Chapter 173: Moment and Final Volume

Continuing on from last week, everybody's still in joy and tears that their dreams came true. Kaya and Takagi urge Mashiro to get married now and to quickly say "congrats" to Azuki. But Mashiro says to wait until the assistants and Hattori are gone. At the same time, Mina and Miho's mom congratulate Azuki and her mom teases about how she knew she always liked Mashiro ever since she was little. She knew she'd always admire her art etc (cue those flashback backgrounds). We're then shown scenes where Fukuda's happy and wants to say "congrats" to Mashiro. And in the editorial department, everybody's in a cheerful mood. The EiC says now Ashirogi Muto can 100% concentrate on Reversi now that everything went well. Hattori, with a concerned look on his face, agrees.

The assistants congratulate Mashiro, and afterwards Kato even jokes about longing to be married now. When Hattori swings by that night, he asks Takagi to tell him honestly how many chapters do they have left. Takagi says about 10 weeks. Probably finished by July (note: anime starts in September). Hattori says he needs to past that on then, and he'll do his best to fight it if things turn sour. Afterwards, Takagi leaves so Mashiro can talk to Azuki.

Mashiro awkwardly calls Azuki, awkwardly congratulates her, awkwardly says how it's exactly like the time when the anime was announced. Mashiro wants to ask Azuki something. That the moment their dreams come true....technically speaking it's when the show comes on and her voice is heard right? Azuki says that's technically correct. Who knows what willl happen before that so yeah, what if the world exploded before it aired (2012...) etc. Then, when it airs, Mashiro will go to see her, no matter what. Azuki agrees to it.

The next day, Takagi asks if he proposed or not last night. Mashiro replies no. Takagi asks why since their dreams have come true now, it's time to get married. Mashiro says technically their dream comes true when the anime airs and her voice is heard. Who knows what might happen before then, the world might explode tomorrow for all we know (2012 again). Then he asks if he can borrow some money from Takagi. Takagi asks what for, he should have some left over even after buying the studio. Mashiro says he does, about as much as Takagi have probably, but he wants to give her something joyous in the best way possible.

Next Monday...

In the editorial department, Hattori lets the EiC know about the ending. Heishi won't have any of it, tells him to get Ashirogi Muto to stretch the serialization as much as possible. Back at the studio. Hattori lets them know the higher ups want them to continue as long as possible. At least for one season the anime is broadcasted anyway.

Then Hattori discusses with them whether they'll do a part two. After ending it, take 3 weeks off, and come back with a part two. Sure he said things like "do whatever you want, and I'll take responsibility later" but on the other end, Hattori thinks since they worked so hard to get an anime, they should try hard to keep it up, whether in volume sales or the questionnaires. That's if they still want to beat Eiji. Zombie Gun will no doubt be animated as well. And it'll keep going on. At that moment, it'll be hard to say whose work is better [since one has ended and the other keeps going, he means]. Takagi asks what Mashiro thinks since he's so quiet. They can't change their plans now, but if Takagi wants to pen a part two which will be even better, he'll draw it of course. But he doesn't know if he can do it [a part two that tops part one]. Takagi asks for more time to decide this. Takagi notes if the manga ends in early-July, the final volume should theoretically be released in August.

After Hattori leaves, Mashiro notes that he does want to surpass Eiji. Although they got an anime before him, it'll be only momentary even if they do surpass him (which he thinks is meaningless). Takagi says whether they continue it is up to whether he can continue writing right, and leaves afterwards. As soon as he gets outside, he calls up Hattori and tells him he wants to talk to him alone.

Takagi tells Hattori there are 8 chapters left.

Takagi says it's meaningless to stretch the serialization because of the anime. But NOW IS THE TIME TO SURPASS EIJI. To create the ultimate perfect ending. IN 8 MORE CHAPTERS. If the final volume comes out before the anime, they shouild be able to surpass Eiji in volume sales. For Mashiro, when he has his wedding, he wants him to be the most popular mangaka in Jump when he gets married*. Hattori gives him the thumbs up and tells him to go for it. To create his perfect ending, and he'll handle the rest!

[ending tag line: "IT STARTS NOW, WHICH IS THE JOB OF THE EDITOR!!]

El título me huele a que es un claro mensaje que hemos llegado al final, aunque quien sabe, capaz nos pongan otra saga con una contiunación probable y algúna otra cosa más para ahí dar carpetazo, pero tiene toda la pinta que hemos llegado al último volumen de Bakuman