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This 2024 film is based on a 2021 web manga, which I haven't read. It's one of those things where I recognize its quality as being greater than my enjoyment of it. Which is not to say I didn't like it, because I definitely did. I just can't see myself finding it super memorable. I can certainly understand others finding it much more memorable than I do, though. And I think that objectively, the movie deserves a higher rating than I've given it.

A fourth grade girl named Fujino is popular for the 4-panel manga she draws for the school newspaper. Then one day, a reclusive girl named Kyomoto, who I guess does classes remotely (someone must deliver her homework assignments and pick them up), starts doing her own manga for the paper. Funjino is devastated to discover that this other girl is a much better artist than her, so she starts studying all the drawing books she can. But by sixth grade, her drawing still hasn't improved enough to match Kyomoto's skill, so she gives up doing manga. Later, upon graduating from middle school, Fujino's teacher has her deliver Kyomoto's diploma to her. When they meet for the first time, it turns out that Kyomoto is a huge fan of Fujino's work. So they start working on a mange together for a contest, and win. This leads to a years-long partnership making one-shot manga, until finally they are offered their own ongoing series. But Kyomoto decides she wants to attend art school, and Fujino takes on the series by herself.

And then... there's a tragic plot twist that I don't want to spoil. So I really don't know what else to say about the plot. It's a really good story, though, and I like the two main characters. I wish I could think of more to say, but I can't.