PROFILE
Pen Name: Adamantink
Age: 34
Social network profiles: Instagram: @adamantink, X: @adamantink
Country: Spain
Favorite manga: Fullmetal Alchemist
Favorite movie: Princess Mononoke
Favorite quote: “If it scares you, do it scared!”

Entry title: “Social Smile(an)xiety”
Round: SMA20: “Memorable Smile”
Award: Honorable Mention

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“Try to remember that making manga is fun.”

About SMA

How does it feel to receive a SILENT MANGA AUDITION® award?
It feels amazing. It’s a unique opportunity to be read by manga legends and industry experts. But, to be honest, I’m still not satisfied. I have learned a lot from the experience, and I think I will be able to make a better manga next time. I also want to say a few words of encouragement to those who do not feel that they could succeed at the SMA. Even if you don’t feel ready, even if the competition scares you, do it! It’s worth it just to prove your worth and grow as an artist.

What was the inspiration behind your awarded work?
I wasn’t inspired by anything in particular. I was just thinking about how to make a work that had the “memorable smile” theme within the story, and the idea of a character recognizing another just by his smile came to me.

What challenges did you face while making your manga? How did you overcome them?
I think the biggest challenge was time. I did the whole project in two weeks, and I was unlucky because the files for two finished pages got corrupted, so I had to redo them. The solution to this issue was just to work more hours. It was a simple solution, but complicated at the same time.

READ adamantink’s SMA20 ENTRY HERE!

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About Your Manga

How and when did you start making manga? Any advice for beginners?
I started in 2015. A manga was my final project in graduate school. Beginners tend to start their first stories using very solid concepts from famous manga. My advice to them is: it doesn’t matter if you use a cliché in your story, what matters is how you use it. If you find an original way to subvert the reader’s expectations with that cliché, it will be satisfying to read.


Do you draw your manga digitally or by hand? What are your go-to digital or analogue tools?
I draw all my manga digitally except for the storyboard. I use a tablet without a built-in screen to maintain good posture while working.

What was the first manga you picked up?
I’m pretty sure it was Dragon Ball.

Which manga changed your life?
I have always enjoyed manga, but the piece that really made me fall in love with manga was Berserk by Miura-sensei (rest in peace). I was a teenager when I started reading it, and both the art and the story grabbed me like no other before. It was the first story I started buying and collecting, and it holds a special place in my heart.

Which manga character do you most identify with? Why?
Recently I really identify with Wakana Gojo from My Dress-Up Darling. His insecurities, the way he puts pressure on himself to improve as an artist, his tenacity even when he feels frustrated, and his desire to make others happy with his work are all things I experience.

What kind of manga do you want to make next?
Lately, I’ve been thinking about an old idea for an action story. Currently, I am in the process of doing tests. I could just go for it, but since I want it to have a level of quality much higher than what I have done so far, I prefer to prepare well.

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About You

What do you do when you’re not making manga? How do you relax?
I take great pleasure in stories, be it in movies, TV series, books, manga, or video games.

What industry do you work in (if manga making isn’t your primary job)?
The majority of my income comes from illustration, and I also work as a teacher from time to time. I would like to be a full-time manga artist. I have tried, but unfortunately, in Spain, you can’t make enough money publishing manga to pay rent.

Where do you see your manga career in 5 years time?
I’m going to be optimistic and say that I’ll be publishing my own manga in Japan.


What manga making advice would you give to your younger self if you could?
I would tell him, “it’s better to finish something than to aim for perfection. Don’t obsess over perfection. Try as hard as you can, learn from the process, and try to do better on the next project.”

What advice would you give to people entering the SILENT MANGA AUDITION®?
I have two tips that I think will be useful. First, when you get really caught up in work and start worrying about things, try to remember that making manga is fun. Second, once you have submitted your manga, don’t wait for the results – start working on your next project.

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

There’s time until July 1st to join SMA21 and have a chance to develop your potential as a manga creator with us in Japan!