PROFILE
Pen Name / Name: Adzukirin
Country: Indonesia
Social media: Instagram: @adzukirin X: @Adzukirin
Age: 16
Favorite manga: Blue Period, Fool Night, #DRCL midnight children
Favorite movie: Look Back
Favorite quote: “‘What makes the desert so beautiful,’ said the little prince, ‘is that somewhere it hides a well…” – Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

Entry title: “The Test”
Round: SMA22: “Seized With Rage”
Award: Excellence Award Runner-up

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“Read lots and lots of manga, watch videos, draw more, and give it your all!”

About SMA

How does it feel to receive a SILENT MANGA AUDITION® award?
It’s so surreal to me. I’ve never received an award in any competition, so I was very surprised to see that I received one here! I’m really proud of this achievement, and it makes me want to create even more comics!


What was the inspiration behind your awarded work?
All of my other ideas involved more serious topics and depictions of violence. I wanted to stray away from that because it seemed too grim. Rage can come from many sources, even trivial ones. I wanted to make a comic that was relatable to many, and an annoying encounter seemed like the best concept. It was easy to structure and enjoyable to draw.


What challenges did you face while making your manga? How did you overcome them?
I started the brainstorming stage very late, so I only had around three weeks to finish my manga. On top of that, I had a lot of school work to do, so January was a very stressful time for me! I was disappointed that I couldn’t deliver higher quality illustrations, but I’m glad I could submit it on time.

I only previously drew painterly Western-style comics, so doing a lot of line art and using screen tones was a first. It was definitely a tough experience, and I still have a lot to learn. After this process, my respect for all manga artists multiplied tenfold!

READ Adzukirin’s SMA22 ENTRY 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?
I remember filling out many lined notebooks with crude, magical girl comics in grade school. Unfortunately, I no longer have them. I wish I did more panelling and layout exercises to fully grasp their purpose. It can really heighten a scene and make every page look new and refreshing. Panelling is just as important as the dialogue and artwork. My advice to someone who wants to start drawing manga is: draw anything that inspires you. Be it a small act of kindness, an important event or something purely fictional, just keep drawing and telling stories.

Do you draw your manga digitally or by hand? What are your go-to digital or analogue tools?
I draw comics digitally with a Huion monitor and a laptop. I also occasionally try to draw with a dip pen and ink.


What was the first manga you picked up? Is it easy to access manga where you live?
I used to always pick up a volume of Doraemon whenever we stopped by the bookstore. The paper quality was thin, and the ink went everywhere, but I would read them over and over again. I grew attached to the characters and started to draw my own comics. I’m lucky to live in a time when manga is highly accessible and popular!

Which manga changed your life?
I remember reading I Want to Eat Your Pancreas and ending the book with overflowing tears and a huge lump in my throat. At first, the title threw me off, but it makes total sense after you read it. The manga plays with your emotions so well. I wish I could experience it again!

Which manga character do you most identify with? Why?
Yatora Yaguchi from Blue Period! When he sees art that inspires him, or when he has a sudden burst of energy from a eureka moment, he gets so excited and thoughtful. I also find that when I am in museums or galleries, my thoughts get absorbed into the world of art, its intentions, history, and meaning. That’s the best feeling in the world.


What kind of manga do you want to make next?
I want to make more original one-shots and fanart, but my home country is rather conservative, and although art and manga is quite popular, it’s considered childish and immature. Some people don’t understand that it takes a lot of logic and effort to do creative work. I’m grateful to have many supportive people around me, but I can’t help but notice that even they have sometimes tried to veer me away from this path. I just want to make more art, no matter where I am. It takes small steps to reach big goals.

About You

What do you do when you’re not making manga? How do you relax?
I love to play and discuss indie games, as well as to read comics (go figure!). I also tend to watch multiple TV shows at once. I’m really into Dr. House, ƎNA, and Orb: On the Movements of the Earth right now!

What industry do you work in (if manga making isn’t your primary job)?
I’m still a student at the time of writing this. I want to major in graphic design or anything related to visual media.

Where do you see your manga career in five years time?
The concept of AI art and image generation brought down my dreams seemingly overnight. To be honest, I’m not sure if I can achieve these dreams at all, as the future is too uncertain, but I really hope I can attend local conventions to showcase and sell my art and comics. I have visited several conventions in the past year, and it has been a rewarding and fulfilling experience each time. I loved meeting passionate and like-minded people, and many of them inspired me.


What manga making advice would you give to your younger self if you could?
The biggest traitor is your memory. If you think you can’t remember a sudden idea, go grab a pen and write it down on the nearest surface! Also, be patient and take your time with panel layouts and character designs. The planning stage is just as important as the production stage.

What advice would you give to people entering the SILENT MANGA AUDITION®?
Keep your story simple and concise. 17 pages is not a lot of space at all to tell a story with an introduction, build-up, climax, twist and a conclusion. Read lots and lots of manga, watch videos, draw more, and give it your all!

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

The deadline to join SMA23 is October 1st. Enter for a chance to develop your potential as a manga creator with us in Japan!