10 THings I learned from volumes 1-3
Introduction: I have not read a ton of manga. I’m not sure that there is any particular reason for this, but in any case Bakuman was recommended to me by one of my best friends. (http://fuzzzycomics.deviantart.com/) I read the first volume, and while I did appreciate some of the direct advice presented for aspiring artists, I did not really enjoy the book. After some continued nagging and bargaining, eventually I decided to give the story a re-read, and this time I was committed to reading the first three volumes.
This was an EXCELLENT choice. I still do not totally enjoy all of the plot points (the series has its flaws), but the merit of the practical knowledge exhibited in just the first three volumes alone made this story worth the read. I plan on continuing to read this series, and for this article I thought it would be fun to make a top 10 list of the things I learned from the first three volumes.
This was an EXCELLENT choice. I still do not totally enjoy all of the plot points (the series has its flaws), but the merit of the practical knowledge exhibited in just the first three volumes alone made this story worth the read. I plan on continuing to read this series, and for this article I thought it would be fun to make a top 10 list of the things I learned from the first three volumes.
1. You become a professional when you treat your art professionally. - This is a resonating theme throughout most of Bakuman. The fact that the two main characters are so young is a driving force in the plot of the story, but it also serves a higher purpose of showcasing that if you do not take the work seriously you will not experience the epitome of success. This can be a difficult pill to swallow, especially if you are unmotivated in your pursuit of comics, but I find this sobering truth extraordinarily helpful. Professionalism is important in any job, and this field is no exception.
2. This is an extremely competitive industry. - Creating comics, graphic novels, manga, and webcomics is as popular as it has ever been. The field is completely wide open, and allows for anyone with a story a chance to share their work. Comic stores are finding the niche after the Image Comics boom of the 90's, and the platform of digital comics has substantially reduced production costs. There is no shortage of incredibly creative people working day in and day out to hone the storytelling craft, and now all it takes is dedication to be a part of the group. I am a firm believer that if you are are willing to dedicate your time to this industry you can find success in your endeavors. There are a tremendous number of people competing for clicks, likes, downloads, and sales, and you have to bring your A game if you want to make a lasting impression. Give the people a reason to come back to YOUR story, and in my book that is a job well done.
3. Every hour you don’t spend creating is an hour that you don’t spend creating. - Bakuman heavily emphasizes the amount of time it takes to create, and the amount of time it takes to become a professional creator. All-nighters, sleeping on car rides, and eating while working are all regular parts of the routine for manga artists. How often do you sacrifice time to create? That’s an important question to ask yourself. You really have to love the story that you are creating to truly pour your time into what you are doing. As a self-publishing author and artist, I (at this point) have no plans of ever trying to work for a major studio, but that means I have to work that much harder to have my stories shared. It takes a lot of time to create something of quality no matter what your “style” might be. Ultimately, every hour that you don’t spend improving is a chance for someone else to pass you on the ladder. Use your hours wisely.
4. Some people started working on their craft at an early age, but that doesn’t mean you are excluded from this industry. - This one was something especially important for me, because I didn’t start drawing seriously until about my junior year of college (2 Years Ago). I was so good at a lot of things naturally, that I always figured I would just be able to wake up one day and have mastered drawing. That could not have been further from the truth. I had to work very hard to get to where I am at, and I have still have a lot of work to do. There is a character in Bakuman who is considerably older than most of the cast, but he finally starts dedicating time and energy to his art and starts seeing incredible results. There’s a lot to learn from a lesson like this, and it motivates me to make up for lost time. Comics are comics, no one will care how old you are if you are telling a good story. There is no shortage of appetite for good stories in today’s world.
5. Not everything your draw will be a masterpiece. - You have to do some drawings that are just for practice. It is tough, but you have to do it. Get feedback on your work, and make a list of things to work on. When Todd McFarlane was in college and sending out his packets of work out everywhere, he was always looking for feedback of what to work on. You can’t get better at something you can’t identify. I love the drive of the characters in Bakuman, and their constant pursuit of furthering their ability. They are honest with each other when the work does not meet a professional standard. I try and channel that passion and drive as often as I can. I think the fact that the characters in Bakuman achieve such tremendous success so early in the story does not fully speak to the time it can take for work to be published. There are always exceptions to rules, and there are certainly ups and downs in the story, but I would like the success to have been drawn out a touch longer. Either way, you have to practice writing and drawing to get better at it.
2. This is an extremely competitive industry. - Creating comics, graphic novels, manga, and webcomics is as popular as it has ever been. The field is completely wide open, and allows for anyone with a story a chance to share their work. Comic stores are finding the niche after the Image Comics boom of the 90's, and the platform of digital comics has substantially reduced production costs. There is no shortage of incredibly creative people working day in and day out to hone the storytelling craft, and now all it takes is dedication to be a part of the group. I am a firm believer that if you are are willing to dedicate your time to this industry you can find success in your endeavors. There are a tremendous number of people competing for clicks, likes, downloads, and sales, and you have to bring your A game if you want to make a lasting impression. Give the people a reason to come back to YOUR story, and in my book that is a job well done.
3. Every hour you don’t spend creating is an hour that you don’t spend creating. - Bakuman heavily emphasizes the amount of time it takes to create, and the amount of time it takes to become a professional creator. All-nighters, sleeping on car rides, and eating while working are all regular parts of the routine for manga artists. How often do you sacrifice time to create? That’s an important question to ask yourself. You really have to love the story that you are creating to truly pour your time into what you are doing. As a self-publishing author and artist, I (at this point) have no plans of ever trying to work for a major studio, but that means I have to work that much harder to have my stories shared. It takes a lot of time to create something of quality no matter what your “style” might be. Ultimately, every hour that you don’t spend improving is a chance for someone else to pass you on the ladder. Use your hours wisely.
4. Some people started working on their craft at an early age, but that doesn’t mean you are excluded from this industry. - This one was something especially important for me, because I didn’t start drawing seriously until about my junior year of college (2 Years Ago). I was so good at a lot of things naturally, that I always figured I would just be able to wake up one day and have mastered drawing. That could not have been further from the truth. I had to work very hard to get to where I am at, and I have still have a lot of work to do. There is a character in Bakuman who is considerably older than most of the cast, but he finally starts dedicating time and energy to his art and starts seeing incredible results. There’s a lot to learn from a lesson like this, and it motivates me to make up for lost time. Comics are comics, no one will care how old you are if you are telling a good story. There is no shortage of appetite for good stories in today’s world.
5. Not everything your draw will be a masterpiece. - You have to do some drawings that are just for practice. It is tough, but you have to do it. Get feedback on your work, and make a list of things to work on. When Todd McFarlane was in college and sending out his packets of work out everywhere, he was always looking for feedback of what to work on. You can’t get better at something you can’t identify. I love the drive of the characters in Bakuman, and their constant pursuit of furthering their ability. They are honest with each other when the work does not meet a professional standard. I try and channel that passion and drive as often as I can. I think the fact that the characters in Bakuman achieve such tremendous success so early in the story does not fully speak to the time it can take for work to be published. There are always exceptions to rules, and there are certainly ups and downs in the story, but I would like the success to have been drawn out a touch longer. Either way, you have to practice writing and drawing to get better at it.
6. Have friends who are artists and writers. - I do not think I could even calculate how important this has been for my development as an artist and writer. This has been a true blessing in my life, and it continues to unfold. It helps me learn more, and create more. My “formal” college education would be have been worth nothing if it had not been supplemented with that of learning from my classmates, and friends. Healthy rivalries between friends is an incredible experience, and encourage everyone to find someone like this in their life. Depending on where you are at this can be quite difficult, and I think that might be the best aspect of social media. Try and connect with other artists and writers on that platform, and you never know when you might be able to strike up a friendship. Artists and writers are an interesting breed, but we do love to pick each other’s brains.
7. Enter into contests. - They are out there. I can’t think of a contest that I have entered that I ended up regretting. There are so many greats places to try and get your artwork seen and judged. Even if you cannot find anything local to be a part of, find something online to enter into! If you are looking for a place to start I recommend the 3rd Thursday contests at SVS Learn. I have not won one of these contests (yet), but I have had my art featured in one of their review videos. Anything that you enter is a chance to understand your work a little better, and that is a valuable experience. From what I understand of Bakuman there is always a chance to try and compete for a spot in Shonen Jump, and having that as a goal can provide incredible motivation. Create awesome work, and find a way to show it to as many people as you can.
8. Storyboard. Just do it. - You are going to have to storyboard. You really are. Even the most talented artist can benefit from the process of story-boarding BEFORE jumping into final pages. It gives you a chance to organize your thoughts, create stronger pages, and even catch some otherwise embarrassing continuity errors. This is actually one of my favorite parts of creating, and I have to admit this is where I get stuck sometimes. Test-page land is an easy rabbit hole to fall into, and sometimes it can be hard to get out. I love testing out new idea, new styles, and new panel compositions, but sometimes this is to my detriment. Bakuman has taught me (more like reinforced in me) the importance of FINISHING work. Comics is a laborious industry, and if just anyone could do it anyone would. Make something that you are proud of, but also make sure you are making something consistently.
9. Balance your life outside of comics. - Now this is a tough one. I think that keeping perspective of what’s important can sometimes be difficult for people who love their stories. As a creator, your work is important to you, and it should be! The characters in Bakuman sacrifice a lot just to get started on their dreams, and there is something to be said for that dedication. However, I would say that it is important to keep your loved ones in mind. Having a support system through your creative endeavors cannot be undervalued and certainly not taken for granted. Find the appropriate workflow for you and your family, and enjoy the time you get to spend with your creations.
10. HAVE FUN! - Seems pretty obvious right? Yet, how often do you forget this simple fact? Making comics is fun, and if you don’t enjoy it you might not be in the right industry. There is a lot to be said of anyone who has the dedication to make a comic, and even more to be said of anyone who makes a successful one. I learn more and more every time that I draw, and there is nothing quite like the satisfaction of knowing you have permanently learned something new. I love drawing and creating, and I hope that you do too. It is an honor and privilege to have a stake in a little portion of this community and industry.
Conclusion: There is a lot to learn from Bakuman, and these are just a few of the thoughts that were running through my head as I was reading the first three volumes. This has sparked an interest for me to check out a few other Mangas, and research the world on Manga in general. So far, nothing has quite hit home like Bakuman has, but even the simple act of researching has been enjoyable for me. If you haven’t already, I would highly recommend Bakuman to anyone who loves telling stories.
7. Enter into contests. - They are out there. I can’t think of a contest that I have entered that I ended up regretting. There are so many greats places to try and get your artwork seen and judged. Even if you cannot find anything local to be a part of, find something online to enter into! If you are looking for a place to start I recommend the 3rd Thursday contests at SVS Learn. I have not won one of these contests (yet), but I have had my art featured in one of their review videos. Anything that you enter is a chance to understand your work a little better, and that is a valuable experience. From what I understand of Bakuman there is always a chance to try and compete for a spot in Shonen Jump, and having that as a goal can provide incredible motivation. Create awesome work, and find a way to show it to as many people as you can.
8. Storyboard. Just do it. - You are going to have to storyboard. You really are. Even the most talented artist can benefit from the process of story-boarding BEFORE jumping into final pages. It gives you a chance to organize your thoughts, create stronger pages, and even catch some otherwise embarrassing continuity errors. This is actually one of my favorite parts of creating, and I have to admit this is where I get stuck sometimes. Test-page land is an easy rabbit hole to fall into, and sometimes it can be hard to get out. I love testing out new idea, new styles, and new panel compositions, but sometimes this is to my detriment. Bakuman has taught me (more like reinforced in me) the importance of FINISHING work. Comics is a laborious industry, and if just anyone could do it anyone would. Make something that you are proud of, but also make sure you are making something consistently.
9. Balance your life outside of comics. - Now this is a tough one. I think that keeping perspective of what’s important can sometimes be difficult for people who love their stories. As a creator, your work is important to you, and it should be! The characters in Bakuman sacrifice a lot just to get started on their dreams, and there is something to be said for that dedication. However, I would say that it is important to keep your loved ones in mind. Having a support system through your creative endeavors cannot be undervalued and certainly not taken for granted. Find the appropriate workflow for you and your family, and enjoy the time you get to spend with your creations.
10. HAVE FUN! - Seems pretty obvious right? Yet, how often do you forget this simple fact? Making comics is fun, and if you don’t enjoy it you might not be in the right industry. There is a lot to be said of anyone who has the dedication to make a comic, and even more to be said of anyone who makes a successful one. I learn more and more every time that I draw, and there is nothing quite like the satisfaction of knowing you have permanently learned something new. I love drawing and creating, and I hope that you do too. It is an honor and privilege to have a stake in a little portion of this community and industry.
Conclusion: There is a lot to learn from Bakuman, and these are just a few of the thoughts that were running through my head as I was reading the first three volumes. This has sparked an interest for me to check out a few other Mangas, and research the world on Manga in general. So far, nothing has quite hit home like Bakuman has, but even the simple act of researching has been enjoyable for me. If you haven’t already, I would highly recommend Bakuman to anyone who loves telling stories.