Mashiro Moritaka, Takagi Akito, Azuki Miho, Miyoshi Kaya
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「デビューと焦り」 (Debut to Aseri)
“Debut and Impatience”
And once again, Bakuman’s pacing feels like it’s moving slower than a turtle. After checking to see how much material they covered in this episode, I couldn’t believe only one chapter was covered! With some parts feeling extremely stretched out, while others felt ridiculously short, I suppose the only good thing to come out of all of this was Hattori and Azuki getting a ton of screen time.
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「バトルと模写」 (Batoru to Mosha)
“Battle and Reproduction”
From what I can gather, it looks like Bakuman started moving toward a two chapter per episode pace rather than one to one and a half. What does that mean? An even better Bakuman that manages to keep your damn attention. With a combination of much needed drama and some real “friend” building moments, this week’s episode stands out as one of the better ones.
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「速報と本ちゃん」 (Sokuhou to Hon Chan)
“Early Results And The Real Deal”
I think it’s happened. Kaya has won me over. I think it might have been her flamboyant attitude, her fashionable clothing, or just the way her hair is done at the end. Whatever it may be, I’m glad that she plays a decent role in this series. Besides being Takagi’s girlfriend, I think it was awfully kind of her to take the role of being Mashiro and Azuki’s in-between.
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「御馳走と卒業」 (Gochisou to Sotsugyou)
“Feast and Graduation”
While Bakuman still seems to be following one to one and a half chapters per episode, it feels like things are finally beginning to speed up. Putting the manga things aside, I really enjoyed how this episode focused on the relationship between Mashiro and Azuki. With Kaya in the picture, it was nice to see a normal girl’s perspective on the matter.
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「チョコとNEXT！」 (Choco to NEXT!)
“Chocolate and NEXT!”
It looks like everything in Bakuman has finally come full circle. While it answered most of the questions I had, it also raised a ton more in the process. Even so, I was surprised how fun this week’s episode was.
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「10と2」 (10 to 2)
“10 and 2”
Boy does Bakuman crank it up this week. Managing to fit a whole ton of plot development, crazy girlfriend faces, and a flashback into a single episode. How do they do it?!
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「後悔と納得」 (Kokkai to Nattoku)
“Regret and Understanding”
I doubt I’ve ever met anyone who has had the privilege to have two girls fighting over him. DAMN YOU TAKAGI.
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「不安と期待」 (Fuan to Kitai)
“Uncertainties and Expectations”
Boy was this episode of Bakuman full of twists and turns. From start to finish, I never expected things to go the way they did this episode.
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「涙と涙」 (Namida to Namida)
“Tears and Tears”
Bakuman takes a refreshing turn this week, deciding to focus on Mashiro and Azuki’s ever confusing and “drive me insane” relationship. As I’ve said week in and week out, it’s been killing me inside knowing that Mashiro still doesn’t know Azuki’s e-mail address.
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「アメとムチ」 (Ame to Muchi)
“Carrot and Stick”
I really didn’t know what to expect when our dynamic duo arrived at the offices of Shounen Jump Jack. I really didn’t give it a lot of thought whether or not their manuscript would really be good enough to become an instant hit. Seeing how this is a shounen, I should have already came to the conclusion that there wasn’t enough leveling up growth yet. When they finally presented the manuscript to Shounen Jack editor Hattori Akira (Tone Kentarou) for judgment though, I was sorta surprised.