PROFILE

Pen Name / Name: Al_chemist (art) / Morethancat (story)
Country: Russia
Social media profiles: X: @ms_al_chemist
Age: 29/30
Favorite manga: 
Al_chemist: I don’t have a favorite manga, but there are authors that I like, such as Ishida Sui, Hiroaki Samura, Nihei Tsutomu, and Takahashi Tsutomu.
Morethancat: I always find it hard to answer questions about my favorite things because I have many. When it comes to a manga that’s particularly special to me, it’s probably Berserk by Kentaro Miura. It was the first manga that made a truly unforgettable impression on me. And I can’t help but mention a few other authors whose works have become some of my favorites: Naoki Urasawa, Tsutomu Nihei, Inio Asano, Q Hayashida, Naoki Yamamoto, and Makoto Yukimura.
Favorite movie:
Al_chemist: Seven, Kiki’s Delivery Service
Morethancat: The Golden Calf (1968), Afonya, Pulp Fiction, Seven, Children of Men
Favorite quote: “A thought comes when ‘it’ wishes, and not when ‘I’ wish” – Friedrich Nietzsche.
Entry title: “Ad Astra”
Round: SMA23 “My Dream”
Award: Excellence Award

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“Don’t be afraid to participate. Such events give you the opportunity to improve and receive valuable advice.”

About SMA

How does it feel to receive a SILENT MANGA AUDITION® award?
Al_chemist: I’m glad our work was highly appreciated. It was great to see our names listed among the best!

Morethancat: To be honest, I still haven’t fully processed how it feels. But I’m really happy we managed to create something that other people enjoyed.

What was the inspiration behind your awarded work?
Morethancat: When I saw the theme for this round, I somehow immediately remembered Naoki Urasawa’s manga 20th Century Boys and the characters’ dream of visiting The Japan World Exposition in Osaka. After a while, Cosmonautics Day (celebrating the first human spaceflight) was observed in our country. That’s how the “pieces” of the story I wanted to write came together in my mind. That’s how a boy dreaming of reaching for the stars, a contemporary of that first spaceflight himself, came to be.

What challenges did you face while making your manga? How did you overcome them?
Al_chemist: Several times I had to change the layout of the frames because some things needed to be redrawn. The realization that I have to edit what’s already drawn always plunges me into despair. You just have to pull yourself together and do it.

Morethancat: Honestly, for me, there weren’t any major challenges in this project. I was just doing what I enjoy.

READ Al_chemist and Morethancat’s Awarded Work 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?
Al_chemist: I’ve been drawing various small illustrations and sketches since childhood, but only started creating manga about five years ago. When I first began, I really wished I had a mentor to explain my mistakes and give me advice. My advice for those who want to start drawing manga is: read as much manga as you can and try to redraw the pages. This is an excellent way to learn paneling and to discover your own drawing style.

Morethancat: I wrote the first script for our manga several years ago. It was a short one-shot (about 30 pages) for a local contest. I’m not sure any specific knowledge would have helped me much back then. Knowledge comes with experience. The best and most important knowledge is gained through experience. If you truly enjoy it, just sit down and start drawing – don’t put it off until tomorrow. Also, be sincere in your stories and talk about things that are close to your heart.

Do you draw your manga digitally or by hand? What are your go-to digital or analogue tools?
Al_chemist: I draw manga digitally, using Clip Studio Paint.

What was the first manga you picked up? Is it easy to access manga where you live?
Al_chemist: The first manga I ever read and held in my hands was Fullmetal Alchemist. Nowadays, buying manga isn’t particularly difficult in our region.

Morethancat: The first manga I started reading was Naruto. I watched the entire first season of the anime in about 10 days, and when I moved on to the second season, I had to wait a whole week for each new episode. In the end, I couldn’t resist and went to read the manga because I was really eager to find out what happened next. Nowadays, buying manga is quite simple. Bookstores have dedicated, fairly large sections for it. And the list of translated titles has probably already surpassed a hundred.

Which manga changed your life?
Al_chemist: Definitely Fullmetal Alchemist, since it was this work that sparked my passion for manga.

Morethancat: I can’t say that any particular manga drastically changed my life. But if we’re talking about influence, I’d name Berserk and 20th Century Boys.


Which manga character do you most identify with? Why?
Al_chemist: Ebisu from Dorohedoro. She’s weird too, haha. But seriously, I don’t really have any characters I identify with.

Morethancat: I don’t have a character I identify with.

What kind of manga do you want to make next?
Morethancat: First of all, I would like our manga to be liked by people and to evoke genuine emotions in them. To elaborate, I’d be interested in creating something more surreal and science fiction oriented. In our country, foreign comic and manga authors are gradually becoming more popular, but it’s difficult for local creators to break into this market. Currently, we have almost no publishing houses where local authors can publish and make a living from it, so they always have to do a side job.


About You

What do you do when you’re not making manga? How do you relax?
Al_chemist: I play video games. I especially enjoy games by PlatinumGames and games created by Yoko Taro. Also, I watch movies and go for walks.

Morethancat: I’m not original. Most often, I spend my free time watching movies, reading books, or playing games. I’ve just started Final Fantasy XVI. Lately, I’ve also come to love taking walks.

What industry do you work in (if manga making isn’t your primary job)?
Al_chemist: I’m a freelance manga artist, and I’m currently working on a commission to create a manga based on a game.

Morethancat: Currently, I’m more of a freelancer and don’t belong to any specific industry.


Where do you see your manga career in five years time?
Al_chemist: I hope to see myself as a manga creator in Japan, where I can fully realize my potential.

Morethancat: It would be really cool to have my own manga series released by that time.

What manga making advice would you give to your younger self if you could?
Al_chemist: Keep drawing, don’t drop it. 

Morethancat: Be more confident in yourself, don’t be afraid of criticism, and don’t be afraid to make mistakes.

What advice would you give to people entering the SILENT MANGA AUDITION®?
Al_chemist: Don’t be afraid to participate. Such events give you the opportunity to improve and receive valuable advice.

Morethancat: Believe in yourself and never give up.

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Thank you, Al_chemist and Morethancat! We’re eagerly awaiting your next manga masterpiece!

The deadline to join SMA24 is May 10th. Enter for a chance to develop your potential as a manga creator with us in Japan!