PROFILE
Pen Name: Maxime Barlé
Age: 21
Social network profiles: Instagram: @bram.art_
Country: France
Favorite manga: My Hero Academia
Favorite movie: Everything Everywhere All at Once
Favorite game: Undertale
Favorite quote: “It’s not about being the best, it’s about being better than you were yesterday.”

Entry title: “Rainy Man”
Round: SMA20: “Memorable Smile”
Award: Excellence Award

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“Even if you don’t like the result, or you think there’s room for improvement, take pride in your work!”

About SMA

How does it feel to receive a SILENT MANGA AUDITION® award?
It’s the first time I’ve won a prize in a contest, so I’m very excited about it. It’s an honor and it motivates me to keep drawing manga!

What was the inspiration behind your awarded work?
I wanted to represent my character’s boredom and malaise externally. That’s when I came up with the idea of a rain cloud that would constantly disturb him. I then thought about how he could get out of this situation, and the idea of an encounter with a sunny, cheerful character came to mind!


What challenges did you face while making your manga? How did you overcome them?
My biggest challenge was probably the layout of the story. I was worried that the story would take up too much space, and that I wouldn’t have enough room to show the characters’ emotions properly. I also didn’t have a lot of time to draw this manga, so I had to be very organized in order to make it on time!

READ Maxime Barlé‘s SMA20 ENTRY HERE!

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About Your Manga

How and when did you start making manga? Any advice for beginners?
I started learning to draw in 2019, which was when I discovered manga. Seeing so many different stories, with such varied themes, and which provoked so many emotions in people, inspired me to start drawing. One piece of advice I could give would be to always take a step back from your work. Always ask yourself what could be improved, but also to be proud of what you achieve.


Do you draw your manga digitally or by hand? What are your go-to digital or analogue tools?
I draw the whole manga digitally on my ipad with Clip Studio Paint.

What was the first manga you picked up?
I discovered manga at the beginning of high school. Since I really liked superhero films, a friend recommended My Hero Academia to me. At first it was hard to adapt to reading in the opposite direction, but I quickly got the hang of it and couldn’t stop!

Which manga changed your life?
My Hero Academia. It’s still my favorite manga today, and if I hadn’t discovered it back then, I certainly wouldn’t have learned to draw and decided to pursue this path.


Which manga character do you most identify with? Why?
I identify most with characters who want to become the best and constantly surpass themselves, like Izuku Midoriya from My Hero Academia, or Shoyo Hinata from Haikyuu. As an artist, I’d also say Yatora from Blue Period.

What kind of manga do you want to make next?
A manga with captivating characters and strong emotions! The genre doesn’t matter, as long as I’m having fun and can create beautiful shots.

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About You

What do you do when you’re not making manga? How do you relax?
I like watching films and TV series, or reading manga.

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

Where do you see your manga career in 5 years time?
I’d like to be serialized in France!

What manga making advice would you give to your younger self if you could?
Try to understand the manga artist’s intentions behind their work and analyze it instead of just reading it.

What advice would you give to people entering the SILENT MANGA AUDITION®?
Even if you don’t like the result, or you think there’s room for improvement, take pride in your work!

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Thank you, Maxime Barlé! We’re eagerly expecting your next manga masterpiece!

There’s time until July 1st to join SMA21 and have a chance to develop your potential as a manga creator with us in Japan!