Hello my fellow olds, and welcome to my read-through of Bakuman Chapter 115: Weakness and Attitude, in we continue to be so fucking back

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Photoshoot and Classroom Summary

More Experience & Battle Manga

At the studio, Saiko explains to Kaya his plans to start driver’s ed in between work. Kaya correctly points out that he got jealous watching Hiramaru drive a Porsche. That’s true, but more than that, he needs to start living life and gaining *gasp* actual life experience, if he wants to get good ideas for their next manga.

Shujin thinks he should also join.

Kaya offers to come along as well, although Saiko thinks that much time together as a group is pushing it past the already insane limits. Kaya flips out at him – adorably – and he relents. She thinks it’s good, though, that he has spare time at all these days. Saiko thinks of it in terms of getting more juice for manga making.

Yeesh. I get it, but yeesh.

Kaya’s not sure why they’re so worried: They’re a year in and getting more popular over time, and they’re judging the Treasure Rookie Awards. Shujin doesn’t think they’re ready to judge those awards, though. Every author who has been serialized a year gets to judge. Shujin is concerned about potentially choosing their next rival and breaking their shakey foundation in the magazine. They need to be wary of their competition.

New artists come and go, and you never know who will hit it big, so they have to be on guard. So, they have to keep PCP in tip top shape while coming up with heir next idea.

Kaya asks whether they’ve thought of anything.

Shujin hasn’t yet, but he’s got a general direction in mind. Saiko asks what he’s thinking. Shujin doesn’t have anything concrete. Saiko wants to hear it anyway. Even if it’s just good idea, if he tells Saiko, he doesn’t have to do all the thinking alone.

Shujin goes back to their bete-noir: battle manga. He doesn’t think they should do one, but that’s what gets the most readers in Jump. Saiko reminds him they’re not cut out for that. Shujin isn’t suggesting that. It’s too late for a rookie artist to go the battle route these days. Battle manga established an era, but it’ll be something else that starts the next one.

Saiko disagreess, not to mention, everything has already been done. Shujin calls that cop out for what it is. A cop out.

Words, I have em.

Shujin’s thinking of–

NON-TRADITIONAL BATTLE. WOOPEE.

WE’RE HERE, BABY. LET THE METAFICTIONAL BATTLE BEGIN.

Kaya and Saiko think the pose makes it sound cool. Shujin then does a Jojo pose and explains that Battle manga do well, but they can’t regurgitate the classics, so they’ll have to go for a non-traditional battle style, with serious comedy, and no special powers or attack names. A battle of wits, minds, no punching, kicking or anything else.

Kaya is blown away.

Saiko’s still skeptical; Plus it’s been done before.

Shujin’s AWARE OF THAT (gosh, saiko), but that’s the suitable route for them rather than a traditional battle. Saiko agrees with that much, at least. But Shujin’s problem is the setting. He has to think of a good way to bring it all together.

Perhaps making a series about making manga, or something, just throwing it out there. Or perhaps a notebook of death. Of some kind.

Saiko thinks that’s shujin’s forte.

So he won’t be any help at all in this one.

Rumblings and Award

At the Jump Office, Aida’s team are in a furor out about an unprecedentedly amazing Treasure Rookie submission. Everyone thinks it will win and Aida’s frustrated it wasn’t just submitted for serialization instead of going the contest route. Hattori reminds them all that it needs to be judged properly.

Miura thinks they could just have the first chapter judged of the…I’m sorry, Ten? submitted to them. Aida brings up the fact that the chapter count isn’t the issue; it’s the content. it’s not suitable for Jump. It goes against everything Jump stands for. Another editor – whose name escapes me – reminds them that if they can’t run the chapters, then the mangaka will likely go to another magazine entirely. Hattori thinks it could go in Young Jump, perhaps.

Another editor asks if he’ll be judging it. He’s in Aida’s group, so yes. Hattori has a different reaction to the mysterious manga: it’ll fire up the boys like nothing else.

On Monday, June 15th, the boys are driven in a private limo to the Serial Award Ceremony. Shujin explains that depending on the number of chapter you’ve serialized you’ll go to the June or December serialization ceremony. Saiko doesn’t understand why that’s a big deal. Shujin looked up whose on the award roster; so did Saiko (Lol).

Eiji will be there for the hundred chapters of +Natural as will Iwase; Hiramaru will be there despite Otter ending because it hit 200 chapters. Aoki won’t be there, which makes Shujin feel bad for Hiramaru. But Shujin points out that they’re dating now, so it isn’t an issue.

Shujin thinks it’s still a bummer that she won’ the there since it’d also be nice to see her. Which gives Saiko ammunition to take shots at Shujin’s “sordid” emotional affair with Aoki. He means it in a purely professional sense!

Road Racer Giri and Mikata of Justice also made the cut, so Fukuda and Takahama will also be there. Team Fukuda will be there in full force.

The Ceremony

The boys are shocked when they arrive at the luxurious venue for the ceremony. Eiji and Hiramaru both welcome them as only they can, although Hiramaru’s in great spirits thanks to their assist last chapter.

Eiji gets disappointed by their rankings in the love fest and wonders where he – the boy who has never had a romantic feeling in his life – went wrong.

Shujin and Saiko don’t burst his bubble and admit that even younger people can do romances, so they probably should have stuck to romantic comedies. Eiji takes the wrong message: cliche is better.

That’s my boy.

At the same moment, an announcer requests the mangaka take their seats. Eiji then also asks why Hiramaru’s in such good spirits – and still he wonders why he lost. Hiramaru is frocliking. FROLICKING I TELL YOU.

Meanwhile, Kaya eats alone at home, sad that Shujin is not there. The doorbell rings, and Kaya receives flowers from Shueisha.

Kaya open the package and receives a genuinely sweet note from Shueisha honoring her for helping out in the success of PCP and she tears up, feeling blessed.

Awww.

At the same time, Ashirogi receives their certificate for getting 50 chapters serialized and are congratulated by Sasaki directly. Saiko is chill, but Shujin lets the water works go. Saiko is shocked that Shujin’s crying over the happy moment.

The photographer then ushers them to have their photo taken.

As they take their photos, Saiko remembers everything they’ve gone through and also starts tearing up. Prompting the photographer to tell them to chill out. The photographer asks if they want separate photos, but they both do it together and it’s totally adorable and I’m definitely not shedding a manly tear right now.

Old Rivals….and New?

After the Ceremony concludes, the Editor-in-Chief gives a speech, and dinner commences. Iwase is seated across from Shujin. She congratulates him politely on his accomplishment. But rubs in that she’s got him beat by 50 chapters. He admires the fact that they were once classmates, but now they’re here. They promise each other to push to greater heights.

Eiji guzzles food, as Eiji do, reveling in the deliciousness – as does Fukuda – but Saiko studies his rival intently. even though Eiji’s being awarded for +Natural, he’s three hundred chapters into Crow. Three hundred. He does the math on how many pages that is.

7,600 pages of manga done. Goddamn. And he’s only done fifty chapters. He admires Eiji.

Sasaki concludes the dinner and brings Heishi up for closing statements.

Hattori congratulates the boys after dinner and brings along the treasure rookie finalists. Hattori brings special attention to one one-shot that is quite “noteworthy”. Ready for immediate serialization. He specifies the artist sent in ten chapters. Hattori says it reminded him of the day he saw their work for the first time. Even better, actually.

Hattori’s goal is accomplished: the boys are curious enough to rush home and read it immediately.

They start with the ten chapter manga.

In The Classroom of Truth, Death Is the Only Escape (Chapter 1)

Classroom of Truth Summary

It Happened in the Middle of Class One-day

Saiko and Shujin admire the art.

A weird noise alerts the class of 1-C and the window shakes. Something ripping. Crackling.

A creepy voice comes from the loudspeaker.

WELCOME TO THE CLASSROOM OF TRUTH, it tells the students. The speaker shall be referred to as “God” (no ego there). Class 1-C shall participate in a game of survival.

Saiko sees the parallels to Enigma! This manga is unrunnable as is.

The teacher tries to open the door but it’s locked. The students try the window. God lets them know that only one survivor shall leave the classroom.

Shujin thinks the opening is a bit cliche –more than he’s comfortable with. But he trusts Hattori’s intuition and will so continue reading. The student’s realize there is no way out.

They are trapped

Tell the Truth, now.

The windows are unbreakable, the door locked. God continues: now the class has recovered from their realization. The teacher tries to keep things calm, someone will come to help, surely.

God tells him it’s impossible. Time has stopped within the room, and only successful escape will allow them to resume time again.

God assures them that what happens next will make sure they have no other choice.

Without further ado the first game begins.

The rules: those who commit a certain act will die, and the last one alive will be granted freedom.

Another student asks what the act is.

The voice assures them they’ll know soon enough. If they try hard enough, maybe they’ll be the lucky survivor.

Everyone’s shocked and scared. The Teacher demands calm and rational thought to find a way out.

He chokes.

Oh no.

Nakamura sensei is the first victim. He disappears instantly. Dun dun dun. Thirty seven remaining.

From his clothes comes his disembodied voice; He planned to kill everyone. His true feelings. A bespectacled student figures out the first rule: you will get killed if you tell a lie. All that remains are your true thoughts.

Tagami thinks Migi – the bespectacled boy is full of it.

Tagami goes just like Nakamura. His finally thoughts hatred for his fellow students and for Migi letting everyone know and not letting them die instead. Thirty six remain.

The MC observes the situation and thinks it’s probably real, but his overriding thought is how to escape this hell hole. On that note, the chapter concludes.

Classroom of Truth Reaction

Goddamn, this first chapter is dark. But the art is amazing, and the premise is hype af. Everything’s so tense. It’s a little macabre and extreme too, but it fits the genre so well.

Also the character design are top tier. I’m getting some battle royale vibes from this series. This is super promising. Especially the idea of truth vs. reality

Oh…wait. The chapter’s not over.

Shujin’s Epiphany

Shujin sees the light: this might be a way forward. It’s what he wants to do: a battle manga of the minds.

On that note, Bakuman’s chapter concludes as well as Volume 13

Photoshoot and Classroom Reaction

We are sooooo fucking back, babeee (Redux)

Hell yeah. We are fucking back back. I was hopeful in chapter 113, thrilled by chapter 114, but with chapter 115, we have finally hit the we are so back baby for true, moment.

We are so goddamn back. I’m going relish in the backness.

Obviously, we’re going to have to talk about the end of the chapter in detail, but first let’s just take a moment to admire the series in its slice-of-life moments. Because a lot of Bakuman’s charm, this far in, occurs due to its emphasis on being a mix of slice of life and battle manga.

An…unconventional battle manga, that is. *wiggles eyebrows suggestively*

But honestly, if it weren’t for the fact that conflict is required to maintain people’s interest, I’d almost love it if we kept the story in this kind of tenor, with the whole gang just chilling and living life and then making manga. It’d get boring super fucking fast, but I do love this type of story.

In the last few years when I’m not indulging in more straight forward masculine-coded wish fulfilling power fantasies of muscly dude and boys beating up bad guys, getting bitches and money and gaining respect of their peers through their martial prowess, I’ve actually found a new, even more satisfying wish fulfilling power fantasy: SLICE OF LIFE anime.

Especially of the romantic variety.

The two that come to mind are Komi Can’t Communicate and Kubo Won’t Let Me Be Invisible, but there are plenty of other slice of life anime and manga that just make me feel good even though they aren’t super focused on big climactic events.

And even though I’ve transitioned this blog mostly away from my life – except where mildly relevant – this is due to the fact that–

Slice of Life Anime is Wish Fulfillment

Yeah, I said it. Fight me.

So when I say wish fulfillment in this case, it’s wish fulfillment for people who are lonely. And historically, I have been a very lonely fella.

I’m not going to go deep into my tragic anime backstory, except to say that in my youth and early adulthood I spent most of my time – both voluntarily and involuntarily – by myself. There were reasons for it, some of them healthy and good, most of them not. But after I left my youth, and as I’ve grown older, I wish I had spent more time with my peers in a healthy, pro-social way instead of isolating myself or engaging in self-destructive behavior that pushed others away from me. Which happened a lot, and which I regret.

And that is precisely the value of Slice of Life. When you are an isolated loner, the idea of simply having friends to do things with and help get you out of your shell as you do basic things that lots of kids do is warm feeling and peaceful. Seeing lonely people slowly get happier and more confident has been the trajectory of my life, but I still mourn the loss of my childhood opportunities to build friendships and have memories.

And that’s particularly why I like stuff like Kubo and Komi which deal specifically with social anxiety and feelings of invisibility.

But it’s also why I particularly love the chapters in Bakuman in which almost nothing plot moving is happening. Like in Chapter 113, and in this chapter, which was, for the most part, focused on planning for the next arc – a new Rival! – getting an award, and the end of this chapter.

But first

The Awards

Most of this chapter was just the gang chilling and getting an award and I loved that.

I loved it partially because the dynamics between the entire group at this point are so well established that it’s cute to see the new kinks in their dynamics as life happens to them. Eiji not understanding why he lost the romance battle and deferring to the need for cliche; Hiramaru being legitimately happy which was surprisingly resonant; and, in particular Kaya getting the bouquet and card.

I’m not gonna lie, Kaya has regularly been done dirty by this series in a number of ways – the Aoki arc, the killing of her goals for her own life in favor of marriage, the last arc with Shujin being a butthead – and yet she’s still so cheery and helpful and doing stuff. I got a little teary-eyed seeing her get some recognition for her own contributions to the series.

I know she’s a fictional character, but I’m feeling things, man.

And it was equally satisfying to see, after 100s of chapters, to see an acknowledgement in-universe, of Ashirogi’s accomplishments. We’re still far from the conclusion – a year plus – but just seeing how far they’ve ocme, and having Shueisha recognize it was mad satisfying. I also love the chintzy corporate photo being a panel because it’s such a perfect mix of verisimilitude and using the medium to tell the story.

Sigh. I’m happy.

But onto the other good things this chapter.

Is PCP Going to be the only series?

So wayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy back in the day, I made a prediction that this series was going to be a story about how Ohba and Obata eventually came to making Death Note and then focused on that. And initially, that seemed to be the setup. Obviously, it’s going to be fictionalized, but it would be roughly autobiographical.

To my understanding, it is a strongly autobiographical work – from the name’s of the editors like Sasaki, Hattori, and Yoshida being real people – to some of the struggles that the mangaka face. Or the fact that Obata once did art for a goofy sci-fi comedy series that only lasted about 20 chapters.

But since PCP has been the thing for dozens of chapters of now, I’ve moved away from that. And, if I’m being frank, I still think that PCP is going to be the series that gets them an anime. Just a hunch on my part.

But the beginning of this chapter made me think that I might have been more right than I realized at the beginning.

When Shujin did his Jojo pose about making a non-conventional battle manga it felt like the series announcing that it fully intended to end on a death note.

I regret nothing.

But it also makes sense for the series to pivot to a death note series at this point in its run. Since we’re a little under 3/4s of the way through the story it totally feasible that the finalish few arcs are devoted to the manga that will blow them up into the stratosphere. So I think we might get another manga before the series is through that actually accomplishes that.

do I know for sure if that will happen? No. I haven’t spoiled myself. But I suspect.

But also, at the risk of being the most broken record on the planet again. Even if this isn’t an announcement of the series that will cap the series off, we are getting into my favorite part of the story.

Metafictional Forseshadowing

Oh yeah baby, soak it in soak it in. It feels so good.

As I have to remind you, at this point I am contractually obligated to remind you, when the story talks about manga, it talks about itself, so every time it mentions some kind of manga, it’s telling you, obliquely, that that type of manga will become a focus of the next arc. The last arc was a romance arc. The Iwase arc was about arcs and rivals.

This one is going to be a classic/untraditional battle story.

Given the way the art work shifted, part of me suspects that the art and story are going to shift as well. Maybe get darker, and more twisted. We’ll talk about it in another chapter, although I’m pretty sure I’ve talked about it before, but the series often uses its paneling and art to change how the story is told and uses it to reflect the current arc.

And given the end of this chapter, I have a feeling we’re going to get a non-traditional battle but with a traditional battle tonality, or, at the very least, potentially – I don’t really know – a death note flavor.

I would love this for a few reasons, but the big reason is that it would be such a massive flex on Ohba and Obata to use subtle metafictional techniques to change the quality of the story to comment on storytelling. I’d get a metafictional woody from that.

Let’s pretend I didn’t say that.

And that brings us to the conclusion of this chapter.

We are sooooo fucking back

This might be one of the most top tier uses of metafiction in this entire series to date. I know I say that very regularly, especially when we get the dual layered manga reading experience as we did in Chapter 30 with the four different manga. But this feels different.

First, we’re getting a new mangaka to come. That much is certain. Shujin’s comment at the beginning of the chapter and furor over the ten chapters that were given to them all but assures us of that.

But more to the point, we read a healthy chunk of this chapter. More than we ever have. And even more than that this chapter is of a death note variety, in both its more classically “Good” art style, and the narrative content, which feels like Battle Royale. it’s oozing atmosphere, and it’s both radically different from Bakuman and also radically different from most Jump stuff.

As a Jump reader, I know what Jump stuff is, and this ain’t it.

But it’s also compelling, although not particularly to my taste – I don’t like nihilistic stuff all that much – and it feels like a narrative slice at our boys. It feels like the story is building a new big bad for us to fight. Because even if I don’t like it, it would be silly for me to say it’s not good. it clearly is.

And I love the detail that went into making it feel like we were Shujin and Saiko reading it. Namely the use of the actual bleed margins on Deleter paper – which is the paper used by most mangaka to draft the originals – as the border. Not only that, but there’s detail where you can see the screentones being slightly cut off at the wrong point, or some elements that show that this is not a published draft of a manga, but one that is being submitted for consideration.

That level of immersion is why I love Bakuman. To have it feel like a proper amateur manga submission rather than fit the guidelines of a published tankobon is a stroke of genius. And even more subtly, the sense that the art, while good, is still a little stiff, as if an editor wasn’t consulted and tehy were just winging it. That’s the real shit.

Who is this mystery mangaka? what role will they play? Will I be interested in them?

I don’t know yet, but I’m super excited to find out. And i”m excited to see the boys enter the manga battles once more.

Which is why, once again,

We are so fucking back.

Until next time

Peace