Edgerunners was rapidly approaching its conclusion. The smell of a "Total Party Kill" (TPK) was thick in the air.
But much like the original series from Aoyama's previous life, knowing the tragedy was coming didn't stop the readers from watching.
They cursed Aoyama's name, calling him a "demon" and a "sadist," but they still clicked every week. And when the votes for the "Rookie Grand Prix" were tallied, the results were staggering.
The other two finalists had finally moved to a weekly schedule, but it was too little, too late.
Tsuruki Junsei's Psychic Alchemist was sitting at a respectable 98,000 votes.
Edgerunners?
2,810,000 votes.
It wasn't a competition. It was a massacre.
No rookie project in the history of the magazine had ever seen numbers like these. Part of it was the growth of the ACGN community, specifically the "Second Generation" that had grown up with manga and was now entering the workforce with disposable income.
But mostly, it was the "Cyberpunk revolution" Aoyama had ignited. The setting was so fresh, so raw, that it had captured the zeitgeist of a generation feeling the weight of corporate life.
With the end in sight, the Manjie higher-ups were making their move.
"Aoyama-sensei, please, have a seat."
Hiroshi Oumi, the Editor-in-Chief himself, was acting as the perfect host. He personally poured tea for the young artist, his manner overflowing with respect.
"Too kind, Chief," Aoyama said with a mischievous grin.
"Sensei, 'Edgerunners' is currently at Chapter 36. I heard rumors that the finale is Chapter 38?"
"That's right. Chapter 38 is the final scene," Aoyama confirmed, giving a thumbs up.
Hiroshi Oumi nodes solemnly. "I see. We've called you here to discuss the rollout for that finale."
"For the two weeks leading up to the final chapter, we're giving you the full cover and the center-fold. Beyond that, we're doing a massive ad-buy. Metropolis Metro, the Times Square screens, street-level billboards... the whole works."
This was the kind of treatment usually reserved for titans of the industry and decade-long serializations. For a rookie project to receive this was unprecedented.
But Aoyama was a goldmine. Hollywood studios were already fighting over the film rights. LightSpeed's Cyberpunk 2077 game was nearing completion. The revenue from the collected volumes (Tankobon) and the anime adaptation would be astronomical.
The board had even tried to convince Aoyama to stretch the story into a long-running series, but he had flatly refused. He knew the story's power lay in its tight, tragic focus.
"That sounds fine by me," Aoyama said.
"Good. Now, about the Tankobon. We're planning a massive first printing. We'll also need you for a book signing tour. The appearance fees and royalties are all outlined in this draft..."
"Looks good."
"And finally," Hiroshi Oumi said, his voice lowering. "Since you won the Grand Prix, you have the right to lead the anime production. Usually, authors just give their blessing and let the studio handle it, but... the contract allows you to act as the Animation Supervisor."
"I'll do it!" Aoyama said, slapping his chest. "I've got plenty of time."
Hiroshi Oumi's smile froze. A look of slight exasperation crossed his face. "No... I mean... you have the right to decline. Most artists are too busy with their next series to spend twelve hours a day in an animation booth."
The rule had been created after a disastrous adaptation years ago where a director had ignored the original author and turned a beloved series into a joke. The director had famously said, "What does the author know about making a cartoon? He just draws little people."
The backlash from fans had been legendary. Since then, the magazine had given authors the "Nuclear Option" of supervising the anime themselves. But most artists valued their sleep too much to use it.
"I'm serious. I want the 'Edgerunners' anime to be perfect. Exactly as I envisioned it," Aoyama said.
He wanted to recreate the masterpiece from his previous world, note for note, frame for frame. From the haunting music to the fluid, desperate action.
Hiroshi Oumi sighed, but he couldn't hide the admiration in his eyes. "Very well... if that is what you wish."
[Translated and Rewritten by Shika_Kagura]