Kurumada carefully pulled another stack of sketches from his bag, the edges curled from frequent handling.
Takuya leaned in, curious.
The sketches depicted teenagers in exotic armor, some covering their entire bodies with intricate, ornate designs tied to constellations; others struck dynamic fighting poses, surrounded by surging, invisible energy.
Pegasus, Draco, Cygnus, Andromeda, Phoenix…
Takuya's heart skipped a beat.
These were… early drafts of Saint Seiya!
"This is a new story I've been working on," Kurumada said, voice brimming with excitement and a hint of seeking validation.
"I want to portray a group of boys fighting to protect a goddess, burning an energy called 'Cosmo' within them, wearing 'Cloths' modeled after constellations."
He looked at Takuya, eyes blazing.
"Your talk about the 'essence of power' and visualizing abstract will and energy gave me huge inspiration!"
"I thought 'Cloths' and 'Cosmo bursts' could be the way to express it."
Takuya gazed at the rough yet potent drafts, his heart racing. He was witnessing the birth of a phenomenon!
"Kurumada-sensei, this concept is… incredible!" Takuya praised generously. "The creativity is boundless! Blending trendy constellations, ancient myths, and youthful passion, the 'Cloths' design is bursting with imagination and visual impact!"
Kurumada beamed at the direct affirmation.
Takuya shifted, his tone turning earnest. "But, sensei, if I may be frank…" He paused, glancing at the vibrant Saint Seiya drafts with admiration but a hint of hesitation. Shutaro Oba perked up, sensing Takuya was about to say something significant.
Takuya chose his words carefully, framing them as discussion rather than critique. "Your art style and battle scenes are undeniably top-tier, full of passion and impact. Your work always delivers that visceral, fist-to-flesh intensity."
He affirmed first, giving due respect, then eased into the main point. "But from my limited understanding and observations, your previous works, including… well, Otoko Zaka, sometimes fall into a… predictable pattern?"
He glanced at Kurumada, whose excited smile faded slightly, though he showed no immediate displeasure, his eyes dimming.
Takuya pressed on, committed now. "The protagonists often face a series of stronger enemies, growing through battles. That's incredibly thrilling and fits shonen manga perfectly."
"But," he emphasized, "sometimes, to keep fights flowing or make enemies seem formidable, character motives and actions can feel… a bit thin? Or, character shifts in stance or attitude might lack natural buildup?"
He was pointing to a known issue in Kurumada's works: a "level-up gauntlet" formula and occasionally abrupt character arcs, especially for villains' redemptions or shifts, which could feel forced. Not fatal in fast-paced shonen, but an area for growth.
Kurumada's smile vanished, his brow furrowing. He didn't argue, just rubbed the edge of his Saint Seiya drafts, silent.
Takuya's words, like a fine needle, pierced a tender spot tied to Otoko Zaka's painful failure. That work, poured with heart, had flopped, with reader feedback echoing critiques of formulaic plots and flat characters. Hearing this from a young "outsider" who'd just inspired him visually was complex.
The room fell quiet, only the faint rustle of paper audible. Oba, watching, admired Takuya's boldness but worried about offending Kurumada.
Seeing Kurumada's reaction, Takuya felt uneasy but added, "Sensei, I mean no disrespect. This concept—constellations, myths, passion—is stunning, with a grand worldview. If the story and characters match that height, it'll be a game-changer!" He refocused on the new work, emphasizing perfection.
Kurumada slowly looked up, his gaze complex. Not angry, but introspective, as if awakened. He recalled his creative struggles and editorial critiques he'd found hard to overcome.
"You're… not wrong," he said finally, voice low but not hostile, repeating, "Formulaic, character motives…" as if tasting the words.
"Your gift for crafting intense battles is undeniable," Takuya said, voice full of respect.
"But to build a grander, lasting world, maybe draw from broader cultural roots."
"With constellations and goddesses, you could dive deeper into Greek mythology's original texts, or Norse, Egyptian myths, exploring their logic, relationships, tragic cores…"
"Let characters' motives and shifts flow naturally from their personalities, experiences, and mythical settings."
"When characters truly 'live,' their struggles, beliefs, and sacrifices will resonate, transcending mere battles to become classics."
The room stilled.
Kurumada, silent, looked at his drafts, then Takuya, his gaze layered. Not anger, but recognition of Takuya's sincerity and insight.
This young man understood creation and pinpointed his weaknesses.
"I understand," Kurumada said at last, nodding solemnly, his eyes filled with respect and gratitude.
"Thank you, Takuya-san."
"After Fatal Fury, I'll take your advice, travel to Europe, study those myths, and refine my story."
His eyes reignited with resolve.
Takuya felt relief, brimming with anticipation. What brilliance would this Saint Seiya, nudged by his small butterfly wings, unleash?
Watching the energized masters, Takuya felt Sega's cross-media leap was steadier than expected, with unexpected rewards.
His bond with Oba and Kurumada had grown beyond client-contractor, rooted in shared creative goals and trust.