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Bakuman [バクマン] #9
Bakuman, vol. 9: Talento e orgoglio
Il momento fatidico si avvicina! In vista della riunione sulle serializzazioni, Saiko e Shujin continuano a lavorare sul loro manga comico. Devono assolutamente riuscire a ottenerne la pubblicazione… soprattutto ora che hanno saputo che alla riunione dovranno vedersela con Aiko Iwase, una ragazza respinta da Shujin alle medie e che adesso è decisa a fargliela pagare!
192 pages, Paperback
First published August 4, 2010
16 people are currently reading
485 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 87 reviews
June 21, 2017
[4.5 Stars]
June 24, 2016
I'm glad the series is starting to go away from being so romance-oriented and returning to the story about manga that made it engaging in the first place. Even the romance is a little less unbearable than it used to be, although Ohba still doesn't seem to know how to give two characters romantic chemistry. Still, I realized recently that this series is one of the only things that I really get invested in anymore, the way I did when I was a kid. I pause several times per book to yell at the characters and facepalm at their bad decisions. I weigh in on all the debates they have (again, usually by yelling). I cheer a little every time Eiji is in a scene. As I get older, there becomes less an less that gets that kind of reaction out of me. So I feel like, much as I criticize his misogyny and complete inability to write romance, I haven't been giving Ohba enough credit as a storyteller. The topic should be boring, but despite a few lags, Ohba never runs out of ways to make an interesting story about a bunch of people writing manga. I'm completely serious when I say that it's almost as suspenseful as Death Note. This is a deeply flawed series, but I think that no matter how much badly-written romance I have to sit through, I'll always come back. What can I say? I've developed a big attachment to these characters, at this point - I feel like they've been with me for a long time. I pray that the future of the series has more manga and less romance, but I'll read regardless.
March 8, 2012
Okay so I accepted Iwase's crush on Akito last volume because it brought her back to the manga and I really like her. But seriously? Mr. Hattori? You can let her have goals that aren't about being attractive to dudes Ohba. D: Also Hattori can just shut his face, the hell you mean you're practically writing the story, she's just filling it in. I can't with Ohba's insistence that women can't write shonen manga, it grows increasingly more infuriating. It makes me want to throw copies of Full Metal Alchemist in his face. Or D. Gray Man. Or Katekyo Hitman Reborn. Or any of the other dozen commercially and artistically successful shonen manga I know of authored by women.
Anyways, I really didn't find this volume as engaging as the previous one. The marriage plot is ridiculous and apparently is going to be played as something plausible which made the first half a write off. The second half with the whole artistic vs. commercial conflict was interesting though I fall on the side of saying Akito and Mashiro are behaving extremely unprofessionally. I find it very unrealistic that the editor in chief caved. They're new artists without a very large fan base; realistically they would have been dropped assuming they were even able to push their point that far. They would have been better off continuing to write, if Akira was as unsuited to gag manga as they claim the declining story quality would have had them dropped anyways. (I say this from a professional viewpoint, as a reader I prefer it when stories end while they're still strong instead of lingering as the quality declines).
And since I'm registering complaints anyways, I really wish Miho would get to do something in the volume other than being the voice of support for Mashiro. How's her goal of being a voice actress coming along? Ohba could use her storyline as an opportunity to expand on further aspects of the manga/anime industry and flesh out her character. Who knows, I might find her and Mashiro's 'romance' less implausible if I had an idea of who she is. 2.5 stars
Anyways, I really didn't find this volume as engaging as the previous one. The marriage plot is ridiculous and apparently is going to be played as something plausible which made the first half a write off. The second half with the whole artistic vs. commercial conflict was interesting though I fall on the side of saying Akito and Mashiro are behaving extremely unprofessionally. I find it very unrealistic that the editor in chief caved. They're new artists without a very large fan base; realistically they would have been dropped assuming they were even able to push their point that far. They would have been better off continuing to write, if Akira was as unsuited to gag manga as they claim the declining story quality would have had them dropped anyways. (I say this from a professional viewpoint, as a reader I prefer it when stories end while they're still strong instead of lingering as the quality declines).
And since I'm registering complaints anyways, I really wish Miho would get to do something in the volume other than being the voice of support for Mashiro. How's her goal of being a voice actress coming along? Ohba could use her storyline as an opportunity to expand on further aspects of the manga/anime industry and flesh out her character. Who knows, I might find her and Mashiro's 'romance' less implausible if I had an idea of who she is. 2.5 stars
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.
Read
April 14, 20174.5 / 5
Uno debería darse cuenta por sí mismo cuando lo que haces no va en la dirección que quieres y hacer algo al respecto sin importar lo que otros digan.
Uno debería darse cuenta por sí mismo cuando lo que haces no va en la dirección que quieres y hacer algo al respecto sin importar lo que otros digan.
August 7, 2024
Iwase has got balls to say some of the things she said in this volume, like how self-important can you be? I've never come across a more shallow and dislikable character when they barely exist as a character. Is this what it looks like when you're not told 'no' enough as a child?
Hattori kind of pissed me off as well. I understood it at the beginning as him wanting Ashirogi to improve, he believes in them. By the end though he was straight up just calling them out on 'Tanto' being crap, and at a very special event no less. That's when the manipulation got to be aggravating. With everything that had happened with 'Tanto' Miura should have been confronted before it was even serialized. He was the one pushing for it and the boys weren't established enough or stable enough financially to argue with him.
I know that the boys are going to be fine because this is only volume 9 and it's not the type of manga to have a sad ending so I know they are going to do work well enough to keep them at JUMP, but they shouldn't have to put their career with them on the line because another editor wants them to do something different and is manipulating people to make it happen.
Hattori kind of pissed me off as well. I understood it at the beginning as him wanting Ashirogi to improve, he believes in them. By the end though he was straight up just calling them out on 'Tanto' being crap, and at a very special event no less. That's when the manipulation got to be aggravating. With everything that had happened with 'Tanto' Miura should have been confronted before it was even serialized. He was the one pushing for it and the boys weren't established enough or stable enough financially to argue with him.
I know that the boys are going to be fine because this is only volume 9 and it's not the type of manga to have a sad ending so I know they are going to do work well enough to keep them at JUMP, but they shouldn't have to put their career with them on the line because another editor wants them to do something different and is manipulating people to make it happen.
January 3, 2023
This volume was interesting as they try to fight to keep their gag manga alive.
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!!!
November 26, 2019
In this volume, Nizuma looks so smart than I expected it. In another’s volumes, he always is a crazy and energetic person. I could know more about his feelings for Ashirogi. He not only likes their mangas but also he doesn’t want to lose to them. I felt a really strong passion from Nizuma. He really likes to draw manga.
What impressed me most was when Mashiro exclaimed impatiently to Mr. Hattori at Akito and Kaya’s wedding reception. Mashiro respected Mr. Hattori, so I couldn’t imagine that he did it. Mr. Hattori is a good editor to motivate manga artists and he always think about Ashirogi. As I thought, he felt strongly about Ashirog. Perhaps, he still wanted to be their editor….
I also was surprised that Mashiro asked to the editor in chief for permission to quit working on Tanto and he permitted. I think that Mashiro will keep drawing tanto until cancelled it because many kids enjoyed reading this manga. I look forward to Ashirogi next series and hope that they can create a manga that they want to.
What impressed me most was when Mashiro exclaimed impatiently to Mr. Hattori at Akito and Kaya’s wedding reception. Mashiro respected Mr. Hattori, so I couldn’t imagine that he did it. Mr. Hattori is a good editor to motivate manga artists and he always think about Ashirogi. As I thought, he felt strongly about Ashirog. Perhaps, he still wanted to be their editor….
I also was surprised that Mashiro asked to the editor in chief for permission to quit working on Tanto and he permitted. I think that Mashiro will keep drawing tanto until cancelled it because many kids enjoyed reading this manga. I look forward to Ashirogi next series and hope that they can create a manga that they want to.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 23, 2017
** 4.5 stars **
December 3, 2018
Perjuanganmu Shuujin!! *menjura
Akhirnya... akhirnya... aku juga gemes sama manga komedi yang menguras energi
Akhirnya... akhirnya... aku juga gemes sama manga komedi yang menguras energi
January 24, 2021
ya era horaaaaaa
February 4, 2021
Avances, sobre todo para Takagi.
spoilers
spoilers
May 7, 2021
I just realized young adult ficiton is sorely lacking in a "kids getting married early" trope like CAN WE PLS BRING IT IN?? I need. Stanning Takagi x Kaya foreveeer.
April 28, 2012
So for this volume we deal with how the Muto Ashirogi crew develop their Tanto manga. We observe how they react to it due to the success of new and old rivals. I found that while their past editor, Akira Hattori, who may have been trying to push them to work harder, came across like he was more cold to them. He actually may have pushed them into very a dire predicament at the end. I also feel like the intimacy between the newlyweds seems off. I feel like they should have moved up a level in their relationship, but instead they jabber-jawed more back and forth on keeping Tanto. I hope more events take place, and we see where the aspiring manga group go in the next volume.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 28, 2014
I really tried to savor this one, it was awesome. I love the direction the story is taking, and I can't wait to see where it goes next and what new series Ashirogi will come up with to beat Nizuma. Also, I cannot wait to see +Natural fail.
I wish that some of these series were real, I'd love to read them too! It's amazing how many ideas Ohba comes up with and the way that Obata transforms his style to emulate the different artists in the story.
I wish that some of these series were real, I'd love to read them too! It's amazing how many ideas Ohba comes up with and the way that Obata transforms his style to emulate the different artists in the story.
July 23, 2013
Man... the story is AMAZING... who ever thinks about all the hard work that occurs in the shadows... to bring to us fans what we all desire...AMAZING!!!
August 6, 2016
Oooh-kay... I have lost faith in Hiramaru. He is no longer the loveable eccentric of the group, but the annoying, predictable women-obsessed loser.
Nizuma... I leave the rest to you.
Nizuma... I leave the rest to you.
March 15, 2016
don't tell me you didn't laugh at this scene.
December 28, 2015
we're in love with Tanto by Ashirogi Muto.
:'((((
:'((((
April 14, 2020
❤
A lot of twists and turns.
❤
A lot of twists and turns.
❤
May 16, 2018
Bakuman: Talent and Pride continue where the previous tankobon left off and contains the next nine chapters (71–79) of the on-going manga series.
Things are going well for Ashirogi Muto their gag manga have been serialized in Shonen Jump, but so has Aiko Iwase whose manga artist is Eiji Niizuma. Despite being serialized again, things are not going as well as their first serialization. Their manga is doing well despite their low ranking, because their target audience is for the younger audience around the elementary school age, while the average age for Shonen Jump is around high school age, so not many people are voting for their manga as their favorite. However, Moritaka Mashiro is not happy drawing for this manga and Akito Takagi is having a real difficult time coming up with more gags to make the manga funnier.
Since they got serialized again, Akito Takagi's promise to marry Kaya Miyoshi came to fruition. They had a short engagement period and got married rather quickly and they honeymooned nearby. The meeting with Miyoshi's parents were extremely hilarious as Takagi's every answer to her parents' questions was "I'm sorry". It was also rather funny having Moritaka Mashiro pretending to be Miyoshi's father with a fake mustache to prepare Takagi for the "meet the parents" meeting.
Two other events stood out in this tankobon. Firstly the reaction of Eiji Niizuma for drawing for two manga series in Shonen Jump was shock and concern about the quality of his manga might suffer if he drew for two series. The reaction was rather similar from the editors and other manga creators alike. The second was that Ashirogi Muto wanting to quit writing their gag manga so that they could directly compete with Eiji Niizuma. It went all the way to the top and the editor-in-chief said that if their next manga series wasn't as great as they promised – they will never write for Shonen Jump ever again.
Two characters of note are introduced in Bakuman: Talent and Pride: Ryu Shizuka, a fellow manga writer and artist and Ichiriki Orihara, an assistant artist for Ashirogi Muto for their gag manga.
While this is the first time we see Ryu Shizuka we have heard a lot about him. He was first mentioned two tankobon prior, but isn't seen until now. Shizuka has social anxiety disorder and is reluctant to speak with his editor face-to-face, instead preferring to have his meetings over the Internet. He is a recluse who has spent much of his time in his room with video and computer games since the eighth grade is sensitive to the words of others. It wasn't until now that he felt comfortable to meet his editor face to face and for most of the time they played video games. Encouraged by Ashirogi Muto, he ventures into the manga industry – hoping to beat them one day.
Ichiriki Orihara is a new artist assistant for Ashirogi Muto while they produced their gag manga. He is extremely energetic, cheerful, and talkative and very supportive of Ashirogi Muto and genuinely enjoys working for them. While we don't know much about Orihara, I hope to see him again after the gag manga is over, because he brings such a wonderful presence to the serious duo that Ashirogi Muto could get some time – he brings such a youthful spirit to the studio.
For the most part I really like this tankobon despite it seems that Tsugumi Ohba has returned to their loquacious ways again. Just when I thought Ohba learned some moderation – he reverted to his verbose ways. As always, I quite enjoy Takeshi Obata’s art – it really brings the text to life.
All in all, Bakuman: Talent and Pride is a wonderful continuation of the on-going series – it ended with an interesting premise of the termination of their gag manga in order for them to write a better manga that would compete with Eiji Niizuma. I don't know why, but it always seems to be an all or nothing dilemma with Ashirogi Muto.
Things are going well for Ashirogi Muto their gag manga have been serialized in Shonen Jump, but so has Aiko Iwase whose manga artist is Eiji Niizuma. Despite being serialized again, things are not going as well as their first serialization. Their manga is doing well despite their low ranking, because their target audience is for the younger audience around the elementary school age, while the average age for Shonen Jump is around high school age, so not many people are voting for their manga as their favorite. However, Moritaka Mashiro is not happy drawing for this manga and Akito Takagi is having a real difficult time coming up with more gags to make the manga funnier.
Since they got serialized again, Akito Takagi's promise to marry Kaya Miyoshi came to fruition. They had a short engagement period and got married rather quickly and they honeymooned nearby. The meeting with Miyoshi's parents were extremely hilarious as Takagi's every answer to her parents' questions was "I'm sorry". It was also rather funny having Moritaka Mashiro pretending to be Miyoshi's father with a fake mustache to prepare Takagi for the "meet the parents" meeting.
Two other events stood out in this tankobon. Firstly the reaction of Eiji Niizuma for drawing for two manga series in Shonen Jump was shock and concern about the quality of his manga might suffer if he drew for two series. The reaction was rather similar from the editors and other manga creators alike. The second was that Ashirogi Muto wanting to quit writing their gag manga so that they could directly compete with Eiji Niizuma. It went all the way to the top and the editor-in-chief said that if their next manga series wasn't as great as they promised – they will never write for Shonen Jump ever again.
Two characters of note are introduced in Bakuman: Talent and Pride: Ryu Shizuka, a fellow manga writer and artist and Ichiriki Orihara, an assistant artist for Ashirogi Muto for their gag manga.
While this is the first time we see Ryu Shizuka we have heard a lot about him. He was first mentioned two tankobon prior, but isn't seen until now. Shizuka has social anxiety disorder and is reluctant to speak with his editor face-to-face, instead preferring to have his meetings over the Internet. He is a recluse who has spent much of his time in his room with video and computer games since the eighth grade is sensitive to the words of others. It wasn't until now that he felt comfortable to meet his editor face to face and for most of the time they played video games. Encouraged by Ashirogi Muto, he ventures into the manga industry – hoping to beat them one day.
Ichiriki Orihara is a new artist assistant for Ashirogi Muto while they produced their gag manga. He is extremely energetic, cheerful, and talkative and very supportive of Ashirogi Muto and genuinely enjoys working for them. While we don't know much about Orihara, I hope to see him again after the gag manga is over, because he brings such a wonderful presence to the serious duo that Ashirogi Muto could get some time – he brings such a youthful spirit to the studio.
For the most part I really like this tankobon despite it seems that Tsugumi Ohba has returned to their loquacious ways again. Just when I thought Ohba learned some moderation – he reverted to his verbose ways. As always, I quite enjoy Takeshi Obata’s art – it really brings the text to life.
All in all, Bakuman: Talent and Pride is a wonderful continuation of the on-going series – it ended with an interesting premise of the termination of their gag manga in order for them to write a better manga that would compete with Eiji Niizuma. I don't know why, but it always seems to be an all or nothing dilemma with Ashirogi Muto.
January 16, 2026
I confess, this volume was particularly hard to read, because it's almost ENTIRELY about their rankings, and how Iwase is just casually strolling into the manga industry, basically out of spite and determination that she can write a winning manga, NBD. Also Akito and Kaya FINALLY "meeting the parents" to announce their intent to marry—which leads to a funny yet heartwarming "duel" where .
But the rankings! The RANKINGS! Such narrowminded focus on R-A-N-K-I-N-G-S!!! Especially given the irony that Ohba admits that he was too scared to ask their editor about the rankings for Bakuman! I don't know how anyone manages with that level of stress over their heads all the time... guess I'm lucky to have a job where I can get 80-90% "good enough" and still get a raise every year. (Granted, the way things are going in the world, that raise may be just barely keeping up with inflation, but STILL.)
I mean, even after coming in in the middle of the series, I still prefer this to, say, Death Note (which I think I retrospectively only liked for the art and SOME of the cat-and-mouse) and WAY prefer this to Platinum End (which was... mid at its BEST parts). The art has a nice touch that makes it distinctive from but still similar to Obata's other works, and it's nice reading about an actual everyday life story.
It's just that this part is particularly slow. Well, even the characters admit that it's hard making material that's a solid FIRST PLACE!!! every single time. Even when they make a big deal that they , it sort of drags out!
I suppose this is another series that is better when binged at once, so to get a better overview of how things are going. (Granted, that's most series that aren't "gag" comics and rely on continuity.) Definitely not a good starting point, for certain!
But the rankings! The RANKINGS! Such narrowminded focus on R-A-N-K-I-N-G-S!!! Especially given the irony that Ohba admits that he was too scared to ask their editor about the rankings for Bakuman! I don't know how anyone manages with that level of stress over their heads all the time... guess I'm lucky to have a job where I can get 80-90% "good enough" and still get a raise every year. (Granted, the way things are going in the world, that raise may be just barely keeping up with inflation, but STILL.)
I mean, even after coming in in the middle of the series, I still prefer this to, say, Death Note (which I think I retrospectively only liked for the art and SOME of the cat-and-mouse) and WAY prefer this to Platinum End (which was... mid at its BEST parts). The art has a nice touch that makes it distinctive from but still similar to Obata's other works, and it's nice reading about an actual everyday life story.
It's just that this part is particularly slow. Well, even the characters admit that it's hard making material that's a solid FIRST PLACE!!! every single time. Even when they make a big deal that they , it sort of drags out!
I suppose this is another series that is better when binged at once, so to get a better overview of how things are going. (Granted, that's most series that aren't "gag" comics and rely on continuity.) Definitely not a good starting point, for certain!
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. ;)
July 24, 2017
This volume started out pretty slow and dry. However it picked up after about halfway through the book.
Our heroes start their new gag manga called Tanto, and it is serialized. So Takagi and Miyoshi get married and move in together. All is not perfect as the manga they are working on beings spiraling downhill as the two creators are quickly losing faith in their ability to do gag manga and they want to work on other manga.
In the end they do get the courage to ask to end Tanto and begin something else.
I really liked that the characters had some personal growth in this story and realized what they wanted to do in the manga industry and went after it. Also Hattori is back in this volume and working behind the scenes to help his former protégés succeed.
Our heroes start their new gag manga called Tanto, and it is serialized. So Takagi and Miyoshi get married and move in together. All is not perfect as the manga they are working on beings spiraling downhill as the two creators are quickly losing faith in their ability to do gag manga and they want to work on other manga.
In the end they do get the courage to ask to end Tanto and begin something else.
I really liked that the characters had some personal growth in this story and realized what they wanted to do in the manga industry and went after it. Also Hattori is back in this volume and working behind the scenes to help his former protégés succeed.
September 17, 2023
The subplot of the internet-shut-in is very well done. Even though it usually only has a page or two per chapter over this entire book it feels like a nicely developed subplot for an interesting character. The editors continue to get expanded and more interesting. The drama with wanting to quit Tanto is exciting and fun. The Iwase subplot with her unrequited feelings is well handled. The wedding between Takagi and Kaya is swift but fun and adds some humanity to the characters.
All in all another great volume, I just really like this series and I'm glad it's holding up as well as I had hoped.
All in all another great volume, I just really like this series and I'm glad it's holding up as well as I had hoped.
December 25, 2018
2,5 actually, I really love the cover, Aoki looks astonishing.. I'm not into the marriage idea in this volume, and I hope Miho will have something more intriguing, if not... well well well.. it can be ensured that the side characters are more marvelous than the main characters to me..
Ah, I like Ryuu Shizuka parts in this volume, and I really hope Iwase will get better and happier parts, she should be.
Ah, I like Ryuu Shizuka parts in this volume, and I really hope Iwase will get better and happier parts, she should be.
April 7, 2021
Bakuman is so good, I really hope their next series is good, Eiji Niizuma used to be my least favourite character and now he’s my favourite, every single character (except Aiko) is likeable and I love them all. The art is so good and it’s so intense for such a simple story. I just ordered the 12 -20 on Amazon so I’m exited to finish this series.
April 5, 2024
There’s a little bit of momentum building throughout this volume. The “romantic rivalry” still cause some eye rolls in the opening chapters but with any luck, we might be past that over-dramatized arc. What am I saying? ALL the romance in this series is over-dramatized! But the previous few chapters have been stretching too far.
June 21, 2017
The story gets super intense as Muto Ashirogi starts falling behind with the gag manga and Shujin is having serious troubles coming up with gags. Kaya and Shujin get married and go on their honeymoon as well, yay! In the end they decide to cancel their current gag manga to create a story manga.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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