Bakuman 72

Chapter 72

01

Takagi: Eh!? The art is being done by Niizuma Eiji!? He has 2 serializations!?
Title: Page 72 Complaints and a Thunderous Cry
Text: A great surprise!! This is unprecedented!!

Mashiro: Eiji will be doing 2 mangas in "Jump"...?

Miura: That's right! It's written by Akina Aiko and drawn by Niizuma Eiji. Anyway, simply put, because "Tanto" is better than it was before...
Editor: You're kidding. Niizuma Eiji's doing the art?
Editor: What the hell? That's ridiculous.
Editor: What do you mean a single artist is doing two mangas!?
Editor: I already explained it.

Editor: Yuujirou-san, this is wrong.
Editor: This means there's one less spot for other mangakas.
Yuujirou: There's nothing wrong with this. It's called being ground-breaking.

Miura: Things are a bit crazy in the editorial department, so we'll talk in more detail later.

Editor: Hattori-san, is it true you planned this?
Hattori: I did it to get the serialization.
Editor: Are you saying anything is permitted in order to get a serialization!?

Miura: Anyway, we need to get moving on Chapter 1. I'll gather some assistants.

02

Takagi: It seems that Eiji having 2 mangas is causing quite a stir in the editorial department.
Mashiro: Well it's unprecedented. It's a bold decision.

Takagi: Will he be able to do two? Even as his rival, I'm a bit worried for him.
Mashiro: There used to be mangakas who had 3 serializations in weekly magazines. I'm sure they concluded that Eiji could do it.

Takagi: Iwase may be pushing things too far.
Miyoshi: Pushing things too far?
Takagi: Iwase has talent, but she got this serialization only half a year after she decided to go for one. She's overestimating herself.

Mashiro: It's because Hattori-san and Eiji are so powerful.

Takagi: Yeah. Hattori-san did an amazing job on this.

Takagi: How are we going to win this?
Mashiro: I know. Iwase and Eiji are teamed up with Hattori-san as their editor.

Miyoshi: You should be a little more happy. You got a serialization after all.

Takagi: O-oh, yeah. That's right. Sorry.
Mashiro: Okay, I'll inform Azuki. I'll tell her the serialization of "Run, Daihatsu Tanto" begins in Issue 12!

03

Azuki: Wow! A serialization.

SFX: *beep*
SFX: *beep*

From line on cell: Azuki Miho
Subject line on cell: Re: Announcement!
Body on cell: Congratulations! It's only been a year since "Trap" ended, and you have another serialization. You two really must have talent! Keep at it!

Mashiro: She says we must have talent to get another serialization only a year since "Trap" ended!
Takagi: That's right! We have talent! This time we'll get an anime for you and Azuki's sake!

Miyoshi: Then let's practice meeting my parents for the sake of our own marriage!
Takagi: Eh? Again?
Miyoshi: You're coming over tomorrow, right?
Takagi: No, we might have a meeting tomorrow...

Miyoshi: Well, you should still get practicing as soon as you can. Unless you're saying you're ready already.
Takagi: ...I guess we should do it. Saiko, you be her dad.
Text above Mashiro: *sigh*

04

Editor: What I'm saying is that if someone of Niizuma-kun's class has 2 serializations, newcomers will have less of a chance.
Editor: You can't say that. Akina-kun's a complete newcomer herself.
Editor: Yeah. Whether they're a newcomer or a veteran, it just has to be good. It's all about how good the manga is.
Editor: So we can do anything as along as it's good?

Editor: What do you mean anything? It's about your ability to plan. If you don't like it then come up with an original plan.
Editor: Then I'll have Oda-sensei do the art for one of my mangas.
Editor: Don't be stupid. That's just copying someone else's plan.

Editor: But if the mangaka is okay with it, they can do 2 mangas, right?
Editor: There won't be any more. This only has meaning because Niizuma-kun's the only one.
Editor: So you are giving him special treatment. No fair.

Editor: Quiet down!

Editor: Quit complaining about the result of the serialization meeting! If you have something to say, say it directly to the editor-in-chief!

Editor: ...There's no way we'd do that.
Editor: You show off too much, Heishi-san.
Editor: Did someone say something!?

05

Hattori: Congratulations. You got the serialization.
Aiko: I see.

Hattori: You can be a little happier about it...
Aiko: I'm sorry. I've never failed in anything before. Be it exams or with my novels.

Hattori: I-I see. Then you need to make sure the serialization goes well.
Aiko: Um, how did Takagi-kun do?

Hattori: Ashirogi-kun got the other serialization. There were 2 this time.
Aiko: Takagi-kun got a serialization, too...
Takagi: If we get serialized, we're getting married.

Hattori: And, I haven't mentioned it yet, but "Moneys"-kun who is doing your art is actually Niizuma Eiji of the serialization "Crow". Have you heard of it?
Aiko: Eh? Yes.

06

Aiko: It's a popular manga that often gets the cover and color pages.
Hattori: That's right. We were hiding who it was, but Niizuma Eiji will be doing your art.

Hattori: I'm sure you could tell from seeing the storyboards, but Niizuma-kun is clearly the best artist in the business right now.
Aiko: Is that so? Thank you very much.

Aiko: I would like to meet him at least once.
Hattori: Oh, I see... I doubt your personalities will match up well, though.

Aiko: Won't match up well?

Hattori: Either way, I'll introduce you to each other at the New Year's party on January 15th.
Aiko: Understood. I'm looking forward to it.

Aiko: And will Takagi-kun...Ashirogi-sensei be at that New Year's party?
Hattori: Of course.

Aiko: I'm looking forward to it all the more.

07

Mashiro: Thanks to you, we got the serialization. The Fukuda Group is really powerful, huh...?
Fukuda: Ohh! All right!! Ashirogi Muto's back!!
Text right of Assistant: Uhyohhh!

Fukuda: Eh?
Fukuda: The other manga starting is being drawn by Niizuma Eiji?

Fukuda: What's going on!? Master Niizuma has two serializations in "Jump"!?
Assistant: Wow.
Mashiro: Y-yeah. It's "+ Natural" written by Akina Aiko.

Fukuda: He has 2 mangas...
Fukuda: What is he thinking?

Fukuda: Congrats, Ashirogi-kun. Let's not hold back and continue to share our opinions and do our very best.
Fukuda: I just remembered something I have to do, so I'll be going now.
Mashiro: Oh, okay.
SFX: *beep*

Assistant: Are you calling Aoki-jou?
Fukuda: Nope.
SFX: *beep*
SFX: *beep*

08

Yuujirou: Niizuma-kun's amazing. Even before the serialization was confirmed, he'd finished the roughs for Chapter 1 of "+ Natural".
Hattori: He's really fired up about this. This serialization is sure to do well.

SFX: Boo boo boo

Fukuda: Yuujiroooooou!! -san. What's this about Niizuma Eiji doing the art for another serialization!?
Yuujirou: Fukuda-kun!

Yuujirou: It's exactly what it sounds like. Isn't it amazing? If we refer to it as Niizuma Eiji's 2nd serialization, it's sure to sell.

Fukuda: So you can do anything if it sells, huh!?
Yuujirou: Hey, don't say it like that.
Fukuda: Did you plan this, Yuujirou-san?

Yuujirou: It wasn't just me.
Fukuda: Then who else did it?

Yuujirou: Y'know, Fukuda-kun. You stick your nose into other people's business way too much! Focus on "Kiyoshi"!
Fukuda: What're you going to do if "Crow's" quality falls because of this?
Yuujirou: We discussed that quite a bit at the meeting. Since Niizuma-kun is really on board with this, the higher-ups agreed to do this!

09

Fukuda: Tch.
Fukuda: Niizuma-kun being on board is just what they used to convince them...

Fukuda: I don't like this...
Assistant: The 2 serializations thing? If you think about it, it does seem unfair.

Fukuda: Yeah, there's that too.

Mashiro: But can you make a living being a mangaka, Akito-kun?
Takagi: Well, I just have to have one hit and I'm set for life, father!
Miyoshi: Y-you can't say it like that!

Mashiro: I've got a call.

Mashiro: Huh? You again, Fukuda-san?
Fukuda: Yeah. Aoki-jou got a serialization, now you two have one, and Master Niizuma got a second one. I was thinking we could all meet up again.
Takagi: Are you having a celebration party?

Fukuda: Well, something like that. Everyone should have their manuscripts for the year done by tomorrow, so we'll meet at Master Niizuma's place.
Mashiro: Got it.
Takagi: Understood. I'd love to!!
Text under 25 on calendar: Serialization Meeting
Text under 26 on calendar: Meet Miyoshi's Parents

Miyoshi: Aren't you coming to my house tomorrow?
Takagi: I have no choice. This is part of my job. I can go the day after tomorrow.
Miyoshi: Why are men always so focused on their job...?

10

Hiramaru: Ehh? Two serializations in a weekly magazine!? Th-that's unbelievable...
Editor: Yeah, and compare that to you. You haven't even finished what you have to do for the year.

Hiramaru: I'll be done in a few hours.
Hiramaru: And the main reason I'm not done is that your work-love schedule collapsed.

Hiramaru: It's true that in the picture she was better than Aoki Kou...
Hiramaru: but she was a different person when I met her!
Hiramaru: I guess you'd say that was a miracle picture. No, it was a forgery...It was fraud.

Editor: I was just as much a victim in that. Next time I'll make sure to see her with my own eyes before I introduce you.
Hiramaru: I've managed this year, but I need motivation for next year. Someone of Aoki Kou's level.
Editor: He won't quit talking about Aoki...

Editor: How about you start going after Aoki Kou?
Hiramaru: C-can I!?
Editor: Yeah. I'll help you.

Editor: It seems Fukuda-kun has begun talking with Aoki-sensei. I managed to get her cell number and her email address.
Hiramaru: Yoshida-shi, don't tell me you wiretapped him!
Editor: I didn't go that far.

Editor: And as long as you keep your deadlines, you're free to do whatever you want in love. It's not uncommon for 2 mangakas to get married.
Hiramaru: B-but, Aoki-san has the right to choose...
Editor: A woman like her will be weak to pressure, Hiramaru-kun. I'm sure of it.

11

Hiramaru: Fukuda-kun.
Hiramaru: Eh? The group is meeting at Niizuma-kun's place tomorrow!? Aoki-san's going too!?

Hiramaru: I'll go. I'll go.
Editor: It looks like god is on your side.
Text left of editor: Heh heh

Editor: Strangely enough, today is December 25th. Tomorrow will be, well, I guess it won't be too late. Here, take this.
Hiramaru: Y-Yoshida-shi, this is...!?

Editor: It's a 2012 limited edition necklace from Tiffany's I was planning on giving my wife today.
Hiramaru: N-no. I can't if it's for your wife.

Editor: It's fine, Hiramaru-kun. My wife is praying for your happiness and success too.
Editor: If not, she wouldn't have gone around till she was about to collapse from exhaustion looking for a wedding interview partner for you.
Editor: It may be just me talking, but she's the model editor's wife. If I explained the situation and told her I came back without giving this to you, she would scold me.
Hiramaru: Y-Yoshida-shi... So I've been supported by both members of the Yoshida couple.

12

Sign: Niizuma Eiji

Fukuda: Well, everyone's here.
Eiji: One's missing.
Mashiro: Unfortunately, Nakai-san won't be coming...

Eiji: Not him. I mean the author of "+ Natural", Akina Aiko-san.

Fukuda: I see... We really should call her.

Takagi: Eh!? How about we don't?
Fukuda: Why?

Takagi: Th-the truth is, we were classmates in middle school and I don't like her very much...
Fukuda: I don't care.
Hiramaru: She must be young to have been Takagi-kun's classmate!

Hiramaru: Fukuda-kun's right. If she's working with Niizuma-kun, she should become part of the Fukuda Group.

Aoki: I'm sure she'd be delighted to join us.
Takagi: Aoki-san!

13

Fukuda: Master Niizuma, could you call her?
Eiji: I don't know how to get a hold of her. Ask Yuujirou-san.
Aoki: I know her number. She lives in Ochanomizu, so she should be able to come right over.

Aoki: Yes.
Aoki: I'll come pick you up at Kichijoji Station.

Aoki: She wants to meet Niizuma-san and said she'd definitely come since Takagi-san is here.
Hiramaru: Why does Takagi-kun being here mean she'll "definitely" come!?

Aoki: She gets along well with Takagi-san, but he has a girlfriend.
Takagi: Please stop, Aoki-san.
Hiramaru: Unrequited love...That means I have a chance!

Hiramaru: No, what am I thinking? I need to stay focused on Aoki-san. After this gathering ends...

Hiramaru: Aoki-san, I'll take you home in my Porsche.

Hiramaru: Oh, the city is still too bright from all the Christmas lights. Aoki-san, would you mind getting my sunglasses out of the glove compartment?

Hiramaru: Yes! It's perfect!

14

Box: 30 minutes later
Hiramaru: Ohhh!! She's better than I imagined!

Aiko: Which one of you is Niizuma-sensei?

Eiji: That's me!
Eiji: How do you do!

Aiko: Pleased to meet you.

Aiko: Why are you all gathered here?
Mashiro: Simply put, we're here to exchange thoughts about manga and give our opinions about each other's works in order to improve them.

Aiko: Exchanging opinions on your works?
Fukuda: Yeah. I'm even looking over Aoki-jou's storyboards.

15

Aiko: Is this true, Aoki-senpai?
Aoki: Y-yes.

Aiko: You have no pride, Aoki-senpai. I misjudged you.
Aiko: I have confidence in my work. I would never think of getting the opinions of other authors.

Fukuda & Mashiro & Takagi: She's just like the old Aoki-san...!!

Eiji: Ah ha ha. She's just like Aoki-sensei was 2 years ago!
Mashiro: D-don't laugh at her like that.
Aiko: ...I won't participate in this. Excuse me.

Aiko: Niizuma-sensei, I leave it to you to do the art on the manga.
Eiji: Rogeeeer!

Mashiro: I had a feeling it would end up like this.
Fukuda: Wow. She's even worse than Aoki-jou used to be.
Hiramaru: I'll focus on Aoki-san...

16

Hiramaru: Now then.
Hiramaru: Let's restore the mood by having a congratulatory toast for everyone's serializations.
Hiramaru: And then we can end this so I can get Aoki-san into my Porsche.

Fukuda: I didn't gather everyone here to have a toast.
Text right of Hiramaru: Ah...

Fukuda: Master Niizuma, why are you doing 2 mangas.
SFX: *thud*

Fukuda: Having two means if one takes a turn for the worse, you still have some insurance, doesn't it?
Fukuda: You should give "Crow" your undivided attention.

Eiji: Is that what everyone thinks?

Takagi: I am wondering if a single mangaka drawing 2 mangas will end up dividing his popularity between them...
Takagi: And I personally don't want to lose to Akina Aiko so I don't like that you're doing the art.
Mashiro: Shujin.

17

Aoki: I don't want to lose to "+ Natural" either.
Aoki: And I get the feeling that you doing this was the editors' idea, so I'm against it.

Hiramaru: Stop... Doing two is impossible. You're just rushing to your grave. Do you want your health to end up like mine...?
Hiramaru: *cough*
Hiramaru: *cough*

Fukuda: What about you, Mashiro-kun?

Mashiro: I'm not against you having 2 serializations, but I definitely don't want to lose to your second one...That's all.

Fukuda: See? Everyone's against it. And how did this idea come about anyway? You're a generous person, so the editors probably used you.
Fukuda: You need to rethink this while you still can.

Hattori: If you do this, Ashirogi Muto are sure to get fired up.
Eiji: Ashirogi-sensei and Aoki-sensei clearly said they don't want to lose. And for Fukuda-sensei to carry this so far, he must not want to lose either.
Eiji: This is perfect...

Eiji: You all are annoying.

18

Eiji: If you have any complaints, bring them up after you make a manga better than mine.
Eiji: I won't lose to anyone here with either of my 2 mangas.

Fukuda: Master Niizuma!

Eiji: I draw because I want to draw.
Eiji: If you can't make anything more popular than me, all I can here are excuses about why you couldn't beat me.

Fukuda: Yeah.
Box: Our gathering that day ended after Eiji told us to complain after we'd beaten him.

19

Hiramaru: Aoki-san, it's late, so I can take you home in my Porsche if you'd like.
Aoki: Oh, please do.

Hiramaru: Yes!! Now for the Tiffany's necklace.

Hiramaru: M-my Porsche is gone!
Fukuda: There's some chalk lines here. Did you park right in front of the apartment!? It was in the way. Of course it's gonna get towed!

Fukuda: Aoki-jou, if you don't mind the cold, I can take you home on my bike.
Aoki: Okay.
Hiramaru: Yoshida-shi... God has abandoned me...

Box: The next day
Text underneath 26 on calendar: Meet Miyoshi's Parents

Miyoshi: Let's go.
Takagi: O-okay...
Text: The decisive battle of a Japanese boy!!