Q:

Can you send a manga that hasn’t been toned or inked? I have a good story idea and I think I’m a pretty good artist, but I can’t tone or ink.

A:

Yes you can. TOKYOPOP employs inkers, toners and pencillers for work, and if you can draw but not ink or tone, you still have a chance. What is most important about manga is not so much whether you can ink or tone well, but whether you can tell a story in panels well. If you can do that, then you’ve got the basics down already and you can always find someone who specialises in toning or inking to help you. Ofcourse, it’s always better if you can ink or tone, but it shouldn’t hold you back when it comes to evaluating your story or your story-telling. You can also try pairing up with someone who can ink and/or tone. That way, you can submit as a group and your work can be evaluated as a completed product.

One of the best ways to see whether your story-telling is up to par, is to attend a TOKYOPOP portfolio review at one of the many conventions held in the United States. The editors there know what they’re looking for, and should be able to give you pointers about improvements you may need. It’s also a good way to get noticed.

Last updated on: Friday, 28 December 2007
Filed under: TOKYOPOP submissions