[Originally posted December 20, 2022]
Welcome to the final part of my TIME anthology review. Nearly a month and 150+ pages later, we’ve reached the end.
For this article, we’ll be taking a look at a comic, and the afterward.
This part covers pages 136 – 158
SLOW LOVE
The last comic in this anthology is Slow Love, by Makoto Tateno (盾乃誡)
One final illustration by Ai Ushio (潮藍) leads us into the afterward
Afterward/Postscript
As you might have guessed, this is written by Makoto Tateno, who I now realize is the person who organized this entire anthology – and a published author! Makoto Tateno (立野真琴) debuted as a mangaka in 1986, with most of her works in the shoujo demographic and many titles in the BL genre. So by the time this anthology was released, she had already written her first published work, the short story “Yuraete Tamago Boys”.
But that small tangent aside, on to the postscript:
It’s the postscript!
Sorry to keep you waiting. Finally we can deliver “TIME” to you ♡. To those of you who have been waiting for a long time for a reservation, and to those of you who happened to pick up a copy, I would appreciate it if you could enjoy it even a little.
Even so, it was difficult. Actually, I’m at the printing shop right now. Ah, I’m sorry I can’t even write the date! I’ve been pretty unreasonable to the authors too.
Seri-san, thank you for your first Garma ♡. You were the first one to submit your manuscript. It was a first for everyone, right? I kept saying it would only be for one day, but I’ve been stuck here for three!
Word processor, thank you for your cooperation ♡.
Kurokawa-san, I’m sorry. I’ve been kidnapped! After all, thank you for the first Garma ♡. So cute, like a high-school girl ♡
Kamako, in the middle of the night, you did your best ♡. It’s going to sell side by side with Teru-sama’s book.
Garlic Onii-chan, please write a manga next time ♡. Kayako-onee, thanks for your fighting spirit. It’s beautiful.
Riho-chan, thank you despite being so busy ♡ Did your book make it in time?
Mika-chan’s greatest P-Garma story in history ♡ I’m so impressed, thank you ♡
Ubukata-san ♡ Thank you for drawing so much ♡ “Apple” is only for me, isn’t it? I’m so happy!
San-chan ♡ Thank you ♡ Thank you for drawing so much ♡. This was your first time drawing a Garma story…right?
Modo-san ♡ I’m glad you drew it but, but – you showed us what we had been holding back. Thanks to that, Ushio-kun and I were overwhelmed.
Chiba Shio-chan, thank you for the Garma even though it’s been so long ♡ It’s like a delivery service that appears every night and brings late-night snacks.
Well, Ushio-kun, I finally finally made it to the printing shop, sorry to make you cover for my mistakes. I’m here working you hard right after work, like a demon. I’ll pay you back with my body later. Hrm… Oh, suddenly Sumire-san ♡ You saved us, thank you so much ♡.
It’s a whole storm of thank yous ♡
This book was completed by cramming together all the people I kidnapped in my house and they followed my lead. Thank you from the bottom of my heart to all of you who have read this far ♡.
Looking forward to seeing you again ♡. I’ll put down my pen for today. Goodbye ♡
1987/8/X Makoto Tateno
–
The text next to the drawing on the right reads:
I came here truly loving him, as I always have, as I always will. If you call it love, then surely it must be so.
He is like a treasure that I want to cherish forever. From now on…
One final page.
The text on the bottom is information about the printer, including the address and print date. I suspect they’re probably long gone, but I’ve edited it out anyway to be safe.
I love you
But
I love you
I love you
Sayonara…
(A excerpt from the song “I Love You, Sayonara” by the 1980s Japanese pop group, The Checkers)
And with that, I’ll say goodbye for now as well. I hope you enjoyed this ridiculously long review of a very long anthology.
It’s been 35 years, but I wish these artists knew how much their work is still loved and appreciated. I’m quite late in saying this, but thank you for putting this all together, Makoto Tateno-sensei.
End of Part 5.