Hehe... finally, a manga that tells more or less truthfull story about manga making process. Usually it's poor helpless sole of an author who wants to become famous in one go and a deadline-fobic editor.
Two highschool kids aming to become someone of their dreams- thats more of an interesting plot already.
Bit rough on the romance, but it's not done yet.

Oh!!AND I finally know the answer on my "WTF", when I heard about "Mx0" and "Double arts" being cancelled.

I personally like this manga because unlike the majority of JUMP manga, it's not a battle/sports manga. It's really interesting for a storyline, and I'm actually surprised at the amount of information the author gives you about manga-making. I am a little tired of the whole "genius" thing, but I think the "man's dream" and "bored teenager" is definitely going to be incorporated into a modern, realistic drama, since that's one of the major themes in Japanese life as of this moment. Hell, the bored teenager thing applies to all of the students who are stuck on the stupid road to 1. get good grades, 2. go to college, 3. get a job. It's nice to read about someone who's trying to achieve a dream, especially when you don't think it's possible for you. It's like they're living a dream for you :3

I've read through the latest chapters and well to be honest this series disappoints me. I admit the manga making part is something interesting and all but in the end it didn't have that hook that i was looking for. The art is superb I'll give it that but i feel that it is just a tad boring. I don't have the excitement nor am I having the urge to just re-read the series from the beginning, which I usually do for school life type storylines.

The concept is interesting but the romance in it is stereotypical and just overused (too mutual). I think a twist like Tamaki dying would be very interesting and let Mashiro grow on his own would be great, a bit cruel but great. I don't find it that funny as well. I find the art style does not give the jokes their full potential. It looks too serious.

All in all I think I'll keep reading until something big in it happens and decide whether to drop it there or not.

(edit: Dropped.)

... Last updated on July 3rd, 2009, 1:38pm

I read this bakuman and it was a nice very good interesting story, i also love Death note. anyway i really want to see the next chapter of bakuman. cuz it's so interesting. keep the good work and god luck. I'll wait the next chapter of bakuman

It seems quite biographical, with references to MORITA Masanori, who started working at 15 for Shounen Manga, and the authors themselves.
If you want to understand how to become a great mangaka, read this manga !
Very good story !!!

Bakuman, well.. Where to begin? It's really an intressting manga in it's own way. And yes the author is the same as Death note, but as far as I know Death note and Bakuman are completly different. Even though i've just read the first chapter of DN I think its more like a shounen than Bakuman. So what i think of this manga is that it has a really original story, a manga about 2 highschool lads thats writing manga, on top of that, a little school life in it! ITS BRILLIANT! Im really looking forward to the next chapter, and how its gonna turn out for Mashiro and Azuki I strongly recommend this for readers that likes a little rommance in the background.

Great characters, great artwork and a great story that progresses well with each chapter but also manages to leave you hanging at the end of each chapter (and thus really eager for the next one).

Smart characters and a sense of urgency in both the plot and the characters' attitudes make for quite the exciting read. The simplicity of the story really speaks to the author's talent -- it's no simple task taking a story about two kids writing manga and making it so exciting the reader can't put it down (or can't believe the chapter ended and has to wait for the next issue). I still find myself surprised with every chapter at how good this is. Highly recommended!

... Last updated on November 30th, 2008, 2:09am

That this was by the creators of Death Note. xD But, I enjoyed it all the same. Interesting, and not your cliche shounen manga. Will update more as I read on. =3

It's by the creators of Death Note, so OF COURSE it's going to be amazing. At least according to my opinion, Takeshi and Ohba are doing a totally awesome job once again. I love how informational the story is, really teaches you a lot about mangakas. If you want to be a mangaka in the future then you should definitely read this. Also I think the plot is pretty interesting and original (but maybe there's another plot about making mangas out there, I just don't know about it). The art is of course BEAUTIFUL (this is Takeshi Obata we're talking about) and I like the characters. The sub-plot of Mashiro and Azuki though is a little unnecessary, I think... I mean this is a shounen and not a shoujo, I don't really know why they decided to put that in there. It's also quite cheesy and boring since OBVIOUSLY they both love each other and could totally get married already if it wasn't for their "deal". And the whole thing about how the Mashiro's uncle had been in love with Azuki's mother... I mean that's just creepy.

The chapters are currently really exciting, I can't wait for Takagi and Mashiro to succeed! I'm keeping a close tab on this one!

... Last updated on October 24th, 2008, 4:11pm

Bakuman splits itself into two separate storylines, a high school romance and a quest to publish a manga. As of chapter 9, these storylines rarely merge together; each chapter contains scenes from the romance story, and scenes from the mangaka story. Mashiro and Azuki have promised to get together once they have both achieved their dreams (mangaka and voice actress, respectively), but that's the only connection the two storylines have. (Most likely, they won't make any progress with their relationship until Mashiro gets his manga published, and I don't know how long that will take.)

The manga concept appeals to me since I personally would like to draw a manga, and Bakuman walks the reader through the struggle of manga-making quite well. I've learned a lot of things about mangaka that I wouldn't have known otherwise.

The love story side-plot is mediocre, and the manga doesn't focus on it much. Nothing original here, although we have established that Azuki's and Mashiro's feelings are mutual.

On another note, I am sick of the underlying themes in this manga. (I'm a bored Japanese high school student living my life with no particular aim? Done to death. Men have dreams that women can't understand? PLEASE.) I still enjoy the manga for the manga-making though.