PROFILE
Pen Name: Nachi
Age: 26
Social network profiles: Instagram: @nachi.g32
Country: Vietnam
Favorite manga: Tsubasa (Clamp), Ran and the Gray World, Letter Bee
Favorite movie: Interstellar, Amelie Poulain
Favorite quote: “More than what meets the eyes.”

Entry title: “Eyes of Snow”
Round: SMA19: “Overflowing Tears”
Award: Grand Prix

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“As a beginner, emerge yourself in other professional mangakas’ work. Pay attention to the composition, structures, and how they manage a story.”

About SMA

How does it feel to receive a SILENT MANGA AUDITION® award?
The feeling was so unreal for me. I didn’t even know that I won until after my friends had messaged me. Even then, I had to refresh the SMA page again and again to make sure that it was my name on there. After that, it was just a burst of joy, especially since I hadn’t expected to actually win.

What was the inspiration behind your awarded work?
I have always believed in hidden majestic “beauties” of nature. Their aura feels so pure and so gentle at the same time. That’s what draws me towards such encounters between humans and these hidden gems.

What challenges did you face while making your manga? How did you overcome them?
SMA19’s theme was easy at first glance, but hard to fully realize. I did my best to manage the story-telling not only to create an easy-to-follow read, but also to engineer the most perfect and genuine reaction for the main character, especially during the highlight of the story. Every panel on the page had to be carefully structured. Every read and reread was another consideration being made. One usual comment about my work is that it can be too abstract, so I asked my friends to read the manga to see if they could flow with the story as I did.

READ Nachi’s SMA19 ENTRY HERE!

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About your Manga

How and when did you start making manga? Any advice for beginners?
I started drawing manga when I was in the 3rd grade of elementary school. But I only got really serious and paid attention to my work from the start of secondary school.
As for advice for beginners, the best thing to do is expand your horizon by emerging yourself in other professional mangakas’ work. Pay attention to the composition, structures, and how they manage a story.

Do you draw your manga digitally or by hand? What are your go-to digital or analogue tools?
I spent most of my years drawing by hand actually until two years ago when I switched to digital. My go-to digital tools are Photoshop and my trusty Samsung Pad.

What was the first manga you picked up?
Doraemon.

Which manga changed your life?
Cardcaptor Sakura.

Which manga character do you most identify with? Why?
This is such a hard question to answer. I would have to say it’s a mix of Mio, Yuuko and Mai from Nichijou. They have such “extra” innerself reactions to everything. Another character that I resonate with would be Miuora Hayasaka from Yotsuba. Like me, she makes a lot of weird toys and she babysits kids by making up unbelievably wild stories.

What kind of manga do you want to make next?
I intend to write a story about astronomy. 

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About you

What do you do when you’re not making manga? How do you relax?
I enjoy listening to music, reading books, making arts and crafts, playing video games, … Recently, I’m having a lot of fun watching esports. Particularly, I’m rooting for Identity V’s ZETA DIVISION from Japan. Their positive energy brings me so much comfort.

What industry do you work in (if manga making isn’t your primary job)?
I’m a freelance artist. I draw manga primarily, while selling handicrafts. I also work part-time as an art teacher.

Where do you see your manga career in 5 years time?
I hope to have happily finished my astronomy story. To be honest, I just got back to drawing manga 2 years ago. So right now I’m only looking at short-term goals.



What manga making advice would you give to your younger self if you could?
I did give up on drawing in the past because somehow I always hated my stories after I finished them. However, that decision gave me the time to process everything and I no longer feel the pressure to “draw correctly”. And I found what I wanted to illustrate for myself. That decision to give up ultimately led me to today. So, if I could give advice to my younger self, it would be: “Don’t rush. Spend some time giving yourself a chance to realize what you truly want.”

What advice would you give to people entering the SILENT MANGA AUDITION®?
Simplicity, positivity, and humanity are the most important elements. They are the keys to every reader’s heart.

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Thank you, Nachi! 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!