Manga textbook 1 (by Koike)
Manga textbook 2 (by Koike)
Kazuo Koike
Manga writer
Professor of Oosaka Art University
Tuesday, August 8
A original writer of manga, playwright, and prof., Kazuo Koike. Born 1936 in Tokyo. He is well known as a writer of “Kozure Ookami (“Wolf with a child”) (1976?).” In 1977, he founded a training school for writers and mangaka to develop professional manga artists (about 10 years?). He started to teach the theory of creating attractive characters in manga at Oosaka art university in April, 2000.
*Look at the page of 68 in Schodt’s book!
About manga
- The most important thing in creating a successful manga is how to create an attractive character first and then how to let him/her move in manga. In short, creating an attractive character is a prerequisite to make a story and/or to make a skillful composition (visual images). In addition, it is important to think about the environment surrounding the character to emphasize the character’s attractive personality (e.g. the hero and his friends and/or enemies).
- He was successful to nurture about 200 successful mangaka/writers through his school which was founded in 1977 by teaching the theory of creating attractive characters. Although the most successful student in the school was a female (Rumiko Takahashi, “Rum”), the majority of students were male.
- The key to being a successful mangaka is his/her sensitivity rather than skills since skill can be developed,but sensitivity is a given talent. Accordingly, he looks at the humanity of the young mangaka/writer as well as their talent.
About comiket
- He believes that Comiket is a place which could produce Successful mangaka in the future even though they first copy famous Manga, Copying will help them create original works in the future.
About Art education
- Art education is very important for children (who will be mangaka in the future) since art education nurtures in them the knowledge of the history and technique of fine art. To be a mangaka, it is important to have basic knowledge of art in general.
- The relationship between manga and art is also important. For example, the technique of caricature requires observation skills and basic drawing skills.
