After thoroughly cleaning the room, I had to make plans for the future. I needed to understand the context of this world. From my new memories, this seemed like a normal world, but I still had to do some research.
First, I knew we were in 2013, but I needed more knowledge.
I started doing my research on the laptop and found that not much had changed politically — it was the same mess everywhere. As for technology, it was also similar — no major developments. Even the people were the same.
The more I thought about it, the more it seemed like this was still my world, and that maybe the original me existed somewhere.
But as I kept researching the topic I was going to go with, I noticed a major change:
Manga and anime weren't as great as they should have been. There were only the works of Osamu Tezuka and a bunch of mediocre stuff. Even in the comic scene, there wasn't much to be seen — and don't get me started on video games. This world was way behind in terms of entertainment.
I grinned like a madman.
Hahaha… I'm going to be an entertainment tycoon.
But it was honestly sad that people in this world didn't know the greatness of Dragon Ball — which would be the first manga I'd draw.
Sorry, Toriyama-sensei (rest in peace), but I'm going to let the world know the greatness of your mind.
You too, Hajime Isayama and Masashi Kishimoto.
But then a thought hit me — could I even live long enough to draw all of that?
Suddenly, I decided to do something I should have done from the start: test my drawing skill.
I took a pen (since I didn't have a pencil) and grabbed an old notebook. As soon as I thought of drawing a circle to start, my hand moved almost effortlessly — a perfect circle.
And then… my mind started to fill with knowledge.
Human anatomy — better than anything I'd studied.
Color theory — and all that "bullshit."
I decided to test something else — my speed.
I could draw a single page in 10 minutes. And I wasn't even trying.
Yeah, no shit — this is OP.
But it wouldn't do me any good to go with Shueisha, since they keep almost all the rights and I wouldn't gain much from it.
But… I don't even have an ounce of money to start something like an editing company.
What to do?
Ah — I think I have an idea.
I'll start by drawing a short manga for Shueisha to earn enough to create my own company.
But what manga should I present?
Of course, I wouldn't use the Big 3 or the father of manga. I need something really good — good enough to earn me decent money while also not being too iconic.
Hmmmm…
Well, no need to worry about that now.
Let's just go do some sport.
I'm not fatphobic, but I really don't feel comfortable in this body. This will probably take me at least 1 or 2 years to get rid of.
I went to shower, then reached for some long pants and a sweatshirt — I don't want people looking at my breasts.
I got downstairs and looked for my mom. I spotted her in the kitchen.
Now that I really took a good look at this lady — she looked to be in her 30s. Probably the Asian buff.
"Mom, can you lend me some money, please?" I asked nervously.
Yes, I was nervous.
Ah, maybe this is because I'm not a hikikomori anymore.
Well, from this guy's memories, I understand why he became a shut-in… but his mother didn't deserve that.
Well — my mother now.
After I got some money, I took my phone and headed straight to the nearest gym.
I got a few stares along the way — I'm not fatphobic, but Japan definitely is.
I entered the gym a bit nervous.
"Uhm, hi. I would like to register for the monthly option, please," I said to the person at the counter.
He looked at me, then smiled.
"Yes, there's no problem. But may I suggest you a much better off—"
I ain't listening to that. Ugh.
After he finished explaining, I still said I only wanted the monthly subscription and nothing else, and handed over my ID card.
I started with running — and God knows why this was even more painful than dying in a car accident.
Maybe I shouldn't have worn the sweatshirt.
It's hot as hell in here — what the hell?!
After just five minutes of running, I felt nauseous and went straight to the nearest bench to rest from this hellish exercise.
A few hours later…
I was on the verge of collapsing, but I had done what I could.
I was satisfied — but I didn't know if I could endure this for long.
This was torture.
On my way home, I stumbled upon some children playing with insects and a worm.
It seems kids in Japan really like to play with bugs.
"Do you think the worm has eyes?" one child asked.
"Are you an idiot? Of course not, since we can't see any," another replied.
"Well, that's sad. I wish it had an eye."
"And where would it be?"
"I don't know."
I thought, Well, it could be on the end of its body…
Then that mental image triggered something.
My eyes widened.
"YES, THAT'S IT! HAHAHAHAHA!"
I was fucking ecstatic.
I had just remembered a great manga — short, brilliant, and perfect.
Parasyte!!!
After I screamed like a madman, the children fled in fear — one even started crying.
Before I could process what had just happened, a local police officer tapped me on the shoulder.
"Excuse me, sir. We received a report about a suspicious man yelling near the park. May we have a word?"
Well, well, well…
Reincarnated in a new body, not even a week in, and I was already on the police's radar.
Great.
They didn't arrest me or anything — just asked a few questions to make sure I wasn't some lunatic or danger to society.
I explained that I had just remembered something important and got a little carried away.
The officer gave me a tired look, probably used to dealing with weirdos.
"Please try to be more mindful in public," he said, then walked away.
I let out a sigh.
What a damn day.
But still… Parasyte.
That was going to be my first published manga.