Should I use kawaii style for silly comics?

[MadComics]

Hello guys,

I am very new to making comics and to the idea of picking a style for drawing. I publish funny comics and try to find humor in everyday life situations or outright silly comics.

My question is should I use kawaii style for it? I feel kawaii is more on the cute and couple side than funny or silly. I would to hear your thoughts on this one and please mention if you find any such silly comics in kawaii styles.

Thanks a lot.

[Kelheor]

There's literally no such thing as "kawaii style" =) Kawaii means cute, do you mean a particularly cute anime style, or something else?
Anyway, I don't think it's a question of "should you or should you not", it's a question of whether you want to draw like this. If you want to make cute comics in cute looking style, sure, go and learn how to draw in it

[arcojawa]

I think the proper term is Super Deformed? I dunno, most Westerners just use the term "Chibi".

In any case, it's just an art style and honestly? If you want to use it- use it! Style can affect who reads your comic but is mostly inconsequential. There are a few styles, especially the more grotesque styles, that only have a fairly small audience, but I'm fairly certain super deformed isn't one of them.

[NickRowler]

When you say kawaii style do you mean stuff that looks like Sanrio and Tokidoki? That is what I think of when people say that. I don’t know why other people on here are unfamiliar with it and no it is not chibi.

[Kelheor]

Sanrio

Ah, well, if Hello Kitty is a "kawaii style", okay then =) It just never occurred to me that's a particular style, I beg your pardon

[NickRowler]

I don't know if there is an official Japanese name for it, I have always seen it referred to as "kawaii style" due to it being Japanese inspired but doesn't really look like anime.

[MadComics]

Yes everywhere I searched it was mentioned as "kawaii style" so I had the impression that it is more popular name. Yes hello kitty is kind of style.

See I feel I am not very good at art and I want to keep my art simple like "safely endangered". My main focus is on content as I am looking to publish silly jokes and for which I believe drawings are secondary and more like just to complement the joke. So Im looking to learn more simplistic art style.

[NickRowler]

If you want to have a simple style and find inspiration from other artist with a similar style, that is fine.

I think something you need to be mindful of it being able to create a simple designed character that is still interesting and engaging to the reader. And also being able to not rely too much on the simple style that you can't push yourself outside your comfort zone.

[AVXP]

My question is should I use kawaii style for it?

1) You need to LOVE your style so the choice is YOURS to make.
2) Post examples of your demo style and maybe a few versions so everyone knows what you mean. You're asking for feedback on something no one has seen.

[Zaboem]

Maybe try a short term gag-a-day comic. It could be experimental for you and give you an excuse to try several different styles until you find the one you like best -- or if you are not a narcissist, the one you hate the least.

[darthmongoose]

For examples of cute manga art styles used for silly gag comics, it's probably a good idea to look at examples of Japanese yon-koma (4-panel) manga like Azumanga Daioh, Lucky Star, or as a non-4-koma gag comic would be Hetalia. A lot of more serious manga like Fullmetal Alchemist also do yon-koma omake at the end of chapters or volumes too.

Personally I think if you don't over-detail the art style, it can work really well. Azumanga Daioh is in my opinion one of the funniest comics ever.

[WOSTR]

Chibi style artwork?
It's up to you yet I find it a good choice, it's eye catching, silly and easy to knock up once you get the hang of it (who cares about proportions with this style?) and you can play around with a range of colour pallets.

[MadComics]

Thanks a lot for the suggestions. I feel sometimes I over detail things and they start to look bad.

[MadComics]

Originally I planned to post a link of my comic but I thought I will be misunderstood as self promoter so I only explained what I create in simple words..

Here are my comics:
https://tapas.io/series/Mad-comics

[MadComics]

Thank you so much for the advise. I am very much inspired by "Safely endangered" and "Mr Lovenstien" comics and want I love how simple they draw yet the art looks really good and comics are awesome.

[MadComics]

Yes my current series is a daily post of some joke and I will start experimenting stuff. I will mix and match stuff until I find something that looks good as well as people like it. Thanks

[MadComics]

Thank you for the suggestions I will look into these comics and hopefully will find some inspiration too.

[MadComics]

One of the biggest factor is that I found it easy to be learned (Hope I'm right about it), simple and cute and silly at the same time.

[WOSTR]

What works for you is what's right 🏾