We're kicking off Black History Month with our first creator interview with black creators of GlobalComix! To get us started, we've sat down with Aka Studio, aka Akairo, a creator of many short manga stories like Hollow Grimoire. Akairo even won a Bronze award on Manga Plus Creators in November 2023 after placing second in the monthly contest.
Indie Manga is a quickly growing community in the west, and so we're stoked to sit down with one of it's rising stars.
GlobalComix: Both Hollow Grimoire and Desert Sunflower, your more recent titles, have very distinct style and visuals as indie manga. What do you think has influenced that voice?
Aka Studio: The most influential works for me include titles like Soul Eater, Eureka Seven, and Gachiakuta. I am drawn to stories that draw from various cultures, and I strive to reflect that in my own work. With Hollow Grimoire, my goal has always been to explore multiple mythologies and to delve into how the world operates. This approach allows me to pull from a diverse range of cultural influences.
Cover: Hollow Grimoire
GlobalComix: What has your path to starting to make manga looked like? Where did that begin for you?
Aka Studio: It all started when I was a kid and became interested in art. I used to watch Dragon Ball Z and Naruto with my older brother, and in the fourth grade, I would draw my own Dragon Ball original characters with a friend. I still have some of those drawings! Everything changed when I watched Bakuman for the first time; it inspired me and ignited my passion for manga. I think this experience is common among many indie manga artists.
Later, I discovered other Black artists like Nikolas Draper Ivey, who became a major inspiration for me as another Black creator in the manga scene. Their work really encourages me to keep going.
GlobalComix: Your one-shot vesion of Hollow Grimoire won a Bronze award on Manga Plus Creators, which is an incredible accomplishment for an aspiring mangaka. What does the next phase of your career or your long term goals look like for you?
Aka Studio: The next phase for me is to keep creating. While Hollow Grimoire had its first run, I wasn't proud of how it turned out and felt the story was lacking. I tend to stop projects when my heart isn't in them, but that doesn't mean Hollow Grimoire is going away. In fact, it might be making a comeback later this year; however, I can’t share the details just yet. I truly love Hollow Grimoire it's a passion project for me.
GlobalComix: Being a mangaka outside Japan can make access to resources and education on making manga more difficult. What do you do to study or learn about making manga?
Aka Studio: I study the manga I read intensely and read any books I can find, such as Manga in Theory and Practice by Hirohiko Araki, The Shonen Jump Guide to Making Manga, and The Creative Act: A Way of Being by Rick Rubin. Although the last one isn't manga related, it has definitely helped my creative mindset a lot. I still need to go through Dr. Mashirito’s Ultimate Manga Techniques. I like to consider myself a perpetual student; I'm always learning and trying to absorb as much knowledge as I can, but I know I still lack proficiency in certain areas.
GlobalComix: How do you balance your time between life obligations and being a mangaka?
Aka Studio: It's pretty challenging, but I make it work. In college, I worked on Wandering Shamen and Desert Sunflower while trying to earn my degree. I knew it would take a while for me to get published or even share my work, as I had a regular job. So, I focused on training myself and speeding up my process to balance both. Currently, I work full-time as an art teacher and at a museum on the weekends, so my days are packed. However, I always carve out time to work and draw because I understand my pace. It’s also helpful for me to do some storyboarding and writing during my downtime at my jobs to keep up. I usually finish work by 3 PM, which gives me the rest of the afternoon to focus on my projects, making it manageable.
Panel from: Hollow Gromoire
GlobalComix: There are other manga you’ve made, like The Wandering Shamen, an older version of Desert Sunflower, Phantom Chain, among others, most appear to be short stories. Is there a reason you’ve focused on shorter stories for now?
Aka Studio: I decided it was best to take the short story route because, firstly, it's the path that most mangaka follow, starting with several one-shots to learn how to tell a story from beginning to end. This approach also makes the most sense in terms of time. I have so many stories in my head that I want to tell, but many of them are grand adventures that I might not be ready for yet. I need to learn how to create shorter stories that still carry emotional impact, which will also help me work out the details for the bigger stories I really want to pursue.
Fun fact: Hollow Grimoire was originally titled Phantom Chain, and that story is currently on its third or fourth iteration.
GlobalComix: Many of your stories have similar themes like fantastical locations, magic, and cultures that are unique to that story. What attracts to you these types of stories?
Aka Studio: It’s what gets my creative juices flowing. I get excited when I invent new worlds; despite being a huge undertaking, I still want to explore them. The stories that make me think, “Man, I would love to live in that world,” are always my favorites, so I want to return that same kind of energy. I even want to learn some 3D modeling to really bring these worlds to life and make the drawing process a little easier for myself.
Panel from: Hollow Gromoire
GlobalComix: Is there a specific part of the process that you find the most enjoyable, and one you find the most difficult?
Aka Studio: Inking is my favorite part of the process because it allows me to really let loose and have fun. However, my least favorite part is sometimes sketching the pages. I tend to avoid making super detailed sketches, which can be frustrating. I know the final product will look good once it's inked, but in that moment, I just want it to look better, yah know?
GlobalComix: Do you usually plan your stories in advance, or do they evolve as you draw them?
Aka Studio: A bit of both. For Hollow Grimoire, the current version that's out now and the new version I'm drawing both share a similar story. However, the execution will differ. The core of the story and its intended direction remain the same, but my approach is different this time. I believe this is true for all my stories. For instance, if I were to revisit Desert Sunflower, it would still be a revenge story, but I would handle it much better than in the original. At times, I feel like I can be too much of a perfectionist.
Panel from: Hollow Gromoire
GlobalComix: Any words of encouragement to others who are wanting to make manga like you or maybe need some advice?
Aka Studio: Just do it and have fun! When I was putting out my original stories, the only thing I worried about was having fun not comparing myself to others. Remember, comparison is the thief of joy. So don’t feel like you have to compete with anyone or work yourself to exhaustion to create a manga. Enjoy the process, have fun, and tell the stories that you love. And don’t forget to take care of your health!
Thank you so much to Aka Studio for making time to talk to us and sharing your insights. It's tough work being a mangaka, especially outside of Japan, and as the community grows, we'll need folks like you to lead the way. If you'd like to read Hollow Grimoire or follow Aka Studio on their various social media, check out the links below.
- Follow Aka Studio on GlobalComix here
- Keep up with Aka Studio on Instagram
- Connect with Aka Studio on Twitter
- Follow Aka Studio on Bluesky
- Find even more Aka Studio's sites here on Linktree
- Don't forget to check out Hollow Grimoire on GlobalComix!
In a world where Daimon—mystical entities reflecting humanity’s inner thoughts, emotions, and hidden desires—pose a constant threat, only the descendants of those who once consumed the fabled Origin Apple can protect humanity. These descendants, known as sorcerers, possess the power to wield Mana, a force derived from the soul itself. Tasked with shielding humanity from Daimon and rogue sorcery, the Aegis Organization is the first line of defense. At the heart of this battle are Hakeem Aboye and Erika Penragon, rookie sorcerers with clashing yet complementary talents. Hakeem, an astute and cocky strategist with a sharp tongue, finds himself paired with Erika, a blunt and slightly airheaded combat prodigy. Together, they must overcome their contrasting personalities and navigate the challenges of partnership.