Bakuman 134

Bakuman in the middle of the week throws me off my rhythm. Not that I'm complaining about earlier releases though :3 Mago is halfway done. I'm slow, and lazy, I'm sorry.

And I swear, "CROW" is "ONE PIECE" and "+NATURAL" is "BLEACH".



b1a: It went all the way up to third
b1b: It was the right thing to do to base the story on the copycat criminal
b1c: There are a bunch of fan letters that have arrived, all saying stuff like "I'm so relieved", and "Thank goodness"
b2a: We really do have to thank our fans
b2b: Mashiro and I were of the same opinion...
a1: Celebrate!! Shuujin is back!!
a2: Page 134 Running Solo and Slow-footedness
b3: As to what Ashirogi Muto should do for the sake of those fans
b4: We though of the exact same idea of basing a story on the copycat crimes and rejecting it
b5: I see, you two are as in sync as an author-artist combi can be, as always
b6a: But I'll say this now...
b6b: There were some views within the editorial division, that using this would be dangerous
b7: Eh?
b8a: Since the criminal who broke into the bank still hasn't been caught, he could potentially see it as a challenge
b8b: I insisted that this was a chapter that encapsulated Ashirogi-kun's feelings and determination not to lose to this incident, and that I would take responsibility if anything happened. The editorial division finally realized that they should be protecting the authors, rather than the copycat criminal
b9: Is that so...

02
b1: Also, Niizuma-san's presence was really great. When we heard that "CROW" had taken first place, we felt that we couldn't just mope around and lose to him
b2: I just knew it was to galvanize us...
b3: That's right...
b4: The fact that Niizuma-kun sees the two of you as rivals, in a good way, is something to be thankful for
b5a: Even so, Niizuma-kun's amazing
b5b: He's held the top spot for three weeks running...
b6: Up until now, he's drawn his names in a flash, but now he's changed and spends days redoing them time and time again
b7: That Niizuma-san, redoing his names again and again!?

magazine page
below CROW: Niizuma Eiji
white words: Sky Prison Arc climax!!
black words: Breaking out of the island prison!! And the shocking truth discovered by Ku-fjdlksfjdslkfj (TN: cut off... I can only read Ku, the rest is obscured)

b8: ...
b9: Haaaaaaaah
b10a: Eiji's always above us...
b10b: I WANNA BEAT HIIIIIIIM
b11: Let's work hard!
b12: No, no matter how hard we work, I get the feeling we can never match up to a mainstream battle manga...
b13a: Mainstream battle series have always done well in "Jump" so far, but that isn't definite, either
b13b: Even a gag manga like "Dr. Slump" had its time at number one

03
b1a: Yeah, but lately it's been all mainstream battles
b1b: When I first heard that "CROW" was first and "PCP" was third, I felt like we were almost there, but in reality, there're a whole 150 votes between us...
b1c: It's like we're at the limit of how non-mainstream we can be, or something...
b2: Bit by bit...
b3: Hm?
b4: Bit by bit, let's close the gap
b5: ...
b6: That's right
b7: I'm 100% recovered, too! Let's work hard!
b8: Yeah!
sign: Niizuma PTE LTD Eiji
b9: The manuscript for "CROW"
b10: The manuscript for "+NATURAL"
b11: Good work

04
b1: Yuujirou-san
b2: Yeah?
b3: What place was I?
b4: You're in first for this week, too
b5: That's the third week running, right?
b6: Yeah
b7: In that case, I'll take number one next week, too. I'll work hard
b8: Yeah
b9: ...
s1a, s1b: *scratch*
a1: It... It's alright, after all
a2: He's held the top spot for three weeks running and he hasn't said anything about his right to end a manga he hates...

05
s1a, s1b: *scratch*
b1a: Umm, Niizuma-kun...
b1b: I wonder if you could work some of your magic for "+ NATURAL", too...?
b2: I'm drawing it properly... Any problems?
s2a, s2b: *scratch*
b3: You are drawing it properly... And you haven't been skiving on anything
b4: But as soon as the anime ended, the rankings dropped
b5a: This week, it's actually in tenth place...! "CROW" in first, and "+NATURAL" in tenth...
b5b: Even though the artist for both is the same Niizuma Eiji...
b6: "+NATURAL"
b7: Has a boring story
b8a: I'm not the author, so...
b9: Well...
b8b: If you want to make it more popular, then Akina-sensei and Miura-san need to write a more interesting story
b10: Got it...
s3a, s3b: *scratch*

06
b1a: Exactly as Niizuma-kun said
b1b: The story's been boring as of late
b1c: It's just that wash, rinse, repeat cycle of beating one enemy and meeting an even stronger one
b2: Indeed, it's only got that one pattern to it
b3: You two sure are frank when you're not alone...
s1: *scratch*
b4a: If I could have the liberty to change the story, it might improve, but there's a limit to how much I can change it
b4b: Akina-sensei does have her pride
b5: That's truuue
b6a: We can't quite become the kind of telepathic combi Ashirogi-sensei are
b7b: The anime is over, too, so if she's out of ideas, then rather than dragging the story on pointlessly, it'd be better to just end it
s2: *scratch*
b8: Pl... Please don't say things like that, the volumes are still selling well
a1: ... It might be better...
a2: To just end "+NATURAL"...?
a3: Niizuma-kun has started to dislike how its been dragging on...?
s3, s4: *scratch*
a4: Haaaah... We... Well, I've still got the drama adaptation of "Seigi no Mikata"
a5: It's obvious that "+NATURAL" is already past its peak, huh? I guess there's no choice but to head towards a conclusion...

07
b1a: Haaah...
b1b: I can barely breathe when I'm alone with Nakai-san...
b1c: I bet the air's getting thinner... And the air stinks
b2: It's not like I'm Hiramaru-kun's assistant because I like it
b3: That's why I'm telling you, please stop cutting corners
b4: I've gotta cut corners or it won't match with Hiramaru-kun's drawings!
can: Fresh Oxygen (TN: LOL)
b5: ... Why is it that I address Nakai-san with a "-san" suffix but Nakai-san uses the "-kun" suffix with me?
b6: Aren't I your superior here? I get the feeling that Nakai-san is always trying to be all high and mighty...
b7: Never mind "-kun", I wanna drop the suffixes altogether
b8: Why?
b9: Because you're going out with Aoki-san, of course!
b10a: ... Nakai-san, don't tell me you still haven't given up on Aoki-san? Pl... Please stop this!
b10b: Ah
b10c: I got an idea! Let me add it!
b11: I've given up, but I'm just so jealouuuuuus! Just you try putting yourself into the shoes of someone being used by someone like that!
b12: Ooooh
b13: Well, shall I discuss that with Yoshida-shi? Though I think it's kinda impossible
b14:After all, I only got close to Aoki-san thanks to discussing with Yoshida-shi
b15: Really!?

08
sfx: ding dong
b1a: Ah
b1b: Speak of the devil, that must be Yoshida-shi
b2: *adjust*
b3: What? Make Nakai-kun popular with the girls? IMPOSSIBLE!
b4: I thought so. No matter what Yoshida-shi does, this is just too huge a task
b5: ...
a1: ...
a2: No, wait...
a3: If all goes well...
b6: Do you really want a girlfriend?
b7: Of... Of course
b8a: Mm...
b8b: In that case, first, the condition I'm setting is that you must follow the diet schedule I set for you
b9: ...!
b10: ... But, if that happens, and you stop eating as much as you do right now, you won't put as much pressure on Hiramaru-kun financially, and he won't be as negative...
b11a: Eh
b11b: Is that what you were thinking about, Yoshida-shi!?
b12: ...
b13a: However, no matter how much Nakai-kun eats, this bait... No, I'm certain food expenses are not a big factor contributing to Hiramaru-kun's negativity...
b13b: More importantly, it would be bad if he collapsed due to a disease... His skills as an assistant are almost wasted on Hiramaru-kun
b14: ...
b15: ?

09
b1: Nakai-kun, if you're 100% serious about following me...
b2: I'm a-ok with taking on the challenge of making you a super mangaka!
b3: Super mangaka...!
b4: That's right, like the Super Saiyajin of mangaka...
b5a: A first-rate mangaka of spirit, etiquette, looks, agility
b5b: Any woman would... No, we will make a mangaka that even that Aoki-sensei would turn to look at... You had the skills to begin with! This should work!!
b6: This will be a pretty tough and long project, but it's worth a shot
b7: ...
b8: Yoshidaaaa-shi! What are you talking about!! I can't have Yuri-tan looking at him, can I!?
b9a: Nakai-san should stay fat
b9b: It suits you
b9c: I won't scrimp on your pizza money
b9d: Nakai-san suits a proud person...
a1: Forgive me, Hiramaru... This, too, is a crack of my whip of love in order to continue bringing out your negativity. And if I can get Nakai to change, too, I'd be killing two birds with one stone
b10: Yo... Yoshida-shi, I'll try it out!
b11: No... No way...
b12: Alright, first, we'll start with a 10km run ever morning and every evening...

10
x1: 22nd April Friday
b1: OHHHH "CROW" IS IN FIRST FOR THE FOURTH WEEK RUNNING!!
b2: ...
b3: "CROW" is amazing...
b4: It must be because the full cast appeared for the final battle, that everyone got all fired up
b5: "PCP" is third... Without the gap between it and "CROW" closing at all... The "Road Racer GIRI" anime just started, and its just 8 votes behind...
b6: "Seigi no Mikata" in seventh... "+NATURAL" in thirteenth...
a1: Well, even if "+NATURAL"'s no good, once the drama for "Seigi no Mikata" starts...
b7: Oh right, Yuujirou-san
b8: What is it?
b9a: Ashirogi-kun want to thank Niizuma-kun
b9b: They said "CROW" getting first place really galvanized them
b10: Eh...
b11: I... Is that so! I see, so that's how it is!
b12: ?? What do you see?

11
b1a: You know, I told you about it, didn't I?
b1b: "The right to end one manga"
b2: Eh... Yeah
b3: I thought it would be bad if he was working hard because he wanted that right, but it was just for Ashirogi-kun's sake... In that case, he probably won't bring it up even if he gets first place
b4: I'm going over to Niizuma-kun's place to collect the manuscript today, so I'll relay Ashirogi-kun's gratitude
b5: Please do
b6: You're in first again this week
b7: Okay, that's good
b8: As I expected, he's the same as ever
b9: Also, Ashirogi-kun wanted me to tell you that they were galvanized by "CROW" clinching first place
b10: Ashirogi-sensei did?
b11: Yeah
b12: Whatever are you saying, Ashirogi-sensei?
b13: What? They're expressing their gratitude, their thanks...
s1a, s1b: *scratch*

12
b1, b2, b3: Huuffff
b4: I will become...
b5: Huff
b6: Hah
b7: Huff
b8: Hah
b9: I will become!! A super mangaka...!
b10a: I ran...
b10b: Around 1km...
b11, b12: hah
b13: That should be enough...
b14: Welcome

13
x1: 26th April Thursday
b1: Yuujirou-san, "CROW"'s in first again
b2a: Eh
b2b: Isn't today Thursday?
b2c: Ah, the results out already because golden week starts tomorrow, huh?
b3: Shizuka-kun in tenth and Aoki-kun in seventh, huh...
b4: "Boku ni Tsuujinai" is in fifth, alright! This is good, for now!
b5: First place for five weeks running!
b6a: Amazing...
b6b: And "Road Racer GIRI" is in third...
b6c: The effects of the anime are beginning to show
b6d: It wouldn't be weird at all if Niizuma-kun continued to take the top spot
b6e: It's here, my generation..!
b6f: I'm the editor of both the first and third place series, Hattori Yuujirou!
b6g: Just make me a section chief already!
b6h: I believe the thinking that age is a factor is just old-fashioned!
b7: He's getting way carried away...
b8: But he does have the first and third place series under his belt, so we're in no position to say anything
b9: I'm off to Fukuda-kun's place to collect the manuscript and have a meeeeting!
b10: Alright! "Seigi no Mikata" is in sixth!
b11: Miura, don't be too happy, do something about "+NATURAL"!
b12: Ah, right
a1: ... We've been overtaken by "GIRI"...
a2: "PCP" being in fourth is good, but never mind Niizuma-kun... It can't win against a series with an anime, after all...

14
b1: I always aim to live my life on the edge!!! (TN: "giri giri" means to be on the edge)
b2: OHHHHH!!
b3a: The feeling of speed is amazing!!
b3b: I'm so pumped by just the third episode of the anime
b3c: With this, the rankings and comic sales are sure to rise, rise, rise!
sfx: ding dong
b4: Yuujirou here?
b5: You're in third this week!
b6a: Ohh, the top three at last!
b6b:At this rate, getting the top spot isn't just a dream, huh!?
b7: Nah... There's quite a gap between you and "CROW"... So not really...
b8a: What are you smilin' about?
b8b: You're the editor of "CROW" as well, so even if "GIRI" overtakes it, it doesn't mean anything to you, no?
b9: That's not true at all. If "GIRI" really did clinch the top spot, I would truly be happy. A new manga overtaking a long-running, popular manga is ideal

15
b1: First place for five weeks running, huh...?
b2: I was a little worried about what was going to happen for a while, though
b3a: ?
b3b: Whaddaya mean?
b4: Ah... Well, it's okay to tell, I guess
b5a: No... That's all I'm going to say...
b5b: ...
b5c: ...
b6: EHHHH THE RIGHT TO END A MANGA HE HATES?!
b7: What a crazy idea
b8a: Of course I said it was impossible
b8b: The editor-in-chief, too, said to come talk to him again if he still felt that way after becoming Jump's true main attraction...
b9: And then? And then?What's the manga Niizuma-sensei wants to end!?
b10: I'm dyyyying to know!
b11: Oh, no, I didn't ask him about that...
b12: ... But if it was before he was serialized, then that's what, seven years ago? It could even be a manga that's already ended
b13: That's true... Now, it could even be "+NATURAL"...
b14: NATURAL!? WHY!?
b15a: Niizuma-kun said the story was boring
b15b: He can't change the story since Akina-kun is too proud, so he seems to be of the mind that she should just end the story instead of dragging it out

16
b1: Nevertheless, he couldn't possibly end his own serialization, right?
b2a: No, it could be that precisely because it's his own series, he dislikes the fact that it isn't interesting
b2b: He even said that if he thought up the story, it would be more interesting
b3: Perhaps after suffering complete defeat at the love festa, he'll want to cancel either "Kami-sama" or "Bokutsuu" (TN: this is the short name for "Boku ni Tsuujinai", kinda like "Wanpi" for "Wan Piisu/One Piece" or "Hagaren" for "Hagane no Renkinjutsushi")
b4: Don't be retarded, Niizuma-shishou's not that low
b5: Well, even if we talk about it like this, we still don't know what the definition of the "number one author in Jump" really is
b6: If you consider Niizuma-kun's contributions and comics sales up till now, he's still got a ways to go
b7: Even if, hypothetically, Niizuma-kun was the number one author now, he wouldn't need to think about such things, so he wouldn't bring it up again
b8: Eh? Then why did you talk about it?
b9: I did that precisely because i knew he wouldn't bring it up again. If he really was serious about doing it, I'd be too scared to tell anyone
b10a: In the time he's been serialized, Niizuma-kun has matured, too
b10b: Plus, I now know that he got the top spot this time to galvanize Ashirogi
b11: ...
b12: ... That does kinda sound like Niizuma-shishou, but if he could just get the top spot like that, it makes you wonder why he didn't just do it earlier
b13: I know, right?

17
b1: AMAZING! "CROW"'s been in first place for five weeks in a row!
b2: It must be because everyone's all fired up by the all-out war
b3: Haaaah... In comparison, "PCP" doesn't even have an anime...
b4: Eh, I wonder why?
b5a: ... We were told that because of its content, it's hard to find sponsors...
b5b: The bank break-in earlier pretty much sealed it
b6: ...
b7: Saikou, wanna think about it more seriously? We should try to get another series soon...
b8: ... Since Shuujin was slow in submitting the stories, I did kinda get a little faster at drawing...
b9a: Mainstream characters in a non-mainstream battle...
b9b: I tried to draw some cool, mainstream characters, but these...
b10: Let me see what you've got
b11: I said they weren't complete...
b12: That's fine
b13: Ah? This is pretty cool, no? Oh, this one too
b14: ... No, I don't want to compromise

18
x1: 9th May Monday
b1: Huh? Niizuma-kun
b2: Eh?
b3: What's wrong, Niizuma-kun? All of a sudden...
b4: I already filled in all the forms at the reception
b5: Eh? But I didn't hear about this...
b6a: I'm here to see the editor-in-chief
b6b: He gave the green light and asked me to please come up
b7: Eh!? The editor-in-chief!?

19
b1: !
a1: No... No way...
a2: After keeping the top spot for five weeks running, now he's...
a3: Eiji makes his move!! What business does he have here...!?