Manga Manga Writers/Artists read: Manga do's and don'ts

[Nomura]

Read this thread if you're a manga-ka(writer or artist). This will tell the major do's and don'ts. Well, let's get started. Hopefully, you'll learn a lil something on how to make your manga better.





[B]Manga Don'ts:

1. Never make the story obvious. Always have innovation and originality. One of the number one nonos is when you guys try to make a Ninja story. I can compare it to Naruto, and see where you obviously copied. Same goes for any other type of manga. Make your own manga, YOUR MANGA. Also, avoid the obvious art styles. Make your characters vary from different styles of art, and change the clothes up.

2. Never say your the best manga-ka out there. Never say you're the best, or the drawing king. Other people will hate your work quickly because of your boasts. DON"T BOAST.

3. Never give up on your work. If someone says your work sucks, don't go running home to mommy crying. Use what they said to make your work better. Never just quit because of what someone said, or because you're bored of the idea. FINISH.

4. Never crap up your work. Or in other words, watch it! Keep your work somewhere safe, and don't screw it up.

5. Never avoid criticism. What's more to say except, what's wrong with making your work better?

6. NEVER USE THE WRONG SUPPLIES. Use pencils and fine point pens if you're serious about your work.

Do's:

1. Look at other's work, to compare and to learn. But, don't copy their work.

2. Keep an open mind. If you're stressful, then it's an 8.5/10 chance that your work won't be as good, as it would with a care-free mind.

3.Always stay on topic. Set the story, and go with the story. Let the story take you places, but not out of bound places.

4.Brain storm, or use story boards. You could screw up your work, by just going along(but some can do it) so you should at least brainstorm or make storyboards. [/B]

[Chikara Kokoro]

Hmm... interesting...

I'd say that I disagree with about a fourth of those XD

I'm assuming these are up for discussion, so please don't be offended that I happen to not have the same opinion as you. This is just my thoughts about what you've posted.

On Don't #3 I have to say that the main reason to create manga is for your own enjoyment. It may be annoying to those who are reading, but if you aren't having fun with the manga you're making at the moment, stop. I do agree that when somebody insults your work (there will always be someone) don't let that be a reason to stop. Always keep your own happiness in mind. It may be selfish, but it usually shows when an artist is unhappy or bored with what they're doing.

Do #2.... Never ever doubt the power of a deadline. Some of my best work is done when I'm stressed for time, and most human beings (including mangaka) are stressed at one time or another. We can't all be relaxed like Shinichiro Watanabe claims to be (anime example, but all I can think of at the moment XD). Do what you want, don't go looking for stress, but being stressed can serve as a good way to kick your muse in its derriere. By the way, where did you get that 8.5/10 chance statistic from? Just curious.

Do #3 is good in theory, but not overall. I'd suggest planning ahead for things so this isn't really something you have to deal with. While brainstorming and writing the rough draft of your script have your characters go to crazy places, make them meet random people and say random things. Don't feel like you're ever restricted by the plot you laid down from the beginning. If your main character decides she doesn't want to find the prince so she can marry him, don't make her. Let the prince rot!

Despite my little quibbles I'd say this is a pretty neat idea.

[Nomura]

Thank you, I'm a mangaka also, and so criticism on my opinion is great.

She's right folks, have fun with your work. But you should finish. If the whole things blows TO YOU, you should quit though.

Deadlines...Darn those cruel things. :animesmil I've gathered from myself, and I've heard from famous mangaka that you should relax. 85% is most likely. The other 15 % can have a blouder on their back and stil give the manga great, and totally blowing away.

You should plan a little ahead. Don't write a ancient samurai manga and cut into giant robots in the middle or anything like that. It's confusing to the readers. :animeswea

Please, manga ka add in the others that you feel important! criticism please, and remember, this is advice to the amatuers or...just people that need advice. :animesmil

[GTK]

no offense, but these all seem like really obvious no brainer things that people should know already ^^; unless they are living under a rock.

And you can have ancient samurai manga with giant robots, so long as there is a -reason- for the robots XD *shot dead*

I'm also agreeing that a lot of my better work comes when I'm pressed for time (not always though XD; but nearly 90% of the time I'm happier with stuff done last minute)... but you can generally come up with better ideas and cleaner work if you aren't all rush, rush about it.

Though I thought I'd add to your #4 Do... thumbnails and story boards are great *heart* The way you first think of somethign may not always be the best way and redrawing it in a few different ways could make it totally different (and possibly way better).

And on Don't #6... not everyone has the money for great supplies ^^; but that doesn't mean you should crap out and use bad ones either. If all you've got is printer paper and a ball point pen, you can make it work.