Bakuman. 3
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Episodes (25)
1 / 2- 1EP 1
Azuki faces a career choice between an anime audition and a promise to Mashiro.
Oct 6, 2012Mashiro and Takagi’s Perfect Crime Party serialization proceeds while Azuki receives an audition offer for the +Natural anime. She remains undecided because of a prior promise to Mashiro to star as the female lead in his manga’s anime adaptation. Azuki personally informs Aiko and Eiji of her decision to decline the role. Before they can discuss the matter further, Mashiro intervenes at the last minute and takes her away. They hold hands for the remainder of the journey. Upon heading home, Azuki tells Mashiro that their next meeting will involve a kiss, by which time their respective dreams will have been realized.
- 2EP 2
PCP and +Natural/Crow competition intensifies as Mashiro adjusts his art style for better rankings.
Oct 13, 2012The rivalry between PCP and +Natural/Crow escalates as Mashiro modifies his dark art style to improve their manga rankings. Aiko grows closer to Eiji after he validates her skills, reigniting his passion. +Natural gains an advantage when their anime airs, while Eiji responds to Mashiro’s progress by releasing a textless chapter. New serializations, Takahama's Ally of Justice and Fukuda's Road Racer Giri, further increase the competitive pressure. The episode concludes with Mashiro and Takagi observing the crossover between CROW and +Natural, highlighting the ongoing struggle between the two teams.
- 3EP 3
Takagi plans a five-week arc to boost PCP's ranking before challenging Eiji
Oct 20, 2012Mashiro and Takagi conclude that PCP cannot defeat CROW and +Natural at their current pace. To improve their ranking for week 25, Takagi designs a five-week-long arc, a risky strategy that lowers ratings until the finale. The team agrees to challenge Eiji to continue PCP's existence. Although the arc is nearly complete, Takagi feels the narrative lacks depth. After interacting with Aiko, he realizes the story requires a rival character to drive PCP forward, mirroring how Fukuda and others motivate them. This addition aims to strengthen the plot's momentum and ensure the group's survival through the upcoming confrontation.
- 4EP 4
PCP Drama CD Selection and Editorial Complaints Regarding Anime Adaptation Hopes
Oct 27, 2012PCP is chosen for a drama CD, with Mashiro and Takagi nominating Azuki for the lead female role. While PCP’s rising popularity spawns a light novel, the duo pushes for an anime adaptation. Hattori dismisses this hope, citing complaints from adults whose children mimicked petty crimes due to PCP’s realistic influence. Nizuma appears upset by this news. Meanwhile, Shiratori creates a storyboard with Takagi’s help, which Hattori suggests could become a one-shot or serialization. Mashiro is surprised by this collaboration, as his plan for Ashirogi Muto to start a new manga would require Takagi to work with Shiratori.
- 5EP 5
Mashiro Enters Super Leaders Fest After Takagi and Shiratori Face Challenges
Nov 3, 2012Takagi and Shiratori’s Rabuta & Peace ranks fifth in Shonen Jack’s November issue voting. Mashiro trains to draw two manga simultaneously, aiming to match Niizuma. Shiratori runs away after his mother insults the studio staff, leading to a confrontation. Hiramaru and Aoki face cancellation due to low ratings and enter the Super Leaders Fest. Niizuma joins, working on three series. Mashiro initially plans to enter alone to protect Takagi’s PCP and Rabuta & Peace quality. Takagi insists they participate together. This episode highlights the competitive pressure on the team as they navigate personal conflicts and professional ambitions within the manga industry.
- 6EP 6
Mashiro and Takagi navigate creative differences while preparing for the Super Leaders Fest.
Nov 10, 2012Mashiro persuades Takagi to handle their Super Leaders Fest entry so he can focus on Rabuta & Peace. After overcoming writer's block, he chooses a love story theme. At Yueisha's Annual New Years Day party in 2015, it is revealed that all participants are submitting love stories, with Fukuda joining only due to peer pressure. Mashiro seeks Azuki's input for his manga, which draws from their mutual feelings. A conflict arises between Mashiro and Takagi regarding their drifting apart and separate projects. Shiratori quits as an assistant to pursue serialization for Rabuta & Peace, causing Takagi to withdraw from the studio and discuss PCP with Hattori. Takagi later returns, explaining his absence was to teach Shiratori independence since Rabuta & Peace is his work. Ashirogi Muto enter together, placing 4th, and reflect that the experience fostered personal growth.
- 7EP 7
Hiramaru negotiates serialization terms while evading Yoshida to date Aoki
Nov 17, 2012Yoshida urges Hiramaru to serialize Never Reaching You, which placed 2nd in the Super Leaders Fest. Hiramaru agrees only if he can have a tea date with Aoki, instructing her to silence their phones. Yoshida pursues them but is thwarted because Hiramaru sold his car to Fukuda, preventing tracking. Takagi, Mashiro, and Fukuda deduce the location from Hiramaru's manga and intercept the pair on a pedestrian bridge. Yoshida praises Hiramaru as a rare genius appearing every 2-3 years. Despite Yoshida’s warnings about rejection, Hiramaru confesses to Aoki with support from his friends. She accepts, and Hiramaru continues creating manga to please her. Meanwhile, Ashirogi Muto are selected to judge a competition called Treasure and learn that a newcomer has submitted The Classroom of Truth, a work that potentially surpasses their own.
- 8EP 8
Mashiro and Takagi confront Nanamine Tooru about his controversial manga and unethical collaboration methods.
Nov 24, 2012Mashiro and Takagi read The Classroom of Truth and praise it despite its unorthodox nature. The serialization committee rejects it for Shonen Jack, keeping it as a finalist. Its author, Nanamine Tooru, is a longtime fan of Ashirogi Muto and visits Yueisha to discuss changes. He instead releases the manga online, violating policy, but presents a new one-shot that the Chief approves immediately. When Nanamine meets Takagi and Mashiro, he admits he distrusts editors, believing artists know best. He reveals he collaborates with other artists online, incorporates their ideas, and claims them as his own. He vows to do whatever is necessary to reach the top of Shonen Jack. This revelation angers both Mashiro and Takagi.
- 9EP 9
Nanamine’s Unorthodox Manga Creation and Editorial Conflict
Dec 1, 2012Nanamine criticizes Mashiro and Takagi for lacking confidence while refining his storyboard with online help, ignoring editor Kosugi. A flashback reveals his childhood loneliness and belief that money solves everything, inspired by Ashirogi Muto’s Money & Intelligence. As his rating rises, Mashiro and Takagi discuss their PCP successor while the editorial team marvels at his work, despite skepticism from Hattori and Kosugi. Kosugi visits Nanamine’s home to discover he pays artists to draw his manga, merging their ideas. Nanamine virtually blackmails Kosugi into silence. The serialization committee then proceeds to make their final selections regarding the new series.
- 10EP 10
Serialization committee approves two new works while Nanamine challenges Ashirogi Muto with a secret weapon.
Dec 8, 2012The serialization committee approves Aoki's What God Gave Me and Nanamine's What You Need for a Meaningful School Life. Kosugi feels uneasy about Nanamine's approach, prompting Hattori to consult Mashiro and Takagi, who explain that his anger stems from Nanamine's unconventional tactics. Nanamine boasts to Akito, but Ashirogi Muto vows to defeat his methods using their hard work on PCP, leaving Nanamine confident that rankings will decide the winner. Hattori comforts Kosugi by reminding him of his worth. Meanwhile, Nanamine's collaborators abandon him due to fear of challenging Ashirogi Muto. Mashiro and Takagi plan to counterattack by pitting PCP's current arc climax against Nanamine's second chapter. Finally, as Kosugi critiques Nanamine's background art, Nanamine reveals his secret weapon: a returning Takuro Nakai.
- 11EP 11
Nanamine’s Desperation Leads Kosugi to Seek Ashirogi Muto’s Help
Dec 15, 2012Nanamine hires Nakai to boost his art, but Nakai discovers his secret method. Aoki’s What God Gave Me peaks then drops, while Ashirogi Muto’s PCP stays at 4th. Nanamine’s What You Need for a Meaningful School Life falls from 2nd to 15th due to excessive internet input. He tries to bait Ashirogi Muto into a similar story, but Yueisha’s policy rejects it. After arguing with his community and ignoring Kosugi, Nanamine loses support and his method is exposed to Deputy Chief Editor Aida. Kosugi takes responsibility and visits Nanamine, who desperately asks him to steal Ashirogi Muto’s next storyboard. Kosugi then explains the situation to Mashiro and Takagi. With permission from the Chief and Hattori, he asks them to compete with the same story to teach Nanamine the true meaning of being a manga artist, which they accept.
- 12EP 12
Nanamine faces defeat while Ashirogi Muto celebrates success at the new year party.
Dec 22, 2012Kosugi challenges Nanamine to a competition, warning that failure requires a formal author-editor partnership. Takagi identifies the impossibility of Nanamine’s management strategy, and Nakai exposes Nanamine’s hidden ratings to the public, causing the team to leave. With his rank falling to 19th and PCP dropping to 3rd, Nanamine initially considers quitting. However, Kosugi refuses to abandon him, inspiring Nanamine to restart the work personally. At Yueisha’s 2016 New Years Day party, Nanamine declares Ashirogi Muto his rival and vows to defeat them. Later, Mashiro attends an elementary school reunion where he is celebrated as a celebrity. He corrects his classmates’ misconceptions about the manga industry, while discussing with Takagi how their careers caused them to miss social experiences, though both remain dedicated to their dreams. Finally, a bank robbery report reveals that only a PCP volume was left behind, mimicking the manga.
- 13EP 13
Imitation and Unconsciousness
Dec 29, 2012Mashiro and Azuki consider the robbery's impact on PCP and Takagi, while the Chief and Hattori support Ashirogi Muto. Takagi's deteriorating mental state leads to lower quality work and reused ideas, causing PCP's ranking to fall from the top five to 12th place. Yujiro reveals Nizuma's deal to cancel a manga if it reaches the top spot, frightening Hattori about PCP's serialization. Another bank robbery occurs, with thieves leaving a card claiming to be PCP, which enrages Takagi until he finds a resolution. The next chapter features a copycat crime plot foiled by a rival who knows the protagonists would not commit such acts. PCP rebounds to 3rd place, with Mashiro and Takagi emphasizing that their manga does not condone crime.
- 14EP 14
Nizuma's Deal with the Chief and the Staff's Challenge to Save CROW
Jan 5, 2013Nizuma dedicates himself to CROW, securing first place in the rankings for five consecutive weeks. Yujiro worries this drive stems from a secret agreement with the Chief to end the series. Ashirogi Muto interpret this as motivation to improve PCP. After Nizuma visits the Chief at Yueisha, Yujiro alerts Fukuda, who assembles Takagi, Mashiro, Aoki, Hiramaru, Takahama, and Akina to confront him. Nizuma reveals his deal: ending a manga if it holds first place for ten consecutive weeks. He plans to conclude CROW at its peak, rejecting Yueisha's profit-driven continuation policy. The staff refuses to accept this, vowing to surpass CROW before its end. Nizuma accepts their challenge, proposing that if they beat CROW in the rankings before his final manuscript, he will not cancel the series.
- 15EP 15
Seven weeks remain before CROW ends as editors and authors strategize to surpass Nizuma's lead.
Jan 12, 2013With only seven weeks left until the conclusion of CROW, Yujiro reveals Nizuma’s ultimatum to the editing department, prompting them to support their authors. Fukuda introduces a new character in Road Racer Giri, while Takahama launches a new arc for Mikata's Justice using cover spreads. Ashirogi Muto leverages PCP’s unconventional nature by introducing the anti-heroic character Sigma. Although CROW remains first, Road Racer Giri and Mikata's Justice place second in consecutive weeks, narrowing the voting gap. Hattori secures a colored centered page for Ashirogi Muto in the 36th issue of Shonen Jack. The duo devises a plan to embed a hidden message within this page, visible only after readers finish the chapter, thereby challenging CROW directly.
- 16EP 16
Yujiro supports Nizuma ending CROW while Ashirogi Muto ties second place
Jan 19, 2013Yujiro acknowledges Nizuma's resolve to conclude CROW and offers his support. Ashirogi’s latest PCP installment features a colored page serving as an invitation for protagonists to meet Sigma, who alters Makoto’s portrait with meeting details. Readers engage with this puzzle element. Ashirogi Muto secures second place, tying with Road Racer Giri, while CROW wins first place again. Takagi and Mashiro reflect on how their rivalry with Nizuma drove their progress, sharing this sentiment in the comments for CROW’s final chapter. Yujiro congratulates Nizuma but is surprised to find Nizuma has already created numerous other manga. Nizuma visits Takagi and Mashiro, expressing joy over friendships formed through shared manga passion. He concludes by declaring his next work will be the greatest manga ever written.
- 17EP 17
Iwase regains confidence while Ashirogi Muto plan a demonic battle manga to rival Nizuma's zombie series.
Jan 26, 2013Iwase loses confidence as +Natural's ratings drop to 15th place, prompting her to quit writing after Miura criticizes her story. Mashiro visits Iwase, reminding her she is Takagi's driving force, and Team Fukuda's support restores her resolve. Sasaki transfers to another magazine, visiting Nizuma and Ashirogi Muto to acknowledge his favoritism toward Mashiro and Takagi due to a promise to her late uncle, Nobuhiro. Nizuma shows Yujiro a zombie-themed storyboard, which Yujiro praises as superior to CROW. Meanwhile, Mashiro and Takagi finalize plans for PCP's successor, choosing the standard battle archetype. Their new manga features two demonic protagonists with differing ideals fighting for Justice. Recognizing this fit for Shonen Manga, Ashirogi Muto decide to challenge Nizuma's upcoming Zombie Manga with their Demonic Manga.
- 18EP 18
Ashirogi publish two one-shots and decide on serialization schedules
Feb 2, 2013The editing team publishes Ashirogi’s Reversi and Nizuma’s Zombie Gun as one-shots after receiving enthusiastic feedback. Azuki secures the lead role in the soccer anime Instant 12, prompting congratulations from Mashiro. Zombie Gun achieves a record-breaking 692 votes, but Reversi takes first place in the second week, winning by two votes. The committee decides to serialize both works but struggles with the logistics of Ashirogi producing two manga weekly. Heishi consults Sasaki, suggesting PCP run weekly and Reversi monthly. Hattori expresses disappointment to Yujiro, as he desired to edit Reversi. In a subsequent meeting, Yujiro, Hattori, Takagi, and Mashiro agree that PCP should shift to monthly serialization due to its broader audience, allowing Reversi to compete weekly with Nizuma’s manga. Finally, Mashiro purchases the studio from his grandfather and receives Nobuhiro’s diary, strengthening his resolve to honor his uncle’s legacy.
- 19EP 19
Ashirogi Muto race deadlines while Reversi faces ranking drops due to structural weaknesses.
Feb 9, 2013Ashirogi Muto struggles with a backlog of work for Shonen Jack and Hisshou Jump magazines. Mashiro, his three assistants, Takagi, and Miyoshi push themselves to the limit, but returning professional assistant Ogawa arrives with two new helpers to complete the storyboards. The competition between Nizuma's Zombie Gun and Ashirogi Muto's Reversi intensifies, with Reversi holding first place for three consecutive weeks. Nizuma changes an antagonist in Zombie Gun to regain the top spot, exposing Reversi's weakness: it has two protagonists who cannot be killed off. Takagi slows the story pace to match the standard battle archetype, causing ratings to drop to 5th place. After discussing with Hattori, Takagi and Mashiro accept that Reversi may not last 50 chapters but agree to resolve the protagonist conflict interestingly. Takagi promises to make Reversi a masterpiece for himself, Mashiro, and Azuki.
- 20EP 20
Hiramaru proposes to Aoki while Ashirogi Muto face ranking challenges
Feb 16, 2013Mashiro and Takagi plan to conclude Reversi, while Hiramaru’s anime is greenlit and Aoki’s series is cancelled. To cheer her up, Hiramaru invites Aoki to an amusement park to propose, with Yoshida deciding to assist after recalling their first meeting. Hiramaru loses his ring on the ferris wheel, but Aoki gives him another chance, leading to an unconventional proposal and her acceptance. Meanwhile, Reversi dominates Zombie Gun in rankings, yet Zombie Gun sees a surge in volume sales. Ashirogi Muto and Hattori analyze this trend, noting Reversi’s content is difficult for children and women. At the Tezuka-Akatsuka (2017) Prize Party, voice actress Ririka Kitami attempts to flirt with Mashiro but stops upon learning about Azuki. Nizuma praises their ranking success but predicts volume sales parity, motivating the team. Finally, producer Futoshi Tanabe approaches them.
- 21EP 21
Hot Spring Visit and the Decision Regarding Reversi Anime Adaptation
Feb 23, 2013During the New Year holiday, Mashiro, Takagi, and Miyoshi visit a hot spring, where the pair reflect on their journey since middle school. Meanwhile, editors at Shonen Jack debate whether to adapt Zombie Gun or Reversi. Yujiro informs Nizuma, who initially declines but reverses his decision when Reversi is proposed. Hattori hesitates to approve the project due to fears that Ashirogi might conclude the manga before production begins, potentially causing the offer to be withdrawn. He discusses these concerns with the creators, who agree to the adaptation despite the risk of extending the series for a year. Takagi vows to maintain quality, citing his promise to Azuki as motivation. Hattori, understanding their dedication, decides to support them. Yujiro and Hattori then attempt to persuade Heishi to make Reversi the flagship series. Finally, Hattori rushes to Mashiro’s studio with the final outcome.
- 22EP 22
Hattori announces Reversi anime airing while Mashiro and Azuki face public scrutiny over their relationship.
Mar 2, 2013Hattori reveals the Reversi anime starts in October, moving Mashiro to tears. Heishi rejects Zombie Gun to strengthen Shonen Jack, inspiring Nizuma. Azuki congratulates Mashiro, but Ririka Kitami’s blog post about their connection prompts Takagi to demand its removal. Jealous classmate Ishizawa leaks proof online, sparking rumors of favoritism that threaten Azuki’s career. During a meeting with the Reversi animation committee, Mashiro suggests Azuki deny their bond on her radio show to protect her image. Instead, Azuki publicly confirms their relationship, drawing mixed reactions and personal inquiries from listeners. Mashiro then calls the broadcast to urge the public to trust Azuki’s talent, firmly declaring she will earn the lead female role in Reversi through her own abilities alone.
- 23EP 23
Azuki navigates public audition for female lead role while addressing script discrepancies.
Mar 9, 2013Following a radio broadcast, Azuki’s fanbase stabilizes, bringing positive attention to Reversi. Anime producers propose a public audition with audience voting for the female lead, a setup that disadvantages Azuki due to potential bias. Mashiro supports this decision to avoid perceptions of favoritism. During auditions, Azuki delivers an excellent performance but uses the line "Schwarz" instead of "Weiss," mirroring previous voice actresses. Concerns arise regarding this script variation. The program director later clarifies that the initial error stemmed from a published Shonen Jack magazine edition, which was corrected in the manga volume. Since Azuki studied from the manga, she avoided the mistake unknowingly made by others. The director instructs the public to consider this context in their votes. Azuki wins decisively, leading Mashiro, Takagi, and Miyoshi to celebrate the fulfillment of their dreams.
- 24EP 24
Ashirogi and Hattori navigate editorial pressure to conclude the Reversi manga with artistic integrity.
Mar 16, 2013After Azuki lands the lead role, Mashiro and Takagi plan to end Reversi in July. Hattori informs Heishi of this, but Heishi rejects it, ordering Hattori to persuade the creators to continue. Takagi secretly meets Hattori, proposing an eight-chapter conclusion to surpass Nizuma in rankings and sales, aiming to make Mashiro the top artist in Shonen Jack. Hattori chooses to support the authors, citing Director Torishima’s advice to stand by creators during conflicts. Heishi agrees, allowing the animation studio to preserve the original vision. The final chapter features a spectacular battle, leading to immediate sell-outs of 1.22 million copies per volume, beating Zombie Gun sales. At the series' end, Heishi summons Ashirogi to Yueisha, where they meet Nizuma, continuing their competitive dynamic.
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Frequently asked questions
- How many episodes does Bakuman. 3 have?
- Bakuman. 3 has 25 episodes.
- When did Bakuman. 3 come out?
- Bakuman. 3 came out in 2012.
- Which studio made Bakuman. 3?
- Bakuman. 3 was produced by J.C.STAFF.
- Who directed Bakuman. 3?
- Bakuman. 3 was directed by Kenichi Kasai.
- Is Bakuman. 3 finished?
- Current status of Bakuman. 3: Finished.