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Bakuman [バクマン] #17
Bakuman, Vol. 17: One-Shot and Standalone
As the veteran manga artists start taking over Weekly Shonen Jump, the younger artists feel the pressure. But what is behind this sudden surge of older artists making a comeback in the magazine? And what is the connection between Azuma and Moritaka’s late uncle?
192 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2011
12 people are currently reading
460 people want to read
About the author
Tsugumi Ohba
365 books2,858 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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 80 reviews
June 29, 2017
While this is the volume I've enjoyed the least so far, I think what it does is brilliant. The lesson in this one is about recycling and throwing away. I just think it's incredible that there's always two layers to each point this manga makes. While one of the characters is recycling and throwing away, the plot of this manga also recycles and throws away. It shows how not well-received it can be which I think is why I didn't like this one as much. I didn't receive it well. Did that makes sense? I hope so.
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.
February 8, 2017
Ya ampun, gemes dan rasanya pengin nangis baca volume ini.
Anyway beruntung banget itu Takagi punya istri kayak Kaya. Duh. Enpiiiii... Pengin bisa selow kayak Kaya. Hahaha...
Sementara itu kisah cinta Saikou dan Azuki makin absurd aje ah. Like a fool.
Anyway beruntung banget itu Takagi punya istri kayak Kaya. Duh. Enpiiiii... Pengin bisa selow kayak Kaya. Hahaha...
Sementara itu kisah cinta Saikou dan Azuki makin absurd aje ah. Like a fool.
September 21, 2016
Al principio no le vi mucho sentido a repetir la misma temática con Nanamine puesto que aunque esta parte tiene sus variantes, el final no podía cambiar mucho.
Sin embargo haciendo a un lado este detalle, lo que vale mucho la pena en este tomo, es la manera en cómo se presentan las situaciones, lo que demuestran el gran talento que tiene Tsugumi Ohba a la hora de desarrollar el guion. Algo que me ha gustado mucho.
Tiene una manera muy particular de emocionar conforme las partes destacadas se van acercando, que sin darte cuenta estas metido de lleno en la historia. Y la técnica que usan los Ashirogi resulta de lo más interesante, lo que te hace pensar si en alguna otra historia te has topado con ella.
Ahora sí, el final es algo que venía esperando desde hace mucho, volver a ver a Niizuma con algo de protagonismo, lo cual siempre es genial de leer y lo que sin duda augura algo emocionante en lo que será la recta final de esta historia, que aunque conforme ha ido avanzando hay varias cuestiones que no terminan de gustarme ni de convencerme, sin duda sigue siendo una buena recomendación.
December 28, 2016
selalu ada konflik baru yang menarik
July 10, 2018
4.25 stars
This was a great volume! Nanamine learned absolutely nothing after being trounced by Muto Ashirogi. Nothing! He concocts an even more elaborate scheme to create a top selling manga, and to prove that he's smarter than everybody else. What he ends up doing lights a fire under the collective butts of Team Fukuda, as well as come older artists he tried to take advantage of. His comeuppance was satisfying. Azuma's final scene was very touching, and it was obvious how much he respected Moritaka's uncle and wanted to do right by him.
I'm getting sad that I'm almost finished with this series! Wah! It's been a unique battle type manga, played out through the creativity of manga creators. That is my type of battle!
This was a great volume! Nanamine learned absolutely nothing after being trounced by Muto Ashirogi. Nothing! He concocts an even more elaborate scheme to create a top selling manga, and to prove that he's smarter than everybody else. What he ends up doing lights a fire under the collective butts of Team Fukuda, as well as come older artists he tried to take advantage of. His comeuppance was satisfying. Azuma's final scene was very touching, and it was obvious how much he respected Moritaka's uncle and wanted to do right by him.
I'm getting sad that I'm almost finished with this series! Wah! It's been a unique battle type manga, played out through the creativity of manga creators. That is my type of battle!
June 24, 2017
Glad to see them heading in the direction of a good, actually interesting new manga idea, probably going to be the one that gets the anime, seeing as this is volume 17 and the series ends at 20. I'm so sick of PCP. The Nanamine plotline was interesting!
January 12, 2023
Yes yes yes!!! Absolutely loved this volume. It has battles against rivals, intense situations, dreaming to be on the top, and it even made me tear up! These characters feel so real and I can’t get enough.
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 14, 2021
Bakuman 17
Aquí se descubre que con los autores veteranos.
Lo interesante es las discusiones sobre si deben publicar o no a ese tipo de autores, y sobre el método(que básicamente es como un outsorcing), y sobre el trabajo con el editor. Y todos están con su idea y solo quieren convencer a los otros si escuchar, principalmente Saiko, incluso hay veces que suena un tanto hipócrita, pues reniega de cosas que el mismo hace. Y aunque al final toda esa discusión se pierde por la pelea con Nananime, al menos fue interesante ver lo que hace el editor Hattori.
Definitivo, parece que Iwase desaparece, incluso cuando hablan de su serie, es con Eiji, no con ella. Que mal. (o quizá es algo muy meta, con eso del tema de desechar)
Al final hay un cambio grande, parece que los 3 ultimos volúmenes enfilan hacia eso. A ver que tal.
3.5 star
Aquí se descubre que con los autores veteranos.
Lo interesante es las discusiones sobre si deben publicar o no a ese tipo de autores, y sobre el método(que básicamente es como un outsorcing), y sobre el trabajo con el editor. Y todos están con su idea y solo quieren convencer a los otros si escuchar, principalmente Saiko, incluso hay veces que suena un tanto hipócrita, pues reniega de cosas que el mismo hace. Y aunque al final toda esa discusión se pierde por la pelea con Nananime, al menos fue interesante ver lo que hace el editor Hattori.
Definitivo, parece que Iwase desaparece, incluso cuando hablan de su serie, es con Eiji, no con ella. Que mal. (o quizá es algo muy meta, con eso del tema de desechar)
Al final hay un cambio grande, parece que los 3 ultimos volúmenes enfilan hacia eso. A ver que tal.
3.5 star
March 24, 2018
Muto Ashirogi vs. Eiji Nizuma!
September 27, 2024
Oh damn ok! No labor rights
July 21, 2018
I read “Bakuman” this manga is interesting. Protagonists are manga artist and they work at shounen jump. We can learn the background of creating manga and shounen jump. It is exciting. And the art is very good. If you read this manga, you will be attracted.
April 21, 2020
❤
They somehow managed to create an awesome and creepy villain in a manga about manga, I'm impressed. Also, it ended with a bang!
❤
They somehow managed to create an awesome and creepy villain in a manga about manga, I'm impressed. Also, it ended with a bang!
❤
June 1, 2018
Bakuman: One-Shot Deal and Complete Story continue where the previous tankobon left off and contains the next nine chapters (143–151) of the on-going manga series.
The last we saw Toru Nanamine he vowed that he would figure out a way to defeat Ashirogi Muto once and for all. Nanamine is nothing, if not a man of his word – he created a company to make manga, but he learned from his mistakes.
Instead of fifty unpaid amateurs on the Internet, he shrank the number to sixteen and hired former professionals in the manga industry. He also hired high school students in the same ratio as Shonen Jump readership to just read and comment on the manga they prefer to read and they in essence became a sounding board. Furthermore, he hired veterans to draw the one-shots that he created, by matching their talents to the story his company have created. So in essence, Nanamine has created a manga creating company, which is hemorrhaging money just to beat Ashirogi Muto.
In the end, Nanamine wouldn't be satisfied by hiding in the shadows and publically announced his manga making company to Shonen Jump, before Ashirogi Muto could tell their editor. Furthermore, after finding success with his company, he discarded the veteran artists claiming that he wouldn't be satisfied until he, personally, defeated Ashirogi Muto.
Incensed by Nanamine's causal disregards from the veterans of the manga industry, Ashirogi Muto, Shinta Fukuda, Aoki Yuriko, and Shoyo Takahama vowed never to be beaten by Toru Nanamine. The editorial department, including the editor-in-chief, was feeling the same way.
In the end, Hisashi Sasaki allowed Toru Nanamine to participate in a contest with a one-shot. He points out that he dislike his way of doing things, but decided to give him a chance because of Ashirogi Muto wanted to battle him. Furthermore, he puts the condition that Nanamine has to rank within the top three – fail to do so then Shonen Jump would never see or consider a manuscript from Nanamine ever again – and thus began a battle to keep Nanamine from the top three spots from the contest. While Eiji Niizuma isn't able to join the contest, he is rooting for Ashirogi Muto.
Mikihiko Azuma, a veteran magna artist that Nanamine used and threw away, has become a very interesting character. This down and out of luck manga artist once worked for Taro Kawaguchi, Moritaka Mashiro's uncle, as his final assistant shortly before he was let go from Shonen Jump. He was largely influenced by his employer's hardworking and high-spirited attitude and became determined to succeed his mentor upon his death.
Things don't go the way he planned, but to hear that his mentor's nephew is following his step makes him happy. In the end, Azuma created a one-shot for the contest as an emergency replacement for Kazuya Hiramaru who injured himself and couldn't draw. He placed third in the contest beating Nanamine's entry.
Tsugumi Ohba has written another wonderful tankobon, despite his loquaciousness. I felt the intensity of the conflict and battle to get Nanamine off the top three from the contest and I was happy that Mikihiko Azuma had the ending he had and could return to visit the grave of Taro Kawaguchi with his head held high. As always, Takeshi Obata's art is great and compliments the text rather well.
All in all, Bakuman: One-Shot Deal and Complete Story is a wonderful continuation of the on-going series. I rather interested in the new proposals from Eiji Niizuma and Ashirogi Muto to the departed editor-in-chief Hisashi Sasaki to see his opinion. Coincidentally, the have similar ideas for their next manga proposals. I can't wait to read the next tankobon to find out.
The last we saw Toru Nanamine he vowed that he would figure out a way to defeat Ashirogi Muto once and for all. Nanamine is nothing, if not a man of his word – he created a company to make manga, but he learned from his mistakes.
Instead of fifty unpaid amateurs on the Internet, he shrank the number to sixteen and hired former professionals in the manga industry. He also hired high school students in the same ratio as Shonen Jump readership to just read and comment on the manga they prefer to read and they in essence became a sounding board. Furthermore, he hired veterans to draw the one-shots that he created, by matching their talents to the story his company have created. So in essence, Nanamine has created a manga creating company, which is hemorrhaging money just to beat Ashirogi Muto.
In the end, Nanamine wouldn't be satisfied by hiding in the shadows and publically announced his manga making company to Shonen Jump, before Ashirogi Muto could tell their editor. Furthermore, after finding success with his company, he discarded the veteran artists claiming that he wouldn't be satisfied until he, personally, defeated Ashirogi Muto.
Incensed by Nanamine's causal disregards from the veterans of the manga industry, Ashirogi Muto, Shinta Fukuda, Aoki Yuriko, and Shoyo Takahama vowed never to be beaten by Toru Nanamine. The editorial department, including the editor-in-chief, was feeling the same way.
In the end, Hisashi Sasaki allowed Toru Nanamine to participate in a contest with a one-shot. He points out that he dislike his way of doing things, but decided to give him a chance because of Ashirogi Muto wanted to battle him. Furthermore, he puts the condition that Nanamine has to rank within the top three – fail to do so then Shonen Jump would never see or consider a manuscript from Nanamine ever again – and thus began a battle to keep Nanamine from the top three spots from the contest. While Eiji Niizuma isn't able to join the contest, he is rooting for Ashirogi Muto.
Mikihiko Azuma, a veteran magna artist that Nanamine used and threw away, has become a very interesting character. This down and out of luck manga artist once worked for Taro Kawaguchi, Moritaka Mashiro's uncle, as his final assistant shortly before he was let go from Shonen Jump. He was largely influenced by his employer's hardworking and high-spirited attitude and became determined to succeed his mentor upon his death.
Things don't go the way he planned, but to hear that his mentor's nephew is following his step makes him happy. In the end, Azuma created a one-shot for the contest as an emergency replacement for Kazuya Hiramaru who injured himself and couldn't draw. He placed third in the contest beating Nanamine's entry.
Tsugumi Ohba has written another wonderful tankobon, despite his loquaciousness. I felt the intensity of the conflict and battle to get Nanamine off the top three from the contest and I was happy that Mikihiko Azuma had the ending he had and could return to visit the grave of Taro Kawaguchi with his head held high. As always, Takeshi Obata's art is great and compliments the text rather well.
All in all, Bakuman: One-Shot Deal and Complete Story is a wonderful continuation of the on-going series. I rather interested in the new proposals from Eiji Niizuma and Ashirogi Muto to the departed editor-in-chief Hisashi Sasaki to see his opinion. Coincidentally, the have similar ideas for their next manga proposals. I can't wait to read the next tankobon to find out.
June 3, 2017
Cuando terminé de leer este tomo, lo abracé. Sí, lo abracé. Es uno de los mejores de la serie, y ya les cuento por qué.
Vuelve Nanamine. Pensé: "El recurso clásico cuando no te quedan ideas, volves a traer a un personaje." Pero los TO (Tsugumi Ohba y Takeshi Obata) lo hacen ver bien, son unos genios. No parece improvisado, es como si estuvieran pensando con la cabeza de los Ashirogi!! Tohru quiere sólo vengarse de ellos, y para él desde su infancia "El dinero y la inteligencia lo son todo".
Sentí que él no pudo distinguir la realidad de la ficción y por eso copió la estrategia del primer manga que escribieron Saiko y Shuujin. Usó su inteligencia para obtener dinero que a su vez lo ayudaran a obtener amigos. Ahora aplica esa técnica para superar a los Ashirogi. Pero, como todos le dicen, le falta corazón. No podés imaginar sentimientos ajenos cuando nunca los experimentaste, y por eso es que tu método no va a funcionar nunca. Me alegra que por fin haya quedado afuera del juego.
El cambio de editor en jefe. Eso me partió el alma... Habían pasado por tanto! Me gusta cómo les da pequeñas pistas a cada uno para poder seguir adelante y cómo él vuelve al estudio en el que trabajó por primera vez y nota que "No hay olor a cigarrillo". Amé cuando le dijo al dúo que su más grande rival era Eiji Niizuma y sólo ellos podían derrotarlo. Esta escena en particular cuando nombran a Heiji como nuevo editor en jefe, me derritió.
Pero lo que más me gustó del volumen, lo que más me gusta de Bakuman... Son los viajes al pasado que se hacen cuando recuerdan a Taro Kawaguchi.
Aunque sea muy corta la escena, saben como hacer para tocarte el alma.
Muy buen volumen! No puedo creer que tenga que esperar un mes para tener el otro. Y lo peor es que ya se termina!
Vuelve Nanamine. Pensé: "El recurso clásico cuando no te quedan ideas, volves a traer a un personaje." Pero los TO (Tsugumi Ohba y Takeshi Obata) lo hacen ver bien, son unos genios. No parece improvisado, es como si estuvieran pensando con la cabeza de los Ashirogi!! Tohru quiere sólo vengarse de ellos, y para él desde su infancia "El dinero y la inteligencia lo son todo".
Sentí que él no pudo distinguir la realidad de la ficción y por eso copió la estrategia del primer manga que escribieron Saiko y Shuujin. Usó su inteligencia para obtener dinero que a su vez lo ayudaran a obtener amigos. Ahora aplica esa técnica para superar a los Ashirogi. Pero, como todos le dicen, le falta corazón. No podés imaginar sentimientos ajenos cuando nunca los experimentaste, y por eso es que tu método no va a funcionar nunca. Me alegra que por fin haya quedado afuera del juego.
El cambio de editor en jefe. Eso me partió el alma... Habían pasado por tanto! Me gusta cómo les da pequeñas pistas a cada uno para poder seguir adelante y cómo él vuelve al estudio en el que trabajó por primera vez y nota que "No hay olor a cigarrillo". Amé cuando le dijo al dúo que su más grande rival era Eiji Niizuma y sólo ellos podían derrotarlo. Esta escena en particular cuando nombran a Heiji como nuevo editor en jefe, me derritió.
Pero lo que más me gustó del volumen, lo que más me gusta de Bakuman... Son los viajes al pasado que se hacen cuando recuerdan a Taro Kawaguchi.
Aunque sea muy corta la escena, saben como hacer para tocarte el alma.
Muy buen volumen! No puedo creer que tenga que esperar un mes para tener el otro. Y lo peor es que ya se termina!
February 23, 2024
This volume felt overly wordy and a little bit like it was spinning its wheels. It brought up the rookie vs. veteran debate again which felt a bit repetitive as they already discussed it in the last volume. It also does another villain-of-the-week-arc with Nanamine. He has come back with a ridiculous manga company that helps ideas for him while exploiting veteran artists. This story has never prioritized realism, but the company felt kind of absurd even for the exaggerated world Bakuman takes place in. Nanamine was less effective this time around as it felt like a recycled idea, and again felt weirdly defensive of the creator and editor being the only "legitimate" way to produce manga. I can understand and even agree with the argument that creation by committee is always going to be lacking something. However, the plot never felt like it really reached that conclusion in a satisfying way. It was more just vaguely Nanamine doesn't have "heart" so it failed. The conclusion of Nanamine and the veteran manga artists storyline also felt really rushed and forced. The veteran tapping out after getting third place with a one-shot and then peacing out never to be seen from again. It feels forced and like a strange diversion without much consequence.
In the back half though I did really enjoy the meta elements they are so good about incorporating. The idea of the "stand alone that doesn't stand alone" is the kind of comic creator behind-the-scenes advice I love hearing about. And the fact that the next chapter of Bakuman kind of performs that function in it's own story is very clever. The editor in chief is actually the old editor of Moritaka's uncle and it ties the story up to this point up well while also reasserting the rivalry between Eiji and the Muto Ashirogi pair. It's getting to the conclusion arcs and I'm excited to remember how everything ends up.
In the back half though I did really enjoy the meta elements they are so good about incorporating. The idea of the "stand alone that doesn't stand alone" is the kind of comic creator behind-the-scenes advice I love hearing about. And the fact that the next chapter of Bakuman kind of performs that function in it's own story is very clever. The editor in chief is actually the old editor of Moritaka's uncle and it ties the story up to this point up well while also reasserting the rivalry between Eiji and the Muto Ashirogi pair. It's getting to the conclusion arcs and I'm excited to remember how everything ends up.
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. ;)
August 12, 2018
The final volume will be #20 according to the Japanese releases (176 chapters). So this series is nearing conclusion. I really am not seeing how they can tie up all of the loose threads by then, but we will see.
The plot takes a bit of a bend from the last issue, and continues some of the story about the aging manga creators introduced at the end of #16. But I am not completely sold on Nanamine's reappearance. He was a good 'villain' previously, but now he seems rather flat. It's still interesting though I think it could have been better. Still worthy of four stars.
Still, I enjoy that the duo continues to change things up. It would have gotten stale with the same thing over and over. It's not quite as amazing as it was in the earlier issues, but it still holds my interest quite well. I'm 58 and I still enjoy this story. I admit it would be appealing to the 16 to 25 crowd, but I think it's deep enough of a story to appeal to all ages. It's also age appropriate for younger readers, though some of the subtleties may not be understood by readers younger than 16 or those unfamiliar with publishing.
It's a great inside look at the manga publishing industry with a more modern touch than other manga publishing stories (A Zoo In Winter and A Drifting Life come to mind) which both center around manga artists starting off in the 50s and 60s.
A fun series, but if you are new to it, I highly recommend starting with the first volume. If you pick it up now, then you miss out on a lot of the earlier surprises.
The plot takes a bit of a bend from the last issue, and continues some of the story about the aging manga creators introduced at the end of #16. But I am not completely sold on Nanamine's reappearance. He was a good 'villain' previously, but now he seems rather flat. It's still interesting though I think it could have been better. Still worthy of four stars.
Still, I enjoy that the duo continues to change things up. It would have gotten stale with the same thing over and over. It's not quite as amazing as it was in the earlier issues, but it still holds my interest quite well. I'm 58 and I still enjoy this story. I admit it would be appealing to the 16 to 25 crowd, but I think it's deep enough of a story to appeal to all ages. It's also age appropriate for younger readers, though some of the subtleties may not be understood by readers younger than 16 or those unfamiliar with publishing.
It's a great inside look at the manga publishing industry with a more modern touch than other manga publishing stories (A Zoo In Winter and A Drifting Life come to mind) which both center around manga artists starting off in the 50s and 60s.
A fun series, but if you are new to it, I highly recommend starting with the first volume. If you pick it up now, then you miss out on a lot of the earlier surprises.
April 14, 2024
Seeing Miho and Kaya on the cover of issue 17 got me excited. These two characters have been sorely neglected for about 5 volumes now and I'll be honest, I miss them! It's hard to see Bakuman shifting away from their initial slice-of-life/romance genre. It's still an interesting manga- it just doesn't have the same spark. During the short and rare scenes with Kaya (who was a favorite character of mine), we see her now depicted cooking, cleaning, chearleading Ashirogi, or a combination of these three. That's it. She's only valuable enough to show that Akito has a home life, I guess? And Miho get's 2 moments in this issue (after being completely absent for a while) to show her happily receiving short texts from Moritaka. If the depictions of these two women bothered you early on in the series, their later exclusion feels worse, almost as if the author is trying to avoid mistakes rather than correct them.
May 21, 2024
Bakuman has been steadily losing my interest and sometimes it was just plain hard to finish a manga, especially the last volume, but it's picking itself back up again, because now the creators are focus on their own new manga rather than competing against each other. Yeah, they might have in the back of their minds to beat Nezumi, but now it doesn't seem to be the focal point. Now they're more elaborate on a manga that they can create that they can thoroughly enjoy, not just something that will beat their rivals. And they seem to remember why they did all this to begin with: so Mashiro and Azuki can get married. It seems like they totally forgotten about her recently. Heck, I forgotten about her until she made a small pop up in a panel. All in all, the creators, both protagonist and real author and artist, are back on track on what made Bakuman so enthusiastic to read.
August 15, 2020
HAHA I KNEW IT I KNEW IT!!!
This creator pulled something they already said that some of their character creators do! I had guessed it and I guessed correctly!! I’m glad there WAS a twist, though. I’m also glad the boys are learning what will and won’t work for their manga and for hit mangas, too.
This creator pulled something they already said that some of their character creators do! I had guessed it and I guessed correctly!! I’m glad there WAS a twist, though. I’m also glad the boys are learning what will and won’t work for their manga and for hit mangas, too.
December 14, 2020
In this volume, we are catch up with our villain from a couple of volumes back who is behind the new one shots that have come out. Now, I don't think what he is doing is actually wrong. If he had started his own magazine and published it himself, there would be no problem with the method he was using it. Also, there are changes within the structure of the editorial department.
June 8, 2021
Los rivales pueden llegar a ser un obstáculo para llegar a la meta, pero más que un impedimento para llegar a la cima, hay que verlos como enemigos que tienen maneras diferentes de hacer las cosas, aunque al final, quienes muestran de verdad y con el corazón como hacer las cosas, saldrán adelante. Aunque el resultado de ello se dará a través de la opinión de terceras personas.
July 24, 2021
If the first half wasn’t kind of boring then this would be five stars and one of my favourite volumes. What I love most about this manga is them brainstorming ideas, we got a lot of that in the second half and I’m exited to see what they do next. Scary being at the end of the series though, I hope it has a good ending.
September 26, 2023
3/5
The series is starting to feel a little stagnant, the plot with Nanamine in this one is basically just volume 14's but on a bigger budget. I will say however I enjoyed everything having to do with Azuma's character and Sasaki stepping down, I thought their sub-plots were really well done and touching.
The series is starting to feel a little stagnant, the plot with Nanamine in this one is basically just volume 14's but on a bigger budget. I will say however I enjoyed everything having to do with Azuma's character and Sasaki stepping down, I thought their sub-plots were really well done and touching.
December 3, 2023
Great volume, loved every bit of it. I just don’t really understand why Nanamine’s methods are portrayed so negatively. Getting feedback from a lot of people sounds like a pretty good thing to an up and coming manga series haha 🙈 but he’s also portrayed as a very dishonest and scheming person, giving a negative vibe to the whole strategy. Nonetheless, awesome volume and series so far ❤️
July 30, 2025
No nie uwierzycie, kto wrócił na rynek mangowy - Nanamine! Ten dzieciak jest bezczelny, jaki był, a może nawet i bardziej, patrząc na to, jaką metodą się teraz posługuje. Aż człowiek nie może się doczekać, kiedy nasz Duet znowu utrze mu nosa (bo, oczywiście, żeby było inaczej mowy nie ma, coraz mniej w tej mandze zaskoczeń...).
June 20, 2017
Bukuman es impresionante, es una serie excesivamente simple y a su vez llena de giros y aventuras. Además contiene un mensaje de fondo que es la pasión y el amor por el oficio de una persona que es digno de admiración. Leer Bakuman y que no te den ganas de ser mangaka es imposible.
September 28, 2017
Pretty good volume. A little bit disappointed after Miho and Kaya are so big on the cover but are hardly in the story. But the actual plotline was alright. Not my favourite volume but that's fine, it was decent.
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