Mangapug.Com - A community for manga/anime artists.

We are all manga fans, if not you wouldn't be reading this topic on this site in this moment. Have you ever dreamed of becoming a manga artist and publish your own book, but in reality can only afford to keep it as a hobby because you simply just cannot make enough to pay bills?

Sadly, US manga industry is not nearly as large and developed as Japan. If you walk into a bookstore, in the anime section all you can find are Japanese translated manga books, or traditional superhero comics. Very few magazines in the US are designed for just domestic manga artists. So, what do we do if we want to pursue our manga career instead of boring 9~5 jobs, but still manage to make a living?

It is a question with no simple answer, but I think we should all think about it if we love manga art enough. Wouldn’t it be nice just to do what you love? Lets share some inspirations in here.

Well, I think it would be great to be a manga-ka but, like you said, the American manga business isn't very well developed. I heard it's hard to be accepted as a manga-ka in Japan as well. I plan on working on video games for a living so I may make a manga as a side project or for when I'm older. Maybe by then the Japanese will accept American manga.

Well Il iive over in the UK and it's still hard to get some books even though there has been a explosion lately in certain bookstores, still seems that you have to go to specialist shops.

Getting manga drawing supplies is even harder!!!
I'd love to be a manga artist 24/7 if that was ever possible.

It is no easier to break into manga than it is with a regular novel. But, having previous publication is more than half the battle. It gets your stuff in the front door. Not all mangaka are Japanese. Just about all who aren't use a Japanese pen name. There are mangaka from the US, Canada, Germany, Korea, Mexico etc. You can't tell by the pen names. Publishers look for good solid stories that will sell, and mangaka that can keep it coming at a decent pace.

As for supplies - any good art supply store will have what you need. If you don't have an art supply store near you, there are plenty of online sources.

Any one know any good magazines (in US or Canada) manga fans can send their manga works to be published?

I guess most of the magazine publications do not pay commissions anymore, due to the tough market, and also people can get so much free stuff online instead of buying it.

Lilli10779 wrote:I guess most of the magazine publications do not pay commissions anymore, due to the tough market, and also people can get so much free stuff online instead of buying it.

wha??
and yea...i really dont know how to pursue the career as a mangaka. I have absolutely no clue how i would get a manga published if i made one...I dont even know where to start.
I had been thinking about that from time to time too. It bothers but i cant do anything about it. Theres very little i know.

You can make your own books that's for sure, there are many places you can print your own magazine or manga books, but marketing it will be the biggest problem...

Getting manga drawing supplies is even harder!!!

Hobby Lobby has a whole line of ink and toner pens just for anime and manga drawings. Hobby Lobby has just about anything you could ever need, want, or think about maybe needing it. LoL!

Well if your not a die-hard about becoming a manga-ka there is always storyboarding for companies. Anime style cartoons are slowly taking over. Final Art, Concept, Full Range...There is a long list of jobs.

The bottom line is getting in the door. If you can get your name out there. It is hard work but can be done. If nothing else it can also be people you know once you get there.

Take the opportunity if it persents itself...I am an idiot for not taking up a Disney Scholarship when I had the chance back when I was 17.

Lisha wrote:

Getting manga drawing supplies is even harder!!!

Hobby Lobby has a whole line of ink and toner pens just for anime and manga drawings. Hobby Lobby has just about anything you could ever need, want, or think about maybe needing it. LoL!

Well if your not a die-hard about becoming a manga-ka there is always storyboarding for companies. Anime style cartoons are slowly taking over. Final Art, Concept, Full Range...There is a long list of jobs.

The bottom line is getting in the door. If you can get your name out there. It is hard work but can be done. If nothing else it can also be people you know once you get there.

Take the opportunity if it persents itself...I am an idiot for not taking up a Disney Scholarship when I had the chance back when I was 17.

Disney scholarship~ Good for you! Is your current job art related?

For a while yeah. I worked as a graphic artist doing picture touch ups for pro. photographers but they wanted me to model for them too(a few wanted me to do the playboy thing..big no no!) and I finally just got out of it. I do a bit here in there for fun or to make a bit of extra money. I had my own business but the recession is forcing me to close cause luxuries can't be paid for anymore. But Oh well...I have a few job offers already...I'm lucky.