About

Designed for writers, artists, and visual storytellers, the program emphasizes story logic and emotional engagement over technical drawing ability. At the end of the eight weeks, you'll leave with the essential skills to build memorable characters, construct clear storyboards (nemu), and direct professional manga sequences with confidence.

Overview

Why choose this course

Understand the fundamental storytelling principles that define authentic manga.
Create complete characters with strong motivations, flaws, and emotional depth.
Develop story ideas from logline to structured plot using kishōtenketsu and other professional narrative tools.
Design visually coherent nemu (storyboards) that communicate rhythm, pacing, and emotion.
Construct manga pages with clear panel layout (komawari) and balanced emotional rhythm.
Direct sequences using effective camera angles, panel transitions, and reader-focused pacing.
Refine storyboards based on feedback which follows professional Japanese editing methods.
Produce a final short manga project (4–8 pages) demonstrating full command of character, structure, and page direction.

Programme Structure

Module 1: Creating Strong Characters (Part 1)Module 1: Creating Strong Characters (Part 2)Module 2: Building Solid Stories (Part 1)Module 2: Building Solid Stories (Part 2)Module 3: Structuring Clear Manga Pages (Part 1)Module 3: Structuring Clear Manga Pages (Part 2)Module 4: Directing Your Manga, Emotion to EmotionModule 5: Solidifying Your Knowledge

Lecturers

Elena Vitagliano - An award winning UK-based Italian Manga Artist and Storyteller, and 2018 winner in the Grand Prix at the Silent Manga Audition; the first European Artist to publish a manga one shot on Shonen Jump Plus with Miriam of the Skulls, now available in English on Manga Plus. She also teaches on our Mastering Manga Storytelling evening - online short course at Escape Studios.

Key information

Duration

Full-time
- 2 months

Start dates & application deadlines

Starting 2027-03-24 00:00:00

Apply anytime.

Language

English

Delivered

Online

Fully structured
Proactive tutoring and support

Campus Location

London, United Kingdom

Disciplines

Graphic Design Painting & Drawing Animation View 10 other Short Courses in Painting & Drawing in United Kingdom

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Academic requirements

We are not aware of any specific GRE, GMAT or GPA grading score requirements for this programme.

English requirements

We are not aware of any English requirements for this programme.

Other requirements

General requirements

We welcome and encourage applications from students with a variety of backgrounds, experiences and perspectives.To study this short course, you must:

Be over 18
Have a good understanding of written and spoken English (we recommend a B2 level)
Feel comfortable using a computer.

Technological requirements

You will need:

Dual monitor setup is recommended
A strong internet connection
Cloud storage or external hard drive to back up your work, 1TB+ recommended
A three-button mouse or graphics tablet.
A computer microphone and webcam
Note-taking materials.

Tuition Fees

Tuition fees are shown in and the most likely applicable fee is shown based on your nationality.

International Applies to you

Applies to you

Non-residents

750 GBP / full

≈ 750 GBP / full
Domestic Applies to you

Applies to you

Citizens or residents

750 GBP / full

≈ 750 GBP / full

Additional Details

Save 30% off an evening - online short course starting in March when you apply by 9th March 2026.

Funding

Improve page content

Mastering Manga Storytelling: Characters, Pages and Narrative Flow Escape Studios