Seeing how the manga industry onlybegan around the Meiji period of Japan(late 1800s to early 1900s), and took off after WWII, technology and digital art simply wasn’t an option for artists to rely on. And inking and shading would eventually be justpartof the process.
RELATED:A Beginner’s Guide to Doujinshi
What Actually is Manga?
Most associate manga withNaruto,Kuroko’s Basketball,Bleach,Chainsaw Man, etc. This is because they’ve been professionally published and serialized into magazines. These magazines have a very specific name:Tankoubon, and they can be found almost anywhere in Japan - especially in convenience stores.
Even then, there are hundreds of tankoubon and such a large variety that they usually take up a whole wall. Getting your work “officially recognized” works similarly to standard book publishers, but instead of presenting a final project and an editor making changes, you instead present a sample chapter. Sometimes there are contests that tankoubon companies hold for fans to submit a chapter, and it’s not uncommon for companies to host conventions, where indie artists have the opportunity to present their work.
But this isn’t necessarily the only way to get noticed. Kyoto Seika University (founded in 1968), is known for its manga degree and has mentored well-known mangaka such as Yoshiaki Sukeno, the creator ofBinbougami ga!. They even have a history of hosting events in which mangaka such as Takashi Obata, ofDeath Notefame, come to demonstrate and answer questions. Every spring, the university will even host an event at a nearby museum for aspiring artists to showcase their work and even provide templates for independent artists. Having a degree is arguably the best way to get into the field. There’s also the ability to apply for working as an assistant for mangaka, if they’re looking for some
The Downside of Manga
Every artist loves to share stories and showcase their creativity, but there’s not as much freedom as one might expect.Mangaka are expected to meet a deadline of either a week or a month, depending on the company. A large portion of this goes into meeting with their editor, who will then suggest changes or give feedback on behalf of their magazine. In some unfortunate cases, the best advice isn’t always given, as sometimes there are clear biases - so it’s really a hit or miss.
Additionally, if you read the pilot/concept chapters of the manga, they differ from the final product. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing and the mangaka can still have the opportunity to tell the story they want, but the editors and company will get the final say. In some cases, a contract might run out and the manga will end abruptly.
The Creativity of Doujinshi
Doujinshiare self-published works. Usually, you’ll see them in the 18+ sections at conventions, as they’re usually fan-made stories of pre-existing characters. But doujinshi is not just visual adult fanfiction. It’s entirely possible to self-publish your own doujinshi with an original story and still get recognized.
Although you will have to put more work into it. Most doujinshi authors usually have a pixiv or twitter to showcase and advertise their work. Adult indie artists, such as2boshi_tofuandletter_eater021utilize these two platforms and over the years, have begun to garner more attention.Comiket, a bi-annual convention in Tokyo is also an excellent place to showcase your work.
RELATED:Biggest Anime Conventions In The World
Though you may be considered an amateur, this doesn’t mean you won’t get any anime adaptations or recognition.Afro Samuraigot its very first adaptation in 2009, but started out as a doujinshi. Popularity and entering the mainstream is very much possible, andit’s healthier. Because there is no contract or agreement that artists have to follow, they can take their time putting out works without the excess pressure to meet deadlines, and have little to no vacation time. Arguably the best way to go about telling your story through graphic novels could be both getting that degree and choosing to self-publish.
Why and How It Takes So Long
As mentioned previously,manga and doujinshi is much more than drawing and inking- there is screentoning as well. Originally these were used for floor plans and other architectural art, but in the 1990s, they quickly became popular with mangaka. Nowadays, you may find screentones ofallkinds and in art stores to use for manga. These make the drawing process much easier, but the time it takes is extremely tedious. One page can take up to 2-3 hours to screentone. And sometimes afterwards, an artist will need to redraw something, so it’s more pronounced underneath the paper. To further add on, it isvitalto let the ink dry before doing anything else.
RELATED:All of Naruto’s Teachers (& What They Taught Him)
Screentoning is the last part of the process, but you will also need a blue pencil before you even begin sketching. This is because the special paper that’s used will not pick up on any mistakes made in blue. After you’re finished using the blue pencil, it’s the regular pencil’s turn, the ink (which sometimes will have to be applied multiple times), and screentoning. It is also recommended to have a sample page that’s a smaller version of the actual draft, so you’re able to practice the layout.Thiswilltake days to do.
You will sometimes notice that the first few chapters of a serialized manga will have a lot of detail and screentoning, but over time there will be less and less. Masashi Kishimoto, the author ofNarutodid thisduring the course of its serialization. Usually, this is the case with weekly or bi-weekly tankoubon, as monthly chapters will have a bit more detail because of the extra time given.
Appreciating the Art
Even some of our least favorite manga had hard work put into it - and while it’s understandable to not like a narrative or story,hard work and visuals should still be acknowledged and appreciated. Next time you read a manga, sit down and just admire the art. And if you want to follow this path, never give up!
