Bakuman story by Tsugumi Ohba, art by Takeshi Obata

High school buddies Akito Takagi and Moritaka Mashiro dream of teaming up to create a hit manga in Bakuman! When their first series Detective Trap is canceled, Takagi and Mashiro focus on getting a new series in Weekly SHONEN JUMP.

As promised, now that he and Mashiro have succeeded in getting their new series, Vroom, Tanto Daihatsu, serialized, Takagi’s got to tie the knot with his girlfriend, Kaya Miyoshi! But first he’s got to contend with her karate master dad that was best friends with Mashiro’s mangaka uncle Kawaguchi Taro!

If all this sounds complicated, don’t worry— genius mangaka writer Ohba has an uncanny ability to switch between several different plot threads in a short span of time. Artist Obata keeps the details in the backgrounds and facial expressions sharp and clear when it’s serious. When things get a little sillier, he shows his gift for using minimal detail or atypical expressions to reflect the change in tone.

Takagi and Mashiro’s rivalry with Eiji heats up when they find out he’s been given an unprecedented second series in Jump! And complicating matters, all is not well with their new series, Vroom, Tanto Daihatsu. Takagi’s having a tough time thinking up funny jokes for their gag manga.

Can they keep cranking out the laughs, or will the joke be on them? Find out in Bakuman volume 9, on sale February 7th!

Related Links:
Bakuman
Graphic Novels
Weekly Shonen Jump Alpha
Manga
Previews

by Stephan Massih