😳 How to Make your FIRST Manga | Beginner Mangaka Tutorial

Summary

This video offers a comprehensive guide to creating your first one-shot manga, providing expert advice from professional mangakas with decades of experience. It covers the essential steps of manga creation, including writing for a specific target audience, character and plot development, storyboarding, sketching, inking, and adding finishing touches. The video emphasizes the importance of planning and consistency, sharing tips for beginners on how to structure their story within a limited page count. Whether you're aiming for manga competitions or publication, this video will help you stay motivated and equipped to bring your manga vision to life.

Takeaways

• 😀 Define your target audience before starting your manga. This helps shape the genre, themes, and tone of your story.
• 😀 Know the five main manga demographics (Shonen, Shojo, Seinen, Josei, Kodomomuke) to align your story with the right readership.
• 😀 Choose a clear genre or theme for your manga, as it influences plot, character development, and audience appeal.
• 😀 Keep your one-shot plot concise—focus on a short, impactful story structure (Introduction, Development, Twist, Conclusion).
• 😀 Create a simple yet compelling plot summary for your one-shot, ideally fitting it into one or two pages.
• 😀 Focus on 1-2 main characters in your one-shot and develop their personalities, goals, and backstories.
• 😀 Design character reference sheets to ensure consistency and depth, going beyond just their appearance.
• 😀 Use storyboarding to plan your manga's flow and pacing, ensuring smooth transitions from panel to panel.
• 😀 Pay attention to visual variety in your storyboards—use a mix of close-ups, wide shots, and dynamic angles to engage readers.
• 😀 Don’t skip the storyboarding phase—it's critical for visual storytelling and prevents redundant or unclear scenes.
• 😀 Inking and adding screen tones are key to bringing your manga to life, with each step helping set the tone and enhance emotions in your story.

Q & A

What is the first step in creating a one-shot manga?

The first step is to determine your target audience. You need to know who you're writing for—whether it's young boys, girls, adults, or children—since different demographics influence the story, characters, and tone of your manga.

Why is knowing your target audience important for creating manga?

Knowing your target audience is crucial because it helps you shape the story and characters to fit specific expectations. For instance, a shonen manga will have different tropes and themes compared to a shojo manga. This understanding also affects your genre choices and the appeal of your manga to publishers and readers.

How can I structure the plot of my one-shot manga?

For a one-shot manga, the plot should be divided into four main parts: Introduction, Development, Twist, and Conclusion. You must plan how many pages each section will take, ensuring that the entire story is coherent and well-paced within the 16-page limit.

How many characters should I focus on for a 16-page one-shot manga?

It’s recommended to focus on a maximum of two main characters for a 16-page one-shot. While you can introduce more characters, it can be challenging to develop them properly in such a short space, and it may overwhelm the story.

What should I consider when designing my manga characters?

When designing manga characters, don't just focus on their appearance. Flesh out their personalities, goals, weaknesses, and backstory. A well-rounded character will resonate more with readers and make your story more engaging.

What role does storyboarding play in manga production?

Storyboarding is essential as it allows you to plan your manga’s layout, panel sizes, character placement, and scene transitions. It ensures smooth visual storytelling and prevents redundant or confusing shots. Without proper storyboarding, you risk creating static, repetitive scenes that don't engage readers.

How many drafts should I expect to go through during the storyboarding phase?

It’s common to go through multiple drafts during the storyboarding phase—at least three or four before settling on the final version. Manga artists often show their first draft to editors, who provide feedback for revisions, so it's important to be ready to make changes.

What are the key techniques used in manga inking?

Inking in manga involves creating clean lines, adding shading (known as 'beta'), and defining key details. Tools like dip pens, brush pens, and digital inking software are used to achieve precise, dynamic lines. Traditional inking is often preferred by some mangakas for its organic feel and personality.

What are screen tones, and why are they important in manga creation?

Screen tones are used in manga to add shading, texture, and emotional depth to the artwork. They help convey mood and atmosphere, such as using soft tones for romantic scenes or harsher tones for intense action. The right screen tone selection significantly impacts the reader's emotional response.

How can I make my one-shot manga stand out in competitions?

To stand out in manga competitions, focus on creating a strong, original story that is engaging despite the limited space. Ensure your characters are well-developed, your plot is clear and concise, and your visual storytelling flows smoothly. Avoid overly complex plots and keep your focus on a single, impactful narrative.