Make Manga

Manga are comics from Japan. Unlike American comic books, they have their own aesthetic to them including their signature large and expressive eyes. But drawing and creating Manga is an art form that takes practice, creativity and inspiration. Here is a wikiHow guide to making manga.

Steps

  1. Observe and research manga. Learn the different styles, such as shonen (boys) and shoujo (girls), and the differences between them. Understand the techniques used.
  2. Learn how to draw. A manga tells a story in pictures, and your story will be a little limited if all your characters are stick figures. Using your knowledge of the manga styles, develop an individual style instead of sticking to the stereotypes of manga. If you can't draw, find an artist, but you have to be an excellent writer to stand a chance finding a good artist.
  3. Write a script. As with all stories, you'll need to plan well. Know exactly what's going to happen in your story, view it in your head like a movie or an anime before writing it out. If you are working with an artist, you'll need to give them a precise, vivid description or a basic storyboard for them to understand your script.
  4. Make the basics of the manga. When you were writing the script, you should have known exactly how you were going to lay out your manga, but if not, draw out the panels and draw sketches onto paper to represent characters. If you're working with an artist, ask them if they want to do this or if you should do it for them. At this stage, since you're not making the details, it doesn't matter if your artist doesn't fully understand the script and gets something wrong, as you'll be able to correct them or change it without destroying any solid work. Do not add in the speech bubbles yet.
  5. Fill in the details. Flesh out the characters, turn your basic plan into a work of art. If you're working with an artist, leave this stage up to them. Still do not add in the speech bubbles.
  6. Scan in your pages. Alternatively, take a picture with your webcam or smartphone (it will be lower quality).
  7. Using a picture editing software such as Adobe Photoshop or GIMP, clean up your lineart and make sure it looks professional. A graphics tablet is an extremely good idea for using this, so you can edit anything with the same precision as with a pencil. Again, leave this stage to the artist if they have any graphics experience.
  8. Optionally, colour and shade the manga. If you intend to make a lot of manga on a weekly basis, you probably will not want to colour it, but a one-shot manga or a short graphic novel would be good in colour.
  9. Add in the speech bubbles and effects using your picture editing software. Keep it clean - do not colour-code your speech bubbles or add in unnecessary effects. If you're working with an artist, you may want him or her to do some of the more complicated effects, but anybody can make ordinary speech bubbles.
  10. Try getting published by one of these methods:
    • If you want to take the easy way out, use a website such as Comicgenesis.com and publish it as a free webcomic, but the only money you can make from this will be from merchandise and donations - not a good way to go, if you plan to be a full time manga artist. Full time Manga artist usually average out to about $30k to $35k yearly. obviously the more publicity you get the higher you will get paid.
    • Find a publisher in your own country. If this is your first manga, this is definitely the way to go. You may think that it will not sell, as it is not of Japanese origin, but with the increasing popularity of manga across the world, you may be surprised.
    • If you are determined to publish in Japan, however, prepare yourself for dedication and disappointment. Becoming a manga artist in Japan is not an easy thing to do, however, it isn't impossible. Try taking part in a contest that manga magazines hold. This is the easiest way to establish yourself in the Japanese manga industry.



Tips

  • Keep drawing and once in a while look back at it for mistake if there is any.
  • Don't worry if you fail on the first sketches. Drawing is something that takes time and practice!
  • Go through several designs of your characters and compare them to see which style fits your liking, and their personality.
  • When selecting a storyline, always think of the genres. First select your audience. For example, if you are writing for young boys, you will want to put in a lot of action and cool characters, but if you are writing for young girls, you might want something more peaceful and cute. Do not limit yourself to stereotypes of genres, but be careful when mixing them. Putting aliens pointlessly into a romance story will be a little odd, but as per Kashimashi, if they're necessary to the plot, there's nothing stopping you.
  • Definitely don't go with the first thing you think of. Put time and work into development. If your work isn't perfect by your standards, then keep working! The talent will eventually come, and be better than ever!
  • Know the limits. Don't make storylines too long in every chapter, as they tend to be boring (unless you are adding fight scenes in the story). Also don't put too much dialogue in the story as it tends to be even more boring.
  • Be creative and choose wisely before putting any main and additional characters. Intertwine the plot and characters, but only add extras if it would make no sense for them not to be present - such as the main character's family.
  • You don't need to color your entire manga, only the first few pages and then the rest black, and white. That's how it is in most mangas.
  • You will not be able to get a working visa in Japan just by saying you want to be a mangaka. However, if you are between the ages of 18 and 25, you will be able to get a working holiday visa, which will allow you to work in Japan for one year, and if a publisher wants you, you might be able to organize a proper working visa. If you are too young or too old, you will need to establish connections.
  • Make sure you put the appropriate age group for your manga, or else kids might watch something that's not age appropriate.
  • Try to publish something in your own country. If you haven't, you will almost certainly be turned down by a Japanese publisher.
  • Learn how to design landscapes for different areas in your manga's panels.

Warnings

  • The story comes first. A manga that focuses on the art instead of the story is a guaranteed failure.
  • Avoid changing the story once you've started doing the proper images, especially if you are working with an artist.
  • If your work gets rejected, it's not the end. Ask where you've gone wrong, fix this and try again.
  • Be prepared to make very little money. Unless you are publishing on a weekly basis or so, you may only be paid once or twice a year. If you have a family you need to look after, only make manga in your spare time or after you retire unless your partner is prepared to work.

Things You'll Need

  • Manuscript paper (special paper that has the right border line and size for a comic book)
  • Eraser
  • Pencil
  • Ruler
  • Computer
  • Scanner
  • Picture editing software
  • Optional - graphics tablet (if you are planning to do a lot of work on the computer)
  • Optional - Music (try listening to something appropriate to your genre or the mood you are currently writing with)
  • Optional - compass (for assistance with drawing circles)
  • Optional - basic stencils (for assistance with drawing shapes of a certain size)

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