Part 02 – I want to create ‘Bharatiya Manga’
As a child, my fascination for storytelling was deeply influenced by the comic books I read. While others watched cartoons or movies, I preferred to lose myself in the colorful pages of Tinkle, Chacha Choudhary, Amar Chitra Katha, Tenali Raman, Champak, Panchatantra, Chandamama, and Tintin. Each comic held a world of wonder, adventure, and mystery. Unfortunately, my parents never bought me a single comic book except for Chutti Vikatan and Deccan Chronicles. However, fate smiled upon me through my cousins, who eagerly collected these treasures every month. I would wait patiently until they were ready to share their stash with me. When my opportunity arrived, I immersed myself in those pages, spending hours reading and re-reading the stories. More than the vibrant illustrations, it was the stories themselves that captured my heart. Comic strips allowed me to imagine the action and dialogues that unfolded between each frame as the authors’ words painted vivid scenes in my mind. Every month, I eagerly awaited new stories. I’d devour them, absorbing the magic of heroes, villains, and fantastical worlds. Re-telling these narratives to my loved ones became my joy. Some family members recognized my passion and generously shared old comic books they’d collected. Those moments remain golden memories from my childhood. As I grew into adulthood, life’s demands shifted my focus away from comics. Looking back, I regret not holding onto that childhood love. Perhaps there’s still time to rekindle the magic—maybe I’ll make my own comic book this time.
The Manga Phenomenon
As a teenager, I was immersed in discussions about movies, cartoons, and anime. Yet, Japanese manga remained elusive to me until recently. Little did I know that this captivating art form had a global impact far beyond its origins.
Manga’s Global Reach
In Japan, manga transcends generations. It’s read by everyone aged 60 and under, making it a cultural staple. The phenomenon isn’t confined to Japan alone. In other markets, manga has found a passionate audience, especially among those under 35. Countries like the US, France, Korea, China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, India, and Singapore have embraced manga wholeheartedly.
- Expansive Storytelling: Unlike Western comics and graphic novels, manga covers an astonishing breadth of genres and themes. From action-packed adventures to heartwarming romances, manga offers something for everyone.
- Visual Magic: Manga’s allure lies not only in its storytelling but also in its captivating artwork. Designer graphics convey emotions, enhance scenes, and transport readers to exciting imaginary worlds.
- Beyond Entertainment: Manga isn’t just entertainment; it’s a tool for personal growth. Readers absorb moral values, expand their vocabulary, and explore diverse perspectives.
- Global Valuation: In 2024, the global manga market was valued at a staggering $14 billion.
In summary, manga isn’t just ink on paper—it’s a cultural force that unites readers across continents. Whether you’re a seasoned fan or a newcomer, there’s always a manga waiting to whisk you away on an unforgettable journey.
Branding
Brands can work closely with publishers and producers to craft their own manga narratives. This approach allows them to extend their themes and characters beyond the manga format. These stories can then be adapted into television shows, movies, animations, games, and merchandise. By creating original manga, brands can tap into the rich storytelling tradition while reaching diverse audiences across various platforms. Alternatively, brands can pay a fee to have their products featured within existing manga. This strategy leverages the popularity of established manga titles. Product placement allows brands to connect with manga enthusiasts and align their offerings with beloved characters and story-lines.
The Marvel and DC Formula
Comic superheroes are more than just fictional characters—they are integral to contemporary pop culture and a thriving global industry. Consider iconic figures like Batman, Wonder Woman, and Black Panther. These heroes inspire fans worldwide and drive a multi-billion-dollar market. Marvel and DC Comics have perfected the art of universe-building. Their intellectual properties (IPs) extend far beyond individual stories. Instead, they create entire universes with interconnected characters, events, and mythologies. Here’s why their formula works:
- Expansive Universes: Marvel’s IP, for instance, encompasses over 8,000 characters, each contributing to a vast meta-verse. DC Universe boasts even more—over 10,000 characters.
- Captivating Imagery: Graphic novels rely on striking visuals to convey emotions, action, and drama. The combination of art and storytelling draws readers into these immersive worlds.
- Collaborative Teams: Behind every successful meta-verse is a blend of creatives, technologists, and storytellers. These teams work together to shape the narratives that captivate fans.
Character Brands (IP)
Comic characters fall under the protection of both copyright and trademark laws. They are valuable assets known as “Character Brands.” These legal safeguards ensure that these beloved icons remain exclusive to their respective universes. In summary, whether you’re creating original manga or leveraging existing IPs, the magic lies in storytelling, imagination, and the passionate community that brings these characters to life.
As the character industry develops, artist-based companies create character brands with unique stories which a lot of brands wants to collaborate with. In the past, while characters were treated as things for young children, now the culture of consuming character-related products is more focused on the 20s–30s. People are eager to buy the limited editions of character items designed by character collaborations. When we look through the characters that are popular in various countries, we can see that well-branded characters can get global popularity. Traditionally, characters in animation, comics, and games have become popular but nowadays, characters from online messenger stickers are loved by many people regard to the usage of messenger apps. The characters created from online messengers are not only staying online but they are applied to various products and compete with traditional characters in the offline market. Popular characters in each country will be different based on their own culture. This is why we must create innovative character brands that are global, original, iconic and rooted in Indian culture.
Mission: Unleashing Indian Stories in Graphic Form
Great characters with leadership potential serve as role models for young minds. The entire world looks up to India for leadership models, and there is a global demand for exciting stories featuring iconic Indian heroes. My goal is to create globally recognized, uniquely Indian character brands within an ultra-realistic fictional universe. To achieve this, we’ll follow a comprehensive procedure that covers concept creation, development, production, and post-production.
Creating a Manga: A Step-by-Step Guide
Development Stages
- Concept Creation
- Brainstorm and develop unique character ideas.
- Explore themes, motivations, and backstories.
- Consider cultural nuances and Indian roots.
- Plot Development
- Craft an engaging story line.
- Outline major plot points and arcs.
- Introduce conflict and suspense.
- Manuscript
- Write the script for your Manga.
- Define dialogue, pacing, and panel layouts.
- Collaborate with artists for visual representation.
- Character Concepts
- Design detailed character profiles.
- Create visual references for appearance, clothing, and expressions.
- Ensure consistency across different scenes.
- Location Concepts
- Develop settings and environments.
- Research Indian landscapes, architecture, and culture.
- Make locations integral to the story.
- Artwork Concepts
- Collaborate with illustrators.
- Discuss art style, composition, and aesthetics.
- Create concept art for characters, scenes, and key moments.
Production Stages
- Penciling
- Translate the manuscript into rough sketches.
- Plan panel layouts and compositions.
- Refine character poses and expressions.
- Designing
- Add details to the sketches.
- Finalize character designs.
- Create intricate backgrounds and props.
- Lettering
- Add dialogue, sound effects, and captions.
- Ensure readability and flow.
- Maintain consistency throughout the Manga.
Post-Production Stages
- Editorial
- Review the completed artwork.
- Edit for clarity, coherence, and pacing.
- Seek feedback from peers or editors.
- Printing
- Prepare the Manga for physical or digital publication.
- Choose printing formats and paper quality.
- Collaborate with publishers or self-publish.
- Marketing and Distribution
- Develop an IP-focused marketing strategy.
- Promote your Manga through social media, conventions, and events.
- Distribute copies to readers worldwide.
Remember, the development stages are crucial, requiring extensive research and creativity. Once the manuscript is complete, our vision can come to life either digitally or on paper. If you have a specific talent and share my passion for creating our own Bharatiya Manga, I invite you to collaborate with me. Let’s bring this Make in India dream to life! 🌟
How to Get Involved
- Talented Individuals:
- If you’re an artist, or have any other creative skill, let’s join forces! Contact me via email at author@srinathstories.com.
- Together, we can weave captivating stories, design unique characters, and build an exciting Manga universe rooted in Indian culture.
- Investors Wanted:
- Are you passionate about supporting creative endeavors? I’m actively seeking investors who share my vision.
- Let’s make our Bharatiya Manga a reality! Reach out to me, and let’s discuss how you can contribute.
With dedication and passion, nothing can stop us from creating our own captivating Manga universe! Our collaborative efforts can lead to something extraordinary. Feel free to connect with me, and let’s embark on this exciting journey together! 🚀😊
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