PROFILE
Pen Name: Kshatriya
Age: 24
Social network profiles: Twitter: @Kshatriya_6666_
Country: Indonesia
Favorite manga: Junji Ito’s works
Favorite movie: Akira
Favorite quote: “Hadouken” -Ryu

Entry title: “Waiting”
Round: SMA19: “Overflowing Tears”
Award: Excellence Award

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“Aim for a simple and easy-to-understand story but add some unique aspect!”

About SMA

How does it feel to receive a SILENT MANGA AUDITION® award?
I’m shocked… surprised since this is my very first time joining an international competition and somehow I got chosen and recognized by professionals.

What was the inspiration behind your awarded work?
I was inspired by a film with an older setting. I made my work in the 1900’s setting because I think it will make it more romantic. Especially when your partner is far away you can’t just send your messages via smartphone. You need to send a letter that takes a long time to reach them.

What challenges did you face while making your manga? How did you overcome them?
Overthinking what I should do with the blank canvas. “How’s the pose?” “How’s the angle?”… When I was in that state I started looking for other mangakas’ works for some reference.

READ Kshatriya’s SMA19 ENTRY HERE!

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About your Manga

How and when did you start making manga? Any advice for beginners?
I started learning and making manga in high school by joining a manga competition in a Facebook group even though I knew nothing about it at the time, but as time went on I improved because of advice and criticism from other members in that group that know how to make manga.

Do you draw your manga digitally or by hand? What are your go-to digital or analogue tools?
I draw digitally by using Clip Studio Paint and sometimes Adobe Photoshop and Paint Tool SAI.

What was the first manga you picked up?
Naruto.

Which manga changed your life?
Naruto, looking at each beautiful page made me want to draw it myself and become mangaka.

Which manga character do you most identify with? Why?
Probably King from One Punch Man. I’m usually feared by people for no reason.

What kind of manga do you want to make next?
I’m used to making action manga scenes, so I think that’s my next target.

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About you

What do you do when you’re not making manga? How do you relax?
Playing fighting games. I played many of them but nowadays I’m really hooked to Street Fighter 6.

What industry do you work in (if manga making isn’t your primary job)?
I work as a freelance illustrator.

Where do you see your manga career in 5 years time?
I hope I can make my own manga then publish it if I get the chance.



What manga making advice would you give to your younger self if you could?
You should try making more dynamic poses and angles!

What advice would you give to people entering the SILENT MANGA AUDITION®?
Don’t over-complicate your story, aim for a simpler and easy-to-understand story but add some unique aspect or some plot twist to make your story interesting for your audiences and judges!

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

There’s time until December 4th to join SMA20 and have a chance to develop your potential as a manga creator with us in Japan!