Moritaka Mashiro, an ordinary ninth‑grade student with remarkable artistic talent, and Akito Takagi, a highly advanced ninth‑grader and aspiring writer, serve as contrasting foils to one another. After much persuasion, Takagi convinces Mashiro to join forces, and together they set out to become the greatest mangakas Japan has ever seen. Takagi’s ambition is to write successful manga, while Mashiro hopes to marry his dream girl, Azuki Miho, by honing his art toward that goal.