As you well know, manga are classic Japanese comics. One of the characteristic features of their aesthetic is certainly represented by the large and expressive eyes of the characters. In any case, a manga is a real work of art, the drafting of which requires a lot of practice and creativity. Here is a guide to learn how to make one and find your way around the comics industry of the Land of the Rising Sun.
Steps
Step 1. Do your research before you begin
Learn to distinguish between the various styles and to understand, for example, the differences between shonen and shoujo. Understand the techniques used. Learn about the comics industry and the requirements to be able to publish one. In any case, this guide will give you some advice in this regard too.
Step 2. Learn to draw
A manga tells a story through images, and if you don't even know how to hold a pencil in your hand, you will find yourself very limited. By leveraging your knowledge of different styles, develop a unique trait instead of swapping from industry stereotypes. In case you don't know how to draw, find an artist: you will take care of the storytelling.
Step 3. Write the script, to be planned in detail
You must, in fact, know exactly what will happen and visualize the narration in your mind as if it were a movie or an anime. If you collaborate with an artist, you will need to provide him with a precise and vivid description of the story or a storyboard, to allow him to understand what you have in mind.
Step 4. While making the script, you should already know exactly the layout of the manga; if not, draw the cartoons and characters
Do you work with an artist? Ask him if he would like to take care of this step or if he would prefer you to do it. At this point, let the designer do his work and, finally, make the necessary changes, in case your collaborator does not fully understand your needs. Remember that it is still early to add speech bubbles.
Step 5. Take care of the details
Define the characters and turn your basic plan into a masterpiece. If you collaborate with an artist, allow him to take care of this step, without adding the speech bubbles.
Step 6. Review the pages
If there are errors or something is missing, fix it.
Step 7. With dedicated image editing software, such as Adobe Photoshop or GIMP, clean up the boards and make sure they look professional
Graphics tablets are great tools for drawing with the same precision that a pencil would guarantee. If you work with an artist, let him do it.
Step 8. Coloring the manga and adding shades is optional
If you plan on making many plates a week, you probably won't have time to color; a manga of a single volume or a short graphic novel, on the other hand, can be safely colored.
Step 9. Add speech bubbles and effects using image editing software
Keep the boards clean, without coloring the bubbles or inserting unnecessary effects. If you collaborate with an artist, ask him to enrich the project with more complicated elements; in any case, anyone is capable of creating classic speech bubbles.
Step 10. To see your published manga, try one of these methods:
- If you prefer to go the easy way, go to comicgenesis.com and publish it for free as a webcomic; however, remember that you could only make some money from merchandising and donations. In short, if you aspire to be a full-time mangaka, you don't want to follow this path.
- Look for a publisher in the country where you live. If it's your first manga, it's best to do it this way. In case you think your comic will not sell because it is not of Japanese origin, be prepared for the possibility of changing your mind, especially if we take into account the worldwide popularity of manga.
- Do you dream of publishing your work in Japan? Then you will have to go down a winding road, made up of sacrifices and disappointments. Becoming a mangaka in the land of the Rising Sun is not easy at all, especially if you are not Japanese, but it is not impossible either. Take part in contests held by manga magazines. To shine in the Japanese comics industry, this is the way for you.
Advice
- Before writing the story, identify your target. If you intend to write for kids, include lots of action and cool characters, while, if you prefer shoujo, follow the kawaii aesthetic. Don't limit yourself to stereotypes of the genre but carefully evaluate any mixes you will make. Putting aliens who want to conquer the earth in a romantic comic without this choice having any benefit for the plot could be a bit risky.
- The process of creating the characters is fun and takes time to delineate the character and physical appearance. Let yourself be carried away by the imagination and wisely choose the number of characters that you will insert in the narrative. Intertwine the stories of the main and secondary characters and add more only as needed (for example, the protagonist's family).
- Individual chapters shouldn't be too long, or they'll bore readers (unless you add fight scenes to the story). For the same reason, also avoid inserting too many dialogues.
- Try to post something in the country you live in before making an attempt in Japan. If you have no experience, it will be difficult to get a Japanese publisher to consider your manga.
- In Japan, you will not be able to obtain a residence permit by presenting yourself as a mangaka. If you are between the ages of 18 and 25, it will be possible to have a Visa that will allow you to work in the country for a year and, if a publisher notices you, you will have the opportunity to apply for a real work residence permit. If you are still a minor or over 25, you will need to make connections in the industry.
- Strike a balance between storytelling and fighting in order not to bore your readers.
Warnings
- Avoid editing the story once you start drawing, especially if you are collaborating with an artist.
- History is fundamental. A manga that focuses solely on aesthetics will be a guaranteed fiasco.
- If your job gets rejected, it's not the end of the world. Ask about your mistakes and fix them to improve and try again.
- Be prepared to earn very little. Unless you publish weekly or, in any case, with some regularity, you may only get paid once or twice a year. If you have a family to support, engage in manga in your spare time or when you retire.
