How to Write a Manga Script
The one who wants to become a scriptwriter should know how to compose a manga script. In general, the final product is a comic book targeting a Japanese audience. The size of the book is rather small: 5 x 7.5 inches. It differs from American comics in its original style of drawing. All the characters are quite tall. They have big eyes and an extraordinary haircut. At present, this type of entertaining literature is becoming more and more popular in the United States. Actually, you can make good money working with visual mediums. So, today we will tell you where to start and what steps to follow to create a manga script.

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Guidelines That Help You to Make a Manga Script and Incarnate Your Characters in Drawing

The Idea

The first thing you need to take care of is to come up with a brand-new idea for your story. Some really brilliant ideas can germinate in your mind any time, so be ready to jot them down.

Research Manga

You should keep in mind that manga, with its own rules and conventions, differs from regular American comics. Thus, you need to familiarize yourself with its peculiarities and at the same time, focus on the genre of the story you want to create. While reading, be especially mindful of the format, pacing, character depiction and plot resolutions.

  • Familiarize yourself with manga writing and art techniques

On the Internet, you will find a wealth of information on how to write a comic. You can make use of these ideas since some of the rules in comic writing are also applicable in manga. In fact, you can benefit from any information on how to develop this visual art form. In addition, you can research comic authors and artists and find their own websites where they share information about their own styles and techniques.

  • Stick to publisher’s guidelines

Visit the websites of manga publishers you intend to send your script to. As a rule, they contain precise information about the format, pacing, dialogue, as well as guidelines you need to stick to. Study these requirements and the samples they give. If you want your script to be published, you should offer the publisher exactly what they are asking for.

In terms of the standard manga script format, it occupies more pages compared to the other types of comics and has fewer panels per page. In general, it has four or five pages per scene. There are around five panels on one page, each of which has no more than three speech bubbles. Japanese version is read from right to left (and from top to bottom, of course). Still, if you are writing for an English-speaking audience, there is no need to follow this order. Note, that the panel layout is often dynamic and stretches across the entire page. The drawings will be of different shapes and sizes. Usually, there are no numbers or arrows so you need to be sure your readers will not be lost. The illustrations must be grouped clearly so that they will read one group of panels after another in the correct order.

  • Outline your plot

Strangely enough, but writing by hand in early stages may boost your creativity. However, if working with a computer is more convenient for you, do so. Lay out your ideas, brainstorm crucial scenes. Create a rough outline.

Create a separate note card for each plot part and work with each note card separately. Calculate an approximate number of pages it may take to elaborate on this part. Put this number in the upper right-hand corner. Lay these cards out on your table in the order you want your script to appear. This small trick will enable you to “see” the plot, and rearrange the elements to ensure a perfect flow of your script.

  • Estimate the length of your manga

Stick to the publisher’s guidelines in terms of the number of pages. If your script should not exceed 120 or even 50 pages, it will influence how much you will need to edit the script and how many details you are allowed to include.

Break your script into three sections: the introductory part, the main plot, and the conclusion. If your required manga length is 100 pages, your script should contain 20 pages of the introductory part, 60 pages of the main plot, and 20 pages left for the conclusion.

Break the cards down into these three categories. Add up the approximate page numbers, which you have put down on the cards. If your introductory part constitutes 22 pages, you will need to cut 2 pages or borrow from the allocated pages for your main plot. As soon as you have the required number of pages for all sections, you can get down to your final outline.

The Page Breakdown

When having a more or less clear-cut plot, some writers also create the “page breakdown,” which contains information on how many pages the story may take and gives a brief description of the actions that take place on each page. This step helps to feel how the whole story will appear and what effect it might produce.

Additionally, some writers create a “rough thumbnail sketch” – small drawings for each page, which they send to the artist to give the insight into how to visualize each page.

How to Make a Manga Script

Focus on the first few cards. Develop the general plot and dialogue for the first part. The most important rule is to keep your manga simple. Additionally, remember that in the case of manga, being concise is fundamental. Your dialogues should have a natural form while the action and expression of the characters should be central in your story.

As a rule, manga has from four to six panels. A five-page section will thus include twenty to thirty panels. Work through your written scene and number the sections that will constitute the panels.

If you eventually have a redundant or insufficient number of panels, edit them to satisfy the length requirements. Remember that big plot points should be described in larger panels, so you may have some pages, which will contain only one or two panels.

Make use of blank paper and break down into sections. Create a rough outline of your drawings to see how your panels will be located. To do this, you do not need to have any special artistic talents; stick figures will suffice. Visualizing the basic arrangements of characters and plot will help you to imagine how drawings and the script would go together. Additionally, it will help you to get rid of redundant sections and see whether there will be enough space to put both, the dialogue and drawing. Put the corresponding number on each piece of paper. Number the panels one by one.

Provide a complete version of the script that the artist will be using. Stick to the publisher’s format guidelines. Make use of your notes and basic drawings to give the artist an insight into the action.

Tips on Manga Script Writing

Tips on Manga Script Writing
Tips on Manga Script Writing

Stick to the publisher’s guidelines before sending your script. As a rule, they require you to send a summary, outline, and detailed descriptions of the characters for the artist. Include photos for the character depiction when necessary.

Tips

  • The arrangements of the panels and portrayal of the action are the most difficult aspects of creating a manga. Here the familiarity with other manga comics will come in handy. At times, just taking a look at how a similar situation or scene in another manga was developed may give you insight into how to present yours.
  • If a particular scene is crucial but you cannot fit it into the allocated pages or panels, write your script the way it looks best. In case the publisher refuses to accept a longer work, think of the information you can shorten or cut out. As a rule, there are some redundant or unnecessary sections that you can put in a simpler way or cut out completely.

Warnings

Remember that repeating details in the script is necessary, even if they seem evident. For example, always mention that a particular character has a cigarette in his hand. Sometimes, artists can just follow your description and forget what happened before.

Writing manga scripts requires one to be inventive, creative but at the same time attentive to details. If you are new to this field, you can seek help from a professional writer. Every reputable writing service has several professionals available online 24/7.

You may find it interesting:

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April 16, 2019
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