Australian MasterClass monotone_ink's awarded manga printed in Japan!
New MasterClass member has made history by being the first international creator to be featured in “Monthly Comic ZENON” after receiving an award in the prestigious “Kyushu International Manga Award!”momotone_ink entered a 39 page emotional manga in the 6th Kyushu International Manga Award, which has been recently been opened to international creators. His entry “My Friend Mana” received the top award of this round, allowing the young Australian creator to have his work be published in the latest issue of Monthly Comic ZENON.
The following is a comment from 6th Kyushu International Manga Award special judge Akane Tamura-sensei (“A Side Character’s Love Story”) regarding monotone_ink’s entry:
The characters’ relationship is extremely cute and fun to read. The manga also has a well-defined layout with important lines and scenes being well illustrated on the pages. Some parts of the story are not well developed, so I think that if more effort was put in order to define the details of the whole story, the climax could have been even more engaging.
“My Friend Mana” is a one-shot manga that takes place in a dystopian world where mysterious “strings” can dissolve anyone who touches them. In such world lives Lisa, the most naive and yet cute mail-delivery person that has ever worked in the highly protected Gate Town. However, Lisa’s naiveness will be put to the test when her friend Mana disappears, and Lisa will need to face her fears in order to find her…!
A page from “My Friend Mana” – go on the bottom of this article to read the English version of this manga!
In the latest Monthly Comic ZENON, a special illustration and exclusive interview with visionary montone_ink was featured in the issue, which we have translated!
1. What are your feelings towards your award?
I’m both grateful and overwhelmed: I did my best to make it as high-quality as possible, but I was surprised to see it win the highest award for this round, so for that, I’m eternally grateful!
2. What was the creative process behind this entry?
My editor and I did a lot of back and forth to come up with ideas: after settling on one, we came up with an overarching plot for the entry, and then I went on to draft and draw the whole thing. A lot of the research also involved collecting a lot of photos to decide what kind of setting I wanted the story to take place in.
3. In your opinion, what is the best part of this entry?
The part when Lisa runs around town looking for her friend Mana – it’s a bit mean of me to say about Lisa, but I thought her panicked expressions and actions were pretty funny. The scene also gave me a chance to draw various locations in the city and create a sense of place for the story.
4. What was the hardest part in drawing this entry?
Drawing the backgrounds – I know so little about architecture and I’ve always had trouble drawing buildings and man-made landmarks, so I hope to improve on that aspect!
5. What aspect of character creation did you put more effort in?
I’m not sure, maybe her roundness? I wanted her to be kind of cute. Originally she was wearing this weird jumpsuit sort of outfit, but then I looked for historical examples of old postmen and I liked their coats and boots, so I just took those. I added the cape to make her extra cute – it reminds me of little red riding hood.
6. Please tell us what manga you are reading recently.
I recently re-read this nice little manga called “Laika no Hoshi” by Mayuri Yoshida. It’s a short one-volume read, but it made me quite emotional unexpectedly. Besides that, I also recently discovered “Bouken Erekitetou” by Kenji Tsuruta – it’s about a girl trying to search for this wandering island that seems to appear and disappear mysteriously. The art is extremely beautiful, I’d like to draw something like it one day!
7. What would be the first Kyushu tourist spot you would like to visit in the future?
I want to fly around the ocean to find the wandering island, haha. If that doesn’t work though, I’d love to at least visit Battleship Island. I’ve always been interested in ruins, especially with how nature manages to overtake them. If I could, I would gather up a bunch of people to play tag there, but that’s probably not allowed – oh well!
8. What manga do you want to create next?
Something dark and gritty maybe – and most importantly, something with cooler backgrounds.
9. Please leave a message for our readers.
Thank you so much for reading, I hope you enjoyed it!
monotone_ink’s work is only one of the manga created by the SMA MasterClass that won an award in Monthly Comic ZENON’s manga awards; with the support of the SMA Editorial Department, the MasterClass members are showing year after year their potential to the Japanese readers.
International Manga Creator Finalist in Japanese Audition! A newly recruited member of the SILENT MANGA AUDITION® MasterClass is one of the finalists of Monthly Comic ZENON’s 23rd Manga Taisho – Enewald from Finland surprised the judges thanks to a high-quality manga that promises to be just the beginning of a long series of achievements for this young creator!“The Sunflower Theorem” (Japanese title: Himawari no Teiri) tells the story of Noe, a very special girl with a great passion for math and the ability to see it in the beauty of nature and daily life. For this reason, Noe doesn’t have many friends that can understand her, but this doesn’t bother the young girl as long she has her beloved numbers with her. However, everything will change for Noe once a new classmate, Maika, arrives to math class…“Monthly Comic ZENON Manga Taisho” (lit. “The Great Manga Audition of Monthly Comic ZENON”) is ZENON’s oldest contest where Japanese newcomers can prove themselves DIRECTLY to their future fans with a 39 page entry.
As a matter of fact, Manga Taisho is not only judged by manga legends such as Tsukasa Hojo-sensei and Tetsuo Hara-sensei, but also judged by booksellers and the general public in order to evaluate the marketability of the entrants. After Momo Sanse, Finnish MasterClass member Enewald is the second international creator discovered by the SMA Editorial Dept. to reach the finals of the prestigious Manga Taisho, which allows you, the SMA Community, to READ and VOTE Enewald’s latest work!
Enewald’s manga will be available for review by the general public of Japanese and international readers from today January 21st until January 28th,11:59 (JPN time) on the Comic ZENON website.
2 – Fill the form with YOUR name and select Enewald’s entry HERE
That’s it!
We are looking forward to reading the opinions and reactions of our community! *The English version of “The Sunflower Theorem” is scheduled to be published on the SMA website in the first half of 2022. The Kumamoto Reporter #04 – Kumamoto and Kyushu: Where Manga Comes Alive
Discover famous manga and anime spots in Kumamoto and Kyushu with the Kumamoto Reporter!
Welcome back SMA community, and happy new year from the Kumamoto Reporter! Last time we got to know Kumamoto’s manga artists legends and learned what exactly makes Kumamoto such a great place for producing manga artists. Overflowing with natural beauty and candid moments of countryside and city life, Kumamoto is the perfect inspiration for manga artists…so much so that some manga and anime actually include scenes based on real places in Kumamoto! Grab your camera and hold on tight, we’re taking a road trip through Kumamoto and Kyushu in search of famous manga and anime spots.“Natsume’s Book of Friends” (Hitoyoshi and the Kuma region)Beautiful nature? Charming countryside? Legends of mysterious “Yokai” (Japanese spirits)? Yuki Midorikawa’s hometown of Hitoyoshi and the Kuma region in southern Kumamoto was the perfect inspiration for the setting of her manga “Natsume’s Book of Friends.” Midorikawa drew real life locations from around her hometown to bring Natsume and Nyanko-sensei’s supernatural adventures to life. Kamishikimi Kumanoimasu Shrine, a famous and peaceful moss-covered shrine in Takamori, Aso that’s close to the Artists Village Aso 096k, is also shown in Midorikawa’s one-shot manga and anime “Into the Forest of Fireflies’ Light.”
“ONE PIECE” (Kumamoto Prefecture)Eiichiro Oda, creator of “ONE PIECE” has certainly left his mark on his hometown of Kumamoto: quite literally in fact! Thanks to Oda’s incredibly generous donation of 800 million yen (about US $8 million), statues of the Straw Hat Pirates have been built in the areas most badly hit by the 2016 Kumamoto Earthquake. Most of the statues have been built already, with Zoro’s statue to be unveiled on January 22nd in Ozu Town and the last statue, Jinbei, to be announced in the future. Stay tuned for a future article about each statue!“Rurouni Kenshin” live-action movies (Yamaga, Arao, Uto, and Hitoyoshi)Unfortunately Kenshin’s adventures never brought him to Kumamoto, but the video shooting of his live-action movies did. The traditional theater Yachiyoza in Yamaga, the late Meiji-period Mitsui Miike Coal Mine in Arao, the Misumi West Port’s Old Uto County Office in Uto, and the Hitoyoshi Engine Shed in Hitoyoshi are all featured in the movie. Wandering around these historical properties brings you back to the time of the samurai.
“Attack on Titan” (Aso and Hita)Thankfully we don’t have to worry about being eaten by Titans, but if you’re feeling adventurous and want to step inside the world of “Attack on Titan” be sure to visit Hita in Oita Prefecture. There you can find statues of Eren, Mikasa, and Armin looking up in horror at Oyama Dam; almost as if they are seeing the Colossal Titan appear above Wall Maria. Near the Hita Station you can hang out with Captain Levi, but be careful: thanks to augmented reality, Titans might come crash the party! If you’re still hungry for more Attack on Titan there’s also a museum close to Oyama Dam that’s filled with art from the series.
Oshitoishi, a famous power-spot in the Aso region of Kumamoto with mysterious stones, is also where a scene from the live-action “Attack on Titan” live-action movie was filmed. Standing next to these imposing stones and looking out across the wide expanses of Aso, you can almost imagine the Titans wandering around.“Demon Slayer” (Kitakyushu, Dazaifu, and Beppu)The beautiful Kawachi Wisteria Garden in Kitakyushu seems like it’s been pulled straight out of the pages of “Demon Slayer.” With a huge variety of different colored wisteria flowers, you can see the iconic purple variety that appears during Tanjirō’s induction into the Demon Slayer Corps. But be careful; unlike in the manga, they bloom only at the end of April/beginning of May in Kyushu.Hōmangū Kamado Shrine in Dazaifu, Fukuoka shares its name with protagonist Tanjirō Kamado, but Fukuoka born “Demon Slayer ” creator Koyoharu Gotōge may have borrowed more than just the name. The shrine was first established in the 7th century to ward off demons and is located at the foot of a mountain, which Shugen-dō followers use to train. They sometimes wear checkered jackets and Tengu-masks, just like Tanjirō and his teacher Urokodaki-san!Hachiman Kamado Shrine in Beppu also shares its name with Tanjirō Kamado and the ceiling has artwork of a water dragon god, which may have been the inspiration for one of Tanjirō’s water-breathing moves. There’s also a legend that demons once terrorized and ate people in the area, so the gods challenged the demons to build 100 steps to the shrine before sunrise. If the demons succeeded then they would get a human sacrifice, but if not then they would have to flee. They built 99 steps, but then the first rays of sun appeared and they fled.“Princess Mononoke” (Yakushima)There’s Studio Ghibli movie spots scattered all throughout Kyushu, but perhaps the most famous is the island of Yakushima in Kagoshima Prefecture. An island that is known for its unique climate and geography, it’s easy to see the similarities between its beautiful nature and the world of “Princess Mononoke.” In particular, the moss-covered forest of Shiratani Unsuikyo and giant cedar trees make you feel like you’ve stepped into that magical world. Yakushima is also known for its unique subspecies of deer and monkey, which live in harmony with each other.
“Yuri!!! On ICE” (Karatsu)The main character Yuri is from the fictional town “Hasetsu,” which is based on the real-life town of Karatsu in Saga Prefecture! In the beginning of the series, Yuri trains hard with his new mentor Victor and can be seen running up the stone steps of Karatsu Castle and taking a quick break at the top to admire the beautiful sea. There’s also an onsen (hot spring spa) called “Kagamiyama Onsen Chaya Bijin no Yu” in Karatsu that Yuri’s family owned-onsen is based on where you can eat Yuri’s favorite dish: Katsudon (egg and pork cutlet over rice).
“Pokémon” (Miyazaki Prefecture)Gotta catch em all! Miyazaki Prefecture is among the lucky few prefectures in Japan to have Pokémon manhole covers throughout its cities. Miyazaki is known for sunny beaches and warm weather, so the palm tree Pokémon Exeggutor was the obvious choice for Miyazaki’s representative Pokémon. Each manhole features the tropical Exeggutor with other Pokémon, and even shows the new Alolan forms.
Kitakyushu Manga Museum (Kitakyushu)Why build a manga museum in Kitakyushu? Well, simply because famous manga artists Leiji Matsumoto, Seizo Watase, Jun Hatanaka, Eiko Mutsu, and SMA judge Tsukasa Hojo are all from the town of Kokura in Kitakyushu, Fukuoka! Inside the museum is a 70,000 volume collection of manga, as well as a “manga time tunnel” which contains manga from as early as 1945. One of the main attractions of the museum is a statue of Captain Harlock from Galaxy Express 999 and murals of works from each of the manga artists from Kokura, including SMA judge Tsukasa Hojo. Don’t forget; submit your SMA17 entry by January 31st for your manga to be judged by Tsukasa Hojo and other manga artist legends!What manga will come to life from the Artists Village Aso 096k?We hope you enjoyed this tour of the most famous manga and anime spots in Kumamoto and Kyushu. Manga truly has leapt from its pages and into real life through spots like these and other multimedia. If you’re curious how manga is leaping out of the Art Studio in our Artists Village Aso 096k, check out the newest article from the Artists Village Insider! The MasterClass Debut Works finally in ENGLISH!
The moment that international manga fans were waiting for has finally arrived… The three manga drawn by the SMA MasterClass and published by the ZENON Editorial Department are finally available FOR FREE for your enjoinment!
A limited initiative for the SMA MasterClass organized by the ZENON Editorial Dept., the ZENON Creator Audition allowed three MasterClass members to debut in Japan by reimagining a “name” (pages draft) provided by professional manga artists in their original way. The experience helped the selected international creatorsSideburn004 (Russia), Dedy Koerniawan (Indonesia), and Alex Irzaqi (Indonesia) to also fully experience the professional environment of the Japanese manga industry and its strict deadlines!
“Midnight Shadow” Original story: Matsuri Midō
Drawings: Sideburn004
A work originally conceived by Japanese manga artist Matsuri Midō (“Black Terror”) for the first ZENON Creator Audition, “Midnight Shadow” tells the story of Alice, a young woman plagued with the ability to see people’s true selves through their shadows. Barney, a mysterious eccentric, enters her life showing a fascination in her that few people have, when a trip to a coffee shop goes horribly wrong.
Based on a work originally conceived by Japanese manga artist Mirai Mutsuhara (“Shiawase no Buta”) exclusively for the second ZENON Creator Audition, “Joze and the Magical Mansion” tells the story of a young woman who, despite living a charmed life in a magical home, longs to see what lies beyond the walls of her safe haven. However, when a traveling minstrel by the name of Dal comes knocking one day, Joze struggles to keep her rampant curiosity in check…
“REFORMER” Original story: Toshiaki Yamada
Drawings: Alex Irzaqi
Originally conceived by the acclaimed Japanese manga artist Toshiaki Yamada (“Tokyo Duel”) for the third ZENON Creator Audition, “REFORMER” tells the unforgiving story of the anti-hero Mizuno, a retired hitman with a mysterious past who has a tendency to act before he thinks. With themes that highlight the darker side of Japanese society, “REFORMER” is an untimely a story of justice for the forgotten few in our world.
The ZENON Editorial Department is always eager to help and support the international creators born from the SILENT MANGA AUDITION®.
The newest project developed for the SMA MasterClass is our Artists Village Aso 096k in Takamori, where we expect to have many new MC members debut in Japan with incredible new manga stories! Be sure to keep on following our social media pages for the latest debut manga-news from our MasterClass! The Kumamoto Reporter #03 – Kumamoto: Birthplace of Manga Artist Legends
Meet Kumamoto’s Manga Artist Legends with the Kumamoto Reporter!
Hello again SMA community! Last time we took a road trip around the captivating Kumamoto region and got to know a little about some of the manga artists that call it home. With stunning natural beauty, charming and quaint scenes of life in the countryside, and the lively Kumamoto City with its unique atmosphere, Kumamoto Prefecture is ripe with inspiration and the perfect storm for producing manga artists. Without further ado, let’s meet some of the most well-known manga artists of Kumamoto!
Eiichiro Oda
When manga fans hear Kumamoto, they think of “ONE PIECE” creator and legendary manga artist Eiichiro Oda! This is partly due to Oda being from Kumamoto City, but also due to his role in a huge project that started in 2018 called the “ONE PIECE Kumamoto Revival Project.” After the 2016 Kumamoto Earthquake, Oda gave an extremely generous donation of 800 million yen (about US $8 million) to build statues of the Straw Hat Pirates in areas that were badly hit by the earthquake. The newest statue to be completed will be Zoro, which will be unveiled on January 22nd in Ozu Town, and Jinbei will be the last statue to be completed. In addition to the statues, “ONE PIECE” aired the “Episode of Kumamoto” where Luffy and Buggy visit Kumamoto and Kumamon as part of the ONE PIECE Kumamoto Revival Project.All roads of ONE PIECE lead to and from Kumamoto, and it was clear that even from the young age of 4 that Oda wanted to become a manga artist so he wouldn’t have to get a “real job.” Who would have thought that Oda would grow up to be an incredibly hard worker and self-proclaimed perfectionist who only sleeps 3 hours a day on average! Despite his extreme work ethic, outside of work Oda has been called laidback and eccentric, and even lets his fans call him by his school nickname of “Odachi.”
Takehiko Inoue
Yet another manga artist legend with ties to Kumamoto: the creator of manga masterpieces “Slam Dunk,” “Vagabond,” and “Real”: Takehiko Inoue! Born in Kagoshima, Inoue participated in his school’s kendo (Japanese fencing) and basketball clubs, which greatly influenced his works. Art school was quite expensive, so after high school Inoue decided to go to Kumamoto University, the same university where the world-renowned Japanese novelist Sōseki Natsume taught at. At age 20 Inoue quit college and headed to Tokyo, where he started working as an assistant to none other than SMA Judge Tsukasa Hojo (who is from Kitakyushu, a city north of Kumamoto) before his own manga debut! It’s also worth noting the connection between the main character of Vagabond, Musashi Miyamoto, and Kumamoto. In his final days, Musashi stayed at a cave in Kumamoto called “Reigandō” and wrote “The Book of Five Rings” which details his philosophies and fighting techniques.
Hisashi Eguchi
Eguchi’s art “pops” right off the pages! Born in Minamata, a city in southern Kumamoto, Eguchi is called a pop art innovator of manga, citing influence from icons such as Roy Lichtenstein and Andy Warhol. Eguchi is renowned not only for his manga but also his illustrations, in particular his skill of drawing beautiful illustrations of female characters. He’s stated that he started drawing female characters in order to make himself stand out as a professional manga artist, and since then it’s become his signature style. This style, combined with Eguchi’s superb sense of humor, has resulted in vastly entertaining romantic comedies such as his manga “Stop!! Hibari-kun!” which has recently finished after a 27 year hiatus. In addition, Eguchi is an avid character designer, with his designs being used in the anime “Perfect Blue” from Satoshi Kon.
Kyosuke Usuta
Cue the laughter! Born in Aichi Prefecture but raised in Kumamoto, Kyosuke Usuta created the outrageously funny martial arts manga “Sexy Commando Gaiden.” The story follows Masaru, a new transfer student who defeats all of the school’s various martial arts clubs and starts the “Sexy Commando Club” after the karate club is cancelled due to lack of members. It has been praised for its wit and satire and is also known for its strangely unique art style from the Muromachi Period (1333-1573), which Usuta uses to highlight how the characters distract their opponents in order to defeat them.
Yuki Midorikawa
Born in Hitoyoshi, a region in southern Kumamoto, Yuki Midorikawa is most known for her fantasy shojo manga “Natsume’s Book of Friends.” The story follows Natsume, a high school student who can see “Yokai,” or Japanese spirits. His cheeky and powerful Yokai companion “Nyanko-sensei” is easily recognizable with his cute and iconic design. Midorikawa took inspiration from what was closest to her, often drawing real-life locations from her hometown of Hitoyoshi and Kumamoto Prefecture right on the pages of her manga. She’s maintained close ties with Kumamoto Prefecture, working closely on exhibition events, promotional posters, and even a video promoting tourism in the Hitoyoshi and Kuma region that features Natsume and Nyanko sensei. Yuki Midorikawa is also known for her manga one-shot and anime “Into the Forest of Fireflies’ Light” which includes Kamishikimi Kumanoimasu Shrine, a picturesque shrine close to our Artists Village in Takamori “Manga Town.”
Kenichi Muraeda
Kenichi Muraeda was born in the seaside town of Ashikita and created “Kamen Rider Spirits,” one of the manga series of the incredibly popular “Kamen Rider” franchise. The original Kamen Rider manga was created by Shōtarō Ishinomori, one of the iconic manga artists who lived in the legendary Tokiwa-sō apartment in Tokyo, which our Artists Village is based on. When Muraeda first became a manga artist he often drew Kamen Rider scenes and characters in his free time, which his editor noticed and pointed him in the direction of the production company of Kamen Rider. Kenichi pitched his proposal for “Kamen Rider Spirits,” but unfortunately Ishinomori passed away soon after and Muraeda was unable to meet his hero.
Who will be the next GREAT Kumamoto manga artist?
Now that you’ve met Kumamoto’s manga artist legends, how would you feel about joining the greats? Join SMA, enter the MasterClass, work hard, and you may have the chance to draw manga at our Artists Village in Takamori and break into the manga industry! The deadline for SMA17 is fast approaching; submit your manga by January 31st and take your first step towards your Japanese debut.The Kumamoto Reporter and the Artists Village Insider will be taking a short break over the holidays, but we’ll be back in January. Until then, check out the latest article from the Artists Village Insider to learn more about the manga magic that happens at our Artists Village’s Art Studio. The Kumamoto Reporter #02 – Discover the Charms and Manga of Kumamoto
Take a trip around the beautiful prefecture of Kumamoto with the Kumamoto Reporter!
Welcome back, SMA community! Last time we talked about the home of our Artists Village: the Aso region and Takamori “Manga Town.” This time we’ll be stepping back and taking a birds-eye view of Kumamoto Prefecture and the manga artists that it’s home to! Smack in the middle of Japan’s southern island of Kyushu, Kumamoto prefecture is home to not only the captivating and rugged Aso region and countless other breathtaking natural wonders, but also Kumamoto city. Not too big, not too small, Kumamoto city has plenty to see and do, including a shopping street called “Kaminoura” that’s known throughout Kyushu for its stylish shops. Kumamoto is also one of the few cities in Japan where you can hop on a street car! From downtown Kumamoto you can easily spot Kumamoto Castle, an imposing and sprawling castle known for its beautiful cherry blossoms and bustling castle square Sakuranobaba Josaien. Thanks to the work of legendary castle builder and feudal lord Kiyomasa Katō, Kumamoto Castle even withstood two earthquakes that shook Kumamoto in 2016. If you visit Kumamoto be sure to check out the explosive performance “Keiji’s Kabuki Adventure The Stage Play” right next to Kumamoto Castle to learn more about Kumamoto Castle’s beginnings and Kiyomasa! North of Kumamoto city is Kikuchi city, famous for Kikuchi gorge. A stunning ravine with beautiful waterfalls, this natural wonder will make you stop in awe and keep you cool and refreshed during the summer. Close to Kikuchi is Yamaga city, known for its traditional theater called the “Yachiyoza” and Edo Period (1603-1868) style onsen “Sakurayu.” If you’re lucky, you can also see the incredible Yamaga Lantern Festival in the middle of August!
If you do take a trip to Kumamoto in the summer, the island of Amakusa is a must-visit. West of Kumamoto city, you can have a beach day at one of Amakusa’s many pristine beaches and sample delicious seafood or even the gigantic Amakusa Daio chicken. You can even go dolphin watching or see Yushima cat island!
Most people know about Japanese sake, but have you ever heard of Shochu? An alcoholic spirit that can be made from rice, sweet potato, barley, or black sugar, the southern part of Kumamoto called the Hitoyoshi/Kuma region is famous throughout Japan for brewing high quality Shochu specifically from rice. Hitoyoshi is also famous for Aoi Aso Shrine, a beautiful and rare shrine that combines Shinto and Buddhist symbolism which became a National Treasure of Japan. During your visit to Hitoyoshi you can even ride a rare steam powered train, soak in an onsen, or go rafting! Hitoyoshi is also home to the manga artist Yuki Midorikawa, creator of the Shojo manga “Natsume’s Book of Friends.” This heartwarming tale follows the adventures of Natsume, a boy who can see Yokai, or Japanese spirits, and his cheeky companion and powerful Yokai “Nyanko-sensei.” In the manga you can see the beautiful Hitoyoshi countryside and real-life locations practically leap out of the pages. Yuki Midorikawa also created “Into the Forest of Fireflies’ Light,” which happens to feature our Takamori “Manga Town’s” very own Kamishikimi Kumanoimasu Shrine.
Another prominent manga artist from Kumamoto is Hisashi Eguchi, best known for gag manga such as “Susume!! Pirates” and “Stop!! Hibari-kun!” Hisashi has been called a pop art innovator of manga and has stated that he was influenced by Roy Lichtenstein and Andy Warhol. Known for his skill of drawing female characters, his designs were even used in the anime “Perfect Blue” from Satoshi Kon.
Speaking of gag manga, Kumamoto-raised manga artist Kyosuke Usuta is famous for “Sexy Commando Gaiden,” an outrageous and wildly humorous martial arts manga that has been praised for its wit and satire. It’s also known for its strangely unique art style from the Muromachi Period (1333-1573). Kumamoto is connected to manga artist legend Inoue Takehiko (“Slam Dunk,” “Vagabond,” “Real”), and also home to Muraeda Kenichi (“Kamen Rider”) and the creator of “ONE PIECE,” Eiichiro Oda!! Eiichiro Oda has maintained close ties with Kumamoto prefecture after the wild success of ONE PIECE, even collaborating and donating to build 9 statues of the Straw Hats Pirates all across the prefecture. Stay tuned in for the next article from the Kumamoto Reporter, where we’ll take an even closer look at the manga artists of Kumamoto and their incredible contributions to Kumamoto! In the meantime, if you’d like to learn more about the hottest new manga development in Takamori, check out the new article from The Artists Village Insider for an exclusive look INSIDE the Artists Village! The Kumamoto Reporter #01 – Aso: The Land of Fire
Step inside Kumamoto’s most rugged and unique region!
Hey SILENT MANGA AUDITION® community members! SMA Editor Chase here as “The Kumamoto Reporter,” your eyes and ears in the captivating Kumamoto region in the southern island of Kyushu. Before I joined the SMA Editorial Dept. I was an assistant language teacher (ALT) in Kumamoto city, but to be completely honest, Kumamoto was unknown to me and was not my first placement choice when I first applied to become an ALT. However, I soon learned that being placed in Kumamoto was an incredible stroke of luck as I discovered breathtaking natural beauty, mouth watering food, and heartwarming people. I fell in love with Kumamoto, and my original plan of teaching English here for 2 years eventually changed to 5. As someone who has seen so much of Kumamoto and all it has to offer, I hope to share with you all the amazing places and secrets I’ve found during my time here!Along with articles from The Kumamoto Reporter, “The Artists Village Insider” will give you an exclusive look inside the newest project from Tokyo-based manga publisher COAMIX Inc. called the “Artists Village Aso 096k.” With both series we hope to bring you the latest news about the Artists Village and the hidden wonders of Kumamoto.This week’s issue of The Kumamoto Reporter is about the Aso region of Kumamoto and the home of the Artists Village: Takamori “Manga Town!”Kumamoto is called “The Land of Fire,” and for good reason. There’s multiple famous volcanoes in Kyushu, but it’s safe to say that the largest (in Japan, too) is Mt. Aso. In ancient times it was a volcano of unimaginable size, but one day it erupted violently and collapsed in on itself, forming a colossal lake. Eventually the lake drained, and people started to live in the huge caldera that is the Aso region. Even today Mt. Aso’s size is imposing, with one of the best views of it being from “Daikanbo.” If you look closely, you can see why people say the five peaks of Mt. Aso look as if they are actually Buddha sleeping!
Thanks to its volcanic activity, a multitude of hot spring spas, called “onsens” are scattered throughout Aso. Without question, the most famous is Kurokawa onsen town, reaching the top of onsen lists in Japan every year. Here you can soak and spend the night in luxury at a Japanese inn called a “ryokan,” or you can buy a daytime onsen pass and hop from one unique onsen to another.
Another common sight of the Aso region are brown beef cows, called “akaushi.” They have healthy, lean meat and are a rare breed of cow, making up only 0.4% of the total Japanese beef population. You can spot them (and maybe even other four-legged friends) grazing when taking a scenic drive through Aso’s rolling green hills.Speaking of green hills, Aso is known throughout Japan as a motorcycle paradise, attracting motorcyclists from distant prefectures who are itching to experience its breathtaking scenery for themselves. As a matter of fact, your very own Kumamoto Reporter was influenced to get a motorcycle after seeing riders barreling through Aso’s scenic roads! There’s countless motorcycle routes in Aso, but perhaps the most famous is “Kenny Road,” a favorite of motorcycle racing legend Kenny Roberts. Be sure to check out the nearby “Kenny’s Cafe” if you have time, too.And of course, no trip to Aso is complete without visiting Takamori “manga town,” home of our Artists Village. A charming town filled to the brim with kind people and great places to eat at, you can snack on Takamori’s famous pickled mustard leaves called “takana” and a type of slow-grilled food called “dengaku.” Takamori is also lucky enough to be home to a historic sake brewery which produces the highly awarded “Reizan” sake.
At the heart of Takamori town is Takamori station, known for its charming appearance and statue of ONE PIECE character Franky. Just one of many ONE PIECE statues found throughout the prefecture, you can step inside the train station to buy a coke to share with Franky. Inside you can also find messages from Japanese manga artists and a special SMA display, and if you’re lucky you might be able to spot the manga train rolling by.
Speaking of trains, do you know the story behind Takamori Yusui Tunnel Park? It was meant to be part of a train line, but during construction water suddenly sprang out of the ground! Now, it’s a charming tourist attraction with decorations changing throughout the year. Another unique aspect of the Takamori Yusui Tunnel Park is that it always stays at a naturally comfortable temperature, no matter the season.
The uniquely shaped Mt. Neko and Camel Mountain (Rakudayama in Japanese) are easy to spot from almost anywhere in Takamori, but it’d be a crime to miss a visit to Kamishikimi Kumanoimasu Shrine. Located deep within a forest of tall cedar trees, it’s moss-covered stone steps and tori gate seem like it’s straight out of a Studio Ghibli movie. If you can’t wait to check out this beautiful, mysterious shrine in person you can catch it in Kumamoto manga artist Yuki Midorikawa’s one-shot manga and anime “Into the Forest of Fireflies’ Light.”
I could go on and on about Kamishikimi Kumanoimasu Shrine and so many other marvels in Takamori and Aso, but I’m afraid we’d be here all day. Aso and Takamori truly are unique and special places, even among all that Japan has to offer. In the coming articles I’ll be diving into even more beautiful places in Kumamoto and Kyushu, so I hope to see you next time! Be sure to also check out the articles from The Artists Village Insider for the inside scoop on this ambitious project from COAMIX. HELLO SMA15 AWARD WINNER, Federico Brunetti! PROFILEName:Federico BrunettiAge: 36 Country: Italy Favorite manga: “Worst” Favorite movie: “Inception” Entry title:“A STARLIGHT SMILE”Round:SMA15 “Moments of CRYING, SMILING, or LOVE”Award: Honourable Mention
“…Work hard on the emotions of your characters and don’t be afraid to fail!”
About SMA
How does it feel to win a SILENT MANGA AUDITION® award? It feels incredibly good. Joining SMA was a big challenge for me and it was my goal to be among the winners of this round. In the last few years I tried to improve and grow as an artist, so I studied a lot. This victory gives me the confirmation that I improved and above all it motivates me to continue to work harder and to improve even more!
What was the inspiration behind your winning work? The main characters of my manga are kids, inspired by my nieces. Just watching them playing and joking inspired me to create manga.
What challenges did you face while making your manga? How did you overcome them? Mainly the storyline and time. I kept looking for new ideas until I got the right one, but the pieces got stuck in my mind only later and I had to work nights to meet the deadline.
Another big challenge was the creation of the first page. It didn’t convince me at first, so I drew it again a few hours before the end.
About your Manga
How and when did you start making manga? Any advice for beginners? In 2014 I decided to take part in a manga competition for the first time and I think that was the real starting point. At that moment I realized how many things I didn’t know and how much more there was to learn.
So my advice for beginners is: draw and try to make a simple short story or a 4-panel manga first.
What was the first manga you picked up? It was one of the volumes of “Dragon Ball”…unforgettable!
Which manga changed your life? I grew up with“Dragon Ball,” “Ranma ½,” “Fist of the North Star” and “Saint Seiya.” But the manga that I love the most is “Video Girl Ai” by Masakazu Katsura-sensei. I was very young…but at that time it influenced me greatly and it has made me change my drawing.
Which manga character do you most identify with? Why? I don’t know, probably Kazuya Hiramaru or Bakuman. Sometimes I’d like to escape from my busy days!
What kind of manga do you want to make next? Actually, I’m working on shonen manga, but I would also like to work on manga based on some historical Italian figures all seasoned with a hint of fantasy!
About Federico
What do you do when you’re not making manga? How do you relax? I go out with my friends or with my wife for a drink, watch films, or play video games.
What industry do you work in (if manga making isn’t your primary job?) Unfortunately, making manga isn’t my primary job yet, so in the meantime I work in the graphic and printing industry. Sometimes I work as an illustrator freelancer.
Where do you see your manga career in 5 years’ time? I will do my best to make manga my primary job.
What advice would you give to people entering the SILENT MANGA AUDITION®? Keep on studying and developing your skills, work hard on the emotions of your characters and don’t be afraid to fail. You can learn from your mistakes!
Thank you, Federico! We’re eagerly expecting your future masterpieces and hope that you’re using all your daily frustrations or RAGE to join us by entering SMA17!You have time until 31st January to WOW the readers and have a chance to develop your potential as a manga creator with us in Japan!
Rose's Profile
Rose I am from Slovenia and I remember my first encounter with the anime and manga world being a German dubbed “Yu-Gi-Oh!” and “Dragon Ball” that I watched as a kid every Sunday morning. Years later, a friend introduced me to “Naruto” and after that we’d spend all summer reading manga, picking and drawing our favorite characters. As I got older, I thought that I wouldn’t have the time to enjoy manga ever again, but luckily, I became a part of the SMA team and now I am enjoying manga from a completely new point of view. Years ago, I visited Kyushu for the first time as a student, and I immediately fell in love with its nature, food and kind people! At that time, I thought that it would be great to return one day and by becoming a part of the SILENT MANGA AUDITION® editorial team this dream came true. Favorite manga: “Vagabond” Favorite movie: “Dual” (2012), “Shoplifters” (2018) Favorite quote: 配達無料 (Free shipping) HELLO SMA15 AWARD WINNER, fatima mukarked! PROFILEName: fatima mukarked (Rayose) Country: Syria Favorite manga:“The Promised Neverland”Favorite movie:“When Marnie Was Here”Favorite band/musician:I enjoy all genres of music so I don’t have a specific musician I prefer.Entry title: “Not alone“Round:SMA15 “Moments of CRYING, SMILING, or LOVE”Award: Honourable Mention
“Just do it! Don’t wait any longer and grab your pencil.”
About SMA
How does it feel to win a SILENT MANGA AUDITION® award? It makes me proud to know my hard work and practice paid off.
What was the inspiration behind your winning work? I wanted to experience a feeling that I personally couldn’t during my own childhood. I wanted to show that having friends and bonding with people is something important and that we all need it.
What challenges did you face while making your manga? How did you overcome them? Like everyone else, my life is quite hard. I really didn’t think I would make it in time for the deadline. I spent most of my time taking care of my siblings and on top of that I spent some time in the hospital with my mother, so it was quite hard to practice and finish the manga in time. I also don’t have good manga supplies, so I worked with the cheap ones. However, I’m happy that all of that didn’t affect my entry.
About your Manga
How and when did you start making manga? Any advice for beginners? I started last year after I was inspired by my friend’s entry. My advice is to trust yourself. Do not be afraid of trying. Challenge yourself and try what is difficult for you!
What was the first manga you picked up? “Naruto.”
Which manga changed your life? “Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure.”
Which manga character do you most identify with? Why? Mob from “Mob Psycho 100″ because he is not capable of showing his real emotions.
What kind of manga do you want to make next? I want to make inspiring work with beautiful illustrations. I want to make manga that could change someone’s life and make them feel warm and happy when they read it.
About fatima mukarked
What do you do when you’re not making manga? How do you relax? When I’m not making manga I help my family with their house chores, so my day is filled with work; my time to relax is when I sleep.
What industry do you work in (if manga making isn’t your primary job?) I am still a college student, so I have to study for my exams and projects.
Where do you see your manga career in 5 years’ time? I will definitely make it into the Japanese manga industry. Why Japan? Because my country doesn’t support that kind of work, so I won’t count on its support. I am looking forward to the day I can publish my own story.
What advice would you give to people entering the SILENT MANGA AUDITION®? Just do it! Don’t wait any longer and grab your pencil. It doesn’t even matter if you win or not, just keep trying and practicing. The moment when your effort pays off is much more satisfying than any other – it tastes like the best fruit on the tree! Though the prize I received is a simple one, I am happy with what I did and I am looking forward to the future. I hope we all achieve our dreams.
Thank you, fatima mukarked! We hope that you’re in HASTE to join SMA17 and send us the entry that will surprise the judges!You have time until 31st January to WOW the readers and have a chance to develop your potential as a manga creator with us in Japan!
