Career Talk and Manga Workshop Led by a Professional Manga Artist
MANGA DOJO TOKYO recently welcomed 35 junior high school students from Fukui Prefecture as part of their school trip to Tokyo.
The program combined a career talk by a professional manga artist with a hands-on manga workshop, giving students the opportunity to learn about Japan’s manga industry while creating their own artwork.
The instructor for the day was Kazuo Maekawa, a professional manga artist best known for the Ace Attorney and Ace Attorney Investigations manga series.
Learning About the Career of a Manga Artist
The workshop began with a special presentation about the manga industry and the career path of professional manga artists.
Students learned about:
- What it takes to become a professional manga artist
- How manga is created and published in Japan
- The relationship between Tokyo and the manga industry
- Major Japanese publishers such as Shueisha, Kodansha, and Shogakukan
Through real-world examples from his own career, Mr. Maekawa shared insights into the creative process and the challenges of working as a professional artist.
Drawing Manga-Style Portraits as a Team
After the presentation, students participated in a collaborative manga drawing activity.
Working in teams, they learned how manga artists simplify and exaggerate facial features to create expressive manga-style portraits.
The activity encouraged communication, observation, and creativity as students drew caricatures of their classmates and friends.
Turning School Trip Memories into 4-Panel Manga
The highlight of the workshop was creating original 4-panel manga (Yonkoma) based on the students’ experiences during their school trip to Tokyo.
Each team brainstormed ideas, developed short stories, and transformed memorable moments from their trip into manga format.
From visits to famous landmarks to funny moments with friends, the completed works reflected each group’s unique experiences and creativity.
Students were able to take their finished manga home as a memorable souvenir from their Tokyo trip.
Learning Through Manga
At MANGA DOJO TOKYO, we believe manga is more than entertainment.
Through manga creation, students can develop:
- Creativity
- Storytelling skills
- Communication skills
- Teamwork
- Cultural understanding
Our educational programs are designed to provide meaningful learning experiences while introducing participants to one of Japan’s most influential cultural exports.
Educational Programs for Schools and Student Groups
MANGA DOJO TOKYO offers customized programs for:
- School trips
- International student groups
- Educational travel programs
- University groups
By combining professional manga instruction with cultural learning, we help students gain a deeper understanding of Japan through a unique and engaging experience.
Thank you to all the students and teachers from Fukui Prefecture for joining us. We hope to welcome you again in the future!
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