Mangaka

[Wild Flower]

I had a very dark weekend, and I am coming out of it (very unhealthy eating). Anyways, I did some soul searching, and I realize that my happiness times were when I was in S. Korea... the food, the hidden saunas/pools, the adventure of being lost. And I did more thinking, and I think I rather leave a mark on this world than hunt for money. I given up on searching for love (nope, not going to derail this thread on this topic). I think what I like about being in S Korea was the ability to escape, and to be myself a bit more since there were no expectations of me going home and seeing my family... which gets tiresome at times, cause they drag me down. Mangaka is a manga artist.

But anyways, since the career we do in life is pretty much half our existence. Then I want to be in the artistic field, since that's kind of what makes me happy. A combination of drawing and storytelling. Or tattoo artist... but that's not calling me at the moment.

I have a job, and if I wanted to extend my job it could possibly take me to Japan, I would have to request for it. My job is also my security-backup plan (there's a pension at the end of the road). I am thinking of continuing my job even though I have no desire to pursue it, so I can go to Japan, and see if being a mangaka is even a realistic possibility. And if it is, and if I love the country, go further into it... but the first goal would be to learn Japanese for a year while I practice my art on the side. 

Your thoughts and opinions???

[zirconia]

There are some foreigner-written manga in Japanese magazines, so there certainly are precedents. Morning is pretty adventurous in that sense.

I'm sure you know that the competition is fierce... the magazines are always evaluating the popularity of the series, and changing the lineup according to the results.

There are several routes to being published in Japan. One is to submit works to the various magazine-sponsored competitions. The second is to just bring a sample and a story to present to the editors. A third route is to start as an assistant—which helps polish skills and establish contacts—but one of course still has to eventually pass the editorial gatekeeping. I'm sure there are more—self-publishing being one—but these are probably the most orthodox.

Established and popular creators have quite some leeway to skip issues, as the fans know them and are eager for more. However, beginning artists are very tied to the publishing schedule, which is usually an episode per week or month. As they gain popularity, some write two or even three episodes per week for different magazines. This leaves very little time to do other work on the side.

Do you have finished or semi-finished work in stock? It's good to have a buffer when starting out...

[GlobalPessimum]

I had a very dark weekend, and I am coming out of it (very unhealthy eating). Anyways, I did some soul searching, and I realize that my happiness times were when I was in S. Korea... the food, the hidden saunas/pools, the adventure of being lost. And I did more thinking, and I think I rather leave a mark on this world than hunt for money. I given up on searching for love (nope, not going to derail this thread on this topic). I think what I like about being in S Korea was the ability to escape, and to be myself a bit more since there were no expectations of me going home and seeing my family... which gets tiresome at times, cause they drag me down. Mangaka is a manga artist.

But anyways, since the career we do in life is pretty much half our existence. Then I want to be in the artistic field, since that's kind of what makes me happy. A combination of drawing and storytelling. Or tattoo artist... but that's not calling me at the moment.

I have a job, and if I wanted to extend my job it could possibly take me to Japan, I would have to request for it. My job is also my security-backup plan (there's a pension at the end of the road). I am thinking of continuing my job even though I have no desire to pursue it, so I can go to Japan, and see if being a mangaka is even a realistic possibility. And if it is, and if I love the country, go further into it... but the first goal would be to learn Japanese for a year while I practice my art on the side. 

Your thoughts and opinions???

Sounds like a great career- but, realistic? Hm. Let's see:

a) Can you speak (or read/write) Japanese?
b) Can you draw?