SMA8 Interview #14 – Amito Arai (Honorable Mention Award Winner)
Approaching manga on his own terms, this Russian creative works to his own clock, flaring his creative muscles when inspiration bites. With his SMA8 entry Fair Fight earning him an Honourable Mention Award, Amito Arai is not resting on his laurels, with the top prize still very much in his sights!
Hi Amito Arai!
Hello
ABOUT YOU“I’m a huge fan of listening to audiobooks when creating manga, especially scary stories.”Where did you grow up? City or Rural? Anything the world should know about it?
I was born and live in Nizhny Tagil, a city amongst the Ural Mountains. It’s quite a small city, with around 400,000 people, but very well known in Russia due to it’s industrial heritage, not to mention being home to an amazing mix of famous people. We have artists, scientists, writers engineers, poets and a Nobel Laureate! For all it’s industrial importance, Nizhny Tagil is packed with many beautiful parks, monuments and architecture. I’m very proud of my city!
If a friend from the SMAC!ommunity visited you for a sightseeing trip, where would you take them?
For all its beauty, Nizhny Tagil has a lot of industrial noise! I love peace and quiet, surrounded by nature. If a member of the SMAC!ommunity visited me here, I would show them the breath-taking beauty of the Urals! A firm favorite of river-rafting tourists is the Chusovaya River, which cascades through the Ural ridge.
What is a typical day in your life like?
I live quite an uneventful life really. If I don’t have any work scheduled, I leisurely rise from my bed in the afternoon, have breakfast and check SNS. I’ll dutifully attend to any chores around the house, then maybe visit a friend, go shopping, sketch, though constantly thinking of manga ideas! My first love is drawing, and I can happily spend a whole day at it. My record is 36 hours straight of drawing! I don’t have a particular routine, preferring to work when I need to. Can easily go to bed at 9pm or 6am, depending on work or how I’m feeling. It works for me!
What is your favorite movie/music/games?
Hmmm, that’s a tough question…though I love Science Fiction! I also watch a lot of anime, especially if the concept and narrative is unusual.
Music? It varies, but the less lyrics, the better! I love original soundtracks, including anime, movies and games. Listening to OST’s are perfect to draw manga to, especially emotional pieces as they can be a great source of inspiration.
I haven’t played games for a long time, but I when I did, Minecraft was a firm favorite. I loved the creative freedom it allowed me. I also loved town planning and strategy games such as Civilization. I ploughed through the entire Elder Scrolls, Half Life and Portal because of the amazing environments across wildly different genres.
What do you like to do when you’re not drawing manga?
I’m a huge fan of listening to audiobooks when creating manga, especially scary stories. For SMA8, I must have listened to about 600 complete audiobooks! I also watch a lot of movies and anime, as they can be another amazing source of inspiration. And food! Eating delicious food!
Amito on the hunt for manga!
ABOUT MANGA“…when I have [inspiration], I give everything I have to finish the work quickly.”Why is manga important to you?
For me, manga is an outlet for creative self-expression. I need to draw, giving life to the ideas in my head to weave a story is when I’m happiest. I recently vowed, that if I win SMA, I’ll reveal my inner world, my ideas and my thoughts in a very personal manga, for all to see!
Was there an artist or story that inspired you to become a manga creator?
I’m constantly inspired by a great number of famous mangaka, including Asano Inio, Kohei Horikoshi, Inoue Takehiko, Masashi Kishimoto, Takeshi Obata, Hajime Isayama, Tetsuo Hara, Tsukasa Noah, Taito Kubo…the list goes on, and on!
Though I admire these mangaka enormously, my manga journey actually began with anime. Back then, I didn’t even know manga existed! I was instantly hooked on Naruto and Death Note, that is, the works of Masashi Kishimoto and Takeshi Obata. They inspired me to pick up my pencil and try making manga myself!
Is manga popular in Russia?
Manga isn’t very popular here, but that’s now starting to change…and quickly! Only about 10 years ago, people didn’t really know what manga was, but now I’m starting to see manga being sold in stores. Most people now know what manga, which is a huge change!
What kind of environment do you work in while you’re drawing manga?
I currently use pencil, ink and paper, then bring it all together on the computer. I really want to embrace the digital side for making manga! Drawing materials are rare and very expensive in Russia, son it will be more economical, not to mention being easier and faster!
What challenges do you face creating manga?
Well, locating affordable drawing material is a challenge! But the main challenge is finding inspiration or ideas for manga, especially when working with a theme. I find it hard to find inspiration, but when I have it, I give everything I have to finish the work quickly.
Passing on his skills to a younger generation of manga creators
ABOUT YOUR WIN“…it wasn’t until I saw boxing on the screen, that the moment came. I had my idea!”Talking about the themes, what was your reaction to “Fair Play”?I had a lot of different ideas, about chess, running, and even gaming, but I eventually settled on a story about boxing. Two opponents, facing off in the ring. I spent a lot of time pondering the idea of “fair play”, trying to get to the root of the concept and how to show it in manga. After watching a SMAC! video on the YouTube channel, where it explains the nuances of storytelling, I briefly spoke to Taiyo-san and explained my idea. Once I understood the feedback, I began drawing the manga in September.
What was the inspiration for your entry?
I struggled to find inspiration for a long time. I thought music would give me the spark I needed to develop a story, but sadly not. The idea never came to me. I asked many people, both friends and other creators and it was suggested I watch sports based movies. I watched a lot, and it wasn’t until I saw boxing on the screen, that the moment came. I had my idea!
How long did it take you to complete Fair Fight?
I spent about a month, all of September creating the manga. I had the odd day off, where I would sort out old works, but I was drawing a page a day, plus a couple of days for digital processing.
Did the experience fulfill your expectations?
Well, I loved Sideburn004’s entry! I did not expect casting the personification of Death as the lead, but it worked so well. Elena Vitagliano’s entry was also amazing in capturing the essence of the theme. Also Monster Rally by Evig caught my attention, all well deserved prize winners!
Amito’s hallowed work space
THE FUTURE“I want to say only one thing…DON’T GIVE UP!”What are you working on at the moment?
University starts again soon, so It’ll be a challenge to work on my manga with my studies! I’ll start searching for as much inspiration and ideas as possible for my entry into SMA9. For now? A rest!
Where do you see your future career in manga?
Win Silent Manga Audition! A win will be my first step to creating manga professionally. I would love to work a publisher, either web of print, to create stories that show my inner world. I see SMA as the ideal training ground for this. By competing with other mangaka, and talking with editors, I hope to build up my strengths and improve my techniques. I would also love to design and deliver lectures on manga making, a kind of master class for both children and adults.
Anything you’d like to shout to the SMAC!ommunity?
I want to say only one thing…DON’T GIVE UP! Even if the chances are slim, or even if you don’t get a result, do not give up trying to realize your dreams. Learn, develop and keep hopeful at all times. Don’t be afraid of being bold with your ideas. Take risks, because sometimes they can pay off when you least expect it. Good luck to all who enter the 9th round of Silent Manga Audition!
Thank you Amito Arai!!
The evolution of a manga
Inspiration can be an elusive beast, with no forewarning when it finally pops its head above the ground. At the same time, inspiration can be found everywhere! The trick is to be open to every and any idea, sparked from watching movies, listening to music, talking with friends or even taking a leisurely stroll. If you’re looking for it, inspiration will find you!
SMAC!ommunity, has inspiration found you? Are you overflowing with story ideas? If yes, then start drawing for SMA9 round TODAY!!
SMA9 is the first time we’ve offered THREE themes to choose from! If you feel like a challenge, why not pick two, or all three themes!
Make manga your language too! You have until March 31st, 2018 to say “HELLO” to your new friends! Click the banner for more details on how to enter…
Twitter – @chris_smac
Facebook – Chris Smac
Banner photo by Alex Torn
SMAC! MANGA DOJO #1 – "Manga is ENTERTAINMENT!"
<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.”
“Shihan” Manga Master
The master of the dojo and Penmaru’s tutor in the ways of manga. An experienced editor who had worked in the manga industry for over 30 years, his dream is to establish manga dojos all over the globe!
Ep. 1 MANGA IS ENTERTAINMENT
Penmaru: So this is the Manga Dojo… Ugh, it smells sweaty…
Penmaru: But Mocchi insists, if I want my dream to come true, I must learn here. Well, here I go…!
DONDONDON
Penmaru: Hello? Anyone here?
Shihan: AHA! Welcome! You must be Penmaru. I am Shihan, the master of this Dojo! I’ve heard all about you from Mocchi.
Penmaru: (Mocchi…! He’s counting on me!!)
Penmaru: Yes! Nice to meet you, sir! I am Penmaru and I want to become the best manga creator in the animal world!
Shihan: (*Twitch*) Hmm…The best manga creator in the animal world, you say…?
Penmaru: Absolutely!
Shihan: I see. So, are you working hard to make your dream come true?
Penmaru: Yes! I practice drawing at least 6 hours a day! I read manga as much as I draw, too! I also study scene directions, and… I do everything that is necessary to improve my skills in drawing manga!
Shihan：……I see. You assume the readers will read your manga, providing you can skillfully draw and direct your scenes?
Penmaru: Eh? Did I say something wrong?
Shihan: You are not wrong. However, you are missing a vitally important point.
Penmaru: Whaaa!? What do you mean!?
Shihan: Penmaru, here I have two manga – “A manga which is poorly drawn, but is entertaining to read”, and “A manga with brilliant drawings, but not entertaining to read”. Which would you take?
Penmaru: !! I would take the “entertaining” manga!!
Shihan: “Brilliant drawings” and “skillful scene directions” are great at grabbing the reader’s attention. However, Manga is about “WHAT” is drawn, not “HOW WELL” it is drawn.
Penmaru: I see!
Shihan: This is what Tetsuo Hara sensei had to say in an interview…
“In America and France, comics are drawn in color and I have to say, it’s looked upon as a form of art. If you visit these countries, they’ll say “drawing manga is art”. But we don’t think that way. We think it’s entertainment. This way of thinking may be fundamentally different, but we think of manga as purely entertainment.”
– “It’s okay to fail as long as… – Tetsuo Hara Interview”
Shihan: Whatever the standard is, art is valued by it’s beauty. But many manga creators, including Hara sensei, don’t draw manga to show off their skills, they create to “ENTERTAIN”. This way of thinking is what makes Japanese manga fun to read.
Penmaru: You mean, art is about “being skillful”, and fun is about “being entertained”… manga is entertainment, so it’s better to think “What would be entertaining?” rather than “How can I draw better drawings?”
Shihan: Yes. Profound stories, technical scene making… there are various ways to make your manga better. However, you must not forget the core message – “WHO” you are doing this all for.
Penmaru: Yes, Shihan!
Penmaru: …But, is it really possible for an ordinary ninja dog like me to create such entertaining stories…?
Shihan: …Penmaru, why do you think Japanese Manga became the fun to read, entertaining manga it is today?
Penmaru: ??? Because the creators are entertaining people?
Shihan: Is that so? Think of it this way… “Japanese Manga is entertaining, because manga creators desperately thought about how they can surprise the readers, even at the risk of their own lives!”
Penmaru: !!
Shihan: The history of Japanese manga is a history of severe competition…Magazines with entertaining manga will sell, while those without are discontinued…
But that’s not all. Even in the same magazine, manga creators would fiercely compete with each other. Manga that gets the readers votes survive, while manga that doesn’t get votes simply die – No mercy!
Shihan: To continue their career as a manga creator, they need to be chosen by the readers. To get chosen by the readers, they need to draw entertaining manga. Manga creators work their brains until it bleeds, to find the right, entertaining ideas.
Penmaru: !!!
Shihan: Penmaru!! Are you prepared to draw manga until your brain bleeds!?!?
Penmaru: Hyeeeee!! I… I… I caaaaaaan’t!
Shihan: Yeah, really!!!
Penmaru: EEEEEEEEEEE!?!?!?!?!?!?
An unexpected reply from the Manga master!
Can we really rely on him!? Will this series even continue!?
Figure out in the next “SMAC! MANGA DOJO” episode (if we have any)! Don’t miss it!
Script: Mayuna Mizutani – Follow me on Twitter and Facebook
Illustration: Roberto F. – Support him on Instagram,Facebook & APOIA.se
Tweet your questions / opinions / reviews at #SMACMangaDojo, and I will answer! 😉
KAKI-MOJI S.O.S. – #1 An Introduction to the Art of Visual Noise
Shiiiin…
GoGoGoGoGo….
…
ZATT!!!
TA-DA!!!!!
Hello readers!!
That was a LOUD introduction for a such a quiet and humble guy like yours truly. But then, I, Enrico, wanted to kick off this fascinating journey with a BANG….ONOMATOPOEIA style!
Sounds are a huge part of visual and audio storytelling, such as movies, podcasts and radio plays. Some say they have a bigger impact on our emotional responses than visual action, making the use of sound an integral part of story telling. An integral part that is impossible in printed media such as manga…or is it?
“Onomatopoeia”, is the closest translation we have for the Japanese concept of “Kaki-Moji” (描き文字), the art of drawing sound. By definition, an “onomatopoeia” is:
To translate “Kaki-moji” as “Onomatopoeia” is only about 50% accurate, as Kaki-moji represents so much more. Namely, drawing “emotions”, including emotional responses expressed through sounds.
Some call it “SFX” (Sound Effects), but then again, this is only half accurate. For lack of better term, we will stick to using “Onomatopoeia” for this series…
I still need some time to understand this… Let’s see some examples!
So what is this “emotion expressed through sound”, which are “visually presented as letters”? In most parts of the world, art is art and text is text AND never the twain should meet! The artist draws and the writer writes as sure as the Earth orbits the Sun.
But this is Manga, and Manga has evolved in many unique ways. In fact, you could say Manga had its very own “Kopernikanische Wendung”, a heretical revolution that forever changed the way we look at the world of entertainment. A “Manga-lution” if you will! Put simply ;- “Aren’t words better DRAWN, than simply written?”
This was the pioneering moment when SOUND was introduced to the printed page, making manga a series of “movies drawn on paper”…and we couldn’t be more thankful!
Thanks to Kaki-Moji, a sad Italian guy with simple letters written behind him…
…can become an INVINCIBLE, ITALIAN SUPERHERO!!!
We at the SMAC! Editorial office are often asked, “what sounds effects should I draw?” We could guide manga creators to the plethora of resources on the web, but that really would spoil the FUN of using kaki-moji! Instead of flicking through a dictionary of endless examples, why not create your own? This is fun and immensely enjoyable way to express emotions and sounds. In fact, many Japanese manga creators often tell me how much fun they have when creating and DRAWING your own onomatopoeia. Just looking at how much enjoyment can be had in creating Kaki-Moji will make what seems like a daunting task infinitely easier!
That’s why I’m bringing you my series, “KAKI-MOJI S.O.S.”
I will show you how much fun onomatopoeia is to create and draw each and every week! Taiyo always says, “Manga creators are WIZARDS who cast spells on people with their magical drawing powers”. Kaki-Moji, Onomatopoeia is a brilliant little tool to assist in your magic making. You have unlimited magical powers as a manga creator, so let’s enjoy using your magic, turned up to volume 11!
See you next Thursday!
Enrico
Any situations or moments, you’d like me to dig into? Why not tell me your favourite onomatopoeia on Twitter using #kakimojisos!!
Owwwww what’s happening between these two?! Can you read what it says? May be you can SENSE it as visual emotion? Find out in the next episode!!
To keep updated with everything Kaki-moji, manga or anime news, follow me on Twitter @kenrico7
Pen-Maru says…What a fun little way to express emotions on my pages!!Maru can’t wait to draw it too!!!
The Accidental Gaijin: #1 The Kinnikuman Connection
I didn’t choose Japan, Japan chose me. Well, my wife chose me and she’s Japanese, which kind of means the same thing…I think. With this regular column, I’ll delve into the weird and the wonderful world of Japanese pop culture so you don’t have to! From the Maid Cafe’s of Akihabara, through the hustle and bustle of Takeshita Street, to the collectors paradise of Nakano Broadway, my life as an Accidental Gaijin has only just begun.
Tokyo can be an overwhelming place, with each day rushing by in a blur of neon and the scream of kawaii laden, pre-recorded advertisements. But even amongst this maelstrom of sensory overload, I can’t help but feel the odd pangs of homesickness. Only last week, I was wandering through a cold, windswept Shimo-Takaido Station, a mere stone’s throw from Shinjuku and feeling particularly glum with thoughts of my friends back home, when the unexpected happened. In this far away city, the capital of this far away land, a very old, eccentric, impossible friend jumped out at me, almost knocking me off my feet!
When the bars fills up, take it outside! Al fresco, Shimo-Takaido style! (Flickr/oonnuuoo)
M.U.S.C.L.E Mentoys (an acronym for Millions of Unusual Small Creatures Lurking Everywhere) were an odd toy line that momentarily, yet firmly gripped the imagination of boys all over Britain…and I was obsessed! Distributed in random four-packs, “garbage can” 10 packs, and a large pack of 28, these tiny, bizarrely designed figures could fit any schoolboy’s budget, from the meagrest of pocket money to that eagerly awaiting birthday surprise. Long before Pokemon turned a generation of kids into relentless, uncompromising collectors, we had M.U.S.C.L.E Men, and I had to collect them all!
There are more gachapon machines in Tokyo than people!* (Flickr/DocChewbacca)
*Not actually true
Thoughts of my childhood obsession were far from my mind as I navigated my way to platform 1, when I spotted a solitary gachapon machine (ガチャポン a “capsule toy” vending machine that can be found in just about every supermarket, storefront and train station in Japan). Emblazoned on this innocuous little box were…M.U.S.C.L.E Men! How could this be?? How could these treasured, highly collectable* toys of my youth be available here, in Tokyo, for a mere ¥200??Fumbling with my change, I tentatively twisted the silver handle and heard the satisfying thump as a plastic ball, full of promise hitting the small hatch. Hands shaking, I nervously opened the little capsule and held aloft…a M.U.S.C.L.E Man.
…the Gachapon machine of my dreams!
My mind began to flood with memories of childhood wonder. The cold train platform in Tokyo was replaced with visions of sitting in my bedroom, surrounded by hundreds of tiny, pink intergalactic wrestlers as I announced the Fight of the Universe!! The tiny contenders were on parade, flexing their muscles, tentacles and miscellaneous appendages as the crowd roared for blood!All feelings of despondency gone, I rushed home at top speed. Almost tearing the front door of its hinges, I thrusted the treasured M.U.S.C.L.E Maninto the face of my bewildered beloved.
“LOOK!!!! M.U.S.C.L.E Men, here, in Tokyo!!! Can you believe it?!” I excitedly announced.
“M.U.S.C.L.E Men? It’s just a Kinkeshi” she replied.
“Kinkeshi?” I spluttered.
“You’ve never heard of Kinnikuman??…Here.” She asked with incredulity, while handing me her tablet.
I NEED to collect them all!! (Instagram/theretrodad)
It all started with a manga. Kinnikuman (キン肉マン literally translates as “muscleman”) first slammed onto the pages of Weekly Shonen Jump way back in 1979, as the inept, bumbling brainchild of manga duo “Yudetamago”.An antitheses to the heroic adventures found in chojin manga, the accident-prone wrestler was only reluctantly called upon to challenge the bad guys when the real heroes were otherwise engaged. But as the series gained in popularity, the focus duly shifted to intergalactic wrestling matches, with a seemingly endless host of surreal opponents for our clumsy protagonist to wrangle with.
Kids were screaming for more Kinnikuman and in 1984, just five years after our fin-headed hero’s debut, Japanese toy manufacturer Bandai Co., Ltd. heard their call. A Kinnikuman toy line had endless collectible and schoolyard trading possibilities, thanks to its vast, colorful cast. But in a society virtually built on rules, it goes without saying that toys were strictly banned in Japan’s houses of learning. So Bandai had an ingenious idea. By turning the colorful characters of Kinnikuman into “Keshi”, pencil erasers,Bandai magnificently circumnavigated the “no toys rule” and successfully unleashed Kin”(Kinnikuman) “Keshi” (eraser) into schools all over Japan.
They may not be the best eraser, but they make excellent desk buddies!
The country was soon drowning in Kinkeshi, gripping Japan’s youth much the same as Britain’s 80’s kids. With the “Kinkeshi effect” reaching fever pitch, Shueisha, the publisher of Shonen Jump threw down the gauntlet to the legions of Kinkeshi fans in Japan and ran a character design competition. Thanks to this pioneering move, Kinkeshi became so much more than a novelty eraser, it became a beloved community of amateur designers, future manga stars and avid collectors, but more importantly, it became a community of friends. If only I’d known, the offices of Shueisha would have been swamped with my endless character ideas!
I mused on this as I cradled the treasured Kinkeshi in my palm. Easy to carry around, affordable and glorious to look at, Kinkeshi were the pinnacle of 1980’s boys toys, cementing many a long lasting friendship between fellow enthusiasts around the world. They may not have been the best at erasing algebra mistakes, but Kinkeshi were mine, and many a boy’s best friend throughout those tumultuous schooldays.
Friends reunited.
“My two brothers had HUNDREDS of them.” My dearest announced, breaking my fond reminiscing.
“Do they still have them?” I hopefully asked.
“Nope…but I MAY know of a place where you can buy millions…” she replies, appearing to consider giving me this information against the promise of a holiday this Golden Week.
Millions?! Yes, a cursory glance on Instagram reveals that the “Kinkeshi effect” is still going strong, with a vast community of collectors and enthusiasts all over the world, still hungry for more Unusual Small Creatures Lurking Everywhere, and here I am, in the land of Kinkeshi! Suddenly, I don’t feel so homesick anymore.
* Trust me on collectability, “Blackhole Sunshine”, the Holy Grail of M.U.S.C.L.E Men is currently listed on eBay at US $3,249.95.
SMA8 Interview #13 – Dedy Koerniawan (Excellence Award Winner)
The quiet life was never an option for Excellence Award winner Dedy Koerniawan. Having left his sleepy village in the heart of Java, the enigmatic Indonesian mangaka pursued fortune and glory in the big city, where he met his comrades of creativity, including our very first SMA GP winner! Dedy talks to us about rare moments of boredom, stress busting tips, and the endless possibilities of manga.
Hello Dedy!
Hi!
ABOUT YOU
“… I was desperate to get out and find life!”
Where did you grow up? City or Rural? Anything the world should know about it?
I was born in a small village called Lengkong, in the centre of Java. It was quite an uneventful life in an uneventful town and I was desperate to get out and find life! So once I graduated from High School, I decided to move to the Bandung, the capital of West Java where my adventure began!
So, to the bright lights of the city!! Did you find fellow manga fans?
I did! Do you know Alex Irzaqi, the SMA1 Grand Prix winner? He’s my sensei, and he lives in my neighbourhood!
Alex Irzaqi’s award winning, SMA1 entry Excuse Me
Small world! Is he a good teacher?
He’s a very good teacher. He has a good method that I can easily understand. He knows me, so he knows my potential and how I understand things. I’m learning a lot from him.
If a friend from the SMAC!ommunity visited you for a sightseeing trip, where would you take them?
There are many mountains and beaches in Bandung and Jogja so plenty of trekking and relaxing. I’d want to show people the rich culture and heritage of Indonesia, which can found in both the mountain treks and beaches along our shores.
What do you like to do when you’re not drawing manga?
First and foremost, I love drawing, and when I’m not drawing, I’m learning new techniques, methodology and reading articles on manga. But it’s not all work! When boredom strikes, or
I need to clear my head, I take out my skateboard for a few hours.
I also want to learn how to animate! Most kids here rarely read comics, but they all love cartoons. I think we can do anything after we’ve learned how, expect cooking. No matter how much I learn, I still can’t cook delicious food!
What kind of movies and music do you like?
I love the Harry Potter series, but also more serious works, such as Mad Max and apocalyptic set stories…though not zombies! Too many zombie stories out there! I also love the movie IT, the killer clown character is perfect! My music taste is very varied! I can listen to Nu Metal, Metal, Rock and Pop…even AKB48!
West Bandung at dawn, a city brimming with inspiration. (Flickr/Everyone Sinks Starco)
ABOUT MANGA
“It’s all about the possibilities manga can bring.”
Why is manga important?
It’s all about the possibilities manga can bring. For me, it’s telling the people of my village, of my country that becoming a professional mangaka is an exciting and worthwhile career. It’s a career driven by passion, with wonderful possibilities.
A lot of people say anime introduced them to manga, was that the same for you?
Yes, I was an anime fan first. My first manga was Naruto, and from the first time I opened up the manga, my dreams of becoming a professional manga creator began.
What were you feeling back then?
Hmmm, it was a mixture of excitement and determination. The store I read my first manga had other manga, but it was Naruto that I was drawn to. In fact, the very next I visited the store and read it again, then the next day, then the next. The same manga day after day!
For a spiritual help in hand.
Why just that one manga?!
There wasn’t much out there at the time! Naruto and…hentai manga!
Yikes!! Do you have lively comic industry in Indonesia?
We do, but its more in the western tradition, like superman, DC and Marvel. Though we have a lot manga influenced work in Indonesia.
Was there an artist or story that inspired you to become a manga creator?
I love the works of Masashi Kisimoto, Obata Takeshi, Yusuke Murata, Takehiko Inoe and Hiroaki Samura. I’m also inspired by manga creators from my own country, such as my sensei Alex Irzaqi and illustrator Sweta Kartika.
What challenges do you face creating manga?
Patients and boredom (laughs). I can experience both when making manga, though not often. When either strike, I’ll either spend a few hours skateboarding or really beat the stress away with Parkour. Military obstacle course training is the best way to clear my head so I’m fresh to tackle any issues in my manga.
Do you have a lot of friends in the manga community?
I do! In fact, I actually share a home with other mangaka! We collectively self publish out work, mine being a manga called Nagasari. We live and breath manga 24/7!
So, is the self published work popular?
Well, we’ve had a really good response with lots of people reading it and commenting on social media. I see them as my friends! Which is the best way to sell manga! (laughs)
ABOUT SMA8
“… I’m not going anywhere!”
How do you feel after winning?
I still can’t believe it! I sent two stories and one won!
What was the reaction from your family and friends when you won the award?
My friends actually found out I won before I did! As for family, my mother didn’t believe I could become a professional mangaka. But that’s normal, most parents don’t believe this career choice is possible. My sister was overjoyed, and my parents rushed around the neighbourhood, telling anyone who’d listen!
Is the older generation against the mangaka career choice?
Yes, they would much rather we were doctors or lawyers (laughs). I won an award in SMA, so I’m not going anywhere! Thankfully, they now understand that this is my life.
What was the inspiration for Conciseness?
Being “fair” is hard work! It involves good judgement and strength to do what’s right. This kind of internal struggle really appeals to me so I had fun throwing all these tempting offers at the protagonist, making him utilize his judgement to finally decide on what is morally right. I did struggle with the ending, changing it more than once.
Why did you change the ending?
Well, once I showed the original ending to some friends, they suggested simplifying the ending. I’m glad I did, the climax scene is much more effective now.
Can’t let a cold get in the way of manga!
THE FUTURE
“I’m always learning new techniques to improve my manga…”
Where do you see your future career in manga?
I can’t even begin to dream of the future, just taking each day as it comes. I’m always learning new techniques to improve my manga and God willing, I’ll have a long and successful career.
Cohabiting Mangaka, taking the idea of “Manga community” to its extreme! So many creators living under roof must make for a delightfully fertile environment to make intriguing manga, even is boredom does bite occasionally! With inspiration around every corner, we’re sure Dedy will continue to “wow” the SMAC!ommunity with his direct method of story making.
SMAC!ommunity, do you have a creative itch you’re dying to scratch? Are you overflowing with story ideas? If yes, then start drawing for SMA9 round TODAY!!
Do you want to join the world’s biggest manga community? Start drawing for the SMA9 round TODAY!
SMA9 is the first time we’ve offered THREE themes to choose from! If you feel like a challenge, why not pick two, or all three themes!
Make manga your language too! You have until March 31st, 2018 to say “HELLO” to your new friends! Click the banner for more details on how to enter…
Manga Nutcracker #1 – Fist of the Blue Sky
Manga Nutcracker with Vivi!
Welcome to this new series of articles! Where I will take manga in a nutshell and crack it!
Fist of the Blue Sky
Manga by Hara Tetsuo
Supervisor by Buronson
First published: 2001
A heavy smoker who doesn’t look strong, can actually make heads explode like tomatoes using just one finger!
If you know Kenshiro from “Hokuto no Ken”, then you’d be even more glad to know that he had an uncle… sort of!
“Fist of the Blue Sky” stars Kasumi Kenshiro, the 62nd successor of Hokuto Shinken, the deadliest art of assassination handed down on generations.
Not being in apocalyptic world, but pre-WW2 Japan, Mr. Kasumi is a teacher in an all-female college!
Girls poke fun at this laid-back, odd yet frienddly, teacher from time to time. He simply doesn’t look like the kind of a guy to use the deadliest of martial arts there ever was.
All changes when Kasumi is visited by an old friend of his from Shanghai China! He is a messenger that connects Mr. Kasumi to his past…
Mr. Kasumi left China, to keep distance from the deadly battle of gangs in war time Shanghai, where he was known better by his alias, “King of Death”.
Should Enrico be worried from now on?
He was a member of a sect, who fought to keep Shanghai in order, a city under invasion from global super powers. A battle they thought they had won.
Being the strongest fighter there was, he knew his continued presence there will only endanger the lives of his loved ones.
One night, he left quietly believing his absence was the last piece of the puzzle, that will keep the city in peace…
What the old man had to say, destroyed all his hopes.
It seems the only hope there is to restore order in the city, is his deadliest fist.
Action unfolds upon his arrival in the Shanghai, but unlike Hokuto this Kenshiro is full of wit and dark humor!!
It generally isn’t nice to kill anyone, but when a villain is ever so purely and overly evil, bringing justice upon them feels that much enjoyable with his darkest of wit delivered by the trademarked blow!
His sarcastic one liners are a treat to the readers and his good nature add a charm to his strength.
His unstoppable resolve and pride make him the kind of character that you just feel the need to know more!
With incredible action scenes, dramatic moments and Kenshiro’s personality, Fist of the blue Sky just demands your attention until the very end👊!
Who needs forks when you have ball pens?
Did my “Nut-cracking” made you want to read “Fist of the Blue Sky”?
If so please voice your opinions so I can deliver your voice to Hara sensei!
If not, how could I make my “Nut-Cracking” better, maybe you can guide me on twitter with #mangacracker !
I will be nut-cracking more great mangas to introduce you every week. See you next Tuesday!
Twitter – @SmacViVi
Facebook – Vivi Fabbri Smac
SMA8 Interview #12 – Harihtaroon (Excellence Award Winner)
Deadlines mean money…and Malaysian manga creator Harihtaroon knows all about deadlines. Whether it’s feverishly burning the midnight oil to meet commission deadlines, or ensuring her small army of stray cats are fed on time, Harihtaroon learned early on to live by the clock. After all, that’s a lot of feline mouths to fill!
Hello Harihtaroon!
Hi!
ABOUT YOU
“…the only way to combat [‘artist’s block’], is to watch Manben by Naoki Urasawa-sensei.”
Where did you grow up? City or Rural? Anything the world should know about it?
I grew up in Kampar, a small town located in the state of Perak in Malaysia. The town is getting bigger every day though! Living here is paradise for a manga creators looking for inspiration, asMalaysia is a multi-ethnic, multi-cultural and multilingual society, with every type of food imaginable! Come visit Malaysia!!
If a friend from the SMAC visited you for a sightseeing trip, where would you take them?
To be honest, I’m not the world’s biggest traveller. I hardly knowing what’s going on in my state, never mind the country! The only time I really ‘sightsee’ is when I stare through the window during work or family trips. If a friend from the SMAC!ommunity came to stay, I’d have to do some serious Googling to find things to do! 😂😂😂
What is a typical day in your life like?
I’m a full-time freelance illustrator/comic artist and still live with my big family and cats, so a typical day revolves around deadlines and house work! Did I mention the cats? We are surrounded by hundreds of stray cats, enough to keep me busy 24/7!
What is your favorite movie/music/games?
I’m a HUGE fan of movies, mostly anime. I love every masterpiece by Mamoru Hosoda, including The Girl Who Leapt Through Time, Summer Wars, Wolf Children and The Boy and the Beast. I cannot wait for his next film! I also adore Studio Ghibli! When Marnie Was There is the film that lingers the most in my mind. Everything about the movie is mysterious and touching, from the story to the music.
The movie that I can watch again and again is Hinata no Aoshigure (Sonny Boy & Dewdrop Girl), by Studio Colorido. It’s a short animation but very enjoyable to watch, filled with hilarious moments, cute characters and beautifully shot animation, dripping with gorgeous colors!
I have a very eclectic taste in music, from old classics to the latest chart tunes. I also love music in many languages, including Japanese, Korean, English and Chinese. I’m currently listening to Russian singer Vitas. His vocals are awesome, you have to try it!!
What do you like to do when you’re not drawing manga?
Sketching, playing with stray cats and sleeping! There are times when I suffer from “artist’s block”, and the only way to combat this horrible disease is to watch Manben by Naoki Urusawa-sensei. It’s always fascinating to see the professional mangaka’s life on screen, the sound of paper and pen fills me with joy! I cannot recommend this show enough, you’ll see how much effort goes into making manga!
Malaysia may be a paradise for manga creators, whereas Perak is just a plain, old paradise – Flickr/musimpanas
ABOUT MANGA
“I’m a digital girl…”
Why is manga important to you?
It’s incredibly important to me, because I learned how to read with the help of manga. Though there were words I didn’t understand, I could still follow the story due to the nature of sequential art. I strongly believe that this is what Silent Manga is all about! Telling exciting stories through pictures alone.
When did you start becoming interested in manga?
I first started reading manga when I was 9, mainly Doraemon. As I got older, I started to read Dragonball, Sailormoon, Dragon Quest and One Piece which opened up a huge world to me. Hungry for heavier stories, I discovered Hikaru no go, Hajime Kindaichi, Detective Q, Psychometrer Eiji, Shibatora and Tokyo Ghoul. I love to read every type of story, as long it’s entertaining!
Was there an artist or story that inspired you to become a manga creator?
There are a lot of mangaka that inspire me, such as Katsura Hoshino, Mitsuro Kubo, Sui Ishida, Hiromu Arakawa, Haruichi Furudate and many more! I’ve read every manga they created and adore every one, but there is one mangaka that sparks me to draw every time I read his works, and that is Takeshi Obata. Hikaru no Go had a huge impact me, inspiring me to chase my dream of becoming a professional mangaka!
Is manga popular in Malaysia?
YES! Well, very popular amongst the younger generation. Unfortunately, printed Japanese manga is very hard to find, especially in a small town like mine. Also, quite a few publishing houses have closed down, making Malaysian editions of manga even more difficult to find. We do have English translations of manga in the Malaysian branch of Kinokuniya, but they are way too expensive! The most exciting thing here is the growth of locally produced manga, which is becoming very popular. Hopefully, Malaysian manga will be know worldwide!
What kind of environment do you work in while you’re drawing manga?
I’m a digital girl, making all my manga on a Wacom Intuos Pen Tablet. “Ctrl-z” is my best friend 😂😂😂!! I can’t remember the last time I actually drew with pen and paper! The best time to draw manga is at night, when everyone has gone to bed. I like to think my room has two seasons, every 24 hours. Cold, quiet and peaceful Winter during the night and a hot, loud, Summer festival during the day.
What challenges do you face creating manga?
Everything can be a challenge, from start to finish! Thinking up the idea, the storyline, dialogue, thumbnails, paneling, line-art, screentone, all require precision work.
I always take a lot of time when it come to deciding the expressions of character in my manga, especially silent manga! I always pretend to be the character itself to decide what the best reaction when facing some sort of situation. The final, and biggest challenge is the deadline! To even enter SMA, I have steal time from my other projects, ensuring deadlines can still be met. Even if I draw one panel a day, little by little, I finish in time.
She’s a digital girl!
ABOUT YOUR WIN
“…I’ve strived to enter every [SMA] round without fail!”
How did you find out about SMA?
I first learned about SMA from one of my favorite artists, Masterclass student and SMA award winner, dee Juusan. At the time, I lacked the courage to enter the competition but then I saw the work of fellow Malaysian mangaka, and SMA Masterclass winner Hyrohiku. He encouraged me to enter, and ever since then, I’ve strived to enter every round without fail!
What were your thoughts on the “Fair Play” theme?
It was a challenging theme. I had several ideas, but most of them seemed unfair! I don’t believe my manga fully embraced the theme though. For me, the best example of “fair play” in manga was Pumped up Kicks by Ichirou. Everything is perfect!
What was the inspiration for My Rival?
My childhood. When I was a kid, I entered a coloring contest with a cheap, colored pencil. The person next to me had tons of coloring material and I felt very envious and angry at how unfair it was. Thinking about it now, I didn’t even know how to use those colored pencils properly! It was a very childish reaction! 😂😂😂
How long did it take you to complete?
I don’t actually count the days as I only work on SMA entries when I have the time. I guess it was about a month.
Did the entry fulfill your expectations?
Not really. I kinda lost the feeling of fair play from my original concept idea. I made a lot of mistakes while drawing this manga, accidentally drawing left to right being the biggest! I simply flipped certain parts, which looked awkward. I didn’t have enough time to repair it, but at least I won’t make the same mistake again for future SMA entries!
“Put down the pen and open the cat food!”
THE FUTURE
“Since joining the competition, I’ve seen my technique improve day by day…”
What are you working on at the moment?
Right now, I’m working on my SMA9 entry, when I’m not working on freelance projects. I’m also developing a proposal for my very own manga called “Bullseye”! A 10 page pilot manga centered around archery. I conceived the idea for a local, online Malaysian manga competition called CKOM (Cabaran Komik Online Malaysia).
Where do you see your future career in manga?
Like everyone who joins SMAC!, my goal is to become a professional, world renowned mangaka! As a self-taught artist, I’m prepared for a long journey ahead, but with hard work and dedication, Iwill improve enough to make my dream a reality.
Anything you’d like to shout out to the SMAC!ommunity?
I wish to thank everyone at SMAC!, for your never-ending, tireless work in making this competition a success. It’s such an incredible honor to have my work judged by legendary mangaka! Since joining the competition, I’ve seen my technique improve day by day, so thank you very much!
Thank you Harihtaroon!
Harihtaroon’s toughest audience
With a seemingly endless workload on the horizon, the ability to respect, endear and embrace the deadline is vital for busy mangaka like Harihtaroon. Combined with the ability to overcome the ‘horrible disease’ this is artists block, it makes for a winning formula! With Harihtaroon’s dedication and light look on life, we’re sure we’ll be seeing you on “Manben” in the near future!
To follow Harihtaroon’s progress in Malaysian comic competition, CKOM, please follow these links:
SMAC!ommunity, do you have a creative itch you’re dying to scratch? Are you overflowing with story ideas? If yes, then start drawing for SMA9 round TODAY!!
Do you want to join the world’s biggest manga community? Start drawing for the SMA9 round TODAY!
SMA9 is the first time we’ve offered THREE themes to choose from! If you feel like a challenge, why not pick two, or all three themes!
Make manga your language too! You have until March 31st, 2018 to say “HELLO” to your new friends! Click the banner for more details on how to enter…
Banner photo by IQRemix
SILENT MANGA AUDITION® EXTRA ROUND THREE (EX3) “KUMAMOTO ROUND 2018”
The SMA-EX “KUMAMOTO Round” is back!
The world’s biggest International Manga Award, “SILENT MANGA AUDITION®” is once again holding another EXTRA ROUND, in collaboration with “KUMAMOTO International Manga Festival”
(さらに…)
SMA8 Interview #11 – Kaji Pato (Excellence Award Runner up)
Kaji Pato is a prize fighter! Though his “ring” might be a studio and his “gloves” a G-Pen, this Brazilian dynamo embodies all the essential qualities that guarantee glorious victory after glorious victory. Determination, focus and the ability to learn from past mistakes are the driving forces of this manga creator, earning him a well deserved Excellence Award RP. Kaji Pato joins us for a sparring session, to discuss his work, SMA8 and his ambitions for the future. Round 1…*ding* *ding*Hi Kaji Pato!! Hi!ABOUT YOU
“I was always drawing”
Where did you grow up City or Rural? Anything the world should know about?I was born and raised in Sorocaba, a city in the state of São Paulo, Brazil. It’s a real nice mix of urban landscape and spots of calming nature. Unfortunately, most of the people in my city do not appreciate art, which was difficult when I was younger because I was often bullied for my love of drawing. When that happened, I would rush home and draw to forget. If a friend from the SMAC!ommunity visited you for a sightseeing trip, where would you take them?I would take them straight to a Brazilian restaurant!! (laughs) If there is one thing that makes me proud to be Brazilian, it’s our food! Have you ever tried feijoada? It’s delicious! What’s is a typical day in your life like?I work as a professional illustrator, so a typical day consists of drawing, drawing and drawing! On the rare occasions I’m not drawing, I spend time with my girlfriend, watching anime and playing card games like Magic the Gathering.
Kaji has published in Brazil his own comic book titled Quack! That tells the adventures
of Baltazar Dumont and his partner a talking duck.
What is your favorite movie/music/games? My favorite movie is ROCKYYYYY BALBOAAA!!!!! With music, i’m constantly moved by Brazilian rock songs. I find them very inspirational when drawing manga. I also love anime songs, especially Hajime no Ippo…can you tell that I am a boxing fan? (laughs)What do you like to do when you are not drawing manga?I’m generally homebody, but I do manage to get out for movies or long walks, exploring the nature around Sorocaba. But to be honest, most of my time is spent drawing manga, reading manga and writing manga…I’m addicted to it!
When I’m not absorbed in drawing, I like to watch interesting videos and lecturers and discuss with my girlfriend and friends. I also like to meditate and study spiritual disciplines, which greatly interests me. Learning how to control and focus my breathing helps calm me down and focuses my mind.
The stress to created something is heavy so Kaji started meditation and is loving it!
How did you discover manga?Through Anime!! When I was young, we had a channel here that just played anime and I was hooked! I then found a magazine in a bookstore with an article about Brazilian artists creating manga, with characters like the ones in the anime I’d come to love. At 13, I was already passionate about drawing, and once I discovered manga, there was no going back. What attracted you to manga?There is no other form of sequential art that comes close to manga, it has the best narrative of all. I love how the reader can really feel a character’s emotions. For example, we could never eat the delicious looking dishes in Shokugeki no Soma, but we can understand how good, or bad they are through the characters reactions. Manga is the perfect way I can express myself, improve and show people what moves me.
“I just want for at least one person to say, “I love Kaji Pato’s work””
Why is manga important to you ? Ever since I first discovered manga, I was determined to become a mangaka. A goal I have been dreaming about ever since that first, fateful day in the bookstore. I have read millions of manga, and with every chapter, I constantly wondered “when will I be this good?!”Was there an artist or story that inspired you to become a manga creator?Yoshihiro Togashi sensei is a god!! My favorite manga by Yoshihiro sensei is Hunter x Hunter. Though it deals with dark and heavy subjects, the manga always delivers a message of friendship and hope. His works use follow a very interesting narrative, as if he’s building a game. I train and study this hard because I hope Yoshihiro sensei will read one of my stories! Is manga popular in your country?It’s very popular! Brazil has the biggest manga and anime event in Latin America called “Anime Friends”. The event is always sold out because we love manga so much! What kind of environment do you work in while you’re drawing manga?My room is a quiet and calm place, when my sister isn’t playing violoncello in the next room that is! (laughs) I draw everything digitally. Using only my notebook and tablet.
Kaji said he has Enrico on his table, can you find him?
What challenges do you face creating manga?The biggest challenge is maintaining focus. I have a very disorganized mind, which makes me very anxious when creating manga so meditation and playing card games really helps to keep me calm and focused. Similarly, it’s a challenge to keep from getting distracted! Working for long periods can be difficult as I’ve started to get back pain. But above all, it’s being a mangaka in Brazil. Illustration is not something that is valued or appreciated here. ABOUT YOUR WINHow do you feel about winning the Excellence Award?I was soooo happy!! I felt like I hadn’t applied the suggestions in the Taiyo and Mochi videos very well, I could definitely have done better, but I learned a lot. Next time, I’m aiming for the Grand Prix or Runner Up prize! How did your family react?It was early morning when the results came out so I was trying not to scream. My girlfriend was with me and she hugged, more to suppress my joyful screams than anything! My Mother started to panic uncontrollably, thinking I would have to move to Japan!How did you find out about SMA?Max Andrade, my friend who attended the Master Class. He told me about a Brazilian guy who had one SMA twice, called Ichirou. We are now firm friends too.What were your thoughts on the theme?As soon as I saw the theme, I knew right away that I wanted to explore sports, but struggled to know what, how and why. After talking with several people, and researching a lot of videos, I suddenly remembered a Brazilian sporting hero… Ayrton Senna. After watching many videos of the F1 legend, I decided to focus on Formula 1 to reflect Senna’s fighting spirit. What was the inspiration for you entry?Before I settled on the Senna idea, I was taking inspiration from the conflicts in my life at the time. My relationship with my girlfriend wasn’t going very well, though I wanted to show how much I loved her through my manga. She was my muse for previous works, so it was easy to place in the lead role for this story too. I wanted her to face a hard decision, either win or save the life of her rival, me! Both the manga and my real life both had happy endings I’m please to announce. My relationship has improved so much and I won an award in the world’s biggest international manga competition! I am very, very happy! How long did it take you to complete?It took me around a month to write and draw the story. Drawing the cars and the race scene was very fun!THE FUTUREWhat are you working on at the moment ?I’m currently working on my series “QUACK” here in Brazil. It’s a story of an adventurer and his duck friend who is always reprimanding him for his outrageous behavior. I really like these two characters, especially their love/hate relationship. I’m also working on concept designs for a Brazilian animation, some freelance work and developing ideas for SMA8!!
Kaji Pato is working hard preparing for the final of his Quack series this year!
Where do you see your future career in manga ?I hope to, one day have my own big series where I will be able to support myself. I’m not in this for the money, but if I suddenly become a millionaire, I wouldn’t complain (laughs)! For me though, it’s all about telling my stories. I spend around 6 – 10 hours on my freelance work which makes focusing on my stories difficult, but I keep determined.
I’m always evolving, always studying and improving. It’s a fight, in a country where the market is hard and manga is viewed as an afterthought when up against Western style comic artists. But it’s a fight I’m willing to win, with persistence and strength!
“…think long term, everything will be worth it at the end”
What advice would you give to someone that wants to do something similar ?The most important thing is to think long term, everything will be worth it at the end. Keep learning, keep improving in your spare time. Money comes and goes but learning, and the skills gainer will be there forever. Anything you’d like to shout to the SMAC!ommunity?Hey! My name is Kaji Pato and I am really grateful to be here! Dreams can be very hard to realize, but not trying at all will achieve nothing. So fight on and keep dreaming! Mine is to make manga and I promise this won’t be the last time you see me here! Thank you Kaji Pato!Becoming successful in any creative endeavor requires determination, focus and above all, the will to fight for your dreams! The encouraging words of Kaji Pato will ring true with a lot aspiring manga creators, especially those who have experienced setbacks, yet still keeping their goal in sight. We hope you carry on fighting Kaji Pato, the SMAC!ommunity will cheer you on every step of the way! SMAC!ommunity, do you have a creative itch you’re dying to scratch? Are you overflowing with story ideas? If yes, then start drawing for SMA9 round TODAY!! Do you want to join the world’s biggest manga community? Start drawing for the SMA9 round TODAY!SMA9 is the first time we’ve offered THREE themes to choose from! If you feel like a challenge, why not pick two, or all three themes! Make manga your language too! You have until March 31st, 2018 to say “HELLO” to your new friends! Click the banner for more details on how to enter…
Twitter – @SmacViVi
Facebook – Vivi Fabbri Smac
Banner photo by Iwao
SMA8 Interview #10 – Daniel Bretas (Excellence Award Winner)
A personal gift to his daughter ended up earning Daniel Bretas the prestigious SMA8 Excellence Award! Heavily influenced by everything around him, from youthful escapades on building sites to the surreal films of David Lynch, Daniel is constantly looking to subvert the norm through the medium of manga. From film making to creative collaborations, this creative ‘Renaissance Man’ is constantly on the look out for the seeds of creative growth. Just make sure you don’t disturb him while he’s working!
Hello Daniel! Congratulations on your Excellence Award win for Tazo!! Thank you. It means a lot, especially as I created Tazo as a gift for my daughter. ABOUT YOU“We found each other through manga.”Kicking off, where did you grow up?I grew up here, in this very house in Belo Horizonte, Brazil. I have very fond memories of playing on these streets with the same guys, day after day. Though sooner or later, my girlfriend and I will be getting our own apartment, especially now we’ve started a family!What was it like growing up in Belo Horizonte?I liked the fact I could play out outside anytime of day. There was a construction site at the end of the street where we would just break stuff, you know, boy things. That’s a good memory I have. It’s sad as most of those guys have moved on and I rarely, if at all see them anymore. We just lost touch. The amazing memories of those guys, and our adventures have filtered through into my manga. In fact, Tazo came from one of those memories. Its good to see how our lives have changed. Indeed, you’re an award winning Mangaka now! Ha! It’s surreal. Not even my parents understand!! “I’ve won an award in Japan.” “How?” “I drew a manga.” “What’s that?”…They can’t even read it as they don’t know how to read manga. But I always get an “ok, congratulations”, which I’m happy with.Is manga popular in Brazil?Manga is a very niche thing here. I’ve spoken to a lot of guys who read manga and they all say the same thing, Manga opened up a huge world to them. Not just Japanese culture, but anime and gaming as well. Manga is the perfect gateway for these communities. I’ve learned so much since joining the SMA!Community. Namely, to move on from being the huge otaku I was! You have to work through the fanatical feelings when reading manga, and begin to analyze how manga is made. I’ve always wanted to make manga but didn’t know how to start, so talking this through with people in the community provided the tools I needed. I soon began to move on from just being a reader, and eventually got to the point where I understood the manga making process, though I’m constantly learning new things. The people I connected with back then are now my creative work colleagues. We found each other through manga. What is a typical day when you’re not creating manga?I like playing games, reading a lot, but most of all I like watching movies. I’m also a low budget film maker. Creating comics is like creating movie storyboards, but so much more as they blend with other art forms. I like to create what I see.I like to live a little too, meet up with friends, drink in a bar, but I’m always looking at the world creatively, always coming up with new ideas. Meeting people, exchanging ideas and interacting with the world is vital for a Mangaka.I agree. It’s also important to have a good work/life balance… Making manga is like creating a movie. A Mangaka is the director, the photographer, all the actors, the whole package! We have to do the full job, piecing it all together by ourselves to successfully illustrate emotions, personality, background sets. It’s very complex, so the ability to observe everything at all times helps to get it right. It’s a heavy burden, but a rewarding one. A blessing and a curse! I try to find a balance, but it’s hard to switch off! It’s like, you’re always pitching ideas to yourself. You’re always trying to blend things together. Its difficult to turn off, but it’s nice when I do.You’re clearly a movie fan! Which film has had the biggest impact on you?I like to break the narrative in my work, which I find difficult to do when working on SMA entries. I don’t like the narrative so linear, preferring to add atmosphere to tell a story. This doesn’t always work though. Some ideas seem like they are going to work, but fail due to their abstract natures.I’m a Lynch guy, a big fan of David Lynch. He’s the closest we’ve got the greatest living director. Lost Highway changed the way I looked at storytelling. It allowed me to break apart the narrative and allowed me to piece it back together again. That was an important lesson for me, working out how to rebuild the narrative. With all my entries in the SMA, I tired to make them as objective as I possible, but I’m a destructive guy! I like to bring chaos to the narrative.I’m currently adapting one of my comic books into a short film. The manga is so disruptive, like a blend of Black Mirror and Twin Peaks. I want to make the movie as weird and creepy as I can!
Belo Horizonte, Brazil
ABOUT MANGA“When I start a manga, I need to finish it…”What was your first encounter with manga? I discovered anime first, which was hugely popular in Brazil when I was growing up, including Saint Seiya, Dragonball Z and Pokemon. My first contact with manga was Dragonball and Medabotz after watching these shows,but I was so young I didn’t know how to read them. They mostly had a little warning on the cover to read it backwards, but Medabotz didn’t! I just couldn’t make any sense of it. I actually took it back to the store to trade it in for something else. I started reading Magical Teacher Negima! by Akamatsu Ken, which made much more sense once I learned how to read manga. Once we started to get better internet here, a new world opened up to me. My exposure to manga grew daily, discovering Naruto and Death Note in the process. I’m still an avid reader One Piece!Does your taste in Manga mirror your taste in movies? Yes, but manga can be even creepier! I’ve read some manga that I can’t even begin to describe. With movies, I can discuss easily because we have these vibes and sound references where you feel an instant connection, but not so with manga. I’ve just read Mr. Arashi’s Amazing Freak Show and it was mind boggling. It didn’t make any sense to me at all, which was nice because I formed my own connection to the manga, that’s why I think abstract narratives can be better than objective narratives, because we can form our own conclusions.How do you approach a new manga?When I start a manga, I need to finish it so I have a lot of sleepless nights. I start with the concept, which rarely comes through in the final manga, then I spend two weeks or so getting really into it, with the help of loud music. I tell everyone not to interrupt me when I’m working through an idea because I get easily distracted.When I’m drawing, I like to give myself little rewards. If I finish two pages that day, I’ll watch a movie. Netflix doesn’t make it easy on me! I’ve tried working slowly, but it doesn’t seem to have the same vibe as when I compress it all and work three days solid.You’ve mentioned music as a vital part of the creation process. What type of music do you like to work to? Sometimes I like soft, calming music, but then I start to get distracted, searching for games I played when I was 10 years old, things like that. Noise music works best, it stops me from overthinking while keeping me focused. Talking Heads and Radiohead are both loud and calming, which works perfectly. Also Sepultura! When I play this band, I just charge through my work.
Never off the clock!
ABOUT SMA8“SMA isn’t so much about winning an award, but the opportunity to learn something new.”Tazo is your third entry to SMA. What was your initial reaction when you saw the theme? I’m not such a sporty guy. I enjoy playing soccer more than I do watching it, and I’m not that interested in sport based manga like Slam Dunk, but it was a nice way to bring me out of my comfort zone. Tazo was my way of depicting a dual in a way that I myself would enjoy. I really like Pokemon, but they’re not sports, it’s more “how can they get out of this?”. My friend Max, another masterclass student, suggested I work on some nice characters. I created about 9 or 10, focusing on their costumes, expressions and gave them all these emotional responses during the action scenes. I was thinking about my daughter during the making of Tazo, and I thought it was a nice to blend sport, engaging characters and being a dad. Above all, Tazo is a gift to my daughter.From your initial idea to actually submitting, how long did it take?I started to seriously think about it around June, where I really started to engage with the concept and work on storyboards. I started drawing in early September, so I had about a month to complete. All the action and changes were done in the last week or so.Did Tazo fulfill your expectations?I like learning new techniques, so for me, entering SMA isn’t so much about winning an award, but the opportunity to learn something new. In that sense, it did fulfill my expectations. There’s a fantastic TV series in Japan by Urasawa Naoki called Urasawa Naoki no Manben that focuses on how successful Mangaka work. One episode caught my attention, focused on Asano Inio. I was fascinated by his ability to create brilliantly realistic, magical backgrounds. I really wanted to know his technique, but was surprised, and a little to angry to learn he takes photos and edits them to make them look like a manga page! I like experimenting, so I took photos around my neighbourhood and integrated them into Tazo.So what IS your motivation when creating manga?Well, you got me there! I just get the sense that I have to do it. I found Tazo very difficult to create. My girlfriend was pregnant at the time, so for me to dedicate a little of my time, which, incidentally turned out to be a lot, was a huge deal. But I needed to do it. I’m connected to making manga, even though it gets harder and doesn’t always pay off. It’s for the passion. I’m intrigued by ideas and I need to reach for them. It’s almost like chasing your own tail!What was the reaction from friends and family when you won?I had an amazing reaction from people on SNS. I have’t been out much because of the baby, but I got a lot of nice compliments from people who read it on Facebook. People don’t expect you to win an award in Japan. Its a good thing, it gets people interested and they hope you can develop your techniques. It gives me an added layer of purpose to carry on making manga.
DO NOT ENTER!!
THE FUTURE “I like to create using my senses, feeling things out instinctively.”It’s a wonderful thing to have excited people eager for your next work! So, what else is in the pipeline? SMA9! I’ve been thinking about concepts these last few days. I’ve found some seeds of ideas, and then stored them back in my head for future development. I’m not trying to focus too much on these ideas, but its comforting to know they’re there. I’m excited! I might do more than one this time, possibly a collaboration.Do you prefer working solo or collaborating on manga? Both have merits. Working solo can be harder, and I push myself harder to make the work more complex. But when I work with other people, they tend to ease up the journey. Plus its nice to share the load. I don’t know which one I prefer for SMA, but all my solo efforts are the ones that got noticed.Is there anything you’d like to shout out to the SMACommunity?Just keep on going. If you feel it, do it. I like to create using my senses, feeling things out instinctively, listen to your inner voice and let your imagine guide your pen. I’d like to thank you guys and the readers for all the support you’ve given me. So lets keep this Audition going!Thank you Daniel!
Seriously, DO NOT ENTER!!
It’s a constant source of fascination to learn a manga creator’s creative process, no two are the same! Thank you for allowing us a glimpse into your weird and wonderful world.SMAC!ommunity, do you have a creative itch you’re dying to scratch? Are you overflowing with story ideas? If yes, then start drawing for SMA9 round TODAY!! Do you want to join the world’s biggest manga community? Start drawing for the SMA9 round TODAY!SMA9 is the first time we’ve offered THREE themes to choose from! If you feel like a challenge, why not pick two, or all three themes! Make manga your language too! You have until March 31st, 2018 to say “HELLO” to your new friends! Click the banner for more details on how to enter…
