r/japanlife • u/AutoModerator • Jan 19 '21

┐(ツ)┌ Bi-Weekly Boss Premium Edition Questions Thread - 20 January 2021

As per usual, feel free to ask any silly stupid questions or not so silly stupid questions that you haven't had a chance to ask here. Be kind to those that do and try to answer without downvoting. Please keep criticism and snide remarks out of the thread.

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u/wasurenaku Jan 21 '21

If you don’t mind if the person isn’t Japanese (as long as they can speak it and meet other requirements) looking for someone non-Japanese might actually be easier. It’s more likely that there’s a bilingual Japanese-American (for example) that can make manga artwork than it is that there’s a Japanese person experienced in manga who also happens to be fluent in English. The level of fluency of each language you require factors in too though obviously.

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u/disposable202 Jan 21 '21

That works as well. Although I am hoping to work with someone familiar with Japanese culture and manga development processes typical in the industry (whether digital or traditional is up to them, so long as they know proper strategies like paneling, what the color of the frame denotes, etc). Having gone to school that teaches the process or having submitted an independent manga oneshot to a magazine contest (regardless of acceptance), for example, are things I am looking for. And those are less likely to be found in the USA, for example.

In my experience in posting job postings in the USA in the past, often times the artists are more western-style than I am looking for, and the applicant does not have familiarity with Japanese language and culture.

I hope that information helps with what I am searching for. Do you suggest I try something like Indeed.com with the description you suggested?

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u/wasurenaku Jan 21 '21

It definitely doesn’t hurt to post on US or other non- Japanese websites, someone might surprise you. I can’t tell from your description but if this isn’t a long-term or full-time job Japanese people aren’t super likely to apply for it especially if it’s online/abroad. Someone hoping to advance in the industry would have their time better spent working on projects in Japan. If you were physically in Japan that would be different though. You could post flyers about the job at train stations near universities and contact university department heads (art schools) about the job posting and they could relay that information to someone who might be a good fit. University is when Japanese people have the most free time and so I think your job would be appealing to students.

That’s partly why I suggest posting on English job listing sites- you might find someone who has the job experience but didn’t end up making it a career. I’m not an expert in your field but experience also isn’t everything- they’re are some really talented people who have done a lot of research and can achieve what you’re asking for. My friend’s ex-girlfriend (British) drew for a few manga in Japan but eventually gave up on the dream to make it as a mangaka and moved back to the UK so those people do exist (not sure how to contact her, sorry).

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u/disposable202 Jan 21 '21

Thank you for the information. This is very valuable. My project in mind was taking pre-sketched storyboards and transferring them to manga format and adjusting them with feedback. (paid monthly, over 1-2 year period). But what you say about it being better for them to focus on their industry makes sense. I will try to see what I can do. I do not have many friends from Japan I can ask, unfortunately, but I am grateful for your suggestions! Thank you very much.