In a pioneering move, the editorial team behind COAMIX’s Monthly Comic Zenon has taken the bold step of looking towards the SILENT MANGA AUDITION® Community for their next manga star!

After receiving four unique works based on a “name” titled “Midnight Shadow”, conceived and drawn by professional Japanese mangaka Matsuri Mido sensei, the team decided on the entry by Russian Masterclass member and SMA8 Grand Prix winner, SIDEBURN004.

“Self Portrait” by SIDEBURN004

Impressed with her character designs and composition skills, SIDEBURN004’s storyboard “perfectly captured the spirit of the original”, prompting a commission to create the finished yomikiri (one-shot) for publication in Zenon’s sister digital manga magazine Web Comic Zenyon.

A first for the long running Japanese manga magazine, this unique opportunity not only offers the chance of a Japanese manga debut, it provides our international creators with the practical experience of working in the professional manga industry. With tight deadlines, high expectations and the ability to quickly understand the adjustments needed through the creator/Zenon editor relationship, our creators will learn what it takes to succeed as a pro mangaka in Japan.

Black Terror by Matsuri Mido sensei

Scheduled to premier in April, “Midnight Shadow” will be the first of many opportunities for the SMA Masterclass to reinterpret, reimagine and give life to the seeds of a story provided by Japanese manga industry specialists.

This unique and pioneering opportunity is the culmination of the SMA journey. From taking the first step of entering the competition to joining the Masterclass, the chance to have your work reviewed, commissioned and debuted with a Japanese manga publisher is now achievable with the SILENT MANGA AUDITION®!

SIDEBURN004’s SMA8 GP award winning manga, “Checkmate”.

Title: “Midnight Shadow” by SIDEBURN004

Original Work: Matsuri Mido sensei

Format: Free in digital manga magazine, Web Comic Zenyon

Length: 38 pages

Release date: April, 2019

Language: Japanese

JOIN THE AUDITION TODAY TO ENTER THE MASTERCLASS AND KICKSTART YOUR PRO MANGA CAREER!