Shoujo Manga Clubroom
What do you think?
It might be difficult for you at your level...
I can sense that you have a spark of talent, though...
But for shoujo manga, you must draw pictures that are souls, seen through the eye of the heart.
And besides, this isn't manga.
Y-Yeah...
I wish there was something I could do for you as the senior member of the club...
Episode 34: Onee-san Romantic Laboratory
I'm done!
It's finally finished!
I am Saotome Roma-!
What's goin' on?
Roman, are you okay?
I... am Saotome Roman.
Looks like her spirits have been dashed.
What's this?
Thank you!
Just from a glance, I can tell that's really something.
You going to submit it somewhere?
Nope!
See, I've got a promising new first-year in our club!
She's the first person I've ever had to mentor... I'm so happy!
Oh yeah... There's been a first-year I ain't seen before hanging around...
She doesn't really know much about how to draw manga yet.
So, as her elder, I thought hard about what I could do for her!
And this is what I've come up with!
Craptastic Manga Laboratory Romantic?
I'm gonna teach you how to draw shoujo manga!
Saotome Roman's Craptastic Manga Laboratory R(Romantic)
You're gonna teach her with this?!
Since we're all here, I'd love to hear your opinions!
Could you see if reading this helps a complete newcomer learn how to draw manga?
Roman, teaching other people how to draw manga?
I don't really wanna look...
It starts off with how the student HetaP-kun decides to aim for being a manga artist!
Well, let's try without butting in too much...
Yeah. Let's keep it to ourselves.
Step 0: Let's be a Manga Artist!
I'm Saotome Roman!
I'm a top-selling manga artist!
Gao! You're cute so I'm gonna attack you!
Kya! A monster is attacking in broad daylight!
Just then, a lone boy comes walking by!
Ah! Oh, no!
A girl is being attacked in the middle of the day by a monster!
Gao!
Save me!
I'll call police right away!
In that case, have a taste of my G pen!
Gigyah!
Help meeeee...
Are you okay?
Totally fine.
So, what was that you just used?
This is called a G pen. It's a pen that manga artists use.
Oh, a G pen, huh?
Maybe I can be a manga artist, too!
What the hell?!
Seriously, what the hell?!
This is like some usual motivation story!
This has nothing to do with manga at all!
I figured creating an episode explaining why he wanted to be a manga artist...
What motivation?!
All Roman-sensei did was stab a monster with a G pen!
Now, now...
And that's how HetaP-kun began his manga training!
She thinks people can actually learn about manga from this?
Honestly, she's...
But putting her art aside, Roman's knowledge of manga is the real deal.
Well, that's true.
We're amateurs, so I guess it wouldn't hurt to see what she wrote...
Righto...
On the next page, I have all kinds of manga tools laid out for easy viewing!
Let's study them together!
Step 1: The Tools Used to Draw Manga!
Pen nib: There are various types like G pens and round pens...
Pen holder: There are various types. Choose one that suits you.
Ink: There are various types.
Correction Fluid: The most popular is Misunon but there are various types.
Mechanical Pencil: There really are various types, so find one your hand is comfortable with.
Screen Tone: There are various types!
Brush Pen: There's more types than you might think! Their uses depend on thickness.
Cutter: There's not really that many kinds, but there are various types.
Tea: You can't draw manga without this!
There are various types of tools used to draw manga!
Let's study them together!
Yes, Sensei!
That's damn hard to read!
We really don't need that weird pattern around everything!
That's called screen tone.
I have a fear of white space,
so if there's too much left in the manuscript I always end up wanting to fill it in.
Listen to the newbie trying to sound like a pro!
And something's different about the student character...
What happened to HetaP-kun?
His dreams crushed, he left Tokyo for good.
Heavy for no reason!
Roman, what's this?
That's drafting ink.
Drafting ink?
It's water-based, colored ink.
When you use painting supplies,
using waterproof document ink so it doesn't erase with water is useful.
But the one flaw is that it'll dull if you take an eraser to it.
Now then, the most important tool for drawing manga is, of course, the pen!
Each has a different feel depending on their maker and type.
Let's have a look.
This is a G pen.
This is a round pen.
This is a chrome-plated turnip pen.
This one's aluminum.
And this one's a school pen.
Next, it's important to make sure you are holding the pen correctly.
Proper posture is also a must.
With a slight amount of force, hold it properly.
Then, relax your shoulders, and head straight toward the page...
Like this!
You call that drawin'?!
I knew this was gonna happen!
I so knew this was gonna happen!
But the way you built up to it was very impressive!
Fine, whatever!
Next!
Step 2: How to Draw Faces!
Um... Roman-sensei...
People's faces are totally hard to drawy-wary!
Great, the guy's started using Momo-tan language.
Don't try to force yourself to stand out!
Koita, is something amiss?
You, too!
Yeah... I'm totally unskilled, so I can't draw people's faces.
Keep the way he speaks consistent!
You are truly skilless.
And thus I shall teach you the basics!
Their character keeps changing!
The easiest way to draw a proper face is to draw guidelines first!
Like this!
But it still looks weird!
To face left, draw it like this!
She's not facing left at all!
Follow your own damn guides!
You can draw faces at all sorts of angles.
What is this? It's creepin' me out.
It's gotten all Picasso on us...
*tehe* Thanks!
Yeah, no... That wasn't a compliment.
All that's left is sticking on various parts to the face.
For example, if you combine this hair, eyes, nose, mouth, accessories (glasses)...
...you get this!
Is that me?!
No! That is not Bossun!
This is!
Ooh, it's Switch's Bossun!
What's wrong with you people? You're embarrassing me...
I won't lose to you!
Why?!
Step 3: Creating Characters.
Roman-sensei... I understand how to draw faces, but I can't make interesting characters!
Maybe I've got no talent...
Maybe I've got no talent!
This guy's annoying.
Now, let's study how to think when creating main characters!
Roughly speaking, there are two types of main characters:
Ones you look up to and ones you empathize with.
The former are ones readers think "I wish I could be like them" and "They're so cool."
You get a lot of this type in shounen manga.
On the other hand, with the empathetic type...
...the reader can put themselves in the main character's shoes, and empathize with how they feel!
That's me!
It's a rare type to have as a main character in shounen manga.
They're usually complained about for being too "normal" and "boring"...
Oh?
Crap, crap!
Please stop saying that!
They're usually complained about for being too "normal" and "boring" for shounen manga.
Oh?
Why did you say it twice?!
Please stop, seriously.
Bossun isn't really supposed to be a character for the viewpoint of the readers, though...
When it comes to shoujo manga, the main characters are usually of the empathetic type.
"What if I was in that situation?"
It's easy to put yourself in their shoes and experience love!
As an example...
...let's try making a character ourselves!
I'm Hanada Yamako!
I'm 17!
Huh?
I'm a normal girl that goes to the private Monster Academy!
She's not normal at all!
Will a lovely prince ever show up for me, I wonder?
How am I supposed to empathize with that?!
Why the hell does she go to Monster Academy?!
It's just full of monsters!
Monsters can love just like the rest of us.
We can't even understand them!
Who could ever empathize with this?
Finally, it's time for the story!
Step 4: Let's Write the Story!
It's no use!
I can't write a story!
A worthless piece of crap like me would be better off dead!
Koita-kun... You don't have to die.
Just try lifting your face up a little.
The sky is always filled with the light of hope!
Koita-kun... You don't have to die!
Why does she say it twice again?
Is this drama part even necessary?
For shoujo manga stories, the situation is everything!
Teacher and Student
Secret Date with Idol Boy
But making sure it begins with something that readers will think "this is interesting" is important.
If you make a setting with a character that girls look up to,
all that's left is to make people's feelings collide against one another!
Well, she does always make sure to set things up.
For example...
Ah! I'm gonna be late!
So old!
Why is it always this way?!
Attention, please.
I'd like to introduce a new transfer student.
I'm Satonaka Mariko!
She's a transfer student?!
Why was she late?
Your seat will be over there, behind Yamamoto.
*kathump*
Akira!
She knows him?
Didn't see this coming!
So, you survived?!
She thought Akira was dead?
What's with this serious story?
I was saved after I fell off that cliff.
Talk normally!
Are you people ESPers?!
Ah, I see... Then next time I'll make sure you've breathed your last gasp!
You're the one who did it?!
With my "Lover's Soul"!
What the hell is that?!
That's shounen manga!
It's important to have a strong impact in the beginning.
But afterwards, Mariko and Akira fall in love!
Who wants that?!
Mariko's totally going for blood!
Thanks a lot for today!
I'll bind up this manga and hand it over to my underclassman, Fumi-chan!
Oh, I see...
I wonder what Fumi-chan's reaction will be?
I hope I won't be bothering her...
How could she be bothered?
It shows how much you care, and that's what's important.
Yeah!
You sure this manga's not gonna have such an impact
it'll have some strange effect on the kid?
Like her art getting crappier, for some strange reason...
No way! What kind of effect is that?
No matter how crappy she is, Roman drew that for the sake of others.
She deserves credit just for the effort!
So, you see...
I was really happy to have Roman-senpai take me under her wing like that.
I read her "Craptastic Manga Laboratory" book again and again and again...
But the manga had some strange impact on me...
I suppose the effect on my art was just too strong.
My own art's gotten crappier, and I can't fix it!
Then I heard that you were good at drawing, Fujisaki-senpai!
Please teach me how to draw!
Next time, it's Bossun's "Craptastic Manga Laboratory"!
Look forward to it!
Not a chance!
You just have to get the last word in, don'tcha?!
Sket Dance.
Sket Dance!
Good morning, everyone!
Good morning!
I'm going to take attendance now!
You've started to get a handle on things.
Don't worry about the couple weaknesses you have,
and use your one strength, passion, to do your best.
R-Right!
Next up is Japanese History.
Good luck.
Right! Thank you!
And like that, during the wars between the self-defense forces of each land,
the person who wanted to be the best of the best was...
That's right!
The soldier of fortune on ice, Oda-kun!
In 1560, when Imagawayaki was still known as the "Strongest Wrestler in all of Tokaido",
he lead the Daifuku and attacked!
At a complete disadvantage and completely outnumbered,
the dancing Oda-kun used the cover of rain to suddenly break through the enemy lines!
I have arrived!
The surprise plum attack was a rousing success!
And now, the Kawa army has retreated!
This is now called the...
Gunfight at the O.K. Gorge!
Yabas!
But, that's completely wrong...
That's way worse than just pronouncing the kanji wrong...
Sorry.
Onee-san is a klutz and messes up the words a lot...
But we're sayin' it's way beyond that.
Even if you screw up, don't lose heart!
Let's eat!
Hey, this time it's rice!
Someone spare some rice!
Everyone, give me some rice!
It's okay! No problemo!
Onee-san can eat rice all day as long as she has stuff to go with it!
Onee-san... is no good, is she?
Yeah... True that.
I don't even wanna think about your little brother who got double rice.
I've never had a talent at anything.
I love history and I finally got my dream of being a teacher, but all I do is cause trouble!
I realize I'm not cut out for this...
But, I like your classes, Remi-oneesan.
There's so much wrong with them I don't know where to start,
but they pull you in, ya know?
Yeah! They're never boring. Not sure why, exactly.
R-Really?
Yeah. You're really good at reading the textbooks.
Really?
Although you screw up every other word.
Your handwriting is so pretty and easy to read, too.
Really?
Although half the letters are wrong.
You're popular with the students.
Really?
With the otaku guys, LOL.
That makes Onee-san so happy!
Onee-san, the passionate teacher!
This is no time to get depressed!
Thanks for the meal!
H-Hey...
Onee-san, that's my tea!
I'm sorry!
This is super-dangerous!
Onee-san, you don't have to clean.
Then, maybe Onee-san will replace the water in the flower vase!
That's your bag!
How could you get those confused?!
That's just crazy yabas!
Onee-san, is that doll on your bag from that children's television show?
Oh, this?
You know your stuff.
This is a character that appeared during the puppet segment of the show named Specter!
He's called Specter?
That's quite a mug he's got there...
Wouldn't he make kids cry?
Specter is a ghost that, for certain reasons, has to wander this earth.
As for the reason...
Don't ask.
Uh, we can ditch the backstory.
He's important to you?
Yeah! This is a doll Onee-san got when she graduated from the program, full of memories...
Onee-san's precious, precious memento...
Or something like that.
Oops, got a little sentimental there.
Now then, time to clean!
Specter!
Onee-san, look what you have in your hand!
You haven't noticed?
In my hand?
Don't you know?
This is called a "chalkboard eraser".
Specter!
Onee-san heard that back in her mother's time,
they didn't have these handy cleaners.
So instead they'd use a stick or something outside the window,
and beat them clean like this!
Specter!
What are you doing, Onee-san?!
That's important to you, right?
Wait! Onee-san is a teacher!
Whatever, you still haven't noticed?
Excuse me! Can you throw the ball back?
How the hell did he get it in the 3rd floor window?
Okay! Onee-san's gonna chuck it back!
Wait...
Ready? Set?
Don't throw it! Don't throw it!
Specter!
Onee-san's Specter!
See what we've been telling you?
Hey! Could you pick up that doll for us, please?
Doll?
You mean that?
Specter!
How far did that damn dog go?
Hey, Specter...
What's the matter?
Onee-san isn't cut out to be a teacher, is she?
That again?
Afterall, Onee-san's classes are full of mistakes,
just causing trouble for the students...
Even Specter's lost now...
What are you going on about now?
Remember what Chuu-san said?
Concentrate on your strengths instead of your weaknesses and go for it!
Does Onee-san have any strengths?
What's that?
Oww...
Oh, I'm so sworry, children.
Sensei!
If it isn't Suimasu-sensei from Manly Preschool!
What'd you do to your leg?
Yes... It's embwarrassing, but I twisted my ankle...
Andwas wu cwansee, I cwan't eve'ove!
Say what?
"And as you can see, I can't even move." I think.
This sensei's pretty wishy-washy herself.
But now the childwen have gwone into a pwanic!
Yeah, this is definitely not good.
Big bro!
Oh, Daichi!
Is Sensei gonna die?
No, she's not gonna die.
She'll be fine.
We can't go calling an ambulance...
We should call one of the other teachers first.
Bwut of cwourse, I forgwot my cellphwone at the schwool!
Crap.
Then we can use my cellphone and...
Hey, stop it! I can't make a call!
No, no! Don't leave the park!
Don't do it!
Bossun!
Leave it to Onee-san!
Why are you taking off your stockings, Onee-san?!
Is that it?
Is that the kind of person you are?
Seriously, I don't wanna go along with this.
Hey, hey, Remi-oneesan...
What is it, Sna-kun?
There seem to be crying children here.
What's the matter?
Their teacher said that she's twisted her ankle and it hurts a bunch.
Oh, that's trouble!
In that case, I'll go eat up all the pain!
*chomp* *chomp* *chomp*
So, does it still hurt?
No! It's all bwetter now!
Bossun, contact the preschool now!
Sure.
Oww!
I ate too much, so now it's my stomach that hurts!
She's something...
Now, everyone... Gather up around Onee-san!
Right! Make a big circle!
Make it nice and round!
Now, clap your hands together with Onee-san!
Ready, set...
I can't do it!
You've been swuch a gweat help!
You're Remi-oneesan from "Together with Mommy", wight?
Y-Yeah...
To think I'd meet you in a place like this...
Could I, pwerhaps, shake your hand?
I would love to scwout you for Manly Preschool!
Oh, well...
Looks like your ride's here.
Onee-san, come to play with us again!
Sure, understood.
Onee-san, you can have this!
Here's some acorns!
I'll give you this!
I picked it up earlier!
Specter...
Thank you.
Onee-san is really glad.
Really?
Really! So much that I'm tearing up...
Onee-san, thank you!
Who says you don't have any good points?
You're a total pro!
No... Just used to it.
It doesn't work on high school kids.
But you have a great strength in leading children, I think.
Your popularity comes from your own power, Onee-san!
Onee-san keeps getting saved...
Well, she's not gonna be depressed anymore!
Here comes that power!
Everyone, thank you!
Onee-san's gonna do her best!
Specter!
The Sket-dan guys came by with this...
Specter!
Are you okay? Please, hang in there!
Well, a lot's happened so... Do your best with that passion of yours.
Yes! Definitely!
Quizzes, puzzles, mysteries!
A man who searches out each and every riddle!
Ta-da.
People call him the Enigman!
Right. Got the picture.
So then, everyone...
Next episode, at the same time...
Hey people, where's the enthusiasm?
Let me explain:
The Quiz Club's activities consist of challenging other clubs to quiz battles.
So, Question #1: What is the next episode of Sket Dance?
Quiz Warrior Enigman.
Basically, next week is a quiz battle!
And the people giving the answers will be:
Sket Dance!