Mangaka

[ace5468]

Hello.
I am completely new to most of the things in this general topic, so I'll be glad to hear any sort of explanation from someone that knows what they're talking about.
I want to draw for Weekly Shonen Jump.

From what I understand, not many foreigners (if any?) have done this, but I want to do it more than anything else. I am going to do everything I need to reach the goal, with the belief that if my work will be good enough, it'll be accepted.

I am going to type out everything I intend to do, and I want you guys (who know what you're saying) to help point me in the right direction. What am I thinking wrong? What wouldn't work out? Not asking about manga, because I definitely want to draw manga and I definitely want to draw for Jump. Draw for Jump or spend my whole life trying, it's definitely my goal. I grew up with Jump and now I want to be part of it.

For manga-related things, I practice all day and I want to start sending submissions to the Treasure and Tezuka awards when I can. I've been told it's a rule that people who get an award get an editor, but they also said that this only applies to people in Japan. I am not currently living in Japan, but I want to move there after getting an award. I want to get a work visa if I can get good enough for Jump to recognize me, and if award winners are promised editors when they live in Japan, I believe this should be possible?
The awards accept the manuscripts if they're in Japanese, and I have already contacted a translator (who was born and raised in Japan) that's willing to translate the submissions for a reasonable price. That being said, there's no reason they shouldn't give me the award if it's interesting and I truly deserve it, I hope.
Once I get any form of recognition or promise from Jump that they think my work is good enough, (like an award,) I want to go there and try, but I don't know how moving there would work.

I should point out that I am not of the belief that I should draw whatever I want and they'll deal with it. I want to draw authentic Japanese manga, and I am practicing with the same tools and I intend to deliver the same quality real mangaka do. I do not want to try and get them to translate it for me, or to accept a more Western comic. I want to embrace their culture and become part of it, so I am not expecting them to cater to my needs.

Yeah, I don't know what else to say, and I'm worried my career choice is too obscure for anyone to have too much information, but help from anyone who can would be appreciated!

side note:
I also obviously am going to need to learn to speak fluent Japanese during this process. It's a bit of a silly question, but... where do I start?

 

[ace5468]

I see no one has anything to say on the matter.
It was expected, I suppose.

Anyway, I learned all the kana and I'm starting on kanji and basic grammar. It'll be a long way, but as I've seen people say around this forum, those that make it to Japan are not the ones that make a million posts on here. They just work at it without saying anything. And that's what I'll do, I guess. No point in staying here, I'll be in Japan in a few years, goodbye.

 

[Davey]

I think one of the main points in Japan is that you need to have real skills, and being a foreigner you should have something special.

I would love to see some of your work, but seeing you gave up on the forum after one post already I am not sure if you are willing to show us your works.

 

[Mike Cash]

How could he "grow up on" Jump and not notice it is the worst sort of bubblegum-for-the-eyes crap? Or how heavily stylized everything is and that talent and originality play little to no role in it?

They don't require artists; they require artisans who can turn out reams and reams of crap that looks exactly like the reams and reams of crap the other sweatshop dreamers who do the bulk of the work turn out.

Every junior high and high school girl in Japan can mimic the sorry excuse for "art" that constitutes manga. There's no need to import foreigners with dreams of being a famous mangaka. Especially those who despite having "grown up on it" somehow manage to do so without learning the language.

He must be about the millionth one I've seen on the net with this dream. You'd think by now we would have heard of at least ONE person who pulled it off....or at least made meaningful progress toward it. I've never seen one....and I don't expect I ever will.

 

[kraystone]

I tried to submit my works to Japanese magazines too when I first started out (once to Shoujo mag Cookie in Japanese, and another 2 times to Kodansha's MICC). The closest I got was to Kodansha's MICC first round. Then I was eliminated from the second round XD
You can purchase my "failed" work here: Comic Download Store

Sorry to dash your dreams, but having attempted what you'd attempted before, unless you are truly exceptional, there won't be a chance. Moreover, you're a foreigner... so unless your work has minimal dialogue or you have a successful track record in your own country, chances of Jump selecting you is practically zero.

But like what Davey said, we need to see your work. Maybe your comics are truly exceptional

 

[zoomingjapan]

I suggest you read Jamie's blog!
She's been in Japan for a very long time and even worked as an assistant for the mangaka of "The Prince of Tennis"!
She writes about her experience there and what you have to consider when you want to become a manga artist in Japan.
She's currently working on her own manga.