Plot Summary
Moritaka Mashiro, a junior high school student, content to live out a relatively normal life as any other does, is persuaded by his classmate, Akito Takagi, to become an aspiring mangaka when the latter realizes his natural talent as an artist. However, Moritaka is reluctant to pursue his dream as his uncle, once a mangaka with his own serializations, died from overwork trying to regain his lost status. With Akito's help, Takagi gets another classmate and his school crush, Azuki Miho, who is an aspiring voice actress, to voice in the anime adaptation of their future manga once it is completed. However, Mashiro also proposes to Azuki, who surprisingly accepts only on the condition she will marry him when both of them have achieved their dreams. With a goal set before him, Mashiro begins a long and struggling path to become a famous mangaka.
Moritaka Mashiro, a junior high school student, content to live out a relatively normal life as any other does, is persuaded by his classmate, Akito Takagi, to become an aspiring mangaka when the latter realizes his natural talent as an artist. However, Moritaka is reluctant to pursue his dream as his uncle, once a mangaka with his own serializations, died from overwork trying to regain his lost status. With Akito's help, Takagi gets another classmate and his school crush, Azuki Miho, who is an aspiring voice actress, to voice in the anime adaptation of their future manga once it is completed. However, Mashiro also proposes to Azuki, who surprisingly accepts only on the condition she will marry him when both of them have achieved their dreams. With a goal set before him, Mashiro begins a long and struggling path to become a famous mangaka.
Bakuman Anime Series:
Season 1 [25 Episodes] | Season 2 [Announced]
Season 1 [25 Episodes] | Season 2 [Announced]
The Review
Bakuman is quite popular as a manga in Japan. With the manga being so popular, the anime company had to make sure it pleased it's fans. This doesn't happen as often as it should, so I was glad when I found out that the anime followed the manga extremely close and even put in similar angles and view points.
Doesn't everyone wish at some point in their life they could create a comic, write a book, or even become a famous actor/actress? This anime is so aspiring in that concept. While watching it, you really start wondering if you could do what the characters are doing. Which is, following their dreams. Of course it's not easy to do this and the show does a great job showing the struggles of the manga world.
While they're working on their different manga creations, I got the impression that the stories might actually be real. Real as in the sense that they could be based off of actual one shots that were submitted in the past. If not, maybe the creators of Bakuman can create some OVAs based off of them. I know I would be interested in seeing a few of the ideas become real.
Rivals play a pretty big part in this show. As the story develops and they get closer to their goal, more and more talented people are introduced. This makes it more exciting for the viewer and keeps the show realistic. The first season ends with them finishing school and to no surprised the second season was green lit before the first season even ended.