HELLO, SMA23 AWARD WINNER, Elbicnivni!

PROFILE

Pen Name / Name: Elbicnivni / Elbi
Country: Indonesia
Social media profiles: https://linktr.ee/elbicnivni
Age: 30
Favorite manga: Death Note
Favorite movie: The Dark Knight
Favorite quote: “Now I am become Death, the destroyer of worlds.”
Entry title: “Fret-Less”
Round: SMA23 “My Dream”
Award: Excellence Award

“It feels like I just overcame my limits and achieved something extraordinary.”

About SMA

How does it feel to receive a SILENT MANGA AUDITION® award?
It feels like I just overcame my limits and achieved something extraordinary.

What was the inspiration behind your awarded work?
I got inspiration from Shiori Experience. I had already developed the story concept a few months before, and I thought it fit the SMA23 theme perfectly.

What challenges did you face while making your manga? How did you overcome them?
Contests feel different than passion projects. I’m always struggling with art-block, and I worry that my manga won’t look right or that nobody will read it.

READ Elbicnivni’s Awarded Work HERE!

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 started out drawing memes before I felt brave enough to start my first comic. I wish I’d joined the local artist community earlier. It was a surprise to realize how many talented artists are younger than me. But I’m not afraid to do what I love. Everyone should just follow their passion. If you love your OC, draw them! Let the world see the universe you’ve created.

Do you draw your manga digitally or by hand? What are your go-to digital or analogue tools?
I prefer drawing digitally. I’ve gotten used to it, since I got my first drawing tablet in 2016.

What was the first manga you picked up? Is it easy to access manga where you live?If I remember correctly, a friend lent me a Captain Tsubasa manga back in elementary school. Manga is easy to find here, but there aren’t many manga titles where I live.

Which manga changed your life?
I’ve been a Naruto fan since I was little. Kishimoto always talks to his readers in the author’s notes, and I’ve always thought it would be cool to do the same someday. I used to wonder how anyone could draw with such intricate detail, and that’s what inspired me to start my own manga.

Which manga character do you most identify with? Why?
I’d say L from Death Note. His design is simple, but he has a lot of quirks. That characterization used to work back in the day.

What kind of manga do you want to make next?
I’m interested in sci-fi or a post-apocalyptic setting set far in the future. In Indonesia, the indie manga community is doing okay. However, problems arise when talking to publishers, and art studios dominate the industry, making it hard for individuals to compete on their own.

About You

What do you do when you’re not making manga? How do you relax?
Playing guitar and making random riffs. I also love running.

What industry do you work in (if manga making isn’t your primary job)?
The music industry, probably. I once had to choose between two paths, and I chose the path of an illustrator. I’ve set aside my love of music for now.

Where do you see your manga career in five years time?
I’ve never thought that far ahead, but I think in five years, I will have published my own books.

What manga making advice would you give to your younger self if you could?
I wish I had studied story writing sooner. If you feel the same way, this advice might work for you too… If you struggle with planning the plot for your long-running manga, try using a flowchart to distinguish between phases and arc progression.

What advice would you give to people entering the SILENT MANGA AUDITION®?
Don’t think too much! I know It’s hard to start, but once you find your flow, you know your manga is going to blow up!