How to become a Manga Artist [Japanese Art] | Mangaka Guide

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Do you want to start a career in manga art and become a manga artist? But don’t know exactly where to start, and how to start. You are in the right place. You can completely rely on this evident article.

In this article of “How To Become A Manga Artist” I cover every possible information, which you really need to know before going to this career path.

Besides this, here you will get the information about where to publish manga, which is really important for every manga artist.

I think most of you already know what manga is. However, if you are completely new to this topic but you are interested to know the career prospect in manga art. Then welcome to Find Career Info.

We will start with the introductory part and will get to know some interesting facts and the popularity of manga worldwide. It could be a good career option for you.

To start a career in manga art. You should have to know about these essential things…

• What are the education and skills required?
• Best Online Courses to learn Manga Art
• Tools and equipment used by a professional manga artist.
• Career scope in future
• Is really any difference between the two artwork (Manga versus Comics)?
• Where can I publish my hard work (Manga)?

Hey! Do not worry I will cover all these things in this very article of “How to become a Manga Artist”. Ok, let’s get the ball rolling!

What is Manga Art?

Manga art is the art of crafting a manga. But what is Manga?

Manga word is used to define a cartoonist book, which is written in the Japanese language. Or, we can say a comic book written by Japanese Artist known as manga.

A Japanese style based comic book artist known as “Mangaka”. In Japan, manga artists are very respectful people.

Japanese style based comics is to be read from the right side to the left, opposite of conventional comic books.

Types of Manga

Different kinds of mangas are available in the market. But all mangas come into these five genres.

1. Kodomo-muke (Children’s Manga)
2. Shonen ( Boy’s Manga)
3. Shojo (Girl’s Manga)
4. Seinen (Adult Men’s Manga)
5. Josei (Adult Women’s Manga)

The Popularity of Manga Worldwide

Manga Popularity in Japan

Japan is the hub of the manga. The manga gets highlighted in Japan in the 19th century.

So, it is 100% possible that Japan has the highest consumption rate of the manga.

In Japan, all most everyone loves to read the manga. For them, manga has become a part of their culture. Japanese people dress like a manga character. No! Not all the time. Obviously on some occasion.

You can presumption the popularity of manga in Japan from this thing that, Manga is Japanese pop culture.

Manga has a significant influence on Japanese culture indeed. People actually go for a date with their beloved ones in the manga cafe. (Called to be as Manga date!)

Rest of the World (Worldwide Popularity)

You have known the popularity of manga in Japan. But I want to tell you the rest of the world is not far behind than Japan.

Germany sold manga around 71% of the total comic books in 2007.

In the annual festival of Paris in 2008 more than 135,000 people showed up in manga characters cosplay outfits.

In Europe nearly half of the comic book industries shared by manga in 2011. And the list goes on…

Based on these statistics starting a career in manga art would be a beneficial career choice.

Manga has a huge fan base, and it is growing day by day worldwide. Also, many celebrities are love to read Manga. I want to name few of them…

• Leonardo DiCaprio
• Megan Fox
• Will Smith
• Keanu Reeves
• Hulk Hogan
• Chris Brown
• Daniel Radcliffe (Harry Potter)

I hope! These names add some motivation to become a manga artist (Mangaka).

Now the question triggered in our smart little brain; why manga is becoming more popular as compared to conventional cartoons comics across the globe.

Shortly, you will understand why manga art is gaining so much popularity. Also, get to know the differences between the two artworks.

 

Manga vs. American Comic Books

I think most of you have already been read at least one comic book in a lifetime, especially in childhood days.

I am 28 years old, and a big fan of both the artwork; I love reading manga than comic books though.

If you want to choose a career in manga art, then you must be aware of these differences between manga and conventional comic book.

The extraordinary storyline does play a huge role in the successful growth of Japanese art style comics.

Three more reasons I want to add why manga has been gaining popularity.

1. Manga is less pricey than comics. And who does not like to save some bucks?
2. Manga has such a wide variety of genres.
3. Japanese manga shows exaggerated emotions.

Now I think you have known why mangas are so popular worldwide?

Fact: Japanese publisher uses recycled paper to publish the manga. That is the main reason why manga cheaper than American comic books. 

 

Education Required to Become a Manga Artist

You absolutely don’t require any degree to become a Manga Artist. If you have any, that’s okay.

After passing high school, you can join some nearby Art School or better you can learn to draw manga from the comfort of your home by taking online courses and tutorials.

Nowadays many people are taking benefits of online learning platforms to learn something new and so you also can.

The tutors you will find in these courses are well experienced in the field and they will teach you everything which you needs to know to draw your own manga characters.

 

Best Online Courses to Learn How to Draw Manga

If you are really looking forward to becoming a Manga Artist, you can Sign Up with these online courses which I think best and affordable as compare to other available courses on the internet and also it cost you way cheaper than joining Art School.

1. Manga Art School: Anime and Manga Character Drawing Course
2. How to Draw Manga Faces and Hair
3. How to Draw Manga/ Anime Online Course (Course Bundle)

The courses I suggested are risk-free, if you don’t like the course you can get your money back within 30 days without any question ask.

 

Best Manga Drawing Books for beginner’s

If you’re someone that never learned to draw, Find Career Info list you some of the best manga / anime drawing books that’ll have you putting pencil to paper in no time. This is our pick of the best manga drawing books which we would like to recommend to artists, or aspiring artists, of all skill levels.

1. Mastering Manga with Mark Crilley
2. Manga for the Beginner: Everything you Need to Start Drawing Right Away!
3. The Master Guide to Drawing Anime: How to Draw Original Characters from Simple Templates
4. Beginner’s Guide to Creating Manga Art: Learn to Draw, Color and Design Characters
5. How to Draw Manga Characters: A Beginner’s Guide
6. The Manga Artist’s Workbook: Easy-to-Follow Lessons for Creating Your Own Characters
7. How to Draw Manga: Mastering Manga Drawings

To get the detailed review of these books read this article; Top 7 Best Manga Drawing Books That’ll Teach You Everything

Along with these books, you can also refer these following popular manga to get a better understanding of manga artwork.

Popular Manga all Around the World

• One Piece
• Naruto
• Dragon Ball
• Bleach
• Kochikame
• Detective Conan: Case Closed
• Captain Tsubasa
• Death Note

These mangas have gained so much popularities that many entertainment companies create anime based on these mangas.

Even, these manga based anime is also popular worldwide.

Anime? – Motion version of a manga referred to as anime.

You can become a voice-over artist in anime and give your voice to anime characters. If you want to get into voice over acting; read this article – Career in Voice Over Acting | Step-by-Step Guide 

 

Mangaka Skills set

To be a manga artist, you must learn these following skills

• Story Writing
• Anatomy
• Learn to draw facial expression because the manga characters have more expression.
• Artwork (character design, weapon, tools, vehicle design and environment design)
• Learn the Japanese language. If you already know then great. It would be helpful for your growth as a mangaka.

Enhance your manga drawing skills by joining this Free Online Manga Course. There you will find plenty of tutorials which helps you to develop your drawing skills in no time.

After learning some of the few skills, you can also get into the video gaming industry. Read this article; How to get started a career in Video Gaming

 

The Manga Art Styles

The manga art style is a style to draw a character with a different posture, angles and position.

It is necessary to develop your own manga style if you want to become a manga artist.  Although, creating your own style is a difficult task for every mangaka.

Copying from other mangaka artist style is completely different than developing. Find your own style. Do not copy other artist styles.

Basics to find your style is a free online course by Skillshare help you to develop your unique manga art style.

Note: Draw as many styles as you can, because practice makes man perfect.

Tips: Select your audience. For whom you want to draw. For example, your audience could either be a teenager or an adult. So first you have to figure out the targeted audience.

 

Mangaka Tools: The tools uses by a Manga Artist

• Pencil: 0.3mm, 0.5mm, 0.7mm mechanical pencil
• Pens: G Pen, Maru Pen
• Multiliner Pens: Comes in many varities such as 0.03mm, 0.1mm, 0.2mm, 0.4mm, 0.6mm, 1.0mm, etc.
• Nib Pen Holder
• Sharpie pens
• White and Black ink. You can use white ink to fix the error. Or simply you can use the eraser.
• Eraser: kneaded eraser, plastic eraser or any eraser which suites you more
• Drawing Paper (B4): Maxon, Deleter or any comic drawing paper
• Brush and brush pen
• Cutter or knives to cut pages
• Rulers

You can buy and see the complete accessories from this link click here

 

Where can I Publish and sell my Manga?

Every newbie mangaka has this very two common questions.

First How to publish manga? & Second Where should I have to go to publish my hard work? Would I have to go to Japan?

And these are very zen questions to ask because everyone is working hard to makes their life better.

It is not an impossible task, to publish a manga but it is quite difficult to achieve especially for the first timer. Maybe, many times you have to face rejection but do not lose hope. Keep trying!

Many of the newbie mangakas lose their hope to become a mangaka after getting failed on their first attempt. So, please avoid making this mistake.

Sometimes failure can be a great help because you will get to know your mistakes and try to find the errors and eventually will improve it.

Your happy days will surely come. So be prepared to face lots of rejection from publishers. Success comes from the ongoing failure to failure without losing your interest and enthusiasm to become anything.

Ok, that’s enough motivation talk. Now let’s talk about where & how to publish manga.

Most of the manga creator participates in a contest organised by many publishers.

Participating in a contest is one of the best ways to publish manga stories.

Check the given resources below, where you can publish manga. These will help you to succeed in your path.  Best of luck!

• You can participate in contest at shonen jump
• List of Publishers. In this list, you can find the name of the publisher which gives a chance to the new talent.
• SMAC! Web Magazine- Silent Manga Audition (www.manga-audition.com). SMAC organises audition every month.
• Image Comics (Comic book Publisher)
• Monaco Anime Game International Conferences
• COMITIA (https://www.comitia.co.jp) After Every 3 months you can re-apply for an audition.

You can participate in a contest from anywhere in the world — no need to flying to Japan.

 

Can American become a Manga Artist? 

In simple words, my answer is Big ‘Yes’

Anyone can become anything. It entirely depends on your hard work.  In fact, many American manga artists are making a living from Japanese art by creating manga. Some of the few are listed below

• Fred Gallagher
• Mark Crilley
• Jason Thompson
• Felipe Smith

If these people can do that, then you also can. So it doesn’t matter where you belong from; all you need is be good at manga art and develop your own unique style.

Tips: In starting do not try to create lengthy manga. Start with short stories.

>> Check the list of Coolest Profession around the World

 

Future Career Scope in Manga Art

In the present time, manga art is gaining popularities worldwide. All credit goes to manga good storyline and the remarkable characters.

Today manga is published in so many languages. Manga art is the fastest growing category in the comic book publishing today.

In America, Viz media share the market with the popular comic books publishers such as Marvel and DC Comics. Viz media is English manga publishers which is a Japan-based American entertainment company.

According to the increasing popularity of manga, we can say that manga art could be an excellent career option to opt.

Although this could be true that a manga artist belongs to other than Japan might face some trouble to get published his/her hard work. But if drawing manga is your passion, then you can face any problem. Also, you can become a successful mangaka like others.

I hope “How to Become a Manga Artist” article able to give information that you were seeking.

Let me know what you think about being a mangaka as a career option. Share your opinions and experiences in the comments below!