Ep 11. Chocolate and NEXT

In Bakuman season 1 episode 11, titled "Chocolate and NEXT," Mashiro and Takagi work on their latest manga chapter while dealing with the fallout from their last one. Their previous chapter was met with mixed reviews, with some readers loving it and others hating it. The duo is determined to improve, however, and spends their time brainstorming and perfecting their art.

Meanwhile, the editors at Shonen Jack magazine are preparing for the upcoming NEXT awards, which are held annually to honor the best new manga authors. Mashiro and Takagi hope to win one of the awards, but they know they have some stiff competition. As they work on their latest chapter, they decide to include a character based on one of the judges for the NEXT awards, hoping that it will help them win favor in the judge's eyes.

Throughout the episode, we see glimpses of the other manga authors who are also competing for a NEXT award. Nizuma Eiji, the prodigy who has already won two previous NEXT awards, is shown creating yet another masterpiece and wowing his editors with his talent. Another author, Hiramaru Kazuya, is struggling to come up with a new idea for his manga and is falling behind schedule.

As the NEXT awards draw closer, tensions mount for all of the manga authors, including Mashiro and Takagi. Will they be able to finish their latest chapter in time and win over the judges at the NEXT awards? Or will they fall short and be left behind in the highly competitive world of manga creation?

"Chocolate and NEXT" is a compelling episode that showcases the hard work and dedication that goes into creating successful manga. Through the struggles of Mashiro and Takagi, viewers get a glimpse into the challenges faced by all aspiring manga authors, from the pressure to meet deadlines to the constant need to innovate and improve. The addition of the NEXT awards adds an extra layer of excitement and tension, making this episode a standout in an already brilliant series.