Manga-Ka

[Crystalbear]

You know manga-ka's? (Name for manga writers.)

Well, my friend was born in Canada and yet, wants to be a manga-ka when she grows up. She says that she'll be moving to Japan when she's old enough to have a job.

I was wondering, CAN someone from let's say, USA can become a manga-ka? I know she'll have to learn Romajii and Kanji but... I just want to know for sure.

[Cold Revolver]

Anything is possible, Especialy People in straight Jackets that believe that they are god... But anyways I would do some research on the subject.

[geishaboy]

Short answer yes.

Long answer, yes but there is a lot of work involved. Normally when you start out as a manga ka you become an assistant to an allready succesful one, doing things like drwing in explosions and backgrounds and such. If you put enough effort in you may get offered a small part in a weekely publication or magazine.If that is sucessful then you may get offered a part in a bigger magazine and so on and so on. I actaully met a manga ka when I was living in Japan, she did odd short storys and stuff for various magazines, it was more like her hobby.

Anyway, if you can't speak Japanese it may be very difficult to make a name for yourself in Japan, if you want to make manga in english, well, that would probably be easier. An there has been a little bit of interest as of late in Japan for western comics. I saw a manga in the comic bookstore the other day written by some western guy.

So yeah it is definately possible, but in Japan it probably won't be easy.

[Crystalbear]

Ok. I think I should try (key-word: try) become a manga-ka.

The best of drawing I can do: Rodents and rocks. I'm praticing Feudal houses. Then I'll move on to grass.

[nozomi]

Why not? There are "Amecomi's", you know.

[Crystalbear]

I never heard of Amecomi's.

[nozomi]

You should try searching for it then.

[Crystalbear]

Erm... some other day.

[nozomi]

LoL. ok. I see how it is.

[Xiam]

My friend draws Manga-style pretty well, for a pretty white girl.

I'm more into storylines than art, so I would do horribly. Unless someone really needed a writer.

[Crystalbear]

Cool. Yeah, I would need an story idea and humor idea writter. Not very good at humor.

[MewTaita]

whoa hamstarz i'm your friends twin or something because I'm just getting ready to move there for 2006. difference I've learned Romaji kangi and i can speak japanese fluently but me and my friends are doing trio mangaka and the rest would be too much to explain.

[Crystalbear]

Wow, you're lucky to move to Japan! ^_^

Good luck on your manga-ka team. Reminds me of Clamp...

[MewTaita]

Wow, you're lucky to move to Japan! ^_^

Good luck on your manga-ka team. Reminds me of Clamp...

it's because my dad is a musician so he is doing travling and i get to stay in any country i wanted and I'm just like ohmigawd hey maybe i'll see your friend. But I get to leave in march-april!

[Crystalbear]

Uh, my friends moving there when she's an adult... she's like.. 15 right now.

[orahiko]

Hm, as an answer to your question, I would have to say yes, but that person might have a hard time establishing theirself in Japan. as a career, that is. I plan to be an American comicbook artist and writer, though the market is small, at best. yes, manga is terribly popular in america, but it's time to regain a foothold in the market there, ne? vs muscled superheros, thankyouverymuch. I have a hero that i aspire too. americanish, too. english, actually. he writes great comics, award winning books, and frankly? he rocks. Doing my best, still growing,

orahiko