Do you think that creating manga would be all cake and ice cream? Well, think again. Kiriko Kubo recently spoke at the Manga Manufacturing exhibition in London. She’s responsible for such manga as Imadoki no Kodomo. At the exhibition Kubo gives details about her job, likening it to being a factory worker of all things.

The Yomiuri Shimbun in Japan had an article describing the exhibition and Kiriko Kubo herself. Kubo is very unique in that she lives and works in London, while creating manga for Tokyo magazines. In one of her more revealing quotes she states:

“If you cannot cope with clearing deadlines, you cannot continue. Also you need a basic physical strength, I guess, because, in a way, although drawing does not seem as if so much energy is needed, actually you really need energy to be patient — like a long-distance runner.”

This is the first time I’ve really read about the tough side of being a manga artist. I guess it’s just like any other publishing job with the pressures of combining deadlines and quality being ever present. I would say that I’ve been disillusioned a bit when it comes to manga. I still think it would be a cool job to have though. :icon_cool:

Read the full article at Daily Yomiuri Online

Popularity: 10% [?]