Bakuman.
Synopsis
As a child, Moritaka Mashiro dreamt of becoming a mangaka, just like his childhood hero and uncle, Tarou Kawaguchi, creator of a popular gag manga. But when tragedy strikes, he gives up on his dream and spends his middle school days studying, aiming to become a salaryman instead. One day, his classmate Akito Takagi, the school's top student and aspiring writer, notices the detailed drawings in Moritaka's notebook. Seeing the vast potential of his artistic talent, Akito approaches Moritaka, proposing that they become mangaka together. After much convincing, Moritaka realizes that if he is able to create a popular manga series, he may be able to get the girl he has a crush on, Miho Azuki, to take part in the anime adaptation as a voice actor. Thus the pair begins creating manga under the pen name Muto Ashirogi, hoping to become the greatest mangaka in Japan, the likes of which no one has ever seen. [Written by MAL Rewrite]
Audience Consensus
Audience sentiment is mixed. Many appreciate the anime's detailed portrayal of the manga industry and the protagonists' journey, finding it inspiring and informative. However, criticisms include slow pacing, a weak romantic subplot, and occasionally unlikeable characters, leading to a polarized viewing experience.
Strengths
- Insightful look into the manga industry and the lives of mangaka.
- Well-written story with engaging characters and personal drama.
- Informative and enlightening for those unfamiliar with manga creation.
- Inspiring tale of pursuing dreams and overcoming obstacles.
Weaknesses
- Slow pacing, especially in the early episodes.
- Overused and tiresome romantic subplot with underdeveloped characters.
- Repetitive conflicts in the romance, hindering the overall plot.
- Some viewers found the anime sexist and the characters unlikable.