Bakuman

Silence

Fun chapter. I loved the Ashita no Joe reference: Burning into a White Ash! An interesting reflection on the lives of our characters.

Yeah, Kaya definitely seems like she is pregnant. Sickness, doctor, eating extra good, talk of a family earlier, etc.

With regards to the bank robbery argument earlier, it's a shonen! I think it's an interesting development that will hopefully get our main characters out of their current comfort zone. Of course, arguing with someone who calls you out for "playing the evidence card" is always an interesting experience.

I see what you did there, Gokuyuske.

bepo

about manga stimulating actions in the real world

does one piece have a influence on the growing piracy in somalia

Sonic Youth

There are no pocket books nor internet in Somalia, so no.

Hekti

@bepo:

about manga stimulating actions in the real world

does one piece have a influence on the growing piracy in somalia

Wasn't there a ship having Shanks' flag?
Saw something like that in the news (not saying it was a flag from a pirates manga but you could recognize it …)

kaizokuo12

I would like to see an Omake of Takagi and Mashiro talking to real life mangaka…
Of course, the mangaka should be drawn using their avatar (Oda's fish-head, Togashi's dog-face)

Idol

You can find here the read online of chinese scanlation HQ of Bakuman 131, or download it from Multiupload:

http://juinjutsuteam.forumcommunity.net/?t=45491634

Crossword

Chapter's out. (I read it on Mangahead, but since that site seems to be crawling with dodgey spyware, I won't link to it)

! Takagi's starting to crack after the copycat crime, and PCP's ranking suffers because of it. Looks like Eiji wants to act on his ''cancel one series'' condition from way back when.
! Also, ''If we had a child''? You're tempting fate pretty heavily, there.

I bought Vol. 4 the other day, and it's a shame that the anime was forced to trim or otherwise streamline some of the longer bits of dialogue, since while some of it is very obviously an author tract, they're pretty interesting to read. And it's nice that Viz translates the little snippets of dialogue on the rough drafts the characters sometime hold up. Pretty funny to see one of Fukuda's reading ''You f-ing dickweed!'' while he talks about how censorship is getting tougher. Apparently not, heh.

Benjaman

That ending!!! O_O

Sniper King

I'm scared to go to Mangahead and read it…
:(

loledinmypants

Well it seems a lot more likely Kaya is pregnant. The recurring cold, Akagi's semi-subtle hint through his PCP imitation question.

And it's nice to see that Eiji's trying to cancel PCP. If he does, it'd help move things forward with Ashirogi's dream. And if not, it'd add suspense to Akagi getting over his slump before Eiji cancels PCP.

maxterdexter

Eiji.. Don't you dare to ussurp ODA!!!

Sniper King

I read it on Mangahelpers…
Nothing really new about the crime.
Kinda disappointed.

@maxterdexter:

Eiji.. Don't you dare to ussurp ODA!!!

That'd be funny.

Gokuyuske

Here's the chapter:
http://manga.redhawkscans.com/?manga=Bakuman&chapter=Chapter+131&page=1#page=1

Edit:

! -Kaya's almost certainly pregnant after what Takagi said
-I'm loving that Eiji's going to be central to the story again; he's so much more interesting than our "heroes"

Gizmo

I wonder if it would count if Eiji got the #1 spot because Oda is on break. You'd think that he'd be able to get it that way since Oda has been known recently to take breaks every now and then.

Robby

Yeah, Kaya's definitely pregnant.

@Sniper:

Nothing really new about the crime.
Kinda disappointed.

Its not about the crime. Its not even about the effect it had on the editorial department or it cancelling the series. Its about a big event affecting the author.

And it was a crime that had no victims, that's important too.

@ultimateclima:

I wonder if it would count if Eiji got the #1 spot because Oda is on break. You'd think that he'd be able to get it that way since Oda has been known recently to take breaks every now and then.

No that wouldn't count. PCP got #1 with its first chapter, after all, and has beaten Eiji occassionally. You have to do it consistently.

The verbal agreement was never really expounded upon, but I'd assume he'd have to be #1 for some amount of time first, maybe two months straight or something.

Interesting that the bomb that was set over 100 chapters ago is finally coming back into play. I wonder why Eiji wants that power now. Possibly to end PCP after knowing instinctively it'll never be fixed, but that seems too easy.

Kareem Said

@maxterdexter:

Eiji.. Don't you dare to ussurp ODA!!!

I'm rooting for him honestly. He's my personal favorite character; he reminds me of me if I were even more hyperactive than I already am. And he should beat Oda just once. He shouldn't surpass Oda for long, though, because by now One Piece should be kicking it into high gear and Oda should be starting to wrap up his epic.

God, I'd love to read Crow in real life. I don't know why but I think I'd really enjoy it if Nizuma is behind it.

–- Update From New Post Merge ---

@Gokuyuske:

-I'm loving that Eiji's going to be central to the story again; he's so much more interesting than our "heroes"

I agree good sir, I almost wish the manga were about Nizuma. I don't know how it would work, but I think it would be fun.

Robby

@Kareem:

I agree good sir, I almost wish the manga were about Nizuma. I don't know how it would work, but I think it would be fun.

You only THINK that.

Stories are boring when the lead is untouchable and naturally perfect and better than everyone else and gifted with little challenge. He's great BECAUSE he's "that guy that's naturally better than our leads", and we get him in small doses, but that's not fun to follow as the main character.

I should know, I had to write that character as lead in NHS, and he bored the shit out of me.

Similarly, Hirimaru's shtick would get old quick if he was the main focus all the time. In 2 page increments he's brilliant and hilarious, and the occassional starring chapter, but seeing his life suck and him not really enjoying his work would also get old quick.

Sniper King

@RobbyBevard:

Yeah, Kaya's definitely pregnant.

Its not about the crime. Its not even about the effect it had on the editorial department or it cancelling the series. Its about a big event affecting the author.

And it was a crime that had no victims, that's important too.

I know that, but I was just hoping to find a little more out about the crime.
Takagi's problem lasts ONE CHAPTER, and then he's all pumped because people are worried and stuff.
Just disappointed me. Not saying it was a bad chapter, just that I wasn't expecting it.
I'm happy, though, that Eiji is puttin' his wish into action.

Robby

@Sniper:

I know that, but I was just hoping to find a little more out about the crime.
Takagi's problem lasts ONE CHAPTER, and then he's all pumped because people are worried and stuff.

It's pretty clearly affecting him pretty deeply, its NOT just a one chapter problem. Just because he says he's going to beat it… doesn't mean he will. His heart isn't in it anymore, and them making a point about the story sliding is key. (And in-story this was a problem for four chapters straight.) Even if he overcomes it once by forcing himself to... if its subconscious its going to keep eating at him and bothering him and hurting the overall quality of the story. He kept saying he'd do better and be more timely with Tanto too, but he never managed to fix it or get the enthusiasm back for it.

Plus, they've had concerns about imitations before, this makes them official.

This is going to remain a problem for a while. Dog boy showed that the two leads having problems won't hurt the series, and Nanamine showed that outside rivals won't hurt the series... but if one of the creators isn't feeling it anymore? Especially the writer? That's NOT good.

It was pretty much the same thing with Tanto, except the positions are switched.

Kareem Said

@RobbyBevard:

You only THINK that.

Stories are boring when the lead is untouchable and naturally perfect and better than everyone else and gifted with little challenge. He's great BECAUSE he's "that guy that's naturally better than our leads", and we get him in small doses, but that's not fun to follow as the main character.

I should know, I had to write that character as lead in NHS, and he bored the shit out of me.

Similarly, Hirimaru's shtick would get old quick if he was the main focus all the time. In 2 page increments he's brilliant and hilarious, and the occassional starring chapter, but seeing his life suck and him not really enjoying his work would also get old quick.

Yeah, I did wonder how Nizuma being a main character would work. Probably would be boring, you're totally right. I still want to read Crow in real life. If Nizuma wrote it, it must be full of energy, and I love those types of series.

And yeah Kaya is definitely preagnat. I was going to go with almost certainly, but come on Ohba meant something with the "if we had a child" line, he doesn't just drop those types of things out of nowhere.

Nobodyman

Very interesting chapter. I honestly thouht Ohba may have forgotten about or abandoned the idea, but it looks we're finally going to see the payoff of Eiji cancelling a series once he gets number 1.

As for Takagi though…I dunno. The development of him subconsciously making PCP more dull felt kinda goofy. And lately it seems that whenever something bad happens it's always due to Takagi being stupid. Oh well, I still like him.

@RobbyBevard:

Yeah, Kaya's definitely pregnant.

You know what, I'm really not so sure. In the previous chapter it was kind of subtle with her having a fever and then being hungry. But in this chapter, with Takagi directly talking about having a child, it seems kinda….I dunno....too obvious. Depending on how the story develops, I'm thinking it might end up being a pregnancy scare or something. Or maybe I'm just reading too much into it. We'll see (but it would be cool if she was preggo for real).

maxterdexter

About long due payoffs, I'm still waiting for Colorfusical and True Human authors to do something.

There was another one of those authors who gets mentioned in the editorial dept. a lot and then vanish?

Kareem Said

@maxterdexter:

About long due payoffs, I'm still waiting for Colorfusical and True Human authors to do something.

There was another one of those authors who gets mentioned in the editorial dept. a lot and then vanish?

I don't give a damn about Colorfusical, but True Human: Seriously what the fuck was up with that, that guy was almost totally pointless? I think all he did was show us Yamahisa wasn't quite as much of a creep as we let on, and he foreshadowed the cabaret club. I don't know if I want him back (since he was freakin' creepy) but I hated what a pointless detour he was.

Nobodyman

@Kareem:

I don't give a damn about Colorfusical, but True Human: Seriously what the fuck was up with that, that guy was completely pointless. I don't know if I want him back (since he was freakin' creepy) but I hated what a pointless detour he was.

He was still better than dog boy.

Kareem Said

@Nobodyman:

He was still better than dog boy.

Your statement is true, but it still felt pointless.

Robby

@Nobodyman:

You know what, I'm really not so sure. In the previous chapter it was kind of subtle with her having a fever and then being hungry. But in this chapter, with Takagi directly talking about having a child, it seems kinda….I dunno....too obvious..

They also talked about having kids a few chapters back and saying "It's too soon." And making a deal about her being sick twice in a row? When this chapter covers a whole month?

it's been subtle and speculative for a few chapters now, its time to be obvious since if she is, the characters should be aware very soon. Also so the younger readers can pick up on it.

As for Takagi though…I dunno. The development of him subconsciously making PCP more dull felt kinda goofy. And lately it seems that whenever something bad happens it's always due to Takagi being stupid.

Writing IS a subconscious thing though, and its affected by outside factors all the time. Whenever someone asks the questions "where do you get your ideas from?" to any writer, the answer is always "I don't know, I can't really explain it. Everywhere, I guess."

A song you listened to, what you had for breakfast, a passing comment someone made, a brainstorm, stress, deadlines (some of the most creative best stuff coems when you have no time left.) Its a pretty genuine reaction for a writer to be thrown by something negative happening because of his work.

You don't have to be in love to write a love song, and you don't have to be heartbroken to write the blues, but it goes a loooong way depending on your mood and experience.
@maxterdexter:

About long due payoffs, I'm still waiting for Colorfusical and True Human authors to do something.

Colorfusicial ended up running in the monthly magazine, didn't it?

maxterdexter

@RobbyBevard:

Colorfusicial ended up running in the monthly magazine, didn't it?

And that was it? It's like claymore being left out of Jump Ultimate stars..

Robby

@maxterdexter:

And that was it? It's like claymore being left out of Jump Ultimate stars..

The entirety of the drama was "he'll get inflated popularity and high votes because he's bringing his fanbase with him!"

And then he didn't, and in fact scored way worse than everyone else. Plus, he was just doing manga as a lark, secondary to his music.

What more is there to tell?

maxterdexter

@RobbyBevard:

The entirety of the drama was "he'll get inflated popularity and high votes because he's bringing his fanbase with him!"

And then he didn't, and in fact scored way worse than everyone else. Plus, he was just doing manga as a lark, secondary to his music.

What more is there to tell?

hmmm ok.

I didn't remember as clearly what he did.

I just realized, Bakuman is the only manga that I have been reading SINCE THE BEGINING!!.. I mean, I started reading it when chap 1 went out on jump, and I've reading each chapter with the week that it comes out, except when the scanlators piled it up.

RPGJay

I'm very interested in seeing if Takagi can get himself out of this slump. Probably not, but it leaves me excited for next chapter certainly.

maxterdexter

@RPGJay:

I'm very interested in seeing if Takagi can get himself out of this slump. Probably not, but it leaves me excited for next chapter certainly.

I'd rather if they didn't and went with their END MANGA, with Kaya getting pregnant, Mashiro feeling lonely, Eiji playing his joker, Nakai stoping going lower than dirt and PCP lossing popularity, it's the time for the final arc to start.

Nobodyman

@RobbyBevard:

They also talked about having kids a few chapters back and saying "It's too soon." And making a deal about her being sick twice in a row? When this chapter covers a whole month?

Agh. The timing in this manga always messes with me.

it's been subtle and speculative for a few chapters now, its time to be obvious since if she is, the characters should be aware very soon. Also so the younger readers can pick up on it.

I guess os, but isn't that the whole point of the old pregnancy trope, that it's supposed to be sudden and unexpected? Some vague hints are okay, but we're still in the foreshadowing stage here.

Writing IS a subconscious thing though, and its affected by outside factors all the time. Whenever someone asks the questions "where do you get your ideas from?" to any writer, the answer is always "I don't know, I can't really explain it. Everywhere, I guess."

A song you listened to, what you had for breakfast, a passing comment someone made, a brainstorm, stress, deadlines (some of the most creative best stuff coems when you have no time left.) Its a pretty genuine reaction for a writer to be thrown by something negative happening because of his work.

You don't have to be in love to write a love song, and you don't have to be heartbroken to write the blues, but it goes a loooong way depending on your mood and experience.

Well, maybe it's a writer thing (while I have written a few short stories in my day, I'm not exactly a professional, so I wouldn't know), but it still felt like kind of a weak development. Actually, I guess I am glad that this development resulted in an internal complication rather than external, and it is good that the characters show human emotion and weakness, but perhaps it made Takagi seem a little too vulnerable.

Robby

@maxterdexter:

I'd rather if they didn't and went with their END MANGA, with Kaya getting pregnant, Mashiro feeling lonely, Eiji playing his joker, Nakai stoping going lower than dirt and PCP lossing popularity, it's the time for the final arc to start.

Yeah, its probably time to start heading towards endgame. Much as I love this series, its said everything it has to say and prolonging the main plot thread too much longer will be pushing it. Especially since that "we'll get married when successful" promise has now stretched from the characters being 15 to being… 23-ish? Its time.

Hirimaru is pretty wrapped up too. He's accepted his lot in life, finally managed to spend that quality time with Aoki, and has accepted the possibility that he might soon be dumped. (Come on Fukuda! That'll be your chance!) Fukuda has a series he loves and an anime. Dog boy has... confidence, I guess.

The series can keep going with wacky antics, but we've seen that its a little weak when the leads are complacent and not brainstorming.

@Nobodyman:

Agh. The timing in this manga always messes with me.

Two chapters of valentines, a white day story, and there was time for them to go to the printer and get advance copies for their friends to complain about. So at least two weeks, probably three. Up to a month.

They aren't terribly blatant with their mini time skips, but I'm pretty keenly attuned to publishing schedules.

I guess os, but isn't that the whole point of the old pregnancy trope, that it's supposed to be sudden and unexpected? Some vague hints are okay, but we're still in the foreshadowing stage here.

And it would be unexpected for the characters. Unless activley trying for it, most women just chalk pregnancy off to sickness for the first month or so, especially the first time. The "obvious" signs like throwing up don't come until a bit later. Its usually 4 or 5 weeks in that suspicion sets in after a missed period. (Which is about where they should be at now.)

And so far, it HAS been subtle. Going back to being sick is a tell tho. last chapter it was something to keep Takagi away from the party… whats the point of it this chapter if its not a big thing for Kaya?

Well, maybe it's a writer thing (while I have written a few short stories in my day, I'm not exactly a professional, so I wouldn't know), but it still felt like kind of a weak development.

If they were doing a monthly instead of a weekly he'd get over it with only a minor glitch. But as a weekly, the effect will be there for… well, weeks. Even subtle, it'll affect it for 7 or 12 chapters, and that'll cause the ranking to lower and that'll affect his mental state more... and so on.

Actually, I guess I am glad that this development resulted in an internal complication rather than external, and it is good that the characters show human emotion and weakness, but perhaps it made Takagi seem a little too vulnerable.

At least it was a harmless prank. If someone had gotten hurt, there'd be problems editorially, and both creators would be feeling guilty… far more so than the subtle guilt he's showing now.

maxterdexter

I'm going to miss hiramaru, the goddamned homewrecker, eiji and Hattori (If I'd could chose my job/life right now (and not chose a slightly improved version of my current one), it would be WSJ editor, all because of this man, and his boss, Da Chief is cool in bakuman and in twitter)

Robby

Oh, they can start their new and successful anime deserving series, and Bakuman can keep running for years still. But most of the existing subplot seem to be wrapping up, or due for a wrap up.

Mashiro can get married and then change his entire dynamic, but I have no idea where the series would go from there, especially since thats basically the end goal?

I don't WANT it to end, as Satsuki once noted, this series is like a love letter to me every week, and I think I get more out of it than nearly anyone else here.

But all good things must come to an end, eh? I'd rather them approach a strong finish than drag it out for years of weaker stories with non-resolutions like dog boy or nanamine.

Nobodyman

@RobbyBevard:

Yeah, its probably time to start heading towards endgame. Much as I love this series, its said everything it has to say and prolonging the main plot thread too much longer will be pushing it. Especially since that "we'll get married when successful" promise has now stretched from the characters being 15 to being… 23-ish? Its time.

Agreed. If the story goes the way I think it's going, with PCP getting cancelled and Ashirogi coming up with their next series, but it still continues after that, then I think Ohba will have really lost it. But I don't think that's going to happen.

Two chapters of valentines, a white day story, and there was time for them to go to the printer and get advance copies for their friends to complain about. So at least two weeks, probably three. Up to a month.

They aren't terribly blatant with their mini time skips, but I'm pretty keenly attuned to publishing schedules.

Well, it's more like this, and I don't know if it's just me being dumb or what, but: Kaya gets sick in the previous chapter, than this chapter notes that a few weeks have passed, and then Kaya mentions she has a cold again, but in my mind it's more like a few days or maybe a week has passed since she last got sick. So, I dunno.

And it would be unexpected for the characters. Unless activley trying for it, most women just chalk pregnancy off to sickness for the first month or so, especially the first time. The "obvious" signs like throwing up don't come until a bit later. Its usually 4 or 5 weeks in that suspicion sets in after a missed period. (Which is about where they should be at now.)

Well, of course I'm talking from a reader's perspective. For me, it almost seems like they're going, "Hey guys, remember when Takagi openly talked about having a kid on top of Kaya getting sick only a few chapters ago? Well, Kaya's totally pregnant!" Kind of obvious.

And so far, it HAS been subtle. Going back to being sick is a tell tho. last chapter it was something to keep Takagi away from the party… whats the point of it this chapter if its not a big thing for Kaya?

That's my point. It wasn't very subtle in this chapter. Well, I'll concede that, yes, they're very much building up to it and it probably will happen. I'm might just be overthinking things, so I'll just take some time for these chapters to sink in and maybe they'll make more sense after rereading them.

At least it was a harmless prank. If someone had gotten hurt, there'd be problems editorially, and both creators would be feeling guilty… far more so than the subtle guilt he's showing now.

Well, yeah, that would almost definitely result in public outcry and forced cancellation.

Kareem Said

@RobbyBevard:

I don't WANT it to end, as Satsuki once noted, this series is like a love letter to me every week, and I think I get more out of it than nearly anyone else here.

This. I'm not a writer, but I want to be one, and anyone who is a writer or an aspiring writer will probably really resonate with this series. I certainly did.

Nobodyman

@RobbyBevard:

Oh, they can start their new and successful anime deserving series, and Bakuman can keep running for years still. But most of the existing subplot seem to be wrapping up, or due for a wrap up.

Mashiro can get married and then change his entire dynamic, but I have no idea where the series would go from there, especially since thats basically the end goal?

I don't WANT it to end, as Satsuki once noted, this series is like a love letter to me every week, and I think I get more out of it than nearly anyone else here.

But all good things must come to an end, eh? I'd rather them approach a strong finish than drag it out for years of weaker stories with non-resolutions like dog boy or nanamine.

Well, that' just it. In a series like this where the main character has a long-term goal in mind, the story ends as soon as he/she accomplishes it.

One Piece will end when Luffy becomes Pirate King.
Naruto will end when Naruto ~~becomes Hokage~~ bones Sasuke.
And Bleach will end when someone puts a bullet in Kubo's head (was that dark? Yeah, that was kinda dark).

Likewise, Bakuman will end once Ashirogi gets their anime and Mashiro and Azuki hook up. Yeah, it sucks we won't get to see more of these characters and the awesome world of manga, but do we really want more dog boy and Nanamine arcs?

Kareem Said

@Nobodyman:

Well, that' just it. In a series like this where the main character has a long-term goal in mind, the story ends as soon as he/she accomplishes it.

One Piece will end when Luffy becomes Pirate King.
Naruto will end when Naruto ~~becomes Hokage~~ bones Sasuke.
And Bleach will end when someone puts a bullet in Kubo's head (was that dark? Yeah, that was kinda dark).

Likewise, Bakuman will end once Ashirogi gets their anime and Mashiro and Azuki hook up. Yeah, it sucks we won't get to see more of these characters and the awesome world of manga, but do we really want more dog boy and Nanamine arcs?

Nanamine wasn't that bad. Can't speak for dog boy though.
And I liked the Kubo joke, it was fine with me.

Robby

@Nobodyman:

One Piece will end when Luffy becomes Pirate King.

Well, depends on what exactly earns him the title. At the very least, finding One Piece probably isn't going to be the end of the series, just the lead in to the final arc.

Naruto will end when Naruto ~~becomes Hokage~~ bones Sasuke.

For all intents and purposes he accomplished all the original series goals after Pain. But its still going. Unfortunately.

Likewise, Bakuman will end once Ashirogi gets their anime and Mashiro and Azuki hook up. Yeah, it sucks we won't get to see more of these characters and the awesome world of manga, but do we really want more dog boy and Nanamine arcs?

I could see ways of it still going. To me Hikaru No Go was the most interesting once the characters were grown up and professionals and the ghost was gone… tho obviously the fans didn't feel that way. There's still plenty to do after the goals are achieved, it is a slice of life series after all... but they don't seem to really be introducing any new ongoing plotlines. Most of the side characters have reached some sort of resolution and are just playing with their existing quirks.

Nobodyman

@RobbyBevard:

Well, depends on what exactly earns him the title. At the very least, finding One Piece probably isn't going to be the end of the series, just the lead in to the final arc.

Yes, well, him becoming the Pirate King will either be the end of the series or very close to it. Point is, we're not going to see his many adventures as the Pirate King.

For all intents and purposes he accomplished all the original series goals after Pain. But its still going. Unfortunately.

Yeah, pretty much all that's missing is for them to officially bestow the title on him. And Kishi fails. What else is new.

I could see ways of it still going. To me Hikaru No Go was the most interesting once the characters were grown up and professionals and the ghost was gone… tho obviously the fans didn't feel that way. There's still plenty to do after the goals are achieved, it is a slice of life series after all... but they don't seem to really be introducing any new ongoing plotlines. Most of the side characters have reached some sort of resolution and are just playing with their existing quirks.

I guess it can depend on the flow, length, and developments of the story, but in my experience that is the general rule. And seeing as how Bakuman is well over 100 chapters in and Mashiro still hasn't reached his initial goal, I see no reason why it should be an exception.

Oh, and I've never read Hikaru no Go.

Robby

@Nobodyman:

Oh, and I've never read Hikaru no Go.

Most people have trouble with it because its focused on a game they don't understand the rules or strategies to. But the character interaction and great art move it forward pretty well… but its pretty typical shonen "you are my rival and I will train to be better than you and learn the ultimate move and stuff". Skippable, very straightforward shonen, but it was a regular feature in American Jump so I read it. Bakuman does it better with a wider array of secondary characters and a main premise item most of us can understand.

Comics, rather than archaic board game.

It did get me interested in playing Go however. Which I really enjoyed until I got good enough to realize I suck.

Mastello

Ok chapter… Takagi's problems didn't feel too plausible but Kaya's pregnancy might set up an interesting arc. And great to see Eiji again and struggling, hopefully that storyline will be continued in the following chapters.

nvzeal

This post is deleted!

TLC

Looks like Eiji got tired of Crow and wants to end it. So now he's gonna whip up the greatest thing ever which coincidentally will make for a great finale.

StrawHatJedi

@Nobodyman:

Well, that' just it. In a series like this where the main character has a long-term goal in mind, the story ends as soon as he/she accomplishes it.

One Piece will end when Luffy becomes Pirate King.
Naruto will end when Naruto ~~becomes Hokage~~ bones Sasuke.
And Bleach will end when someone puts a bullet in Kubo's head (was that dark? Yeah, that was kinda dark).

Likewise, Bakuman will end once Ashirogi gets their anime and Mashiro and Azuki hook up. Yeah, it sucks we won't get to see more of these characters and the awesome world of manga, but do we really want more dog boy and Nanamine arcs?

Aaaaaactually….context clues in the story don't really point towards One Piece ending at Raftel. At the very least the story cannot possibly end with discovery of One Piece. There is too much to the story that is left to be told AFTER Luffy has become Pirate King / Landed at Raftel. The true History, Will of D., and the Great War with the World Government all will come AFTER Luffy is Pirate King.

Also remember, the series is not just about Luffy fulfilling his dream, but also Zoro, Nami, Usopp, Sanji, Chopper, Robin, Franky, and Brook. Landing at Raftel only satisfies Luffy's, Robin's, and Franky's dreams. Luffy will find One Piece, Thousand Sunny will have sailed to the end of the Grand Line, and Robin will find the Rio Poneglyph....but it would be terribly cliche and non-Oda like to have Zoro face off with Mihawk, Usopp declare himself a brave warrior of the seas, Nami complete a world map (having just sailed the Grand Line), All Blue surrounding Raftel, Chopper discovering some miracle cure found only on Raftel, and Brook taking a quick run over Reverse Mountain to see Laboon again all at once.

Rather, I feel the straw Hats will complete their dreams one by one. I think Zoro's, Sanji's, Brook's, Nami's, and Chopper's will remain incomplete when the Straw Hats reach Raftel.

I honestly feel that One Piece will turn out to be a three-act story. I know Oda keeps saying halfway, halfway, halfway. He called Alabasta the halfway point. He also called Enies Lobby the halfway point. He also called Impel Down the halfway point. Most recently he's been indicating that the time skip is halfway. Honestly, the halfway point in the story must be traveling aboard the sunny because it seems to be moving with the story.

The first act, the Grand Line
The second act, the New World
The third act, the World Engulfing Conflict / War with the World Government.

This is a Bakuman topic...idk I don't want to go into details. I just think One Piece is going to end up lasting like another 20 years and totaling something like 120 - 150 volumes when all is said and done.

Also, I think Bleach will end the way Shaman King ended....just gets more and more boring and repetitive, looses popularity, and eventually gets canceled with no definite ending. Or it could end after the next few story arcs.

Current predictions:

One Piece - 1250 - 1500 chapters
Naruto - 650 - 750 chapters
Bleach - 600 chapters
Bakuman - 200 chapters or so (250 MAX...dont' see it going that much longer)

Nobodyman

@Thousand:

Looks like Eiji got tired of Crow and wants to end it. So now he's gonna whip up the greatest thing ever which coincidentally will make for a great finale.

Actually, I think that scene was indicating that Eiji was frustrated that he couldn't come up with a chapter(s) that could take the number 1 spot.

@Vongola_Boss_XI:

Aaaaaactually….context clues in the story don't really point towards One Piece ending at Raftel. At the very least the story cannot possibly end with discovery of One Piece. There is too much to the story that is left to be told AFTER Luffy has become Pirate King / Landed at Raftel. The true History, Will of D., and the Great War with the World Government all will come AFTER Luffy is Pirate King.

And you know this how?

Also remember, the series is not just about Luffy fulfilling his dream, but also Zoro, Nami, Usopp, Sanji, Chopper, Robin, Franky, and Brook. Landing at Raftel only satisfies Luffy's, Robin's, and Franky's dreams. Luffy will find One Piece, Thousand Sunny will have sailed to the end of the Grand Line, and Robin will find the Rio Poneglyph….but it would be terribly cliche and non-Oda like to have Zoro face off with Mihawk, Usopp declare himself a brave warrior of the seas, Nami complete a world map (having just sailed the Grand Line), All Blue surrounding Raftel, Chopper discovering some miracle cure found only on Raftel, and Brook taking a quick run over Reverse Mountain to see Laboon again all at once.

Rather, I feel the straw Hats will complete their dreams one by one. I think Zoro's, Sanji's, Brook's, Nami's, and Chopper's will remain incomplete when the Straw Hats reach Raftel.

I honestly feel that One Piece will turn out to be a three-act story. I know Oda keeps saying halfway, halfway, halfway. He called Alabasta the halfway point. He also called Enies Lobby the halfway point. He also called Impel Down the halfway point. Most recently he's been indicating that the time skip is halfway. Honestly, the halfway point in the story must be traveling aboard the sunny because it seems to be moving with the story.

The first act, the Grand Line
The second act, the New World
The third act, the World Engulfing Conflict / War with the World Government.

Interesting theory, but I see no reason why it should hold any more credence than mine. Now, I don't know how Chopper, Nami, Usopp, etc. are going to come about achieving their dreams, or how it will tie into or work around Raftel, but I think all the Strawhats should accomplish their goals around the same time. Also, I really don't see how the World-Engulfing Conflict at the end could be stretched to about 500 chapters (about the length of an "act").

Anyway, OT.

Zik

If they keep coming up with real world events messing up how the protagonists work they can stretch this out much longer. I don't care for this plot or Eiji's decision to get serious but it'll at least give the author time to think up better stories even if it focuses on the side characters like the previous ones.

On the other topic, the SHs can achieve their dreams, fight that big upcoming war, learn all the mysteries about the void century all before they get to Raftel or at least that last part when they get there. There are no context clues definitely pointing to additional arcs after Raftel.

Robby

@Zik:

On the other topic, the SHs can achieve their dreams, fight that big upcoming war, learn all the mysteries about the void century all before they get to Raftel or at least that last part when they get there. There are no context clues definitely pointing to additional arcs after Raftel.

Rayleigh and Whitebeard have both indicated pretty heavily that upon getting to Raftel and finding One Piece, you'll learn a great truth that even Roger's crew was powerless to do anything about… and that Roger was waiting for a certain man, and that Blackbeard wasn't it. The great war will probably be a direct consequence of discovering the truth, rather than the other way around.

StrawHatJedi

Yeah exactly what Robby said. Whitebeard and Rayleigh's words, combined with Robin's flashback, and Dragon's appearance in chapter 100 have been the key things in the story that lead to the conclusion the world engulfing conflict will take place after Raftel.

Ah, yes 500 chapters might be a bit long or it may not. We'll see what has happened in the story by then. I was kinda breaking down the story into ideas or themes, but they don't have to be equal in length…they very well could be. It all depends on what needs to be told in the story by that point. The way I see it Oda has plenty of stories to fill up 500 - 600 chapters in the New World when you figure he will also introduce new characters.

I guess it's partially wishful thinking...I love One Piece and unlike most things, it seems to maintain it's quality (more like improve) over time even though it's already very long. Oda doesn't seem anywhere near running out of ideas as he's set up so many characters with open storylines...I'd love to see all of them resolved. But thinking about this for a minute, the world engulfing conflict....I'd hope it's not as simple as storming Marijoa with an alliance of strong people. I mean there's gotta be more to the mystery if even the Roger Pirates were powerless to do anything (Roger was terminally ill so that may have been one of the factors. As a dying man perhaps he didn't want to set himself up as a leader of a revolution). It is apparent he purposely created the pirate age so that the man he waits for, his true successor and the next pirate king would rise up and do what he could not. Whitebeard, seeing that Teach is not that man, and proclaiming that someone else would rise up to bear the will of Roger and Ace as it has been passed down for generations (cut to panel of Luffy), and then chose his final words to have the same impact as Roger's "ONE PIECE DOES EXIST!"

What I'm hoping is this...the Straw Hats will discover the truth at Raftel and find One Piece, the treasure that Whitebeard says will turn the world upside down. From this point, I guess what I'd like to see in the story is what Oda does best. Not a one dimensional all out "time to charge marijoa" battle...but something even bigger. The World Gov. controls the entire world, so this may be a big opportunity for us the readers to see the Straw Hats travel to all 4 of the blues, to travel the whole world. It would be a time when Oda can bring back all the previous characters he introduced to play a role in this war that is engulfing the entire world. I mean consider the Bridge at Tequilla Wolf....I'm assuming this served some sort of direct purpose for the World Gov. Consider that similar actions may be going on around the One Piece world and that removing them or truly stopping whatever it is that's going on may not be so easy. I mean, if was simple and straightforward, what's stopping Dragon from doing it right now? Why isn't he waltzing into Marijoa, taking out the Gorousei, and declaring himself king of the world but instead letting Luffy sail to the end of the Grand Line to become King of the Pirates.

I think there is more going on with the World Government...given that we don't understand the Will of D. (likely those who bear the will of the lost civilization....it is more than bloodlines as Whitebeard so clearly pointed out. When bloodlines are cut off, others can come to bear the will of D. it's more than just strong will...because as Rogue showed it allows superhuman feats no one in the One Piece world can accomplish) or the nature of Devil Fruit...I think there is a much deeper mystery to what the World Government has done.

I don't think what it was finished in the void Century. Rather...that was just the beginning. What makes me believe this? More than the fact the other views are too simplistic....Tequila Wolf, the great Bridge in the East Blue. The World Government has been constructing it FOR 800 YEARS for some unknown purpose and the Revolutionaries were trying to stop it.

The World Government is not done - they are working on something. I think when we learn of the True History we will not discover some dirty laundry that Luffy will expose. The Celestial Dragons are despicable enough, incidents like Ohara are unjust enough, and organizations like CP9 are nefarious enough to warrant revolution as-is. Learning about the WG forming by trashing some lost civilization would sure be more incentive to take down the Gorousei...but it's not big enough. It's not what One Piece is really about.

I propose to you this… what the True History reveals is not just the past - not just the story of the World Government's rise to power...but it tells of an ongoing conspiracy; A plan 800 years in the making. One that will forever suppress the dreams and freedom of the people of the world of One Piece. Actually I don't know about that last bit as it's pure speculation. Whatever their desire is, I really couldn't tell you. However, I would say the idea that the True History hides not just the past, but the plans for something even worse in the future and reveals the true nature of current events in the World of One Piece would make it far more urgent for the Straw Hats to square off with the World Government, than the truth of past events. I mean, sure the vileness of the Celestial Dragons is enough reason to see Luffy kick some ass, but we've been seeing that for a while. There's gotta be more to the True History that will send Luffy after the World Gov.