Team Name: its_nannan Manga: Story on a rainy day Award: EXCELLENCE AWARD RUNNER-UP Country: Indonesia

Name: Nan Nan Age: 29 Favorite manga: 7 Seeds; Garasu no Kamen; Sunset on the Third Street; Uni no Aurora; Kiseijuu; everything by Junji Ito Favorite movies: Gone Girl; Black Swan; The Devil all the Time; Midsommar, 1922; The Great Gatsby; Perfect Blue; Atonement; Studio Ghibli; The Sound of Music Favorite band/musician: Lana Del Rey; Melanie Martinex; Dojo Cat Name: Dimaz Sadewa Age: 27 Favorite manga: Initial D; Sunset on the Third Street; Dragon Ball; City Hunter; Detective Conan; Doraemon; Angel Heart; Yokohama Kaidashi Kikou Favorite movies: The Godfather Trilogy; 2001: A Space Odyssey; The Sound of Music; Studio Ghibli; Akira Kurosawa; Neon Genesis Evangelion; Dare mo Shiranai Favorite band/musician: Yui; Miki Matsubara; Mariya Taekuchi; Mika Nakashima     QUESTIONS   About the SMA  1. How does it feel to win a SILENT MANGA AUDITION® award? It feels VERY SURREAL. We didn’t think we could win because there are so many great artists out there. But we are very glad that we got this far, so thank you.

2. What was the inspiration behind your winning work?

We were inspired by our childhoods when we were alone, but somehow still managed to take care of the house until our parents got home.   3. What challenges did you face making your manga? How did you overcome them? Time! We decided to join Silent Manga with less than 30 days before deadline, so we were both very busy night and day creating this comic together, while working our daily job at the same time. Also, we both live far away so, we only communicate by chat and call.

About Manga

4.     How and when did you start making manga? Any advice for beginners?

Nan Nan: I first started ‘scribbling’ manga as a child, around 6-7 years old. I was mostly influenced by Sailor Moon and Disney Princesses. I also love to read classic fairytales and horror manga. Dimaz: When I was four or five, I used to draw on the back of scrap paper or outdated newspapers, with any of leftover pen and pencils. I didn’t have much back then, so it was luxurious every time my grannie bought me new drawing material. My advice for beginners? Draw anyway you can.

5.     What was the first manga you picked up?

Nan Nan: Shinrei Taiken Jikkenshitsu no Mariko by Atsuko Narumo was my first manga in Kindergarten and that kinda opened up my love for the horror genre. Dimaz: Dragon Ball and Doraemon. Me and my brothers used to go to local comic rentals, and I loved reading Dragon Ball. Then when the anime aired on TV, I could tell my friends what happens next. It felt so great!

6.     Which manga changed your life?

Nan Nan: Too many to mention, but if I have to pick one, I guess it would be Shinrei Taiken Jikkenshitsu no Mariko. Dimaz: Dragon Ball. When I was kid, I loved to draw the characters a lot. Without realizing it, I was building up my drawing skills.    

7.     Which manga character do you most identify with? Why?

Nan Nan: My husband Haha said its Chika Fujiwara from Love is War, but my friend  Dimaz said its Nadeshiko Kagamihara from Laid Back Camp. He also said I kinda look like Asano lnio’s female manga character desings. For me, I think I most identify with Chibi Maruko-chan because I’m quite cheerful. Dimaz: I’m not sure, but my friend Nan said probably Kaoru from Sakamichi no Apollon, even though the similarities are only as the introvert, quiet type.  

8.     What kind of manga do you want to make next?

Nan Nan: I  wanna make a drama  tragedy, or a ‘weirdly-cute’ horror-thriller. Dimaz: I really want to make a psychological manga, or any genre with a deep story.  

About You 

9.     What do you do when you’re not making manga? How do you relax?

Nan Nan: I usually take a nap, drawing for fun, reading a book/manga, playing with my dog or watching Netflix with my husband. Dimaz: I love reading books, watching and re-watching movies and cloud gazing.  

10.  What industry do you work in (If manga making isn’t your primary job)?

Nan Nan: Manga is my primary job. Dimaz: I’m an illustrator and comic artist.  

11.  Where do you see your manga career in 5 years-time?

Nan Nan: I would like to be successful and be known internationally with many readers. Just thinking that people read and like my manga makes my heart very happy. Dimaz: I have confidence I will still be working towards a manga career, but i also want to publish a manga written by myself, not just as an illustrator/artist.

12.  What advice would you give to people entering the SILENT MANGA AUDITION®?

Nan Nan: Don ‘t think about it too much. Just let your heart flow and do your best Dimaz: Do your very best, there’s a lot of amazing artists entries.  

Example of Dimez’s work