In the competitive world of manga creation, aspiring artists face an uphill battle to get their series published. Every year, hundreds of hopeful creators vie for a publishing spot, and even industry veterans like Masashi Kishimoto (Naruto creator) face challenges when launching new projects.
For Ken Wakui, creator of Tokyo Revengers and Astro Negai, a major rejection finally set him on the path to success. In a recent interview with Natalie, Wakui opened up about his career journey, revealing that his first manga submission to Shonen Jump was met with rejection.
Ken Wakui's Journey: From Rejection to Success in Manga
Reflecting on that experience, Wakui explained,
“I brought it too [my work] The first is Shonen Jump. But my style wasn't right and it wasn't chosen. At that time, I was asked to draw something more familiar to my interests elsewhere. So when I drew the manga Shinjuku Swan, people told me it was very interesting there.”
Undeterred by failure, Wakui determined to pursue his passion for manga. He took a leap of faith, quit his job, and spent a year honing his skills. Focused on improving, Wakui diligently practiced drawing and honed his skills.
With the work completed, he began introducing Shinjuku Swan to Kodansha, demonstrating his unwavering perseverance in pursuing his goal of becoming a manga artist.
Wakui's persistence paid off when Shinjuku Swan achieved success, running for eight years and establishing Wakui as a recognized innovator in the industry. This paved the way for the launch of Tokyo Revengers in 2017, further cementing Wakui's reputation as a talented mangaka.
Now, Wakui finds himself busy with Astro Negai, his latest series, published by Shonen Jump—an interesting twist of fate given his previous rejection by the publisher.
For those unfamiliar with Tokyo Revengers, Wakui's popular manga is now available on the K Manga app, giving readers a chance to learn about its intriguing plot.
Meanwhile, Astro Negai releases new chapters weekly on the Shonen Jump app, giving fans fresh content to enjoy. As Wakui continues to make his mark in the manga industry, his journey is a testament to the power of perseverance and dedication in pursuing one's dreams.