Runway de Waratte, serialized in Weekly Shonen Magazine, is a rare shonen manga themed around the fashion industry. However, it also depicts themes of friendship and hard work, typical of shonen manga, and above all, its content is captivating enough to draw even those who aren't interested in fashion, which has caused a huge stir. Runway de Waratte will also begin airing as an anime in January 2020, so in this article we'll introduce some of the most memorable scenes from the series, which unfolds with a wealth of drama.
The Bond Between Hasegawa Kokoro and Igarashi
At the Geika Festival, Geika Fashion University's school festival, Hasegawa Kokoro is faced with a crossroads: whether to focus on modeling or pursue a career as a designer. Though grateful to Igarashi, she strongly desires to pursue a career as a designer rather than a model. To that end, she gives it her all at the Geika Festival. Just before the event, she hands Igarashi a suit she made herself. On the day of the event, Igarashi attends the show wearing the suit she made, creating a deeply emotional scene for Hasegawa Kokoro.
Hasegawa Kokoro, who hated modeling
Hasegawa Kokoro had a complex about his height (181cm), but after meeting Igarashi, he began to confront it. However, modeling was not his forte, and with Mai Ayano's encouragement, he became more interested in becoming a designer. While she occasionally seems uncomfortable with Igarashi's aggressive attempts to draw her into the world of modeling, she is deeply grateful, as evidenced by her appearance walking the runway at the Geika Festival.
Igarashi Wearing a Suit Made by Hasegawa Kokoro
Igarashi usually wears a Lalephone suit to work, but at the Geika Festival, she wore a suit given to her by Hasegawa Kokoro. Despite her busy schedule preparing for the show, it was a suit made for Igarashi, and it was filled with gratitude for Hasegawa Kokoro. Hasegawa Kokoro was unsure whether Igarashi would wear the suit, but when she saw Igarashi on the runway wearing the suit she made, she was overcome with emotion, creating a truly memorable scene.
The Teaming Up of Fujito Chiyuki and Hasegawa Kokoro
The Geika Festival focuses on the showdown between Tomura Ikuto, Hasegawa Kokoro, and Ayano Toh, but the focus of attention is on Hasegawa Kokoro, who is also active as a model. She faces a crossroads: whether to pursue a career as a model or become a designer, but Fujito Chiyuki gives her one last chance. If Hasegawa Kokoro can at least achieve better results than Tomura Ikuto, she will be able to pursue a career as a designer. And to get back at Igarashi, who is trying to discourage her from modeling because of her height, the two team up to take part in the show.
Fujito Chiyuki as the only model in the show
Hasegawa Kokoro's show was a bold move, using only Fujito Chiyuki as a model. This was to allow Fujito Chiyuki to showcase her modeling skills, and the grueling process involved lining up her outfits on stage and quickly changing on the runway. The demands on Fujito Chiyuki were considerable, and she was left exhausted, even wearing high heels to make herself appear taller. However, with help from Tomura Ikuto, who was watching from the audience, she performed her role with precision.
Winner at the Geika Festival
Hasegawa Kokoro also participated as a model toward the end of the show. The two models, with their striking height difference, walked the runway, exposing Chiyuki Fujito's short stature. However, her presence overshadowed her short stature, resulting in a breathtaking performance that left the audience and judges alike breathless. Hasegawa Kokoro ultimately placed second, but was promoted to first place after Toh Ayano, who won the competition, withdrew.
We Are Slaves to Fashion
Toh Ayano, who displayed his genius sense in "Laughing on the Runway," is a promising young designer who is poised to become a top designer of the future. That's why everyone eagerly awaited his show. When it finally came Ayano To's turn, he addressed the models, fitters, and other staff. His famous line, "We are slaves to fashion," was a powerful scene that showed just how deeply he has dedicated himself to fashion.
Ayano To's Masterful Skills
In the end, the judges unanimously declared Ayano to be worthy of the win. Not only did he design such sensitive costumes, but the show itself also juxtaposed the everyday and the extraordinary, making for an overwhelming performance. A detailed evaluation of the design revealed not only the overall eccentricity of the design, but also the meticulous attention to color usage, making the result unsurprising.
Losing a Competition with His Aunt, Mai Ayano
After winning first place but declining the award, Ayano To was secretly competing with his aunt, Mai Ayano, a top designer. He thought that defeating Mai Ayano would prove his own strength, not just his parents' influence, but that he would lose. However, due to the changing times, he ended up losing. He had planned to go independent and start his own brand if he had won, but after graduating, he decided to work at his aunt's brand, "Aphro I dite."
Kenji Fujito Inspired by Ikuto Tomura
Chiyuki Fujito's father, Kenji, is the president of the modeling agency "Mille Neige." He was confident in his daughter, but when Chiyuki's growth stagnated, he temporarily removed her from the agency. Although he is usually a friendly man, as Mille Neige's business begins to decline, he begins to lose confidence and expectations for Chiyuki. However, when Ikuto Tomura tells him, "Chiyuki will make a great model," he tearfully reflects on when he lost confidence in his daughter.
Begging to Take His Daughter to Paris
Mille Neige's business began to decline after he remarked at a social gathering that Chiyuki was superior to Charlotte Carey. This caught the eye of Olivia Carey, a leading figure in the global fashion industry, who made it difficult for Chiyuki to survive in the industry. However, Kenji Fujito uses every means possible to keep Mille Neige afloat. With only about six months left to live, Kenji Fujito begs Ikuto Tomura to take Chiyuki to Paris as his final hope.
He'd lost confidence in his daughter
Rather than asking Ikuto Tomura for help, Kenji tried to do something with the help of Hajime Yanagida and his best friend, Wataru, but it was already too late. After desperately struggling, he finally found a ray of hope in Ikuto Tomura. Kenji told him the whole story, and, while somewhat troubled, was surprised to see him determined to go to Paris with Chiyuki. When he heard Chiyuki say that she was going to Paris on her own because she thought she'd make a great model, he deeply reflected on when he'd lost confidence in his daughter.
Chiyuki Fujito's Most Attractive Clothes
Chiyuki Fujito, whose height had stopped growing at 158cm, was forced to leave Mille Neige. She continued to audition relentlessly for new roles, all in pursuit of her dream of appearing in Paris Fashion Week as a Mille Neige model. However, no matter how many auditions she took, her height was a major factor in her failure. In this situation, Chiyuki Fujito met Ikuto Tomura, the only member of the clothing club, and asked him to create the "most attractive outfit."
Ikuto Tomura's Clothes Help Her Pass the Audition
The "clothes that make her most attractive" that Ikuto Tomura made for her were made from a mix of clothes from the Mille Neige brand owned by Chiyuki Fujito. Until then, Chiyuki Fujito had been rejected, but Shizuku, who had appeared in Paris Fashion Week, compared her walking style to the Paris Fashion Week runway. While feeling that it was a 99% impossible dream, Shizuku bets on a 1% chance and gives Chiyuki Fujito a pass.
Chiyuki Fujito Looks Genuinely Happy
The "clothes that make her most attractive" that secured her a spot on the audition were also worn in subsequent promotional photo shoots. Chiyuki Fujito showed off a variety of expressions in various outfits, but the photographer seemed dissatisfied. However, as soon as Fujito Chiyuki put on the outfit made by Tomura Ikuto, her aura instantly changed, and as she peered through the viewfinder, her expression revealed a gentle smile. Her smile was genuine, and the photographer, seeing her, could sense her happiness.
Fujito Chiyuki Laughs on the Runway
Models walking the runway are generally not allowed to smile. However, on her first runway walk, Fujito Chiyuki's heel broke at the halfway point, causing her to fall. This triggered Tomura Ikuto's trick. Rather than being rumbled by the problem, the audience was captivated by the altered shape of the clothes, and Fujito Chiyuki tried to play it off by smiling. It was a moment that overturned the conventional wisdom of fashion shows, making it one of the most memorable scenes, and it even paid off for the title.
First Team-Up with Tomura Ikuto
Though she had only just met the protagonist, Tomura Ikuto, this was her first collaboration. However, Tomura was not a fashion designer; he was merely a part-timer working for Yanagida Hajime's brand. However, this incident spurred Tomura to pursue his dream of becoming a fashion designer. Fujito Chiyuki also became determined to pursue her dream of becoming a model.
Even though she fell at the halfway point...
Fujito Chiyuki is a petite model at 158cm, so she had no choice but to wear high heels to hide her height. However, the heels she was wearing broke at the halfway point on the runway, causing Chiyuki Fujito to lose her balance. However, Ikuto Tomura quickly fitted her with a costume that was modified to be able to transform, which worked to her advantage. If Chiyuki Fujito hadn't fallen, the transformation wouldn't have happened, and the show was a success thanks to a series of coincidences.
The first design she was given
At the Geika Festival, Ikuto Tomura despairs over his situation. When his mother's health deteriorates, not only is she unable to attend the Geika Festival, but she also faces expensive hospital bills. Forced to give up on his dream, Ikuto Tomura becomes desperate, but then he receives a call from Chiyuki Fujito's father, Kenji. He revisits the offer from the beginning of the story, "I want to buy your clothes," and Ikuto is once again able to pursue his dream of becoming a designer.
Saving Ikuto Tomura from Financial Shortage
With expensive hospital bills to pay, Ikuto Tomura is forced to not only give up the Geika Festival, but also take on a part-time job. However, Kenji Fujito again offers to buy "the clothes that make Chiyuki Fujito look her most attractive," offering 2 million yen. With the hospital bills resolved, Ikuto Tomura is able to focus on the Geika Festival once again.
Kenji Fujito continues to support Ikuto Tomura
Kenji Fujito's support for Ikuto Tomura goes beyond buying his clothes. After the Geika Festival, Ikuto graduated from high school and decided to live on his own. He took advantage of Kenji's kindness and rented a house. It was a house used as company housing for Mille Neige, and the top floor was also the apartment where Chiyuki Fujito lived. However, Kenji's hidden reason for supporting Ikuto Tomura is that he wants him to take his daughter to Paris Fashion Week.
Ikuto Tomura's First Fashion Show
At the Geika Festival, he will be competing against rivals, but it will also be Ikuto Tomura's first fashion show. After many hiccups, he's ready for the big day, intent on having fun. He prepared 10 outfits for his first fashion show, and each one wowed the audience. The anticipation of what he'll come up with next was palpable, captivating everyone, including the judges, until the very end.
Ikuto Tomura Competes with Clothes for a Global Journey
Ikuto Tomura's concept was "clothes for a global journey." Incorporating elements of traditional costumes from around the world, he created clothes that were tailored to the wearer, earning positive reviews from the models who wore them. The first nine outfits were exciting, but the final tenth outfit was a surprisingly simple one. It was this tenth outfit that truly revealed the true essence of Ikuto Tomura as a designer, embodying his desire to create clothes that everyone can wear.
The Sense That Impressed Mai Ayano
Aphrodite, a leading Japanese brand, is a brand that has been praised for its innovative designs. Mai Ayano of "Runway de Waratte" praised Ikuto Tomura's sense of style. Everyone was eager to see what outfit she would wear for her 10th outfit, but as the owner of her own brand, she had a firm idea of what she would wear. She also agreed with Ikuto Tomura's plan and has been keeping an eye on him ever since. While the results of the Geika Festival were disappointing, considering Ikuto Tomura's future, it can be said to have been a great success.
Summary
The story of "Runway de Waratte" revolves around a fashion show. However, as they work towards their goals, various troubles arise and are overcome, and memorable scenes are not limited to the shows. In particular, the scene where Ikuto Tomura and Chiyuki Fujito vow to walk in Paris Fashion Week together, and their nonstop climb to the top, are a sight to behold. When will the day come when the two of them will appear together? And I can't wait to see how many memorable scenes will be created until then.
