Rina Terakawa

This story follows the semi-autobiographical account of manga artist Shotaro Ishinomori, author of the original Kamen Rider, Cyborg 009, and Super Sentai.

In 1946, one year after World War II, Tetsuko leaves her mother in Aomori and moves to Tokyo alone to discover her purpose. Enrolling at Koran Girls' School, her loud and impulsive nature intensifies. She becomes captivated by the world of cinema, frequently breaking school rules to sneak into theaters and watch movies on her way home. As she explores her independence, her family life begins to rebuild. Her new home in Tokyo is completed, allowing her mother to rejoin her. Additionally, her father, who was rumored to be interned in Siberia, is confirmed safe and will soon return. While Tetsuko is overjoyed about the upcoming family reunion, she faces a pivotal moment where she must finally decide on her future path.

Work-life balance, side job, online meetings… In today's world of drastically-changing work styles, an incredibly cheerful but incapable new employee is borne! Meet Marilyn Tanaka. She is assigned to a redundant department where a peculiar employee, Ms. Minegishi, becomes her senior. "Don't you want to climb the ladder?", she tempts Marilyn.

"Pay to Ace" realistically depicts the middle school entrance exam process while highlighting modern-day family and educational problems that are rampant in society. Not your ordinary entrance exam story, "Pay to Ace" is a drama about winning in life that features kids fighting to get into their dream middle school. What do we need to teach our children today so they can sail through the future?