Ep 4. Time and Key

After successfully convincing Takagi to work with him as a manga artist, Mashiro tries to come up with their first manga story idea. However, they face a few setbacks as they struggle to pinpoint a theme that will appeal to their desired audience yet still be unique. The episode focuses on their creative process and how they come up with different concepts for their manga.

Mashiro starts off with a rather unoriginal idea for a romance story, but Takagi quickly shoots it down, stating that it's been done countless times before. They brainstorm other ideas, but none of them seem to click. They then decide to visit their friend Miyoshi, who gives them advice about finding inspiration in their own experiences.

Mashiro finally comes up with an idea about a boy who wants to become a cartoonist but is constantly discouraged by his family and friends. Takagi adds his own twist to the story by suggesting that the boy's dad used to be a famous manga artist and that the son wants to surpass him. They both agree that this idea has potential and start working on the plot.

As they work on their manga, they realize that they need to figure out a way to stand out among the hundreds of other manga titles. They brainstorm different ideas, but none of them seem to be unique enough. Takagi suggests that they should try to find a "key" for their story, something that will differentiate it from other manga titles. Mashiro suggests that they should make their story more relatable to their target audience by incorporating elements of their own experiences into the story.

Their hard work pays off as they finally complete their first manga chapter. They show it to their editor Hattori, who is impressed with their work. However, he does suggest a few changes to make the story more coherent. They take his advice and make the necessary revisions, and their final product is a hit among their target audience.

The episode ends with Mashiro and Takagi receiving an invitation to meet with Hattori at the Shonen Jack offices. They excitedly speculate about what this could mean for their manga career and vow to continue working hard to make their dreams a reality.

Overall, "Time and Key" is a compelling episode that highlights the creative process behind manga creation. It's an excellent showcase of how an imaginative partnership can come up with unique ideas for a new story, and it also highlights the importance of hard work and dedication to craft a successful manga series. Additionally, it introduces the concept of finding a "key" to success in the manga industry, which is a recurring theme throughout the series. Fans of the manga genre will undoubtedly enjoy this episode and appreciate the behind-the-scenes look at the creation of a new manga series.