MONTHLAY NAUGHTY MANGA with HEART-TO-HEART TALK

And with that, please forgive me for this month's "MONTHLY NAUGHTY" manga, which features an embarrassingly archived past work WITH heart-to-heart talk commentary as bonus audio. In May, due to schedules of various events and such, I couldn't manage everything, and in the end, I resorted to pulling out a work from 12 years ago... For now, I present the first half of the manga, 12 pages. Then, A.S.A.P., I'm going to post the second half of the manga, another 12 pages, and a brand-new version of page 11 in color. By the way, this manga has NOT been included in any published books of mine (or so it should be!). So, it may be the first time you're seeing it outside of the magazine. I have also made some minor revisions and corrections.

This manga, "KUROKUMA-CHO FELLOWS" was drawn in April 2011. I was drawing it during a time when the aftermath of the Great East Japan Earthquake hadn't settled at all. It's hard to believe it's been 12 years already. Back then, I wanted to create a manga in the Grand Hotel style set in an old apartment, and I drew the story up to three parts. However, honestly speaking, at that time, things weren't going well at all with the gay magazine, G-men, editorial department, and the production process was a daily struggle filled with endless setbacks and complications. As a result, the project ended up abandoned, with no inclusion in any published volumes. So, I truly ask for your understanding on that front (SWEAT).

The art style is from 12 years ago, and it's embarrassingly cringeworthy (SWEAT). But looking back now, I realize that I was really giving it my all back then, and it's quite a nostalgic work in that sense. I also remember watching documentaries about the daily lives of small-scale professional wrestling organizations and doing thorough research. If I have the opportunity in the future, I might consider redrawing the entire manga from scratch... Imagine a day when a beloved professional wrestler moves in next door!!!!!

Also, enjoy the color doodle of Hasegawa-san, too.

[HEART-TO-HEART TALK Commentary Audio]

p.1 Title Page. Actually, I made a slight adjustment to Hasegawa-san's wrist on the right side this time. But in the end, it's still hidden under the title... (LOL).

p. 2 The background in 1st panel is actually 3D modeling. I used ready-made assets for it, but I should have used that effort in a slightly different direction... Lesson learned (LOL).

p. 3 Hasegawa-san's face in 3rd panel! I thought I had started drawing these so-called "ahegao" faces only recently, but I discovered that I had actually been drawing them over 10 years ago.

p. 4 The standing posture of Hasegawa-san in the center of the page, I think I would draw it a bit differently now. But I realized that I was quite able to capture a surprisingly cute facial expression for Hasegawa-san. Since he just moved in, I wanted to depict him with a slightly more formal look, showing his shy nature.

p. 5 Panel 1. The background is, of course, created using 3D modeling. At that time, I was repeatedly cautioned by the editor at the gay magazine, G-men, saying, "Ichikawa-san, please stop drawing the character's head too small when trying to depict a large physique." To be honest, I'm not sure if it's okay to be frank, but back then, I had no idea how to depict the "bulky physique" that would resonate with G-men readers... I was actually quite struggling, to be honest!!!!!(LOL) It's a funny story now, looking back though.

p. 6 I can't help but pat myself on the back for the composition in the first panel... It's strong! It's interesting! WELL DONE, ME!!!! (LOL)

p. 8 On this page, I made some additional corrections to the characters' faces (eyes, eyebrows, etc.). Back then, I used to draw them with an overall "stiff" feeling... Yeah, I was quite indecisive and troubled about my entire life!!!(LOL). But when the lines in the drawings are too rigid and stiff, it fails to convey the warmth and softness of the characters... If it were now, I would definitely draw them with a much softer feel...

p. 9

The background in the first panel is, of course, created using 3D modeling. This room is set on the second floor of a wooden building (you can see the balcony in the second page). And guess what? There's a bench press in the room. And the weight... it's no joke. I was afraid the floor would give in!!!

Oh, and I noticed I've drawn Hasegawa-san's nipples quite large! Seems like I've been fond of drawing big nipples for over 10 years now (LOL).

p. 10

What's inside Hasegawa-san's ass is an electric dildo, but as for his dick... looking at it like this, it just seems like a pump to make it bigger... If it were now, I would properly research existing products and focus on drawing something that "actually seems usable." It's a mystery even to myself why I didn't do that back then.

p. 11

To be brutally honest, I was wondering what those fine lines on Hasegawa-san's body were, but it turns out they were labeled as "hair" in the data. Hair? It was hair! Oh, past me from 10 years ago, you could have done much better! (LMAO)

p. 12

This time, I made significant revisions to Inoue-kun's monologue written in the black box. I felt it needed more explanation. Also, the physique of Hasegawa-san in the third and fourth panels. Surprisingly, it's drawn quite well, if I do say so myself. I've been reviewing anatomy for art since last year, studying muscles thoroughly once again. But it's amazing how even 10 years ago, I was drawing while considering muscles. It surprised me, to be honest.