Bakuman

Name: Bakuman
Genre: Anime
Released: 2013-01-01
Cast: Atsushi Abe, Satoshi Hino, Nobuhiko Okamoto, Masakazu Morita

2013

TV-14

Anime

The creators of Death Note return with this inspiring tale about the power of dreams. Students Mashiro and Takagi aspire to become professional manga artists. As they team up to pursue their goal, the pair learns what it takes to make it in the manga industry, sharing laughs, tears, romance, the devastation of failure and the glory of success along the way.

Starring:Atsushi Abe Satoshi Hino Nobuhiko Okamoto Masakazu Morita

Directed by:Kenichi Kasai Noriaki Akitaya

S01:E01 - Dreams and Reality

Student Moritaka Mashiro is whiling away his school days without much thought for the future when he is approached by the top student in his class, Akito Takagi. Takagi's request? "Team up with me and create manga!"

S01:E02 - Dumb and Smart

In order to marry Miho Azuki, the girl of his dreams, Mashiro decides to become a manga artist. But first he has to convince his family to let him try despite his manga-artist uncle Nobuhiro's death from overwork and exhaustion just three years prior.

S01:E03 - Parent and Child

Mashiro takes Takagi to uncle Nobu's old manga studio and shows the budding writer some of his uncle's storyboards. In an odd corner they also find a box of uncle Nobu's love letters, but are in for a shock when they figure out just who the woman on the other end was.

S01:E04 - Time and Key

Mashiro becomes obsessed with mastering the use of the G-pen to draw, to the point of blowing off studying for exams. Takagi is worried, but also begins his own research project to aid him in creating manga stories.

S01:E05 - Summer and Storyboard

Mashiro and Takagi decide to finish up their first manga over summer vacation and bring it to an editor. Meanwhile, Takagi tries to explain to Miyoshi why he was asking her about Azuki, but only ends up making things more awkward.

S01:E06 - Carrot and Stick

Their first submission ready, the boys bring it to a publisher and meet one of the editors, Akira Hattori. His feedback has the boys wavering between ecstasy and misery.

S01:E07 - Tears and Tears

Class is a joy for Mashiro now that he sits next to Azuki, but one day he asks a question that makes her cry. Through her tears, though, Azuki gives Mashiro her text address, leaving Moritaka completely confused. Later, Mr. Hattori calls to give the boys the results for "The Two Earths."

S01:E08 - Fear and Hope

Aiming to win the Tezuka Award, Mashiro and Takagi begin work on a new manga called "The One-Hundred Millionth." But when one of their classmates finds out about the boys' project and begins critiquing Mashiro's art, there's trouble afoot!

S01:E09 - Regret and Satisfaction

Though Takagi has been suspended, he's being positive and using the time to focus on his storyboards. Mashiro, on the other hand, is doubting himself. When Mashiro drops by his partner's house to check in, he finds a...delicate situation.

S01:E10 - 10 and 2

Mashiro and Takagi go to discuss "One-Hundred Millionth" with Mr. Hattori and get advice on their next project. After a false start or two, they pitch their next idea.

S01:E11 - Chocolate and NEXT

While working on their submission for NEXT! magazine, Mashiro and Takagi must make it through high school entrance exams. In the meantime, a gift from Azuki arrives for Mashiro.

S01:E12 - Feast and Graduation

The boys feel the need to redouble their efforts, not just because of their growing rivalry with Eiji Niizuma, but to repay Hattori for his belief in them. As their graduation from middle school draws near, Mashiro finds out that Azuki will be moving away.

S01:E13 - Early Results and Final Report

After working harder than ever to complete their final draft, Mashiro sends his first text to Azuki. Later, Miyoshi helps the boys choose a pen name, and NEXT! goes on sale containing their first published work.

S01:E14 - Battle and Copy

In order to beat Eiji Niizuma, Mashiro and Takagi begin storyboarding a mainstream battle manga. Eiji is causing no end of trouble for his editor and is brought into the editorial department, giving the boys a chance to see their rival's talent firsthand.