To create a new era of manga with the ability to wite, edit and critique potential stories

Manga has become an extremely popular medium of expression in Japan, where it probably has greater influence than cinema or literature. Behind this dramatic development has been the imaginative editors and writers who, understanding the great potential of this medium, have made the fullest use of highly talented manga artists.
The people who have contributed the most to this new era of expression are known as manga producers. In this course students learn basic editing practices, story development, and how to create major hits, from faculty members who are personally active in the manga production field. Students develop all the varied abilities that are necessary to ensure successful project completion, including creativity and forward planning.

Department profile (May 2009):

Faculty:

Please note that as this department opened in April 2006, it is not yet ready to accept exchange, research, or graduate students. Also, it requires a particularly high level of Japanese proficiency, even among Japanese applicants.

Curriculum
1st year: Students begin with an introduction to the skills that will be developed over the four years: basics of editorial practices, original manga story writing, how to write an article based on an interview, and how to develop ideas.
Theory of magazine production, theory of creating characters 1 & 2, introduction to manga history 1 & 2 introduction to editing 1 & 2, theory of contemporary manga 1 & 2, editorial practices 1 & 2, introduction to original manga story development 1 & 2, interview practices 1& 2, presentation of manga speech 1 & 2, sketching 1 & 2, basic computer graphics 1 & 2, croquis drawing 1 & 2

2nd year: Classes become more practical with a greater sense of an actual work environment. Students are expected to begin producing stories in earnest, engaging in a project in collaboration with Comic Art students to produce a comic book.
Marketing theory 1 & 2, comparative manga theory1 & 2, planning practice 1& 2, original manga story development 1 & 2, editing 1 & 2, introduction to criticism 1 & 2, critical review 1 & 2, CG 1 & 2, animation 1 & 2

3rd year: Based on the previous 2 years students will widen their knowledge through applied studies and practices. They will also develop their editing techniques through visiting actual production sites outside of KSU.
Research on manga artists 1 & 2, research on manga art 1 & 2, critical review 3 & 4, theory of drama 1 & 2, original manga story development 3 & 4, editing 3 & 4, manga production, on-site manga production training

4th year: Students will carry out graduation work, utilizing the knowledge and skills they have gained in editing, story development and critical review.
Production 1 & 2, free production, graduation work and thesis

In collaboration with Kyoto City, KSU has established the Kyoto International Manga Museum, the world's largest manga collection, in a superbly converted school building in downtown Kyoto, as an exhibition center, library, and research facility. Review here