Right now you can watch Bakuman in the US on Hulu — and it is funnier than its reputation suggests. 3 seasons in, and the quality has not slipped. With 153 viewer ratings on TMDB, this is not a title flying under the radar. Atsushi Abe sets the tone, and the rest of the cast matches it scene for scene. Put it on tonight on Hulu and see for yourself.

Bakuman is not trying to be everything to everyone, and that focus is exactly what makes it work. The jokes in Bakuman land because the characters underneath them are worth caring about. Moritaka Mashiro and Akito Takagi are pretty much foils of each other. Mashiro, an average 9th grade student but talented artist, and Takagi, an overall advanced 9th grader and aspiring writer. After great convincing, Takagi convinces Mashiro to join him in becoming the greatest mangakas Japan has ever seen. Between them, Atsushi Abe and Satoshi Hino carry the comedy without ever forcing it. Across 3 seasons (2010–2013), it never lost the thread that made it worth starting. The timing in Bakuman is precise enough that even the throwaway lines land on a second watch. The hit rate here is high enough that skipping ahead never feels like an option.

If you need a comedy that actually makes you laugh, Bakuman is a strong candidate. Fans of Horimiya: The Missing Pieces will recognise the sensibility here immediately. A contained run means every episode is doing real work. Atsushi Abe sets the tone, but the supporting cast is where a lot of the best moments come from. A reliable pick for any night you want quality comedy without the homework.

Bakuman wrapped up in 2013 — and 3 seasons are available to watch from start to finish. Find exactly where it's streaming below, and TV Butler Pro's free voice app makes it effortless to track your progress as you go. Just say the name, and Butler finds it instantly, tells you which service has it, and remembers exactly where you left off.