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Freshman Kanji Sasahara is a shy otaku with low confidence and poor self-esteem. With few friends, Kanji's social life was lacking as well until one day he discovered Genshiken, a school club for anime, manga and video game-loving otaku just like himself! Together, Kanji and the Genshiken gang enjoy a wide range of activities such as building figures and attending cosplay events, all the while growing closer together. Through it all, will Kanji learn to accept himself for who he is?
Moritaka Mashiro feels as if life is passing him by; with no dreams or motivation, he simply trudges through his day-to-day life. One day, after leaving his notebook behind, he returns to school only to find the smartest guy in class, Takagi, waiting for him. Takagi is happy to return the book, but only on the condition that Mashiro agrees to become a mangaka with him. Though Mashiro initially declines, he soon decides to reconsider when he discovers that the girl he likes, Azuki, dreams of becoming a voice actress. But after promising that she can have the lead role if their manga is ever adapted into an anime, he inadvertently suggests that they get married once they are both successful! Shockingly, she agrees to the proposal and Mashiro and Takagi embark on their quest to become manga artists. With Takagi writing and Mashiro drawing, does the pair have what it takes to succeed and get their manga serialized?
Both Bakuman and Genshiken take a look at Otaku Culture. While both approach it from different angles - with Bakuman looking at two boys trying to publish a manga and Genshiken focusing on the otaku themselves - both are entertaining, so if you enjoy one, it's worth reading the other.
Both series focus on a similar subject matter, the late teen/early adult years, the life of an otaku (more creating in bakuman more consuming in genshiken), and being awkward in love. They also have quite similar protagonists. If you like one I recommend the other.
