#magic monaco

Well it is alway fun, at least to me, to create new characters and stories, so yes, I did have fun!

The organizators didn’t communicate much between the different deadlines, but I think it was mostly because it was their first time doing the manga contest (and because they’re always late. ). But they were pretty nice and ready to respond to the questions you can have,so  don’t hesitate! It’s best to contact them on their facebook. That’s also where they put the most of the news, so if you’re going to participate to the contest, you should definetly follow it.

https://www.facebook.com/magic.monaco/

Also, the publishers are from Shonen Jump. They’re searching for mangas they could publish on Shonen Jump. Which means you should only consider doing a shonen manga. I would recommand to put some actions in your manga too ( for example in mine there wasn’t enough action for them. They loved the universe and the characters, but I put too much explanations and not enough actions. ).

Give your manga in time (they won’t accept it after the deadline), and strike for the best quality. They say it in their terms and condition document, but I’ll say it again: Make your pages in 1200DPI

You may think your art isn’t good enough compared to other artists participating. The thing is, the artstyle isn’t the only thing that’ll get you in Top 10 or Final. They’ll review a lot of things like the originality of the story, the concept, the characters, the dynamic, if the general public can easily understand it etc etc. Artstyle is only one of the points they’ll take in consideration, but what’s the most important for them is the story and if they can sell it.

It can take time to get the results, because the members of the jury are busy in their life. But don’t worry! They’ll announce the results (on their facebook first ). Just remember they’re always late.

Don’t worry about the manga being in japanese or not. They have translators who will translate it for the publishers so they can read it.

For the ones being in Top 10, you’ll receive the comments on your work AFTER the end of the contest. And it’s very interesting to get feedbacks from professionnals like the publishers and the mangaka guest (this year Tite Kubo). To be honest that’s the most interesting part for me. Also, it’s not because you don’t win a prize that it stops there. I’m saying that because one of my acquaintance was in the 5 finalists, and even though she didn’t win anything, she signed a contract with Shonen Jump + for her one-shot after that. The publishers will remember you and may propose you something after.

When you’re in the 5 finalists, you have to come at the convention and present yourself and your project. Of course they know not everybody (especially the ones living far away ) can come. So, instead, you’ll have to make a video to do this. There will be a translator who will translate everything to the publishers. But if you make a video, try to put subtitles. It helps a lot the translator and the publishers know some english too. Also, PLEASE, don’t do a video where you only show a picture of your face. One of the finalist did that, and I’m sorry, but we’re here for the manga. Of course we want to see the creator but not for 10 min straight, in a video where we don’t even get to see how your manga is. You have to show pictures of your manga, explain why this story, how you had the idea for this story and the characters, etc. They’ll also ask you who are the mangakas and artists that inspires you.