Kadokawa Editor-in-Chief Shares Five Tips for Manga Success at Anime Expo
The panel offers a rare direct look at what a major Japanese publisher's top editor looks for in new creators, with concrete examples and a clear five-point framework.
Reporting from 1 source: Anime News Network.
Noboru Segawa, director and editor-in-chief of Kadokawa's Global Comics Department, gave a panel at Anime Expo 2026 on what it takes to create a successful manga. He outlined five key points: don't rush your first hit, develop a unique personality, prioritize compelling character creation, build radical trust with your editor, and attend portfolio review sessions. He cited examples of global creators published by Kadokawa from India and Vietnam.
Noboru Segawa, director and editor-in-chief of Kadokawa's Global Comics Department, held a panel at Anime Expo 2026 moderated by manga journalist Deb Aoki. Segawa, a 24-year veteran manga editor, told the audience that success takes time and patience. He pointed to mangaka Arata Aki, who did not achieve wide commercial success until her fourth title, A Destructive God Sits Next to Me. Segawa credited her continual hard work in learning market awareness.
Segawa listed five tips for aspiring creators. First, do not rush your first hit. Second, develop your unique personality and strengths. Third, prioritize compelling character creation above all else, giving characters distinctive features and flaws. Fourth, build a relationship of radical trust with your editor. Fifth, attend mochikomi portfolio review sessions, such as those Kadokawa held at Anime Expo. He warned that flaking on a mochikomi appointment is a bad look.
Segawa highlighted recent global creators published by Kadokawa, including masterlynx from India for Kung Fu Kung Fool and Syo.Era from Vietnam for Cry or the Witch Will Come.
Synthesized by Yomimono from the 1 cited source below, including Japanese-language reporting where cited, then editorially reviewed before publishing.