Thoughts on my manga so far

[candiedcotton]

See, when I think manga I think more of something that is actually japanese, generally. The reading left-to-right was my issue, it doesn't make sense for this. And yeah, I see the resemblance to Naruto (I haven't ever watched/read it myself). Manga can be in a lot of different styles, though typically it does have that distinct style (like in Naruto). But the general term 'manga' in japan is literally just the word people use for comics. Like how 'anime' to us might mean a certain style, but it's actually literally anything animated that comes -from- japan.

I'll also agree there seems to be a potential tracing issue, but that's another can of worms.

To me it looks more like western attempting to copy manga, but that's just my perspective. Either way, I think the reading left-to-right is the major issue here and it's just going to hurt the comic more than offer it anything good.

[thecrystalrook]

It wasn't nasty. I asked to not have the pointless debate again, because it always come up. It's not a valid criticism.

Yes, the word 漫画 means comic book. Therefore, by definition, marketing it as such is valid.

[candiedcotton]

Okay. You're the one making the debate. I'm not interested in debating. I gave my feedback on the manga, what I felt would be helpful to the OP. That's it. They can take or leave it. You can agree or not agree. I'm not sure why you're doing this.

[thecrystalrook]

Because you told op to not market it as manga for reasons that arent necessarily correct, and that in my mind is bad advice.

[candiedcotton]

Okay. Again, you don't have to agree? You don't have to come at me either, though. Live and let live, homie.

[thecrystalrook]

Think you should read the original comment again. The only thing directed at you is the first sentence. Everything else is directed at OP. Certainly not "coming at you."

[margodraws]

It's been several years since I last read Naruto, and the art/story influence seems pretty strong even to me. If that's something you want to avoid, maybe broadening your references would be a good idea.

I'd also advise against making a right-to-left comic in English, because aside from readers finding it awkward, your (English-speaking?) artist seems to find it difficult as well. There are instances where the composition, the direction the characters are moving/facing, and even speech bubble placement that's encouraging reading in the opposite direction. (on mobile rn but I'll update with some examples later!)

[nofacedrawer]

The first page of your "manga" is the most explicit ripoff of Naruto I've seen to date.
It's ok to borrow the ninja concept, but you need ideas of your own.

[Jwebtoons]

The manga vs webcomic debate aside. Yes my work is inspired by naruto, but also many other manga. Some of which have already made appearances in the chapters. Surprised no one noticed/commented on them,

No there was no tracing done. I planned out each scene and talked it over with the artist.

I wasn't even thinking of those pictures when designing the cover. The similarity is surprising. I just kept using the same cover for each chapter because I thought I should wait a few chapters before changing it.

[Jwebtoons]

There's no need to be rude. I didn't rip off anything. I wanted the cover to show the main characters and their master/current village chief because they are important to the story and the first characters you meet.

The tree behind him represents his level of growth and skill. The protagonists have little sprouts in front of them representing their lack of experience in comparison. The characters expressions/actions on the cover shows off their personalities. Get rid of the characters you get a large tree nurturing smaller plants helping them grow.

I never used the word "ninja" in my story. If you see characters jumping through trees you can't just say "It's a naruto rip off". I can name several moments in other manga/stories where the characters leapt through trees.

[Jwebtoons]

Yes English is my first language. I did this right to left because when a manga reader reads a translated manga in their own language it still keeps the same format (right to left). It didn't seem any different to me.

Didn't seem to matter where a story came from. If it looks a certain way or has a certain style then readers would expect a certain format, so I went with what felt right.

It might not be a manga by traditional means. I'm not sure what gives it a western feel. I do know that a first glance it looks like a manga that was translated, so that's what I went with. I also put a note as like the second page of the first chapter saying to read it from right to left.

[system]

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