Ep 3. Parent and Child

Moritaka Mashiro and Akito Takagi continue their ambitious quest to become successful manga creators with their latest creation, "Detective Trap." As they work diligently on their series, they receive unexpected news from Moritaka's grandmother that changes the course of their plans. Moritaka's estranged father, who is a successful mangaka himself, wants to meet with him and discuss his future.

Both Moritaka and Akito are surprised by the sudden appearance of Moritaka's father, who left the family years ago to pursue his career in manga. They struggle to come to terms with his absence, particularly Moritaka who harbors feelings of anger and abandonment towards his father. However, they decide to meet with him and hear him out.

During the meeting, Moritaka's father admits that he regrets leaving his family and he wants to make amends by offering to mentor Moritaka in his manga career. While Moritaka is hesitant at first, he eventually agrees to work with his father. Akito is wary of the arrangement and believes they should continue working on "Detective Trap" on their own.

The episode explores the complicated relationship between parents and children, and how their choices can impact those around them. Despite Moritaka's father's absence, he still plays a significant role in his life and his decisions. The episode also touches on the pressures of pursuing a career in manga and the sacrifices that must be made to achieve success.

As Moritaka and Akito continue to work on "Detective Trap," they find themselves facing various challenges in their creative process. They struggle to come up with new ideas for their series and are met with criticism from their editor. Furthermore, they face competition from other aspiring mangaka who are vying for a spot in the prestigious Shonen Jack magazine.

Overall, "Parent and Child" offers a poignant and introspective look into the dynamics of familial relationships and how they intersect with dreams, aspirations, and career paths. It also highlights the resilience and perseverance required to succeed in the competitive world of manga creation. Fans of the series will eagerly anticipate the next episode to see how Moritaka and Akito navigate their new partnership with Moritaka's father and continue their journey towards becoming renowned mangaka.