Akito Takagi
Akito Takagi |
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| Kanji | 高木 秋人 |
| Rōmaji | Takagi Akito |
| Age: | 24 (current) |
| Birthday: | January 25 |
| Height: | 175cm |
| Voice Actor | |
| Japanese | Satoshi Hino |
| English | Kevin T. Collins |
Akito Takagi (高木 秋人, Takagi Akito), is the deuteragonist of Bakuman, serving as the writer and strategist of the mangaka duo Ashirogi Muto, alongside Moritaka Mashiro, who provides the artwork. Takagi is a highly intelligent and ambitious writer, known for his sharp wit, adaptability, and strong storytelling skills. He was the first to recognize Mashiro’s artistic talent and convinced him to pursue a career in manga. Together, they strive to become top-ranking mangaka in Weekly Shonen Jump and create a hit manga series that gets an anime adaptation.
Background
Appearance in anime
Akito Takagi is one of the top students at his school, excelling in academics, particularly in literature and creative writing. Despite being capable of pursuing a stable and prestigious career, he chooses the risky path of becoming a mangaka, believing that manga is the best way to express his ideas and stories.
His sharp observational skills allow him to craft engaging plots, but he struggles with creating a protagonist that resonates with readers early on. With time, he learns to refine his storytelling, becoming one of the most respected writers in Jump.
Takagi is also romantically involved with Kaya Miyoshi, who becomes his wife later in the series. While their relationship is not as unconventional as Mashiro and Miho’s, Kaya is a significant source of emotional support for Takagi throughout his career.
Appearance
Takagi has light brown hair, neatly combed to the side, and sharp golden-brown eyes, giving him an intelligent and approachable look. His facial expressions often reflect his confidence and playfulness, though he can appear serious when deep in thought.
His casual attire consists of collared shirts, sweaters, and jackets, giving him a more refined and studious appearance compared to Mashiro’s laid-back fashion style. As he matures, his professional attire becomes more polished, particularly when meeting editors and discussing manga strategies.
Personality
Takagi is outgoing, talkative, and confident, serving as the brain of Ashirogi Muto. While Mashiro is reserved and meticulous, Takagi is lively and adaptable, often coming up with new story ideas on the spot. He is highly analytical, able to assess market trends, rival strengths, and reader preferences, making him instrumental in Ashirogi Muto’s success.
Despite his intelligence and creativity, Takagi struggles with self-doubt, particularly when his writing fails to meet expectations. This insecurity is most apparent when they compete against rival mangaka, such as Eiji Nizuma and Fukuda, who effortlessly produce engaging stories. However, his strong bond with Mashiro helps him overcome these challenges.
Takagi is also a devoted and supportive partner in both his professional and personal life. His relationship with Kaya Miyoshi showcases his caring nature, as he genuinely appreciates her support and encouragement despite their frequent playful banter.
Role in the Story
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Convincing Mashiro to Become a Mangaka
Takagi plays a crucial role in kickstarting Mashiro’s journey by recognizing his artistic talent and convincing him to pursue a career in manga. He is the one who suggests they team up, with Takagi handling the story while Mashiro does the art. Their combined strengths form Ashirogi Muto, marking the beginning of their mangaka journey. -
Competing Against Eiji Nizuma
One of Takagi’s biggest struggles is proving himself as a writer in comparison to Eiji Nizuma, a genius mangaka who effortlessly produces compelling and innovative stories. Takagi views Eiji as both a rival and a source of motivation, pushing himself to match and eventually surpass him. -
Achieving Success with Reversi
After several failed and moderately successful manga, Takagi and Mashiro finally create a breakout hit, Reversi, which ultimately gets an anime adaptation, fulfilling their long-standing dream. With this achievement, they cement their status as top-tier mangaka in Jump.
Relationships
Moritaka Mashiro
Mashiro is Takagi’s closest friend and professional partner. Their contrasting personalities complement each other, with Mashiro providing artistic expertise while Takagi handles storytelling and strategy. Though they occasionally clash, their mutual respect and trust keep their partnership strong.
Kaya Miyoshi
Kaya is Takagi’s girlfriend and later wife. While their relationship starts as lighthearted banter, it grows into a deep and supportive bond. Kaya motivates Takagi, keeping him grounded during stressful times in their career.
Eiji Nizuma
Takagi sees Eiji as his ultimate rival in storytelling. While Eiji’s natural talent frustrates Takagi, he also serves as a motivator, driving him to improve as a writer. Despite their rivalry, they respect each other’s abilities.
Miho Azuki
Although Takagi and Miho do not interact much, he acknowledges the importance of her role in Mashiro’s life. He often teases Mashiro about their unconventional relationship but ultimately supports their dream.