I just want to quietly draw manga Chapter 349(2in1)
Added 2025-11-18 11:18:15 +0000 UTCThe next day,
Today Haruki decided to visit Studio Bone. He had told Haruka about it yesterday, and now that he had some free time, he decided to head to the studio. He had watched yesterday’s episode, and the quality was at the level of any big anime-of-the-year production. They had clearly given it their all. He had also checked the Fullmetal anime thread, and fans were happy with the quality. Some were even comparing the episode’s cuts with the original manga panels, pointing out how Bone hadn’t skipped anything.
When he arrived at studio Bone, the receptionist immediately recognized him. She stood up and bowed a little too quickly.
“Welcome, Muzishiro-san.”
Haruki read her name badge. “Pleasure to meet you, Yuka-san.”
Yuka straightened a little and nodded. “This way, please.” She walked ahead but kept glancing back every few seconds to make sure she wasn’t walking too fast. Haruki followed behind her, seeing the people working. Evermark had grown so much compared to last year. and It looked like they already had plenty of staff, but seeing the workload now, it was clear they would need even more if they wanted to handle multiple anime at the same time. At this rate, they would probably need to double their team.
As they walked, a few staff members sitting at desks noticed Haruki. They tried to discreetly stare at him. Some whispered to each other quietly and then pretended to focus back on their monitors.
Yuka knocked gently on the producer’s office door.
“Muzishiro-san has arrived.”
Inside, Hiroshi — 45 years old, the producer of Fullmetal — stood up and walked toward the door. He smoothed his shirt once before Yuka opened the door.
Hiroshi said, “Welcome to Studio Bones, Muzishiro-san,” as he gave a small bow.
Haruki bowed back. “Thank you for having me, Hiroshi-san.”
As Hiroshi led him to the sofa, they sat.
Hiroshi asked, “What would you like, Muzishiro-san?”
Haruki looked around the room once before answering. “I’ll take coffee with two spoons of sugar.”
Hiroshi nodded toward Yuka , who immediately went out to bring the drinks.
Haruki started, “Sorry that I couldn’t join the production crew from the beginning.”
Hiroshi waved his hand. “Don’t worry about that. It was just formality. We knew you wouldn’t have time to join Fullmetal back then.”
Haruki nodded slightly. He had been buried in Code Geass at that time, so supervising anything else would have been impossible.
Five years ago, studios wouldn't have even offered this position. But after too many bad adaptations got dragged on online, the industry changed. Now mangaka supervision was standard—at least for big projects.
Hiroshi’s tone softened. “Congratulations on Code Geass’ success.”
Haruki nodded. “Thank you.”
Hiroshi leaned in a little. “Can you tell me what happens after the last episode? My son has been asking nonstop since the finale aired. Can you give me some spoilers?”
Haruki stared at him awkwardly. “I can’t tell you.”
Hiroshi laughed lightly. “Worth the shot. Now I can tell my son that at least I asked.”
Haruki sighed. ‘I am not safe in professional places now.’
Hiroshi settled back in his seat. “I hope Fullmetal also brings the success that Code Geass brought in.”
Haruki replied, “It will bring success. I watched yesterday’s episode. I can see that you guys gave your best.”
Hiroshi exhaled with relief. “Thanks for the tip earlier about scheduling the release. Otherwise the show would have been buried. Even now that Code Geass has ended, it’s still impacting the viewership of most anime.”
Haruki nodded. The competition this season was strong, as Code Geass had taken major windows of anime, so all the biggest anime of the year were starting to release at the same time.
Yuka returned with tea and coffee, placing the cups down carefully. Haruki thanked her, and she bowed again before stepping out.
Hiroshi said, “So what do you think of the chances of winning awards this season? Is there any chance for Fullmetal?” As he said that, he knew it didn’t have much chance, but he thought if Muzishiro said it had chances, then it might have.
In the industry now, people knew him very well. Whatever he said about his anime or manga, everything happened, and sometimes it even exceeded it, so now in the anime industry people were eyeing to get their hands on JoJo, but the Echo Shroud hadn’t said anything about it.
Haruki said, “I can’t say about the awards, as so many new anime come out I can’t be certain of that, but I can tell you this is one of the strongest anime of this decade, possibly even more. And it will also become one of Studio Bone’ best anime.”
After that, they chatted some more, then headed toward the editing room.
Inside the editing room, they were doing the final editing for the fourth episode. The room had multiple screens running. As soon as Haruki entered with Hiroshi , a few staff members turned their heads. They saw Hiroshi first and went back to work. But then, from the corner of their eyes—
“Is that… Muzishiro?”
A couple of editors did a half-turn, then a full turn, nudging the people beside them as quietly as they could.
Hiroshi checked the screen. They were editing the Nina and dog scene. Haruki also noticed it. He hoped they wouldn’t ask him about that scene. Wait, I think I explained everything about that scene already… right? There shouldn’t be another explanation.
Hiroshi cleared his throat. “Looks like the team is doing final editing of episode four.”
He guided Haruki inside. One of the editors, Takashi, whispered to the person sitting next to him.
“Hey, I have so many questions I want to ask him. When you meet celebrity-level people, you think about asking for a photo or autograph. But for him, my brain is exploding with questions.”
The person beside Takashi whispered back, “Same. I don’t know why, but don’t spook him. He’s gone into hiding multiple times. We need to get answers slowly.”
As Hiroshi introduced the team leader, Yusuke, and showed them the editing room, they all tried to stay composed.
Then Yusuke carefully asked, “Muzishiro-sensei, are you joining as the supervisor for Fullmetal now?”
Haruki almost sighed in relief that nobody asked about the scene they were editing. “Now that Code Geass has finished, I have some free time. So I’m thinking of joining, if studio Bone is okay with it. You’ve already done most of the work, and I don’t feel like taking supervisor credit for last-minute work.”
The room went silent for a moment. A couple of editors froze mid-click.
Hearing that he might stay with them, everyone in the room silently thought the same thing: Take it slow. Don’t scare him away.
Hiroshi was also thinking something similar. He had his own questions, but asking too much on the first meeting would be inappropriate. If Haruki joined as supervisor, they would have more chances to ask slowly, naturally.
“We are happy to welcome you aboard, Muzishiro-san,” Hiroshi said. “We’re already planning to write your position in the credits, so it’s nothing new. If you have the time, we’ll gladly have you.”
Everyone in the room tried to stay calm, but the quiet excitement was obvious. Haruki simply nodded, not fully realizing he had just walked into another workplace where everyone wanted to corner him for answers.
After the editing room, Hiroshi gave him a tour of the whole studio. They passed the background art room, and the key animation section.
After finishing the tour, they returned to his office.
Hiroshi said, “I was thinking of starting the second season right away. As you said, when we start making it, the second season of code geass is stronger than the first season. So now we are thinking, if we release after Code Geass ends—like right now—then it wouldn’t get the initial boost. Even now its engagement is quite low compared to the views it’s getting, and I think it will affect more. So we are thinking before Code Geass second season premieres, we should release it.”
Haruki listened. Although not all was lost for Fullmetal, the success of Code Geass also brought more international fans early compared to the mid-anime period, but this wouldn’t work after Code Geass’ second season. So releasing early was the right thing to do.
But they still had to keep the publishing house’s serialization schedule in mind and avoid catching up to the manga or cutting into the publisher’s profits.
Haruki said, “I think we can do that. Even doing back-to-back seasons wouldn’t catch up, and after that it will have an eight-month gap. In that time, it might finish Fullmetal. I think we can do that, as long as it doesn’t affect the animation quality.”
Hiroshi said, “We wouldn't slack for one frame. Code Geass has put so much pressure on the whole Japanese anime industry. Even the USA has felt the pressure. We all have to give our best to stand out.”
Hiroshi wasn’t exaggerating. The pressure was everywhere. To stand out as a big anime, the competition had gotten fierce, and the way Muzishiro had said the second season would be better created even more pressure. Earlier, many people weren’t sure about that, so some studios still had released anime around that time. Now they knew and had time to adjust the schedule, and they would work around it, creating very tough competition to stand out.
Hiroshi added, “And also, thank you for writing the opening and ending for Fullmetal after being so busy. Now fans know that you had written all the songs, and they don't want anyone else to make them.”
Haruki replied, “It is my work. I couldn’t give it time, so this is at least something that I can do, for the Fullmetal fans.”
He had made perfect mix songs for both Fullmetal Alchemist and Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood, making perfect openings and endings. Fullmetal’s strength was doing everything perfectly without doing anything new, and this set of both Fullmetal and Brotherhood would make a one-of-a-kind perfect anime with nothing you want to say bad about.
Hiroshi said, “Muzishiro-san, you are also interested in making anime.”
Haruki said, “Yes, I still have learning to do.”
Hiroshi couldn’t understand how he had so much talent. “So Muzishiro, for your next anime that you will be making, you will be director, screenwriter, music composer… every major role you will be doing,” he said while thinking about how he could do so much alone. He looked at Haruki like he was some alien.
After some time, Haruki left the building, signing the contract as supervisor. He would come to the studio three days a week.
[The opening and ending for Fullmetal, in the order Haruki had arranged.
OP1 (Episodes 1-14): "Melissa" - FMA 2003
ED1 (Episodes 1-14): "Kesenai Tsumi" - FMA 2003
OP2 (Episodes 15-26): "Ready Steady Go" - FMA 2003
ED2 (Episodes 15-26): "Uso" - FMA:B
OP3 (Episodes 27-38): "Rewrite" - FMA 2003
ED3 (Episodes 27-38): "Tsunaida Te" - FMA 2003
OP4 (Episodes 39-50): "Period" - FMA:B
ED4 (Episodes 39-50): "Shunkan Sentimental" - FMA:B
OP5 (Episodes 51-64): "Rain" - FMA:B
ED5 (Episodes 51-64): "Ray of Light" - FMA:B]