Anyone going to write/draw manga for a living?

[Canti_Sama]

I was wondering if anyone else was planning to choose manga as their career? Or people that want to give advice on either of the 2. I myself plan to be a writer.

[Mana]

As much as I'd love to go into manga/comics, I just don't think I have the artistic talent. However, what I am hoping to do is do a lot of writing on my own time, and perhaps put some kind of manga-esque comic online... not for any money making purposes, mind you, just for my own amusement.

[Spilled Milk]

I'd like to maybe do some writting. I don't think I could ever actually draw manga n_n. but yeah writting would be fun.

[triggerman]

i would love to do both but the chances are slim. though things like riasing star of manga try and make things more possible. so i will keep my hopes up. i think that i can draw pretty well but i don't have any other opinion except people i see every day and already know how good i am. i can't wiat till i get a scanner to show my art to others too.

[Leonef]

It would be nice thought. But if I was going to move into some form of graphic novel/comic book type writing, I would make sure to steer well clear of having it classed as 'manga' (and most likely published by Tokyopop). I'm not a great supporter (ok not at all in fact) of the @Large's and Princess Ai's of this world so to fall into that trap myself would seem a bit hypocritical. If I was going to write a graphic novel, I wouldn't have it riding on the back of something just because it's having a popularity surge at the time. Curse those opportunists! Ah well just my :twocents:

[Matekai]

I'd love to do both... but I have this slight problem with drawing inconsistent characters. :rolleyes: As of right now I'm in the process of creating a website to post random written works and manga-esque comics, but I probably won't make a living off of either.

[Dennis]

Personally I think that it would be tough for an American to make it big in the manga business for two reasons. 1) I think there may be a sense of nationalism that would encourage publishers to employ native citizens. 2) That damn language barrier.

Dennis

[Dtortot]

Well, maybe not depend on it, maybe not write or draw manga, but critique it as part of my lifetime hobbie will sure do.

[Tamashii]

Well, not so much as making a living out of it, but maybe for fun, some recognition, or a steady (though small) flow of cash. I would make a manga, if I didn't suck so much at drawing. But I'd be happy to write a story that goes manga.

[Eso]

I will definitely not pursue manga as a career. I have a slightly higher chance of making it in the rap game than as a manga writer. Though for the past few months, I've had this urge to make my own manga, and yet my drawing skills are incredibly poor, not to mention my writing isn't up to par. Nevertheless, it would be nice to be able to create my own manga. It is a better medium used to write stories rather than by text alone.

[Junko]

It's been my dream since I was 8 years old to go to Japan and make manga just like the pro's. awww.... my sweet childhood

I do plan on it. My artistic ability isnt gold but it's pure enough to grow! :bowing:

[Tremolo]

As cool as it'd be, the likelihood of me drawing and writing a manga for a living is really slim. That and I wouldn't have the stamina to write and draw a whole chapter to a deadline. I'm a lazy git.

[otaku]

my friends and i are making a maga for fun, but i doubt any of us will make it as "pros"
but we are submitting are manga to the tokyopop contest, just to see if we make it on the top 100

[Skuldchan]

Id like to but its not very probable. I think if I drew for a living I wouldnt like it as much because then it would be considered "work" ^^. So I think Id rather just keep it as a hobby then living off of it.

[nero†]

id like to but i dont think i could commit to something for that long.. i can barley do my homework...:p i like it as fun.. i'd get bored quickly with it if i HAD to do it...

†

[Moe]

even though i don't really read manga but i've seen my friends manga and i don't think im as good as they are but maybe one day i will, and as for writing stories i really don't think i can do that.

(but i can always dream can't I) :)

[Revolution boi]

It's been a dream of mine for quite sometime, putting on my best fantasies into a peice of paper so I can show everybody. To me its like i can share my emotions to the world. Thats why i want to keep doing my thing for the rest of my life...but i gotta finish college first ^_^;

[UZ_white]

Hm... My manga is too crappily drawn to be called real manga, but overall, I am going to be a comedian/comic artist, so you could say... almost.

[AnimeBlazer]

I think I could come up with some good dialogue and story elements but as an artist I still need alot more practice before I would be good enough.

[shiszuku]

n0t bad.. i mean everyone can choose their own way of living.. like me im a writer! j0ke! a s00n t0 be manga writer!!!!!!!! :bik: im still a baby!

[Tatumaru]

I've considered it. It's among my top choices of careers, behind writing.

[Jaime Astorga]

I wouldn't do it for a living. I am just not good enough. But after making a lot of money, I guess I could pay somebody to give me lessons on how to draw and begin making my own. I would like to fill the hearts of all who read it with happiness!

[The Macaque]

As much as I enjoy drawing motionless images, I'm aiming to do something more extraordinary. Since I like challenges, I'm gonna try making my own anime instead. I'll start up with a short (approx. 2 minute long) promotional and take it from there. Should take me a few months to complete.

[genki sakura]

Personally, I think the manga world is too fickle to just do manga for a living. You'd do one good thing, get loads of money and then you might find out that your next story is turning out to be crap..then what are you going to do when you lose loads of fans? I'd probably just do it as a side job and along with a more established job. I'd do it as a job, but not necessarily as my only job to make a living. Although if I could write/draw manga one day, i'd be happy..but it wouldn't be the only source of my income.

[Risen Hell Fire]

i'll draw. but for fun not profit.

[hitokiri_himura]

I may be an avid reader of manga, but I think I will not be involved in the manga industry. First, I have already mapped my future plans. But the most important reason, I am not good with drawings. :sweat:

[eternal_lostboy]

I'd like to think I'm good enough to, but I'm not very confident of my own art. I know I'm going to be involved in comics or animation or something somwhow. (It's really the only thing I remotely know how to do.)

[Readordie]

I'm making a comic/manga. Even though it's technically not a manga, as it's made by a westerner...the art style is decent, even if the writing could use a bit of work...I like it a lot so far. It's a spoof on Magical Girl animes/mangas. It's called 'Mahou Shoujo Oni'. Her magical pet? Blob the Bob(yes, Blob the Bob). Her 'Steriotypical love interest with inpronouncible name and who is obviously repressing something's name is named Vxqd. And her first bad guy? The Oni-Musher Three(Produced By Lapcom)!

[Torka]

I'm a aspiring animator so I'm considering making my own manga series. Manga is getting popular here in the US so I guess people could make their own manga series here since many companies are getting into the bold new frontier of manga. It just takes hard work and determination.

[Linuts]

Points to sig... online comic is all I have right now. Probably will stay that way since my skills aren't anything close to the pros T_T. I'll probably just stick to it as a hobby :p.

Although I am planning to join something involving multimedia (Video Games and whatnot).

[alien222]

I'm gonna try, i've been expecting my sister to get my comics published^^ but i doubt it

[00AnimeManga00]

Although I may or may not choose to draw Manga... I already have at the least Five manga/anime written plots on word....

[sakura_blossom]

I have plenty of ideas for manga and plenty of people say I have the drawing skill for it, though I don't want to make it into a career, that's not what I would want to do day in and day out. I would though one time learn much more about Japan and its culture and at one point be able to submit a work, the worst that can happen is that it's not good, and I don't get it published.

[aburame shino]

OF COURSE!!!!!!
i can draw REALLY good. honestly!!!!
im creating a manga called action indicator d.e.
its a shinobi based manga(thanks to kishimoto masashi for the influence!!! ;) )

[alien222]

oh, really i wish i could read the mangas you all are planning to make, i mean, i've got to wait for a miracle if i want to get the mangas i make to be highly acclaimed

[Fash]

my friends and i are making a maga for fun, but i doubt any of us will make it as "pros"
but we are submitting are manga to the tokyopop contest, just to see if we make it on the top 100

They generally don't let you know if you get into the top 100. They might if you get into the top twenty (especially this time) but in the past usually you only know if you are one of the ten (or 12th, for some reason, because Rin and I knew about that.. not sure if I'm supposed to say anything about that).

Also, it's really hard to get into the industry as a writer unless you are already working with a good artist. Then you might get the chance to team with other artists, but in general, its a lot harder to find good artists than to find stories for them to work on.

You can see a little of Rin's work at http://strangledcry.deviantart.com but we don't have much to do with the stuff we are working on for tokyopop cause.. well, we can't put stuff out there if we want it published.

[Yokuhiro]

I was wondering if anyone else was planning to choose manga as their career? Or people that want to give advice on either of the 2. I myself plan to be a writer.


I dont really want to become an manga-ka, but im truly trying to get in the carrer of animation. Im trying to start an anime, but i think the best thing to do before i start is to make a manga. My advice would be to make a story, write it all down. Plan the manga series to the very last chapter. Once done,(or before), draw the concept art for all the characters in each chapter. Finally after drawing each character a few times, draw out a few pages of your manga with the story line you wrote. I perfer you submit your manga to somewhere like Tokyopop,or Viz. But if you choose to start your own buisness, you better earn money before you even start on your project.

[Rei_Kashino]

i whould like to take up the profeshion of writing mangs as of now i have a script that im writing its still in the works but anyway i whould like to do that as a job





proud member of the I like sappy romance mangas club

[Rei_Kashino]

[QUOTE=Rei_Kashino]i whould like to take up the profeshion of writing mangs as of now i have a script that im writing its still in the works but anyway i whould like to do that as a job

:cat:
proud member of the I like sappy romance mangas club

[Dj suXhi]

Learn how to do quotes and try not to double post please (especially for just adding some kind of cat). :eyebrow:

[Junko]

I definatly will try. Even if it never is popular It would still be cool to go to a book store and see your comic sitting in there with the rest of them. Besides it would be even better if one of us did it because were all non-japanese.

[Elric]

I can write, but cant draw at all.

*feels bummed*

[Junko]

I wonder if any of us were to try publishing if it would be read. I know that alot of my friends dont read manga's that are amade by Americans and I'm sure the Japanese are the same way.

As for me, I'm adopting a Japanese pen-name. Jun Watanabe.

[Otter]

Writer for me, although my art's a little closer to Fred "Piro" Ghallager. So i'd end up in that home called "Webcomics", which would be awesome if you ask me.

[Junko]

Even if I never make it as a pro I'll definatley go to Japan to visit if not settle there.

[Elric]

Well if any good artists like to team up with a writer, than im avalible. I can write some good dramas (I think)

It's succesful that team up in some cases I know. Like Hikaru No Go was a 2 person job and appearently worked well.

[Yokuhiro]

To be truthful id say that it would be better to work alone on a manga...the reasons are: people have many different opions, you would show everyone what a great writer and drawer you are, and you could most likely become alot more famous

[sakura_blossom]

To be truthful id say that it would be better to work alone on a manga...the reasons are: people have many different opions, you would show everyone what a great writer and drawer you are, and you could most likely become alot more famous

In my opinion I think that someone can write well and draw bad or draw well and write bad, it doesn't matter to some to just show off your drawing and writing skills it's more of enjoying the fact of creating a story you can call your own and either a lot or a little people actually read it.

Some manga artists and writer's don't become famous and if I were ever a manga-ka I would still enjoy doing what I do because in fact drawing I love to do it, I take classes in it and draw in free time I may or may not be good at it it's more based on other's opinions but just to write and draw well is enough to create a manga sometimes even if you don't make it big or if it's turned into an anime either. Though that is just my opinion...

[eternal_lostboy]

I know that I don't work very well alone. It's harder for me to really flesh out stories and dialogue without someone else to talk to about it.

[Junko]

I would be another writer. I can draw decently but not good enough to make manga. I work better alone writing stories but I could always do something better with a partner.


I think me and my friend could pull something like this off...

[Kagome654]

I'd like to, I really would, but I lack the skills. I can't do layouts, I can't ink....

Which is too bad as I already have a story and characters designs, I just lack the skills and training to actually DO something with it.

[Lex]

Serious question: I don't think anybody on this board is native Japanese (there have been some Nippon visitors during the Nanking massacre discussion in the Japanese Culture forum but as far as I know they are all gone)... so is it even possible for anybody here to write/draw "manga"? Regarding language, does manga have to be written in Japanese? What about location? Is something drawn outside of Japanese borders by a non-Japanese native entitled to BE manga? Or would it have to be "comics"? I have no doubt some people here could write and draw manga-quality stories, but could those even be manga if they were written in Japanese, considering the more-than-likely possibility that the writer/artist isn't Japanese?

Anyway, as far as I go, no, I will not write or draw manga for a living. 1) I speak almost no Japanese. I only know what I've picked up in anime. 2) I am wretched when it comes to drawing. I am seriously bad. Much worse than average. Completely untalented. I will never remedy to #2 and it'll be a long time (possibly never) until I can remedy #1... and if I ever do remedy #1, I don't think I'll ever be capable of finding an artist to draw whatever I could come up. In Japanese. No, if I was ever to become the writing half of a comic-making pair, I'd do my stuff in English.

[Kagome654]

Serious question: I don't think anybody on this board is native Japanese (there have been some Nippon visitors during the Nanking massacre discussion in the Japanese Culture forum but as far as I know they are all gone)... so is it even possible for anybody here to write/draw "manga"? Regarding language, does manga have to be written in Japanese? What about location? Is something drawn outside of Japanese borders by a non-Japanese native entitled to BE manga? Or would it have to be "comics"?

You're right actually. An Asian friend of mine got rather snippy when a North American girl posted that she wanted to write and draw manga. Manga are technically just Japanese comic books. We could substitute 'manga' with 'comics' in the thread topic but it would essentially mean the same thing

[Tatumaru]

You're right actually. An Asian friend of mine got rather snippy when a North American girl posted that she wanted to write and draw manga. Manga are technically just Japanese comic books. We could substitute 'manga' with 'comics' in the thread topic but it would essentially mean the same thing
No. Manga has it's own art style, as do comics.

[Kagome654]

Actually, I'm pretty sure I'm right, manga just means 'gag pictures' or something of the ilk, it does not denote a certain style. If you notice many manga look quite different from one another, I mean Akira, Sailor Moon, Paradise Kiss and Monster don't really share a similar style. The only similarities are that they're Japanese and in black and white.

I suppose I could be wrong, but that's what I always heard.

[Tatumaru]

Compare any manga to an American comic book. You can clearly see a diffrence in style. American comics have a large emphasis on muscles and bodily details. Manga is VERY diffrent. Manga-ka just mold the manga art style into their own.

[sakura_blossom]

though it is still a little possible for some one to come from america and create a manga if they're fluent in the language and good at art, or find a translator or something^^ For me I don't care and don't plan to but I'd at least like to try and see what they think over there

[ShonenPunkMariz]

I'm writing a manga storyline, but my artwork...well, let's just say it's lacking. Sadly.

Even if I do write one, I only plan to do it on the side of my stand-up comedy career.

[Yokuhiro]

i have a change of thoughts to an american who wants to become a manga-ka...you probally are planning of going thorough an art institution in america....well i think the best idea is to go to college in japan, but of course learn fluent japanese and have plenty of money saved up.

[Mangamaker_JJ]

I plan on at least trying to become a manga writer I have already written a few though

[Cornwiggle]

Nah, not really. I can draw, but I'm still not very good when having to think up my own pictures and poses and stuff. I could hire an artist, but nah, I'd rather just write words on paper than have the stuff drawn.

[shar_sakura]

I would love to draw and write anime/manga but I am not very good at drawing at the moment

[Saya-biki]

god no
not that I'm a bad artist, I think I'm pretty good, I do have a couple of drawing's I'm proud of ;)
but only on single shots
I can't keep the same quality panel by panel

Also if I don't like the drawing I get annoyed
I wouldn't want to have deadlines on a drawn story :p

As for writing...I'm alright...I could probably be better

but I would enjoy translating manga into English for some company ^^
or maybe video games (...I could work for NIS O_O )

[shar_sakura]

god no
not that I'm a bad artist, I think I'm pretty good, I do have a couple of drawing's I'm proud of ;)
but only on single shots
I can't keep the same quality panel by panel

Also if I don't like the drawing I get annoyed
I wouldn't want to have deadlines on a drawn story :p

As for writing...I'm alright...I could probably be better

but I would enjoy translating manga into English for some company ^^
or maybe video games (...I could work for NIS O_O )

I'm kind of like that too, I will make a great drawing and then my next one is like blah..... I get annoyed too when my drawings don't come out good, so I trash most of them. I wish I had my hubby's talent, his drawings are professional

[kirarathekitty]

it would be awsome to do either one or both bot im not very good at drawing

[Nicotine]

It would be fun to do comics for a living but I'm not sure if I could. It takes a while for me to create a decent piece of art so I would be good with all the deadlines. Plus I'd get tired of drawing all the time.

[Pachinko]

I enjoy drawing, but I doubt I'd make it a living. I'd be pretty poor most my life, if that were the case. I'd definately do it as hobby, maybe one day publishing a few. That'd be nice.

[Manga_Creator]

well at the moment I am just quikly adding to things and typing replys other than that I am working on plans for my Book/Comic that I am hoping to make. I am just no good at backgrounds so ive practiced. Please can someone tell me how to post pictures from my files up so I can show the very few people who may be the slightest bit interested???

Andy X

[animanic_critic]

Nah, I'm terrible at anything artistic... even for a doodling, I suck. But I'm willing to be a manga critic someday... If only I could get my hands on those mangas.

[Manga_Creator]

Nah anyone can they just dont know it. Start drawing you will improve, Or get a how to draw manga books just do it and yiu will improve.

Andy

[jetfire]

I'm surprised that I never commented in this thread. I don't think I'll be able to draw manga for a living, unless my current manga that I'm working on gets published and becomes an incredibly popular success. For now, I just draw my own manga as a hobby, but I may get it published someday if I complete it or come close to completing it. I'll probably also put my manga online someday.

[Manga_Creator]

Ive now got the finnal design on just one of my characters and Im designing my Fire Demon leader lol

Andy

[Manga_Creator]

Infact all I really need to do is draw it all out ive got it all there its really easy. Ill just draw them into the size I want scan them make my own frames place them put speech bubbles in and then the writting and then I'm done really aint I???

Andy

P.S I am still story boarding and designing though lol

[jetfire]

Infact all I really need to do is draw it all out ive got it all there its really easy. Ill just draw them into the size I want scan them make my own frames place them put speech bubbles in and then the writting and then I'm done really aint I???

Andy

P.S I am still story boarding and designing though lol

Try not to double post so much, or it could lead to trouble from the mods. Just delete your second post and put what you wanted to say in your previous post with the edit button. Also, don't you think this should go in the thread that you created? Because this thread is more to do with just asking if people will be making manga for a living.

[Manga_Creator]

Erm... Yes sorry Ill keep that in mind and make sure ill do it thanks for the pointer.

Andy

[NausicaaBoy]

yup.. I have three mangas in the work at the moment. I would love to make the cross into anime...but my true love (to draw) is manga. haha check out my manga "01" when its released

[kazamisan]

I want to move to japan first of all... once ive done that, Im gonna draw and write anime.... the writing is actually the easy part for me though.....

[Selius Raine]

I'm not that great of an artist myself. It is every otaku's dream for awhile to become the manga-ka; and for a bit it was mine...when I was 9.

My career path that I've really 'chosen' is to teach English in foreign countries. I'd like to teach in Japan, as I already am pretty good with Japanese. ^^; I have four more years to learn though, so I don't care.

I also want to write though. Before I die [sad thought o0;] I'd like to get something published.

[Manga_Creator]

If you want to get something published before you die why not write ideas down build them up and after a while it will turn out to be a long story but you need to keep adding and start at a younge age ( Just an Idea )

Andy

[Mana]

Just writing what comes to you is no good way to get published. Any good piece of writing takes a lot of work and refinement before any publisher would even deign to look at it. And even if the writing is excellent, it takes a lot of non-writing work to get your manuscripts read by anyone important, one of the most important steps being the procurement of a literary agent.

I can't remember where it is now, but there's a good article online somewhere written by a famous author about the different steps to take towards becoming a published writer. Step 1 was the desire to be published, Step 2 was to write something good enough to be published, but it went all the way until step 10, I believe, before any writer has a good chance of being published. There are newsgroups to be a part of, letters to write, connections to establish. It's a big scary world out there for writers of any sort. Starting early is definately a good idea, but spending all your time writing probably isn't.

[~*Aya-Neko*~]

I would love to draw manga for a living, I hope to go to college and study the arts to brighten my skills, Because I'm not that good at backgrounds or furniture.

[Milkymagic]

Writing is definitely all I'm capable of, but writing for a manga definitely looks fun, I can honestly respect the integrity that the authors in any work put in. I looked at my storyboard collections for the first two Patlabor movies and Gunbuster, noticing all the little pieces as they came together to form one product. Indeed, making manga is also a creative explosion of visual fluency and captivating storytelling. A format that I hold just as high of a respect for as anime, and nothing beats a well told story no matter what medium.

[whiteshadow]

if you got anything planned i would love to draw couple things im working trying to design a game but its gonna take me awill but its good

well i like mangas but im making a anime write now but i would to write mangas for a short time

[Mr. Otaku]

I want to write a manga because my drawings SUCK! Not even lessons from Rumiko Takahashi and Ken Akamatsu could help my drawings.

[Sunami 366]

I was actually thinking about this a while back... Since all my friends are saying that I'm a great artist and all... And I really do think so myself ^-^

But I also want to be an artist for a video game--Or create my own video game.

EDIT: I want to write a manga because my drawings SUCK! Not even lessons from Rumiko Takahashi and Ken Akamatsu could help my drawings.

Woah dude, just how often do you practice drawing?

[Natsuke Takeda]

To be honest, the concept ot "wanting" to create is very much different from "needing" to create. What I mean is that you can always say "I want to do this and that" but until you create the mindset that "I NEED to do this and that. I HAVE to do this and that" all you'll wind up is wanting something that may or may not happen.

As for me, the thought of being manga artist for a living has gone beyond a dream, it's a literal goal. I major in graphic arts and have been trying my best to perfect my skills in real-life art, so that hopefully my manga work will do much better. My friends always say that what I'm doing will never happen because it sounds so far-fetched, but it's something I've clearly become serious about. I even let my teachers know that "this is what I came here to do."

Japan? Going next year as a study abroad student.
Drawings? Not so good in my opinion. I've always felt my talent was above average but sub-par compared to many. But that's what college is for, right? The perfection of skills.
Writing? Probably better than my art skills. I prefer that, actually. Writing down what I'm thinking makes it so that I can always keep the imagination on paper and bring it to life on... um.. paper. hehe
Connections to the Manga World? Still at the bottom, but once I get everything set and have a decent portfolio to work with, I'll start hitting the companies like no tomorrow.

That's my idea of trying to become a manga artist: putting yourself forward to other people, and trying to make yourself stand out from the rest. The fact that I'm not Japanese USED to be something that was stand-offish, but with so many new artists, that concept is out the window.

Hell, look at Haven's works on the Art Forum. That dude is as talented as you can get at his age in terms of manga... I'm not even near that, but the will to do what you want to do is needed in any business.

So before you start saying "Oh, I wanna become a manga artist" You have to ask yourself if you're seriously ready to suffer a lot for it, or you're just saying it? Before you start blurting out that you want to be this and that, you have to seriously think about it. We're not 8 anymore, we're not always "I wanna be an astronaut" and stuff. You gotta have that one mindset:

"I want to be a manga artist, at all costs."

[Cereal_Killer]

I was wondering if anyone else was planning to choose manga as their career? Or people that want to give advice on either of the 2. I myself plan to be a writer.

I think pretty much 50% of all manga readers want to write/draw manga for their living... XP I think American/non-Japanese manga will become its own genre in a couple of years!

Edit: Anyway, good luck to you all!

[mamimi_kawaii]

Making a manga would be awesome, but I would never try to make an anime. All that drawing would send me into convulsions.

I actually am currently working on a story plot that would make a good romantic type manga, but I don't know how good it'll be.

[JigokuHime]

I want to become a mangaka one day^^
but then again...i can't draw the same character over and over again...
Due to because when i draw a character they don't always look the same as the original one...

[kazamisan]

I have a pretty hard time with that too.... btu what is really difficult to me is making them have cool fighting poses.... actually alot of poses are hard for me to do!

[JigokuHime]

Hey! Same here ^^ But sometimes...it'll turn out pretty well ^^

[laborpilot86]

NO!!!!!!!:proll: