Bakuman, Volume 3

This volume gives considerable more development for Eiji Nizuma, changing him from a villainous looney toon to a character who is more likeable, though his “request” makes for an odd plot thread. Additionally, this volume provides more background on the life and role of an Assistant then I knew about in the past.

In short, assistants in Anime & Manga are comparable to inkers, letterers, and (to a certain degree) colorists in western comics. Their importance to the end result is significant enough that I kind of wish assistants got credit in the tankoubons.