I think it takes a lot of skill and class for a mangaka to make something in the Slice of Lice genre so interesting. I really enjoyed Bakuman and felt that the arcs and chapters were well-paced. Although I found myself hating on people like their antagonist, I guess it was also intended.. 'though I really prefer liking antagonists in manga since I like a lot.
I gave it a 10 rating because it's been a while since a manga has got me this engrossed and captivated
If you're looking for a tragedy/thriller, please look elsewhere! This manga is the brightest, happiest work ever, even if the mangaka in the manga are writing 'dark' stories

I wish they would let us read some of the manga that they make in the thing, because they sound awesome (some of them do).

I like this series and thought that it was a good idea and definitely something new. The romance is cute, though unrealistic. Every character is their own and that is a good thing. But, I wish the relationship between Shuujin and Miyoshi didn't revolve around Azuki and Saiko. It takes away from the story itself and makes you want to stop reading. And around chapter 50, the reader begins to focus more on character relationships than the story itself. You can completely forget that the story even has Azuki or the relationship between Shuujin and Miyoshi, evn though they are MAJOR characters. It's good, but it requires patience

I have really loved this manga but there are definitely boring sections in it . I have just read ch 143 144 and have gotten de ja vu for the hundredth time. I wish the structure of the arcs would change from the eternal manga battle style. Mix it up with something else to keep the manga fresh

When I started to read this manga I immediately fell for it. I don't think it's just about "looking behind the scenes" but also a moving story about friendship. The weak point is the romance because it's rather unrealistic and boring and I don't think such a thing would motivate anyone to draw manga, its the passion you have for manga. I also draw manga so I think it's a good work (the best work about drawing manga I've read so far) but I also like their relationships and the side-characters are very funny (maybe even more interesting than the protagonists theirselfs). I enjoy reading this work.

BUT: don't compare this one to Death Note! There is no point in doing so because a mangaka is not suited for only one kind of story, remember that! Death Note may be created for a huge audience and many people like it passionately but please recognize that Bakuman is also great in its area. Ohba/Obata didn't create a one-hit-wonder with Death Note because Bakuman is great as well but different. I mean, it was also made into an anime so I think there are many people who doesn't draw manga who like it ;-)

Give it a try. It's worth it. Death Note was great but this one is also recommendable!

... Last updated on October 16th, 2011, 12:20pm

After the success of Death Note both Obha and Obata wanted to do something with more comedy.
Guess this is the outcome.
I don't think it's bad. It's a perfekt slice-of-life about what goes on behind the scenes. We can see how every mangaka is working the hardest to make their series a hit. It's really a tiring work and even if you do your best it's still not a guarantee that it will become popular.
So I think this piece is very interesting. The artwork is good and feels real. I like this!

Well, I guess people expect a lot from this duo after Death Note but I honestly think you shouldn't compare these 2 manga as their genres are different. Though truth be told, when it comes to characters and story-telling, Bakuman is rather weak compared to Death Note. I really really really dislike Light in Death Note but I think he left a much stronger impression on others than Mashiro. I think Mashiro is quite plain for a protagonist. His girl friend, Azuki, too. I like Takagi but at the same time, I think supporting characters are more interesting than him and especially Mashiro. Like Eiji, Fukuda, Hiramaru, Aoki or even Nakai.

Anyways, I really enjoy reading this manga. It gives lots of information about the manga industry which I find interesting. After reading this, I think I respect mangakas more than before. Imo, there're things which the author can't tell us but nonetheless, this manga is still worth reading. Aside from weak main characters, I have other complaints for this manga. First is the art. It's worse in later volumes but even in early volumes, I found nothing special about the art. How should I say it? I don't think the art portrays the characters well. Secondly, sometimes, Bakuman is too wordy. Though I guess this can't be helped given what kind of manga Bakuman is.

I give this a 7.

... Last updated on September 28th, 2011, 11:34am

To be truthful; this series isn't amazing or whatever but I find it quite baffling how people would compare or expect something like DeathNote. Authors aren't one-trick-ponies that can only do one kind of thing and I think this story is quite good. Maybe the romance at the start and the motivations of Saiko is a bit unrealistic but the stress from dropping in ranks, being unmotivated etc are very real and I find myself relating to them a lot because I go through the similar stuff when I go to Art School.

It's definitely something for people who are more interested in the manga industry etc so I guess it has a much smaller target audience than DeathNote but it doesn't make it bad. Give it a try if you're interested in making comics. It also gives you a new way of approaching Shounen Jump series' and how the authors work and under what conditions they create they're stories.

7/10 Rating with +1 for the new insight about JUMP
8/10 Overall

I wasn't expecting another Death Note, but at least something better than most series. This had an interesting idea, but falls into the cliche traps in many other series. Worse of all, it's boring. The art is great, but so what? The story matters most in my eyes and the story in this series fell very short of my expectations. You can drag on a series, but at least make the journey interesting and different. Falling on the whole "fail once, get inspired to overcome this challenge, minor progress and repeat for chapter after chapter" means a low score in my book. I dropped this series and I'm glad.

EDIT: I'm not a huge fan of reading a series about this topic admittedly. If you have interest in the behind of scenes depiction (with really slice of life feeling), then this could appeal to you. The harsh review was more motivated by my expectations based on the previous work of the artist. If I hadn't had those expectations, this would have gathered a decent review. Then again if I didn't have those expectations, I would have passed on the 2nd chapter instead of reading over 100...

... Last updated on June 17th, 2011, 10:45pm

I had been putting off rating and commentig on this because it wasn't far enough in yet...and then I ran into a really good part and could't tair myself away. But I have to say around chapter 65 to about 85 things were dragged out and it took all of my concentration not to give up on it. I almost lost hope. But things got much better around 85. I am glad I tuffed it out. though I can see were those chapter help move the story and made it a bit more realistic...it was a little infuriating and dry. Right now I am going to rate this an 8 but I will update it when I get futher along.
I have to say for the art though its amazing as usual for Takeshi Obota. ^^ (I think I became a huge fan because of Death Note and I have read most of Obota's works since then.
The story itself is interesting and is better (in my opinion) of other mangas that are about drawing manga.