PROFILE Pen Name:Plushelisa Age: 18 Social network profiles: X: @plushelisa, Instagram: @plushelisa Country: France Favorite manga:Berserk Favorite movie: Parasite Favorite quote: “The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing.” – Walt Disney
“Start right away. Even if you don’t win, you will learn a lot!”
About SMA
How does it feel to receive a SILENT MANGA AUDITION® award? Honestly, I didn’t expect to win a prize at all. I’m very happy to have won. It’s truly an honor and it motivates me a lot for the future. I am motivated to progress in drawing so that I can create better stories. I was also very pleased to receive compliments on my work from manga legends; I am very grateful.
What was the inspiration behind your awarded work? I was inspired by my personal life, first of all. In my entry, the story begins with a girl who misses her train, which happens to me often! Additionally, I drew inspiration from the winning works of previous auditions. I noticed that there was often a very poetic atmosphere, so that’s what I wanted to recreate. Moreover, I was greatly inspired by Shojo manga because I find its layout very original and well-done.
What challenges did you face while making your manga? How did you overcome them? In my opinion, the absence of text was the most significant challenge. In my previous works, I always used the dialogues between the characters as a way to convey the story, so I had to adapt my approach. It is always harder to make a story understandable when there is no dialogue. Another challenge was to make the expression on my characters’ faces very clear. It’s important for the readers to be able to understand how they feel. I also had trouble with the backgrounds. Drawing backgrounds is always a bit difficult, at least for me, so I really worked on that aspect. Creating the script was also a challenge. Creating a story that is both simple but interesting and all this in a limited number of pages, took quite a lot of my time. To overcome all these challenges, I used the same method, which is to take my time and proceed step by step. I worked extensively on each of the aspects mentioned above. When I wasn’t content with something–for example the script or backgrounds–I worked on it again until I got something I was satisfied with.
How and when did you start making manga? Any advice for beginners?
I started drawing manga in March 2022, so it’s quite recent. I still consider myself a beginner, I still have so much to learn! However, I have always had a passion for drawing in general. I have been drawing since childhood. But I’ve really gotten back into drawing since the lockdown in 2020. Since then, I’ve been drawing every day. I wanted to start drawing manga because the idea of being able to make characters live through a story that I could create myself, was really attractive to me. I had imagined characters and a draft story for several years but I had never really taken the leap of faith to start writing my manga. I had concerns that I was not going to live up to my expectations and that I would not succeed. What really helped me get started was participating in a contest. In 2022, a French manga publishing house held a competition to win a publishing contract. So I decided to participate. Because there was a deadline and a theme, it really gave me a framework to work on. Even if I didn’t win that contest, the experience allowed me to learn a lot about the whole process of creating manga. From then on, I kept making manga.
My advice for someone who wants to draw a manga for the first time would be to start right away. I was thinking before that I had to practice more before I would reach a level to be good enough to start drawing manga. However, I can tell you that no one is ever satisfied with their current level. So it’s better to start directly. Even if you don’t win, you will learn a lot!
Do you draw your manga digitally or by hand? What are your go-to digital or analogue tools? I draw digitally on an iPad. I used ibisPaint X. It is with this software that I drew all the manga I have created to this date. It’s a software that is free and I think is quite effective for making manga. It is very intuitive and suitable for beginners. But I recently changed and I’m now drawing on Clip Studio Paint. I heard it was this software that some mangaka were using. I’m still getting used to it, there are so many features!
What was the first manga you picked up? During my middle school years, I began to read manga. However, I didn’t read a lot of it. I really started reading manga again when I was in high school. After purchasing the first volume of Berserk, I became obsessed with manga. Now I read it every day! Which manga changed your life? I’m a huge fan of Hunter x Hunter! I adore the storyline and feel a strong attachment to the characters. Chrollo Lucilfer, the leader of the Phantom Troupe, is one of my favorites across all manga. His charisma and impressive demeanor struck me. Discovering him sparked my desire to create characters of similar depth! So, it was Hunter x Hunter that inspired me to begin creating my own stories.
Which manga character do you most identify with? Why? I would say Kobeni from Chainsaw Man! I love that character. I think she’s very funny. Her perpetual fear reminds me of myself in certain situations, where I also tend to become slightly stressed. I admire that despite her fear, she takes action even when terrified.
What kind of manga do you want to make next? I would love to make manga with the characters I use repeatedly. I don’t have a specific genre in mind, I want to test everything!
About you
What do you do when you’re not making manga? How do you relax? When I’m not drawing, I review my economics coursework in the university library. And in my free time, I love going for a walk in Paris with my sister, friends or my entire family, and eating pastries in cafes.
What industry do you work in (if manga making isn’t your primary job)? I am currently studying economics at a university. It is not necessarily my passion but I like it. Besides that, I have a part-time job. I give manga drawing lessons to children and adults in Paris. I like being able to share my passion, I find it very rewarding.
Where do you see your manga career in 5 years time? In five years, I would still like to draw manga and would not mind being published. It would really be a dream come true.
What manga making advice would you give to your younger self if you could? I’m going to offer her the same advice I previously gave: “Go for it! Even if you think you don’t have the skills, go for it, young Plushelisa! (And start working on perspective immediately because you’re still struggling with it today -_-)”
What advice would you give to people entering the SILENT MANGA AUDITION®? Make a story that you like, it’s very important! And get started! Even if you don’t think you can win, you never know!
Thank you, Plushelisa! We’re eagerly expecting your next manga masterpiece!
Favorite manga:Chainsaw Man, Tokyo Ghoul, Goodnight Punpun The 25th “Comic ZENON Manga Taisho” Excellence Award: “The Witch of Petrovsky”
“Whatever is necessary to work as a professional manga artist in Japan. Through dialogue with editors and drawing, you can learn it.”
What made you decide to come to Japan?
The reason was that I thought such opportunities were rare and found it interesting. I never imagined being able to work in Japan, let alone make drawing manga a profession overseas. My friends and family were delighted and supported me in my activities in Japan.
I’ve liked Japanese manga since I was a child and have been reading it. I think its characteristic is its wide range of expressions. Some are bright, or full of gag, while others are intensely dark and serious. Furthermore, within that gradient, various works jostle together. What they have in common is that they are generally easy to read and have devices that make it easy for readers to enter the world of the work. That’s why I think Japanese manga has become popular worldwide.
What is your impression of Japan, Kumamoto, and Aso?
It’s a beautiful place with scenic views. From old buildings seen in shrines and temples to cute cafes in the city and seasonal landscapes, everything is beautiful. When I arrived in Japan, it was cherry blossom season, and it was unbelievably gorgeous.
On the other hand, Aso has many cash-only shops, so I, who was used to credit card payments in my home country where they are common, initially had trouble adjusting to this custom. To avoid becoming like me, who takes five minutes to buy a cup of hot chocolate, I recommend consulting others before going shopping (haha).
How do you feel about the Artists Village Aso 096k’s location in Kumamoto as an environment for drawing manga? What’s your impression of the living environment and food?
I think it’s a great place for drawing manga. As a working environment, it offers all the support for both digital and analogue work, and the atmosphere of the workspace and studio is conducive to drawing manga. You can switch between focusing and relaxing freely.
Additionally, it’s great to be able to work with artists from other countries who share the same purpose. While drawing manga is often seen as a solitary job, having fellow professionals nearby allows for considerable support in work. It’s also possible to lighten the mood by joking around with each other.
Furthermore, the staff at the facility are considerate and very flexible. I’ve never felt excluded.
The Artists Village also offers excellent meals. The chefs in the dining hall are fantastic, and the daily meals are always delicious. I personally enjoy sushi, fried chicken, and ramen. Since you can usually decide how much to serve yourself, I ended up gaining more weight than expected (haha).
What does an average day at the Artists Village look like for you?
I wake up around 8 a.m., have breakfast in my room, and prepare for work. If time allows, I’ll read novels or study the Bible.
I start working around 10 a.m. I spend the whole day working in the studio on the second floor of the facility. Lunch is around 12:30 p.m., and dinner is around 6:30 p.m. During this time, I work on drawings or writing at my desk, sometimes having meetings with editors.
After dinner, around 7 p.m., I have relatively free time. If there’s still work remaining, I continue with that. Otherwise, I might play board games with other artists, watch movies in the theater room, exercise at home, or go shopping.
Late at night, I usually call my family and have longer conversations with them.
Additionally, on holidays, I often play games, play the piano in the facility, or engage in activities other than work.
What are your goals for the future?
In addition to improving my skills as a manga artist, I want to experience serialization. I’m always conflicted between pursuing what I want to draw as an artist or aiming for something that sells well and is read by many people. However, as I have more discussions with editors, I’ve come to believe that these two goals can be reconciled. Since I am able to draw manga in this environment by coming to Japan, I intend to continue striving for commercial success.
Please give a message to those who are thinking about working at the Artists Village Aso 096k!
If the timing aligns with your life, I highly recommend it. It’s an invaluable opportunity if you’re interested in making manga production your profession. The staff here warmly welcome us and provide generous support. It’s truly a blessing to be able to work with them.
Thank you, monotone_ink! Stay tuned for his original manga debut next month!! 🙂
Learn more about how YOU can join the Artists Village and create manga with us!
Meet the Artists Village MasterClass Duo #8: Vanilla
Favorite manga:Natsume’s Book of Friends SMA-EX4 Excellence Award: “Little Hero”
“Your fellow manga artists and editors will generously give you tips on how to draw and improve your work.”
What made you decide to come to Japan?
It has always been a dream of ours to work in Japan, where there is a lot of great manga being produced. We are more than happy to gain the know-how through the manga production process. Our family and friends are very happy for us to have been invited to Japan by COAMIX Inc., and we too feel honored to have been invited. Before coming to Japan, we used to draw artworks and publish them in doujinshi magazines.
Our favorite Japanese manga is “Natsume’s Book of Friends.” Japanese manga has a good design and storyline, and once you start reading it, you are immersed in the story. We like to read paper comics because we feel that they are of high quality as well.
What is your impression of Japan, Kumamoto, and Aso?
Aso in Kumamoto is a beautiful place surrounded by mountains and greenery. The scenery is amazing. Sometimes when we spend our days here, ideas for new works come to us naturally.
Also, since it is easily accessible from Jakarta, the capital of Indonesia, where we are from, we did not feel any physical or mental burden in coming to Kumamoto.
How do you feel about the Artists Village Aso 096k’s location in Kumamoto as an environment for drawing manga? What’s your impression of the living environment and food?
It’s a great place to work, where people give you a helping hand when you need it. Our colleagues, including Tati, who is also from Indonesia, are always willing to give us tips on how to draw if we ask them. It is also a good place to hone your skills as the editors are the first readers to give you feedback on your work.
The living environment is comfortable. There are six rooms in each residential building, and our roommates are senior Japanese manga artists. They are very kind and also help us with our Japanese studies. Sometimes we are so surprised that we can see them working next to us that we even call them: “Sensei!”
Also, the food served in the cafeteria here is very delicious. We always look forward to lunch time.
What does an average day at the Artists Village look like for you?
It depends on the deadline, but we spend 8 hours a day drawing, not including lunch and dinner. There is a resting area in the facility for a change of pace, so we try to take a well-deserved break after a long day of concentrated work.
What are your goals for the future?
Our goal is to debut as a professional manga creator. We want to continue to draw good works. This has been our dream since we were children. We hope to make the most of the fact that we are a two-person team, and we will be able to work together for a long time, making up for each other’s short-comings.
Please give a message to those who are thinking about working at the Artists Village Aso 096k!
Work hard with the goal of creating a good manga! And don’t forget to apply for the SILENT MANGA AUDITION®. The first step to open the door to the Artists Village is to submit your manga to the SILENT MANGA AUDITION®.
Thank you, Vanilla! We’re looking forward to your original manga debut!
Learn more about how YOU can join the Artists Village and create manga with us!
Favorite manga:Your Lie in April SMA5 GRAND PRIX: “I’m Happy”
“Sometimes I get character ideas from being surrounded by nature and living daily life here in Takamori.”
What made you decide to come to Japan?
The main reason I came to Japan was to learn more about Japanese manga and to gain experience in the life and work of a manga artist. Japanese manga is wonderful. It tells a story through pictures and delivers a thoughtful message to the reader. It is memorable and resonates with the heart. Second, I wanted to learn more about Japanese culture and language. And third, I wanted to make drawing my full-time career, to gain rich experiences and enjoyment, and to make my life more colorful. For me, drawing is something that transcends the boundaries of work or hobby, and is something that I am passionate about above all else.
Before coming to Japan, I worked as an art teacher at a vocational school in my home country while doing freelance manga after work and on my days off. In my home country Indonesia, it is common in manga production to divide the work between the original story and the drawings. Therefore, I also formed a two-person team named DS STUDIO and was the one in charge of the drawings.
I am happy to say that my family supports my decision to come to Japan after COAMIX invited me. My sister loves Japanese anime. My brother loves to draw, and watching him growing up is what inspired me to draw manga.
What is your impression of Japan, Kumamoto, and Aso?
In Indonesia, Japan is considered a clean and disciplined country. I have felt this while living here in Kumamoto.
There is also a lot of entertainment such as manga, video games, and anime, and the culture is rich. As a lover of horror stories, Japanese yokai are very interesting to me.
How do you feel about the Artists Village Aso 096k’s location in Kumamoto as an environment for drawing manga? What’s your impression of the living environment and food?
Jakarta, the capital of Indonesia, where I am from, is a big city plagued by smog.
On the other hand, Takamori in Kumamoto is an environment full of greenery, which is rarely seen in Jakarta. The beautiful nature surrounding me here often inspires me with ideas for our characters.
I like to eat fish dishes here because they are delicious. I also like fried chicken. But…I sometimes think I need a little more habanero pepper, hahaha.
What does an average day at the Artists Village look like for you?
I spend all of my days here drawing. When I’m not drawing, I play board games, go for walks, play baseball with my fellow manga creators, play games, and go shopping. Of course, I also get a good night’s sleep.
There is an editorial staff and a family-like community here, which gives me a sense of security that makes life easy for me.
What are your goals for the future?
To create and illustrate heartwarming stories. I also hope to grow as a person through this process.
Please give a message to those who are thinking about working at the Artists Village Aso 096k!
“Dream as if you will live forever, Live as if you will die today.” If you are not sure whether to come here or not, it is better to come first. Do the best you can do right now!
Thank you, Tati!! We’re eagerly awaiting your original manga debut!
Learn more about how YOU can join the Artists Village and create manga with us!
Meet the Artists Village MasterClass #6: Roberto F.
PROFILE Pen Name:Roberto F. SNS Profiles: X: Mr_Houseki, Instagram: mr.houseki, Facebook: mangaroberto Country: Brazil Favorite manga:Rurouni Kenshin, Fullmetal Alchemist, Blade of the Immortal, CLAYMORE
“Everything you see and hear here is a source of inspiration for good manga.”
What made you decide to come to Japan?
I came to Japan because I love Japan and Japanese manga, and I saw it as a special opportunity to grow as a manga artist.
I have been a manga fan since I was a child, and at the age of 6, I was exposed to Japanese works such as “Dragon Ball” and “Saint Seiya”, and was hooked. This led me to draw manga with my friends when I was 14 years old.
In my home country of Brazil, I drew manga while doing freelance design work. My family and friends understood my desire to make manga my career and my interest in Japan. So when I was approached by COAMIX and decided to move to Japan, everyone around me was willing to support me.
What is your impression of Japan, Kumamoto, and Aso?
I think the scenery of this area is very beautiful and I really like the people I have met. There is respect, compassion, hard work, and a great sense of humor. Everything I see and hear here is a source of inspiration for good manga. Everything is information that I don’t have in my home country. For example, unlike Brazil, Aso has snow. The landscape is an inspiration for new stories.
How do you feel about the Artists Village Aso 096k’s location in Kumamoto as an environment for drawing manga? What’s your impression of the living environment and food?
The studio has everything you need for drawing manga. I also find it interesting to work with people of different nationalities in the same space. I also like the greenery around the facility.
I also love the food. Sushi, sashimi, udon, and all the other Japanese food in the cafeteria here is delicious, including the wasabi.
As for drinks, I was surprised by the iced coffee. You can’t find this in Brazil. Other than that, I am excited to try the vending machine drinks.
The residential building is a one-minute walk from the Art Studio, making it easy to come and go, and the rooms are easy to live in. The closets with sliding doors are especially convenient!
What does an average day at the Artists Village look like for you?
I am working on a webtoon series and my own original work, so every day passes quickly in terms of coming up with a story and character development. But I still find time to explore the area around the Artists Village, make plans to go out with my fellow manga creators, attend various events, see movies, and go out to eat at restaurants.
What are your goals for the future?
I want to impress as many people as possible by creating and publishing as many manga as possible. I would also like to learn the language and get closer to Japanese culture, as I hope to become a fluent Japanese speaker.
Please give a message to those who are thinking about working at the Artists Village Aso 096k!
Japanese manga is unique in the way it is produced, and I believe this is at the core of its high quality. It will be a great pleasure for you to learn and draw manga here!
Thank you, Roberto F.! We’re eagerly awaiting your original manga debut!
Learn more about how YOU can join the Artists Village and create manga with us!
Argentinian MasterClass Receives Manga Taisho Award!!
Argentinian MasterClass member Andrea Jen’s one-shot manga was awarded with an Honorable Mention in the 26th edition of the “Comic ZENON Manga Taisho” Japanese manga contest! She joins 5 other SMA MasterClass members who’ve received an award in Manga Taisho, Comic ZENON’s oldest manga contest where new and upcoming creators can prove themselves DIRECTLY to their future fans with an up to 39-page entry. It’s not only judged by manga legends such as Tsukasa Hojo-sensei and Tetsuo Hara-sensei, but also by booksellers and the general public!!
The following is a comment from Manga Taisho and SMA Judge Ryuji Tsugihara-sensei regarding Andrea Jen’s entry:
“I was impressed in how beautifully and neatly the creator drew the illustrations. I felt that there is room for growth in showing the emotional expressions of the characters, so I hope the creator can focus on that for next time!” – Ryuji Tsugihara-sensei
After being awarded SMA-EX1 Grand Prix Runner-Up and making a special 3 volume one-shot, Andrea Jen decided to join Manga Taisho with “The Lady Afraid of Flowers.” Working earnestly on her family farm, Jasmine is hindered by a crippling fear of flowers from a past trauma, despite wanting to enjoy their beauty. Her life is changed when she encounters her kind neighbor Samuel, but something sinister and more terrible than Jasmine’s fear is lurking in the shadows…!
Andrea Jen’s work is only one of the manga masterpieces created by the SMA MasterClassthat won an award through Comic ZENON and COAMIX; with the support of the SMA Editorial Department, the MasterClass members are showing year after year their potential to the Japanese audience and working towards their professional debut by joining SMA exclusive projects such as the “Artists Village Aso 096k!”
HELLO SMA19 AWARD WINNER, Luciel!
PROFILE Pen Name:Luciel Age: 27 Country: Italy Favorite manga:Hunter x Hunter Favorite movie: Interstellar, Amelie Poulain Favorite quote: “And if you gaze long enough into an abyss, the abyss will gaze back into you.”
“Experiment, study, and think about what you really want to do with your art.”
About SMA
How does it feel to receive a SILENT MANGA AUDITION® award? It feels a bit weird because I know I’m not good enough now, but it gives me motivation to do better next time!
What was the inspiration behind your awarded work? I got interested in ballet dancers recently. They go through a lot of hardship from a really young age to reach their beautiful form and graceful technique. I was inspired by their stories.
What challenges did you face while making your manga? How did you overcome them? Drawing ballet moves was hard, so I had to collect a lot of references.
How and when did you start making manga? Any advice for beginners? I joined this contest almost 5 years ago. I know I should’ve started sooner, so that’s why my advice for beginners is “Do not wait to feel ready; be brave, fail quickly, learn, try again, and go on until you make it. Don’t waste time being scared; life is too short for that.”
Do you draw your manga digitally or by hand? What are your go-to digital or analogue tools? I do everything digitally by using a graphic tablet with screen and computer.
What was the first manga you picked up? Tokyo Mew Mew, if I remember right.
Which manga changed your life? I’d say Tokyo Mew Mew again, because I was in elementary school and never saw something like that before. I was obsessed with the cat ears ahah.
Which manga character do you most identify with? Why? I don’t know, but if they’re weird and need therapy I can relate lol. What kind of manga do you want to make next? Something with the kind of dark aesthetic which I like.
About you
What do you do when you’re not making manga? How do you relax? I usually read, play games or watch something.
What industry do you work in (if manga making isn’t your primary job)? Jobless but not hopeless.
Where do you see your manga career in 5 years time? I just hope to see it somewhere honestly.
What manga making advice would you give to your younger self if you could? Just draw and create, use your feelings and transform them into art. Even if it sucks, you will improve eventually, but just do something or you will regret all the wasted time.
What advice would you give to people entering the SILENT MANGA AUDITION®? Use it as a tool to improve, not just for victory. Experiment, study, and think about what you really want to do with your art.
Thank you, Luciel! We’re eagerly expecting your next manga masterpiece!
PROFILES Pen Name: Zanuse (Art) Age: 26 Country: Italy Favorite manga:Golden Kamui, Uzumaki Favorite movie: The Thing (1982), Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind, Django Unchained Favorite quote: “Danger doesn’t always come from the enemy.”
Pen Name: Jim Yiu (Pen name: Beatrush (Story)) Age: 41 Country: Canada Favorite manga: Hellsing, Gunnm, Trigun Maximum Favorite movie: Aliens, Terminator 2, Macross-Do You Remember Love, Redline (レッドライン) Favorite quote: “Push on! You can sleep when you’re dead.”
“Don’t go for complex stories, keep it simple and tell it in a meaningful and engaging way!” – Zanuse
“Learn the fundamentals! Start with a small concept, develop your twist, and pay attention to page/panel layout and camera angles.” – Beatrush
About SMA
How does it feel to receive a SILENT MANGA AUDITION® award? Zanuse: I woke up to the news of the award, so I was a bit dazed. It was completely unexpected, but it’s an honor that professionals read our entry and that I can share this moment with Beatrush! I’m so happy!
Beatrush: Incredible! This was our first time entering and to achieve an award with so many talented artists and storytellers in this competition feels surreal. I am very honored that professionals whose work I have read/watched growing up reviewed our entry and shared their knowledge with us. I am so happy to share this award with my friend Zanuse, who is an amazing person and artist.
What was the inspiration behind your awarded work? Zanuse: I was often called ‘’daydreamer’’ or told that I had my head in clouds, not paying attention to surroundings or just imagining things for fun.
Beatrush: Personal experience. Growing up, I lived only with my mother and I didn’t have many friends so I frequently had to entertain myself. Just like the girl in our story, sometimes I would be lost in my imagination and not pay attention to dangers in my environment.
What challenges did you face while making your manga? How did you overcome them? Zanuse: I would say the storyboard. I’m rather new to this, and previously I had only worked on a couple of pages just for fun without even knowing if I was doing things correctly. Because of that it all felt overwhelming, so I started from the basics: yonkoma and ki-sho-ten-ketsu.
Beatrush: The main struggle that comes to mind was convincing my peers who reviewed our entry on the story. Many expressed that they felt our story/twist was too simple compared to the topics they chose (which were mostly about life and death). In the end, I’m glad I believed in my ability as a storyteller.
How and when did you start making manga? Any advice for beginners? Zanuse: I’ve been drawing since I was little but had tendencies toward illustrations more than manga. Recently I got the chance to work on manga/comics and webtoons and thanks to this I got to know Beatrush and also ComiPa who mentored me on manga making, art, and storytelling! I owe them everything.
My advice for beginners would be to read a lot of manga and practice everyday!
Beatrush: I started creating manga roughly in 2012 but it was more of a hobby at the time. Things didn’t really pick up steam until I met SMA18 winner ComiPa in 2017. He mentored me on the fundamentals of manga and visual storytelling and I owe much of my success to him.
My advice would be if you want to start creating manga, the earlier the better (or just start right now!). Having started so late in my life, I fear I only have so much time left to tell all the stories I have in my head.
Do you draw your manga digitally or by hand? What are your go-to digital or analogue tools? Zanuse: I use both digital and traditional mediums. For digital I use Clip Studio Paint EX and Photoshop. For traditional I go for my trusted mechanical pencil and G-Pen. I love the sound of the pen tip dragging across the paper.
Beatrush: When I draw, I use Clip Studio EX and Photoshop. The rare times I draw traditionally I use a mechanical 2B pencil, as well as Copic and Sakura liners. However, since my strength for creating manga is more in the writing role, I rarely draw for my own manga projects.
What was the first manga you picked up? Zanuse: It was “Wanted!”, a collection of one-shot stories by Oda-sensei.
Beatrush: My mother used to bring me random manga books from a cantonese bookstore in Chinatown. They usually were random volumes of Dragon Ball Z, Ranma ½ and City Hunter. Her hope was for me to learn to read cantonese through them, but I just ended up admiring the artwork instead.
Which manga changed your life? Zanuse: I think Tomie and Witch Hat Atelier. I want to make something this beautiful too..
Beatrush: I would have to say Battle Angel Alita and Hellsing. Those two series introduced me to the world of seinen manga storytelling and showed me new examples of what can be done using the medium of manga.
Which manga character do you most identify with? Why? Zanuse: Taiga Aisaka from Toradora. I’m short and I still get mistaken for a kid because of that and my baby face.
Beatrush: Currently, Bocchi from Bocchi the Rock!. I can relate to her mindset in regards to self doubt and wanting to hide from the world.
What kind of manga do you want to make next? Zanuse: I would love to make a story about mysteries and horror, but it has to wait for now. I’m working on a project with Beatrush.
Beatrush: Aside from SMA20, I am currently working on multiple series at the moment including one with Zanuse which should debut later this year. I also have a passion project series called “Gun+Blazer” that is currently on hiatus but I hope to work on it again soon. While I typically write action/comedy and seinen, I would like to try making something “gothic” like Castlevania or Vampire Hunter D.
About You
What do you do when you’re not making manga? How do you relax? Zanuse: I draw even more! But I also spend time playing videogames with friends and reading books. Beatrush: I tend to work over 12 hours a day but the rare times I am able to relax, I enjoy watching movies/anime, reading, chatting with friends and casual gaming.
What industry do you work in (if manga making isn’t your primary job)? Zanuse: I’m a freelance Illustrator but also a tattoo artist. Beatrush: That’s a good question… I guess the best way to describe it is digital and interactive communications. My job usually consists of writing, coding, graphic design, video editing, and creating marketing materials. I often refer to myself as “jack of all trades but a master of none”.
Where do you see your manga career in 5 years time? Zanuse: Don’t know! I can’t tell what the future has for me. The only thing I can do is work hard to achieve my objectives. So that’s what I’ll do for now. Beatrush: It’s tough to say at the moment. I would like to transition full time into creating and writing manga one day though.
What manga making advice would you give to your younger self if you could? Zanuse: Be more confident and don’t be afraid of experimenting new stuff! Many good things can come out if you try. Beatrush: Don’t hesitate, if you wanna make manga, just do it. Take risks and don’t be afraid to fail.
What advice would you give to people entering the SILENT MANGA AUDITION®? Zanuse: Just do it! Don’t go for complex stories, keep it simple and tell it in a meaningful and engaging way! Beatrush: Learn the fundamentals! Start with a small concept, develop your twist and pay attention to page/panel layout and camera angles. Read the interviews of the winners because many of them share useful information you can use for your own submission. Lastly, don’t give up! Keep trying and learn from the feedback the masters provide to both you and the other creators.
Thank you, Zanuse and Beatrush! We’re eagerly expecting your next manga masterpiece!
PROFILE Pen Name:Ryuu Kun Age: Mid-twenties Country: Iraq Favorite manga:Berserk,Goodnight Punpun, No Longer Human, Bakuman, ONE PIECE Favorite movie: Hmmm maybe Control? Favorite quote: “I’m responsible for my own happiness? I can’t even be responsible for my own breakfast!” – BoJack Horseman
How does it feel to receive a SILENT MANGA AUDITION® award? Since it was my first time winning, I felt happy and grateful that my work finally got recognition, but I wasn’t really satisfied either because I haven’t done well enough to win one of the highest prizes. What was the inspiration behind your awarded work? I guess art in general! I have always viewed art as a way of letting sad or unwanted feelings go, I thought maybe to free the protagonist from his sorrow and pain is to go with painting. What challenges did you face while making your manga? How did you overcome them? Time management! It was really hard to manage my time for drawing my entry while working on many other projects at that time, but I’m happy it paid off.
How and when did you start making manga? Any advice for beginners? I started making manga around 2019, and my first manga was an entry for SMA too!My advice would be to learn the fundamentals and copy from good artists first, then start making your own stuff.
Do you draw your manga digitally or by hand? What are your go-to digital or analogue tools? I draw digitally on my laptop along with a Huion Kamvas Pro 22, and I use Clip Studio Paint.
What was the first manga you picked up? Liar Game.
Which manga changed your life? Bakuman for sure, and Berserk too. Which manga character do you most identify with? Why? I would say Punpun, mostly because I’m a bit shy and don’t talk much.
What kind of manga do you want to make next? I want to create dark themed works like Usamaru Furuya-sensei’s; I’m obsessed with all of Furuya-sensei’s works.
About you
What do you do when you’re not making manga? How do you relax? I don’t have much to do, so I just play video games mostly. I’m playing Yakuza right now.
What industry do you work in (if manga making isn’t your primary job)? I used to work as a webcomic artist.
Where do you see your manga career in 5 years time? It’s hard to answer, but I hope I’ll be able to publish the story I always wanted to tell.
What manga making advice would you give to your younger self if you could? Pick up your pencil and start drawing; it doesn’t have to be perfect. And don’t be afraid of making mistakes.
What advice would you give to people entering the SILENT MANGA AUDITION®? Give the winners’ entries a read and try to figure out why the judges picked them. Stick with the theme of the contest and never make a complex story. Good luck!
Thank you, Ryuu Kun! We’re eagerly expecting your next manga masterpiece!
PROFILE Pen Name:Adween Age: 25 Social network profiles: Twitter: @AdweenArt, Instagram: @ad.ween Country: France Favorite manga:Pandora Hearts, Attack on Titan, Witch Hat Atelier Favorite movie: Castle In The Sky Favorite quote: Huh I don’t know if it’s my favorite but I really liked a sentence said by Agathe in Witch Hat Atelier: “Wanting to draw and not being able to, it happens to everyone!”
“If you have time, do it. You will win either a reward or experience but you will never lose. 🙂”
About SMA
How does it feel to receive a SILENT MANGA AUDITION® award? I was super happy! I have done a lot of manga contests but I have never won any…So it was a pleasant surprise!
What was the inspiration behind your awarded work? I really like the character dynamics where a tired old man takes care of a very energetic child. It’s from the relationship between these characters that I created the story.
What challenges did you face while making your manga? How did you overcome them? I haven’t done any manga for several years, so I had to get back into it and work hard so that my lack of practice didn’t show too much! I also had a very physically tiring job during the contest and I often felt pain while drawing…You always have to stretch well even when you draw!
How and when did you start making manga? Any advice for beginners? I started doing manga at a very young age. I loved writing stories for my little sister. I quit for a very long time, then came back into it, then quit again…I had a complicated relationship with manga so I don’t think I can give advice, but…I would say to never force yourself and if you really like to draw, someday the desire will come back naturally.
Do you draw your manga digitally or by hand? What are your go-to digital or analogue tools? I draw digitally. It saves me a lot of time. I mainly draw on Clip Studio Paint!
What was the first manga you picked up? The first manga I read was Black Cat by Kentaro Yabuki. All the stories I created when I was younger were HEAVILY inspired by Black Cat… It was the only manga I had and therefore my only source of inspiration haha. Which manga changed your life? A lot of manga actually! But I think Attack on Titan and Pandora Hearts are among the most impactful. Attack on Titan for its terrifying and realistic view of the world and Pandora Hearts for its anxious and tortured characters that marked me as a human and as an artist.
Which manga character do you most identify with? Why? Reiner from Attack on Titan. He asks himself a lot of questions all the time to the point of losing his mind. We are very similar on this point. What kind of manga do you want to make next? A psychological manga about creativity and passion. A theme had already been seen several times, but I would like to share my experience and create a story that speaks to all those who had serious doubts about their art.
About you
What do you do when you’re not making manga? How do you relax? I really like to sing, read, play video games, walk in nature, play with my cats… But most of the time I draw haha.
What industry do you work in (if manga making isn’t your primary job)? I work as a graphic designer with a publishing company and I also have a part time job as a cashier.
Where do you see your manga career in 5 years time? I don’t think I would be a pro but I hope I could at least make a full story for myself.
What manga making advice would you give to your younger self if you could? “Learn perspective now or you’ll regret it.”
What advice would you give to people entering the SILENT MANGA AUDITION®? You should never hesitate to do this kind of competition. If you have time, do it. You will win either a reward or experience but you will never lose. 🙂
Thank you, Adween! We’re eagerly expecting your next manga masterpiece!
