Master of the Machete Style Manga

Chapter 76 Cosplaying Machima (Please continue reading!)

After providing voiceover for Ken's manga promotional video, Mio Natsume quickly sent an email to editor Kaji.

In the email, she first expressed her gratitude, and then said that she was a big fan of "Chainsaw Man" and loved Ken Sakamoto's manga.

She mentioned that she would be very happy to participate in any future voice-over work related to "Chainsaw Man," regardless of the size of the project.

Keiko Kaji already had a good impression of this new voice actress; she was highly skilled and had such a sincere attitude, so she exchanged LINE contacts with her.

In the following days, Natsume Mio would send messages to Kaji Keiko almost every day on LINE.

However, the content only discusses the plot of "Chainsaw Man," and is simply sharing my thoughts as a reader.

She discovered that Editor Kaji was also exceptionally knowledgeable about Chainsaw Man, no less so than she was, and even more so because of his deeper understanding of manga creation, what he said often made Natsume Mio feel inferior.

So, Mio Natsume decided to learn more about the manga industry.

After talking to Keiko Kaji about this, I recommended a manga to her, "Bakuman."

That same day, Natsume Mio went to the bookstore and bought the entire manga set, then read it carefully.

Her little scheme was simple: she wanted to become a familiar face to the editor and leave a lasting impression.

In this way, if any opportunity arises in the future, Editor Kaji will immediately think of her.

After all, the most important advice her mother gave her was to become a part of Ah Jian's career.

Over the weekend, Natsume Mio went to see Ken. On Monday, she had just finished her morning vocal practice when she received a message from Kaji Keiko.

Kaji Keiko: "Natsume-san, hello, do you have a moment? I'd like to talk to you about Chainsaw Man."

Natsume Mio quickly replied, "Editor-san! I have time! What's up?"

Keiko Kaji's reply came quickly.

Keiko Kaji: "I'm preparing for the release of the first volume of Sakamoto-sensei's Chainsaw Man. I'm still planning to make a short promotional video, but this time I'm considering live-action filming."

Keiko Kaji: "The initial idea is to find a cosplayer to play Makima, say a few lines, and then pick up the manga and promote it to the camera."

Keiko Kaji: "I heard your voice acting last time, and it was very suitable. Also, Natsume-san's appearance is outstanding. When we met last time, I felt that you and Makima had a similar temperament."

When Natsume Mio saw this, her heart was pounding wildly.

Her finger hovered over the message bar, considering how to reply.

Keiko Kajiko's messages continued to pop up: "So, I wanted to ask, would you be interested in playing Machima in this promotional video?"

Become Machima?!

No, no, it's just acting, just acting...

But that can be considered becoming Machima!
Not only can your voice appear on camera, but you can also be there in person!

Doesn't this mean that I will completely become the female protagonist in Ah Jian's novels?
Mio Natsume: "Yes! I can do it! Editor Kaji, please let me do it!"

Kaji Keiko: "Great! Natsume-san, you're still on vacation, right? Do you have time this afternoon? I'd like to invite you to Shueisha so we can discuss the details in person."

Mio Natsume: "Of course, I'm available anytime!"

After ending her conversation with Keiko Kaji, Mio Natsume excitedly spun around in the room several times.

She had just clicked on Sakamoto Ken's profile picture without thinking, but then suddenly changed her mind.

Let's not tell Ah Jian yet!
Firstly, although Editor Kaji invited her to talk, it wasn't 100% certain yet. What if things didn't turn out well? Wouldn't that be awkward?
Secondly, I wanted to give Ah Jian a big surprise!

……

In the afternoon, Natsume Mio stepped into the Shueisha building again.

Just like when Ken Sakamoto came last time, Keiko Kaji led her to the reception area made up of partitions.

"Natsume-san, please have a seat."

Kaji Keiko smiled and handed her a bottle of chilled barley tea, then sat down opposite her.

"I noticed Natsume-san's hairstyle was quite unique when we last met. Did you always have this hairstyle?" Keiko Kaji asked curiously, looking at the braid at the back of her head.

"No~" Natsume Mio chuckled and said, "It's because after watching 'Chainsaw Man,' I wanted to change my hairstyle to Machima's style."

"Oh? You really like the character Machima?"

"Of course! I really love this work by Sakamoto-sensei, and I especially love the character Makima, so I wanted to give it a try."

“It’s really beautiful, and it suits you perfectly.” Keiko Kaji’s smile deepened. “It seems that Natsume-san really likes Chainsaw Man.”

Mio Natsume smiled a little shyly: "I've watched every episode, and I even remember all the lines." "Then you're definitely the best candidate."

As she spoke, Keiko Kaji took a color-printed drawing from her file folder and placed it on the table.

"Natsume-san, take a look. This is the color page design illustration for Makima that I specially asked Sakamoto-sensei to draw."

In the drawing, Machima is wearing a white long-sleeved shirt, a black tie, and black trousers. Her eyes, which are adorned with concentric circles, give her an air of mystery that can command people's hearts.

This is the Machima in A-Jian's heart.

"The costumes are relatively simple, just regular women's suits, which the props team will prepare," Keiko Kaji explained. "The main things we need to consider are the wigs and contact lenses, especially the eyes. We will have a professional props maker customize a pair of contact lenses with special patterns."

Natsume Mio looked closely at the color page and said, "Editor Kaji, actually... you don't necessarily have to use a wig. If possible, I'd like to dye my hair this color directly."

"Huh?" Keiko Kaji was a little surprised. "Is this appropriate? Makima's hair color is a pinkish-red, which is not common in daily life. It will be very eye-catching."

"It's okay, it's okay!" Natsume Mio waved her hand with a smile. "If you wear a wig, you have to use a hairnet or something, which is pressed down on your own hair, so it will look a bit unnatural."

Keiko Kaji pondered for a moment and nodded, saying, "If Natsume-san is willing, that would be wonderful. Professional beauty salons should be able to mix this color."

"Shall I get my hair done before I come over?" Natsume Mio said.

Keiko Kaji said, "There's a pretty big beauty salon right next to our company. You can come over on the morning of the shoot to get your hair done, and we'll cover the cost, of course."

Kaji Keiko then produced another document: "Oh, right, and the payment. It's all standard, conventional rates. I can't really offer you a particularly high rate, so I need to confirm with you..."

The subsequent negotiations went very smoothly.

The costumes and props were all prepared by Keiko Kaji. She arrived in the morning to get her hair and makeup done, and the shoot took place in the afternoon, which was almost the entire day. Natsume Mio was paid 50,000 yen.

The shooting day is set for the day after tomorrow, which is Wednesday afternoon.

This price is actually quite good, although Natsume Mio doesn't care about the number at all.

All she could think about was wearing Machima's clothes, dyeing her hair the same color, and putting on her colored contact lenses, completely becoming the female protagonist in A-Jian's novel.

Soon, Natsume Mio signed and stamped the contract.

"Alright, it's been a pleasure working together." Kaji Keiko put away the contract and said, "There's a lot to discuss about publishing the single volume, so I won't go into details. See you the day after tomorrow, Natsume-san."

"Okay! Thank you, Editor Kaji!"

Watching Kaji Keiko leave in a hurry, Natsume Mio contentedly put the contract into her bag.

Things are getting better, everything is getting better~

She walked out of the negotiation area in a cheerful mood and crossed the corridor.

Just as she was walking toward the gate, she suddenly caught a glimpse of a familiar figure.

A young girl walked out normally.

is her!

Mio Natsume remembered it clearly; it was the female manga artist she had met outside the Shueisha building last time, and the two of them had even taken a photo together in front of the poster.

Just a few days ago, she interacted with A-Jian during a JUMP live stream, and at the time, I always felt that there was something strange about their interaction...

Out of politeness, and also out of some inexplicable wariness, Natsume Mio adjusted the smile on her face and took the initiative to walk towards her.

"Hello, Teacher March Spring!"

　Monthly pass lottery results:
　　10月1日-10月7日，总共月票数为948。

　　During the double voting period, one vote is equivalent to two votes, but there is only one monthly vote number.

　　Therefore, the actual serial number is 1-474.

　　Eight numbers were randomly selected from these numbers, and the numbers are as follows:

　　93, 155, 223, 226, 274, 340, 367, 453.

　　Congratulations to those who drew the above numbers!

　　You can see all the monthly pass numbers in the "Monthly Pass Commemorative Album" in the upper right corner of the monthly pass voting interface.

　　If your number matches, you can read the author's note or the synopsis at the end. It includes a newly created book club group. Once you join, contact the group admin and provide your shipping address.
　　Next time, let's do some other giveaways!

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(End of this chapter)