Learn how to become a mangaka

Have you ever wondered how manga is truly made beyond the drawing? Most of us think that manga is just about drawing expressive characters in intricate situations, but manga is so much more than that. It is storytelling. However, how do we bring stories to life through manga? How do we create panels, use screen toners, write dialogues and use onomatopoeia to write and draw a compelling story?

We have researched manga creation techniques so we can help you out navigate the mysteries of this art form. Our course focused on how to integrate storytelling and drawing to leave your reader amazed. You will not learn just how to draw, but how to bring your ideas to life with unique characters and create a cohesive narrator.

We aim to bring out the inner artist in you and encourage you to develop your own style by learning the fundamentals of manga drawing and writing through our “Become a Mangaka” course. For dedicated students, we have a surprise: you will get priority to be published by the first European Manga Publishing House, Otabushi!

What do we learn?

Fundamentals of Manga and Art

Composition and fundamentals of art

Anatomy

Perspective

Literary psychology and the psychology of art

Linework, screen toners, paneling and dialogue

How to create a story, storyboarding, manga literary elements

Backgrounds

Course structure

  • Live Classes

    We will have a weekly 2 hour online class. It takes place on Google Meet, where you will be taught by one of Sonzai Edu’s mangaka, Snuwiii.

  • Homework

    Each week will have at home drawing exercises according to each week’s topic.

    Homework is designed to boost students’ creativity and encourage them to discover their own style.

  • Additional support

    Our team is available to support students’ learning process even outside of contact hours. Through access to the Sonzai Edu Discord community students will receive weekly inspiration, recommendations and news related to manga.

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Module 1 Art and Manga Fundamentals

    • Art basics

    • Manga basics

    • Drawing the head

    • Psychological characteristics of each element of a manga character’s face

    • Expressing emotions through different types of characters

    • Create unique characters

  • The following materials are included:

    • Theory sheets

    • Examples

    • Inspiration

    • Access to the Sonzai Edu Discord community

  • Three months with: one 2-hour live class per week (duration is adapted according to National Holidays)

Module 2 Body

    • Fundamentals of the manga male and female anatomy and

    • How to use the center of gravity

    • Explore expressivity through simple body poses

    • Understand the psychological and emotional meaning behind body poses

  • The following materials are included:

    • Theory sheets for: body proportions, clothes, personality

    • Examples

    • Inspiration

    • Access to the Sonzai Edu Discord community

  • Four months with: one 2-hour live class per week (duration is adapted according to National Holidays)

Module 3 Perspective

    • Fundamentals of perspective

    • Advanced multi-point perspective

    • The head in perspective

    • What does changing an angle mean for storytelling

  • The following materials are included:

    • Theory sheets for: perspective, heads in perspective, bodies in different angles

    • Examples

    • Inspiration

    • Access to the Sonzai Edu Discord community

  • Two months with: one 2-hour live class per week (duration is adapted according to National Holidays)

Module 5 Storytelling

    • Fundamentals of storytelling and story writing

    • Story boarding

    • Narrative techniques in manga

    • Dialogue creation

    • Paneling creation

    • Usage of onomatopoeia

  • The following materials are included:

    • Theory sheets: manga literature, character psychology, background theory, panels’ meaning; dialogue theory

    • Examples

    • Inspiration

    • Access to Sonzai Edu community

  • Four months with: one 2-hour live class per week (duration is adapted according to National Holidays)

Module 4 Dynamism

  • We begin working on how to create a short manga story. We learn how to draw backgrounds, use panels, onomatopoeia and various textures.

  • The following materials are included:

    • Theory sheets: manga literature, character psychology, background theory, panels’ meaning

    • Examples

    • Inspiration

    • Access to Sonzai Edu community

  • Three months with: one 2-hour live class per week (duration is adapted according to National Holidays)

Best Part?

Best Part?

If you fully complete the “Become a Mangaka” Course you will be on a priority list at Otabushi, the first European Manga Publishing House. All Sonzai Edu students can publish their first manga story at Otabushi.net.

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