How I ended up DRAWING MANGA in JAPAN (a true story) : PART ONE

PART TWO: • How I ended up DRAWING...
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This is the first part to a two part video where I break down how I got the job working as an assistant illustrator for one of the most famous manga artists in Japan. To get early access and bonus content related to this topic among others, consider supporting me on Patreon! (link above)
#fistofthenorthstar #manga #japan #tokyo #mangaartist #inspiration

[@TOKYOTOYBANZAI]

WATCH THE FULL LENGTH VERSION HERE: kzbin.info/www/bejne/m6DEoH1ur7x6gLc

[@widdrshinswonders]

As a previously homeless dude currently pursuing comics (in Ohio at that), instant sub man. Keep killing it.

[@TOKYOTOYBANZAI]

Right back at you brother.

[@Marshulartzz]

nice! we are also based Ohio

[@4ns3lm09]

Good luck bro. You can do it

[@ashcomics13]

i remember reading a story about this on reddit or something. dude thats awesome. i've been applying to assistant gigs over there but no luck yet. Im aiming for contests now they have so much oppurtunity for comic creators there and its crazy but in japan is where comics is really alive.

[@TOKYOTOYBANZAI]

oh yeah? It's wild to see so many foreign artists and workers in general here these day. Back in the early 2000's there were basically none, and I was the only "western" one around. Plenty of people were much more talented than me, so it was definitely all about taking that one lucky chance. Keep going for it! It's definitely much more obtainable these days!!

[@slimehousetv]

Your channel is full of such gold man thabks for doing it and sharing your knowledge and story 👊👊👊

[@TOKYOTOYBANZAI]

I really appreciate that Theo!

[@haricoco-669]

you are living the goal i pursue in life man.

[@Themoggyman.97]

I've dealt with homelessness when I was in New York(currently in Colorado) and I'm slowly but surely getting back on my own two feet. During that time was genuinely soul crushing and I lost alot of my creativity during that time. But when I started painting again, I just felt empowered once again(I like drawing anime and painting backgrounds and work with acrylics) It's been my long term dream and goal to eventually live/work/study in Japan and be a somewhat successful artist! I've had to postpone my college twice because of unfavorable circumstances(homelessness/betrayal/and a lack of money) This is just really inspiring to me because I was genuinely in a similar boat🏚 I hope that you keep gaining success in your endeavors✨💪!!!

[@Renard-ks6hj]

goooddddd lucckkkkkkkk

[@skyejoiner]

my dad and I watched this and we can't wait for part 2!!!

[@AzureBladeXIII]

What incredible luck. As an aspiring artist struggling to find their way I'm looking forward to hearing part two

[@whiskeysasquatch6674]

Loving this origin story! So good.

[@Justpassingby204]

What an inspiring story. Im 25 and trying to find my way in life as a novelist and searching for a writing job (it possibly worked). Your story is so cool to me, can’t wait for part 2

[@michaelwatson9089]

Sci-fi channel had a anime marathon over the weekend back in 94. My favorite was Vampire Hunter D. Fist of The North Star was awesome.

[@Markkzilla]

I know this story but I never get tired of hearing it.

[@insslllss]

BRO GOT ME WITH HIS STORY

[@ram-z890]

Crazy man, looking forward to watching the next video about your work with Hara Tetsuo sensei

[@DoLo_XO]

You got a lot of grit and resilience my friend, instant sub.

[@adzi6164]

you got job under TETSUO FREAKIN' HARA amazeballs

[@toddkillinger8538]

Wow, that’s quite an inspiring tale-talk about being fated for a certain destiny. Looking forward to part 2-if not a forthcoming manga adaption (hint-hint).

[@TOKYOTOYBANZAI]

haha thanks! I actually did do a short manga adaptation of my first week or so at the manga studio (sort of), and it was published by the Tokyo based English magazine, Metropolis back in 2007. I'll show a few pages from that in PART 2 :)

[@toddkillinger8538]

@@TOKYOTOYBANZAIすごい! 楽しみにしています!

[@desert58c]

Kenshero is my all time favorite MC

[@pilar808]

"i didn't have a computer - AT MY BUS DRIVER APARTMENT"🤣🤣🤣

[@kenzaruz2982]

Cool, looking forward to seeing the next episode.

[@MattMatt77]

I find it so very interesting how life just get handed to people. But those same people would day they have it bad in life because of this reason.... i feel like I'm back in rehab

[@monicarobledo7732]

NOOOO NOT JESUS GIVING THE BOMBASTIC SIDE EYE

[@eddyalvaross2195]

😭😂😂😂😂

[@Icanonlycountto4]

I’m in Texas choosing to pursue comics. I know it’ll be tough but I also know it’ll be fun af to at least have a story of mine in my hands

[@HobbyistaDownUnder]

Wow! Thats crazy man! Cant wait for the next part.

[@marcogutierrez6954]

Awesome. Thanks for sharing your story! Can’t wait for part 2!

[@user-vl8ck4gz6w]

Where cam we see your personal art!!!????

[@EXxCloudEXx]

Where's your page with all your art? I see pages with everything else

[@Ayzay1717]

Wow what a story ! I want to know more, subscribed.

[@TOKYOTOYBANZAI]

🙏💫

[@Trid3nt861]

This an awesome story

[@Dr._Nicolas]

Practically homeless person here, living out of commission works, drawing for 5 years now, can anyone tell me how can i be so lucky to work in japan please?

[@Justpassingby204]

Rest in peace Toriyama

[@j00bs]

tons of people moving to japan right now...

[@paulwoodford1984]

Your girlfriend invited her ex over to the house you were sharing and she then kicked you out? Well, looks like you win in the end. Hope she sees this and regrets it hahaha. tough luck hunny.

[@Azlankrash]

Subscribing to you hoping for continuatioon story of this video. Keep up the good work!

[@xiwsnoraa89]

Lol i remember u telling me the story but i love heaeing the whole story bro!! Cant wait till tge 2nd part!!🤘🏼👍

[@stanleyweber5145]

Awesome 🔥 love this video

[@brainlessgonzo6558]

Had to sub just to see part two

[@TOKYOTOYBANZAI]

🙏🙏🙏

[@Justpassingby204]

Me too

[@jcwt_pdx]

My actual first anime was SUPERBOOK, a gospel anime. I recently discovered more. I also like shoujo manga and anime. 💚💜🦋

[@yogseventy-nine3460]

"she also invite" not her ex, not her ex.... "her parents" at least it's not her ex...

[@ZsH85]

In Hungary they banned DBZ from the television ( burn in hell bee-ches) but it got to the android saga. However they did aired "normal" Dragon Ball before that ( with kid goku) so we still can consider us more lucky then the USA. It was always so strange to me that some countries just started DBZ out of the blue while it is very important to start it at the very beginning.

[@Mangahaulic109]

Heard this tale, but really like hearing it.

[@effortless4588]

THATS A SUB FROM ME MAN GOD BLESS

[@clavinwan]

Homeless~ but look at you now! Such a great papa hahaha

[@kitsunehoruri]

I am really surprised I never ran across you while you were in Columbus ( or even Kentucky for that matter) I was attending Shawnee State at that time and was one of the Founders of Fantanime. We were usually in the cosplay contests and artists alleys at Sugoicon, Ohaycon and MARcon.

[@elgritton]

I believe Japan doesn’t accept gaijin as mangaka, did they changed that rule?

[@user-vl8ck4gz6w]

They do. There are some korean and chinese artists even. But its very rare since its a job that doesnt pay much and already super niche

[@cmikhail7289]

good luck man

[@shumadoomashingbling]

Hey I’m trying to make sofubis I’m a sculptor. Is there anyway you can share some advice I mostly make Godzilla sculptures. Love your videos btw. Always the highlight of my day 🔥🔥🔥

[@TOKYOTOYBANZAI]

Thanks so much!! As for the sofubi process, the channel @TheCrafsMan has a couple great videos about sofubi production, but I will be doing more on that this year as well!

[@shumadoomashingbling]

@@TOKYOTOYBANZAI hell yes! Can’t wait for those videos. I would love to see your process on how you make your sofubis

[@CooldownCentral]

that is wild

[@wesleyedwardsart]

I came to Thailand to draw comics as well, looking to come to Japan this year for a second time. Will definitely be reaching our, just out of curiousity do you do podcasts?

[@pheemarts]

Just subbed🎉

[@XAVIERCUERVO]

to make a short story long .......

[@sazmeros]

How long did it take you to learn japanese? Or did you know ot before moving there?

[@terenceyuen4424]

I'm more shocked and intrigued that you managed to have women fall in love with you while being a stockboy at Walmart 👍

[@normancengland]

I guess I need to tell you about my own near-brush with homelessness. Man, what's up with the USofA?

[@raybrianeandan6231]

been waiting for this since you mentioned it!

[@TOKYOTOYBANZAI]

Apologies for keeping you waiting! Hope you enjoyed PART ONE

[@RodneyKing-kz3ym]

This is really inspiring. Glad you are sharing your journey. How do the Japanese view foreigners who call themselves “manga artists” rather than use their native country’s terms, like “comic artists”? I know they have international manga competitions, but it is still kind of a hot button issue in some places to call yourself a “mangaka” or “manga artist” if you’re not Japanese. From your experience, how do the Japanese feel about it? Not from the standpoint of “manga is comics”, but to be a foreigner and to call yourself a “mangaka” or a “manga artist” instead of calling yourself a “comic artist”. Maybe this could be a video topic if you haven’t answered it before? 🤔

[@TOKYOTOYBANZAI]

Honestly, a lot of Japanese people call manga "comics". For stuff like super hero comics from the USA, they call them "American Comics". Same with "anime", in Japan even Disney and Pixar films are called "anime". They don't classify things the same way westerners do (typically). It's less about the style of the medium here and more about the overall format.

[@RodneyKing-kz3ym]

I see I see. It’s interesting to consider the semantics at play. One of Tezuka’s former translators, Fred Schodt, said that “manga” use to be a very broad term. He said that the Japanese even referred to animation as “manga” when it first started debuting. There is a popular narrative that Tezuka coined the term “anime” being a fan of western animation (Disney). I use to live in Japan. I lived there before the mainstream globalization of anime/manga. A lot of the young artists abroad tend to call their work “manga” now. This wasn’t a common thing outside of the niche and not very popular OEL manga movement. Now it’s becoming more common. It doesn’t too much bother me either way. I was just curious as to how the Japanese feel on it. If they are ok with it, or do they feel it’s taking from the authenticity of their culture? I’m just no longer in a position to ask lol. Thank you for your reply. 🙏

[@TaraGraphic93]

Do you have a link to your art?

[@TOKYOTOYBANZAI]

I will showcase more of it in the second part of this video. These days I don’t really make much art, other than some design work I do related to toy companies I work with.

[@toytripperv8488]

"I previously had a japanese girlfriend..." Mrs. Banzai be like: 🤨🤨🤨 ✌️✌️✌️😂

[@TOKYOTOYBANZAI]

[@sergioin3D]

You were homeless in the u.s? .__.

[@TOKYOTOYBANZAI]

indeed - for several months back in 2004. I was fortunate to have a friend that let me crash at his house for a few weeks, and a bus driver that let me stay in his apartment when I had nowhere else to go. But many days I had nowhere, and even when I did, it wasn't guaranteed.

[@retro7924]

This is a madeup story .This the most ridiculous made up story ever and tops any of the made up ridiculous stories that a guy I knew who constantly made up fake rediculous stories .How to spot a made up story? Its a story where everything seems to fall into place perfectly.The stars allign at that exact moment where the poor girl working at a coffee shop just happend to spill coffee on a customer who just happens to be the son of one of the richest familes in Korea. Its a K-Drama

[@MrLeFilipfloppyvelarde]

Even if it's fake, i give it a year. No way a random usa dude would resist the mangaka lifestyle

[@TOKYOTOYBANZAI]

I'm sorry to inform you that it is indeed a true story. Believe it or not.

[@TOKYOTOYBANZAI]

if you watched the video, this all happened back in 2005. I worked at the studio for 2 years. I will show the specific volumes I worked on in Part 2.@@MrLeFilipfloppyvelarde

[@definitivamenteno-malo7919]

Tetsuo Hara is part of the International Silent Manga project. Maybe YOU 🫵 got something to do hahahaha.

[@Jurtango]

Such an amazing story! Cant wait to hear the rest of it =D

[@TOKYOTOYBANZAI]

Thank you!!