Ep 14. Battle and Copy

Aspiring manga artists Moritaka Mashiro and Akito Takagi continue to work tirelessly towards their goal of creating a successful manga series. In episode 14 of Bakuman's first season, titled "Battle and Copy," the two face new challenges and obstacles in their journey.

The episode begins with the duo receiving news that their manga, "Money and Intelligence," has received a score of 57 out of 100 in the rankings. Although disappointed, they are met with encouragement from their editor, Hattori, who tells them that the score is not too bad for a debut work.

Determined to improve their ranking, Mashiro and Takagi begin to work on their next chapter. However, the two struggle to come up with a unique idea, as they realize that many of their past ideas have already been done before. They even consider copying an idea from another manga, but quickly dismiss the idea as unethical.

Meanwhile, another aspiring manga artist, Eiji Nizuma, is revealed to have submitted a manga to the same magazine as Mashiro and Takagi. Nizuma's manga, titled "Crow," quickly moves up in the rankings, surpassing "Money and Intelligence" and all other series. Hattori takes notice of Nizuma's work and realizes that he is a force to be reckoned with.

Determined to compete with Nizuma, Mashiro and Takagi continue to brainstorm new ideas for their manga. They eventually come up with a compelling storyline that they believe will set them apart from other manga artists. However, the two are once again faced with a roadblock as they struggle to accurately depict a specific scene.

As they face yet another obstacle, Mashiro and Takagi receive some unlikely help from a fellow student at their school. Kaya Miyoshi, a classmate of Mashiro's with a passion for photography, assists the two by taking reference photos for their manga. Her help proves to be invaluable, and Mashiro and Takagi are able to complete their chapter with confidence.

The episode ends with the rankings for the magazine's manga series being released once again. Although "Money and Intelligence" moves up slightly in the rankings, it is still far behind "Crow" and other successful series. However, Mashiro and Takagi are not disheartened, as they continue to work towards their dream of creating a successful manga series.

Overall, episode 14 of Bakuman's first season is a captivating and insightful look into the world of manga creation. It highlights the challenges and obstacles faced by aspiring artists, as well as the importance of perseverance and hard work. With its engaging storyline and compelling characters, "Battle and Copy" is sure to leave viewers eager to see what comes next for Mashiro and Takagi.