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Bakuman [バクマン] #15
Bakuman, Volume 15
人気が急落し、焦る七峰は、起死回生を狙い最高達にある条件で勝負を挑む！！ 果たして結果は…！？ その勝負が終わったのも束の間、テレビから衝撃のニュースが流れてきて、亜城木夢叶に最大の危機が訪れる…。
192 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2011
12 people are currently reading
467 people want to read
About the author
Tsugumi Ohba
351 books2,851 followersTsugumi Ōba (Profile in Japanese: 大場 つぐみ), born in Tokyo, Japan, is a writer best known for the manga Death Note. His/her real identity is a closely guarded secret. As stated by the profile placed at the beginning of each Death Note manga, Ōba collects teacups and develops manga plots while holding his knees on a chair, similar to a habit of L, one of the main characters of the series.
There is speculation that Tsugumi Ōba is a pen name and that he is really Hiroshi Gamō. Pointing out that in Bakuman the main character's uncle was a one-hit wonder manga artist who worked on a gag super hero manga, very similar to Gamō and Tottemo! Luckyman in all aspects. Also that the storyboards drawn by Ōba greatly resemble Tottemo! Luckyman in style.
There is speculation that Tsugumi Ōba is a pen name and that he is really Hiroshi Gamō. Pointing out that in Bakuman the main character's uncle was a one-hit wonder manga artist who worked on a gag super hero manga, very similar to Gamō and Tottemo! Luckyman in all aspects. Also that the storyboards drawn by Ōba greatly resemble Tottemo! Luckyman in style.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 82 reviews
June 27, 2017
I think the last couple chapters were the best, but this volume jumped around a lot. I like when it focuses the majority of the time on Mashiro and Tagaki. I miss Kaya being a bigger part of the story as well.
March 11, 2020
This review is for the entire series, which I rate it 5 stars.
Bakuman is the follow up work of the Death Note creative team, which is composed of writer Tsugumi Ohba and artist Takeshi Obata. However, in my opinion, I believe this is the better work.
Bakuman is the story of two teenagers breaking into the manga industry and they going to do it in their own unorthodox way, just like this manga. This manga is so unlike the usual ones. It's not a battle manga, which is the most popular and successful manga genre. Yet, it's like a battle manga because it has rivals, training montages, and other tropes of the genre.
The creative team is firing on all cylinders. The writer creates a genre-bending work and gives Obata-sensei a massive and appropriate canvass to flex his extensive art range, give us the best artwork of his career. The entire story is dense yet light, because it is full of ideas and concepts, like the other manga titles of the main characters' rivals. I wouldn't mind those spun off.
The story is engaging and funny, and gives the fans a satisfying ending. I only wish they included an epilogue to help the reader decompress after reading the last few volumes because it gives you a massive sensation of "finale high".
Aside from the killer story and the amazing art, this manga gave the reader a new way to appreciate and enjoy manga.
Bakuman is the follow up work of the Death Note creative team, which is composed of writer Tsugumi Ohba and artist Takeshi Obata. However, in my opinion, I believe this is the better work.
Bakuman is the story of two teenagers breaking into the manga industry and they going to do it in their own unorthodox way, just like this manga. This manga is so unlike the usual ones. It's not a battle manga, which is the most popular and successful manga genre. Yet, it's like a battle manga because it has rivals, training montages, and other tropes of the genre.
The creative team is firing on all cylinders. The writer creates a genre-bending work and gives Obata-sensei a massive and appropriate canvass to flex his extensive art range, give us the best artwork of his career. The entire story is dense yet light, because it is full of ideas and concepts, like the other manga titles of the main characters' rivals. I wouldn't mind those spun off.
The story is engaging and funny, and gives the fans a satisfying ending. I only wish they included an epilogue to help the reader decompress after reading the last few volumes because it gives you a massive sensation of "finale high".
Aside from the killer story and the amazing art, this manga gave the reader a new way to appreciate and enjoy manga.
June 14, 2016
what a perfect story!
duh di volume kali ini betulan bagus deh sampai bikin baper :")
Kaya Takagi tuh istri idaman banget ya. demam sampai diinfus tapi gak manja sama Akito Takagi (malah sama Takagi ditinggal pergi ke reuni wkwkwk)
perfect!
duh di volume kali ini betulan bagus deh sampai bikin baper :")
Kaya Takagi tuh istri idaman banget ya. demam sampai diinfus tapi gak manja sama Akito Takagi (malah sama Takagi ditinggal pergi ke reuni wkwkwk)
perfect!
January 16, 2024
The funny thing about having minions? If they have no loyalty and no real motivation to work with you, they're just as likely to quit, leaving you a boss with no one to boss around.
And so ends the cautionary tale of our Heel in the manga artist wrestling ring.
Fascinatingly, his key IRL minion was instrumental to his downfall, and was part of a tense follow-up story involving the ongoing shenanigans of Genius Slacker & the Elegant Lady's NOT!Love story, and how this promising artist blames her for his failures. And really, any time fisticuffs is actually brought into this non-battle Shonen story, it's hilarious (Obese slob fighting a skinny goofball in a Bruce Lee yellow jumpsuit is just comedy gold since neither of them can fight worth a damn).
Our MC artist has a poignant chapter where he's left wondering if he chose the right path as a class reunion shows him all he's missed out in life after choosing the life of a weekly comic artist.
Finally, the arc that hits too close to home for our duo as real life criminals copycat some of the stuff from their juvenile-criminal-based comic. The incident hurts the writer on a subconscious level as he doesn't want his stories to be inspire actual bad guys to do bad things. How he pulls through it is kind of an asspull, but that's just the beauty of Shonen manga as one can do miracles with the right resolve.
And so ends the cautionary tale of our Heel in the manga artist wrestling ring.
Fascinatingly, his key IRL minion was instrumental to his downfall, and was part of a tense follow-up story involving the ongoing shenanigans of Genius Slacker & the Elegant Lady's NOT!Love story, and how this promising artist blames her for his failures. And really, any time fisticuffs is actually brought into this non-battle Shonen story, it's hilarious (Obese slob fighting a skinny goofball in a Bruce Lee yellow jumpsuit is just comedy gold since neither of them can fight worth a damn).
Our MC artist has a poignant chapter where he's left wondering if he chose the right path as a class reunion shows him all he's missed out in life after choosing the life of a weekly comic artist.
Finally, the arc that hits too close to home for our duo as real life criminals copycat some of the stuff from their juvenile-criminal-based comic. The incident hurts the writer on a subconscious level as he doesn't want his stories to be inspire actual bad guys to do bad things. How he pulls through it is kind of an asspull, but that's just the beauty of Shonen manga as one can do miracles with the right resolve.
February 18, 2023
Goodness Gracious this manga is so great. It's just so heartfelt and sweet. Pure fiery passion for what they do. The manga authors love it and their characters just amplify it.
September 29, 2012
This series is superb from Vol. 1 to this Volume, I like how Sensei Ohba and Sensei Obata create their characters and twist and turns in each arc. Also I like they end the previous arc which to me was kind of a punch in the gut, but it also starts a new rival against the protagonists. I also find the character Nakai superbly fleshed out, showing the lowest of the low of his character and now making a comeback, I hope he changed his selfish ways and become an even better person. This volume has the usual comedy the series brings and the usual moral of the story which was, even though we started working hard in reaching our dreams and sacrificing a lot in our lives like social life we will do everything just to achieve that dream, to reach the stars.
There are 5 more volumes until the end of the series, the series ended last April, and instead of reading the online scanlations, I've decided I should wait for the American translated tankobons and collect them all just like I did with their previous work the bestselling hit Death Note.
This may be on my top fave manga of all time.
There are 5 more volumes until the end of the series, the series ended last April, and instead of reading the online scanlations, I've decided I should wait for the American translated tankobons and collect them all just like I did with their previous work the bestselling hit Death Note.
This may be on my top fave manga of all time.
November 7, 2012
Ugh seriously Ohba? Why do you think anyone would even care about Nakai, gross misogynist waste of space that he is. I didn't enjoy having to put up with him the first time around, put him back on a bus again please. This volume was some major league bullshit until the last two chapters with the PCP storyline. The idealism of this series can be cute sometimes if I ignore how it's only limited to people with XY chromosomes. 2.5 stars
June 24, 2017
I like the new arc near the end of the volume.
January 10, 2023
Ashirogi defeats their rival and then faces a crisis in the news! Loved the conflicts in this volume. Also loved the subplot with Hiramaru.
November 6, 2022
5/5
I finished Bakuman, the series by the duo Tsugumi Ohba and Takeshi Obata. It is a simple story about a boy (Moritaka Mashiro) in his third year of middle school deciding to become a manga artist on the persistence of his friend (Akito Takagi). Takagi will write the stories while Mashiro will do the art. Together, they tell their ambitions to his crush (Miho Ayuki), who aims to be a voice actress and decide to get married if and when she gets to voice the heroine of their series. A simple premise, but one that allows for myriads of twists and turns. They begin their manga journey with the pen name Muto Ashirogi.
This is a review of the entire series. Please keep that in mind.
The authors introduce various other mangakas with the most important being Eiji Nizuma, Ashirogi Sensei's biggest rival, a 15-year-old manga genius. They face various hardships along the way, from writer's block to unrequited confessions; from copycat imposters to tight deadlines; from all-nighters to hospital stays. It is a heartwarming story which will motivate you to fulfill your own dreams. The ultimate Shonen Manga.
The authors accomplished everything they set out to do. I cannot think of a single thing to improve in this masterpiece. It is short and concise (only 176 chapters), with no redundancies or detours. It also teaches the readers the grueling discipline required to be a mangaka, the hopes and dreams attached with it and the ins and outs of manga publishing. The Editors and the Editorial Department play as much of a role in the story as the mangakas. How the manga and the artist are tied together and how can gleam an insight into the author's psyche by reading their works. How to deal with success and imposter syndrome. How to actually write an engaging manga and what happens when you actually succeed in your dreams. This and so much more is presented in such an engaging manner in the series.
Heartily recommended to everyone. Can't wait to read more!!!
I finished Bakuman, the series by the duo Tsugumi Ohba and Takeshi Obata. It is a simple story about a boy (Moritaka Mashiro) in his third year of middle school deciding to become a manga artist on the persistence of his friend (Akito Takagi). Takagi will write the stories while Mashiro will do the art. Together, they tell their ambitions to his crush (Miho Ayuki), who aims to be a voice actress and decide to get married if and when she gets to voice the heroine of their series. A simple premise, but one that allows for myriads of twists and turns. They begin their manga journey with the pen name Muto Ashirogi.
This is a review of the entire series. Please keep that in mind.
The authors introduce various other mangakas with the most important being Eiji Nizuma, Ashirogi Sensei's biggest rival, a 15-year-old manga genius. They face various hardships along the way, from writer's block to unrequited confessions; from copycat imposters to tight deadlines; from all-nighters to hospital stays. It is a heartwarming story which will motivate you to fulfill your own dreams. The ultimate Shonen Manga.
The authors accomplished everything they set out to do. I cannot think of a single thing to improve in this masterpiece. It is short and concise (only 176 chapters), with no redundancies or detours. It also teaches the readers the grueling discipline required to be a mangaka, the hopes and dreams attached with it and the ins and outs of manga publishing. The Editors and the Editorial Department play as much of a role in the story as the mangakas. How the manga and the artist are tied together and how can gleam an insight into the author's psyche by reading their works. How to deal with success and imposter syndrome. How to actually write an engaging manga and what happens when you actually succeed in your dreams. This and so much more is presented in such an engaging manner in the series.
Heartily recommended to everyone. Can't wait to read more!!!
February 11, 2021
Bakuman 15
Dos partes.
La primera es la competencia con Nananime, que la verdad para cuando ocurre lo “interesante” la verdad ya no es tanto.
La segunda parte, donde aparece los medios satanizan el manga de PCP, y le causa algo a Takagi, suena interesante.
3.5
Spoilery part
Dos partes.
La primera es la competencia con Nananime, que la verdad para cuando ocurre lo “interesante” la verdad ya no es tanto.
La segunda parte, donde aparece los medios satanizan el manga de PCP, y le causa algo a Takagi, suena interesante.
3.5
Spoilery part
August 25, 2017
This volume didn't start off great. I found it a little boring because the focus was on some of the side characters and the storyline was ridiculous. I'm definitely more interested when the plot focuses on Mashiro and Takagi so I enjoyed the last few chapters a lot more.
March 24, 2018
I love when the boys work together to over come something!
August 14, 2022
Nakai couldn't fall lower.
August 3, 2018
This is my review of Bakuman Volume 15. To catch you up on the story, Mashiro and Takagi have been managed to do fairly well for themselves as mangaka. Their current series, PCP is consistently ranked in the top three, and the two creators are very well respected. Takagi's gotten married, but is still finishing up college. Mashiro still has his romance-through-separation with Azuki, and she's started making a decent living as a voice actress.
Volume 15 wraps up the story arc with Tohru Nanamine, who had been using a cadre of internet folks to develop story ideas for him. His plot is discovered and winds up blowing up in his face, but his freshman editor seems to finally smack him into shape. But this also leads to the dismissal of his assistant, Takuro Nakai, who drunkenly goes to confront Ko Aoki, who he blames for his life's failures. Kazuya Hirammaru tries to come to her rescue, gets a serious smackdown of his own and winds up befriending Nakai. Mashiro and Takagi witness the end of this and can do little more than stare on in amazement at what happened.
Mashiro attends a class reunion and is forced to compare his relatively busy yet solitary life as a mangaka against the seemingly more fun and enjoyable lives of his old classmates. He ultimately realizes that he's enjoying what he's doing, even if it's not "normal." But the news soon brings concern as someone has begun committing acts in real life based on what they read in PCP. Though he agreed with Mashiro's take on being a mangaka, Takagi is mortified, and begins questioning himself, going into a deep depression. And just as he starts coming out of it, the copycat pulls another stunt lifted right out of the pages of PCP...
Well, let me say first that I have really been enjoying this series since the start, and has easily cemented itself as my favorite ongoing comic right now. I have found myself laughing out loud at least once with each new volume just from the sheer joy of seeing where each issue takes me, this one included. It is, by far, the best long-form serial I've read in probably 25 years.
That said, this was a weaker volume than its predecessor. The art and storytelling were top-notch; Takeshi Obata knocks it out of the park, as always. Where I felt things lacked a little was in the wrap-up to the Nanamine story and the follow-up on Nakai. That Nanamine's plot would fail was never in question, and how it failed made sense. But the character became rather unhinged towards the end in a way that didn't seem to fit how he had been previously established. There were a couple shots that definitely had a bat-shit-crazy-Joker vibe to them, which seemed a little over-the-top for the story/character. Though he eventually calms down and seems to be on the track to become legitimate competition for the protagonists, that his editor had to slug him -- twice! -- seemed a little off for the series.
The follow-up story about Nakai had a strange ending to it as well. How he became unemployed and went to see Ko made sense, but then it seemed to become a battle manga suddenly that ended just as abruptly. It had something of a comedic ending that also didn't quite fit the tone of the series and, on reflection, seemed like just a quick way to ensure the character didn't get dropped out the series for an extended period like had happened before.
Plus, in both of those stories, Mashiro and Takagi were largely bit players. C-3PO and R2-D2 watching the action happen around them. Fortunately, the volume ends on an up stroke with the last several chapters focusing on them again, and dealing with the real pressures and concerns of mangaka. It was in these last chapters that I found myself laughing again at the brilliance in execution and the interesting turns the story takes.
Despite this volume having, as I said, some of the weaker stories in the series, that was primarily due to a shift in focus and tone. Considering that it has a 'main' cast of over 20 characters, it's hardly surprising that trying to juggle everyone's storylines is going to result in some seeming mismatches. Particularly when so many of the characters have very different styles and attitudes. While this makes for interesting interplay with the most central figures, it also makes for a very different story when the focus is on them.
But ending back on Mashiro and Takagi and some very significant -- and realistically tackled -- issues for them makes the volume end well, and encourages me to come back just as enthusiastically as before. Considering that even this weak volume is still better than so many other comics out there, I continue to highly recommend this series.
Volume 15 wraps up the story arc with Tohru Nanamine, who had been using a cadre of internet folks to develop story ideas for him. His plot is discovered and winds up blowing up in his face, but his freshman editor seems to finally smack him into shape. But this also leads to the dismissal of his assistant, Takuro Nakai, who drunkenly goes to confront Ko Aoki, who he blames for his life's failures. Kazuya Hirammaru tries to come to her rescue, gets a serious smackdown of his own and winds up befriending Nakai. Mashiro and Takagi witness the end of this and can do little more than stare on in amazement at what happened.
Mashiro attends a class reunion and is forced to compare his relatively busy yet solitary life as a mangaka against the seemingly more fun and enjoyable lives of his old classmates. He ultimately realizes that he's enjoying what he's doing, even if it's not "normal." But the news soon brings concern as someone has begun committing acts in real life based on what they read in PCP. Though he agreed with Mashiro's take on being a mangaka, Takagi is mortified, and begins questioning himself, going into a deep depression. And just as he starts coming out of it, the copycat pulls another stunt lifted right out of the pages of PCP...
Well, let me say first that I have really been enjoying this series since the start, and has easily cemented itself as my favorite ongoing comic right now. I have found myself laughing out loud at least once with each new volume just from the sheer joy of seeing where each issue takes me, this one included. It is, by far, the best long-form serial I've read in probably 25 years.
That said, this was a weaker volume than its predecessor. The art and storytelling were top-notch; Takeshi Obata knocks it out of the park, as always. Where I felt things lacked a little was in the wrap-up to the Nanamine story and the follow-up on Nakai. That Nanamine's plot would fail was never in question, and how it failed made sense. But the character became rather unhinged towards the end in a way that didn't seem to fit how he had been previously established. There were a couple shots that definitely had a bat-shit-crazy-Joker vibe to them, which seemed a little over-the-top for the story/character. Though he eventually calms down and seems to be on the track to become legitimate competition for the protagonists, that his editor had to slug him -- twice! -- seemed a little off for the series.
The follow-up story about Nakai had a strange ending to it as well. How he became unemployed and went to see Ko made sense, but then it seemed to become a battle manga suddenly that ended just as abruptly. It had something of a comedic ending that also didn't quite fit the tone of the series and, on reflection, seemed like just a quick way to ensure the character didn't get dropped out the series for an extended period like had happened before.
Plus, in both of those stories, Mashiro and Takagi were largely bit players. C-3PO and R2-D2 watching the action happen around them. Fortunately, the volume ends on an up stroke with the last several chapters focusing on them again, and dealing with the real pressures and concerns of mangaka. It was in these last chapters that I found myself laughing again at the brilliance in execution and the interesting turns the story takes.
Despite this volume having, as I said, some of the weaker stories in the series, that was primarily due to a shift in focus and tone. Considering that it has a 'main' cast of over 20 characters, it's hardly surprising that trying to juggle everyone's storylines is going to result in some seeming mismatches. Particularly when so many of the characters have very different styles and attitudes. While this makes for interesting interplay with the most central figures, it also makes for a very different story when the focus is on them.
But ending back on Mashiro and Takagi and some very significant -- and realistically tackled -- issues for them makes the volume end well, and encourages me to come back just as enthusiastically as before. Considering that even this weak volume is still better than so many other comics out there, I continue to highly recommend this series.
September 27, 2024
Stop introducing villains you immediately get rid of 😭
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 19, 2016
How I feel about Nakai's character literally 99% of the time...
But seriously the copy-cat plotline was so good. It was just so. good.
But seriously the copy-cat plotline was so good. It was just so. good.
April 7, 2019
While I love Ohba and Obata's work, I cannot accept the way they indulge and forgive nakai's misogynistic actions through the narrative. The guy is way too disgusting, and the way the rest of the characters allow it to happen and even condone him and cheer him on to go back to work together with them, even after he attempted some seriously disturbing shit with Aoki.... I have no words to express my profound disgust. Not a good look, Ohba.
October 5, 2012
I found this volume a bit self-indulgent and preachy to be honest. From the tiresome Nanamine storyline to the pathetic Nakai storyline, it just seemed a bit far fetched. However, the PCP copycat storyline was a breath of fresh air. I am looking forward to seeing it play out. The art, as usual, was top notch. Such creative expressions and close-ups…
November 17, 2015
*read scanlation version*
orororo... what eiji up to now... 0_0
I still think Nanamine was lucky and got better than what he deserved... but yeah... everybody entitled for a second chance, so... all the best for him
***Takagi dan Mashiro get stronger together, BROMANCE level 100***
orororo... what eiji up to now... 0_0
I still think Nanamine was lucky and got better than what he deserved... but yeah... everybody entitled for a second chance, so... all the best for him
***Takagi dan Mashiro get stronger together, BROMANCE level 100***
July 24, 2016
masalah yang dialami masalah orang usia 20an banget..
feel related..
Review lengkap di blog Hana Book Review
feel related..
Review lengkap di blog Hana Book Review
April 20, 2020
❤
They turned Nakai into the most horrible person. I love Aoki's development, though. Dynamic volume.
❤
They turned Nakai into the most horrible person. I love Aoki's development, though. Dynamic volume.
❤
May 28, 2018
Bakuman: Encouragement and Feelings continue where the previous tankobon left off and contains the next nine chapters (125–133) of the on-going manga series.
Things are not going well for Toru Nanamine, in just five chapters his manga is plummeting and his promise to surpass Ashirogi Muto is a fleeting one. His first two chapters did well enough coming in second place, but from then on it has fallen to ninth, thirteen, and fifteen for the subsequent chapters. Until he thought of a way to utterly defeat Ashirogi Muto. He plans to steal a story from Ashirogi Muto and publish it a week earlier as his own and then claim plagiarism when Ashirogi Muto publishes a similar chapter the following week and convinces his editor, Tatsurou Kosugi to do the dastardly deed.
However, Tatsurou Kosugi had an ulterior plan. Before heading to Ashirogi Muto's studio, he headed back to the office and got the blessing from Akira Hattori and Hisashi Sasaki, the editor-in-chief, to allow both Ashirogi Muto and Toru Nanamine to do the same chapter at the same time. Tatsurou Kosugi managed to convince both Ashirogi Muto and Taro Nanamine of the plan with the added advice to Ashirogi Muto from their editor: "Show him the difference between you and him."
Taro Nanamine practically lost his sanity when heard that his same chapter came in nineteenth while Ashirogi Muto's chapter came in third. Thankfully, Tatsurou Kasugi was there to beat him back to reality – literally. Despite Taro Nanamine's belligerent behavior, he put up with it, because he is very talented and Tatsurou Kosugi still believes in him, because he is his editor. At the New Year's Party, Taro Nanamine approaches Ashirogi Muto that he isn't giving up and will think of something that will surpass them, which Ashirogi Muto looks forward to.
The second half of the tankabon has to deal with the media fallout for Ashirogi Muto when a crime was committed that was described in the very first chapter of their manga – Perfect Crime Party. One of the character suggested that it would be cool to break into a bank, steal nothing, but leave a letter saying, we were here, but was rejected. However, the media still blamed manga and in particular Perfect Crime Party and in turn, Ashirogi Muto as a result.
While Akito Takagi has been reassured that they could continue to do things as always without any consequences by Akira Hattori not once but twice, subconsciously Akito Takagi doesn't believe it. His manuscripts have been subpar and it showed in their rankings. For the first times since starting Perfect Crime Party, Akito Takagi has been having difficulty in writing – a conceptual block.
Just as Akito Takagi is coming around, thanks to fan letters encouraging them, a second bank was broken into, this time with a signed letter from PCP. Incensed, Akito Takagi begins writing about a copycat criminal that would shift blame to PCP. An idea, that Moritaka Mashiro came up at the same time. After writing that chapter, Akito got his groove back and his conceptual block has been overcome.
Tsugumi Ohba has written another wonderful tankobon, despite his loquaciousness. I really like for the first time seeing Akito Takagi hitting a slump and improving – it has always been Moritaka Mashiro in that role and it is refreshing to see Akito Takagi in that role. As always, Takeshi Obata's art is great and compliments the text rather well.
All in all, Bakuman: Encouragement and Feelings is a wonderful continuation of the on-going series. It seems like the next tankobon will center on Eiji Niizuma and the promise that Shonen Jump made when he was first signed up. If he became the best author at Shonen Jump, he gets to cancel a series that he hates – I can't wait to see what happens next.
Things are not going well for Toru Nanamine, in just five chapters his manga is plummeting and his promise to surpass Ashirogi Muto is a fleeting one. His first two chapters did well enough coming in second place, but from then on it has fallen to ninth, thirteen, and fifteen for the subsequent chapters. Until he thought of a way to utterly defeat Ashirogi Muto. He plans to steal a story from Ashirogi Muto and publish it a week earlier as his own and then claim plagiarism when Ashirogi Muto publishes a similar chapter the following week and convinces his editor, Tatsurou Kosugi to do the dastardly deed.
However, Tatsurou Kosugi had an ulterior plan. Before heading to Ashirogi Muto's studio, he headed back to the office and got the blessing from Akira Hattori and Hisashi Sasaki, the editor-in-chief, to allow both Ashirogi Muto and Toru Nanamine to do the same chapter at the same time. Tatsurou Kosugi managed to convince both Ashirogi Muto and Taro Nanamine of the plan with the added advice to Ashirogi Muto from their editor: "Show him the difference between you and him."
Taro Nanamine practically lost his sanity when heard that his same chapter came in nineteenth while Ashirogi Muto's chapter came in third. Thankfully, Tatsurou Kasugi was there to beat him back to reality – literally. Despite Taro Nanamine's belligerent behavior, he put up with it, because he is very talented and Tatsurou Kosugi still believes in him, because he is his editor. At the New Year's Party, Taro Nanamine approaches Ashirogi Muto that he isn't giving up and will think of something that will surpass them, which Ashirogi Muto looks forward to.
The second half of the tankabon has to deal with the media fallout for Ashirogi Muto when a crime was committed that was described in the very first chapter of their manga – Perfect Crime Party. One of the character suggested that it would be cool to break into a bank, steal nothing, but leave a letter saying, we were here, but was rejected. However, the media still blamed manga and in particular Perfect Crime Party and in turn, Ashirogi Muto as a result.
While Akito Takagi has been reassured that they could continue to do things as always without any consequences by Akira Hattori not once but twice, subconsciously Akito Takagi doesn't believe it. His manuscripts have been subpar and it showed in their rankings. For the first times since starting Perfect Crime Party, Akito Takagi has been having difficulty in writing – a conceptual block.
Just as Akito Takagi is coming around, thanks to fan letters encouraging them, a second bank was broken into, this time with a signed letter from PCP. Incensed, Akito Takagi begins writing about a copycat criminal that would shift blame to PCP. An idea, that Moritaka Mashiro came up at the same time. After writing that chapter, Akito got his groove back and his conceptual block has been overcome.
Tsugumi Ohba has written another wonderful tankobon, despite his loquaciousness. I really like for the first time seeing Akito Takagi hitting a slump and improving – it has always been Moritaka Mashiro in that role and it is refreshing to see Akito Takagi in that role. As always, Takeshi Obata's art is great and compliments the text rather well.
All in all, Bakuman: Encouragement and Feelings is a wonderful continuation of the on-going series. It seems like the next tankobon will center on Eiji Niizuma and the promise that Shonen Jump made when he was first signed up. If he became the best author at Shonen Jump, he gets to cancel a series that he hates – I can't wait to see what happens next.
November 30, 2020
Rating: 5 stars
Summary:
Akito Takagi aspires to be a manga writer, but he has poor drawing skills. He approaches his classmate, Moritaka Mashiro to be pair up with him into becoming manga creators. Mashiro rejects the idea at first. Takagi then convinces Mashiro when he brings them to Miho Azuki's house. Takagi tells Azuki about their dream of creating manga. Mashiro, who has a crush on Azuki, then "proposes" to marry Azuki if he is able to create a manga that will later be animated and Azuki will be the seiyuu or voice actor for the anime. The duo then set off their dream, going through many challenges and failures along the way, to create a manga that has potential to be animated.
Review (for the whole manga):
I first read this manga when it was published in a local comic magazine here in Malaysia, known as Kreko. Decided to reread again because I didn't finish the whole manga the first time (because I skipped a few volumes of the magazine, so I missed out some chapters of the manga). This manga is interesting as it shows you the "behind the scenes" of the manga industry in Japan. I have heard some people say that being a mangaka is not an easy job that will rake in money. Mangaka have to compete with many other mangaka from various publication companies. If your manga is no longer preferred by the readers, it will get dropped. All that is depicted in this manga series. Hardwork is sure the no. 1 key to success in this field. Overall, I really like this manga (plus the fact that it's created by the duo who made Death Note, Vol. 1: Boredom. ;)
Summary:
Akito Takagi aspires to be a manga writer, but he has poor drawing skills. He approaches his classmate, Moritaka Mashiro to be pair up with him into becoming manga creators. Mashiro rejects the idea at first. Takagi then convinces Mashiro when he brings them to Miho Azuki's house. Takagi tells Azuki about their dream of creating manga. Mashiro, who has a crush on Azuki, then "proposes" to marry Azuki if he is able to create a manga that will later be animated and Azuki will be the seiyuu or voice actor for the anime. The duo then set off their dream, going through many challenges and failures along the way, to create a manga that has potential to be animated.
Review (for the whole manga):
I first read this manga when it was published in a local comic magazine here in Malaysia, known as Kreko. Decided to reread again because I didn't finish the whole manga the first time (because I skipped a few volumes of the magazine, so I missed out some chapters of the manga). This manga is interesting as it shows you the "behind the scenes" of the manga industry in Japan. I have heard some people say that being a mangaka is not an easy job that will rake in money. Mangaka have to compete with many other mangaka from various publication companies. If your manga is no longer preferred by the readers, it will get dropped. All that is depicted in this manga series. Hardwork is sure the no. 1 key to success in this field. Overall, I really like this manga (plus the fact that it's created by the duo who made Death Note, Vol. 1: Boredom. ;)
January 8, 2024
A great volume of Bakuman that brings to a close the Nanamine storyline. I can't remember if that character ever shows up again, but I appreciate the arc and think he made for an entertaining villain. They also wrap up a thread with Nakai which I also think worked pretty well. He is a pretty pathetic character and I don't think they do enough to redeem him, but they provide a kind of closure that feels appropriate.
The mini-arc (maybe 3 chapters) about Takagi's writer's block is really well done. I'm surprised it's taken then 15 volumes to get to a place where they can just write a story about how writing a manga in a week is difficult. But I think it's actually a pretty exciting and realistic look at how the stress can become exponential if you get behind.
The best chapter is the one about the elementary school reunion. Even though that seems a bit far-fetched (maybe that kind of thing happens in Japan I don't know) it makes for a perfect setting for reflection. Bakuman being a weekly Shonen manga rarely has time to be introspective or reflective. So I really liked seeing a chapter where the characters acknowledge how different their lives are from other people their age. And I like them acknowledging how difficult a professional artists life is.
Elsewhere Hiramaru gets a few stand out moments, and I enjoyed his sort of farcical Shonen battle with Nakai. It's these sort of tongue-in-cheek moments that make some of the ridiculous melodrama of the series amusing and engaging for me.
The mini-arc (maybe 3 chapters) about Takagi's writer's block is really well done. I'm surprised it's taken then 15 volumes to get to a place where they can just write a story about how writing a manga in a week is difficult. But I think it's actually a pretty exciting and realistic look at how the stress can become exponential if you get behind.
The best chapter is the one about the elementary school reunion. Even though that seems a bit far-fetched (maybe that kind of thing happens in Japan I don't know) it makes for a perfect setting for reflection. Bakuman being a weekly Shonen manga rarely has time to be introspective or reflective. So I really liked seeing a chapter where the characters acknowledge how different their lives are from other people their age. And I like them acknowledging how difficult a professional artists life is.
Elsewhere Hiramaru gets a few stand out moments, and I enjoyed his sort of farcical Shonen battle with Nakai. It's these sort of tongue-in-cheek moments that make some of the ridiculous melodrama of the series amusing and engaging for me.
June 12, 2017
Cintaaaa mati sama Ashirogi Muto sensei disiniii....
Eh, harusnya sih duo TO-TO sensei yang sudah menghasilkan cerita seruuu...
Porsi Nanamine sudah berkurang banyak disini setelha kejadian memalukan di nomor 14. Masih tetap menunggu perkembangan karakter cowok tengil bin menyebalkan di nomor selanjutnya.
Pertarungan antara Nakai sensei dengan Hiramaru sensei seru sekaligus bikin ngakak. Saking kurusnya, dan kostum yang begitu, ku pikir Hiramaru sensei naked buat pamer ke Nona Aoiki hahaha... Ending, sooo Japaneseee... :D
Reuni memang kadang bikin pengen segera di acara tapi kadnag bikin malas, tergantung masa lalumu. Mashiro datang ke reuni SMP sndiri karena Kaya, istri Takagi sakit. Kerennya Kaya, meski terhitung muda, dia sama sekali ngga cengeng... Pertanyaan seputar apa yang sudah kau lakukan di masa mudamu, sedikit menohok para pembaca. Buat duo mangaka Ashirogi Muto, masa muda, selama kau menghabiskannya untuk sesuatu yang kau cintai, itu adalah hal yang sangat membahagiakan.... Hiks... terharu dengan dua anak muda ini.
Tantangan dari Nanamine sudah tak berlaku bukan berarti tantangan bagi duo sahabat ini berkurang... Aaaaahhh.... Sukaaaaa dengan endingnya.... Baiklah.... lanjooottt....
Eh, harusnya sih duo TO-TO sensei yang sudah menghasilkan cerita seruuu...
Porsi Nanamine sudah berkurang banyak disini setelha kejadian memalukan di nomor 14. Masih tetap menunggu perkembangan karakter cowok tengil bin menyebalkan di nomor selanjutnya.
Pertarungan antara Nakai sensei dengan Hiramaru sensei seru sekaligus bikin ngakak. Saking kurusnya, dan kostum yang begitu, ku pikir Hiramaru sensei naked buat pamer ke Nona Aoiki hahaha... Ending, sooo Japaneseee... :D
Reuni memang kadang bikin pengen segera di acara tapi kadnag bikin malas, tergantung masa lalumu. Mashiro datang ke reuni SMP sndiri karena Kaya, istri Takagi sakit. Kerennya Kaya, meski terhitung muda, dia sama sekali ngga cengeng... Pertanyaan seputar apa yang sudah kau lakukan di masa mudamu, sedikit menohok para pembaca. Buat duo mangaka Ashirogi Muto, masa muda, selama kau menghabiskannya untuk sesuatu yang kau cintai, itu adalah hal yang sangat membahagiakan.... Hiks... terharu dengan dua anak muda ini.
Tantangan dari Nanamine sudah tak berlaku bukan berarti tantangan bagi duo sahabat ini berkurang... Aaaaahhh.... Sukaaaaa dengan endingnya.... Baiklah.... lanjooottt....
April 19, 2024
I don't like how we are all suppose to forgive Nakai because he's a middle age man who lost his dream of becoming a mangaka. The man did it to himself! We had seen him having many opportunities to succeed but he held himself back for a glimmer of chance of having a girl who clearly do not feel the same for him, putting them in an awkward position, and then screaming about how women are evil! If Ohba wanted him to be redeemed, he needed to work through redemption instead of crying like a baby. Not only was he ready to beat Aoki, there was suggestion he was also getting ready to sexually assault her! Then the man who admired Aoki is also sympathizing with her attacker! I'd never speak to them again if I was Aoki. I'd run!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 10, 2024
There’s a story shift in volumes 14 and 15 that’s turned the Bakuman style abruptly. Gone are the many character arcs all interwoven, effecting each other in interesting ways. In its place- short, episodic arcs that span 2 to 3 chapters mainly focusing on Ashirogi and their editor Hattori. It’s an ok fit but there’s characters that, since they don’t directly cross Ashirogi’s path, get almost zero screen time, like one of my favorite characters, Eiji.
June 4, 2017
Dioooooooos, no sé si sea por que hace tiempo que no retomaba este manga... o simplemente la historia es adictiva, puede que sean ambas.
Me encantó, me quedé picada desde el tomo anterior y tuve que leer éste porque mi corazón me lo pedía xD
Ahora espero con ansias poder leer pronto el tomo 16, ya es tiempo de terminar por completo el manga, y poder releerlo cuantas veces quiera xD
Me encantó, me quedé picada desde el tomo anterior y tuve que leer éste porque mi corazón me lo pedía xD
Ahora espero con ansias poder leer pronto el tomo 16, ya es tiempo de terminar por completo el manga, y poder releerlo cuantas veces quiera xD
September 23, 2017
Such an exciting volume! The situation with Nanamine came to an end and another problem showed up. (Being vague to avoid spoilers can be difficult, ugh) but I must say that I absolutely loved the last couple of chapters. The last page in the volume especially, the ending was superb. Straight to starting volume 16.
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