Manga Tool Hunt |
(check back for updates)
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We take a look at the desks of various mangaka and see what tools they are using, then locate places to buy them if you'd like to try them out. We have found that many wester art suppliers don't tend to list manga supplies, so we have pulled links together for you. Many are on amazon but not all, some are sponsored, some aren't.
To read a more in depth look at each tool by C.T. Anderson Click here to join.
To read a more in depth look at each tool by C.T. Anderson Click here to join.
FTC Disclosure: Please note that some of the links on this page are affiliate or referral links and we may earn a small commission paid by the retailer at no extra cost to you. Thank you for your support!
Zenko
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ME! ha, what's on my desk?? I've turned to digital but have found plenty of good tools for traditional too.
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My main tool now is the 22" XP pen tablet and Clip Studio (they have quarterly sales, follow their twitter for a heads up)
before the tablet I would draw corrections with a mouse, and while I don't recommend it, if you choose that path let me suggest a gaming mouse. I used this Reddragon, the Dpi is adjustable and they are weighted, it really makes a difference (mine just died and I already miss is)
BUT for traditional tools: Pencil: Pentel 205 (0.5mm) and Refills Pens: Nikko nibs, Tachikawa holder, Pilot G2 (crosshatching and fine detail), Pentel Fude pen , Tombow Fudenosuke, Copic multiliner 0.5 and 0.1 Black Ink: Yasutomo Sumi ink or Kaimei Bokujyu Sumi ink White ink : Deleter white2 Manuscript Paper: Deleter B4 or IC (Deleter doesn't smudge as easily) Book for manuscript paper (11"x14"): Itoya Profolio Quilting rulers in a few sizes, I like that they are see through : 1x6" / 3x18" / 1x12.5" Erasers: Pentel HI-polymer eraser (by the 10 pack) Misc: Desk brush |
*the magazine makes a 10-25% commission on this link at no cost to you.
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As a Dick Blick and CJ associate we may earn from qualifying purchases
C. Thomas Anderson
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Traditional artist and creator of Ink Blots $ Coffee Stains, the all-too-relatable manga creating 4koma.
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As an Amazon, Dick Blick and CJ associate we may earn from qualifying purchases
Masashi Kishimoto
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Masashi Kishimoto, creator of Naruto has a fairly sparse and tidy desk . He seems to mostly use markers and several tools seen commonly on mangaka desks.
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Kishimoto’s desk is probably best known for his huge Copic collection!
Copic markers are cost preventative for many artists, but as they are refillable they are a good quality investment if you work with markers frequently
Since their rise in popularity around 2015, and the resulting shortage, they have become much easier to find in art supply stores or on Amazon. Unfortunately, due to blending, you need to by each color in a set of 3 (light/dark/medium) greatly increasing to cost of your initial investment. As you use them nibs, ink and even the shuttle are replaceable and a the refills go fairly far. If you can’t invest all at once, buy a little at a time by adding them to other art supply orders!
I bought my small set from Merriartist, a small art supply store run by artists in Oregon, as they have a great offer. Sketch markers are usually on sale for $5.85, spend $50 get 5% off, spend 11 get 10% off.
Copic markers are cost preventative for many artists, but as they are refillable they are a good quality investment if you work with markers frequently
Since their rise in popularity around 2015, and the resulting shortage, they have become much easier to find in art supply stores or on Amazon. Unfortunately, due to blending, you need to by each color in a set of 3 (light/dark/medium) greatly increasing to cost of your initial investment. As you use them nibs, ink and even the shuttle are replaceable and a the refills go fairly far. If you can’t invest all at once, buy a little at a time by adding them to other art supply orders!
I bought my small set from Merriartist, a small art supply store run by artists in Oregon, as they have a great offer. Sketch markers are usually on sale for $5.85, spend $50 get 5% off, spend 11 get 10% off.
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Kisimoto's tools : Many of these are popular and common tools among mangaka
Mono eraser and Kneaded eraser Pilot ink Tachikawa dip pen Copic sketch (or Ciao) Posca white Pen Desk brush Sakura Millipens (or from DickBlick) |
As an Amazon, Dick Blick and CJ associate we may earn from qualifying purchases
Tite Kubo
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Tite Kubo, creator of Bleach has a fairly chaotic desk, but it’s not the worst we’ve seen. It feels like he may work in different spots not just this one.
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Tite Kubo’s most recogniseable tool is the squeezy fude pen from Pentel, used to create beautiful calligraphic lines in his artwork and sound effects. These pens are fairly inexpensive, refillable and come in several brush sizes. They are a little weird to use at first but once you get the hang of it can be easily used for both dry brush and fluid ink techniques. The nylon bristles keep the tip shape fairly well, just take care when you return the lid, and there’s no need to wash it off between strokes. Be careful not to squeeze too hard or it will drip!
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Tite Kubo's desk: It's hard to tell from the photos what he uses but the refillable Pentel Fude pen is a must have!
Copic multiliners : Refillable or Disposable Feather desk brush Non Photo blue pencil : regular or mechanical |
As an Amazon, Dick Blick and CJ associate we may earn from qualifying purchases
Junji Ito
Junji Ito is known for his intense and controlled detail.
To achieve this he uses the harder tip of a maru or mapping nib with dib ink . A school nib is also good for this. I suspect he uses Zebra (green holder) but there are several brands to try including Nikko, Kuritake, Tachikawa, IC and Deleter etc. Try different nibs and holders and see what your hand likes. Different shaped holders change the grip and control which is an important for detail!
Spending a lot of time on a page increases the chance of smudging. Quicker drying ink, absorbent paper and scratch paper to place between your hand and work all help. For large amounts of ink a hairdryer can be a good cheat! When smudges or mistakes happen, regular white out doesn’t work well , Lion brand is popular among mangaka as is Deleter white 2.
His pages are intensified by extra work done digitally, it can all get very intense!
To achieve this he uses the harder tip of a maru or mapping nib with dib ink . A school nib is also good for this. I suspect he uses Zebra (green holder) but there are several brands to try including Nikko, Kuritake, Tachikawa, IC and Deleter etc. Try different nibs and holders and see what your hand likes. Different shaped holders change the grip and control which is an important for detail!
Spending a lot of time on a page increases the chance of smudging. Quicker drying ink, absorbent paper and scratch paper to place between your hand and work all help. For large amounts of ink a hairdryer can be a good cheat! When smudges or mistakes happen, regular white out doesn’t work well , Lion brand is popular among mangaka as is Deleter white 2.
His pages are intensified by extra work done digitally, it can all get very intense!
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Junji Ito Spooky Master of manga, uses both traditional and digital tools. From his desk under bunk bed.
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Nibs and holders: Tachikawa Comic Pen Nib Holder / Kuretake Zig Manga Nibs and Holder
/Nikko manga nibs / Zebra Maru nibs Ink: Kaimei Drawing Sol ink White: Deleter white / Misnon white correction fluid |
As an Amazon, Dick Blick and CJ associate we may earn from qualifying purchases
Takeshi Obata
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Takeshi Obata’s bakuman is often the go-to for budding manga creators and dreamers. His fine lines and vibrant artwork stays with you. Would you be surprised to learn most of his tools are the same as many other manga creators? Like Tite Kubo he uses Pilot dipping ink and the Pentel Fude brush pen!
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Takeshi Obata has a fine, organic, flowing style and uses Gpens, spoon or saji pens, Copics and more to great effect. Make sure to use the right paper! Manga paper is thick , so it will stand up to lots of erasing and tone scraping. Not all paper is the same. Deleter absorbs ink quickly and cleanly resulting in less smudging. IC is much more affordable but the ink stays on the surface longer so be more careful as you work.
Copic paper is coated and one sided to keep the ink on the surface where the alcohol evaporates and less ink is absorbed. Normal paper will suck it up like a wick, you will spend much more on extra ink than a pad of specialty marker paper.
Copic paper is coated and one sided to keep the ink on the surface where the alcohol evaporates and less ink is absorbed. Normal paper will suck it up like a wick, you will spend much more on extra ink than a pad of specialty marker paper.
Brause nib holder : Amazon/Dickblick
Deleter paper , IC manuscript paper
Pilot ink
Copic sketch (or Ciao) , Copic paper
Spoon nib
Deleter paper , IC manuscript paper
Pilot ink
Copic sketch (or Ciao) , Copic paper
Spoon nib
Yoshitaka Amano
Caran d'Ache Pablo colored pencils: Amazon/ DickBlick
Kaimei Sumi Ink
Schmincke Pigment Ink
Sakura Cray-pas
Sakura Crayon
Liquitex Basics acrylic paint
Kaimei Sumi Ink
Schmincke Pigment Ink
Sakura Cray-pas
Sakura Crayon
Liquitex Basics acrylic paint
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"Once your life is too stable, your creative dies."
Yoshitaka Amano was born in 1952 in a small town at the foot of mount Fuji in Shizuoka, Japan. As a child, he reveled in making unbroken loops of drawings on the huge paper rolls that his brother brought home from his job at a paper factory. "I don't remember a time when I wasn't making drawings," he recalls. He went on to collaborate with numerous writers, creating close to 20 illustrated books that have sold millions of copies . |
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Yuu Watase
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Yuu Watase has described her former editor would bulldoze her ideas to make room for his won and would constantly ask her to redraw scenes, which led to imense stress and exhaustion. In her blog she talks about being sick all the time.
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Sites where we have found Manga supplies:
We're not affiliated by these sites and are not paid by them, we try to list sites we have used ourselves.
