“Being part of the MasterClass helps me to grow as an artist and towards my dream to be
professional.” - MAGE (Indonesia)
MasterClass Members
What is the SMA MasterClass?
The top winners of each SMA round are invited to join the MasterClass, a community of international
creators aspiring to become professional manga creators.
MasterClass members are assigned editors, who they work with to create their next manga works.
Together with their editors, MasterClass creators aim for serialization in Japan. Several
MasterClass
members have already been serialized!
The MasterClass is the First Step to Your Manga Debut!
With support from the SMA Editorial Dept., MasterClass members enter additional contests held by COAMIX and Comic ZENON. After winning multiple awards, creators debut with their original one-shots in Comic ZENON, and eventually work toward serialization!
COAMIX and Comic ZENON's Manga Competitions
Comic ZENON's Manga Taisho
Comic ZENON’s oldest contest where creators can prove themselves directly to their future fans with an up to 39 page entry. Entries are judged by manga legends, booksellers, and the general public.
Itten Toppa Manga Award
Itten Toppa works are short and sweet! These 5-17 page entries are judged based on their strong points (i.e., paneling, design, dialogue, etc.) by special guest judges, famous Japanese manga creators, and the ZENON Editorial Department.
COAMIX's Kyushu International Manga Award
Creators from the Southwestern Japanese island of Kyushu and any country outside of Japan are eligible to participate! Entries of up to 39 pages are judged by the SMA and ZENON Editorial Departments. Entries should be in Japanese, but machine translations are welcome!
Past Opportunities
ZENON Creator Audition
Top Comic ZENON manga artists contributed their expert story telling skills which, combined with the raw talent of the MasterClass, resulted in these exclusive one-shots!
Manga Opportunites in Kumamoto
Several events, such as manga labs and manga camps, were held in Kumamoto, culminating in Artists Village Aso 096k.
MasterClass One-shot Showcase
Four volumes of stand-alone stories (one-shots) were created by MasterClass members to show their skills and original ideas to readers worldwide!
MasterClass Members
YUKIRA
Zaki
Zevania & Nattorin
米豆(Mido)
ahlemk
Akari Sayaka
Alex Irzaqi
Andrea Jen
Brandon Chen & Comipa
CHESS
Da Hosoi
Dedy Koerniawan
dee Juusan
Don
Dos Drive
DS STUDIO
Elena Vitagliano
Enewald
Ero-Pinku
Erwin Prasetya
Eudetenis
Gábor Molnár
Gentle Coda
Harihtaroon
Hariv
Heitor Amatsu
Hyrohiku
Ichirou
Inma R.
Jeet Zdung
JIM
João Eddie
Kachisou & Perobense
Keanne Lawsin
Kenkyo Studio
kjati
Laica Chrose
Leopard Gecko
Lutfy Adam
MAGE
Massimo Dall'Oglio
Maudy Nathania
Max Andrade
Maya Fella
Mikko Raassina
Momo Sanse (Simone Sanseverino)
monami
monotone_ink
Nachi
Nalu
Nao & Ivan Navinkin
NASS
nemuisemi
Nicolas David
Obosobo
Ochechula
Olvyanda Ariesta
Ombobon
Plushelisa
PoodPoopsie
Prema Ja
Priscilla Miranda and Lucas Marques
Rerekina＆Jeyre
Rimui
RIZA aL ASSAMI
Roberto F.
ryancomicpress
Salvatore Nives
SaraMD
Sideburn004
Snippy MJ
Suthamon & Preau
Syoera
Thuntopia
Tooridou Rin
Vanilla
Vincent Lange
Vu Dinh Lan
Wang Xiao Dong
Xian Nu Studio
Yinfu & Cyenn
Yoonmi
YOS
“We are glad to be a part of this amazing community where we can learn many things about
creating manga, have a chance to work together with other MasterClass members, and receive
feedback from editors that help us to improve!” - Vanilla
(Indonesia)
“Joining the MasterClass has allowed me to meet lots of amazing and talented people, with whom I
can share my thoughts and experiences on manga and storytelling.” -
Enewald (Finland)
“I'm glad I joined because I was able to learn a lot about manga, get hands-on editorial
support, and work together with the other MasterClass.” -Tati (DS
STUDIO) (Indonesia)
“Until now, drawing manga was always a solitary endeavor. After joining the MasterClass, the
same work became lively and communal!” - yoonmi (USA)
"Becoming a Master Class member means having more access to the entire universe of our
profession, mainly through the editors. Being here is part of the chosen path, and once you move
forward it feels great." - Roberto F. (Brazil)
"It was kind of a challenge for me to dedicate all my time to drawing and creating manga, but it
turned out to be great, all the time being among people who are passionate about the same things
as you!" - Sideburn004 (Russia)
“Entering the MasterClass and being in touch with huge names such as Nobuhiko Horie, Tetsuo
Hara, Tsukasa Hojo, Ryuji Tsugihara, and Jun Tomizawa is a wonderful opportunity!” -
Ichirou (Brazil)
"Joining the MasterClass has pushed me to apply my skills more than I'd ever done before - being
surrounded by editors and fellow artists everyday has kept me on my toes, and for that I'm
grateful." - monotone_ink (Australia)
“Being part of the MasterClass has given me many experiences; I have visited Japan, met amazing
friends from all over the world, and improved as a manga creator. Little by little I feel more
prepared to be a professional.” - JIM (Chile)
“Joining the MasterClass was a great experience for us. Everything we learn from our editors and
mangaka legends, and also the experiences from the manga camps really changed the way we work
and life for the better. “ - Eudetenis (Brazil)
“As a MasterClass member, I've had the privilege of closely observing all the stages of manga
development, from conceptualization to the final printing. It has been an enriching experience
for which I will always be grateful.” - Da Hosoi (Italy)
“The MasterClass opened me up to the incredible world of the narrative techniques of Japanese
manga, which had a strong impact as a manga author. I became a more conscious storyteller and
'director' of the page.” - Salvatore Nives (Italy)
“It's just amazing, I still can't believe I'm a member of the MasterClass! Now I’m working with
real manga editors, and I can have their professional opinion on my ideas and valuable advice.”
- maya fella (Algeria)
“The MasterClass helps me to challenge myself to think about new ideas and themes in my manga.
It’s also a great motivation for drawing manga!” - Ochechula (The
Czech Republic)
“Being in the MasterClass has opened up to me a lot of knowledge about the manga industry in
Japan. I also got to know so many talented artists from around the world!” - Zevania (Vietnam)
“I could meet and learn so much from world class Mangaka who shared their insights and expertise
about working as a professional manga artist. I love being part of a global community of
talented manga artists!” - Nattorin (Vietnam)
“The amount of knowledge I've gained is truly invaluable, and I can't thank all of the sensei
enough for their generosity in sharing their expertise. I'm really glad I took the leap and
decided to join SMA.” - Haritaroon (Malaysia)
“Japan's manga industry is the most developed. Through the MasterClass, I get the opportunity to
get in touch with the frontline of this industry.” - 米豆 (Mido)
(Taiwan)
“I got a huge boost in my writing and drawing process. It motivated me greatly to know the
things I do have value. I also had fun reading other contestants’ work and having friendly
rivalry with them.” - Mikko Raassina (Finland)
“I feel extremely privileged to receive advice from professionals in the Japanese industry, and
this influences every page I draw. Of course, going to Japan and meeting legendary mangakas,
whom I considered gods when I was a child, and still do, are among the most precious events in
my life.” - Nicolas David (France)
“Becoming a MasterClass member feels a bit like becoming a world class comic artist by having
your work recognized by some of the biggest figures in manga industry history.” -
Max Andrade (Brazil)
“Being a MasterClass member for me is having opportunities I've never had before. It allowed me
to develop ideas with continuous professional support and improve in many ways as a manga
creator.” - nemuisemi (Ukraine)
“The MasterClass opened my eyes to the world of manga - it taught me everything from the
fundamentals of storytelling to industry insights. I gained the skills & confidence I needed to
create good work.” - Vincent Lange (Germany)