sma22 swa1 sma23
SMA9 Interview #3 – Paco Puente (Grand Prix Runner up)

Hailing from the sunny city of Quito in Ecuador, Paco Puente has once again brought a smile to the faces of the SMAC! editorial team, along with the judging panel! This week we join the zany creator to talk about his SMA9 Grand Prix Runner up award winning entry ‘Sleepy Rock Z’, his inability to get out of bed in the morning, and of course the source of his inspiration! So, without further ado, put on some Black Sabbath, dust off your air guitar, and join us as we chat to the man himself!

 

Hello Paco! How’s life in Ecuador today!?

Hi! Yes it’s REALLY hot here right now. Mornings are too hot to even go outside! Life on the equator man, what can I say!? Hahaha

 

Yikes! That sounds crazy! Well, let us first begin by extending a huge CONGRATULATIONS to you on your recent SMA9 win! How does it feel??

It feels GREAT! Thank you so much, it’s a huge honor for me! Actually, I was really ill that day with a fever so struggled to stay up until 3am for the SMAC! live stream, did but I manage to pull it off somehow! My fever was so high though, when my entry was announced as a winner I wasn’t sure if it was real or if I was hallucinating! Hahaha!

 

The wacky walls of a cartoon aficionado!

 

Oh really!? Hahaha! Well, your crazy entry did indeed win an award! How did your family and friends react?

Oh they were really happy for me and immediately told all their friends my good news!

 

Nice! How did you find the themes for SMA9 this time? Were they difficult for you, or did you find them easier than you expected?

I found the theme of “TEAMWORK” to be very easy to work with this time around. SMA8’s theme actually gave me a much harder time! Haha!

 

Who could forget your last entry ‘Burping Contest at the Bus Stop’? (read here for Paco’s SMA8 interview to see what we mean!) We can tell you love comedy manga, but what kind of stuff do you get your inspiration from?

Comedy is my favorite genre in comics and manga. Especially cartoony, exaggerated and absurd humor. I grew up reading Spanish humor comics like Mortadelo Y Filemón, and American humor magazines like Mad Magazine. I also love animated cartoons! Rocko’s Modern Life, Grim Adventures of Billy & Mandy and the Looney Tunes are some of my favorites. When I was in college I discovered ‘Tensai Bakabon’ by Fujio Akatsuka-sensei, and it showed me a completely different kind of cartoony comedy that manga is capable of.

 

A veritable variety of zany comics!

 

Ooh! Nice catch! Was Tensai Bakabon published in Ecuador too?

Actually, no it wasn’t. I first discovered it in college as there used to be some guys that would visit our campus and sell art books. I was studying graphic design at the time and one of the books they brought with them was a huge book simply titled “Manga”. It contained many different creators’ work but one style of art that immediately stood out to me was Akatsuka’s ‘Tensai Bakabon’. Stylistically, It was so completely different to the other manga in that book, that it totally blew my mind! After that encounter, I went out and scoured the net for more and imported licensed copies in both Spanish and English. You could say I’m kinda obsessed with this stuff! Hahaha!

 

We can believe it! Despite it being your favorite genre, do you find it difficult to create comedy manga?

On the contrary, since I have so much fun drawing, creating a manga that’s serious in tone is actually far harder for me! I like to push the boundaries of exaggeration when I design my characters so drawing anything serious would be tricky. Of course, writing a comedy manga is always a challenge too, but I’m better suited to that I feel.

 

Well, you certainly make it look very easy Paco! How long did it take to create your entry this time?

About 3 weeks, but I was “writing” the story in my head and sketching the characters for something like a month before I started drawing the actual manga.

 

“Writing” in your head? That’s an interesting method!

Yeah I usually come up with some ideas or themes before thinking about how to put them together. During that time, I will go around sketching ideas here and there to help me solidify the direction I want to take the story in. I have a terrible memory so, whenever I get an idea, I immediately write it down in an app on my smartphone so I don’t forget it! Later, when I can find some time, I will sit down and draw sketches in my notepad I carry around with me at all times. I just draw lots of simple things like scenes or a facial expressions based on the ideas that wrote down in my app. Over time those sketches build up to form the basis of my storyboard and that’s when I start the real work!

 

👆Click the image to read Paco’s award winning entry! 👆

 

Sounds like you have manga on the brain 24/7! What was the inspiration behind ‘Sleepy Rock Z’?

I wanted to create something more personal with this one. I’m a huge fan of Rock Music, and when I think of good teamwork, I immediately think of awesome Rock bands like Black Sabbath, Deep Purple or The Stooges. When I listen to their records, I can tell each member knows exactly what sound to make at the right time, working with each other’s sounds to create something amazing! Also, as a full time freelance illustrator, I work alone but I consider Rock Music to be a “member of my team” because it never fails to get me in a creative mood. As such, I decided to combine all of those elements for this entry.

 

Oh! What an awesome parallel to draw inspiration from with regards to teamwork! As a metal fan myself, the Gene Simmons tongue on the bass playing bird made laugh!!

Hahaha! Actually that was originally going to be drawn in style of the cover photo for The Clash album ‘London Calling’, but I couldn’t do it justice so decided to change it in the end.

 

Interesting! Have you drawn any other rock related comics before?

I’ve done original illustrations for album covers for local rock bands, as well as posters for rock gigs, but I actually haven’t done many comics about rock. The only one that comes to mind is a short comic I did when I was in high school, about a band playing so loud, and terribly, that they distract a superhero fighting a nearby monster, resulting in the eventual destruction of the city! Hahaha! I may do a remake of that one in the future….

 

Paco’s album cover artwork for rock bands ‘Infiltro‘ and ‘Krishna Peri‘!

 

Hahaha! That sounds bonkers! Going back to your entry, I must say that I can really relate to the protagonist! Are you a not a morning-person either?

I am the complete opposite of a morning person! Hahaha! It takes a lot of effort for me to get out of bed, which is also something that inspired this manga. I work a lot more comfortably at night, so pretty much all the pages of “Sleepy Rock Z” were done some time after 7pm.

 

Your use of sound effects really caught my attention too! I like the way you use them as a background like in the punch scene, and the alarm clock panel. Am I correct in guessing you enjoy including sounds in your artwork?

Oh, yeah! One thing that’s great about manga and comics is how it’s a medium that uses one of the senses (sight) to represent all the others. Since hearing is the second most important sense for most people, I think the use of sound effects is very important and adds a lot. I enjoy coming up with ways to make the sound effects look the way those sounds makes us feel.

 

Inside the lair of the man himself!

 

Wow! I never thought of it like that! There are so many fun moments in your manga. Which part in particular did you enjoy drawing?

Probably the whole sequence where the cell phone gets kicked out of the window and lands inside a dog’s mouth, making him choke. I love slapstick humor like that!

 

Hahaha! Yeah that made us laugh too! Where there any parts that gave you trouble to draw?

Yeah, the ripped alarm clock! Drawing huge, muscly arms on the alarm clock was tricky! I wanted to give the alarm clock a strong appearance to match his loudness so that was fun, but pretty hard too, because connecting muscles to a circular object is a lot trickier than you’d think! Haha!

 

How much do you bench, bro?

 

Is there anything you’d like to create in the future?

A lot of things! I’d like to do a comedy story about martial arts, an absurd humor 4-koma, and weird parodies of stories from my country, to name a few.

 

Sounds intriguing! Is there anything that you hope to achieve by taking part in the SMAC! community?

My ultimate goal is to be a professional published mangaka, and maybe have my own series or 4-koma. There aren’t many, if any, opportunities for comic and manga creators to publish and make a living out of comics here in Ecuador, so SMAC! is a great opportunity to show the world my work, improve my style, and hopefully fulfill my goals. I draw to entertain people and make them laugh, so I hope I can achieve that as part of this community as well! Lastly, traveling to Japan has been a lifelong dream of mine, so I will continue to strive towards making that dream a reality too!

 

PC? Check. Bakabon? Check. The Stooges and some beer? CHECK!

 

What would be the first thing you do upon arriving in Japan?

Hahaha! Well, I’m also a huge Kamen Rider fan, so I’d love to visit the Shotaro Ishinomori Museum, as well as catch one of those Kamen Rider theatrical stage adaptions I’ve heard about! Oh, and I’d love to eat some ramen! Hahaha

 

Is there anything you’d like to share with your fellow SMAC! community members

Keep drawing! Even if you don’t win an award, just having a manga to show is just as good, and you become a better artist by doing it. Oh, and remember to have fun! Enjoy!!

 

THANK YOU for your time!

Thank you! I had a lot of fun!

  And with that, we put down our air guitars, turn off the AC/DC, and leave the master of mayhem alone in his studio to concoct his next wacky adventure. Penmaru however, is still on the hunt for the next award winning manga creator, and he has his eyes fixed firmly in YOUR direction!!

So what are you waiting for? Make manga your language too by taking your first step into the world of manga creation by joining SMA X! You have until September 30th, 2018 to say “HELLO” to your new friends! Click the banner for more details on how to enter…

   

For more Paco Puente goodness, be sure to give him a follow over on his official instagram page! Horns up! 

 

 

 

SMA9 Interview #2 – João Eddie (Grand Prix Runner up)

For as long as he can remember, our spotlight creator this week has been passionately drawing comic after comic. Armed with his tried and tested ‘old school’ approach to manga creating, ‘SMA9 Grand Prix Runner Up’ and ‘SMAC! Editor’s Award’ winner João Eddie, spoke with us all the way from his native Brazil, (his first ever interview in English no less!) to tell us how his entries REELED in the judges hook, line, and sinker!

 

ABOUT YOU

 

“I don’t write notes or anything!”

 

This week’s spotlight creator, João Eddie!

Hello João! Thank you for joining us today! How’s things?

Hello! I’m fine, though it’s raining and very cold here in Brazil right now!

 

Yikes! Well let me bring some sunshine by firstly saying a huge CONGRATULATIONS on your recent SMA9 award win! How does it feel?

Thank you so much. I’m so happy!

 

I bet you are! Your manga entries were very well received indeed! So then, let’s get straight into it by asking how you began creating manga?

Sure! Well, I’ve always created my own comics since I was a kid. I enjoyed watching cartoons on T.V. and then create new stories based on my favorite characters. I didn’t decide on becoming a manga artist until I learned more about the industry some years later.

 

Oh really? I used to draw my favorite cartoon characters as a kid too! What kind of animation were you watching back then?

Growing up in Brazil, I would watch Saint Seiya, Yu-Yu-Hakusho, and Dragon Ball so I would often draw those characters. Actually, I was also a big Tokusatsu fan so Kamen Rider, Chōjin Sentai Jetman, and Star Commando Flashman also had a big impact on me.

 

Wait, you’re into Tokusatsu too!?

Of course! Tokusatsu is HUGE in Brazil! My favorite is Kamen Rider Black! I really dig Kaiju movies too, like Godzilla and Pacific Rim.

 

Do you ever find yourself drawing Kaiju manga?

Funny you should ask that, I used make my own Godzilla comics believe it or not!

 

Wow!! I’d love to see those someday! Talking of creating manga, how do you go about creating yours?

First, I think hard about the theme, then I ponder all the events and situations that take place in the story. Then, once I’ve got a clear idea in my mind, I sit down and design the characters and storyboard.

 

So you order everything in your head before you start drawing? You must have a great memory!

That’s right! I don’t write notes or anything! Hahaha

 

João’s cosy studio. This is where all the magic happens!

 

What is your work environment like? Are you more of an analog person or do you prefer digital?

My studio is a small, but very welcoming place. I like to work surrounded by the many materials that inspire me, including my 3 dogs who are always on hand to offer their support! As for equipment, I’m very much an analog person! I just can’t forsake my pen and paper!! Hahaha!

 

Oh, you don’t use a computer at all?

I use a computer for adding tones and touching up stuff but aside from that, I’m pretty much a pen and paper guy. I’ve tried drawing on my computer in the past but, for me, drawing on paper just feels nicer. Seeing videos of manga greats like Naoki Urasawa doing the same kinda inspires me too.

 

ABOUT YOUR PLACE

 

“It’s definitely a great time for comics in Brazil!”

 

Let’s talk a little about your hometown. Care to give us an insight?

I live in a small country town called Camaquã, which is located in the state of Rio Grande do Sul. There are approximately 70,000 inhabitants here, and we are Brazil’s largest producer of grain, soybean, wheat, corn, and rice. Rio Grande do Sul is famous for it’s strong cultural traditions, delicious barbecues, and for being the coldest state in Brazil!

 

Sounds like a very peaceful place! Is it easy to buy manga in Camaquã?

There aren’t many locations to buy manga here, but I can easily find the titles I like so I’m happy.

 

Do you have any favorites?

Ah, that is the hardest question for me! Hahaha! I constantly change my mind so my favorite isn’t fixed but, Yu-Yu-Hakusho is probably my favorite since Yoshihiro Togashi was a huge inspiration for me when I first started creating. I’m also a huge fan of Daisuke Igarashi, Taiyō Matsumoto, Jiro Taniguchi, Inio Asano, Junji Ito, and of course Tetsuo Hara. I’m constantly learning about new manga since it’s very popular in Brazil now. It’s definitely a great time for comics!

 

As you can see, João certainly isn’t shy when it comes to buying manga!

 

Oh that’s awesome to hear! Which titles are most popular in Brazil right now?

A broad variety of titles are proving popular right now. For example works like Akira, Ghost in the Shell, Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure, and the spectacular Hokuto no Ken of course! Works by Jiro Taniguchi (The Walking Man, Samurai Legend) or Takehiko Inoue (Slam Dunk, Vagabond) are also popular.

 

It’s heartening to hear that Brazil has such a vibrant manga/comic community!

I know right? One of our comic creators, Marcelo D’Salete, recently received the Eisner Award in the United States for his work ‘Cumbe’, and we even have comics being made into movies now such as ‘Turma da Mônica’ which is Brazil’s most famous comic.

 

Not to mention the increasing number of SMA award winners from your country!

Exactly! Those stories always get reported by major Brazilian news sites too!

 

They do!? That’s amazing! Do you know any of your fellow Brazilian creators?

I’m the only mangaka in my city that I’m aware of, but there are other excellent creators living in my state. Marcel Ibaldo who made “Brothers in Arms” with me is also from my region.

     

ABOUT YOUR ENTRIES

 

“I’ve never been fishing in my life!”

 

Thanks for the excellent segway João! Let’s talk a little about your two entries. How long did it take you to create each?

For Fisherman Tales, it took me a week or two to create the story and about 6 weeks to draw.

 

Where did you draw your inspiration from when creating your entries?

I remember thinking that I wanted to use all three themes for SMA9 and create a competition in an unusual way. I actually came up with the idea of doing a fishing manga after seeing an image of Takao Yaguchi’s ‘Tsurikichi Sanpei’. Takanori Kanno’s depiction of fish in his manga ‘Crimsons’ also inspired me a lot.

 

It sounds like you really wanted to go fishing this time!

The funny thing is I’ve never been fishing in my life! Haha! I just really like slice-of-life manga and felt that drawing a story about fishermen would be a fun challenge.

 

João drew inspiration from both Takao Yaguchi’s ‘Tsurikichi Sanpei‘, and Takanori Kanno’s ‘Crimsons‘.

 

You mentioned working with Marcel Ibaldo on your other entry “Brothers in Arms”. What was it like working with another creator?

Yes Marcel wrote the story and I did the artwork for that one. Though he lives in the same region as me, we’ve never actually met in person. He’s a very cool guy and has actually worked with SMA MasterClass member Max Andrade.

 

Did you face any creative challenges working with Marcel?

Not at all! We share a similar creative approach so it was actually very easy. Drawing all the different BMX angles was a challenge though!

 

I noticed that the rider crossing the finishing line, and the fish pulling the fishing line in the double spread page were drawn using the same angle. Were those moments difficult to illustrate?

Yeah that double page spread in ‘Fisherman Tales’ was a blast to draw! I love drawing emotional scenes like that. I was actually listening to some really heavy metal when I drew that scene!

 

Let me rephrase that, you were listening to the “greatest genre of music in the world ever”?

Hahaha!! Yeah man, I was belting out some Metallica, Linkin Park and Sepultura!

 

The original artwork for ‘Fisherman Tales’!

 

Impeccable taste in music there João! I also liked your use of kakimoji inside the speech bubbles. It was quite refreshing to see that!

Yeah, I was actually inspired by the fishing scene in the first chapter of Yoshihiro Togashi’s ‘Hunter X Hunter’ so that’s where that came from.

 

Did you find the theme for SMA9 difficult this time?

At first I found it very challenging but once I figured out a story that could incorporate all three themes, everything fell into place so it was a quite an easy process.

 

Which of the other SMA9 entries did you like?

There were so many incredible works but ‘Sorry Mr. Bear’ surprised me a lot.

 

That one surprised us too! It was done by a 14 year old!!

I know!! That really blew my mind! I really enjoyed the plot of that manga. Paco Puente’s ‘Sleepy Rock Z’  made me chuckle too!

 

ABOUT THE FUTURE

 

“I couldn’t be happier to be part of this ongoing story!”

 

Looking ahead, is there anything you’d like to take a stab at?

I’m actually already working on a new manga as we speak! Hahaha! I’m usually working on something, but this project is called ‘Joy Comet’ and it’s a space adventure comedy in the style of Akira Toriyama’s ‘Dr. Slump’. The main protagonist is a girl who has regular dealings with the space police!

 

Wow! That sounds like a lot of fun! Many people have difficulty writing comedy but I’m guessing it comes easy to you?

Yeah I find it easy. It’s a lot of fun too! Dr. Slump is one of my favorite comedy mangas so I’m enjoying the project very much!

 

João’s current project, ‘Joy Comet’!

 

Is there anything you’d like to achieve now that you’re part of the SMAC! community?

I just hope that I can continue telling my stories, and show my passion for this incredible culture through my work. Having my manga recognized by big names within the industry is an incredible feeling. Words can’t express how much of an honor it was for me to have Tsugihara-sensei comment on my work! If I can contribute to manga history in some way though my work, I would be over the moon!

 

Keep up the great work and the sky’s the limit, João! Is there anything else you would like to share with the community before you go?

Thank so much for the award – it means the world to me! It’s impossible to not feel forever grateful for what SMAC! has done for so many creators around the world. It’s something really revolutionary, and I couldn’t be happier to be part of this ongoing story! Thank you so much for the opportunity to show my work, and I hope to continue contributing more and more manga! Good work everyone! Let’s keep giving it our best!!

 

Thanks so much for your time and kind words of encouragement, João! It’s been a blast!!

 

And as we leave João to continue working on his next masterpiece throughout the cold, rainy night in Brazil, Penmaru has his eyes firmly fixed on YOU, the next award winning manga creator!!

So what are you waiting for? Make manga your language too by taking your first step into the world of manga creation by joining SMA X! You have until September 30th, 2018 to say “HELLO” to your new friends! Click the banner for more details on how to enter…

   

Also, don’t forgot to check out João’s Tumblr page for more manga goodness! 

http://joaoeddie.tumblr.com/

EX4 CRAM SCHOOL – LESSON #1: The Japanese and TAKING EXAMS Just a few days ago we unveiled the new theme for SMA-EX4. We at SILENT MANGA AUDITION® have teamed up with Nestlé Japan to host a very special round, with the themes “EXAM” and “TRIAL”! As cool as that may sound, no doubt many of you will be scratching your heads and asking yourselves, “Why EXAM?” or “What does Nestlé have to do with taking exams?”… In order to aid you in facing this “TRIAL”, we the SMAC! editorial team have decided to start this new series of articles to help you gain a better understanding of what we’re looking for. With this goal in mind, we invite you to join us here at the…  “EX4 Cram School” We sincerely hope this article series will help you create your amazing manga! Manga that will warm our hearts with stories of people facing the various trials that life throws at them! With that in mind, I’d like to start this series by explaining the significance of ‘Taking exams’ for people of Japan.

“Juken”

COMSEVENTHFLT/flickr 

In Japanese the word ‘Juken’ is a verb that basically means ‘to take an examination’. However, when Japanese people use the word ‘Juken’ as a noun, it’s generally to indicate the act of ‘taking an entrance examination for school or university’. For Japanese people, the word ‘juken’ is a very highly regarded one. Students aspiring to enter a prestigious school or university will enroll in special courses to improve their chances and, should they pass their entrance examination, will then go on to find themselves entering a whole new field of higher education.  Students with particularly high grades will also take part in volunteer work or extracurricular activities in order to a procure a specific ‘recommendation’ from the placements they participated in. (What’s surprising is that these students don’t undertake such activities because they want to, but because having such recommendations will help them in their ‘juken’ or entrance examination…!) The influence of ‘juken’ isn’t just prevalent in school. Many students enroll in extra classes after school and study hard at cram schools just so they can gain an edge over the competition (like this series!) Among such institutions are special ‘Prep schools’ which exist solely for the purpose of getting students through the entrance examination process successfully. (Of interesting note, students who fail the entrance examination and return to these schools are likened to samurai who have no master to serve and are called “Ronin”!) Furthermore, at the end of the fiscal year in Japan (January – March), the entire nation becomes embroiled in what is also ‘Entrance Exam season’. During this period, T.V. commercials showing support for exam candidates are heavily broadcasted, with many news programs showing special reports focusing on entrance examinations.  A walk outside will quickly yield discoveries of stores selling ‘Exam candidate support goods’ in the way of cleverly named food products or other useful items. In short, the whole nation goes into ‘Exam’ festival mode! But why do Japanese people place so much importance on entrance examinations? Well, if we dig deep, the reasons are rather complex. To summarize it simply, ‘entering a prestigious school or university is a life changing event’. Japanese companies still hold to the principle of ‘life-time employment’ and actively hire fresh graduates on the premise of them never needing to look for another job again. Whereas switching companies for the sake of furthering one’s career is a common practice in places like Europe and the Americas, Japanese people who follow that example are very much in the minority with most people still opting for a lifelong partnership with their employers. When searching for new recruits, the first thing that many companies look out for, is people who are young, yet mature and show promise… In other words, graduates fresh out of university.  Since Japan is a society built on the foundations of seniority, just being able to say you’ve graduated from university is proof that you’ve reached adulthood and have acquired a fundamental level of economic understanding and intellect. As such, companies clamor to recruit such talent, giving them a place to spend the remainder of their professional lives.  …At least, that’s how things worked in the Japan of old. Of course, such feudal, inflexible ways of hiring are a things of the past but, with the employment climate being what it is, the majority of young Japanese students who eagerly to display their abilities, still lay it all on the line when preparing for an entrance examination. Consequently, those people who are around such candidates also feel a deep urge to earnestly support, and encourage them any way they can. In Japanese manga and anime, where there is a school, there will always be ‘juken’. Now that you have a deeper understanding of Japan’s educational culture, you may find yourself noticing new and interesting things upon revisiting such works! Alternatively, if you find yourself wanting to learn more about Japanese ‘juken’, why not check out such works as Norifusa Mita’s ‘Dragon Zakura’, Shiho Takase’s ‘Nigatsu no Shōsha’, or Ken Akamatsu’s ‘Love Hina’? All these titles revolve around entrance examinations, so I definitely recommend checking them out! At first glance, ‘Entrance Exam season’ may appear to be a joyous festival of sorts but, beneath the surface, there are a great many young students who are hidden away studying with every ounce of strength they can muster, just for a chance at attaining career glory. It’s a time of year where the whole community does their bit to encourage those young students overcome this difficult trial…   And with that, a bell rings loudly throughout the campus, bringing the first installment of EX4 Cram School to a close! We really hope this first chapter has given you all a deeper understanding of ‘Juken’ and what it means to the people of Japan! As promised, this will be a regular series, where we put the theme under our ‘editorial scalpel’ every fortnight. We really hope each installment proves helpful in enabling YOU the creator to grasp the essence of this special round! See you all again in two weeks, but more importantly, be sure to click on the banner below to join this special round and show us what you’ve got! Remember, “Together, we’ll get there!”  

ENTER THE AUDITION NOW!

↓ Click on the banner below ↓

Manga Nutcracker #26 – Billy Bat   Billy Bat Urasawa Naoki Original run  2008 -2016 Published by Kodansha    

” A mangaka gets embroiled in a series of suspenseful events in search for the true meaning behind his character”

          …Is a bizarre story of a bat, who also happens to be a reputed private detective. Billy’s adventure begins when he one day receives a surprise request from a troubled dog wanting him to investigate who his wife is cheating on him with. Little does Billy know however, that his case will ultimately drag him into a dangerous conflict with Soviet Union spies!!!   Wrong.   Art imitates life?   Nope.   …If you steal work from Osamu Tezuka, you’re in for a whole world of pain…?   Close!   This week’s manga is so full of surprises, that it’s actually rather hard to describe this meticulously crafted story in a way that does it justice.   Kevin Yamagata is a Japanese-American comic artist living in California. With his successful comic, ‘Billy Bat’ coming to a close, he seems to have trouble writing the perfect ending.   At the height of his self-doubt, Kevin finds himself suddenly visited by some police detectives who wish to use his apartment window to spy on the building opposite his on the suspicion that a Russian spy might be living there.   Having nothing to do with him, Kevin allows the detectives to use his premises as he goes back to finishing his work. It’s at this moment that one of the detectives points out that his ‘Billy Bat’ character already exists in Japan.   With every artist’s worst nightmare looking to come true, Kevin faces the unexpected inevitability of going back to Japan and asking the original creator for permission to use his character.   Tracking down the artist however, proves to be much harder than he anticipates. Little does he know that the meaning behind his ‘Bat’ could very well lead him down a dangerous path filled with adventure and corruption that poses a threat to his very life!   So, what is the real meaning of ‘Billy Bat’, and can Kevin make it out of his predicament in one piece?  
Nutcracking time
  As expected of Naoki Urasawa, his love for storytelling can be keenly felt through this intricately written, mystery-packed ride of a manga. Known internationally as one of the masters of complex stories, is hard to believe that his beginnings were far from that.   With a huge admiration for Osamu Tezuka, a firm will  to improve himself and become a professional mangaka, he asked advice to many in the business, until one day he got the advice of a pro telling him to start from the basics, draw many yonkomas first.   From that point Urasawa sensei started drawing daily yonkoma manga, eventually  masterings the technique, years later he is know in japan as the “Master of kishotenketsu”.   Starting with a classic detective story about a hard-boiled detective that goes all out to solve his client’s cases, to an ‘Art imitates life’ setting, before finally switching to an artist living out his worst nightmare, Urasawa deftly keeps the reader glued to the page.   Each setting is beautifully connected by subtle actions and events that intersect each other perfectly, pushing the story forward in a natural, organic way that almost feels as convincing as real life.   Urasawa’s approaches his story with a strong degree of realism but never fails to push the envelope with unexpected mystery or suspense. His skill at conveying such tones from seemingly normal situations through his cinematic approach to paneling makes him a master of storyboard flow, and enables him to really stand out among works that are considered “popular” titles.  
SMA9 Interview #1 – RIZA aL ASSAMI (Grand Prix Runner up)

Surrounded by the beautiful scenery of his native Indonesia, ‘SMA9 Grand Prix Runner Up’ AND ‘SMA9 Excellence Award’ winner RIZA aL ASSAMI has bounced back from despair with a determined sense of mission and some lightning fast manga creating skills to boot! Join us as we meet the man himself and find out what inspires him to draw each day!

 

ABOUT YOU

  “I HAVE to make a manga like this one day!!”  

Hi there, Riza! First, let me just say CONGRATULATIONS on your winning entries!

Thank you! I still can’t believe it really! Haha!

 

Well, no need to pinch yourself, you definitely did it! Let’s dive straight in by asking you a little about how you started creating manga. What was the spark that caused you to pick up your pen?

I always enjoyed reading manga but I never considered having a stab at creating any myself, until I read the (SMA 1 Winner) Alex Irzaqi manga called “Dharmaputra winehsuka.” He’s a fellow countryman so seeing how he combined Indonesian culture with his interesting art style really blew me away! As soon as I finished reading, I immediately said to myself “I HAVE to make a manga like this one day!!”

 

And here we are now! Is there any particular method you use when creating manga?

Like most manga creators, I generally begin with a story idea. Once I’ve got something in mind, I’ll create a name and proceed with the sketching and inking before scanning the pages onto my PC for toning and finishing.

 

I see! Do you do all of this at home, or in a studio?

I actually don’t have a specific place to work. I draw wherever I feel like it, be it at home whilst watching T.V., or even laying in bed! The only thing I do entirely in front of my PC is toning, since my computer is too heavy to carry around!

 

Ah, so you’re more analog than digital?

Yes! From creating a story and name, through to inking the final work, I do everything analog. I only go digital when it comes to toning and adding the finishing touches. I often see professional manga creators on YouTube applying screentone manually which always makes me want to attempt it myself. However, screentones are not only expensive in Indonesia, they’re also quite difficult for vendors that sell. As such, I prefer to use Photoshop!

 

You must have lots of pens and paper lying around then!

Indeed! I’ve used the same materials for many years now; paper, pencils, snowman drawing pens (size 0.1 and 0.2) and a small marker that cost me 1000 rupiah (around ¥7).

In addition, I have a laptop that a friend lent me after the CPU on my main computer broke in 2016. The laptop doesn’t have a battery though, and the keyboard is also damaged but I’ve rigged it up to my old keyboard and monitor so it’s still alive and kicking! Haha!

 

IT LIVES!!

   

ABOUT YOUR PLACE

 

“We’ll have to visit the Shadow Puppet museum!”

 

Being somewhere as picturesque as Indonesia must give you lots of inspiration.

Yes, I live in a small village called Tembok Lor, which is located in Tegal City. It’s a beautiful location with a mountain range situated to the south, and a black sand coastline to the north. Actually, it’s the perfect place for an artist like me to live!

 

Wow, that certainly sounds very nice!

It is! The food is great, and I’m surrounded by plenty of beautiful scenery! If you ever visit here, I’d love to show you the mountain waterfall and natural hot spring baths. Oh, and of course we’ll have to visit the shadow puppet (wayang) museum owned by the famous puppeteer Ki Enthus Susmono!

 

I’m sold! I love mountains, and waterfalls never fail to amaze me! You certainly have a rich culture, but what is the comic/manga scene like in your country?

Right now, digital comics, particularly webtoons, seem to be gaining a lot of ground.

 

I see, and do you have any particular favorites?

Actually I read comics from all over the world. Indonesian comics, western comics, comics from Hong Kong and Korea, and of course, Japanese manga. I love so many titles so it’s hard to pick a favorite, but one manga I really love is Takehiko Inoue’s ‘Vagabond’. I’m also very fond of Daisuke Igarashi’s work. Other works that I’m really into would be those of Sergio Toppi (from Italy), and Norman Rockwell (from the U.S.) so I guess you could say I’m into classic stuff.

 

Riza has a broad taste in manga!

 

That’s a broad taste you have there! Are locally created comics/manga well received in your area?

Yes, we have a local comicon which is held several times a year. It’s pretty popular and it’s a great place for artists to meet fellow creators and comic fans, plus an opportunity to sell work.

 

So I’m guessing you know other local creators?

Of course! I have a lot of creator friends, but my favorites would have to be Alex Irzaqi and Sweta Kartika since they always include elements of local Indonesian culture in their work. I’m also a big fan of DS Studio since their beautiful work always brightens up my Facebook timeline!

   

ABOUT YOUR ENTRIES

 

“We will never find style, but style will find us.”

 

Moving on to SMA9, how long did it take to create your manga?

I finished them both about a month before the deadline.

 

Wowzers! You certainly didn’t mess around! Where did you find the inspiration for your entries?

I started by understanding the theme, then I pieced together a suitable story after drawing inspiration from the environment – not to mention reading a great deal of reference material!

 

Both Hara-sensei and Hojo-sensei were impressed by the considerable difference in art style that you used for “The Last of Us” and “Together”. Is there any particular reason why you wanted them to look so different?

Ah, thanks Hara-sensei and Hojo-sensei! For ‘The Last of Us’, Takehiko Inoue’s ‘Vagabond’ was a big help in me grasping the fine details of the characters’ designs. For the story of the children in ‘Together’, I wanted to illustrate it in a simpler way that’s more akin to the work of Naoki Urasawa. Regarding the contrast in art styles I used, I always remember the words of American cartoonist Scott McCloud when he said “We will never find style, but style will find us.” I draw from inspiration from a lot of different reference sources, and try to adapt my style each time accordingly. Maybe my next entry will also look different.

 

More samurai frolics than you can shake a katana at!

 

In “The Last of Us”, Hara-sensei also liked how you included the samurai short-sword in the story. What inspired you to include it?

I’ve always loved stories about samurai, whether I read them in encyclopedias, comics, novels, or movies. I’m just fascinated by how they lived and maintained their code of honor. Of course, the sword fights are also pretty awesome! Haha!  Recently I’ve been enjoying Akira Kurosawa movies, such as ‘Seven Samurai’, ‘Yojimbo’, and ‘Rashomon’, all of which I find really cool.

 

Well, you’re preaching to the choir there Riza, as I love Kurosawa’s movies too! Speaking of details, we were impressed by the level you put in both entries. Were there any parts in particular that gave you trouble?

Dividing the panels was what gave me the most trouble since I really wanted to maximize the use of all 16 pages so that the readers could fully understand the message I wanted to share.

 

Well, you certainly made it look easy! Regarding SMA9, what other entries did you like?

I loved Paco Puente’s ‘Sleepy Rock Z’. It was so funny!

 

Ooh! We obviously have similar taste, since I loved that one too! Haha!

 

ABOUT YOUR FUTURE

 

“I used to be a reader, but now I can proudly say I’m part of the manga industry!”

 

Judging by the level of work you’re creating now, it’s clear you have a bright future in manga. Looking ahead, what kind of manga do you want to create?

I definitely want to keep creating. Actually, it’s my dream to create a manga about ‘Wayang’, Indonesian shadow puppets, since they’re a huge part of my country’s cultural heritage. In the same way that Japanese creators share their country’s culture with people all over the world via manga, I hope to one day do the same for Indonesia. Few people know about Wayang these days so I want to do my best to change that!

 

Ki Enthus Susmono and his wayang (Photo by hok le kio)

 

That’s certainly a very noble undertaking! We certainly look forward to seeing what you come up with! By the way, how does it feel to be part of the SMAC! community now?

It’s a dream come true. I used to be a reader, but now I can proudly say I’m part of the manga industry which makes me feel very proud. To my readers; I will strive to create the best work, to my fellow creators; let’s be friends, and to the editors; you are all very cheerful and friendly. I love you guys!

 

Aww that’s very kind of you to say! On that note, is there anything else you’d like to share with the community?

In truth, 2016 was the worst year for me. The hard drive on my computer broke and I instantly lost 500gb of data. All the image files, reference material, art and story concepts I worked on for 3 years disappeared in a flash. To make matters worse, I was on the verge of signing a contract with a publisher and making my debut, but I lost everything. All I could do was cry. What happened after is actually a pretty long story so I’ll save that for another time. But despite all that, I didn’t give up on my dream of becoming a comic creator and here I am. There are always challenges, but I really hope that fellow creators never give in to their limitations, and have a strong spirit because the results will never betray their efforts, believe me ^^

 

I think I can safely say, on behalf of the entire SMAC! editorial team and community, we’re very glad you didn’t give up on your dream! We can barely wait to see what you come up with next! Thank you so much Riza!

  And there we have it! Now it’s YOUR turn to become an award winning manga creator!!

Make manga your language too! Take your first step into the world of making manga by joining SMA X! You have until September 30th, 2018 to say “HELLO” to your new friends! Click the banner for more details on how to enter…

   
Weekend Yokai Hunter #10

Hello again my ghoulish brethren and welcome back to another installment of every folklore fanatic’s favorite article… the Weekend Yokai Hunter! After finally untangling myself from that pesky roll of cloth, I have decided to shine a light on one of Japan’s most common, yet confusing Yokai…

 

…the KITSUNE!

 

Growing up in England, I would regularly see these creatures both out in the wild and wandering the town’s streets at the crack of dawn. I’ve always felt these beasts have an air of mystery about them, and it would appear that the Japanese evidently share this sentiment…

 

WHAT ARE…Kitsune?

 

Behold! A nine-tailed Kitsune!

Unlike most of the Yokai we’ve looked at throughout this series, the Kitsune’s name doesn’t have any particular meaning since it’s simply means “fox” in Japanese. Though regular foxes are indigenous across the entire northern hemisphere, here in Japan they are viewed slightly differently.

In addition to regular wild foxes that frolic in the mountainous countryside, there are actually two other types of Kitsune; ‘good, protective’ foxes, and ‘bad, mischievous’ ones. The former are considered to be messengers of the shinto god ‘Inari’ and can be found decorating the many Inari shrines throughout Japan.

For centuries, the Japanese have worshipped the Inari as the god of fertility, tea, sake, agriculture, prosperity, success and, most importantly perhaps, rice. Inari Kitsune are often white in colour, and are said to be protective of humans and places, bringing good fortune to those make offerings at the shrine.

Making up a third of all shinto shrines in Japan, many Inari shrines are protected by Myōbu, two large celestial fox statues, that are said to both guard the shrine, along with being symbols of good fortune.

 

The other variation of Kitsune, would be the mischievous Yokai version. These shape-shifting foxes love to play pranks on humans (much like the Tanuki do) ranging from conjuring up illusions to disorient people, to disguising themselves as beautiful women to seduce men and steal their valuables.

 

A handsome looking Myōbu Kitsune stands guard!

Though that may sound bad enough, these critters can sometimes go one step further and even possess people, though the Kitsune must have been angered in some way before considering a possession. The unfortunate symptoms of a Kitsune possession include pain, madness, hysteria, along with exhibiting strange behavior such as running through the street naked, acting violently, barking, spitting, and even foaming at the mouth! Just thinking about having to endure such indignity gives me the shivers!

Regardless of whether they are ‘good’ or ‘bad’, all Kitsune are said to potentially possess as many as nine tails! It is said that the greater the number of tails, the older and more powerful the Kitsune is. Though legends tend to vary, it’s commonly believed that Kitsune who acquire a ninth tail will immediately see their fur turn pure white or gold.

 

HUNTING FOR…Kitsune

 

Though Inugami shrines are more prevalent in western Japan, Inari shrines make up more than a third (32,000) of all shinto shrines in the country, so you could potentially encounter these mischievous foxes anywhere!

That said, there are some spots which are particularly worth exploring. People traveling to Kyoto should definitely check out the incredible Fushimi Inari-taisha shrine. There you can enjoy the beautiful torii path leading to the outer shrine, as well as the Kitsune fountain and statues within. Visitors to Tokyo should also check out either Toyogawa Inari Tokyo branch temple, or (my personal favorite) the Shōzoku Inari shrine in Ōji. Nestled away in a quiet back street, visitors can both enjoy the elegant Myōbu Kitsune statues on display, as well as the shrine’s serene atmosphere.

 

The serene Shōzoku Inari shrine in Ōji, Tokyo.

 

Kitsune TODAY!

 

With the large number of Inari shrines throughout the country, it almost goes without saying that Kitsune are still very much part of present day culture in Japan. Kitsune aren’t only embraced by the populace, but are enthusiastically celebrated in festivals, such as the Hida-Furukawa Kitsune-bi Matsuri in Gifu, not to mention the popular Ōji Kitsune night march.

Kitsune have even made it into culinary Japan! Due to their perceived love of abura-age (thin slices of fried tofu), ‘Kitsune udon’, basically fried tofu on noodles, was named in their honour (… at the risk of sounding like a miserable git here, I feel it’s my duty to point out that foxes are carnivorous and actually have no interest in fried tofu, but you know, tradition is tradition!)

Sayori Ochiai’s ‘Gingitsune’.

Naturally, manga and anime have also been equally visited by these guys. Notable titles being Midori Yuma’s ‘Kakuriyo no Yadomeshi’, Satoshi Takagi’s ‘Kitsune no Yomeiri’, and my personal recommendation, Sayori Ochiai’s ‘Gingitsune’ the charming story of a little girl who has the sole ability of being able to see the fox spirit protecting her town’s local Inari shrine.

Lastly, as a voracious metal fan, I would be remiss if I didn’t say that the Japanese idol band ‘Babymetal’ (I’m not a fan, sorry) heavily borrow from Kitsune folklore and incorporate fox face masks, and hand signals into their persona. Now even music fans around the world can celebrate Kitsune!

 

And on that bombshell, I bid you adieu as I plan to grab a bowl of Kitsune udon on my way home from yet another Yokai escapade. I hope you enjoyed learning more about Japan’s fox culture and I’ll see you all again next week!

    If you have any interesting Yokai related stories, questions, or even recommendations for Yokai you’d like to me hunt in a future installment, feel free to contact me directly over on Twitter @Brendan SMAC! Cheers!!
Manga S.O.S. #2 – Paneling… OF THE NORTH STAR! Mangaka’s of the world, CIAO! Today we will continue talking about paneling. Specifically, how to create the perfect “Koma-wari” (“paneling” in Japanese) by analysing, in great detail, the very first chapter of my favourite manga… “Fist of the North Star” by Hara Tetsuo sensei! But before we start… do you remember what we covered last week? There are 2 different types of paneling pages, the rough ones (a page with a small number of panels) and dense (a page with many panels, containing a lot of information). The proper order of Koma-wari for a long story, is to start with a rough panelling approach at the start of the manga, then dense in the middle, followed by rough at the end: this will ensure your manga is easy to read while giving the story a dynamic tempo!   So, now that we have recapped the basic structure of a professional manga, let’s dig further into Koma-wari by looking at a professional title… CHAPTER 1 OF FIST OF THE NORTH STAR: A CRY FROM THE HEART”! The opening scene of episode one is a powerfully HUGE single panel! As we discussed last week, the principle of any good manga is to start the story with a “Rough” Koma-wari, exactly like the one here, that grabs the reader instantly!! Furthermore…

DON!

This theory applies from pages 2 to 5, with a coarse frame rate which boldly spreads out the action. Indeed, the total number of frames on page four is eleven! Can you believe it?! A bold line-up of less than three frames with one page creates this unique power and impact! Leading to the middle of the story with a “dense” Koma-wari. Even though it has higher density rate than the previous one, impact and readability are not impaired. As this is Rin’s first appearance in the story, the standing appearance of Rin (on the left side of the page) is laid out in a form of a drawing, outside of the paneling. Consequently, the appearance of Rin stands out on this “dense” page, making her literally stand out. This is also a dense page, but the reader never gets lost in the order of reading. Look carefully at the page, the narrow width and thick width described last week has been used successfully! Manga creators should never forget how to guide their readers. Finally, the last page of episode one. Again, we see a charming use of “rough” panelling, leaving the reader to ponder “what will happen next?”. I hope you enjoyed this little journey into the manga making world! Alas, I can’t explain everything in such short an article, but I am sure that by using what you have learned in today’s episode, you can go and find your personal examples of “Dense” and “Rough” Koma-wari! So the next time you read your favorite manga, focus on the “Koma-wari” and the way it manipulates the reading order. When you do, make sure to share them on your SNS by tagging me or using the hashtag #mangasos 😉 

Next week, I will introduce techniques to manipulate time with the frame rate. Looking forward to to! CIAO!  
  FOLLOW ME for more Kakimoji and manga tips! Twitter Facebook …and remember to use the hashtag #mangasos 😉
Making a Mangaka: #14 Asano Inio

“The voice of his generation”, Inio Asano has built a career to rival the greatest poets and musicians of our age. By transforming the personal struggles of his youth into beautifully melancholic manga, Asano has gifted the world his own unique take on pain, isolation and depression, and provided a lifeline to disenfranchised youth everywhere.

 

Name: Inio Asano (浅野 いにお Asano Inio)

Born: September 22, 1980

Place of Birth: Ishioka, Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan

Speciality: A difficult Slice of Life. 

   

 

ABOUT…

 

Growing up in Ibaraki Prefecture, Inio Asano struggled with a childhood beset by gloom and worrying bouts of melancholy. Known as a frail and fragile boy, the troubled child found an escape from the overpowering environment he found himself in by reading manga.

 

Discovering the work of Tamakichi Sakura, manga artist and lead designer of the Super Mario Adventures, Inio’s life forever changed. Through Sakura’s work, the sensitive boy soon realized that manga wasn’t just a form of entertainment, it was a tool to provide support by effectively giving a voice to the maelstrom of emotions we all suffer.

 

Growing into adolescences, Inio immersed himself in manga. From the surrealist works of Yoshiharu Tsuge to the folklore infused stories of Shigeru Mizuki, his high school years was a time of great influence that allowed him to develop the themes and styles that would filter into much of his later work.

 

Debuting at the age of 17, followed by winning the GX competition in 2001, Asano gained a reputation as a creator with depth and feeling, earning praise from readers and contemporaries alike. Indeed, so impactful is his body of work, the Yomiuri Shimbun (Yomiuri newspaper) fondly described Inio Asano as “the voice of his generation [sic]”. A weighty title it may be, but one earned through pain, and more importantly, personal growth and understanding.

 

 

MY THOUGHTS…

 

As a sensitive boy growing up in the working class North of England, I viewed adolescence with a trepidation bordering on mania. My only escape from this dark and melancholy reality was music, chiefly The Smiths. The music of The Smiths was a lifeline that spoke to me on personal level, reassuring me that I am not alone in this cruel and unfair world. If Inio Asano was in a band, he would be in The Smiths. 

 

Looking over Asano’s stories, I was immediately struck by his sensitivity and balance as a creator, both in his themes and intricate art work. With character driven, realist stories, Asano has taken the pain and emotion he suffered in childhood and turned them into beautifully relatable works of art.

 

This expert use of observation and balance can also be felt in his art. Much like his great childhood influencer Shigeru Mizuki, Asano clashes realism with the absurd, chiefly in backgrounds and character design. Literally taking photographs to create much of the settings, he populates his stories with almost cartoonish characters. This juxtaposition of styles works perfectly in his emotionally laden stories, allowing the themes and visuals to work harmoniously together.

 

Though looked upon questionably from many in the industry, Asano’s use of digital technology is anything but corner cutting. The time, effort and skill that goes into transforming a photograph into an emotionally charged panel of manga is astounding. By effectively “tracing” over the photographic content and adding “homemade” screentones, the scenes that fill Asano’s manga are infused with a sense of gravitas seldom seen in manga.

 

With characters that literally grow as his stories play out, Asano has captured the very essence of everyday life. From struggling with life decisions in What a Wonderful World!, evaporating youthful dreams, to be replaced with the mundanity of adult life in Solanin, to a very practical take on isolation and loneliness in Nijigahara Holograph, Asano guides us through a minefield of relatable emotions and feelings with ease. Indeed, not even a giant UFO over the skies of Tokyo will distract him from his mission of cataloguing life’s struggle.

 

With a prolific body of work, Asano has created beautiful stories that speak to disenfranchised youth everywhere. Feelings of pain, loneliness and depression are universal, so to see these struggles playing out on the pages on manga is like a shining light in an otherwise dark and murky world. In the words of The Smiths, let’s hope Inio Asano it is a “light that never goes out”.

 

 

MANGA

 

Futsū no Hi (2000)

Sotsugyōshiki Jigoku (2000)

Uchū kara Konnichi wa (2001)

What a Wonderful World! (2002 – 2004)

Nijigahara Holograph (2003 – 2005)

Hikari no Machi (2005)

Sekai no Owari to Yoake Mae (2005 – 2008)

Solanin (2005 – 2006; 2017)

Goodnight Punpun (2007 – 2013)

Ozanari Kun (2008 – 2011)

A Girl on the Shore (2009 – 2013)

Ctrl+T Asano Inio Works (2010)

Planet (2010)

Toshi no Se (2012)

Kinoko Takenoko (2013)

Dead Dead Demon’s Dededede Destruction (2014 – )

Bakemono Re’ Chan (2015)

Yūsha Tachi (2015 – )

Funwari Otoko (2016)

Sayonara Bye-Bye (2016)

Reiraku (2017)14

Manga nutcracker #25 – Akuma kun Akuma-kun ( Complete version) By Mizuki Shigeru Asahi sonorama 1984    

“A boy will use the power of demons for a better world!”

              From the master of Japanese folklore, this week we take a look at an amazing work from Yokai legend Mizuki Shigeru sensei… Akuma-kun. This work has been redaptaded in more than one version, for this article I chosed   A child prodigy who appears once every 10,000 years, he exhibits a strong fascination with demons and the occult, gaining him the nickname “Akuma-kun”.   With a mission to make the world a happy place for humans, Akuma-kun devotes everything to summoning a demon. By harnessing their demonic power, Akuma-kun  believes he can make his dream a reality.   After experiencing failure after failure, Akuma-kun eventually enlists the help of Dr. Faust. An eminent demonologist, the good Doctor helps out protagonist to summon his first demon… Mephisto!   Armed with the Solomon Flute, a present from Dr. Faust, Akuma-kun is able to control the demons he summons. But will they be the key to humanity’s happiness? What adventures awaits them?  
Nutcracking time
  Akuma-kun is a perfect example of taking a complex concept and repackaging it into a simple narrative. A technique Mizuki Shigeru sensei excelled at.   From the first few pages, we are introduced to the protagonist and his mission, instantly grabbing the reader and encouraging that all important page turn.   Once the manga has established these core elements, we are then invited to learn more about the goal. Will the demons unquestionably obey him? Is a contract needed to bind the demons to Akuma-kun? Is it a one sided deal or not?   This simple, yet effective ordering and delivering of the plot points not allows for easy and pleasant read, it sets up the blueprint for the manga as a whole.   Another delightful aspect to the manga, much like the read of Mizuki sensei’s amazing work, is the character designs. Any artists goal is to create original and unique characters that are instantly recognizable and Mizuki sensei achieves this with playful ease.   The backgrounds are characters in themselves. Intricate, dark and foreboding, they provide a perfect antithesis to the cartoonish characters within the manga. The care Mizuki sensei put into his backgrounds is astounding, and gave birth to the method known as “Mizuki sensei’s leaf”.   Mizuki Shigeru was the master of contrasts. From bright and comical characters playing out the action against dark, foreboding backgrounds to the use of “demons” to help usher in a time of worldly happiness, the manga legend created with a sense of healthy playfulness. With Akuma-kun, that playfulness is felt on every page.  
SMAC! MANGA DOJO #19 – How to make a charming character ⑤ Protagonists are always "HEROES"!   <Characters> Penmaru Is a ninja dog who dreams of becoming the greatest manga creator in the animal world. To help achieve his dream, Mocchi gives him a mission… “Learn how to create manga at the Manga Dojo.” Likes to go to the pool when it’s hot. “Shihan” Manga Master The master of the dojo and Penmaru’s tutor in the ways of manga. An experienced editor who has worked in the manga industry for over 30 years. Likes to listen to the sound of wind chimes when it’s hot.  

Ep. 19: How to make a charming character ⑤; Protagonists are always “HEROES”!

(さらに…)