Dear friends around the world,
I am a manga artist working in Japan.
I’m always deeply grateful that so many people around the world passionately support and praise Japanese manga. Whenever I meet readers and friends at events and hear them tell me “Your work is amazing,” it gives me strength and encouragement.
However, the reality of being a manga artist today is very different from what many people imagine.
Right now, being a manga artist is often not a sustainable profession. To create and publish “the stories hidden deep within our hearts,” many artists must endure years of unpaid labor, submitting work with no guarantee of serialization or income. Even after years of effort, many creators receive nothing in return and disappear from the industry without ever getting a chance.
Of course, drawing adaptations of other people’s stories or light novels can become paid work. But those are not “my stories.”
I did not become an artist simply to illustrate light novels.
If that were my goal, there would be no reason for me to specifically be a manga artist.
That is why, even knowing how difficult it is, I do not want to stop drawing stories that come from myself — not imitations, not copies, but my own voice.
I understand that helping one struggling manga artist alone will not change the entire system.
But this time, I’ve been given the opportunity to challenge a new style of publishing — one where I must personally earn the funds necessary to continue creating.
I know this is a difficult request, but…
to my dear friends around the world:
Would you consider supporting future manga artists — and supporting me?
Thank you very much for your support.
#MangaArtist
Abacho
The publication of an e-book of Bill's manga in Japan will be realized through the "NFT Manga Project in Africa"! Bill said, "I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the embassies and companies for realizing the opportunity to connect the cultures of our two countries."