If you live in America and want to become a mangaka, you probably have a lot of questions and concerns. There is the belief that to succeed in this industry, you must reside in Japan. Even fewer Americans who want to be mangakas can actually get their work published.
- Read manga. By reading manga, you can get to know the styles of popular artists and better understand the conventions and artistic expressions used by published mangaka. …
- Develop your own style. …
- Attend a manga school. …
- Submit short works. …
- Become an assistant. …
- Relocate for work. …
- Creativity. …
- Visual art.
How to become a mangaka
The actions listed below serve as a starting point for entering the manga industry:
1. Read manga
You can learn about popular artists’ styles and gain a better understanding of the conventions and artistic expressions used by published mangaka by reading manga. You can define your individual manga drawing style by learning more about the types of stories and aesthetics you enjoy.
You can learn more about the many genres that are specific to Japanese culture by reading various manga, such as:
2. Develop your own style
By imitating the artwork of their favorite manga artists, mangaka frequently begin to hone their artistic abilities. Once you understand the fundamentals of drawing in the manga style, you can start to create characters and backgrounds using your own techniques. Manga is rooted in Japanese culture, but it also draws inspiration from early 20th-century American comics. Studying both traditional and contemporary art can assist you in identifying your personal influences and developing a unique artistic style.
3. Attend a manga school
Although some mangaka are self-taught, enrolling in classes through a dedicated manga artist program can help you develop the abilities and self-assurance required to be successful in the industry. Focused instruction on producing the stylized art used in Japanese comics is provided in manga schools. Like other art schools, manga academies instruct students on other essential elements of publishing and marketing their works. Your career as a mangaka can also be aided by general art programs. You can enter the manga publishing industry after graduating from art school without further formal education.
4. Submit short works
A mangaka can start out by submitting their short works to magazines and winning a manga award. If you win, you might be introduced to a publisher or editor who can help you promote your work. It’s common for published contest entries to result in a contract for a full-length manga. Before you have the chance to have your work published as the result of a successful contest entry, this process can take several years of applications and rejections.
5. Become an assistant
Many aspiring manga artists begin their careers as assistants for manga publishers. Assistants finish drawings and edit content for a mangaka, among other tasks required to complete projects. You can network with editors and publishers in the field by working as an assistant, which may open up other job opportunities in the future. Gaining the respect of established mangaka can help your career and provide you with a mentor who is familiar with the manga market.
6. Relocate for work
Despite being well-liked worldwide, the majority of manga is still created in Japan. Moving to the center of manga creation may be the best move for your career if you’re looking for work as a mangaka, especially if you’re just starting out. Move to the region with the most job opportunities after researching the studios that produce content that matches your interests and skills.
What is a mangaka?
A graphic artist and writer who makes Japanese-style comics is known as a mangaka. The word “manga” is used in Japanese to refer to a particular artistic style and comic book format that are native to Japan. Additionally, it refers to a comic book or graphic novel that was distributed in multiple volumes or as a serial in a magazine. Numerous manga tales serve as the basis for anime, animated movies, and television programs that are also produced in the manga style. All Japanese writing is read right to left, including manga stories.
A complete story is told in multiple volumes of a graphic novel called a manga, which is frequently collected after being published in a weekly magazine. Mangaka, as opposed to Western comic book illustrators, usually write and draw the entire saga themselves. They collaborate with manga studios and publishing houses, frequently producing multiple series as successful authors and illustrators after becoming well-known for a single piece of work. Manga, which was once popular primarily in Japan, is now read and enjoyed by readers in different nations, and mangaka are known to fans all over the world.
Mangaka skills
Manga artists should cultivate the following abilities to succeed in the field:
Creativity
Manga creators use imagination to convey their ideas through art and narrative They turn their ideas into graphic novels or serial comics by turning them into stories and images. To succeed in the field and continuously produce new content throughout their careers, mangaka use their creative expression.
Visual art
A mangaka is defined by their art. A large part of a manga artist’s career is determined by how well they draw characters and scenes. Mangaka need to have strong artistic abilities, such as drawing and painting, to compete in the industry. Frequently, mangaka are skilled artists who have studied art theory and practice. They learn how to convey ideas and tell stories using color and composition.
Design
Fundamental design principles are applied by mangaka in order to create their works of art in the manga style. They design graphic layouts and picture the manga story’s characters and settings. They also make decisions about the color tones, perspective, and visual weight of each panel and page of their artwork using design principles.
Storytelling
Many mangaka combine their writing skills with their artistic abilities to create content as authors and illustrators. Successful manga artists are aware of the components of a compelling story and compelling characters. They gain knowledge of how to develop narrative arcs that enthrall readers by using the motivations and experiences of the characters to produce in-depth illustrations of each scene.
Communication
Mangaka develop ideas for graphic novels while collaborating with experts to create the finished product. In a manga studio, they frequently finish a project with the aid of assistants, editors, and other visual artists. In order to present their work, mangaka must also be able to communicate their ideas clearly using storyboards and outlines. They might even approach publishers with a story pitch and use their influencing abilities to persuade them to accept a story idea or publish a manga.
Salary and job outlook for mangaka
Here are some suggestions to support you as you pursue a career as a manga artist:
Learn Japanese
Learning the language can make it simpler to launch a career as a mangaka if you have plans to study and work in Japan. You can start learning Japanese in your home country or when you move there using language apps, online courses, or in-person classes. If you begin learning some conversational Japanese before you go to the country, it might be simpler for you to adapt and communicate with others in the industry.
Enter manga contests
Entering manga drawing competitions is one way to kickstart your career and increase your name recognition in the field. To get the most exposure, look for ones supported by well-known manga publishing companies. Some competitions also offer cash prizes that you can use to finish a project or pay for school.
Start using manga software
Your computer or mobile device can help you learn the digital tools used in Japanese comic design by downloading manga-drawing software. These programs give beginners the chance to create using the popular in the industry manga graphic style in a digital format. After selecting a software program, look for online tutorials or articles that explain the program’s fundamental components. You can also find tutorials for learning how to draw manga using software.
Get recognized with Doujinshi
The manga equivalent of self-publishing is called doujinshi, and it has a devoted following. Doujinshi, also known as independent comics, are a good way for emerging manga creators to gain a following and catch the eye of scouts from well-known publishing houses. The Doujinshi market offers distinctive and original works by manga authors across all genres. Douhinshi mangaka sell their works in a variety of ways, including at sizable conventions where independent artists congregate to display their creations to fans and publishers.
Attend conventions
Conventions for anime and manga can be a great place to meet other fans and learn more about the field. Think about attending international conferences to increase your exposure to the global market. Attend panels with industry experts and published mangaka. Doujinshi artists may also have the chance to do so in areas designated for special exhibitions.
Network with other mangaka
You can advance your pursuit of this distinctive career by getting to know and keeping in touch with other aspirant mangaka. Having a network of industry experts can help you find jobs, get creative inspiration, and get support from other artists who share your values. Through online or live artist communities, you can pick up new skills and get feedback on your own work.
How to become a MANGA ARTIST? | INTERVIEW with a PROFESSIONAL Manga Creator in JAPAN | Weekly Shonen
FAQ
Can a non Japanese become a mangaka?
It is best to take art classes, but you don’t have to: just sign up for competitions and give it your best shot. You can become a manga artist even if you don’t reside in Japan.
What are the steps to become a mangaka?
Yes, anyone who wants to create manga can do so, and we have examples of non-Japanese people becoming mangakas. But when it comes to stepping into a future you are not entirely familiar with, it is not always a simple yes.
