From a young age, manga has been a significant part of my life. My journey began at the age of 7, and it has been a passion that has shaped my interests and creativity ever since. This article delves into my personal experiences with manga, from my early encounters with iconic series to my attempts at creating my own stories. Along the way, I'll share some fascinating statistics and insights about the world of manga that you might not have heard before.
My love for manga started in 1979 when I was just 7 years old. The first series I remember watching was Spaceship Yamato. This was followed by Battle of the Planets and Mazinger in the early '80s, and later Macross and Transformers in the mid to late '80s. Inspired by the main character of Gundam, Amuro Ray, I even adopted the name Amuro Reyes for myself.
Beyond watching these series on TV, I enjoyed collecting robot toys, which were mostly assembly model kits, and comics. However, it wasn't until the '90s that I seriously began drawing my first manga pieces. Although I had dabbled in drawing during primary school, it was during this period that I truly dedicated myself to improving my art.
The first character I drew was Lynn Minmei from Macross, a 16-year-old girl whose singing brought about the downfall of the Zentraedi alien race. I also sketched other characters like Rick Hunter, Roy Fokker, and Lisa Hayes. While my sketches were decent, my coloring skills left much to be desired.
After school, I often visited comic stores in Orchard and Bras Basah Roads in downtown Singapore. These trips were usually solo missions, allowing me to focus on finding what I wanted. My budget, limited to the pocket money my parents gave me, only allowed for a few comics. However, I found that buying Robotech novels, which were cheaper, was sufficient to understand the entire story.
For those unfamiliar, Robotech is a collaboration between American and Japanese creators, comprising three generational series: Macross, Southern Cross, and Mospeada. This collaboration also produced the Sentinels series and two movies, Robotech: The Movie and Robotech: The Shadow Chronicles.
I also frequented Kinokuniya, the largest bookstore importing Japanese comics, graphics, and video tapes. Unfortunately, the videos were expensive and required membership to rent. Moreover, they were entirely in Japanese with no subtitles. During that time, manga was not as popular in Singapore as it is today.
My passion for manga developed during a crucial period when I should have been focusing on my O-level exams. This obsession affected my academic performance, but I have no regrets. Drawing and coloring every day, even on weekends and holidays, became my way of learning. I bought numerous graphic books and Japanese Newtype magazines to study the finer aspects of drawing and coloring. These were my primary resources, as the internet was not yet available.
My interest in manga waned when I joined the army and later started working as an admin and data entry clerk. However, a job crisis in early 2001 reignited my passion. Besides Gundam and Macross, I developed a keen interest in Silent Möbius, an animated series that blends fantasy and science fiction. I was particularly impressed by Kia Asamiya's work, which I found even more captivating than the characters created by Yoshiyuki Tomino and Haruhiko Mikimoto.
For the first six months of 2001, I focused on manga, creating three stories: Dragon's Blade, Techno Heroes, and House No. 64. These were fantasy, science fiction, and horror stories, respectively. Unfortunately, the latter two were rejected. While the artwork was praised, the stories did not meet expectations. The first story was accepted, but I couldn't afford the $10,000 publishing fee.
Despite these setbacks, I continued working on my stories. I watched YouTube videos and conducted Google searches to improve my skills. Although I can't say my book has been published, I am still working on it, hoping that Dragon's Blade will be better than it was 11 years ago.
My love for manga has been a lifelong journey filled with ups and downs. From my early encounters with iconic series to my attempts at creating my own stories, manga has been a constant source of inspiration and creativity. While I continue to work on my projects, I remain hopeful that one day, my stories will find their way to readers around the world.
This article is a testament to the enduring appeal of manga and its impact on individuals. Whether you're a long-time fan or new to the world of manga, there's always something new to discover and appreciate.
8 Steps To Draw Manga Properly
Let me ask you a question. Are you a big fan of manga or Japanese animation? If so, have you fulfiled what you plan to do or still struggling to come up with your own drawings. If so, you are not alone as that was me as well when I first started out 22 years ago. With that said, here are my 8 steps to draw manga properly.
How To Learn Manga Drawing Through Online Videos
Learning how to draw manga has been the dream of many including myself. As a kid, I became so obsessed with manga that I skipped studies and classes occasionally to go to comic stores, buy comics and learn to draw at nearby McDonald or Burger King outlets. Now you can learn all these through online videos.
