I won a prize in the “COAMIX Kyushu International Manga Award”, and afterwards I was invited to join Artist Village Aso 096k by COAMIX, which organizes the contest. I moved here in November of 2022.

A place where you can absorb yourself in manga - it sounded like a dream to me. When I heard COAMIX was creating a place like this in Kumamoto, I was thrilled. During a preliminary visit in the spring of 2022, I was amazed by the large space for manga creation, which contained all the necessary artistic tools, as well as the extensive residential area. I realized that, here, I could focus on my art, and I decided to move in.

For someone like me, who used to draw manga while working other jobs, this is an incredible environment unlike anything I've experienced before. I started drawing manga in high school, and I was submitting my work to manga contests and posting it online. However, trying to create manga while juggling a job required a lot of my time and energy, and there were times when I couldn't draw as much as I wanted. I take an immense amount of joy from being in an environment where I can focus solely on manga.

After moving here, I have much more time to gather the information and knowledge necessary for my creative process. Also, Aso is free from the noise of the city, which allows me to immerse myself completely in my work. I’m really grateful for my huge desk in the studio area, since I can spread all of my tools and paper when drawing. I’m left-handed, so I’m happy that I don’t have to worry about bumping elbows with the person next to me.

Additionally, I like to discuss my plots with my editor to ensure clarity, so having an editor nearby who can meet with me at any time is very helpful. Nothing about the living environment is inconvenient. After a full day of drawing, when I return to my room in the residential area and take a shower, sometimes ideas start to come to me, and I jot them down and bring them to the studio. Moments like these make me realize how this environment is tailor-made for manga creators.

As for meals, I always look forward to the lunches and dinners prepared by the bistro staff. The food is really good, so I have to be careful not to overeat. Also, Aso has rich nature and beautiful scenery. Driving through the area lifts my spirits, which is great since I enjoy driving. In autumn, a little orange and grey bird comes and knocks on my window in the early morning, so I transform into an early riser in autumn (haha).

I usually arrive at my workspace on the second floor of the facility by 9 a.m. The mornings are quiet enough that you can even hear the birds chirping, so I can concentrate well then. I often work until nightfall.

I need to stay healthy in order to continue making manga, so I make a conscious effort to move my body. I do this to avoid any issues that may arise from sitting down for long periods of time. I always set aside time for stretching and weight lifting to keep fit.

My goal is to create draw a lot of manga, and for that manga to reach a wide audience. Although drawing manga is challenging, the joy of crafting stories and bringing them to life through art never gets old. I’m always thinking about how I can improve my skills.

Before moving here, I still lived in Kumamoto Prefecture, and my old house is about an hour away from here by car. Even moving such a short distance, I felt nervous and uncertain about relocating. I can only imagine how much courage it must take to move here from overseas. However, this place is overflowing with opportunities for manga creators and creative energy.

An environment like this, which allows you to focus on your craft, is rare not only in Japan, but worldwide. If you’re feeling hesitant about coming here, I suggest just giving it a try.