How to Be a Manga Artist

Presented in the style of a manga, this book takes readers through the complete creative and professional process of making manga, from spark of inspiration to publication.

Following How to Draw a Graphic Novel, Balthazar Pagani returns, joined by manga expert Asuka Ozumi, to demystify the process of creating manga, from the initial idea that morphs into a story to what it’s like to work in a professional manga studio.

Featuring the work of Italian manga illustrator Silvia Vanni and told from the point of view of two young manga fans, How to Be a Manga Artist delivers a blend of professional advice and practical tips to guide aspiring creators, including how to construct a compelling narrative, develop characters your readers will fall in love with, and the basics of printing, digital-file setup, and self-promotion.

How to Be a Manga Artist also includes a specially commissioned chapter by renowned Japanese illustrator Fumio Obata, who encourages readers to look beyond the aesthetics of manga and put themselves into the story, to develop a style that is entirely original and true to them. It also features biographies of famous manga artists, definitions of key Japanese terms, and a list of must-read cult classics.