PROFILE

Pen Name / Name: Bariatte Zeros
Country: Philippines
Social media profiles: Facebook: @Bariatte Zeros
Age: 23
Favorite manga: One Piece
Favorite movie: The Truman Show (1998)
Favorite quote: “You can’t add days to your life, but you can add life to your days.”
Entry title: “Daydreamer”
Round: SMA23 “My Dream”
Award: Excellence Award Runner-up

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“Just start drawing! Do not stress too much about whether it is good enough or fun. Let the judges stress out for you. Making mistakes early just means you get to improve faster!”

About SMA

How does it feel to receive a SILENT MANGA AUDITION® award?
When the results were announced, I was at the office. I checked the list during work and almost fell off my chair when I saw my name.

I always thought of myself as an illustrator, and I was never fully confident that manga was the right path for me. Winning this award completely changed how I see myself and gave me the confidence to keep going as a manga artist.

What was the inspiration behind your awarded work?
Originally, this manga was a story about my own original characters. I made the storyboard just for myself, to read alone. When I saw the “My Dream” SMA23 theme, I realized it fit these two original characters, so I decided to adjust the ending of the story to match the theme.

What challenges did you face while making your manga? How did you overcome them?
For the past ten years, I defined myself as an illustrator, so switching to manga was honestly quite tough and required a different mindset. Manga is all about paneling and visual flow, while illustration usually tries to say everything in a single image.

Working in black and white was another challenge. I usually draw in color, so getting used to a monochrome style took some time. I also had to learn the technical side of making manga, such as setting up the files. Even though I already owned the software, using it specifically for manga felt very new to me.

Thankfully, SMA’s YouTube channel has clear tutorials on file preparation. Those videos helped me a lot!

READ Bariatte Zeros’ 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?
When I was 13, I drew a manga on paper, scanned it, and published three episodes on a local website. The feedback was not very good. Some comments said the story and dialogue felt strange, and at the time, it made me believe that manga was simply not for me. I stopped drawing manga and focused instead on illustration and coloring.

I stayed away from manga for almost ten years, and this competition is what sparked my return. If I could speak to my younger self, or to anyone just starting to draw manga, I would say this: if you love it, keep going. Accept criticism and use it to improve. Do not give up so easily. Practice never makes your work worse, only better. I have seen many artists grow year after year, and I have never seen anyone’s work decline. So, believe in yourself. Your work will find its readers someday.

Do you draw your manga digitally or by hand? What are your go-to digital or analogue tools?
I work digitally. I start by drawing my storyboards on an iPad using Procreate, because drawing on the iPad feels very similar to working on paper, which helps my ideas flow more naturally. For the remaining steps until the manga is finished, I use Clip Studio Paint, where I work with a drawing tablet.



What was the first manga you picked up? Is it easy to access manga where you live?
The first manga I ever read was One Piece. Manga is very easy to find in Thailand and is sold in almost every bookstore. Thai people really love reading manga. If you ask around, everyone knows Doraemon. Even my mother is a big fan of Crest of the Royal Family. As for me, I first read One Piece at my school library, even though the collection was not complete.

Which manga changed your life?
It has to be One Piece. It was the very first manga I ever picked up, and even now, it still feels like the most fun manga I have ever read. Everything about it drew me in: the world, the characters, the story, and the way it blends every emotion together. Reading it felt like going on an adventure alongside the Straw Hat Pirates. 

Another manga that left a really strong impression on me is 20th Century Boys, which I read later during my university years. I finished it in one go because I could not put it down. The way the panels are arranged feels very cinematic, like watching a film. That storytelling approach is something I admire a lot and still think about when creating my own work.

Which manga character do you most identify with? Why?
I have honestly never thought about which character I am most like. But if I had to choose, I would probably say Nami from One Piece… because I really like money, just like her XD

What kind of manga do you want to make next?
Lately, I have been really into reading detective manga like The Kindaichi Case Files. Because of that, I have started to feel inspired to try creating a detective manga of my own.

As for the challenges of being a manga creator in Thailand, it is a bit difficult for me to answer clearly, since I mainly work in a different field. That said, one obvious challenge is that, if your work is not well known, you may not be able to get enough income to make a living from manga alone. Many creators need to take other jobs while continuing to draw manga. Honestly, I think this is probably the case in many countries. Balancing another job while making manga is a challenge in itself!

About You

What do you do when you’re not making manga? How do you relax?
When I’m not drawing manga, I’m usually at the office, working my regular job. For me, drawing manga after work is the best way to relax.

What industry do you work in (if manga making isn’t your primary job)?
I work in marketing at a company that sells industrial machinery.



Where do you see your manga career in five years time?
In five years, I hope to have at least a one-shot published. I would also love to experience what it is like to work as a weekly manga artist!

What manga making advice would you give to your younger self if you could?
I would tell my younger self not to chase perfection too much. Focus on finishing the work first.

What advice would you give to people entering the SILENT MANGA AUDITION®?
Just start drawing! Do not stress too much about whether it is good enough or fun. Let the judges stress out for you. Making mistakes early just means you get to improve faster!

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Thank you, Bariatte Zeros! 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!