Bakuman Season 1 Episode 16 Wall and Kiss

Moritaka and Akito enter their next round of serialization with the Wall and Kiss manga. The duo is excited to build on the success of their previous work, but things quickly become complicated when asked to create a cliffhanger for the end of the first chapter.

As they brainstorm ideas, Moritaka realizes that their editor, Hattori, has a secret crush on Miho, his fiance. In an effort to cheer him up, Moritaka suggests that they add a love story element to Wall and Kiss. Hattori agrees, but warns them that adding romance to a manga series can be risky as it might take away from the main plot.

They decide to take a chance and include a love story between the two main characters, Takagi and Kaya. However, the two struggle to find a way to incorporate it into the story organically. As they work on their manga, the two face setbacks when their editor brings up flaws in their storyline.

In the midst of this, Moritaka receives a surprise visit from his childhood friend, Aiko Iwase. Aiko is a gifted writer who also aspires to be a manga artist. She questions Moritaka’s motivation and seemingly dismisses his dream, creating tension between the two.

Meanwhile, Takagi and Kaya work to create a concrete storyline for their love story, but struggle to create a compelling narrative while still focusing on the main theme of the manga, basketball. They make a breakthrough when they realize that they should use Kaya’s passion for sports to interweave the love story into the basketball plot.

During a meeting with their editor, they present their new storyline and Hattori approves, giving them the green light to move forward with the romance subplot. The two are relieved to have overcome this hurdle, but they know that they will face more challenges as they continue to work on their manga.

Overall, the episode highlights the creative process that goes into making a successful manga series. It shows how the inclusion of a love story can add depth and complexity to a storyline, but also reveals the risks involved in implementing it into the main plot. Through the struggles faced by the main characters, the episode emphasizes the importance of perseverance, determination, and creativity in achieving success in the competitive field of manga.