The Bakuman manga series features a cast of characters created by Tsugumi Ohba and Takeshi Obata. The writer of the series, Ohba, developed the basic character traits while Obata, the artist, created the visual character designs. The story follows talented artist Moritaka Mashiro and aspiring writer Akito Takagi, two ninth grade boys who team up to become manga artists, with Mashiro as the illustrator and Takagi as the writer. The majority of the other characters are also involved in the manga industry as artists, editors, or assistants. Main characters Moritaka Mashiro Portrayed by: Takeru Satoh (film), Hiroki Suzuki (play) was once content in following the usual life of a Japanese citizen by attending a university and becoming an office worker, however he is inspired to become a manga artist like his late uncle Nobuhiro. He has a crush on his classmate Miho Azuki that he ends up making a promise to marry her after both of them achieve their dreams. He teams up with Akito Takagi to create a manga that is worthy to be adapted into an anime. The two work under the shared pen name where he serves as the illustrator. His nickname is , which is an alternate reading of the kanji in his name. His favorite manga is Ashita no Joe. Akito Takagi Portrayed by: Ryunosuke Kamiki (film), Yoshihiko Aramaki (play) partners with Mashiro on making manga together. He specializes in story lines, some of which are unorthodox, as well as a style known as "serious comedy", where a scene with underlying seriousness comes off with humor, writing them into their manga. The two start working under the pen name ; Takagi is sometimes called , which is an alternate spelling of his name. Prior to teaming up with Mashiro, he is a star student who attracts Aiko Iwase although the latter thought of him more as an academic rival. However, he becomes frustrated that his parents were pushing him towards becoming an office worker that he decided to do manga instead. After revealing his career aspirations, he chooses Kaya Miyoshi as his girlfriend over Iwase. His favorite manga is Dragon Ball. Miho Azuki Portrayed by: Nana Komatsu (film) is Mashiro's love interest in the series. She aspires to become a voice actress. Her mother is the woman Mashiro's uncle Nobuhiro fell in love with. Azuki promises to marry Mashiro after they achieve their dreams; however,