Quite a strange build up at the end of this episode, when suddenly it turned out to be that some random J-rock idol decided that he wants to become a mangaka. Now, things can often get quite disastrous when people like that suddenly think that they’ve got talent and use their popularity to give themselves a boost in popularity, but there are of course exceptions. I wonder what kind of approach Bakuman will take to this, but for that we need to wait till next week.
In either case, it’s going to be bad for Moritaka and Akito because the fangirls will make it very difficult for them to rank in first in these manga power rankings. Most of this episode was really about fleshing out their goals of becoming the first: showing them work hard and missing sleep in order to catch their deadlines.
Oh, and that thirty-year-old guy also is making some progress, in quite a strange way, working together with this eccentric girl. The character designs of the latter probably point to the fact that she’ll be a major character later in the series. In any case it’s a bit late for her to make any impact on the first season, with only one month left.
Speaking of which, I wonder whether the creators are going for some sort of cliff-hanger, or whether the story is just going to stop for half a year (assuming that the second season airs next Autumn season). I do hope that at the very least, this thing is going to end with some sort of strange hook. Looking back, Bakuman’s first season has been quite good, but it still has a few too many episodes that were just too slow, but it’s not like it was like Nurarihyon no Mago whose first season was nothing but build-up. If the second season keeps up this pacing, it’s got quite a good chance to become a great series.
Rating: * (Good)
If you notice, they been building up for this arc. The J-Pop singer has cameo scenes in the earlier episodes, which is not true for the manga.
However, without spoiling anything, I feel ultimately, building up for this character is kinda pointless.
This will be interesting! But, the Koji guy is so cheap!
Finally watched the episode. I normal say insert songs are awesome, but this time I feel its just another way to slow down the episode. Its not as bad as their other methods (cough RECAPS cough), but I still don’t like it. Especially since this song has NOTHING to do with anything, it got nothing to do with what the characters is feeling or the situation at hand.
It’s just a way to introduce the character. I’m fine with it personally. I liked the episode too. It’s been fairly good series throughout the entire run.