Many manga readers dream of becoming manga artists. What does it take to make it as a mangaka (manga artist)? I spoke with the successful manga artist, Julietta Suzuki, about her career and what inspires her.
Kamisama Hajimemashita © Julietta Suzuki 2008/HAKUSENSHA,Inc.
Q: How has your experience at Anime Expo been?
A: I just walked on the floor, quite a few people, a lot of cosplayers. It seems like there are a lot of visitors from all different countries and I felt the passion. It looks like a lot of fun.
Q: How does it feel to be a Guest of Honor with Viz Media?
A: I feel honored and very thankful.
Q: Whose artwork has inspired you?
A: Are you talking about manga?
Q: Yes.
A: Any genre? It doesn’t matter?
Q: Yeah, anything.
A: When I was a kid, I used to play an RPG game “Dragon Quest” and that inspired me a lot. I played a lot.
Q: Do you feel that your art style has changed over your career at all?
A: Yes, it has changed.
Q: What is your favorite thing to draw?
A: Stories – the human drama.
Kamisama Hajimemashita © Julietta Suzuki 2008/HAKUSENSHA,Inc.
Q: What do you find the hardest to draw?
A: I am supposed to finish like 30 pages in two weeks, so time is very tight. And within those 30 pages I will have to set up in that area what is exciting so I have to include that in the story and how to figure that out. How to figure out the structure is the hardest part.
Q: What advice do you have for aspiring manga artists?
A: In the States?
Q: Anywhere.
A: In Japan, it is actually not too hard to become a mangaka, but the difficulty is to continue drawing, but don’t be afraid. If you are inspired to become a mangaka, try to knock on the door and try to come to this world.
Q: What do you like about Shojo as a genre or a style?
A: The genre of Shojo manga basically revolves around human drama, so that is what I would like to draw. So, in general, I very much like to draw it.
Kamisama Hajimemashita © Julietta Suzuki 2008/HAKUSENSHA,Inc.
Q: In terms of your work, what are you most proud of?
A: Right now, the current work is Kamisama Kiss / Kamisama Hajimemashita and so far we have got twelve volumes and drawing those volumes, I have learned quite a few lessons just by drawing them. Just the mere fact that I made it this far, I feel very proud of it.
Q: What is next for you?
A: With the next work I would like to try to target an even higher quality of work.
Kamisama Hajimemashita © Julietta Suzuki 2008/HAKUSENSHA,Inc.