Afterword Manga: Atsushiya

Afterword Manga: Atsushiya is a manga side-story at the end of every Fire Force manga volume. It features a character named Usher (a caricature of Atsushi Ōkubo), who owns a bar and where humerous activities occur that often break the fourth wall by either directly acknowledging the reader, the realities of manga creation or the characters remarking that they are characters in a manga side-story.

Volume 1
Usher introduces Atsushiya, claiming that it is his fourth establishment and is a place for people who are reading a manga about firefighting. Usher claims that the side story is where he can draw whatever he wants, which a One-eyed bear, a trash can and a talking waffle all confirm (these characters are named Otter, Trashcan and Waffle respectively).

While Usher tries to think of something to do for the first instalment, Trashcan suggests explaining how they switched from Shonen Gangan to Shonen Magazine, which Usher thinks is a good idea but claims he has forgot the story (much to Otter's irritation).

Volume 2
Usher expresses his amazement at the fast pace of weekly manga. While he acknowledges that all jobs required people to work each week, he is shocked at the rate volumes are released. With the second volume of Fire Force already being released while a monthly manga series almost takes a year to release a volume. He proceeds to reminisce about the research trip he took to prepare himself for the series. He visited a Fire Department to talk to real firefighters, admire the bright red fire engine and try on real bunker gear.

Usher talks about the experience fondly as the first research trip he ever took as a manga artist and has lots of photographs to remember it by. Trashcan points out that the story has very little to do with real firefighting and that Usher must have had another reason for going to the station, While his three creations ask for a reason, Usher replies that he did it for fun. When they tell him that means he was getting in the fire officers' way, Usher cheerfully informs the reader that they don't need a reason to visit Atsushiya again in the future.

Volume 3
With Usher, Trashcan and Otter fast asleep, Waffle shout at them to wake up because the Volume 3 Afterword has already started. Usher (now with a different hairstyle) wakes with a start, once again shocked by the pace manga volumes are released. Waffle scolds him for not adjusting to the release schedule and T-Ya arrives for the manuscript, claiming that they are at the final deadline.

Usher panics because he has nothing to say, before suggesting to his three staff members that they play soccer together. The four play chreefully while T-Ya stares at them, bemoaning the fact that this is all they have for the third volume, but with the deadline being so close it'll have to do.

Volume 17
The narrator announces they are looking for new assistants to work on the series. Waffle and Usher have an intense battle hasing kicks while Tuna watches.

Volume 18
Otter dramatically leaps into frame much to the delight of the rest of the cast. Usher laments that Metal Jizo didn't pull his weight and Otter chastises him for being hopeless. Otter announces that the team are shortstaffed so he has brought a new member. Usher is horrified to learn this arc will continue next time as the narrator tries to close the strip.

Volume 19
Usher decides to reveal something about the different staff members. He in fact asks them what they want to be drawn as or named in the Atsushiya bar. Using Waffle as then example. The new staff member, a Chocolate Chip Cookie, issued why they wanted to be shown that why. Chip asks if this is request for their real name or face by used, Usher starts to get worried his new friend has some type of dark past. They end up just asking basic questions in an endless cycle as the strip ends.

Volume 20
Usher, Chip, Waffle, Tuna and Otter are all playing music and rocking out. T-Ya arrives and asks then what they are doing if they aren't actually working. Usher points out that T-Ya cannot ask that when he's holding a rickenbacker bass guitar. On impulse, Waffle screams that they should go buy an effects unit. T-Ya and Usher run out with their floating ally. Chip, Tuna and Chip just sit around looking at rivers.

Volume 21
In an unusual and softly drawn sequence, Usher talks to the reader about his gratitude to all of his oversea fans. He has traveled to America, Spain, France and soon China, thanking all of those who make it possible. He admits that he partly became a manga artist was that, as a Japanese person, it was a good way to make something that transcends national boundaries. Citing music as an example, it varies from country to country even if they share the same language and genres radically change between different eras. But always remains a way of understanding that history.

In closing, The Usher bows to the reader and all those who read manga. Thankful that he became an artist and made a small contribution to the world.

Volume 22
Otter starts spitting out blood uncontrollably. This oral projectile starts to pressurised into a beam that blows away his collaborators before turning hollow. Usher says it is the Manga Artist Virus, leaving the others scared they might be zombies soon. Usher just wishes he could have a cool laser attack.

Trivia

 * When Usher explains that Atsushiya is his fourth establishment, he is referencing that Fire Force is the fourth series Atsushi Ōkubo has created. The three series before Fire Force are: B.Ichi, Soul Eater and Soul Eater Not!
 * All of Ōkubo's series have Atsushiya segment at the end of every volume, with members of the Atsushiya staff changing over time.
 * Ironically despite the characters lamenting that they will never have the Afterword adventures will never get adapted into an anime: they make a cameo in Fire Force Episode 41 on Gureo Haijima's video game.