Blank Canvas tells the story of Asahi, a young boy who loves to draw, but fears the vulnerability of bearing his heart to the world through his creations. He believes that, because not everyone appreciates his art, it is worthless, a struggle his friend, Danno, recognizes. With Danno’s encouragement, Asahi finally begins to see the value in his work. This powerful story about the creative process by the Turkish creator Rakuyou won the top prize in the 13th Kyushu International Manga Award!

READ Blank Canvas IN ENGLISH HERE!

To commemorate her award, a Q&A article with Rakuyou was published in the magazine alongside Blank Canvas. Read on to learn more about what inspired Rakuyou to create this award-winning manga! 

What inspired you to create Blank Canvas? 

I believe that all art is born from the creator’s heart and soul. However, creating something can be painful at times. Experiencing that inner struggle made me want to tell a story about a character who is wrestling with that same conflict.

What do you think is the best part of this piece? 

I love the scenes where the protagonist transforms into the sketch version of himself. I spent a lot of time experimenting with how to visually express his emotional turmoil, so drawing those pages was especially enjoyable.

What did you struggle with when creating this piece? 

I struggled a lot with how to clearly express what I truly wanted to say while still providing entertainment. Thankfully, with the help of my editor, I was able to organize the chaos in my head and shape it into a short story. Also… backgrounds. I still have a long way to go when it comes to backgrounds!

What kind of manga do you want to draw next? 

I want to create works that move people like the ones that moved me. I want to create stories that, even after just a few chapters, can transport readers to other worlds and let them live other lives. I want to create stories that overwhelm readers with emotion so powerful it defies words. That’s what I want to make.

What’s your dream for the future?

I used to think I’d be happy just drawing. However, the more manga I read, the stronger my desire to create manga becomes. Now, my dream is to keep drawing manga for the rest of my life!

Do you have any final comments for the readers? 

Thank you so much for reading! I know I’m not yet at the level where I can truly touch people’s hearts, but if this story reached even one person out there, or if you simply enjoyed it, that alone makes me incredibly happy. 

Follow Rakuyou on X here: r4kuy0, and on Instagram here: Rakuyouu__!

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