Ramblings Of An Aspiring Manga-Ka

It's the year 2008. Let's face it: the current video games sold in stores are not your usual Super Mario, Pacman, and Tetris. They do not just ask the player to navigate a group of orange blocks on top of another for the stage to be cleared, nor do they ask the player to continuously slay dozens of flying demons in every stage to be able to save the princess. No. Video games today are revolutionary and innovative, and they cater to the player's need of recreation and momentary reality escape.

Moments ago I have read an interesting article from the net, saying that Video Games Do Not Need Writers. Along with that, I have read several comments regarding the article: some of them supported the statement and some of them didn't. Since I wasn't a member of said website, I wasn't able to post a comment, and so I'll post my say in my tabulas account.

First of all, VIDEO GAMES NEED GOOD WRITERS. I'm not saying this because I am an aspiring writer myself, but because it is the truth. Lots of video games today have fantastic gameplay, but they lack substance, a.k.a. a good storyline.

Sure, some video games do not need writers at all, for writers will complicate said games. Examples of such games are your usual PC Chess. Surely, you cannot imagine your black bishop taunting a white knight or something. That'd be just weird. Another example is Super Mario. Mario has been saving the princess for quite some time now [years actually], and yet the game sells millions of copies every year. When talking about these kind of games, I'd have to agree: THEY DO NOT NEED WRITERS.

But games in the roleplaying, adventure, and strategy/tactical genre need writers, as much as it needs designers and programmers. The storyline serves as the lifeblood of these games: without a good one, you might as well flush the project down the toilet.

The storyline gives life and color to the game. The plot gives it a unique twist different from other games. The characters would act as companions to the player, and they will aid him/her as he/she encounters different problems in a world completely alien to him/her. Honestly, I cannot elaborate how important a good storyline is, for I will surely be flooding my own page.

There are different kinds of players, or as we put it, "gamers". But these kinds can be narrowed down into two types: the rpg/adventure-loving ones, and the action-loving ones.

The action-loving ones prefer games such as Rival Schools, Tiberian Sun, Mortal Kombat, Streetfighters, etc. Most of the time, they're the ones who play games just because they are, well, games. I'm not generalizing but from my experience and from the people I know, that's what I've noticed. Heck, my sister is one fine example. She refuses to play rpg games because she says it's a waste of time. She'd rather watch me play them than play it herself, but she enjoys Tekken and Pocket Fighters a lot, games which do not really require much thinking [except for what buttons to press to pull of a super-duper technique]. These games do not require writers, but some of them require definite character backgrounds. That would make everything more interesting.

The rpg/adventure-loving ones prefer games such as Suikoden, the Tales Series, the Final Fantasy Series, Spyro the Dragon, etc. Most of the time, they're the ones who play games because they want to momentarily escape reality and be someone completely different from who they are. They're the ones who want to go on adventures, to encounter monsters and defeat them, and to meet extraordinarily unique people along the way. I am one of these people, that's why I value storyline a lot. Usually, I'd buy a video game after reading the synopsis at the back of its package, and usually, I'd buy a game whose story aroused my interest. When it comes to Suikoden, I'd buy it even if I don't read the back part. It's my favorite and I'm a bit biased, but that's not the issue here.

Anyway...

Good writers don't have to be professionals. In fact, I'd recommend video game companies to hire willing and dedicated writers who have a great deal of imagination and who are as good as any other professional there is. I'd recommend them to hire writers whose minds are still not corrupted by the corporal aspect of being a video game writer, writers whose minds are still free of "stuffiness".

What's really annoying is the fact that some video game companies rush production, and so they produce ridiculous games with no substance or thrill whatsoever, and they sell them to the market. I pity the people who buy/have bought said games. Wasted money indeed.

Basically, what I'm trying to say is that most video games today need good writers, writers who will provide players a fresh new atmosphere and a whole new world. Writers who are able to create fresh characters and new concepts. Writers who will manage to reach out to the player, to make him/her feel connected to the story of the game, and to make him/her feel like he/she's a part of it.

If you ask me, that's what a good storyline does, and by God we really need them.

I am from the Philippines and let me tell you, Anime is such a hit here! Wherever you go, you can find anime novelty shops, and the bookstores are filled with authentic manga. Conventions are often held here and there are lots of people who attend them.

In fact, it's such a hit that many Filipino anime fans try their hands in making one. And I am one of those people.

I actually admire Filipino teenagers who work hard to write anime stories, draw original characters, draw the manga itself, etc. I am a writer and I don't draw that much, that's why I envy artists. All I can draw are different outfits for my characters, but that's just about it. The looks of my characters are all purely based from my imagination, and then I tell my sister how they look like for her to be able to draw them.

Filipino "manga-kas" are actually very talented. I have seen creations that look like authentic Japanese manga, maybe even better. The only problem here is that the comics industry of the Philippines doesn't support these budding young artists. They're still hell bent on preserving the traditional "Filipino comics". They're not yet open to embracing the anime style of comics from Japan.

They claim that Filipinos should produce our own comic-style, something very much Filipino. Reality check: even the comic-style they claim as Filipino is actually a combination of different comic-styles. Heck, even anime is a combination of different comic-styles! If they want to see authentic Filipino style, they should try visiting the caves or museums. The cave writings there would certainly prove to be "Filipino" enough.

There are actually companies here who are trying to produce manga. The only problem is that they can't seem to produce it the traditional way, a.k.a. tankobon-style. What they do is that they produce small magazine-like "manga", yep, with colors, and they sell it for a high price. Usually, said magazines have multiple stories in them, one chapter each per issue.

Said one chapter is normally made up of twelve pages, six back-to-back pages. Whoa.

You won't be able to elaborate the chapter enough within twelve pages. You won't be able to charm the reader to buy the next issue with just twelve pages. You won't be able to make an impact with just twelve pages. Heck, if you seriously are passionate about the industry and about your story, twelve pages aren't enough for you. Even if it's hard, you would try to produce more, since you want your readers to appreciate the story and the art.

What I'm trying to say is that Filipino manga-kas shouldn't be disheartened just because of this. They have talents and they should nurture those talents. They mustn't give up their dreams.

Someday, those dreams will come true.

Okay, so I really, really want a job already, even though I'm still fifteen, particularly in the fields of anime and video gaming. I want to gather experience already. I may sound impulsive, but I really am determined.

I've searched for possible jobs on the net, but unfortunately, there are only a few jobs out there, and most of them require a diploma. I've also realized that I really need a resume. So, I've decided to post my resume here instead!

Here it goes! (Take note: I'm not an expert when it comes to resumes. In fact, I know nothing, except that it contains your background, why you want the job, etc.)

Name: Pamela Luber

Country: Philippines

Age: 15

Educational Background: I'm an upcoming fourth year high school student (schoolyear 2008-2009).

Skills: Any form of writing, computer programming (Visual Basic, Q-Basic, Turbo Pascal, Robolab), robot designing, communication (oral and written), badminton (if that helps)

Particular Jobs I Want: Manga Writer, Video Game Storyboard/Script Writer, Anime/Video Game Online Article Writer

Why You Should Hire Me: I'm determined and dedicated and I've always wanted this. I will work hard and I do not require a high wage, since I'm still a student.

Job Form: Work-at-home

Why I'm Unique: I have conceptualized nineteen original anime series, one gaming series, and have written four of them. That just goes to show how dedicated and hard-working I am!

Ok, that was a pathetic try. But I hope someone who needs my services manages to read this! :D

I am currently fifteen years old, and I have already conceptualized nineteen anime series and one game series, and have already written four of those anime series. I'm currently writing the fifth, along with answering schoolwork and doing other chores.

So why am I so hooked up on doing this? I'm just making my life hard and complicated right?

Well, I'll tell you why. It's because it's my PASSION. I LOVE writing and conceptualizing animes, so much so that I've made nineteen of them already. I LOVE creating unique characters and I LOVE writing plots and plot twists. I LOVE imagining different places, where my characters could interact. I LOVE everything about making an anime. I LOVE ANIME.

Writing anime is like cooking a stew. Yes, cooking a stew. The concept and story are the recipe. You pour in water or tomato sauce and voila, you have a setting. You toss in a few characters and you get ingredients boiling inside the pot. Mix well for great episodes and a great plot. Once it's done boiling, serve hot. Eat. Consume every word, every character, and every magical experience they went through. That is how to make a good anime (and stew for that matter!).

For me, the most fun part in writing an anime is creating characters. There's just something about it that makes my heart swell with joy. It's like I'm actually creating life in paper. Every character should be detailed and unique, an individuality which sets them apart from the other characters.

The most amazing part of writing an anime is when you get to finish it. I've finished four of my animes, and everytime I write "THE END", an indescribable joy fills my whole being. No, no, I'm not over-reacting. You can ask others. The fact that you've finished a story is enough to make you feel happy. Whenever I write "THE END", I remember the times I've spent with the characters in their respective quests and adventures. I remember their individual happy and sad moments. I also remember the hard work I've put into making that particular story.

But the most rewarding part of writing an anime is getting others to like it. Some of my friends and cousins read my finished animes and I'm very happy to say that all of them liked it. Some even prod me to write more, which I will do willingly. It gives me inspiration and strength to continue what I've been doing. It makes me happy to see that my characters and stories make others happy.

All in all, writing an anime is hard work. One must be patient, hard-working, and persevering, for if one isn't, one won't be able to finish even three chapters. I admit, there are days when I question myself for doing this, but then in the end, my love for all of it wins, and I find myself completely recharged to write another chapter or two. I try to write at least 3 pages everyday, after doing schoolwork.

All of this may sound like a pain in the neck, but trust me, the satisfaction it brings is second to none.