How to Start Your First Manga: A Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners

Ever dreamed of creating your own manga but don’t know where to start? You’re not alone! Many aspiring manga artists feel overwhelmed when turning an idea into a full-fledged manga.

From developing your story to finalizing artwork and publishing, this guide will walk you through the exact steps to get started—whether you’re creating a one-shot or planning a long-running series.

By the end of this guide, you’ll have a clear roadmap for starting your manga!

📥 Download the FREE “Manga Creation Roadmap” PDF to follow along!

🛠️ Step 1: Develop Your Story Concept

Every great manga starts with a strong idea. But how do you come up with one?

What Makes a Good Manga Concept?

✅ A compelling protagonist – Who are they, and what makes them unique?

✅ A clear conflict – What stands in their way? Why should readers care?

✅ A unique hook – What makes your story different from existing manga?

💡 Example: Simple but Effective Manga Concepts

• One Punch Man – A superhero so strong that he’s bored of fighting.

• Attack on Titan – Humanity fights for survival against giant humanoid creatures.

• Death Note – A high schooler gains a notebook that can kill anyone.

📝 Quick Exercise:

Try this formula to brainstorm your idea:

[Protagonist] wants [Goal] but faces [Obstacle].

🔗 Related Post: Plotting Your Manga: How to Outline a Story That Hooks Readers

🎭 Step 2: Create Your Characters

Great manga characters feel alive. They have distinct personalities, motivations, and flaws.

Key Character Development Tips:

✅ Define their goals & struggles – What drives your protagonist?

✅ Make them visually distinct – Can they be recognized by silhouette alone?

✅ Give them expressive range – How do they react to different emotions?

🖌️ Character Design Exercise

Sketch your main character in three different emotions (happy, angry, sad) to develop expressive range.

🔗 Related Post: Creating Compelling Characters: A Guide to Manga Protagonists

✍️ Step 3: Write Your Manga Script

=Writing a manga script is different from writing a novel. It includes:

📌 Panel Descriptions – What happens in each panel?

📌 Dialogue & Speech Bubbles – Keep it short and natural for smooth reading.

📌 Pacing & Page Turns – Keep key moments on the right-hand page for impact!

❌ Common Mistake to Avoid:

🚫 Over-explaining dialogue. Manga is a visual medium—let the artwork tell the story!

📥 Download My Free Manga Script Template! (Lead magnet CTA)

📐 Step 4: Plan Your Manga Panels & Layouts

Manga paneling controls the flow of action and emotions.

✅ Follow the Z-pattern – Manga is read from right to left (for Japanese-style layouts).

✅ Use panel size for impact – Bigger panels = more dramatic moments.

✅ Vary angles & framing – Avoid “talking head syndrome” by using close-ups and wide shots.

🎯 Pro Tip for Action Scenes:

Show movement in three panels:

• Panel 1: Wind-up (character prepares for action)

• Panel 2: Impact (hit lands, explosion occurs)

• Panel 3: Aftermath (reaction, debris, or motion blur)

🔗 Related Post: 5 Rules for Smooth Panel Transitions in Manga

🎨 Step 5: Draw & Ink Your Manga Pages

Now, it’s time to turn your sketches into polished manga pages!

Traditional vs. Digital Art – Which Should You Use?

🖊️ Traditional – Feels natural but takes longer (dip pens, ink, paper).

💻 Digital – Faster and more flexible (Clip Studio Paint, Procreate).

Recommended Tools for Digital Manga Artists:

🖊️ Drawing Tablets: XP-Pen, Wacom, iPad + Apple Pencil

🎨 Software: Clip Studio Paint (best for manga), Procreate, Medibang Paint

🔗 Related Post: Best Budget Drawing Tablets for Manga Artists

📢 Step 6: Publish & Share Your Manga

Now that your manga is ready, where do you publish it?

Publishing Options:

🔹 Free Platforms: Webtoon, Tapas, MangaDex (Best for building an audience!)

🔹 Self-Publishing: Print-on-demand (Amazon Kindle, Gumroad)

🔹 Traditional Publishers: Kodansha, Shonen Jump (Requires submission process!)

📈 Social Media Growth Tip:

Start marketing your manga before it’s finished!

“Post character sketches & sneak peeks on Instagram, Twitter, or TikTok to build hype!”

🔗 Related Post: Posting Manga on Free Platforms: Pros and Cons

Starting your first manga can feel overwhelming, but by following these steps, you’ll have a clear path forward!

💬 What’s your biggest struggle when starting a manga? Let me know in the comments!

📥 Download the FREE “Manga Creation Roadmap” to keep your progress on track! (Lead magnet CTA)