Anime Character of the Day (3)

     Note! If you haven't watched Bakuman and you're planning to watch it, then don't read this. It contains spoilers.If you haven't watched Bakuman and you're not planning to watch it, then ,please, watch it! :D

Character: Shinta Fukuda

Manga: Bakuman

Anime: Bakuman 1,2,3

Age (debut): 19

Role: Supporting

      We first meet Fukuda-san, when Mashiro works as an assistant for Niizuma Eiji. We realize at first sight, he's very competitive, angry and arrogant. Like everyone, he aims to have a serialized manga and he's working hard on it. You'd think his competitiveness would make him mean, but that is not the case. He finds himself unwillingly, offering advice with Mashiro, to Eiji, on how he can improve his manga. He keeps teasing Nakai-san the third assistant, for being at this age and being satisfied with his assistant job, not aiming for serialization. That causes Nakai to be motivated. When there are major incidents like Koji's or Ashirogi's forced hiatus he is the one who takes the initiative and contacts everyone for meetings and taking actions. He doesn't hesitate to support his fellow managaka. He calls them Fukuda team that will change Shounen Jack. He even helps Aoki with her manga, when she couldn't find anyone to help, in spite of their former disagreement. He, also, doesn't give up on Nakai, who has given up on himself and offers him a position as his assistant in his new manga, Giri. You could say, deep down, he's gentle, but his naturally furious attitude gets in the way.

   

      
    He's the closest in level to Ashirogi Muto and Eiji, between the other managaka of their generation. He's always competitive with both of them. He aims to top them in rankings. He even goes as far as ending his first serialized manga and going for another one to compete with them. He doesn't mind using foul language and fan service in his work, because it's shounen manga.

      He's not that lucky when it comes to romance, most probably, because of his short temper and arrogance. However, he supported Hiramaru with Aoki, and passionately supported Azuki and Mashiro.
    Bakuman is one of those manga where I have a different favorite character every few episodes. Fukuda-san was my favorite on more than one occasion. He was at his peak in season 2, when he convinced everyone one to boycott shounen Jack, until they change their minds about putting Ashirogi Muto's Detective Trap on hiatus. Going this far for them, putting his career on the line, made me respect him more than ever!