Bakuman 27

Bakuman 27

Pg. 1

Top left:
Page 27 The Schemer and the Ruse

Left: Is this expression of doubt a sign of his attachment to their combination...?!

Frame 1:

Mashiro:
I still don't know what I should do

Hattori:
It'd be better not to draw for a name other than Takagi's with half-baked feelings.

Mashiro:
Yeah...

Frame 2:

Hattori:
Well, don't forget to keep practicing, and show me again when your done with the name

Mashiro:
I understand. Excuse me.

Note: "Excuse me" is a polite form of goodbye. If not "excuse me", then use "I'll take my leave now"

Frame 3:

Hattori:
By the way, you and Takagi go to the same school right?

Mashiro:
Yes, we're in the same class too.

Frame 4:

Hattori:
!! the same class too...

It'd be better to move quickly...

Pg. 2

Frame 1:

Pi Pi
Note: *beep* *beep*

Frame 2:

Takagi:
Hattori-san again?

Frame 3-4 (top to bottom):

Hattori:
Takagi-kun, can you come in alone tomorrow?

Takagi:
Eh? I still haven't finished the name, but if you're ok with the draft... Ah, I don't have a printer so...

Hattori:
Nevermind the name for now. Come in without telling Mashiro-kun you're writing a mystery name.

Takagi:
Huh? Nevermind the name...? ...Without telling Mashiro? Even though I didn't have any intention to...?

Hattori:
There's something I'd like to discuss, please

Takagi:
? Then how's around six?

Hattori:
Great

Pg. 3

Frame 1:

Hattori:
You're aiming to become a manga author right?

Takagi:
Yes

Frame 2:

Hattori:
There're many aiming to become mangakas, but at your age, few are aiming at becoming an author. // You have talent. If you keep at it, you will definitely succeed eventually.

TN Note: Mangaka = manga artist

Takagi:
...thanks. If only I could draw too, I would have pursued becoming a mangaka...

Frame 3:

Hattori:
Now, I wanted to talk about Mashiro-kun with you

Takagi:
...ok

Hattori:
I want you to answer honestly. Are you sick of teaming with Mashiro-kun?

Frame 4:

Takagi:
It's nothing like that. Besides, I was the one who suggested we team up to make manga. I want to do it together with him.

Hattori:
I see

Frame 5:

Takagi:
I want to produce results that will get Mashiro to want to work with me again...

Hattori:
Yeah, that's good

Takagi:
Before Mashiro makes it solo...

Pg. 4

Frame 1:
Hattori:
Would you leave it up to me?

Frame 2:
Hattori:
If you do as I say, I'll definitely make it happen.

Takagi:
...as you say...?

Frame 3:
Hattori:
Frankly speaking, you and Mashiro-kun are even now practically in sync, to the point you could say even if you wanted to separate, you couldn't.

Takagi:
...?? What are you suggesting...?

Frame 4:
Hattori:
Mashiro-kun is right now thinking of writing a mystery manga on his own.

Frame 5:
Takagi:
Saiko is writing a mystery manga... what happened to mainstream battle-types...?

Ha-Hattori-san... Have you told Mashiro what I'm trying to do...?

Frame 6:
Hattori:
Nope, I was surprised // for two people who split to suggest the same thing on their own.

Pg. 5
Frame 1:
Hattori:
Until just before highschool graduation, could you hide this... no, could you make a name for the manga Mashiro-kun is trying to do?

Takagi:
Eh-

Hattori:
Mashiro-kun's always in a hurry to get a series published, right?

Frame 2:
Hattori:
In two years, if you polish up the name, it will definitely become awesome.

Takagi:
...wait...but...that's... Mashiro...

Frame 3:
Hattori:
With the way Jump is now, you publish a one-shot, if it's popular, it becomes "Ok-to-serialize" // Just three chapters are passed around the committee, and if it's interesting, it's "Ok-to-serialize"

With this, naturally there's a limit to new serializations that can survive. In the case of newbies it's especially tough. // What I've been thinking of for awhile is, instead, to serialize a carefully thought out, sure-fire piece. To accomplish that, I have only you two.

You and I will spend the next two years carefully designing a name. // I said before I'd only wait six months for a battle manga, but mystery mangas are a different story. // You should take as much time as you can, right? // There's no point in getting serialized while you're a highschool student. This is for you and Mashiro-kun.

Pg. 6

Frame 1:
Hattori:
I'll keep Mashiro-kun from pairing up with someone else or publishing on his own.

Frame 3:
Takagi:
...that won't work

Frame 4:
Takagi:
If Mashiro attains that level on his own, shouldn't he be allowed to serialize? What are you thinking?!

Hattori:
Takagi-kun!

Frame 5:
Hattori:
I haven't seen Mashiro's name yet, but I definitely believe that together you'd be more interesting. // Besides, do you think Mashiro-kun can write alone while he's still going to school? He'll be doing both art and story! Niizuma's an exception!

Frame 6:
Takagi:
Certainly, attending school while writing and drawing a name is...

Frame 7:
Hattori:
I talked with Mashiro-kun yesterday too. I could tell deep down, he still wants to work with you.

That he refused the offer to draw for the 2nd place story king is proof of that.

Pg. 7

Frame 1:
Takagi:
Th-Then, why should I hide that I'm writing a mystery?

Hattori:
If you tell him, Mashiro will immediately start rushing to serialize it.

Frame 2:
Hattori:
Don't make me repeat it so many times. For Mashiro-kun... no, for both of you, you should keep on polishing the name.

Frame 5:
Hattori:
Do you understand me now...?

Frame 6:
Hattori:
Then, regarding the mystery Mashiro's trying to draw...

Takagi:
Please stop!!

Frame 7:
Takagi:
With hearing that, I'll end up writing a story trying to match Mashiro's protagonist... // I want to take the first place of story king by my own skill. // If Mashiro's still working alone by then, if he's willing to work with me again, then I will join him.

Hattori:
...Takagi-kun...

Pg. 8

Frame 1:
Hattori:
...I see... yeah, you're right... your point's more reasonable... // I guess it's the twisted thinking of an adult...

Frame 2:
Hattori:
Sorry... I'll be waiting for an interesting work of yours then.

Takagi:
Yes.

Frame 3:
Takagi:
Excuse me

Frame 4:
Hattori:
Success! This is just fine, even if it's from Mashiro-kun side, Takagi-kun won't reveal that he's writing a mystery.

He'll come back with an interesting story no matter what.

Frame 6:
Damn it... I got to come up with something to surprise Saiko

Pg. 9

Frame 2:
Mashiro:
Geez, you're sleeping all through class Shujin

Takagi:
Hm? Ah, yeah, I decided I'll catch sleep at school, and use time at home to write the name.

Mashiro:
You're really working at it.

Takagi:
How goes it on your side?

Frame 3:
Mashiro:
It figures that making a name would be so hard. I understand what manga I want to write but... // as I thought, Shujin's talent is amazing.

Takagi:
Why thank you

Frame 4:
*small txt above mashiro's head*
Sigh~

Frame 5:
Takagi:
Even so, Eiji's amazing, doing those color cover pages... // Who would've thought that Eiji would actually tie in an environmental issue into the story so well... I thought that would be his weakness, but he's given it depth.

Mashiro:
Ahh, yeah, it's not just Eiji. While I was there, there were two others as well.

Frame 6:
Takagi:
His name was... Fukuda Shinta, right?

Mashiro:
Yeah, he smoothly wrote out a name... Only now I come to see how talented everyone is...

Frame 7:
Mashiro:
Shujin, could you teach me how to write a name?

Takagi:
Eh...? How to write a name? In my case...

Pg. 10

Frame 1:
Takagi:
First I flesh it out in my head

I also decide on the scenarios and lines around this point too

Then I match and split it up among the pages and the boxes

Frame 2:
*small txt above Mashiro*
I see...

Takagi:
Hm?

Frame 3:
Mashiro:
I'm really not suited to write stories... Shujin makes it sound so easy...

Takagi:
...Saiko...

Frame 4:
Mashiro:
Well, even if I'm alone, I'll make it for sure, for Azuki's sake too

Frame 6:
Mashiro:
Shujin and I buried ourselves in creating names, and before we knew it, it was October.

Frame 8:
Fukuda:
Yo, this is Fukuda. You said you'd come up with something and returned home, but there hasn't been a single peep about you. Are you really properly working?!

Mashiro:
...Yeah... little by little

Pg. 11

Frame 1:
Fukuda:
Well, that's fine then. I've got a one-shot coming up in Jump. // I submitted a name for serialization, but they told me to show some results with one-shots first. As usual, the editorial department has no taste.

Mashiro:
But isn't getting into Jump pretty amazing itself? Congratulations

Fukuda:
It ain't, if you aren't popular, then bye bye to that // And since then, Nakai-san's been really energetic, he's been writing names like crazy, it's kinda amazing. Don't know what they're about though. // The art isn't just some draft's either, they're really good.

Eiji:
Flying apple skin!

Frame 2:
Fukuda:
It was only for a little bit, but we were together // You're also part of the new Nizuma group... no, it's the Fukuda group, so work hard, we're going to change Jump, keep it up man.

Mashiro:
Haha, the Fukuda group you say? I'll keep working at it

Frame 4:
Mashiro:
Fukuda-san and Nakai-san are gradually working names...

Frame 5:
Mashiro:
Azuki's on the late night anime again, now she's a regular in two.

TV:
There are too many panels

Really?

Frame 6:
Mashiro:
Can I really make it as a mangaka...?

Alone...?

Pg. 12

Frame 1:
*chirp*

Frame 2:
Takagi:
Yo

Bird:
*chirp*

Mashiro:
Yo

Frame 3:
Mashiro:
Shujin, your eyebags are really something

Takagi:
You too Saiko

Frame 4:
Takagi:
Here, could you clean these up? You said one for 100 yen, right? Here's five.

Mashiro:
Ooo, five... I still haven't finished even one...

Frame 5:
The Invisible Skeleton Detective (Tentative title)

Mashiro:
What's this?!

Takagi:
A name

Frame 6:
Mashiro:
Not that, why a mystery...?

Did you hear from Hattori-san that I was working on a mystery?

Frame 7:
Takagi:
I heard

Pg. 13

Frame 1:
Takagi:
But I heard a month after starting a mystery// I was at Miyoshi's, and I saw on a cellphone novel site that they were accepting mystery submissions // Actually, it was the same day you called me at Miyoshi's

on the webpage:
Nonfiction
Mystery
Comedy
BL

Note: BL stands for Boy's Love

Frame 2:
Mashiro:
!! That's the day I quit being an assistant // Wait... that's the same day I wanted to write a mystery work!

Frame 3:
Takagi:
Whaaaat?! ....... // that's nuts... on the same day, in the same direction...

Mashiro:
Gah! What's with that... // What was I worrying for!

Frame 4:
Mashiro:
Pfff

Frame 6:
Ahahaha How stupid of us Haha

Pg. 14

Frame 1:
Takagi:
And then // Hattori-san knew we were thinking of the same thing, and told me to save up a mystery for two years without telling you anything.

Mashiro:
I heard everything from Shujin

Frame 2:
Mashiro?:
Hattori-san's quite the schemer

Frame 3:
Takagi:
But, keeping it a secret from you for two years... I couldn't do it. That and I'd have to fool Azuki and Miyoshi as well.

Mashiro:
But what are you going to do now that you've told me?

Takagi:
Yeahh... all I can do is honestly tell Hattori-san // Ah!

Mashiro:
Huh?

Frame 4:
Takagi:
No... it's just... this is too convenient, because of me you didn't do any names over summer and then got angry at me, which landed us here

Mashiro:
...well, frankly, I wasn't that angry

Frame 5:
Takagi:
Eh? Really?

Mashiro:
Yeah... anyway you put it, I went and assumed playing with Miyoshi was the reason you didn't finish. // Maybe I was jealous of Miyoshi...

Takagi:
That and these past few days I came to understand...

Pg. 15

Frame 1:
Mashiro:
I need Shujin.

Frame 2:
Takagi:
Saiko...

Frame 4:
Takagi:
Well then, I'll explain the plan that just came to mind

Why don't we fool Hattori-san?

Mashiro:
Fool?

Frame 5:
Takagi:
We'll have Hattori-san believe we're working apart. Yeah, then for half a year, we'll say we can't come up a name. // What we'll really be doing is working together, and instead of just the three needed for serializing, we'll have written like ten chapters. // Hattori-san said to hide it from you because you're in such a hurry, but we can't wait that long, right? // My condition is that we take half a year to carefuly polish it.

10 Chapters!

Mashiro:
Yeah, certainly, if it's a mystery, it'd be better to take more time, but yeah, two years is way too long // Alright

Frame 6:
Mashiro:
It's good! Tricking Hattori-san... No, it's the best!! As expected of Shujin! // I'm playing the part of the trickster detective!

Takagi:
...Hattori-san wanted to trick Saiko too, so it should be fine right // Eh? Really?!

Mashiro:
Hattori-san said so didn't he? Mangakas must reach above their editors!

Takagi:
Haha

Pg. 16

Frame 1:
Mashiro:
It's only been a month since we split hasn't it... // I'm glad it was over quick.

Takagi:
Are you sure?

Mashiro:
There's no reason to work separately, or should we have each written mystery and competed against each other?

Frame 2:
Takagi:
According to Hattori's plans, I'd write mystery stories and take first place in Story King. Saiko would see that and think "Whaaat, then we were thinking of the same thing!"

But if it's manga, forcing such a dramatic development works, but never that well.

Frame 3:
Takagi:
Now that we've decided that, I want to see Saiko's trickster detective, so let's head over to the studio!

Mashiro:
Hah, so we're skipping today too eh?

Frame 5:
Miyoshi:
You guys! School is the other way!

Frame 6:
Takagi:
More importantly, aren't you late?

Miyoshi:
That's why I'm pedalling so hard!

Pg. 17

Frame 1:
Mashiro:
We're heading over to the studio, wanna come along?!

Miyoshi:
Eh?! Why?! Is it alright? Wait, I thought Takagi couldn't enter anymore?!

Frame 2:
Mashiro:
The combo's revived!! Miyoshi, you were worried weren't you?

Frame 5:
Miyoshi:
Geez, I was so worried!!

I cried alone so much at home! I felt so bad it was my fault, I wanted to kill myself!

Frame 6:
Mashiro:
Haha... to that point... sorry // In exchange, I'll treat you to anything // Coming or not?

Miyoshi:
I'm in!!

Frame 7:
Miyoshi:
But really!

Thank goodness!

Pg. 18

Frame 1:
Miyoshi:
Ah

Takagi:
What? That "ah" sounded ominous...

Frame 2:
Miyoshi:
I told Miho that Takagi and Mashiro split...

Takagi:
Whaa...?! I told you not to say anything didn't I?!

Frame 3:
Miyoshi:
You told me not to tell anyone what you were writing didn't you?

Takagi:
Wrong! I meant including that, don't say anymore than you need to!

Frame 4:
Miyoshi:
Miho, she was really worried this time...

But, she stopped me and told me not to say anything

Frame 5:

Pi Pi
*beep* *beep*

Frame 6:
Mashiro:
I'll text her saying we're back together again and sorry for worrying her. That'll do right?

Miyoshi:
Yeah

Mashiro:
Send

Pg. 19

Frame 2:

Vvv...
*vibrate*

Frame 4:
Received Mail
From Mashiro-kun
Combination Revived

Frame 5:
kachi kachi
*click click*

Frame 6:
Miyoshi:
Wow... she really does reply quick. Wait, isn't Miho in class right now?

Takagi:
You're one to talk

Frame 7:
Miyoshi:
What'd she say?

Mashiro:
Eh... well, I guess you can read it

Frame 8:
Cellphone:
Azuki Miho
Re: Combination Revived

I'm relieved
Work hard you two!
But to be more on the same wavelength than
Mashiro-kun and I, I'm a little jealous of Takagi-kun (lol)

Miho
----End----

Menu Reply

Miyoshi:
What? Miho and you talking of wavelengths? How cute

*small text*
same as always (laugh)

Mashiro:
Bu-Bug off!