PROFILE

Pen Name / Name: Ace felmer
Country: Philippines
Social media profiles: X: @felmer__ Instagram: @ace_felmer
Age: 24
Favorite manga: On the Movements of the Earth, Brutal Satsujin Keisatsukan no Kokuhaku, Oblivion Battery
Favorite movie: Snow White, Sky High, Hacksaw Ridge, all superhero movies
Favorite quote: “I am seeking. I am striving. I am in it with all my heart.” -Vincent van Gogh
Entry title: “Light in darkness”
Round: SMA23 “My Dream”
Award: Excellence Award

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“Cherish the characters in your story and study paneling.”

About SMA

How does it feel to receive a SILENT MANGA AUDITION® award?
I can’t believe I won an award and that my one-shot was read by legendary mangakas. It all feels like a dream.

What was the inspiration behind your awarded work?
My inspiration comes from my favorite elements in storytelling, including tragedy and wholesomeness.

What challenges did you face while making your manga? How did you overcome them?
I only decided to join SMA23 a month before the deadline, so I only had one month left to finish my work while still working every day. I stayed up late for several days to finish it. Thankfully, I managed to complete it.

READ Ace felmer’s Awarded Work HERE!

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About Your Manga

How and when did you start making manga? What do you wish you knew as a beginner? What advice would you give to someone who wants to start drawing manga?
At first, I wasn’t really drawing manga. I was just making storyboards. But a friend encouraged me to read and draw manga if I wanted my story to become an anime. Thanks to them, I discovered my true passion in my life.

I started drawing manga in 2019, but only in a regular notebook, without inking or screentones. I didn’t try digital manga until I joined SMA.

My advice for anyone who wants to start drawing manga is to focus on the basics. First, study paneling, experiment with perspective, and practice dynamic poses. Don’t worry about perfection. The more you draw, the more your own style will shine.

Do you draw your manga digitally or by hand? What are your go-to digital or analogue tools?
I draw my manga digitally because it makes inking and adding screen tones much easier. It’s difficult to find proper manga tools where I live, so digital tools are a huge help.



What was the first manga you picked up? Is it easy to access manga where you live?
The first manga I read was Chainsaw Man. I read it on a legal manga app.

Which manga changed your life?
Mashle. It became my source of strength and positivity during some of the most difficult years of my life.

Which manga character do you most identify with? Why?
Maybe Jiji from Dandadan, because we share the same energy around our friends. We’re fun, playful, and a little unpredictable. Being around friends brings out that side of me, just like it does for Jiji.

What kind of manga do you want to make next?
I want to create a manga that blends tragic and wholesome elements. I like stories that make readers laugh, cry, and feel deeply connected to the characters.

One of the biggest challenges of being a manga creator in my country is the lack of readers. It can be tough to share your stories and find an audience.

About You

What do you do when you’re not making manga? How do you relax?
When I’m not making manga, I love watching movies, playing games, and spending time with my family in our living room.

What industry do you work in (if manga making isn’t your primary job)?
I work as a freelance animator at a cartoon animation studio here in the Philippines. Working in animation lets me explore storytelling and movement in a different way, which often inspires ideas for my manga.
Where do you see your manga career in five years time?
I hope that in five years, my manga will be published and read by many people. I want to see their reactions, feel their excitement, and know that my stories have connected with them. That’s the dream that keeps me drawing every day.

What manga making advice would you give to your younger self if you could?
Cherish the characters in your story and study paneling.

What advice would you give to people entering the SILENT MANGA AUDITION®?
Create a simple story that’s easy to understand and just enjoy drawing. Good luck!

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Thank you, Ace felmer! We’re eagerly awaiting your next manga masterpiece!

The deadline to join SMA24 is May 10th. Enter for a chance to develop your potential as a manga creator with us in Japan!