightly in agreement.
“Do you remember what Jung-sensei said at the time?”
That question froze the room.
Everyone remembered.
Back then, Jung Junhyuk had subtly—but unmistakably—implied that if they didn’t serialize his manuscript, he’d walk it over to another publisher. It wasn’t an open threat, but it sure wasn’t not one.
There’s no guarantee he’d do it again—but if he did?
This time, it’d be on a whole other level.
Since then, Jung’s pen name “Enju” and his alternate pen name “Wakayama” had both skyrocketed in influence. If he made a move now, it would shake things.
“For the past few years, other shōnen mags have been consistently leaning into the dark fantasy genre. Sure, that wave sped up thanks to 'D Note' and 'Fullmetal Alchemist', but I think we all know the trend is shifting.”
Dark fantasy was gaining traction across the industry. But within Jump, they’d remained relatively cautious about embracing the genre.
After all, if every series turned bleak and edgy, the magazine would start to feel like it was serving the same flavor on repeat.
“We can’t keep hiding behind ‘maintaining balance’ as an excuse to be conservative. As one of the flagship shōnen magazines, we should be setting the trend—not chasing it.”
At that, the senior editors' eyes snapped open wide.
What he was really saying? They weren’t going to cling to strict quotas or tone limitations anymore. If it was good, it was in.
This was a game-changer.
It meant editors had way more flexibility in what they could pitch and support with their authors.
“If a manga’s good, we serialize it. Doesn’t matter how long the author’s been around or how old they are. If the readers aren’t interested, we cut it. Doesn’t matter how big the last hit was or how popular their current work is.”
In the end, it all comes down to the readers.
If it’s good? It gets serialized.
If it doesn’t grab the readers? It’s gone.
And as blunt as that sounded, everyone in the room nodded. Because the Editor-in-Chief was right.
＊ ＊ ＊
Ring-Ring. Ring-Ring.
Jung Junhyuk slowly opened his eyes at the sound of his phone ringing, his head resting on a giant LCD tablet like it was a pillow.
- Hello, Jun-kun?
“Ah, yes. Hello, Matsuda-san.”
- It passed the serialization meeting!
“I see. That’s good news.”
Matsuda continued over the phone, explaining the various details about the upcoming serialization.
Jung Junhyuk, blinking through the bleariness in his eyes, jotted down notes as Matsuda spoke.
- And that ‘thing’ you prepared in advance? You got the editor-in-chief’s approval for it.
At that, a faint smile curled at the edge of Jung Junhyuk’s lips.
“Good to hear. Alright, let’s go over the details again at the meeting.”
After ending the call with Matsuda, Jung Junhyuk immediately fiddled with his phone and dialed another number.
“Looks like it’s about time to get started.”
＊ ＊ ＊
[By the way, when’s Wakayama-sensei’s new work coming out?]
Enju keeps dropping new stuff, but Wakayama’s been MIA lately...
ㄴIt hasn’t even been a year since the last one wrapped... Plus he’s still serializing 'Fullmetal Alchemist'...
ㄴHe did serialize two at once last time, though.
ㄴLOLOLOL At this point, doing two series a week is just Wakayama-sensei’s normal schedule.
ㄴAh right, he’s busy drawing 'Art Sword Online', 'Dora Tora', and 'Monogatari' too, HAHA
ㄴNews on Wakayama-sensei’s new series: DEAD SILENT.
ㄴ???
ㄴ??
[WAKAYAMA-SENSEI’S NEW PV JUST DROPPED!!]
The video production company is Avid Works—the same folks who did the 'Monogatari' drama CD.
First chapter is set to run in Weekly Shonen Jump in two weeks.
(link)
ㄴWhoa what the heck;;; they went from a drama CD to practically dropping an anime
ㄴWhen I saw "Wakayama-sensei participated in production" at the end... I got chills
ㄴThat aerial action scene??? I had to double-check my eyes
ㄴThis time it really feels like he’s going all-in on peak dark fantasy
[Why Enju-sensei and Wakayama-sensei can’t possibly be the same person]
Wakayama-sensei started serializing 'Fullmetal Alchemist' in July.
Enju-sensei debuted their first work at NatsuComi (Summer Comiket) in August.
It was two full volumes worth of content in one thick release.
At that same time, Wakayama-sensei was already running two series in Weekly Jump.
That's a humanly impossible schedule.
ㄴThat’s what assistants are for, no?
ㄴBro, do you even know how manga works? You think storyboards get drawn by ancient spirits?
ㄴLol there’s always someone who thinks manga is just about drawing pretty pictures
ㄴYeah no, when you think about it logically, this schedule’s literally impossible—why didn’t I realize that?
[Let’s break down the theory that Wakayama = Enju]
Some folks already know, but Enju-sensei was directly involved with the 'Monogatari' drama CD production.
Now Wakayama-sensei is directly involved in this new PV too.
I’ve got someone I know at Avid Works who says the two of them were already acquainted.
From what I heard, Enju-sensei actually used to be an assistant under Wakayama-sensei.
Also, apparently Enju-sensei is a total knockout, super beautiful.
Clack-Clack-Clack!
The lively sound of someone hammering away at a keyboard was suddenly followed by a scream.
“YOOOOU!! MATSUDA!! WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU POSTING ONLINE?! STOP MESSING AROUUUUND!!”
Jung Junhyuk, who had come to the editorial department under the pretext of a strategy meeting, screamed as he tried to physically stop Matsuda—But he was already pinned by Hashida, unable to move, flailing in vain.
“No one's dumb enough to fall for a post like that!!”
The internet is full of nonsense.
And the number one tell that a post is full of it?
It always starts with: “I know someone who...”
So this would probably get flamed and ignored like all the rest.
That’s what Jung Junhyuk told himself. No, that’s what he wanted to believe.
Until he saw Matsuda’s face—grinning from ear to ear.
Scrrrape.
Matsuda pushed back his chair and stood up.
Still held down by Hashida, Jung Junhyuk had no choice but to watch helplessly as Matsuda turned his laptop screen toward him.
ㄴLOLOL Wait this whole time a super cute girl was drawing these?? I’m cherishing her work from now on
ㄴAre Wakayama-sensei and her like... dating or something??
ㄴAny pics??
ㄴSo that’s what was going on...
ㄴI NEED the physical manga now. Suddenly I feel like I HAVE to own it.
·
·
·
In an instant, comments flooded in, each one spinning its own wild theory.
And then—even worse.
Riiing— Riiing—
“Hello?”
- Sensei, by any chance... are you a wom—
“No, I’m not.”
Click.
Jung Junhyuk hung up on Utahara without hesitation and lowered his head in defeat.
But the calls didn’t stop there.
Riiing— Riiing—
This time it was Sanae.
- Enju-sensei, are you, maybe—
“I said no!!”
Click.
Riiing— Riiing—
“Again…?”
Without even checking the caller ID, Jung Junhyuk yelled into the phone—
“I said no!!”
Click.
After hanging up for the third time, something started to feel... off. Suspicious.
He checked his recent call log again.
At the top, in plain letters: Chairman Moriyama.
Jung Junhyuk hurled his phone across the room.
＊ ＊ ＊
Rumors on the internet flare up and fizzle out several times a day.
The “Wakayama = Enju” theory had already passed its peak as a trending topic, but naturally, there were still people out there hoping they really were the same person.
- But honestly, the evidence that Wakayama-sensei and Enju-sensei aren’t the same person feels pretty weak…
There were always a few brave souls—warriors of belief—willing to cling to what they wanted to be true.
But even that...
[Enju’s 'Monogatari', Vol. 2 Drama CD – Partial Preview Released. Manga Preview Also Up!]
(Link to 'Monogatari' Vol. 2 Drama CD)
(Link to 'Monogatari' Vol. 2 Manga)
New books confirmed for release at NatsuComi!
(Link)
ㄴ…Okay. Fine. I believe it now, alright…
Faced with this steady barrage of official releases (aka full-on public relations assault), even the most diehard truthers had no choice but to surrender.
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HELIO SCANS
[Translator - Hestia]
[Proofreader - Kaya]
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