Manga Pilot Submission Guidelines
MANGA SUBMISSION GUIDELINES
MANGA PILOTS WANTED
TOKYOPOP is looking for creators who can deliver tight, punchy, well-paced Pilots that entertain and introduce a new property. The primary task of a Manga Pilot is to captivate its audience with characters, concepts and worlds. A Manga Pilot may be the first chapter of a planned graphic novel, but it doesn’t have to be. A self-contained side story or a short story may be a better way to introduce the property.
We’re happy to hear your proposals – but since you’re submitting an original property to us, don’t forget to download, sign and turn in a copy of the Submissions Release Agreement with your proposal.
TOKYOPOP Encourages and Values Manga Creators
Thank you for your interest in submitting your manga stories and samples of your work to TOKYOPOP. If you think you have what it takes to be a manga writer or artist, we want to see what you can do! We are open to submissions from teams and individuals who can create an entire graphic novel. We also accept portfolios from individuals who can contribute to a single aspect of manga creation. Please review the guidelines before sending in samples of your work.
How to Submit
If you submit an original manga idea and not just samples of your pencilling, inking or toning work, be sure to download and include a completed copy of our Submissions Release Agreement or we will not be able to consider your submission. All original submissions should be available for acquisition.
All submissions should be sent via mail or courier. Please submit photocopies or printouts on 8.5'' X 11'' regular paper only. For printouts, we suggest using a high-quality laser printer. Please do not submit originals because your work will not be returned to you. Make sure your manga page samples conform to TOKYOPOP's mechanical specifications.
Mail your materials to:
MANGA SUBMISSIONS DEPT.
TOKYOPOP Inc.
5900 Wilshire Blvd. # 2000
Los Angeles, CA 90036
For e-mail correspondence send to:
mangaka@tokyopop.com, with the subject line PROJECT SUBMISSION
Because we get a ton of submissions, we do not guarantee a response. While we do review all submissions, please do not expect a reply from our editorial department and do not contact us to ask about your submission. If we are interested in your work, we will be in touch. We do not post deal terms, page rates or schedules. These topics will be discussed only if we're interested in working with you.
Proposal Components
Manga Pages
Four to six pages of finished sequential art (inked, toned and lettered) from any part of the story.
Property Synopsis
A one-page synopsis selling the story concept. This should include a two-sentence "log line" summary, and a story arc explaining how the main conflict plays out. Include the eventual conclusion to your story.
Pilot Chapter Synopsis
One to two pages breaking down the action of one 24-36 page Pilot. Keep in mind that the Pilot does not have to be a first chapter of a graphic novel. It also can be a self-contained short story. It should present the essential parts of your story (characters, concepts and world). If your Pilot proposal is accepted, we will work with you to present these 24-36 pages on www.tokyopop.com as part of the Pilot Program.
Character Descriptions
One page giving us some information on the main characters (name, background, role and personality, as well as how they will develop throughout the story arc, what path they will take and why).
Character Designs
One to three pages with finished character designs (inked and toned) of your three most important characters.
Marketing Points
Five or so bullet points about the target audience appeal, competing stories from other manga-ka or in other media and reasons why we should consider publishing this series
Why This Submission Format?
The reason we suggest this format is that it has worked well for us in the past and gives you the best chance for success. Our team can quickly evaluate your idea. It demonstrates to us how well you have thought out your story and characters. Remember, more is not better. Conveying the general idea economically and making it interesting is the real challenge. We've set aside lots of submissions that were too long and detailed and never got the point across. They're just too overwhelming for a busy editor to read.
Don't forget to include a completed and signed Submission Release Agreement. (Our geeky lawyers made us say that again.)
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Okay just noticed this, the link for the submissions guideline on this page doesn't lead you to the right place, instead, it just says "Oops! Page Not Found." If you are having that problem and don't know where to go to get the submission release agreement and is looking for one, just go to this URL and click on the link there. www.tokyopop.com/Submissions/gopro/286656.html
ARATHAR123
2009-05-15 01:27:25
Ah never mind! Ive read "ARATHAR123's" reply and it all seems abit helpful. Thanks! Onto work!
AISWEETIO
2009-05-05 14:40:12
THIS LOOKS SOOO FUN! I'M GOING FOR IT! Yet...What is the standard size to make a page? The mechanical specification way? Can I do it anyway of my liking I can't find anything!
AISWEETIO
2009-05-05 14:36:11
This looks very much like a good opportunity-- and, hey, at least you're getting some money, right? Regardless, I'm not letting this opportunity slip by me and my friends-- look out, readers of Tokyopop!
NEONNOBLE
2009-05-04 19:10:47
I find this kind of thing a pretty good idea for those outside Japanese residents who wish to become Manga-Ka's but, the thing is... it seems to me like Tokyopop lost almost all of its originality. To me it seems like Tokyopop is just choosing the talented ones and throwing away all the other ones that they don't really like. But lets put that aside for right now, let me reply to some other people's comments. KURIMEKEDAKAI, you said that Tokyopop did not reply to your email, but it did say on the submission guidelines that Tokyopop cannot always respond to those who submit, so you can't really get angry at that. Satanwrotethiscontract, you said that you pretty much get paid the same as working in McDonalds, I don't really know how the contract in Tokyopop works but I do agree that if you get less than the average $90 per page for one-shot pilots then it really is a rip off but at least you got published. For the most frequently commented ones, deadlines are made by Tokyopop. For the page size, manga pages do not use letter size 8.5 by 11. Manuscripts are usually done in A4 sizes then printed in B5 sizes if all manga companies use the same method.
ARATHAR123
2009-05-02 17:46:38
i agree with the person below me. i submitted a part of my manga that was i admit completly irrevalnet to the story buti did that becasue ididn't want my storyline or charcters stolen. i sent it in about 8 months ago and i even talked to the presedent of the company john parker via email about it. i left a letter in the evelope asking them if they would please take the tme to aleast send an email that said no, as i have to send it to other publishers. tokyopop has good books but they need to pay more attention to the people who could possibly bring them more buiseness!!!!
KURIMEKEDAKAI
2009-02-23 16:28:56
You have to be a complete moron if you still plan to submit to this snake in the grass program. Obviously you want to be ripped off, and hand over complete control of your characters and ideas to Tokyopop for the same income you could get flipping burgers at McD's. http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2008/05/28/tokyopop-hey-dude-totally-bad-contract/
SATANWROTETHISCONTRACT
2008-11-01 11:00:51
i am trying to print up the submission release agreement, but it goes to something saying the page is no longer there. I've got everything ready to go to send in just need this one last thing.
DEVILRAT
2008-09-04 09:40:17
Kill Julliet said "the mechanical specification said that 9” x 13.375” was the safe zone but regular paper size is 8.5'' X 11''. is it just me or is something wrong with that?" Thats twice the size of the normal guidelines.
PINUTI
2008-08-13 22:43:50
is it okay to use your p.o box for your address too?
SHELLEY
2008-08-12 14:31:40
can you enter the rsom if you enter the manga pilot,already?
SHELLEY
2008-08-11 14:37:46
Soooo...thats what I got wrong. I kept send my work in the wrong way and didn't sent the entire series symphosis....humm.... well anyway I got the pilot uploaded on manga player. http://tokyopop.com/DDizzle/manga/1781267.html Also soon I'm gonna do a new profile, cuz DDizzle sounds stupid and immature, but I never got around to do a new one. So call me from now on Dd4Rr!3n (pronounced Darrien)
DDIZZLE
2008-08-09 09:28:25
wow Im amazed, I will for sure send my manga!!! but could you please tell us all if there`s a deadline, or if this is something permanent (figures, due long time it takes to create a good piece of manga art). I will be sending you my manga shortly, and I assure you wont be dissapointed
S3PHIR0TH
2008-07-02 12:51:13
I can't wait to mail my manga!!! It's gonna be soooo freaken awsome!!!! Oh yeah tokyopop, if yo find anything wrong with my manga, please let me know!!! My dream is to be a mangaka,and I need some good critisim. Oh yeah, I don't understand the marketing points.
ANIYMAY
2008-06-30 13:02:58
When is the deadline and how many pilots are they going to choose
0SNAKE
2008-06-20 12:04:37