PROFILE
Pen Name / Name: monami
Your social media profiles (optional): IG: @monadrawzthings
Country: India
Favorite manga: Ajin: Demi-Human, Attack on Titan, One-Punch Man, Bakuman, etc.
Favorite movie: Any movie that keeps me hooked till the end.
Favorite quote: “The reason why you want it so badly is because your future self already has it.”
Entry title: “Heartfelt keepsake”
Round: SMA21: “The Biggest Surprise”
Award: Grand Prix Runner-up
“It’s really about expressing your own thoughts, beliefs and enjoying what YOU love to draw.”
About SMA
How does it feel to receive a SILENT MANGA AUDITION® award?
Winning feels incredibly rewarding. This story came from a very personal place, and to have it recognized means a lot to me. I’m grateful for the opportunity to share my work, and I hope it resonates with others the way it did with me.
What was the inspiration behind your awarded work?
My inspiration for this story stems from the profound emotion of grief and its transformative power. I wanted to explore the intersection of poor children, who I see everyday on the streets, and who are deprived of childhood, care, and love, and a mother grieving the loss of her own child. Ultimately, the characters channel sorrow into something meaningful, transforming pain into a source of hope.
What challenges did you face while making your manga? How did you overcome them?Balancing my job, my studies, and working on this project was a challenge. I overcame it by quitting my job… just kidding! I had to cut back on some sleep. 
READ monami’s SMA21 ENTRY HERE!
About Your Manga
How and when did you start making manga? What do you wish you knew as a beginner? What advice would you give to someone who wants to start drawing manga?
I’ve always had a love for drawing anime characters, but it truly blossomed in fourth grade when I watched an anime called UFO Baby. Seeing a character in it who was a mangaka inspired me to draw my own stories. From that moment, my passion for manga became a significant part of my life .
As a beginner, I wish I had realized that drawing manga is not just about creating something that others admire. It’s really about expressing your own thoughts, beliefs and enjoying what YOU love to draw.
My advice to new manga creators would be to immerse themselves in a wide variety of manga to gain insights into storytelling, character development and artistic techniques.
Do you draw your manga digitally or by hand? What are your go-to digital or analogue tools?
I started out drawing manually, but for the past few years, I’ve completely transitioned to digital art. I use Clip Studio Paint and an iPad.
What was the first manga you picked up? Is it easy to access manga where you live?
My first ever manga was The Wallflower by Tomoko Hayakawa, which I found in an old book store near my school. It used to be quite rare to find manga back in the day, but now popular titles are easily accessible in larger stores, and almost every manga is available online.
Which manga changed your life?
While I can’t point to a specific manga, I can say that manga, as a whole, has profoundly changed and influenced my life.
Which manga character do you most identify with? Why?
Seishu Handa from Barakamon. I resonate with his journey of personal growth and creativity. I also have a lively little nephew like Naru, who brings a lot of joy and energy into my life.
What kind of manga do you want to make next?
I would like to make manga in the josei genre targeting psychological themes. The challenges a manga creator may face in my country are cultural differences, a limited audience and a lack of job opportunities.
About You
What do you do when you’re not making manga? How do you relax?
Currently, I study Japanese and am preparing for the JLPT when not making manga. To relax, I listen to music while having a cup of coffee
What industry do you work in (if manga making isn’t your primary job)?
Making manga IS my primary job^^
Where do you see your manga career in 5 years time?
In 5 years, I hope to keep drawing manga and have published my own titles in Japan!
What manga making advice would you give to your younger self if you could?
I would actually like to thank my younger self for always drawing and never giving up. (And also advise her to read more manga!)
What advice would you give to people entering the SILENT MANGA AUDITION®?
Always consider the emotion you want your audience to feel after they read your work.
Thank you, monami! We’re eagerly awaiting your next manga masterpiece!
The deadline to join SMA22 is February 2nd. Enter for a chance to develop your potential as a manga creator with us in Japan! 
HELLO SMA21 AWARD WINNER, monami! was first posted on 10月 22, 2024 at 4:41 pm.
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