PROFILE
Pen Name / Name: Pearlyn M./ Yuki (Anzuarden_Art)
Country: United States/Indonesia
Age: 25/27
Social media: Instagram: @anzuarden_art X: @anzuarden_art
Favorite manga (Yuki): Solo Leveling
Favorite movie (Yuki): The Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of The Ring
Favorite quote (Yuki): “It always seems impossible until it’s done.” – Nelson Mandela

Entry title: “That Big Roach!”
Round: SMA22: “Seized With Rage”
Award: Honorable Mention

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“For those who want to start drawing manga, my advice is to utilize the internet; study your favorite manga, learn anatomy to create dynamic poses, observe how dynamic panels are created, and keep drawing!”

About SMA

How does it feel to receive a SILENT MANGA AUDITION® award?
Yuki: It was thrilling! It’s the first time I collaborated on a piece that won an SMA award, and at first, I doubted I’d ever win. I’m really happy that I did at least get in the honorable mentions, it was exciting!

What was the inspiration behind your awarded work?
Pearlyn: Personal experience with getting angry whenever I kill bugs.

Yuki: I couldn’t really say that there was any particular inspiration, since the story was written by Pearlyn, but I do have referenced some ideas and funny expressions from memes and pop cultures, as well as some comedy manga.



What challenges did you face while making your manga? How did you overcome them?
Pearlyn: Admittedly the hardest part was deciding whether I wanted to be risky or play it safe. Unlike my other entry, this one was simpler and focused on one specific scene of killing a roach. Ultimately, both entries received honorable mention, so I’ll be sure to get even more creative next time.

Yuki: Starting was the hardest part, I guess. Working with the script, trying to figure out the best way to arrange the panels and poses, while trying to figure out how to convey the story without a single word is quite challenging, this is the first time that I did it. In the end I just kept going and slowly built up my confidence and finally managed to finish it.

READ Pearlyn M. x Anzuarden_Art’s SMA22 ENTRY HERE!

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About 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?

Yuki: The first time was when I was a kid, I did try to make some silly Pokémon comics. I wish I had known more about paneling and how to angle my perspectives better as a beginner. As for advice, I think learning the fundamentals like how to make a great paneling, poses, and character expressions are very important! Don’t be afraid to try, you will inevitably look back at it and cringe in the future, but that’s a clear sign that you have improved and got better knowledge of how to make a manga!

Do you draw your manga digitally or by hand? What are your go-to digital or analogue tools?
Yuki: I do it fully digitally. I use an iPad Pro M2 and an apple pencil as my main hardware and Sketchbook (I know, not procreate or CSP, weird) as my sole drawing software, whether for manga making or art commissions.


What was the first manga you picked up? Is it easy to access manga where you live?
Yuki: I think it was a Kung Fu Boy manga. Not really, I had to travel for hours to get a physical copy back then.

Which manga changed your life?
Yuki: Probably Fire Punch. Reading it made me decide to start learning how to draw manga and make cool stories.

Which manga character do you most identify with? Why?
Yuki: I haven’t really thought about it that much really haha Probably Origin from a manga with the same name by Boichi. He’s an android that learns what it means to be human. I guess I kinda feel the same way.

What kind of manga do you want to make next?
Yuki: I’m developing my own webcomic series, an action fantasy manga, Stranger’s Shell. Though it will take a while since I also had to work on commissions, since I couldn’t really earn anything being a manga creator by myself here in Indonesia.


About You

What do you do when you’re not making manga? How do you relax?
Yuki: I game on my laptop or watch movies, YouTube too.

What industry do you work in (if manga making isn’t your primary job)?
Yuki: Currently still at digital art, as a freelance character artist and concept illustrator.

Where do you see your manga career in five years time?
Yuki: Not sure, but I will try my best to see my first manga continued and finished!


What manga making advice would you give to your younger self if you could?
Yuki: Draw everyday if you can, even just a little. Practice and keep practicing, and learn to manage your time. It’s a limited currency that you can never earn again.

What advice would you give to people entering the SILENT MANGA AUDITION®?
Yuki: Keep it entertaining! Don’t rush, try being creative in the ways you convey the story and character’s thoughts and feelings through their expressions, movements, and interaction with others! And most importantly, don’t give up, no matter how hard it gets.

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Thank you, Pearlyn M. x Anzuarden_Art! 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!