Ok so I plan to become a manga artist and at least get one of my series going, but…where do I start? I'm currently working on putting the story together and drawing the characters and such, and when I'm done, then what?
Also, what kind of college courses should I take? I heard Tufts University was a good place to start. And the only problem I really have is when I can't draw the characters that are pictured in my head...it gets me so angry, but I know I can easily overcome that.
I know how you feel. I've been developing a story sense late 2001 early 2002 yet I don't know the first thing about drawing manga and I can never draw anyone the way I have them pictured in my head.
Doing this is my dream….such a simple dream yet I have such hardship with it.
You could always buy a few books on drawing manga and drawing in general.
@786110:
You could always buy a few books on drawing manga and drawing in general.
Sure that helps. But it's best to have your own style, not a TEXTBOOK generic style that everyone easily spots. And of coruse, overtime your own drawing style will evolve.
If there's anything I've learned, books on drawing manga are a death sentence. There's no way to better kill originality than by everyone learning the exact same style. Instead, for drawing skill alone, I'd look up some tutorials on the basics - how to draw wire skeletons for your characters and easy things to start off on. For details, I usually pick up a manga or a comic book or even a Disney cartoon still and concentrate on the one feature I wish to master, and then I practice drawing that feature over and over again until I get it. Make sure you get a wide range of inspiration, though, because it's good to have your own style - trust me, anything from photorealistic portraits to comic books to cartoons still possess the basic shapes you need to know. Keep in mind I'm just saying things that have worked for me so far - I'm still not very good at all, but I can draw what I want and be happy with it, at least.
The most important advice is this, and I know it sounds corny but whatever: Practice like crazy. I practice at least an hour a day, just drawing something random.
As for how to get distributed: Wish I knew, man, or I'd have started my manga idea a while ago. I've got the whole plot written out and all of the characters done, but it's a tad discouraging when you have no idea where to go.
I don't know if it'll help but http://www.cablenet.ne.jp/%7ejapanime/tutorial/tutorial.html
I know how you feel. I've been developing a story sense late 2001 early 2002 yet I don't know the first thing about drawing manga and I can never draw anyone the way I have them pictured in my head.
Doing this is my dream….such a simple dream yet I have such hardship with it.
That is exactly how I feel like! I can draw a few of the characters in my head, but some of the major ones I just can't do…yet.
And when I was young, I bought a book on drawing manga, just to make sure that I was drawing in a manga style. After that, I only used it as a small guide and went on with my own style, and I still enjoy it to this day.
And I think you can figure out why Amnesia is one of my biggest fears...
Maybe you could condense the story into a single one-shot and submit it to Tokyopop? Even just drawing something entirely new will stretch you out a bit. Becoming a comic artist shouldn't be too awful hard if you're worth your salt, but otherwise it will be a difficult road.
But if you meant becoming a manga artist in Japan, you may want to redefine your goal. Greg (Omae) can explain this better than I can, but apparently foreigners aren't held in the highest regard. Even without that firsthand knowledge, I imagine things would go down somewhat like the kid who wanted to teach Taekwondo in Japan as a foreigner. Yeah. Don't expect too much from that.
Otherwise, though, I wish you luck.
Hold your horses and use Internet as your testing ground. Make a web comic or two. Or a manga, whatever. If you can do that successfully, then maybe perhaps. Take art courses. Having an actual teacher is much more effective than books. Books are good too but Internet is for studing human anatomy. Just search for porn. Don't buy those awful 'learn to draw manga' books though. Or soon you will draw in more japanese than the japanese do.
But if you meant becoming a manga artist in Japan, you may want to redefine your goal. Greg (Omae) can explain this better than I can, but apparently foreigners aren't held in the highest regard. Even without that firsthand knowledge, I imagine things would go down somewhat like the kid who wanted to teach Taekwondo in Japan as a foreigner. Yeah. Don't expect too much from that.
Otherwise, though, I wish you luck.
This is very very true; I've experienced it myself. I don't mean trying to cut it out as a manga artist over there, what I mean is the attitude that you'd get as trying to be a foreigner to be taken seriously over there. For all the friends I've got over there and all of the awesomeness that Japan is, it took only one night and a particularly rude customer 'service' lady in Odaiba to bring that to light. So much so that among the friends I went with she's now internationally renowned as the Aqua-City-Bitch :p
Unless you've got one hell of a niche job over there it's just not going to happen. Even if you're totally integrated into the culture for years and years, the fact will remain that you're just not Japanese and they can use it against you in the worst way. x_x;
But as for learning to draw – like anything it takes nothing more than sheer devotion and practice. The absolute WORST THING you could POSSIBLY do to yourself though, if you seriously want to make it in the business, is to follow the stupid rules and proportion in those manga books and also follow that cheap style. What you want to do is study human anatomy 'till the cows come home, and apply manga tweaks to that – not starting off with a pure manga style and then trying to adapt to human anatomy. It just won't work. There's a reason that most manga artists aren't taken seriously by critics – the proportions are ignored so much that it's almost laughable, unless you've got a style like One Piece's which is quite clearly defined. And even in OP's case some things coughgirlscough are still kinda wtf.
So yes, my advice: study human anatomy. Best thing you could ever do for yourself as an artist.
Well, I was going to make a new topic, but I thought it'd be pointless…
What if you're planning on writing a manga? One of my friends is kind of willing to do the art, and I've got pretty much the whole story planned out...do manga writers go down well, or do you have to draw and write the manga?
Mmmm so I have a very, very small chance of making a manga (probobly none at all). Well I just want to make it into somewhat a comic, and I don't want it too detailed and short like those Marvel or DC books. Look at One Piece. I'd love it if I could somehow make mine into a series of volumes sorta like that, and if possible, have a show.
My story is more aimed at teens like 15 and up.
Well, if OP has taught us anything, it's "never give up on your dreams!" :D
Oh I'm not giving up, that's for sure. As long as this story gets a good amount of fame, I'm happy. I hope it fansites just as this ^_^
What's the series about, anyway? Is it Shonen, Shoujo, or what?
Well, I was going to make a new topic, but I thought it'd be pointless…
What if you're planning on writing a manga? One of my friends is kind of willing to do the art, and I've got pretty much the whole story planned out...do manga writers go down well, or do you have to draw and write the manga?
I believe GetBackers is done by two people, a writer and an artist, and that's pretty famous. I don't see why it would be a problem, but just keep in mind that (please, please, PLEASE do not take this as an insult or like I'm patronizing you, I simply speak from experience) working together for very long can turn even best friends into enemies, so be prepared.
There's nothing wrong with the manga scene over here – it's bigger than it's ever been in the states, after all ^^ Like who-was-it mentioned, Tokyopop runs a few contests for new manga stars every year or so -- and actually I have an artist-friend who finished in the finals for one of 'em. Anyone ever read Pop Star ? That's the one :) although she's got the ultimate credentials, being an animator for Disney, but hey :p
So yeah, it depends on where precisely you're aiming for. If it's Japan, well, the market's just a bit inclusive over there, but anywhere else, go for it.
Yeah… it'd be really tough if you're trying to launch a career as a foreigner in Japan. But... honestly, what's there to say? The world is evolving... one day there just might be a renouned mangaka who is white. I mean, anything is possible. I just want to let you know... that you HAVE to get your mental preparations pinned down. Things are going to be TOUGH. If you're ever to actually move to Japan to persue this career... there'll be a lot of racism and criticism coming your way. You're going to have to be very fluent in japanese and talent to be able to match with the existing competitors.
As for... "how to get there"... well, I dont know much but i suppose you really need to just get "discovered". Submit some of your work and make friends with people in that kind of business. Drive yourself into the inner circle.
Other than that...
GOOD LUCK =D Dont ever give up on your dream!
Also, what kind of college courses should I take?
In the art world, schooling is highly overrated. But do cram in as many life drawing courses as you possibly can.
Best 'comic' college you can get into: http://www.schoolofvisualarts.edu/
Your new bible: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0961472812/103-7505380-5311004?v=glance&n=283155
And remember, nothing beats cold hard experience, so practice practice! Draw until your grades are failing, your hand gets cramped, and you want to die.
I believe GetBackers is done by two people, a writer and an artist, and that's pretty famous. I don't see why it would be a problem, but just keep in mind that (please, please, PLEASE do not take this as an insult or like I'm patronizing you, I simply speak from experience) working together for very long can turn even best friends into enemies, so be prepared.
But then what can I do? I can't draw for sh*t! I'd like to draw and write my own manga, but there's just that one thing getting in my way…
You can work with your friend, of course. Just go into it with a good mindset, you know? So long as you think that both of you could work together for long periods of time without a hitch, there shouldn't be too many problems. I'm just warning you because sometimes the stress of some projects can really dampen how two people think of each other, you know?
Death note is a famous pair same with HNG. Though I wouldn't suggest it unless the artist will just draw what you will write. I did a pair with my friend once. We kept arguring about the story and never got any work done…
You can work with your friend, of course. Just go into it with a good mindset, you know? So long as you think that both of you could work together for long periods of time without a hitch, there shouldn't be too many problems. I'm just warning you because sometimes the stress of some projects can really dampen how two people think of each other, you know?
Hmmm…yeah, you could disagree about a lot...although we're both pretty easygoing, so there should be no problem.
And about the Tokyopop thing, I really want to enter but it's, well, American. And I'm in the UK...that would kinda mess it up a bit.
I live in the UK too, so u can enter this as well 'Demon Days'.
Things are going to be TOUGH. If you're ever to actually move to Japan to persue this career… there'll be a lot of racism and criticism coming your way. You're going to have to be very fluent in japanese and talent to be able to match with the existing competitors.
Other than that...
GOOD LUCK =D Dont ever give up on your dream!
I get a lot of racism already. I look a little foreign, and people throw racist comments at me, but I really don't mind them much. Sometimes they're just joking. If I could go to Japan, that'd be great, 'cause I've always wanted to go there. But if it's going to be too difficult, I'll just stay here.
why not just be an american manga-ka
I agree with warp. I am aiming to be a western manga-ka but this time, even better than the others that were made. me including a few otaku strive to make a difference in the western manga industry. Oh and I do hear they're releasing an amzing software program. Its known as Manga Studio 3.0
Now from what some have made from Tokyopop, some doesn't look much but I can assure of you, what you create may make a big difference of it. Heck, I know a friend who's a particulary good anime artist who has Manga Studios 3.0 and is planning to submit his work 'Fresh Mint'. And he's only 17 XD. Here's a deviation he submited in deviant art depicting his drawings enhanced and toned into that program http://www.deviantart.com/view/35325918/ But I do have another option in hand…Study Abroad in Japan of course! Then I can learn more of being a manga-ka then ^^. Those are my top two options, be a western manga-ka and make a difference in that certain industry or the easy way, study abroad in Japan after I graduated from college. Good luck Mr. Zoro and remember as what Blackbeard said, "People's dreams never DIE!!!!"
The real question is are you going to be satisfied being a mangaka, or would you rather be an excellent comic artist? Not all mangakas are Odas, Kishimotos, and Taitos you know~ Do you know what separates a mangaka from an American comic artist in the first place? (Considering the fact that comics and manga are essentially the same thing.) Would you rather be a small fish in a big pond in Japan, or would you dare try and become huge in America? A famous comic writer once told potential comic artists that everything you will strive for comes down to this: Why are you doing this, and do you have anything to say at all?
.> Sorry if that was a bit over the top. I'm passionate.
 
You do have a point there Taboo. I'd rather be something big in America but not as an ordinary comic writter but in terms of making a difference in the Western manga Artist Industry. Oh and I am doing this because, its what I love to do. Drawing is my passion. However, I think I'd rather just become a western manga-ka in the US rather than a comic artist. I know the going gets tough but even so..As an article in Newtype said, 'give western manga a few years. There are many people whoo have been inspired greatly.' Also.ne question I do ask is "Does Bleedman of Deviantart have a great potential of being a western manga-ka in the US that can make a difference in the USA?
"Does Bleedman of Deviantart have abgreat potential of being a western manga-ka in the US that can make a differenc ein the USA?
Only if he can find a better writer to replace all that damn fanfiction he's been coming up with.
I always thought of his works as doujins, not fanfics. However he does live in the Phillippines and unless he were to come to the USA, he 'd have great potential for Tokyopop or Seven Seas. However, he still needs to find a good story writer.
I always thought of his works as doujins, not fanfics.
What are doujinshi, if not fanfiction with matching pictures? :)
His art is good no doubt, but really that's all. :/ He'd probably be great for tokyopop. Blah, I could write a book about how I used to like him then realized he wasn't as great as all Internetdom hails him to be, but I'd be going off topic. >__> (and his jokes aren't funny! >:O ) And no, as it stands, I really don't think he could make an impact here in America.
 
What are doujinshi, if not fanfiction with matching pictures? :)
His art is good no doubt, but really that's all. :/ He'd probably be great for tokyopop. Blah, I could write a book about how I used to like him then realized he wasn't as great as all Internetdom hails him to be, but I'd be going off topic. >__> (and his jokes aren't funny! >:O ) And no, as it stands, I really don't think he could make an impact here in America.
Yes but from what I read in an article from Newtype USA about many of the thousands of people in the USA, a few can really impact Western Manga in America with so much people in the USA into anime and manga after all. So there is a chance.
In what ways do you think he could make an impact?
I'm not talking about Bleedman but many other possible artists out there inspired by anime/manga.
Ah, I see~
So.. how does American Manga need improved? (and what is it anyway? A style? A type of story telling?)
 
pokes mr.zoro
can we get a sneak preview of the manga you're making? O_O
Ah, I see~
So.. how does American Manga need improved? (and what is it anyway? A style? A type of story telling?)
Most American manga doesn't seem to stereotype but some of the art style to me is a bit out. Like for example, they use too much pages without even putting some dialouge to it. As if its just killing paper. Also, some western manga seem a lot stereotype like take. Take..
Sokora Refugees
http://www.tokyopop.com/dbpage.php?propertycode=SOK&categorycode=BMG
It stereotypes harem manga a lot and overuses those certain scenes it nearly slips out of the story.
But Roadsong was an okay Western Manga. Not my fave, not so great but good.
http://www.tokyopop.com/dbpage.php?propertycode=RDS&categorycode=BMG
However, the western manga I enjoyed the most was Re-Play
http://www.tokyopop.com/dbpage.php?propertycode=REP&categorycode=BMG
Had a nice story, good art but not so stereotypical-like but..To me, seems the creator does read Bleach XD.
Other than that in my opinion, Western Manga creators, some are getting on a good role, and some need improvement.
I've been drawing a manga for almost a year now. I call it manga, because it's has no color and it's backwards. If the old scanner works I may show it off here (should I start a new thread in the creativity forum?).
It's called Mystic Adventure. It's a about a kid who goes on a big adventure through a massive world I made up. His name is Kujo and like all other heros he has a sword and some crazy fighting tricks. Along the way he makes friends, companions, rivals and enemies. The world is massive and spans four continents. The story is adventurous, instense, sad, scary, wierd (Oda is god) and plenty other genres or whatever they're called.
So far I've done 42 chapters (still going, It'll probably end at 500 or so) each with 20 or so pages and I've done 6 colorspreads.
Here's some random info
! character bios
! Kujo (14): a prankster with wierd powers. He can run really fast and never gives up. His has typical shonen jump hero hairstle and sharp fangs. Kujo is rarely ever serious.
! Flora (14): a girl who wants to travel the world. She is the sanest of the group and very smart. At first she wishes she found fight like Kujo, except more of a magic user. Later, a wierd merchant grants this wish. and now she can keep up with the others. She has brown hair, green eyes, pink shirt and a grass skirt.
! Jellybean (?): a wierd blue, four-legged creature that started out as Kujo's number 1 enemy. They became friends soon after the adventure started. He is an idiot like Kujo, and an underdog who rarely fights.
! Sijn (?): he looks like Kujo, except he is evil, mysterious, and he fights like a demon. He almosts kills Kujo in a fight. He only helps them for one battle then leaves. He seems to have a good side, because he helps them and also saves their lives at one point.
! Janken (18): A guy who became friends with Kujo as soon as they met. He's a good cook and an awesome tactician. He has no special powers so he relieves on martials arts and.. paper?
! Prin (15): a girl who started out an an enemy, and is crazier than Kujo. She is the second strongest of the group. She has crazy ideas sometimes, for example, the symbol on the door of a womans bathroom means there are rocket-humans inside. She dresses like a cheerleader to support her friends when they are in battle. Unlike Flora she isn't shy at all. She thinks Flora is adorable and likes to give Flora big hugs when she says something smart like "Prin, have you no shame?". She can tell it's smart when she doesn't understand it XD
! Santo (22): a powerful swordsman/spy who has a "supiriority thing". Kujo asks him to join them so he can watch and learn how to use swords better. Santo is secretly a bad guy and the only one who suspects him is Flora. He secrectly gives information about the group to dark forces. The point of Santo is to make readers want Kujo to find out what he's doing and kick his ass. But instead, with time, he becomes more friendly and loyal to them and gives less information about them every day.
! theres more characters but I can't be bothered.
yo Mr Zoro, if you keep drawing and enjoy it you'll become good at it so fast it's unbelievable. Don't give up.
Melee, do you have some that I can see? :D
 
Same here. I'd like to see your manga Melee :D
What are doujinshi, if not fanfiction with matching pictures? :)
His art is good no doubt, but really that's all. :/ He'd probably be great for tokyopop. Blah, I could write a book about how I used to like him then realized he wasn't as great as all Internetdom hails him to be, but I'd be going off topic. >__> (and his jokes aren't funny! >:O ) And no, as it stands, I really don't think he could make an impact here in America.
not to go off topic, but i feel the same way honestly. i mean, he's a great artist but…. i dunno. its all show to me.
you know who will be a freakin awesome comic artist later on...(actually, she pretty much is already) Vert
she was only 16-17 when she did Kill The City, and she thinks its crap now (she randomly gave me the first issue when i saw it at her house, lol!) There is so much Oda and Mignola influence in her style, I love it.
I swear her and her sister (who is now an Art Director dies) are just so freakin talented and they are some of the sweetest people I know.
Oh and Mr. Zoro, I agree with Carly and Taboo, since I was gonna post saying sorta the same thing, they said it a lot better than I could.
I can't stress enough how important drawing from life is. Drawing classes are probably the most helpful ones I took at the Art Institute. and for the record… if you're wanting to do comics, or manga much less... DO NOT go to the Art Institute. They will hammer it out of you, most of the animation and graphic design department frown on anime/manga. There was a huge debate over it a few years back.... I'll dig it up someday...
*** PlasticStar5 Instagram***
I never study art (o A 0) I cannot be a manga artist ?? ish so poor for Art Institute
sob sob (TT n TT,,)/
now that's not true (look at e1n, he was a physics major)
and trust me, Art Institute…sucks ass.
*** PlasticStar5 Instagram***
I'm glad to hear that I'm not missing anything by not going to Art Institute. XD I get great art classes for free at Orange Coast College. Although I'd still like to go to an art school. There are much better ones than AI, they just like to churn out generic graphic artists, mostly.
I would never go for being a manga-ka….I'd rather just be me, in my own style, no label.
Melee, do you have some that I can see? :D
@Daisuke:
Same here. I'd like to see your manga Melee :D
yeah, LQ pics coming maybe today. there is a 1/5 chance in seeing them MQ.
Other than drawing for fun, I also want to prove to people that drawing needs no form of education whatsoever. The art institute can frown as much as they want, I don't listen to them.
nah, forget that. yes, its good to know all sorts of art, but you don't have to know EVERYTHING. cuz that would take ages….
so don't worry about that, ritsu. you are awesome already and i know you'll only keep improving.
and yeah, i wonder how some of these people from AI graduate... especially the graphic designers..some of which can't draw their way out of a paper bag... not to say that i am better or anything, but geez. i guess its the design skills that count... that which i don't have much of, i just draw all the damn time. >_>
*** PlasticStar5 Instagram***
If there's anything I've learned, books on drawing manga are a death sentence.
You know. I took my own advice and bought a cheap (Amazon Marketplace) how to book on the subject. And although I'm a terrible drawer, I can see how someone following the style presented be a death sentence. Well. I guess that's fine for now considering all I have as of now is a few ideas on what I'd like to write/draw in a serial manga/comic type thing.
