Bakuman 71

Chapter 71

01

Sign: Shizuka

SFX: *punch*
SFX: *punch*

Editor: Nh.
Editor: Kh...

Editor: Wah! Another instant kill!
Game: Round 2.

Editor: So you've been a hikikomori since your 2nd year of middle school? Your mother must be worried about you.

Editor: ...I see. He must not like being called a hikikomori... I guess that should've been obvious.

Left Margin: The young genius...Shizuka Ryuu!!

02-03

Text in top right: It's being made into an anime!! It's planned to begin airing on NHK Educational TV this Fall!!
Text in the middle: Let's grasp the hearts of the readers together!! These are our new partners!!
Text in the top left: Volume 7 of "Bakuman." is set to be released on March 4th!!
Title: Page 71 Talent and Pride

04

Editor: I'm sure he's been called a worthless person plenty of times before...

Editor: I think all mangakas are geniuses.
Editor: Not everyone can make a world of their own appear on a blank sheet of paper with just a pen.
Editor: You have amazing talent, Shizuka-kun.
SFX: *press*
SFX: *press*

Editor: Could you start drawing again? It's for the sake of all the readers in Japan and all the Shizuka Ryuu fans.
SFX: *slice*
SFX: *press*
SFX: *press*
SFX: *press*
SFX: *press*

Editor: *sigh* I lost again.
Editor: No matter how many times I do this, I'm not gonna win.
Editor: I'm no good at games. Everyone has things they're good at and things they aren't, but not enough people have actual talent.

Editor: This was fun. I'll be leaving for today. I'll come by again later.
SFX: *push*
SFX: *push*
SFX: *push*

SFX in top left of panel: *close*
SFX: *push*
SFX: *push*
SFX: *push*

05

Miura: The serialization is set for December 25th.
Takagi: It's on Christmas?
Miura: For some reason, it ends up on Christmas a lot.

Miura: So you've named the rival inventor Metaru Black, huh? That's good because he sounds bad. It reminds me of Evil King Black.
Text above Miura: Ha ha...
Takagi: We thought giving a villain a car's name would be bad, so we went with a car color.

Miura: And his granddaughter, Metaru Pink-chan, is in Tanto's class. It's written "Momo" but read "Pink", right?
Takagi: No. Look closely. Pink is her nickname. Her real name is Momo.
Miura: I see, I see. Having them appear at the end of Chapter 2 and making it 21 pages is fundamentally good.

Mashiro: The problem is how to bring the rivals into Chapter 3.
Takagi: Yeah.
Miura: If we do this well, it'll be way better than the version used at the last meeting.

Miura: The line and pose when he says he's been untiringly aiming for world domination since he was a kid is good.
Mashiro: The two of them think up small-minded evil inventions together, but they're not bad.
Takagi: The best one so far is the milk drink "Akult" that makes you want to do bad things if you drink it that Mashiro came up with.
[TN: Akult is Yakult with "Aku" which means evil at the front.]

Miura: That's great! And if you throw in that chef hat that let's you cook a full course school lunch you were talking about...Yeah, this'll work!
Mashiro: Miura-san, that's too simple.
Takagi: Yeah, think about this more carefully!
Miura: Right, sorry...
Text above Miura: Ha ha ha!

06

Hattori: What do you think of the storyboard by "Moneys" the artist we were thinking of having you use?
Aiko: It's wonderful. Seeing it like this, I can see how even my story could become a good manga. I'm inspired.

Hattori: Should we make the arrangements with this artist?
Aiko: Yes. If he can make my work this much better, I definitely want him.

Hattori: She seems to have strong pride, so I was wondering if she would be willing to do this, but she seems to have an eye for manga.

Hattori: About the script you've brought today. You did well to get the 2nd and 3rd chapters done when I only asked for the 2nd.
Hattori: In the 2nd chapter, more and more kids with the same type of powers as the main character show up.
Hattori: And in the 3rd chapter, you say that these are children chosen by god. This is good.

Hattori: But I would have it be something unknown with great power instead of god to make it more mysterious. I think that's more shonen manga-like.
Aiko: That's right. That will pull at the reader's curiosity... That would be better.

Hattori: She catches on fast...
Aiko: What other parts should I change?

Hattori: Hm? Oh, sorry. Let me read it again.
Hattori: This'll work... With Niizuma-kun doing the storyboard, this'll go much farther than the serialization meeting.

07

Mashiro: Today's Friday so the sample copy of the issue going on sale Monday should have come in.
Takagi: Aoki-san's 2nd chapter, huh...? Her first chapter got first. I'm impressed. And I hear Fukuda-san is moving up in the ranks too.

Mashiro: I heard that all of the staff at Aoki-san's place are women and the backgrounds are really well done.
Takagi: I heard Katou-san did them and that she's the chief.
Miyoshi: Oh... Katou-san's been promoted to chief?

Mashiro: I see. After working under Ogawa-san and Nakai-san, I guess it isn't surprising that she's gotten better.
Takagi: But now that she's a chief, we can't have her come work for us even if we get a serialization.
Mashiro: Well, I feel like it would be easier to work with all guys.

Miyoshi: More importantly, both Aoki-san and Katou-san turned down Nakai-san. It might be awkward between them.
Takagi: Why? It's not like they were fighting for him. Neither of them were going out with him, so it doesn't matter.

Aoki: Katou-san, these backgrounds are amazing.
Katou: Thank you so much.
Assistants: Wow. I want to be able to draw like Katou-san, too.
Text above Assistants: Waaah!

Aoki: Don't worry. All of you will definitely get better. Getting your own serializations is in the realm of possibility.
Assistants: Yes, sensei.

08

Sign:
Jump
Square
V Jump
Photo Editing

Editor: I'm heading to Shizuka-kun's place.
Editor: Again?
Editor: You're going almost every day. If you're too insistent, won't it have the opposite effect?

Editor: No, I'm just playing video games with him for a couple of minutes.
Editor: Shizuka-kun has more of a need to be accepted by others than most. That's what I'm trying to use.

Editor: So he wants to be accepted by others...
Editor: Then a manga is the perfect form of self-expression for him.
Editor: I see... So that's why he projects himself into his work so much...

Editor: That's why just pushing him to draw a manga isn't going to work. You have to be overly delicate because he's weak to criticism.
Editor: You figured all this out from playing video games with him...?

Editor: He was beaten by society. He was probably bullied which led him to being a hikikomori.
Editor: You can see that in his work.
Editor: When someone like him does well, they get carried away and, if they hit a wall and fail, they get depressed and run away.
Editor: When he didn't make it in the serialization meeting, it was a much greater shock to him then we thought it was and he got really depressed.

09

Editor: But can someone that weak do this?
Editor: I'm taking time to train him mentally.
Editor: He has talent, so he'll do well. Shizuka Ryuu will be a great author when he gets into the swing of things. It'll be fun to see it.
Editor: My job will be to have him take out the repulsive parts and get him to have more confidence.
Editor: Okay, good luck.

Miura: It's a week until the serialization meeting. Shizuka Ryuu isn't going to make it in time.
Miura: And I haven't seen any other powerful newcomers.

Editor: Hattori, this "+ Natural" is really, really good. And it's perfect for a serialization.
Hattori: Thank you.

Editor: And it's written by Akina Aiko whose novel won the Rookie of the Year Award. That'll give it a boost.
Editor: But who is "Moneys," the artist? I haven't heard of him.
Hattori: He's some secret talent Yuujirou-san found. Is using an unpublished newcomer a bad idea?

Editor: No. If he can draw like this, there won't be a problem. In fact, I'm surprised he's still unpublished if he's this good... Anyway, I'll submit this for the serialization meeting.

10

Miura: Hattori-senpai, give me a break... Where'd you find such an amazing newcomer?
Hattori: Ha ha... What are you saying? Us editors and the mangakas are all in competition. It's not that easy.

Hattori: And honestly, "Natural" is better than "Tanto".
Miura: Eh?

Miura: Y-you must be pretty confident to say something like that before the meeting.

Hattori: Pretty much.

Hattori: Oh, yeah. You should tell Ashirogi-kun that a storyboard authored by Akina Aiko is going to be considered at the serialization meeting.

Hattori: Akina Aiko and Takagi-kun were rivals in middle school. Back then it was grades. Once Takagi-kun learns they're competing as manga authors, he's sure to get fired up.

Miura: I-is that so...? But for you to say that, you must be pretty sure of yourself.

Hattori: It's because I want them to compete for the better work. That's good for "Jump".
Miura: Good for "Jump", huh?
Miura: I can't think about anyone but myself.
Miura: Anyway, I'll do as you said and tell them.

11

Takagi: Ehh!?

Takagi: A storyboard authored by Akina Aiko is going to be considered at the next serialization meeting!? Seriously!?
Miyoshi: ....Th-that's Iwase, right?
Mashiro: Yeah.
Miura: So it's true you two were rivals in middle school.

Takagi: Instead of a rival I'd say she's someone I definitely don't want to lose to.
Miura: Isn't that what a rival is?

Text above Takagi: *sigh*

Takagi: Iwase sure is fast... She's already in the serialization meeting.
Takagi: And...

Takagi: Hattori-san's her editor.

Mashiro: That at least means Hattori-san recognizes that she has talent...

12

Miyoshi: C-could Iwase be doing this to keep Takagi and me from entering our names in the family register...?
Takagi: Iwase doesn't know we're going to do that if we get a serialization.
Miyoshi: Aoki-san could've told her.
Mashiro: Hey, don't make this more complicated than it is.

Takagi: Well, if she gets a serialization and we don't, it is gonna feel like she stopped us.

Miyoshi: Takagi, that would really, really suck. Do your best!

Takagi: I won't lose! Miyoshi, are you fine with your wedding ring costing 3 months of my salary?
Miyoshi: Eh? You're getting me one? Wait, what's your salary right now?
Takagi: I don't work for anyone yet, so I don't get a salary. So it's 0 yen.

Takagi: Saiko, don't say anything about there being only 3 more chapters and let's revise it all.
Mashiro: Okay.
Text above Miyoshi: Go for it!

Takagi: *sigh* It's gotten really late.

13

Takagi: Iwase.

Takagi: Quit it. If Miyoshi saw us, she'd have another misunderstanding.
Takagi: Meeting you before and that letter of yours caused a lot of problems.

Aiko: I'm sorry.
Takagi: Huh? She's being kind...

Aiko: If I make it in this serialization meeting or we both make it and my manga is more popular, I want you to approve of me.

Takagi: Okay. At that time, I'll do so.
Aiko: Really?

Takagi: But I'll only be approving of your talent.

Aiko: What do you mean?
Takagi: When I get a serialization, Miyoshi and I are entering our names in the family register.

14

Aiko: I'm going to do better than you, Takagi-kun. If I don't, I refuse to approve of your marriage to Miyoshi-san.
Aiko: If you're below me, I don't care what you do.

Takagi: What are you saying? If I'm below you...? That doesn't make any sense. Well, I'm not going to lose, and until I do, I don't have to listen to you.
SFX: *click*

Aiko: But if you're below me, you'll have a miserable marriage and then my pride will remain intact...
Takagi: ...Are you saying you want me to marry you if I do better than you?

Takagi: Like I'd agree to that.
Takagi: Regardless of who's above who, Miyoshi and I are getting married.
Takagi: Good night.

Takagi: Damn it, I don't want to lose.

15

Miura: Okay, this is perfect. It'll definitely make it.
Takagi: Your "definitely" isn't very reassuring. You said we'd definitely make it last time.

Miura: C'mon, don't say that. This time's for sure!
SFX: *clip*

Box: The day of the serialization meeting
Miura: *sigh* Is "Tanto" really going to be okay?
Editor: Shizuka-kun isn't a part of this one. Without any of my mangas being part of it, I really don't care about the meeting. I'm leaving.

Miura: Shut up, Yamahisa. If you're leaving, then just leave.
Editor: D-don't get mad at me.

Miyoshi: So December 25th is the day of fate... If you make it this time, will we have our names entered in the family register by the end of the day?
Takagi: ...That's right. I don't want to get married while doing worse than Iwase. And we're not both going to get a serialization...
Mashiro: After coming this far, I don't care about Hattori-san and Iwase. If we can just get a serialization...

Aiko: I said that, but if Takagi-kun does worse than me...

16

Editors: Next is "+ Natural"
Editors: Hattori Akira is in charge of it.
Editors: Apparently the artist is someone Yuujirou found.

Editors: "Apparently"...? I've never heard of this "Moneys". At least have him give his real name and his age.
Editors: I said the same thing, but Yuujirou refused.

Editors: This is Niizuma-kun!
Editors: Eh?

Editors: "Moneys"...Maniizu...Niizuma
Editors: Ah...
Editors: The art and direction are different, but he forgot to change the way he does his panel layouts.
Editors: Now that you mention it...

Editors: ...So it's Niizuma-kun.

Editors: Why did you submit this if it's being done by a serialized artist?
Editors: I didn't know it was him...

17

Editors: Bring Akira and Yuujirou here.
Editors: Y-you're going to let them join in on the meeting?
Editors: That's right. We have to discuss this.

Editors: Yes, sir. I'll be right back.
Editors: I've never heard of anyone below cap being at the meeting.

Editors: Yuujirou! Akira!
Editor: Wow. It's over already? That was fast...

Editors: Come here, you two!
Hattori: Eh?
Yuujirou: You're saying we can go to the meeting?

Editors: Eh? The two of them get to go to the meeting? Wow.
Editors: What's going on? This isn't right.
Miura: Are they going to be unofficial caps...?
Yuujirou: Yeah, that's it. I'm in charge of the hits "Crow" and "Kiyoshi" so I'm already being treated as a cap.

Editors: Quit messing around and come.
Yuujirou: Yes, sir.

18

Editors: Did Niizuma Eiji do this art?
Yuujirou: Yes, he did.
Editors: Why did you do this?

Yuujirou: Niizuma-kun said he wanted to draw two serializations at once and he has the time to do it.
Editors: Hey, hey. The same author can't do two mangas.
Editors: If it was a short term thing, maybe, but the other mangakas will complain with a serialization.

Editors: But this is really good.
Editors: Each chapter is good on its own, but I haven't read a story where things slowly get more exciting as the chapters go on like this.
Editors: Well, we all agree it's good. It'd be a shame to have to put it in "Square".

Editors: Maybe someone other than Niizuma-kun can draw it.
Hattori: You can't do that!

19

Hattori: This is Akina Aiko's script.
Hattori: Please read it.

SFX: *flip*
SFX: *flip*

Editors: So you're saying Niizuma-kun made it this interesting when he made the storyboard?
Editors: Wow. He did it from this?

Hattori: We only hid that it was Niizuma Eiji because we were afraid you would refuse to look at it because of that alone.

Editors: There's no rule saying someone can't have 2 serializations.
Editors: That could be because no one could do it before.
Editors: Well, if we're gonna do this, it can't be in "Weekly Shonen Jump".
Editors: Nakano-san, you just said it would be a shame to put it in "Square".

Editor-in-chief: Yuujirou, I'm sure you know what an important position for "Jump" "Crow" is in right now.
Editor-in-chief: If the quality of "Crow" falls because of this...

Yuujirou: Quite the opposite!

20

Yuujirou: Niizuma-kun really wants to do this. If you don't let him, his motivation will drop.
Yuujirou: He boasted that he would become the best author in "Jump" by having two really good serializations.

Yuujirou: I told him that with 2 serializations, he would get more weekly votes and his volume sales would go up and if those were number one, he would be the best in Jump.

Editor-in-chief: So if he got this serialization, he'd be going under the name of Niizuma Eiji instead of the pen-name "Moneys".
Yuujirou & Hattori: Yes.

Hattori: We're not just using Akina Aiko as an author. She's Aoki Kou's underclassman at college. They know each other and see each other as rivals.
Hattori: She was also Ashirogi Muto's classmate in middle school and Takagi-kun has seen her as a rival ever since.
Hattori: And there's a clear rivalry between Niizuma Eiji and Ashirogi Muto. Especially because of the gap between them right now.

21

Editor-in-chief: The two of you may leave.

Yuujirou: Ah, so it ends here...
Hattori: Excuse us.

Yuujirou: Hoo...I wonder what'll happen.
Editor: What should we do, editor-in-chief?
Editor-in-chief: Maybe we should do it.

Yuujirou: Did you hear that? He said they might do it.
Hattori: The manga itself will definitely make it. The problem is whether Niizuma-kun gets to do the art.

Miura: Huh? It's just you two?
Editor: What was it like in there?
Yuujirou: I was kicked out because it's 10 years...no, 2 years too soon for me.

Takagi: It sure is taking a long time...
Takagi: But there were going to be 15 mangas this time.

Miyoshi: Ahh... Will we get married or not? I'm so tense, my boobs hurt.
Takagi: If we're going to enter our names in the registry, let's do it after we beat Iwase.
Mashiro: If we get this serialization, it'll make a good Christmas present for Azuki...
Mashiro: ...Ah, I just can't think about other people right now.

Takagi: Oh!

22

Miura: Congratulations! "Run, Daihatsu Tanto" will begin serialization in Issue 12!
Takagi: It made iiiit!
Miyoshi: Kyaaah! We're getting married!
Mashiro: Yessss!

Takagi: Eh? Listen up? I'm listening.
Takagi: What?
Takagi: Another manga is starting in Issue 11?
Takagi: The one authored by Akina Aiko?
Miyoshi: What? Iwase, too. No... Oh, whatever!
Takagi: And the art is being done by Niizuma Eiji? Oh...
Text above Takagi: Waaah!
Text right of Takagi: Ha ha ha

Takagi: Eh!? The art is being done by Niizuma Eiji!? He has 2 serializations!?
Text: They can't just ignore that!!

Bottom: Next Issue: The editorial department says that Niizuma's new serialization is anathema!!