I really enjoyed this manga but the main reason I enjoyed it was the sense of unity between the characters.
The quote "One soul in two bodies" is used a number of times to signify the unbreakable and surreal relationship the two main characters share...

Well, I've only read a bit, and it's pretty interesting so far.
But by chapter 2, I can't help but feel that I've been insulted twice-thrice by the manga for being a female (who doesn't really fit into female gender role or stereotype), hahaha. Makes me feel nostalgic for Death Note (here comes the comparison again), where the female characters are all stupid. Jeez, what's up with this author's machismo? It doesn't make it a bad manga though. I just feel like I need to say it somewhere

... Last updated on August 19th, 2009, 12:21pm

This was okay for a while, but after that got fairly boring. I read about 30 chapters, and i've got to say it got really repetitive. Every chapter was just them worrying that they wouldn't get serialized or that their weird big lipped producer guy wouldn't like there manga. I might pick it up again once its finished, but i doubt it'll be very exciting.

The storyline is actually a pretty standard one for a shounen: abruptly-awakened protagonists trying to fulfill their seemingly impossible aspirations by decimating rivals and social expectations with diligence and slight cleverness--all the while satisfying their male pubescence by dabbling in idealistic high school romances. Basically, a coming of age / "You can do it!" story.

Centering it around the manga-making process, however, is unique, and does set it apart from the other "battle" manga circulating. As mangaka themselves, the topic is furthermore familiar--making it easy to both write about and appeal to the readers with. A very smart choice in plot that leads the reader to thinking that these two themselves are more the "calculating" than "genius" types mentioned.

Of course, it has possible weak points. Time progresses way too quickly and abruptly (although honestly, I appreciate it more than dragginess); the romance aspect of the story is too idealistic (although I think it is probably a jab at stereotypic shoujo storylines); and there are a lot of holes in the story.

All in all though, Bakuman is an enjoyable read, and good to catch up on once in a while to cleanse your palate in-between other series. It'll also increase your appreciation of the manga business significantly.

Oh, and don't compare this to Death Note, because the two are in completely different genres. I think it's rather a good thing, though. Another Death Note-like story from them would be horridly boring and predictable.

... Last updated on July 13th, 2009, 3:30am

The main characters are despicable imo, all they ever care about are votes and getting an anime and not on making a good manga, just so one of them can get married on some ridiculous unbelievable deal that he made with a classmate he never talked to.

The art is usually uninteresting as it is mostly just characters screaming at each other through the phone.

If you like a manga where all anybody does is scream voting statistics at each other, then this is the manga for you. It represents everything wrong with WSJ.

This is THE ONE!

I just read the first chapter and it send chills down my spine. Its sooooooo INTERESTING I'm so excited to read more. I recommend this one sooooo HIGHLY! I like this better than the orange ninja and emo deathgod.

It's kinna interesting. Not the same mind blowing experience as Death Note but nonetheless interesting in it's own way. I don't think it can last over 10 volumes though. It's very slow paced. There's no climax or intense scenes. Hopefully they don't drag it out. I kinna want them to complete this series fast and move on to another awesome manga like DN.

... Last updated on May 12th, 2009, 12:49pm

I was stumble upon to this series that I never expected that behind of this wonderful Manga is the creator of Death Note!

Lolz! XD


Anyways, this story really relates one of my dream: being a Mangaka (except for the Romantic situation! ).


The story is really good, the characters are well designed, and I like how it portray an aspiring Mangaka.
Every chapter of the story makes you ask for MORE and its very exciting to read!


A highly recommended to read!

Ohba and Obata are freaking amazing. They've managed to make another unique series. But a fair bit of warning - this is completely different from Death Note. Don't expect anything remotely similar to Death Note from Bakuman. They're just different.
The slice-of-life tag is no joke.
You WILL find Bakuman boring if you're just looking for action or fantasy, but you'll love Bakuman if you're looking for a chill everyday life series. Just enjoy it. You won't find another series out there about manga.

... Last updated on September 11th, 2012, 5:33pm

I really love this manga as it gives an insigt to a mangaka's life and how the manga industry works. The storyline is really unique and unlike some people I really love the romance background. I really like it when shounen has a little bit of romance in it and its really interseting to see if it would work out between Mashiro and Azuki or if his love will fail just like his uncle. All in all I hope the group scanllating this manga is doing a fabulous job and I thank them for picking up this wonderful manga.