Thank you NetGalley and VIZ Media for a free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

A very solid guide book with informative interview that will shed light on the manga-making process for any interested fan, young or old. It's a fun read that never feels too dense.

It's always fascinating to get a look "behind the curtain" and see how something you love is created. This guide gave behind-the-scenes information on how to go about creating a manga using interviews from not only some of the most successful creators but also the editorial department. Getting advice and suggestions from both the artistic and business sides is invaluable for those who want to learn how to make their own manga.

The Shonen Jump Guide to Making Manga is a basic comprehensive look at how to start your manga. It covers the importance of characters, story and formatting panels.

Heart is where it matters - the ethos of this particular work, an assembly of narrative and instructional Q&A that follows a fictional aspiring author and his editor of becoming a mangaka. This is by no means a definitive success guide for mangaka as it is more of a motivational for those who have a hard time starting and progressing.

While I may not share career aspirations, this is a great book that gives insight into the world of creating manga specifically for the Shonen Jump brand. I read about the particular dimensions required when submitting drafts, how to plot and prioritize scenes, and general roadblocks that can overwhelm both the starter and seasoned i.e. time preparing both rough and final draft, getting inspiration, and what one wishes to have learned early on. In addition, there is a plethora of resources this book offers that adds a ton of value. Formatted as a helpful survey compilation, there is about sixteen interviews featuring some of the most celebrated shounen mangaka (writers, artists, and/or both) including Eiichiro Oda (One Piece), Tite Kubo (Bleach), and Hideaki Sorachi (GinTama). There are lines I personally found incredibly endearing, so much so I have them written down as artistic inspirational quotes:

"When I hit a stumbling block in the plot, I either alter the main character or scrap that bit of the plot entirely. I understand why people get attached to their work, but if you spend all day every day staring at your own story, you're bound to lose that essential objectivity. Don't fall too in love with anything you do. Kill your darlings." (Tatsuki Fujimoto author of Chainsaw Man, 108)

"I decide from the start what a given character is allowed to do and what they aren't, and make the character follow those rules to a T, at first. That's fundamental. If the author and reader don't have a basic shared understanding about the essence of a character, then by definition, the author can never do anything shocking or unexpected with the character to win them more fans." (Hideaki Sorachi author of GinTama, 95)

There is also a healthy amount of practical advice from analog (the pen) and digital (drawing tablet); each with their own chapters involving interviews with professional mangaka. It can potentially age depending on how much technology advances and businesses can adapt though for the sake of timeliness and familiarity of the "industry standard" this is great to keep in mind.

I see this book as a helpful resource for those who are genuinely interested in the craft of serialized manga from both the artistic (the primary audience) and industry perspective; the former for all the reasons mentioned as well as informing those curious of the craft - such as myself;the latter to the norms, practices, and situations mangaka of this brand of comic franchise must prioritize and be mindful of. Overall, what a fantastic compilation for those seeking to learn more about the industry and heart of shounen manga.

A comprehensive guide to making manga by the experts in the field! This is a great read for anyone interested in starting their own manga or interested in the process behind it all. I really enjoyed how this guide feels like a conversation with well-known mangakas - the commentary, despite the innate issues that comes with translation, feels real. These are people who have been involved in the industry for quite some time, so you know that they have the experience and credentials to be considered experts.

Everyone's journey is different as manga isn't just about the art and it's highlighted in the variety of voices in this guide. It showcases the reality of the industry as well - nothing is sugar-coated for the readers, including potential frustrations with their audiences. It also highlights the different tools out there for those wanting to get started on their own story and the necessary vocabulary to find the right tool for the job.

The Shonen Jump Guide to Making Manga is an honest guide to a booming industry with an enjoyable and understandable format. Thank you Viz Media and NetGalley for this ARC! I will definitely be on the lookout for a copy to keep in my classroom.

Before we begin this review, I would like to thank Viz Media and NetGalley for the opportunity to review this title.

Creating Art is one of the greatest experiences in the world, and that is the same feeling when you’re a writer. Today’s review will be focusing on Viz Media’s newest book, The Shonen Jump Guide To Making Manga.

From the Editorial Team of Shueisha’s Weekly Shonen Jump Magazine, this guide walks you through the initial ideation phase of creating a story. Then we’re brought to the storyboard stage with real examples of an actual storyboard from the Editorial Team. Any budding artist knows how invaluable real-world examples are, and what makes them even better is that it is from mangaka that has the on-the-job experience and gives advice on characterization and scene placement is the best.

One of the best things about this book was the interviews with sixteen (yes, sixteen!) mangaka, for example, Eiichiro Oda of One Piece, Gege Akutami of Jujutsu Kaisen, Tite Kubo of Bleach, and the list goes on.

These interviews show us the difference between artists and the reinforcement of the Editorial Department’s views that there is no “one way” to become a mangaka. But we also have honesty regarding manga workloads, recommendations for pens and ink, and even advice regarding how to create manga digitally.

This guide reminded me of another book, The Right Way To Make Jump! From Takeshi Sakurai. The only difference behind this was that you got to take a journey to the printer, the paper supplier, the editorial department, and surprisingly, the home of Mangaka, Kohei Horikoshi. The only difference between these two books is that both drive the idea home about creating manga, but it is this book that this guide gives the proper advice that a creator is looking for and craving without sugarcoating it. It is fully translated and comes straight from the editorial department, and there isn’t any better place to get career advice than mangaka who works for one of the most esteemed companies in the world.