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Manga in Theory and Practice: The Craft of Creating Manga Hardcover – June 13, 2017
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Hirohiko Araki is the author of one of the longest-running and most beloved manga of all time, the epic fan favorite JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure. According to him, manga is the ultimate synthesis of all forms of art, and in this book he reveals the secrets behind how to make the magic happen using concrete examples from his own work. Read all about his “golden ratio” for drawing, the character histories he draws up for each of the characters he creates, his methodology for storytelling inspired by the great Ernest Hemingway, and many more aspects of manga creation in this how-to guide penned by an industry legend.
- Print length280 pages
- LanguageEnglish
- PublisherVIZ Media LLC
- Publication dateJune 13, 2017
- Dimensions0.87 x 5.94 x 8.5 inches
- ISBN-101421594072
- ISBN-13978-1421594071
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- Publisher : VIZ Media LLC; Illustrated edition (June 13, 2017)
- Language : English
- Hardcover : 280 pages
- ISBN-10 : 1421594072
- ISBN-13 : 978-1421594071
- Item Weight : 15 ounces
- Dimensions : 0.87 x 5.94 x 8.5 inches
- Best Sellers Rank: #28,036 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #6 in Comics & Graphic Novel History & Prices
- #10 in How to Create Manga
- #413 in Fantasy Manga (Books)
- Customer Reviews:
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Customer Review: Araki made an intresting book on how to make manga
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About the author

Hirohiko Araki (Japanese: 荒木 飛呂彦 Hepburn: Araki Hirohiko, born June 7, 1960 in Sendai, Miyagi) is a Japanese manga artist. He made his debut under the name Toshiyuki Araki (荒木 利之 Araki Toshiyuki) in 1980 with his one-shot Poker Under Arms, and began his professional career with the short series Cool Shock B.T., Baoh, and The Gorgeous Irene. Araki is best known for his long-running series JoJo's Bizarre Adventure, first published in Weekly Shōnen Jump in 1986 and which to date has sold over 80 million copies in Japan alone. The story frequently references rock music and Italy, both of which Araki is reportedly very fond of.
Bio from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Photo by monoprixgourmet (生のお姿、生のお声を拝聴しております。) [CC BY 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons.
Customer reviews
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Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers say
Customers find the book instructive, inspiring, and helpful for authors and creators. They describe it as an excellent, interesting, and fun read. Readers praise the writing style as accessible, concise, and spot-on. They say it's worth buying and the sellers are extremely nice.
AI-generated from the text of customer reviews
Customers find the book instructive, inspiring, and a great fount of wisdom. They say it's helpful for authors and creators, and a good reference for anyone who desires to write or draw. Readers also mention the book is an eye-opener and helps them understand stories better.
"...He is reading it and says it is great. I am sure it is a fabulous tool for him to learn from in his journey." Read more
"...His insights are helpful for authors and creators, but I think anyone who is a fan of the jojo series would enjoy this as a casual read...." Read more
"...Really gives a lot of insight into how shonen manga specifically is made, and the concept of understanding your medium as to include genre, which I..." Read more
"...The insights into the mind of a mangaka is interesting to read about...." Read more
Customers find the book interesting, fun, and amazing. They say it's a golden experience and worth the wait.
"...He is reading it and says it is great. I am sure it is a fabulous tool for him to learn from in his journey." Read more
"...Its actually a really fun read and kept my interest the whole way through...." Read more
"...What an excellent read!" Read more
"It quite quite an enjoyable read. It gives you a look into the mind of a mangaka, particularly one of the most famous ones out there...." Read more
Customers find the writing style accessible, concise, and spot-on. They say the book is an amazing introduction to writing manga. Readers also mention the author is excellent with a gripping style. Additionally, they say the English in the book is good, and Araki explains his process well.
"...The English in the book is good, I didn't notice any weird translation errors. Its a sturdy book too. No flaws. Overall very good product." Read more
"...I felt that it was well written, and I have purchased the first volume in the "JoJo's Bizarre Journey" manga to see the pacing and styles he talks..." Read more
"This is a good choice for learning how to write stories. If you are interested, I'd say go for it." Read more
"...Lots of great nuggets of wisdom, and very easy to read... I stored tons of notes on my Kindle and I'm sure I'll have to re-read it from time to time." Read more
Customers find the book worth buying. They also appreciate the seller's nice gestures, saying they sent a bookmark and gift voucher.
"...Also the sellers were extremely nice, sent a wonderful bookmark and gift voucher...." Read more
"...All the right words, all the right techniques! Worth a buy! Really helped me make some important decisions about my stories. ^_^" Read more
"...I love it, and it was worth the pre-order." Read more
"Good buy!..." Read more
Customers find the content insightful, detailed, and practical. They say it covers everything related to the genre, focusing on characters, stories, and plots.
"...It covers everything related to the genre, specifically focusing on characters, story and plot...." Read more
"I love the condition the book arrived in, the contents of said book, and how helpful and interesting it is ! I adore Hirohiko Araki and his works...." Read more
"The inspiration you need to begin your mangaka journey. Insightful, detailed, and practical...." Read more
"...Throughout, there are also references to loads of material that it made me want to check out to learn what makes it so great!" Read more
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Grandfather Hirohiko Mangaka
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The English in the book is good, I didn't notice any weird translation errors. Its a sturdy book too. No flaws. Overall very good product.
After reading Hirohiko Araki's book on manga theory, I realized that this was similar to a lot of writing books that I have read before. There were differences to certain approaches, but it was close to what I have read from authors. The pacing of a book is similar, the path of your characters is similar, etc.
That is not to say that I do not recommend purchasing this book. The insights into the mind of a mangaka is interesting to read about. At first, I thought he was telling you how his way was the only way, only to find out that he wants you to take what you have learned in his book and do better. Be original. Follow certain paths, but create something brilliant.
I felt that it was well written, and I have purchased the first volume in the "JoJo's Bizarre Journey" manga to see the pacing and styles he talks about in his book.
Who knows? He may have made a new fan of his work.
Definitely worth adding to a writer's, artist's, and creator's shelf.
Okay, so readers who are interested in being a mangaka will need this read-to-them in short bursts! The introductory chapter is like your grandfather dropping some valuable knowledge before he passes away. You can feel the heart-felt love of Grandfather Hirohiko Araki, and you want to listen to every word; however, you start to listen harder, and harder as chapter 1 is progressing. You fell you must imagine what your grandfather is saying to retain the information. Then comes chapter 2, you loved grandfather Hirohiko's advice, and want to hear more of his stories. Yet, you start to see the story your grandfather telling you start to drift a bit into tell you that abruptly you'll have to come back tomorrow to hear another story.
You patiently wait the next day for Chapter 3, and grandfather Hirohaki Araki starts to tell his great story -then all of a sudden half-way through his story you start to feel you need to take notes -because, no longer can you retain all your grandfather's advice through mindful imagery. You ask him to start over from the beginning, and your grandfather tells you the story again, but this time you’re taking notes! *YA* You feel excited! However, again through the 3rd chapter grandfather Hirohiko starts stopping midway through thought patterns to surprise you pictures, and you expect him to explain why he stopped his thought process. Yet, grandfather Hirohiko continues through the story like he never showed you those pictures in the first place. You question yet you ignore his old man ways. He says he'll talk about what he said earlier in a later chapter, but that later comes in the form of listening very very carefully now to put together his knowledge, which starts to become very challenging with much thought.
By the 4th chapter grandfather Hirohiko is telling you his stories, and then he starts including subjects that come to mind in related manner. However, the story no longer flows. In the middle of the 4th chapter to start taking limited bullet point notes. This is your grandfather Hikohiko, but he isn't telling you stories that you can follow anymore. What happened you ask? So you press on to read chapters 5,6, and 7, then you begin to realize that grandfather Hirohiko was not giving you advice anymore, it's his words, but someone has butchered them and rearranged them. His story no longer flows. Yet, in short burst of a form of mini stories. You slowly put down the book, and want to cry, for grandfather's Hirohiko's words have been cut-out, rearranged, and miss translated. You realize you no longer have a complete record of your grandfather's wisdom. You have most of his words, but it isn't the same, as it was in the beginning.
You will learn with careful reading, not how to draw --yet instead:
Who will Guide you to the "Royal Road" (Intro)
How to Seize Unclaimed Territory (Chapter 1)
When to be inspired by Various Authors (Chapter 2)
Where to create a Memorable Character (Chapter 3)
What it takes to write a Compelling Story (Chapter 4)
Why your art should Express Yourself (Chapter 5)
What should a Mangaka Draw (Chapter 6)
How to Balance the Elements of a Manga (Chapter 7)
Excellent advice book; however, the English paragraph structure is not present, and the copy I received was printed on inexpensive non-acid free paper. CAUTION: There is minimal surprises of adult references in this book.
If interested in a "How to" guide, check out "Shojo Beat Manga Artist Academy" by Hiroyuki IIzuka and Amu Sumoto, in conjunction with this book "Manga in Theory and Practice" by Hirohiko Araki are both an excellent combination of becoming the ultimate mangaka.
For the Mangaka / Comic Artist creating their own engaging stories:
Shojo Beat Manga Artist Academy ("How to" book)
The DC Comics Guide to Writing Comics ("How to" book)
Manga in Theory and Practice: The Craft of Creating Manga (Advice book)
Panel One: Comic Book Scripts by Top Writers (Panel One Scripts by Top Comics Writers Tp (New Prtg)) (Compilation book)
24 Hour Comics (Compilation book)
!!~Any instructional/ tutorial materials for "How to Draw" should be based on the artist's own personal preference~!!
Reviewed in the United States on February 5, 2018
Okay, so readers who are interested in being a mangaka will need this read-to-them in short bursts! The introductory chapter is like your grandfather dropping some valuable knowledge before he passes away. You can feel the heart-felt love of Grandfather Hirohiko Araki, and you want to listen to every word; however, you start to listen harder, and harder as chapter 1 is progressing. You fell you must imagine what your grandfather is saying to retain the information. Then comes chapter 2, you loved grandfather Hirohiko's advice, and want to hear more of his stories. Yet, you start to see the story your grandfather telling you start to drift a bit into tell you that abruptly you'll have to come back tomorrow to hear another story.
You patiently wait the next day for Chapter 3, and grandfather Hirohaki Araki starts to tell his great story -then all of a sudden half-way through his story you start to feel you need to take notes -because, no longer can you retain all your grandfather's advice through mindful imagery. You ask him to start over from the beginning, and your grandfather tells you the story again, but this time you’re taking notes! *YA* You feel excited! However, again through the 3rd chapter grandfather Hirohiko starts stopping midway through thought patterns to surprise you pictures, and you expect him to explain why he stopped his thought process. Yet, grandfather Hirohiko continues through the story like he never showed you those pictures in the first place. You question yet you ignore his old man ways. He says he'll talk about what he said earlier in a later chapter, but that later comes in the form of listening very very carefully now to put together his knowledge, which starts to become very challenging with much thought.
By the 4th chapter grandfather Hirohiko is telling you his stories, and then he starts including subjects that come to mind in related manner. However, the story no longer flows. In the middle of the 4th chapter to start taking limited bullet point notes. This is your grandfather Hikohiko, but he isn't telling you stories that you can follow anymore. What happened you ask? So you press on to read chapters 5,6, and 7, then you begin to realize that grandfather Hirohiko was not giving you advice anymore, it's his words, but someone has butchered them and rearranged them. His story no longer flows. Yet, in short burst of a form of mini stories. You slowly put down the book, and want to cry, for grandfather's Hirohiko's words have been cut-out, rearranged, and miss translated. You realize you no longer have a complete record of your grandfather's wisdom. You have most of his words, but it isn't the same, as it was in the beginning.
You will learn with careful reading, not how to draw --yet instead:
Who will Guide you to the "Royal Road" (Intro)
How to Seize Unclaimed Territory (Chapter 1)
When to be inspired by Various Authors (Chapter 2)
Where to create a Memorable Character (Chapter 3)
What it takes to write a Compelling Story (Chapter 4)
Why your art should Express Yourself (Chapter 5)
What should a Mangaka Draw (Chapter 6)
How to Balance the Elements of a Manga (Chapter 7)
Excellent advice book; however, the English paragraph structure is not present, and the copy I received was printed on inexpensive non-acid free paper. CAUTION: There is minimal surprises of adult references in this book.
If interested in a "How to" guide, check out "Shojo Beat Manga Artist Academy" by Hiroyuki IIzuka and Amu Sumoto, in conjunction with this book "Manga in Theory and Practice" by Hirohiko Araki are both an excellent combination of becoming the ultimate mangaka.
For the Mangaka / Comic Artist creating their own engaging stories:
Shojo Beat Manga Artist Academy ("How to" book)
The DC Comics Guide to Writing Comics ("How to" book)
Manga in Theory and Practice: The Craft of Creating Manga (Advice book)
Panel One: Comic Book Scripts by Top Writers (Panel One Scripts by Top Comics Writers Tp (New Prtg)) (Compilation book)
24 Hour Comics (Compilation book)
!!~Any instructional/ tutorial materials for "How to Draw" should be based on the artist's own personal preference~!!
For me, I found it an enjoyable read. I don't know if I will make a manga, but it's helped me start to more fully develop characters I've come up with for various literary pieces I've been wanting to write up. I've even been trying to draw in a new way and began looking out for many different things. Overall, I believe I came away with a lot of knowledge and I've been left inspired. I definitely recommend reading it.
Top reviews from other countries
Highly recommended 💯.












