PROFILE
Pen Name: 米豆Mido
Age: 21
Social network profiles: Twitter: @midodod0
Country: Taiwan
Favorite manga: Shigurui, Dorohedoro, Gintama
Favorite movie: Kill Bill, Everything Everywhere All at Once, Kung Fu Hustle

Entry title: “I’ll Be There”
Round: SMA19: “Overflowing Tears”
Award: Grand Prix Runner-Up

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“Take it easy to produce a first draft and then try to adjust and refine it.”

About SMA

How does it feel to receive a SILENT MANGA AUDITION® award?
It’s an honor to get this incredible recognition. I was so happy to be able to show my work with artists from other countries. My grandma was so happy that she prepared fried chicken for me that night.

What was the inspiration behind your awarded work?
The characters were inspired by two friends that I have known since high school. Our personalities and interests are very different, and they don’t even read manga at all. However, these two friends have always stood by me and given me immediate assistance. I want to express my gratitude to them in the way I am good at, it can be said to be dedicated to their works.

What challenges did you face while making your manga? How did you overcome them?
In this work, I tried to draw thick lines, which is not very comfortable for my wrist. It seems that I need to adjust this attempt again.

READ 米豆Mido’s SMA19 ENTRY HERE!

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About your Manga

How and when did you start making manga? Any advice for beginners?
I’ve been trying to create since college, and I’m confident that I’ll continue to grow. I think in the field of art, people love to talk about the importance of talent, but I think the love of painting and the desire to express oneself is the best talent.

Do you draw your manga digitally or by hand? What are your go-to digital or analogue tools?
I sketch with pencil, and then use Clip Studio Paint to describe the details.

What was the first manga you picked up?
When I was a child, who couldn’t even speak clearly, my father introduced me to Initial D. To this day, I still pretend I’m racing down a mountain road when I’m driving.

Which manga changed your life?
Gintama. In terms of world building, the author combines Japanese history and alien themes, which I find very ingenious. Based on this, the author has written a sophisticated unit drama series, giving the characters many events to show their diverse charm.

Which manga character do you most identify with? Why?
Spike in Cowboy Bebop. I like the image of a chivalrous character, seemingly like a ruffian but with a strong sense of justice inside.



What kind of manga do you want to make next?
I wanted to create a unit drama story about cowboys walking around different planets and interacting with aliens.

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About you

What do you do when you’re not making manga? How do you relax?
I like to take random trips. It’s fun to meet things without being prepared.

What industry do you work in (if manga making isn’t your primary job)?
I’m still a college student.

Where do you see your manga career in 5 years time?
I plan to accumulate experience and create opportunities by submitting short-length works, while conceiving long-term serialized content. I hope to sign a contract with a fixed platform within one year and start a stable serialization. In addition, I also try to operate a personal website in order to gain more readers.



What manga making advice would you give to your younger self if you could?
Take it easy to produce a first draft and then try to adjust and refine it. If you always evaluate the feasibility of an idea in your mind, you will end up agonizing and get nothing done.

What advice would you give to people entering the SILENT MANGA AUDITION®?
The limitation of “unable to use dialogue” can refine your story expression, which is an interesting way to play. You can use more explicit actions and exaggerated expressions to convey the story.

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Thank you, 米豆(Mido)! We’re eagerly expecting your next manga masterpiece!

There’s time until December 4th to join SMA20 and have a chance to develop your potential as a manga creator with us in Japan!