Hey there boo, and welcome to my read-through of Bakuman Chapter 118: Private and Public in which I’m excited about some dark twists, and I wax poetic on the important of editors.

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Private and Public Summary

The Fallout

Shujin and Saiko discuss Nanamine removing the blog with Classroom of Truth; people who saved it are re-uploading it, so there’s still some momentum. Kaya points out that Nanamine is also blogging about how other editors want to work with him now and wonders about the legality of that. Saiko explains that he never signed a contract, so he’s under no obligation not to do something like this.

Shujin sees that Nanamine’s angle is to question the value of editors. That said, he still sees it as a very clever ploy to get someone to edit his work. Saiko is disappointed that their judgment ended up worthless.

Shujin disagrees: the controversy was that Classroom of Truth only made it as a finalist. Kaya—I assume—chimes in that it’s insulting that they’re claiming the boys and the editors don’t understand manga.

Preach bb.

Shujin thinks it’s genius, though.

At the Jump offices, Yoshida chews Hiramaru out for the weak sauce storyboard he sent him. Hiramaru explains that, because he’s currently in bliss with his beloved Aoki, he’s in too good a mood to write something so negative.

Uh oh.

Meanwhile, Kosugi is a giant ball of stress, and Hattori tells him not to get worked up about it. This was an unpredictable situation, and Kosugi thinks he’s out of luck.

Miura – being a straight douchebag – does a drive-by shit talk and tells him that it doesn’t matter about his luck; he needs to secure that bag re: Nanamine because everyone wants a piece of him now. Kosugi’s aware.

As he tries to justify himself, though, Aida asks for him to talk with Sasaki. Kosugi assumes he’s being transferred, but Aida puts that shit down instantly.

Kosugi apologizes to Sasaki for this behavior. However, Sasaki thinks all publicity is good and that they’ve gotten free marketing out of it. It’s an opportunity. Zaaah.

Sasaki clarifies: even though there’s no guarantee of commercial success with work on the web, Nanamine is clearly talented. His abilities with story and art are top-of-the-pops. But by the same token, Kosugi has to firmly instruct him not to do something like this again.

Kosugi apologizes and explains that someone of this caliber would also be able to recognize the difference between right and wrong.

Ahem. Ahem.

Sasaki sidesteps that moral conundrum and offers an “Idea” instead: Bring him here. Kosugi’s shocked: Sasaki’s going to tell Nanamine that?

Yes, he will, but he also wants to meet the boy personally. Sasaki notes that he doesn’t have work on Fridays, so he’ll be available then and schedule a meeting with the boy.

Predictably, Nanamine is over the moon rapturous to a… suspicious *waggles eyebrows* degree and goes on about being honored to meet the editor-in-chief, what clothes he should wear, and maybe a gift as well. Kosugi tries to reign him in and explains that the chief wants to speak with him about the recent events.

Kosugi assumes that there are no bad intentions, just enthusiasm.

Press x to doubt.

A Non-Traditional Traditional Battle Manga that is also not a battle manga

At the studio, Moriya and Kato are disappointed to learn the news that Classroom of Truth didn’t win. They both thought it deserved to win and blame the boys.

The boys explain that they also thought it was the best, but it wasn’t suitable for a Jump audience. Moriya is surprised by that news. He and Kato were both legitimately thrilled to be reading something so fresh. Orihara didn’t read it.

Womp womp.

Shujin tells Orihara he can read it online since it’s been pirated.

Moriya falls into a spiral of existential dread with Shiratori and this guy coming out of the woodwork. These arrivals dampen his will to draw.

Orihara can’t wait to read it.

Womp womp.

Saiko thanks the assistants for all their work as they leave.

The boys discuss how Nanamine’s work impresses everyone who reads it. Saiko wonders why, given the content being the issue, he didn’t just submit to a Seinen magazine. Shujin brings up the oldest debate among the jump fandom: it was appropriate enough, and, besides, he wants to see Jump take some risks.

Saiko remembers that they wanted to write a story like that, too—a non-mainstream battle thing.

Saiko thinks that Classroom of Truth isn’t a battle manga, though. Saiko explains that non-traditional battle stories need a conventional structure. Classroom of Truth had mind games and unseen enemies but no actual battles going on. That means no flashy action that Jump is famous for. So, there are limits to what they can do.

Saiko asks how they can even do a non-mainstream traditional battle manga.

Shujin’s about to have a breakthrough.

And……..

He ain’t got nothing. He observes – metafictionally (wink wink) – that they’re always going on about the same things.

Huh?

They always come up with some cool juxtaposition but never really bring it to life. Saiko justifies their Sisyphean juxtaposition: that’s just the way they work. Shujin offers to think about it more. Shujin asks if adding attack names makes it more traditional. Saiko isn’t having that.

Brilliance

The next day, Nanamine comes to the office and continues this schtick of being overeager. He vociferously – VOTHIFEROUTHLY – apologizes for his actions. Gee golly, he just wanted people to read his super awesome work. Now he knows, by Jove, that he made a mistake. It was careless. Forgive him!

Sasaki engages Nanamine like a manager: dispassionately but understandingly. He understands the young mangaka’s eagerness to be read, but this is not the mindset of a professional.

Of course, Nanamine completely and totally agrees with Sasaki and apologizes again. He does, however, suggest, politely, of course, that maybe it’s not the worst idea as a marketing strategy—you know, publishing unprinted stories, maybe?

Miura and another editor think Nanamine seems like a good kid, Hattori observes in silence.

With that in mind, Nanamine brought a new storyboard with the requested corrections for Classroom of Truth. He wanted Sasaki to take a look. Kosugi points out that that is his job, as Nanamine’s editor. Kosugi scolds him for not asking him to review it.

Hmm.

Sasaki refuses to read the updated Classroom of Truth since it was released online. It has to be a new piece or no dice. Kosugi prepares to defend Nanamine, but–

Nanamine has an entirely new piece, surprising Kosugi, who thought he was going to rework Classroom of Truth. He exclaims that he realized his mistake and decided to scrap the whole piece. Then the ideas started flowing and he came up with the perfect idea for Shonen Jump.

That’s….convenient.

Nanamine hands the manuscript to Kosugi, explaining that his biggest dream is to draw for Jump. Kosugi offers to read it after they’ve met with the editor-in-chief. Sasaki offers to take a look since he’s here. Nanamine gives it to him and…

Nanamine cheers – obnoxiously – and Kosugi asks to take a look. Heishi and the other editors are shocked to hear Sasaki pronounce a rookie brilliant. It’s gotta be a masterpiece, man.

Sasaki revises his previous claims and sees the light: Nanamine has primed the market with his little blogging ploy, so he’ll run the one-shot while the iron is still hot. He asks for more storyboards as soon as possible.

Nanamine shouts his enthusiastic joy at having succeeded and calls himself the best. The best.

Sasaki is more measured: it’s not guaranteed, but his work is good enough to try it. And he’s enthusiastic about Jump, which is huge. While Nanamine explains how Ashirogi inspired him to do everything and how he wants to be like them, Kosugi’s just relieved that he got a lucky break getting this kid as his first mangaka.

Hmmm.

Fateful Meeting

At the same mention, Nanamine asks to meet Ashirogi. Sasaki looks to Kosugi and Nanamine begs to meet them. Kosugi’s nervous and put on the spot, and Hattori, seeing that Nanamine is being pushy, intervenes.

Hattori will ask the boys if they can make it work. They turned in their latest chapter so they might have time today. Nanamine is pumped.

While they two discuss their non-mainstream battle manga (metafiction) idea they get a call from Hattori about the meeting. Shujin explains that they know him through his fan mail and want to meet.

Hattori relays their excitement to Nanamine who is, in character, over the moon at the news. Hattori is busy, and asks Kosugi to take Nanamine to their studio.

Shujin explains that Nanamine will be there at six. Saiko gets nervous. This is so sudden. Shujin thinks it’s a little silly for them to be getting all flustered at meeting a fan of theirs, but hearing his excitement over the phone made Shujin equally bashful.

D’awww.

Shujin then recognizes that Hattori came into the office to deal with the internet fallout. Shujin, replaying the events to form this meeting thinks it’s very forward of the boy to do that. Saiko thinks it’s idle speculation on their part.

Hehe. hehe. They’re in danger.

At the studio, Nanamine slathers the boys in praise and explains how he was so inspired by Money and Intelligence (there’s a fucking callback) and was shocked to see that 15 years old had some up with that story. He read it like, 30 times over. Saiko asks why he chose their one-shot over Nizuma’s.

Nanamine, curiously, explains that Nizuma does things without thinking. Shujin’s surprised by the insightful reply. Nanamine believes that Money and Intelligence, by contrast had tons of thought put into it. The being 15 thing really sticks with him and he says he was inspired to draw from that very moment.

Saiko praises Classroom of Truth as equally amazing. Nanamine takes the compliment as though it were natural. He explains he took everything he loved from their work and put it together.

Hmmmmmm.

Kosugi receives a phone call. Aida chews him out for not finishing his giveaway page. Kosugi forgot and Aida ain’t having that shit. Kosugi apologizes. He has to head back to the office now due to the missed deadline. Nanamine’s bummed to have to leave after only ten minutes. But the boys save his bacon: they’re close to the train, which he can take home. Kosugi’s worried he’ll keep rambling and say something “unnecessary”

Oy.

Nanamine makes a joke of it, and Kosugi heads out. Nanamine thanks him for all his work. Saiko thinks he’s being just a little too polite.

The Reveal

As soon as Kosugi leaves, Nanamine makes himself comfortable.

And takes off the mask.

Dun dun DUN.

Although, obviously, that was an act.

Nanamine reveals that he’s successfully getting a one-shot published and calculated the fastest route to publication. He would have preferred winning the Treasure Rookie award but being a finalist and getting an editor meant he had to change lanes to getting a one-shot published. Followed by a test in Jump after that. He didn’t want to bother with such a “tedious” process. So he stirred the pot a little, called the office, and gave them a brand new story. He wasn’t expecting the editor in chief to read it himself but…

The boys see the heel turn immediately. He’s alarmingly different. Down to he look on his face.

Shujin’s horrified to learn he uploaded the one-shot to the internet to engineer this process.

Nanamine confirms it: it was a stunt, and a gamble, but it paid off in this case. He would get the attention he deserves.

Yikes.

Shujin pins him as being the same type of nen-user managka as them: the calculating type.

Nanamine doesn’t bullshit them. He’s calculated everything and no one’s the wiser about it. He’s put on a great act for them. It’s not illegal to upload a one-shot, but, by his own admission, it’s hiiighly unethical. Of course he’d know that. He’s not an idiot.

At their shock – and probably disgust – he calls them out on their bullshit: they’ve had plenty of their own schemes done in the past. Running one-shots in two straight issues; coercing Jump into cancelling Tanto of their own will. No one would do that without an ulterior motive.

He’s….not wrong.

the boys are surprised to hear that he knew that as well.

He explains that they have to be aggressive and seize every possible opportunity in the Manga biz. He truly respects them in that regard. they’re innovators.

They’re still young, but they’re not the editor’s “Pets”.

Nanamine goes on: he doesn’t trust editor’s one bit. Especially not his own. Kosugi is worthless. He questions what a recent college grad with no real world experience would know about manga. They’ve got more experience than the editors. He asks them if they agree.

The boys are silent.

Nanamine points out editors wouldn’t know what to do if they had to draw manga themselves. Wouldn’t know where to start.

This sets the boys off: they can advise the mangaka. And advice is crucial.

True, for the record.

On that point, Nanamine agrees. That’s why he put it online. Ten Opinions from ordinary people are more useful than a single editor’s. Especially when they understand manga to begin with.

Why do I hear the theme song to Too Many Cooks in the distance?

Shujin thinks he has a point, but Saiko’s still skeptical.

Nanamine then explains what he actually did: he soliticed fifty people who could be “suitable” judges, and passed the storyboard he brought to the office to them while keeping in mind Classroom of Truth‘s editorial comments. And now he’ll be placed in Jump with a one-shot directly into the magazine.

Genius, isn’t it? He’s going to rise to the top of the manga world.

On that sinister note, the chapter concludes.

Private and Public Reaction

I was….right?

So yeah, Nanamine is a giant bag of crap. I’m kind of glad that I called it last chapter before it was revealed more obviously this chapter, but man, that was close on my part. I’d almost have to call myself a crappy reader if I didn’t pick up that something was off.

And I think that’s a really neat trick to Nanamine’s character at least at this point. I think if you’re not reading just carefully enough – not super carefully – but just carefully enough, you could easily mistake Nanamine for being a genuinely excitable kid who is just passionate about manga and not a secret mastermind.

But as we went over extensively last chapter, he also has clear narcissistic tendencies and this chapter finally dropping the mask is very…pardon the pun…in character for Bakuman.

Ba dum tss.

But yeah, we’ll get to Nanamine’s scheme in a sec, but I think this chapter – and the previous one – really setup a great bait and switch for this character. The little jabs at Kosugi and the other editors work, the engineering and the risk taking on Nanamine’s part, and how he plays up his cheeriness to disarm people.

All very effective.

In many ways he’s a great foil to the protagonists, in some ways a stronger foil than Eiji because…

He’s the Same Type of Mangaka as them

We haven’t really broken down how most Shonen manga tend to have power systems that rigidly delineate power sets for various characters. Most famously there’s Nen in Hunter x Hunter which really set it off, but there’s Bankai, Quirks, Stands, Devil Fruits, Grimoires, Magic, SPH (eldlive was awful, Jesus), and even in one of my lowkey faves Akane-Banashi, they have “Nin” for rakugo.

There hasn’t been an actual power system like that in Bakuman per se – or at least one that’s not so well developed as the above examples – but there are , at least, two types of manga creators: intuitives and thinkers.

And Nanamine is presented as an intuitive, but is actually a thinker.

And that’s a really interesting way to point out some of the more questionable behavior of Ashirogi.

I think Nanamine’s read of Ashirogi – even if it is totally wrong – does not actually miss the mark on their behavior narratively. Even if they have never intended to upset the status quo, or break rules, they consistently have done so. And they’ve done it with a dogged goal of becoming a mangaka for whom an anime is made.

Their motives are a little purer than Nanamine’s, but they’re also kind of underhanded. We’ve missed that to a degree because this is still a Shonen manga, so their objectionable behaviors are given a pass by the narrative.

But they’ve bent the rules plenty of times in service of their larger goal of being published in Jump and getting an anime.

And fun fact, Narcissists love to recognize themselves in others because it strokes their ego. But they will avoid recognizing the very obvious differences in people around them because it makes them insecure. The recognition is a tactic to build a rapport.

So that ending is almost perfect as a depiction of a narcissist recognizing someone like them and I….actually really like that.

Now, let me also say briefly, that the ability to see yourself in others is also a symptom of empathy, and compassion. But the difference is that empathy and compassion also take into account the ways in which you differ, or may highlight your own flaws.

It darkens the narrative in a way reminiscent of Death Note (called it) but it also calls attention to the less than savory elements of both Saiko nad Shujin’s character.

But Nanamine’s still wildly off the mark because the boys aren’t narcissists. They’re ambitious, and despite the rules they have skirted or actively broken, they’ve always backed up their efforts with genuinely hard work.

Which brings us to Nanamine’s scheme.

Too Many Cooks, Too Many Cooks

So yeah, I’m sure this is going to end well. How could using 50 people providing their opinions possibly go wrong?

It strikes me as quite….well, narcissistic (you’re going to see this word a lot), to believe that a.) one can skirt the process of making a manga entirely and just speedrun into the magazine. For the record this would never happen. Ever. It just wouldn’t happen so it is stretching the bounds of narrative reality quite tightly.

But b.) the belief that just listening to people’s opinions on the internet is worth more than an editor’s opinions is fucking silly.

Aside from the obvious problem of too many cooks spoils a stew, there’s also the issue that, presumably, none of these people in the chat room are actually professional mangaka.

As someone who writes criticism of a manga on the internet for the funsies, I can assure you that, as much as I do know what I’m talking about, I really also truly have no fucking idea what I’m talking about. If what I say is insightful about the manga making process, it is because I have studied it myself and thought about it long and hard, as I have screenwriting and storytelling.

But that doesn’t mean I’ll have the same ability as an editor.

Because editor’s don’t just say “this sucks” or “redraw this” they are trained to take into consideration the needs of the magazine, the needs of the mangaka, and the needs of the manga, while also juggling a number of other tasks. .

I haven’t touched on Poor Kosugi – and man, is he really going through it – but his responsibilities as Shueisha’s gofer really highlight that editors don’t just read manga and say “this sucks” they also have to solicit funds, take anime requests, create giveaway pages, and also shepherd their mangaka to make good manga.

Obviously not every editor is going to be good. But to do that kind of full time editorial work means you have to be passionate about it. And you have to be able to make firm, hard decisions.

Which is why I was silently nodding my head when they were commenting on the necessity of an editor to get work done. Creatives do know what they’re doing but the creative act can’t be done alone. It just isn’t possible.

But by that same token, 50 people who don’t know what actually goes into the process are not going to be helpful. It’s just going to create noise and that will make the work worse.

Because, check it, people on the internet do not know what the fuck they are talking about 9 times out of 10.

I say this with love.

Shujin’s Perspective and The Non-traditional talk

Given that we’re in, what I’ll call for lack of a better word the “Death Note” arc, it’s interesting to see how Shujin recognizes Nanamine’s play, and even admires it. It feels like Ohba calling himself out for being unable to adhere to Jump’s masthead. I think that Nanamine on some level is a form of wish fulfillment on Ohba and Obata’s part.

Because even though Nananmine is a combatant for both the boys, he has the most in common with Shujin, the idea man. And that creates an interesting parallel.

Unlike the Eiji subplot which, at least for the time being, has fizzled out as a rivalry – it’ll come back before the endgame, that much is clear – Nanamine is a fresh direct antagonist to the boys. And this is the first time we’ve gotten a challenge where the person was actively threatening.

So to have Shujin recognize these tactics and admire them, just like I said above, highlights how mercenary the boys are, even if they wouldn’t do something so thoughtless and potentially chaotic.

And that’s great.

It means that this battle is actually going to be a battle. And it might actually end badly for Nanamine – not the boys they’re the heroes they will win – but I’m curious to see whether Bakuman is going to take this all the way into darkness.

Part of me suspects it will because, honestly, this is a very dramatic tonal twist. One I sort of saw coming, and one the narrative has meta-fictionally setup well, but still a tonal shift of great significance.

And for me, it suggests that we’re really heading toward the end game because the series is setting up the boys’s next series. It’s probably not going to be immediately, but it’s going to happen soon. This is just the announcement that things are heading in that direction.

I’m really excited to see that play out.

But I did get a legit chuckle out of the fact that the boys were arguing about the fact that they’re constantly talking about doing the same thing over and over and over again and never actually doing it.

Now it seems they’re doing it.

And I’m excited.

And before I peace out, let’s talk about–

Kosugi

The editors this chapter were more plot devices – especially Sasaki who surprised me although he’s still completely consistent with his statements on “good manga” – but it was really Kosugi who I’m worried for.

I think the fact that he’s a newbie is telling. And I have a feeling Nanamine’s plans will be revealed to him sooner rather than later, but I kinda want Kosugi to have more of a spine.

Do I think he will, though?

No.

There’s a type of manga character I’ve noticed a lot. It’s that one character who is a coward and who, despite everything, remains a coward for a very long time. And unfortunately, it looks like that’s Kosugi.

You usually find this character in more Seinen-y stories, and usually they’re adjacent to horror. So he’s also a good element of foreshadowing.

But he seems decent. I hope I’m wrong. Because I want Nanamine to lose.

The kid is an asshole, and even though everyone is falling for his charm now, it’s going to be Kosugi who suffers for it.

I don’t like that.

But we’ll just have to see how it plays out.

maybe I’m wrong.

Until next time, though

Peace