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Bakuman [バクマン] #3
Bakuman, Volume 3: Debut and Impatience
By the creators of Death Note! The mystery behind manga-making revealed!
Reads R to L (Japanese Style) T audience.
Average student Moritaka Mashiro enjoys drawing for fun. When his classmate and aspiring writer Akito Takagi discovers his talent, he begs Moritaka to team up with him as a manga-creating duo. But what exactly does it take to make it in the manga-publishing world?
Reads R to L (Japanese Style) T audience.
Average student Moritaka Mashiro enjoys drawing for fun. When his classmate and aspiring writer Akito Takagi discovers his talent, he begs Moritaka to team up with him as a manga-creating duo. But what exactly does it take to make it in the manga-publishing world?
187 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2009
40 people are currently reading
630 people want to read
About the author
Tsugumi Ohba
364 books2,812 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 174 reviews
June 19, 2017
I can't stop reading this. I have a feeling I'm going to read straight through to the end of the whole series now. I love learning about the processes behind being a successful manga creator, and the huge mountains they have to overcome. I honestly find the romance side plot between Moritaka and Miho hilarious and weird. Miyoshi really grounds this series for me since she's probably the most "normal" one in the bunch.
May 3, 2020
Bakuman continues to be an amazing read into the world of creating Manga.
This time we have our duo meet a new and upcoming manga artist and it brings a lot more lolz this time around. On top of that we get the first "writer's block" storyline and as someone who creates their own comic I feel the pain. It's such a headache to want to write, you have something in there, but nothing is coming together. But with both an artist and a writer working together the other might not wait around.
This is another really great volume with lots of insight on how it all works. I love the dialogue and characters, and the art is great to boot. The unraveling of the team so early on makes me worried what will happen in the future but I like the direction. Give me more!
A 4.5 out of 5.
This time we have our duo meet a new and upcoming manga artist and it brings a lot more lolz this time around. On top of that we get the first "writer's block" storyline and as someone who creates their own comic I feel the pain. It's such a headache to want to write, you have something in there, but nothing is coming together. But with both an artist and a writer working together the other might not wait around.
This is another really great volume with lots of insight on how it all works. I love the dialogue and characters, and the art is great to boot. The unraveling of the team so early on makes me worried what will happen in the future but I like the direction. Give me more!
A 4.5 out of 5.
March 8, 2018
I don't know how accurate this portrayal of breaking into the manga-verse is but the story's interesting and fun. It paints the world as very competitive, where trying to predict what will be a success is more misses than hits and where it's easier to make a living as an assistant or editor than a mangaka.
My favorite character is Kaya Miyoshi, the love interest of one of the MCs but a surprise and not-so-close second is Eiji Niizuma, genius mangaka.
Loving the story and the artwork but what do you expect, this is Tsugumi Ohba and Takeshi Obata we're talking about :)
My favorite character is Kaya Miyoshi, the love interest of one of the MCs but a surprise and not-so-close second is Eiji Niizuma, genius mangaka.
Loving the story and the artwork but what do you expect, this is Tsugumi Ohba and Takeshi Obata we're talking about :)
March 4, 2011
The only thing keeping this manga from being 5 stars for me is that the female characters are soooo stereotypically busty and girly. But then again, it is shonen...
June 11, 2017
things getting interesting as ever. can't wait to read next volume
October 16, 2019
I really like the cliffhanger of this manga! It made me want to read on. In the volume one and two didn’t have a cliffhanger like this, so I became so excited to read the next volume one. I also was surprised that Eiji Nizuma is a good rival of Moritaka because when I watched the anime, I have an impression that he was a crazy person.
May 7, 2013
This manga really inspires individuality. Finding what it is that resonates with one's self. This is key when creating.
December 17, 2022
I really like Nizuma as a character and am really rooting for these boys to become the very best!
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.
November 21, 2014
We learn about the politics and controversies of the life of a mangaka, including dealing with rivalries, publishing contests, how to fit in relationships. The twists in this one involve the two friends separating for a time, and one working as an assistant for their crazy genius competitor for some time-out you know, this is entertaining and enlightening about the trade. Most of the people doing this work are very young--our central heroes are just in high school now--so the appeal to teenagers is obvious.
May 31, 2022
This volume was really good.
The story develops at a good pace. It was good to know Nizuma a little closer because I, just like Mashiro and Takagi, thought he was kind of an alien genius or something. I hated Miyoshi from the very beginning and hated her more in this book. She's wasting Takagi's time and utilizing him to write her novel so she can take all the credit at the end!
I really hope Mashiro and Takagi don't separate that early! In other words, I am so excited for the next volume!
The story develops at a good pace. It was good to know Nizuma a little closer because I, just like Mashiro and Takagi, thought he was kind of an alien genius or something. I hated Miyoshi from the very beginning and hated her more in this book. She's wasting Takagi's time and utilizing him to write her novel so she can take all the credit at the end!
I really hope Mashiro and Takagi don't separate that early! In other words, I am so excited for the next volume!
January 29, 2022
Fewer sexist remarks in this one thankfully. I really liked that we saw more of Eiji Nizuma, his character is really interesting and I liked his interactions with Mashiro. Not sure how I feel about Takagi's relationship though... won't say anything about it because of spoilers but yeah, not a fan. Azuki is one of the worst characters I've read about though, she's so 2 dimensional and I just don't understand her ugh.
Basically any scenes with only Mashiro, Takagi or Eiji are really cool haha. Also I'm still really enjoying the insight into the manga publishing world
Basically any scenes with only Mashiro, Takagi or Eiji are really cool haha. Also I'm still really enjoying the insight into the manga publishing world
April 8, 2021
2021 reread: WHY IS THIS SERIES SO DANG INSPIRING WHY
***
I feel tension and drama building ...
***
I feel tension and drama building ...
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!!!
January 26, 2021
Todo lo que tiene que ver con el mundo del manga super interesante, pero si de repente salen los clichés forzados, o algunas frasecitas que si te hacen decir "hay, como por que?"
Como dije, eso de que Eiji es su "enemigo" es tonto, no solo el les admira, hasta le consigue a Saiko trabajo temporal como su ayudante, y aprende de el. Supongo que es difícil quitarse el cliché shonen de que debe haber un enemigo.
La otra por un lado pues si quieres que triunfen, pero es que hacen y dicen cada cosa, que hay veces que si quisieras que fallen para que entiendan. Como de repente su terquedad de hacer un manga clásico de peleas, en lugar de uno a su estilo, solo por que de funcionar funcionaria más rápido.
4star
Como dije, eso de que Eiji es su "enemigo" es tonto, no solo el les admira, hasta le consigue a Saiko trabajo temporal como su ayudante, y aprende de el. Supongo que es difícil quitarse el cliché shonen de que debe haber un enemigo.
La otra por un lado pues si quieres que triunfen, pero es que hacen y dicen cada cosa, que hay veces que si quisieras que fallen para que entiendan. Como de repente su terquedad de hacer un manga clásico de peleas, en lugar de uno a su estilo, solo por que de funcionar funcionaria más rápido.
4star
February 27, 2020
I loved this volume!! The artwork of this manga is gorgeous and getting an insight into how Manga is created is amazing!!!
Everything flows really well in this volume with enough excitement and intrigue to keep me going!!
I’m still not fully buying Miho and Moritaka but that wasn’t such an essential focus of this volume and I think that’s why I enjoyed it more. I love Akito and Kaya and the development of their relationship is really cute :)
I’ve already ordered the next 3 volumes so I’m definitely in this for the long haul
Everything flows really well in this volume with enough excitement and intrigue to keep me going!!
I’m still not fully buying Miho and Moritaka but that wasn’t such an essential focus of this volume and I think that’s why I enjoyed it more. I love Akito and Kaya and the development of their relationship is really cute :)
I’ve already ordered the next 3 volumes so I’m definitely in this for the long haul
November 26, 2024
I'm bored with it, it doesn't have the same charm as Death Note and it blabbers too much, it looks like a Marvel comic.
Mi sono stufata, non ha lo stesso fascino di Death Note e chiacchierano troppo, sembra un fumetto della Marvel.
Mi sono stufata, non ha lo stesso fascino di Death Note e chiacchierano troppo, sembra un fumetto della Marvel.
April 27, 2017
Aiii la tensión madre mía. Necesito saber qué pasará en el siguiente tomo con Saiko y Shujin así que mañana me lo cojo en la biblioteca.
June 2, 2017
Fairly cute with some interesting touches thrown in.
The story is a bit all over the place, but the art is fantastic and they've added a bit more drama.
Looking forward to the next one.
The story is a bit all over the place, but the art is fantastic and they've added a bit more drama.
Looking forward to the next one.
January 31, 2018
Quiero seguir leyendo!!!!
March 11, 2019
I read this in one sitting and really enjoyed it! The story is starting to kick off and I really liked the new characters and the dynamic between them.
July 29, 2019
And finally the story picks up!
I love how supportive everyone is; it makes for a nice alternative to the typical rivalries that happen.
I love how supportive everyone is; it makes for a nice alternative to the typical rivalries that happen.
November 5, 2023
Was slower than the first two but still loved it 🤓💗🌷
November 19, 2017
I loved the changing focus of their manga! I really really love that the art changes based on what the guys are learning and working on. I also loved the "assistant" story line.
May 20, 2019
In this chapter, Akito and moritaka entered the manga contest. They became more enthusiastic and skillful manga creators.
They were struggling about what kind of manga they should make through this chapter.
I could know how manga is made while I reading the scenes where the boys talking about terms of manga.
A word “cliched” that I learned in Manga class was in a conversation at the scene talking about how they make storyboard. At the moment I saw the page I thought BAKUMAN. is one of the few series that we can learn about creating manga.
I had never read the kind of story, so it makes me feel more enjoyable to keep reading.
They were struggling about what kind of manga they should make through this chapter.
I could know how manga is made while I reading the scenes where the boys talking about terms of manga.
A word “cliched” that I learned in Manga class was in a conversation at the scene talking about how they make storyboard. At the moment I saw the page I thought BAKUMAN. is one of the few series that we can learn about creating manga.
I had never read the kind of story, so it makes me feel more enjoyable to keep reading.
January 9, 2019
9/10
This volume shows there's two types of creators, the ones to whom creating is a natural process (like discovery writers) and those who need to put planning and effort into their story (like plotters).
This volume shows there's two types of creators, the ones to whom creating is a natural process (like discovery writers) and those who need to put planning and effort into their story (like plotters).
December 4, 2019
In this volume, Ashirogimuto got the third place of Akamaru jump. To win praise, they did an effort for a long time. To read this, I feel their enthusiasm. I look forward to reading next and I recommend to read this strongly.
July 21, 2018
I completely thought Eiji Nizuma was rival, or kinda antagonist, but it is not!! He is a good fellow. His image will be changed in my mind, also your mind! I strongly recommend you to read this one.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 21, 2015
i think the start of this volume is a bit slow, but it picks up the pace eventually, and there are many scenes which i found really interesting- some twists here there which i hadnt predicted. that is something i really like about Bakuman. while predictability is rife there are also alot of "WOW" and "Didnt see that coming!" moments. i also really enjoy the character interactions- especially the ones with Niizuma in them.
another aspiring manga artist Fukuda is introduced in this volume. i think he is a really hilarious character. his forthright way of speaking never fails to make me chuckle, and the manga he is working on seems really catchy too.
i have already read volume 4 and 5, and now i am eagerly waiting to read vol 6!
another aspiring manga artist Fukuda is introduced in this volume. i think he is a really hilarious character. his forthright way of speaking never fails to make me chuckle, and the manga he is working on seems really catchy too.
i have already read volume 4 and 5, and now i am eagerly waiting to read vol 6!
April 5, 2020
A little slow, but going good.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 174 reviews