@trilling Unfortunately, much of that may be due to editorial pressures to publish. They may not be willing to give the author the planning time or positive feedback like you just did. Not may they be capable of allowing more pages or an additional run on a physical print. That shouldn't be true, but given what I've learned from real mangaka & seen of the publishing industry, the environment is incredibly toxic towards the artists. They get scraps whereas the publishing firms' investment backers get the majority of the profits, particularly with an emphasis on the highest level of profits possible, lest they sell their shares, fire staff, or at worst, strip the company of capital through mass liquidation.
They want profits & the idea of having "pride in one's work" or "respect for fans" is not a matter beyond obtaining more capital & exploiting the customer base.
This is critical to remember.
I wish things were different, but they are not.
...
And the Big-Bad emerges from the shadows & the trope about villains coming in white/light is now displayed!
I imagine that now the supposed, but not, MC, will transform into an antagonist very soon. :3