Summary:
Bakuman is an anime based on the original manga by Tsugumi Ohba and Takeshi Obata the team responsible for the smash cult hit 'Death Note'. The story follows the creation of manga and the business itself as the protagonist team of Mashiro and Takagi set out to make their dreams come true and become successful in the manga industry. However, as we soon discover the industry itself is not easy to walk into, not forgetting that our protagonists are both still in highschool! Yet after Mashiro confessess to his secret love Azuki, they make a promise to both become successful and create a manga that will become an anime in which Azuki can star as a voice actor. With each character longing to keep their promise and a proposition of marriage between the two students on the line, Bakuman holds its own as an informative, original and compelling series.
Opinions:
I must say i wasn't initially convinced by this anime as to me it all seemed a tad dull when compared to the usual shonen style anime that we are all accustomed to ( Naruto , Bleach). Yet i was drawn to it straight away as the original manga was created by the minds behind 'Death Note' so i knew it couldn't possibly disappoint and i was right. Bakuman really is one of those animes which stands out from the norm and exceeds all expectations. The real 'addiction' factor which this anime provides comes from its originality and the continuous suspense created as you become more and more involved with the charaters and begin rooting for their success.
The characters themselves do seem a tad cliche to begin with. For example, Azuki; the timid school girl, and her friend Kaya Miyoshi, the more obnoxious of the pair. However in a sense it is this sort of slapstick style that better suits the more informative and semi-serious plot making this anime a very nicely rounded story. In addition the more eccentric characters such as Eiji Nizuma, (a child prodigy and the team's rival in manga) alongside the equally disfunctional Kazuya Hiramaru (who hates working and only wishes to pick up girls); aid this anime making it something that is both informative and entertaining.
I would strongly recommend this anime to anyone who wishes to understand a bit more about japanese culture as you will find this informative in more ways than one. Not only did it teach me about the great lengths it takes to achieve a serialised manga in japan, but i found myself learning all over again why i love anime as with each episode you soon find yourself striving to watch the next straight afterwards. Alongside a whole host of compelling characters, i'm sure anyone who takes my advice will love Bakuman.
Rating: 4.5 /5.0 Excellent
Watch for free here: http://www.animecrazy.net/bakuman-anime/
Bakuman [Oct 2010]
Created by : Tsugumi Ohba & Takeshi Obata
Directed by: Kenichi Kasai, Noriaki Akitaya
J.C.Staff, Media Blasters
