Is striving to be a manga ka just a waist of time?

[Kyousuke]

Originally Posted by MMM

You sound like you want to be a really good hot dog maker, and are focusing all your energy on the bun, when forgetting that you also have to have the hot dog.

love that analogy

[nobora]

I dont think so because Im also trying to become a manga-ka .

Im constantly reading manga to reseasrch
and im constantly drawing to get better at it.

If you have a dream and want it to come true work your hardest to get their

[KatDJZ]

I would say to keep working on your dream, but don't rely on it entirely since you know that its kind of a long shot. Find something else you love to work on as well and just keep working on your dream kinda on the side, if you can.

[Troo]

Work hard at your art, but for god's sake don't forget to work hard at understanding story, making believeable characters, and studying humanity. If your art is glorious but you can't write for toffee you'll be stuck trying to find a writer (which, admittedly, is a better position to be in than being a great writer stuck trying to find an artist).

[SaintKat]

What you should be asking yourself is: Do I really want to be a manga-ka? Does it make me happy? Do I find it interesting? Can I do this for the rest of my life? Will I want to do this whether I am successful or not?

If you are more interested in the financial side of things aka making money/getting recognized then you will most likely fail. The successful manga-ka all share one thing: a sincere passion for what they do. I wish you all the best of luck.

[Debi]

Hahaha...

You want to become a japanese comic book creator but you are american.
Why do you think you should pierce the japanese market ? Only because you are drawing japanese style comic books ?

It would be much smarter to try to pierce the american market first.
Japanese style comics are more popular than american style.
If you create japanese style in America, you get an edge.

You are not japanese, try to remember it dude.

[Troo]

People penetrate markets of other countries all the time. If he genuinely wants to, and is genuinely good, who are we to say it's impossible?