“Creatures, Sprits and Monsters” from YOUR folklore is the theme for SMA14. But how do these mysterious creatures operate? What are their powers? What food do they eat?? Over the coming weeks and months throughout the entry period, we will publish a series of “Yokai Case Files” on several mythical creatures from around the world to help inspire your manga.
With their sheer size, power and majesty, Dragons have enchanted humanity from stone age wall paintings to modern tales of boy wizards. But are all Dragons evil and destructive, or is there another more benevolent side to these misunderstood creatures of myth?
Name:
Dragon
Other names:
Leviathan; Wyvern; Hydra; Draco; Drakon; Worm
Country of Origin:
Every corner of the world
Dwelling:
From the loftiest mountain peak to the deepest cave, lake and river.
Appearance:
A large, serpentine and winged (in some cases) beast.
Favorite Food:
Unlucky chivalrous Knights!
Power:
The power of flight, fire breathing and in some cases, hypnotism!
Weakness:
Lucky chivalrous Knights!
About: With their origins found in Dinosaur bones, this Jurassic error goes a long way to explain why the concept of Dragons can be found in most cultures around the world. From Ancient China to Medieval England and even Ancient Greece and Egypt, Dragons have captured the human consciousness like no other mythical creature. In Asia, the Dragon represent water and are closely associated with the gods. More help than hindrance, there are many stories, particularly in China where dragons have come to the aid of the Emperors when in desperate need. In Japan, Dragons take on a more antagonistic role, where they are more to be vanquished than worshipped, much like their European counterparts. Dragons feature heavily in post-classical Europe, with the most famous story attributed to Saint George and the slaying of an evil Dragon representing the devil. Dragons as representations of evil continue throughout European myth, with the story of the most famous vampire in history! The son of “Dracul” a member of the Order of the Dragon, Vlad the Impaler earned his gruesome nickname by impaling his Ottoman enemies on pikes as he dined on blood! This “son of a Dragon” would carry on his bloody carnage in the guise of Dracula! With more modern interpretations abundant, from Tolkien’s Hobbit to JK Rowling’s Harry Potter series, Dragons will continue to mystify and enchant us – not a bad legacy for incorrectly identifying a pile of dusty old bones.
GALLERY:
YOKAI CASE FILE #6 – Medusa
“Creatures, Sprits and Monsters” from YOUR folklore is the theme for SMA14. But how do these mysterious creatures operate? What are their powers? What food do they eat?? Over the coming weeks and months throughout the entry period, we will publish a series of “Yokai Case Files” on several mythical creatures from around the world to help inspire your manga.
From the depths of primordial mythology comes a symbol of female rage! Medusa is perhaps one of the most recognized creatures from Myth, but how, and more importantly, why did our snaked haired “harridan” become a fierce representation of female empowerment? Why is Medusa as important today as she was in Classical Antiquity? Read on, if you dare…
Name:
Medusa (“guardian, protectress”)
Other names:
Gorgo
Country of Origin:
Ancient Greece
Dwelling:
Temple of Athena
Appearance:
Terrifying face adorned with a serpentine hair
Favorite Food:
Rock cakes?
Power:
Can turn any who look upon her to stone
Weakness:
Mirrors
About: Medusa was one of three siblings, along with Stheno, and Euryale, who were collectively known as the Gorgon Sisters. The daughters of the primeval Greek gods/chthonic monsters Phorcys and Ceto, these three sassy sisters knew how to scare from an early age! Medusa’s origin story, according to the Roman poet Ovid is not pleasant and what today would most definitely be called extreme “victim blaming”… Medusa was once a stunningly beautiful maiden who sent many a young man into a jealous rage, the god Poseidon included! In fact, the mighty ocean god would not take “no” for an answer, so when our innocent heroine was praying to the goddess Athena in her temple, the despicable divine deviant proceeded to rape Medusa on the alter of his Olympian niece. How did the goddess of wisdom react to this unforgivable crime? She blamed Medusa! In a fit of rage at having her temple defiled, Athena turned Medusa’s beautiful hair into a den of snakes and her face into such a terrible visage, it turned all who looked upon it to stone! Perhaps the most famous story involving Medusa is her demise at the hands of Perseus. The son of the mightiest god, Zeus, and the mortal princess Danaë, Perseus was tasked with bringing back the head of our tragic heroine in a seemingly impossible mission aimed at cutting the young man’s life short (King Polydectes wanted him out of the way so he could marry his Mum)! Armed with gifts from the gods, the plucky young prince achieved his goal by tricking Medusa into looking at her own reflection in the polished shield of Athena. Medusa’s legacy has endured the test the time. Often seen as a representation of female rage, Medusa has been adopted as a feminist symbol in later years. Indeed, with a story drenched in violence and injustice at the hands of a domineering and powerful man, her story perfectly encapsulates the #metoo movement of the 21st Century and the rage and fury it has justifiably unleashed into society.
GALLERY:
YOKAI CASE FILE #5 – Fairy
“Creatures, Sprits and Monsters” from YOUR folklore is the theme for SMA14. But how do these mysterious creatures operate? What are their powers? What food do they eat?? Over the coming weeks and months throughout the entry period, we will publish a series of “Yokai Case Files” on several mythical creatures from around the world to help inspire your manga.
From Shakespeare to Disney, the fairy folk are a rich source of literary inspiration. But are fairies the adorable creatures we are generally led to believe? The answer is much more complex than you’d think. Read on to learn about the darker side of these tiny creatures of European folklore…
Name:
Fairy
Other names:
Fata, Fay, Fae, Fair folk, Faery, Faerie
Country of Origin:
United Kingdom / Western Europe
Dwelling:
Forests; “realm of the fays”
Appearance:
Tiny, human shaped, wings, bad attitude.
Favorite Food:
All manner of forest delights.
Power:
Good old fashioned magic, including “dancing” you to death!
Weakness:
Fairies are essentially mortal, though long lived, so old age or accidental death await the Fairy Folk.
About: Fairies have been woven into the fabric of Western European, and particularly English folklore since before the Middle Ages. An ambiguous creature, the Fairy resides in forests and have a direct link to the nature around them. Consequently, certain trees are sacred to Fairies such as the Rowen tree so tread carefully so as not to offend this proud and mischievous race of magical beings. In Scotland, fairy society can be divided into two “courts” – the “Seelie Court” (beneficent, but still dangerous) and the “Unseelie Court” (downright malicious). The Seelie are more concerned with mischief but be careful not to offend those fairies in the Unseelie Court, for they gain much pleasure in murderous acts. It is said that if you learn a fairy’s name, then you can summon them for gifts. But this arrangement could backfire, as a fairy is a servant to no-one if it can be helped so expect a vengeful response to your attempts of control! With appearances in literature, from King Arthur to Peter Pan, art, and movies, the fairy has captured the imagination of generations. But is that by luck or design? Whenever you find yourself in a forest, always keep one eye open… you might not be alone…
GALLERY:
YOKAI CASE FILE #4 – Baba Yaga
“Creatures, Sprits and Monsters” from YOUR folklore is the theme for SMA14. But how do these mysterious creatures operate? What are their powers? What food do they eat?? Over the coming weeks and months throughout the entry period, we will publish a series of “Yokai Case Files” on several mythical creatures from around the world to help inspire your manga.
For today’s Case File, we delve into the dark and scary world of Slavic folklore! Baba Yaga is the original “Witch in the Wood”, beckoning lost children and heroic woodcutters aplenty to her chicken legged house in the foreboding forest. Much more complex than the Brothers Grimm would lead us to believe, the old crone in the woods is neither good nor bad, preferring to be as unpredictable as the elements she represents. Dare you go into the forest…?
Name:
Baba Yaga
Other names:
n/a
Country of Origin:
Russia / Eastern Europe
Dwelling:
A deep, dark creepy old forest
Appearance:
A deformed, grotesque old woman.
Favorite Food:
Inquisitive children.
Power:
Untold of powers… can also to smell “Russians”.
Weakness:
The Firebird
About: A very ambiguous character from Eastern European mythology, Baba Yaga is the metaphorical descendant of the Slavic gods themselves! She will either help those who wander into her chicken legged house, or hinder them. Essentially a witch, Baba Yaga travels the skies, not on a broomstick but a giant mortar as she wields an equally large pestle. A hideous old woman with a large nose, the Slavic witch is either a single entity or one of three equally hideous sisters mirroring the Neo-pagan construct “The Maiden, the Mother, and the Crone”. Baba Yaga could also be the source of the Witch seen in many fairytales, including Hansel & Gretel, arguably the most famous fairy tale to feature a witch as the main antagonist, Hansel & Gretel follows the adventures of the two titular siblings after they are abandoned in an enchanted forest by their parents.
GALLERY:
SMA MASTERCLASS WIN IN JAPANESE MANGA COMPETITION!
SILENT MANGA AUDITION® MasterClass members Yoonmi and SIDEBURN004 celebrated awards in the 6th Japanese manga competition Itten Toppa, along with receiving praise from guest judge Paru Itagaki, creator of the hugely popular manga series Beastars!
Predominantly open to aspiring Japanese manga artists, Itten Toppa is a competition that focuses on the creator’s strengths. Whether it’s action, world-building, drawing skills or even dialogue, Itten Toppa is about identifying an artist’s strongest skill, that can then be developed into a successful Japanese manga making career.
Click the banner for the ITTEN TOPPA results!
Honorable Mention and Special Judge Award – “Subtle Abstract” by Yoonmi
“Subtle Abstract” by American SMA GP Runner Up winner Yoonmi delves into the world of the psychic! With the ability to read minds, Elliot uses his unique powers to help the lovelorn, with little thought for his own happiness. But when he is set up on a blind date, will his mind reading powers help or hinder his love life?!
Yoonmi’s Comment:
“Thank you very much for the opportunity! I will strive to do even better and learn lots. Please look out for more worldwide manga from me and my peers!”
Itagaki-sensei’s Comment:
“The girl is extremely cute! If there is a meaning behind the picture drawn in her head, I think it will lead to her charm. Please add more panels showing this.”
Honorable Mention – “Like a Fairytale” by SIDEBURN004
“Like a Fairytale” by Russian SMA Grand Prix winner SIDEBURN004 is an action packed Shonen adventure that merges fairytales with Japanese adolescence. An accidental hero is thrust into danger when his shadow takes on the guise of Koschei, a figure from Russian folklore while being chased by a certain red riding hooded maniac!
Sideburn004’s Comment:
“There are so many manga based on Japanese folklore! Fairy tales in general are an inexhaustible source of inspiration in a variety of stories. I wanted to use the famous character from the traditional fairy tales of my country, but tried to change their appearance to show them in a modern environment.”
Itagaki-sensei’s Comment:
“The drawing skills are good and the action scenes are gorgeous! However, the story is a little difficult to understand, so please don’t neglect to explain the world setting. The highlights will shine only when readers empathize with the characters and immerse themselves in the setting of the story!”
“You should be proud of yourselves!”
As for the all the works in Itten Toppa 06, special guest judge Itagaki Paru sensei had this to say…
“I got the impression that the ten works [in the competition] were made with serious intent. In other words, it is your strengths that built strong Ki-sho-ten-ketsu, from beginning to the end. Manga-ka should be serious. You have to meet deadlines so a serious attitude is needed from the very start. The more serious you are about creating manga, the more focussed your work. This is what I wish.
While anyone can publish their work on Social Media, you should be proud that you worked hard in submitting to a Manga Award and receive evaluation! It is a happy life to be able to make a living with the manga you created.At the same time, it is also difficult, so keep up with that spirit and please brush up your work with your editor to make your debut!”
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Yoonmi and SIDEBURN004’s achievements when competing against Japanese manga artists is a testament to their skill, passion and drive to succeed, and like you, they both started by entering the SILENT MANGA AUDITION®. So don’t delay, pick up your pencils and enter SMA14 and maybe you will have your work appraised by the manga industry’s best and brightest and secure your footing on the road to being a manga pro in Japan!
SMA14 YOKAI CASE FILE #3 – SACI
“Creatures, Sprits and Monsters” from YOUR folklore is the theme for SMA14. But how do these mysterious creatures operate? What are their powers? What food do they eat?? Throughout the entry period, we will publish a series of “Yokai Case Files” on several mythical creatures from around the world to help inspire your manga.
This week’s SMA14 Yokai Case File is good example of when creatures evolve through cross-cultural influences. Mixing the beliefs of Brazil’s indigenous people with those introduced through the inexcusable African slave trade, the Saci is a transatlantic child with a dash of Arabian Nights thrown in for good measure!
Name:
Saci
Other names:
Saci-pererê; Saci-trique; Saci-saçurá
Country of Origin:
Brazil
Dwelling:
Wherever something goes wrong!
Appearance:
A one-legged, pipe smoking boy with a red cap.
Favorite Food:
Pipe tobacco
Power:
Not deadly, but an expert at making your life a misery, including hiding toys, freeing farm animals, annoying dogs and cursing chicken eggs! Can also turn invisible.
Weakness:
When invisible, the Saci performs a dance which causes dust-devils to flare up. When twirling in his column of dusty wind, throw in a rosary and squeeze him into a bottle. Stealing his red cap can also tie him to you, but be careful how you treat him after…
About: Believed to have his origins in the forest spirit Ŷaci-ŷaterê, found in the indigenous mythology of the Tupi-Guarani people, the Saci we know today is more of an 18th Century interpretation by African slaves when they arrived in the region. With this reinterpretation came the addition of Christian imagery, such his aversion to rosary beads and crosses. Other element’s of Saci also share a close links to the Genie from the Aladdin story, such as trapping him in a bottle and enslaving him to receive wishes. This links may have come from Muslim moorish slaves who were well aquatinted with the story from the Arabian Nights. With his origins in the dark forests of Brazil and reinterpreted with the beliefs from Africa, the Middle East and Europe, Saci is truly a spirit that spans continents!
SMA14 YOKAI CASE FILE #2 – THE YETI
“Creatures, Sprits and Monsters” from YOUR folklore is the theme for SMA14. But how do these mysterious creatures operate? What are their powers? What food do they eat?? Throughout the entry period, we will publish a series of “Yokai Case Files” on several mythical creatures from around the world to help inspire your manga.
This week’s SMA14 Yokai Case File is a mythical beast that needs no introduction. From the lofty peaks of the Himalayas, we give you … The Yeti!
Name:
The Yeti
Other names:
Abominable Snowman; Michê (man-bear); Dzu-teh (cattle-bear); Migoi or Mi-go (wild man); Bun Manchi or Mirka (jungle man); Kang Admi (snow man)
Country of Origin:
Bhutan, India, Nepal or Tibet
Dwelling:
Himalayan mountains
Appearance:
Giant, ape-like creature covered in dark brown fur with large feet…
Favorite Food:
Lost mountaineers! Or quite possibly a vegetarian…
Power:
Immense strength and endurance, with the ability to not be seen.
Weakness:
Global warming.
About:
With its origins found in the pre-Buddhist beliefs of Himalayan communities, the Yeti is old, very old. But it wasn’t until European exploration of the Himalayas in the 19th Century that the Abominable Snowman found fame a global scale. Evidence of this elusive creature is abundant, with the most recorded on the world’s highest mountain (above sea level)… Mount Everest. But with the only sign of this majestic “wild man” a series of footprints, the Yeti still proves an elusive subject. You could say that we hold the fate of the Yeti in our very hands. With the world becoming smaller with technology, hiding from the eager eyes of cryptozoologists is becoming more and more difficult for the gentle Mi-go. But it’s the threat of global warming that could spell the end for the Yeti and his ever thawing mountain habitat.
GALLERY
SMA14 YOKAI CASE FILE #1 – KAPPA
“Creatures, Sprits and Monsters” from YOUR folklore is the theme for SMA14. But how do these mysterious creatures operate? What are their powers? What food do they eat?? Over the coming weeks and months throughout the entry period, we will publish a series of “Yokai Case Files” on several mythical creatures from around the world to help inspire your manga.
Child sized, green, shell on back and a head plate containing “liquid”.
Favorite Food:
Cucumber
Power:
Charismatic and strong! Can lure you into water then drown you.
Weakness:
When away from water, if the “liquid” found in the Kappa’s head plate is spilled then defeat is assured! As Kappa’s are extra polite, bow to ensure spillage.
About:
A Japanese “Yokai”, the Kappa is known for being both mischievous and downright dangerous! An amphibious creature,
the actions of these troublesome Yokai range from voyeurism to cannibalism!
The interest the Kappa have in humans is their obsession with our “shirikodama” – a mythical ball that is said to contain our soul located in our rear ends… **ouch!** But Kappa aren’t all evil. It is said that once befriended,
a Kappa will become a loyal and useful companion,
helping to irrigate paddy fields and an indispensable help with illnesses as they are a font of medical knowledge!
GALLERY:
SMA13-UNESCO Round Case Studies #8: Indigenous Empowerment
Across the Asia-Pacific, indigenous communities face discrimination, forced displacement from their land, and even murder for standing up for their rights. In some cases, state officials have been the ones accused of killing activists.
Of the estimated 370 million indigenous peoples, about two-thirds live in Asia. Widespread discrimination against these communities is reflected in socio-economic status, as this 5 per cent of the world’s population accounts for almost 15 per cent of the extreme poor, according to the World Bank. Indigenous people’s life expectancy is also up to 20 years lower than that of non-indigenous people worldwide.
Marathi theatrical group, Mumbai – 1870
Even under widespread threat, indigenous peoples are the inheritors and protectors of unique cultures and ways of life, the lifeline to transmit their heritage to new generations. Amid climate change and ecosystem degradation, the traditional knowledge of these communities is increasingly valuable as models of environmental stewardship. As an urgent recent example, the devastating fires that have swept Australia this summer have highlighted how indigenous practices could lessen the risk of further harm, with the recognition that climate change is reshaping the world we will live in tomorrow.
The devastating bushfires of Australia are posing a huge threat to historical Aboriginal sites. Source/STATE GOVERNMENT OF VICTORIA
Community-based education for sustainable development (ESD) championed in UNESCO projects relies on tapping in to similar local knowledge and commitment. In the south Indian state of Karnataka, an ESD project is working with local government and tribal communities such as the Soliga, Gowdas, Havyaka and Marate to develop best practices for environmental stewardship that both maintain sustainable livelihoods and the health of the ecosystem. As seen in traditional communities the world over, the people who are closest to the land have the largest stake in protecting the environment and the most experience in doing so.
The Ainu, indigenous to Japan’s northern island of Hokkaido.
Young indigenous people are at the heart of efforts to protect their communities, traditions and cultures. UNESCO Bangkok, the Asia Indigenous People’s Pact and the UNDP have launched the Indigenous Youth Platform to coordinate and support efforts focused on human and land rights political participation, mother-tongue based multilingual education, health and education, and preserving traditional knowledge. In Bangkok in January 2020, the Youth Co:Lab project created by the UNDP and Citi Foundation brought together young indigenous representatives from across the Asia-Pacific to focus on social entrepreneurship and addressing issues such as inequality, poverty and environmental degradation.
From distinct indigenous communities, youth representatives find common cause in amplifying their voices and advocacy. Participants include activists and entrepreneurs from communities as diverse as the Dayak in Central Kalimantan; the Ladakh people of the Himalayan plateau; the Maranao of Mindanao Island; and many others. Each of these young people brings a unique story and contribution, such a young teacher, humanitarian and entrepreneur who instructs women and children self-defence to build resilience in Marawi City in the Philippines, a city recently devastated by conflict.
The practices of Australian aborigines date back centuries.
In the past 20 years, there has been growing awareness worldwide that indigenous rights and empowerment are crucial to achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. This is true in terms of fundamental principles of equality and social justice, but also because these communities are essential to the integrity and durability of the societies of which they are a part. Indigenous communities are unique with their own contributions to be made, but by coming together in a network with partners, their voices can finally be heard for the betterment of us all.
PENMARU’s TIP! Indigenous peoples are the keepers of our history – through their culture and practices, we can see a glimpse of where we’ve come from and where we’re going. What would loosing these communities mean to us?”
SMA11 Interview #6 – Rori PROFILE Name: RoriAge: 28Country: PhilippinesFavorite manga: There are tons of manga I love, but if I were to choose the ones that really made an impact on me, I’d have say “Nodame Cantabile” and “Watashi Tachi no Shiawase na Jikan”. These two have a very special place in my heart.Favorite movie: Definitely Hayao Miyazaki’s “Spirited Away”. I’ve watched it more than 50 times… my mom thought I was insane lol! The beauty of that movie couldn’t be described with words. It captivated me so much.Favorite quote: “There may be people who have more talent than you, but there’s no excuse for anyone to work harder than you do” – Derek Jeter, former professional baseball player.
“I’ve learned more and experienced so many wonderful things through joining [the SMA].”
QUESTIONS1. How does it feel to win a SILENT MANGA AUDITION award?It felt unreal. Honestly, until now I couldn’t believe it. It was a dream come true. When I found out I’d won, I couldn’t contain myself and screamed out loud. It was midnight then, so I accidentally woke up my mom and my siblings, almost giving them heart attack. It was quite a funny scene now that I recall it.2. What were your first impressions of the theme?The theme was ‘Promise’ and the first thought that came to my mind was two words, ‘delicate’ and ‘poignant’. I had a hard time coming up with a story since every time I ponder about ‘promise’, I always end up thinking of the famous quote, ‘promises are meant to be broken’, which for me was quite true and really does happen a lot. I initially drafted a sad story about a promise being broken but I thought that this was not it. Something was missing and it felt like I hadn’t truly grasp the essence of the theme. Fortunately I changed everything in the end, made the story light-hearted with a humorous tone, and decided to go with a positive vibe instead. Thankfully, it worked out well.3. What was the inspiration behind your winning work? Myself I guess? haha. I’ve had a bit of a similar problem with my character from ‘AIM!’ since we were both overweight. I had my weight loss journey last year so I know it’s really really hard to lose weight. I was only able to do it when I finally made a commitment to myself. I believe the most important promise to keep is the promise you made to yourself. That was the inspiration I had behind the work.4. What challenges did you face making your manga? How did you overcome them?Definitely time. As an artist, I’ve always been aware of my pace, and honestly speaking, I draw with the speed of a slug. I really struggled with the time. I believe I had about less than a month at the time to draw all of the pages and I was almost discouraged to continue. I was real close to giving up. It was only through perseverance and grit that I made the deadline. Thank God I didn’t lose hope. I was grateful to my entry’s protagonist. As I was working on her story, she inspired me to continue to get to the goal. She reminded me that people don’t achieve big things by accident. Win or lose, I was determined to finish the manga no matter what. I’d rather try and fail than not try at all.5. What did you learn from making your manga? Did you pick up any new skills or technique?It’s crazy but it was the first time I drew a chubby protagonist for my story. I guess I didn’t have the opportunity before, so this was a first for me. I initially thought that I would have a hard time, and I did some research first. Surprisingly though, I enjoyed drawing her a lot. I think I will draw more chubby characters from now on. They just look cute and cuddly. I love them!6. How important is entering the SILENT MANGA AUDITION in relation to your professional goals?I believe the Silent Manga Audition is one of the most prestigious auditions for manga artists around the world. When I first learned about it through a friend, I remember reading about the rules to not use dialogues but only drawings to tell a story and that really piqued my interest. From then on, I’ve aspired to enter and to prove my skills through it. I’ve learned more and experienced so many wonderful things through joining such contest.7. What advice would you give to people entering the SILENT MANGA AUDITION?Never give up! I know a lot of people have entered more than once and maybe some failed (like I did too). It was tough but keep on going, eventually you will catch a break. You will succeed.Read Rori’s SMA11 EXCELLENCE AWARD winning manga, “AIM!” by clicking the image!
