Bakuman. Vol. 8 — Manga Raw / Buy Official

Mashiro's declaration that he'll draw alone rather than as a pair shakes those around him, but it ultimately reaffirms the strength of the Ashirogi Muto bond. The romance one-shot festival lets each author's personality explode, and Hiramaru and Aoki close the gap dramatically, pushing their relationship far forward. The string of incidents, abduction included, lays bare the recklessness and heat of the manga-artist breed. Anchored by PCP, Mashiro and Takagi shore up their footing and steadily build power toward their grand goal of an anime adaptation.