「親と子」 (Oya to Ko)
“Parents and Children”

Some people think Bakuman is basically an anime based on two guys trying to make it big by becoming mangaka. Some people think that such a premise would make for a really boring anime. I am here to tell you today that Bakuman is a lot more then just “about mangaka” but something that is pretty darn amazing. Like I’ve said for the past two weeks, all I’ve expected from Bakuman is to learn some cool facts about being a mangaka – and it completely delivers on that. What really makes Bakuman special is the little details that are sprinkled in and around the story itself. Last episode, I mentioned how the bond between father and son is a very strong one, and how Moritaka never actually speaks to his father about things. This episode has another really powerful scene when Moritaka calls his father and thanks him for accepting his request to become a mangaka — only to learn that his father, a man who works round the clock, has been watching over him this entire time, ready to help him become a man when the time was right. It’s family relationships like this that really make me love the slice of life genre. The amount of love and care that Moritaka’s father has for him isn’t spelled out in words, but through his actions. Another good example comes from Lucky Star (last thing you would think of right?). In one episode, we learn about Konata’s mom and how she chose the moe-filled otaku to become her husband, because she knew from his actions that he loved her. The sensation I’m trying to describe is hard to put into words, but it’s the tingly feeling that you feel in your heart and the back of your head when something touching happens.

Back on topic with our two heroes’ and their goal of becoming a mangaka, we get a full class of Mangaka 101. Inside of Nobuhiro’s apartment, you could describe it as an otaku dream room. From the towering collection of anime hero figures which fill up an entire room to the enormous manga collection in another, I would personally love to have this apartment. It is literally bookshelf, upon bookshelf, full of manga. It makes me feel a little sick to my stomach when I think about how much a collection like that would cost in real life. Imagine what all those manga would be worth? As Nobuhiro once said to justify his collection, “The best data for manga, is manga.” Last episode, Moritaka also mentioned that his one condition before partnering up with Takagi was that he needed to think of a name. If you guys thought that he meant a “name” for a manga, you were just as wrong as I was. A name is literally the rough draft for a manga. With the general panels sketched out, they’re sent to an editor who will edit them and send them back until they’re ready to be turned into a manuscript — something that looks like an actual manga.

In this Nobuhiro-centric episode, a little bit more of his past is revealed. By a little bit, I mean that Azuki’s mom (Azuki Miyuki) is the woman who Nobuhiro had been sending letters to, hoping to win her heart after becoming a full fledged mangaka. I didn’t see this coming at all, until the picture hiding in Nobuhiro’s box of letters was revealed. I thought it might have just been coincidence that Moritaka and Azuki were exchanging text messages just like how Nobuhiro and Miyuki sent letters to each other. But boy was I wrong. It’s almost like their DNA had forced it to happen. While the picture looks identical to Azuki, our dynamic duo decide to visit Azuki’s mom to find out and confirm that it really is her. When they finally meet Miyuki, she looks identical to Azuki, except for her huge long hair rolls. Hair rolls which I think really detracts from her overall appearance but at least help distinguish her from her daughter. She has the same pleasant personality as Azuki, very politely confirming that she was the woman who Nobuhiro loved and telling her side of the story. It’s pretty easy to see where Azuki get’s her charming personality from.

Throughout the entire episode, it felt like Takagi and Moritaka have finally begun to think of themselves as a real team. Moritaka finally dropping that arrogant attitude of his when he’s around Takagi. He’s even smiling for most of the episode! I think this is the turning point where Bakuman will finally start kicking into full speed. If this episode was any indicator of where the story is headed, I’m super excited on what’s in store for weeks to come. Not only will there be manga drawn, but guessing from the preview there will be new characters introduced too. Add on the whole Azuki x Moritaka aspect, and I see great things over the horizon.

 

Preview

34 Comments

  1. the scene between father and son was indeed great! man without much words shows his care and love through actions… indeed powerful!

    the whole DNA forced love was kind of funny, but nonetheless touching as well… although I have to say, oh how I hated that long hair roll… it reminds me of certain drill… but being 42 and looks like that… Just nice! Did that woman drink ATPX 4869 or what?

    Hope to see more of Azuki x Moritaka !!

    jrj
  2. Really happy to see the anime bringing out the same touching moments we get in the manga.
    And it’s even exceeding expectations and surpassing at points. Can’t wait for the next episode. 🙂

    Yukianesa
  3. I like how you point out what makes this series worth watching, and your summary of the episode in your post here is quite interesting to read.

    Anyways another great episode, I almost shed tear when they read the last letter, and made me chuckle with Azuki’s mom preferring the bad boy type than those like Takagi.
    https://randomc.net/image/Bakuman/Bakuman%20-%2003%20-%20Large%2034.jpg (lol at him falling from the shock XD)
    They also showed Miho when she was young( so cute :3)and her charming mom =D
    https://randomc.net/image/Bakuman/Bakuman%20-%2003%20-%20Large%2032.jpg

    Overall nice episode and looking forward to the next one.

    Nhelraios
  4. Not only is it following the manga pretty well, it also does the most out of each chapter. This 3rd episode puts us at the same spot as the end of chapter 4 of the manga. At this pace so will the anime catch up to the manga in 7-8 years…

    Znail
      1. Well, that assumes the manga will keep going forever. I don’t think it will do that quite honestly. It’s already pushing it with maturity in Jump. There are quite a lot of time and progress made so far in the manga. I guess it will reach an end before those 7-8 years at the least 🙂 I seriously doubt that they will skip any content btw as that would mean skipping content where the main characters are still young and easy to relate to for younger viewers.

        Show Spoiler ▼

        Znail
  5. Found the Ashita no Joe reference a little moving. Like many people I know the story but have never read the manga (another such would be Kozure Ookami) so I’m inspired to read it now…

    rufe
  6. I watched this series with a certain amount of skepticism that it would be worth watching. After episode 1 I was hooked and by now (after having just watched #3) am I glad I stayed with it. This is one of the bright spots of this season hidden in between all the robot and fan service shows.

    I so did not see it coming that history was repeating itself until I saw the yearbook photo and it was like a light bulb appeared over my head “Ah so thats whats going on here” I said to myself. Until the boys actually met the mom I kinda had the thought going (to make some series drama) she would hate manga and she would be a cockblock to her daughter’s romance with Moritaka.

    Karmafan
  7. This anime keeps getting better and better. The pacing was nice and I really liked the info they gave on the process of creating a manga. I must say I’ve never been interested in anything but anime however this makes me consider giving the medium a second chance.

  8. Great episode, with all nice coincidences. And Azuki mama! 🙂

    Was I the only one that thought the mention of that burgeoning rock star Koogy, or whatever his name was, is a very soft plantation for a future pursuer of our protagonist’s Azuki?

    Greg

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