Learning manga in the USA
American Manga Academy
The first Manga Academy in America
The creation of the American Manga Academy stemmed from a joint effort between the European Manga Academy based in Italy and OLO Marker in the United States. This academic initiative, honed over an extensive period in Europe, is poised to cater to aspiring American artists seeking to delve into the realm of manga, fostering their ability to communicate narratives through this artistic medium.
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The new courses will be held online starting from
OCTOBER 2026
on our dedicated platform.
Online teaching program
The Academy kicks off with the Manga School, which offers introductory courses in manga technique spanning three levels: beginner, intermediate, and advanced.
The rigorous, progressive curriculum is designed to properly build basic skills.
The introductory program is a valuable resource for learning to draw manga at an intermediate amateur level and preparing for the three-year academic program beginning in fall 2027.
The 2026 edition of the introductory courses will begin in October 2026 and end in June 2027. All three levels are available. There are 36 hours of class time per level to begin learning the basics of manga technique. Each applicant will receive the appropriate tools and working materials at home.
Teachers
The teaching team comprises seasoned instructors and manga professionals from the European Manga Academy, the pioneer and most established non-Japanese institution specializing in Manga Technique, along with skilled American artists eager to immerse themselves in the Manga Academy Organization curriculum.
The primary objective of the instructors is to cultivate authentic professionals. The essential qualities shared by all instructors at the American Manga Academy are patience, humility, attentiveness, and competence.
Publications
All the teachers take active part at the publishing activity of the American Manga Academy. All teachers take an active part in the Academy’s publishing projects. The first volumes were presented at the Anime Expo in Los Angeles in early July and were a great success.
Drawing Manga for Geeks
The Academy’s series of textbooks is entitled Drawing Manga for Geeks: the first book, designed for those new to manga technique, was presented at the Anime Expo in Los Angeles.
The response from aspiring artists was incredible: the workshops taught by the European Manga Academy staff were enjoyed by all participants, and the book highlighted the teachers’ innovative approach.
This first book deals mainly with the process of anatomical simplification that, in manga, is applied to make characters’ expressions more immediately understandable. This method, unlike that used in textbooks for Japanese audiences, is general and applicable to any ethnic stereotype.
Only in this way is it possible to imagine telling our stories with this fantastic technique.
Chronicles Manga Magazine
The starting point for many manga professionals is publication in a container magazine along with other authors.
This allows artists and editors to develop stories, both technically and narratively, while having continuous feedback from readers and the other artists.
The problem out of Japan has always been the lack of authors. An author is not just a fine artist with a few ideas and some technique. Authors are able to work together with an editorial staff, adapting, adjusting and sometimes rewriting entire story sequences as required.
Chronicles Manga Magazine is a real manga magazine for artists from all over the world. It’s not just a typographic experiment: it is a testing ground in which authors demonstrate their professionalism and productivity. Volume zero represents the market test of a project that is on its way to becoming a monthly title that will be distributed in the U.S. and Europe.
Issue Zero contains stories by:
Chihiro Howe, Elena Toma, Xinillus, Alice Boffa, Lucy Camacho, Gemma Sara d’Aniello, Federico Brunetti, Veronica Zumerle, Valerie Notari, Barbara Montruccoli, Anastasia Chivelli Rubbazzer and Simone Sanseverino.
The debut limited edition will be available at the major comic book events in the U.S. and Europe until the end of the year.
Manga Summer School® in Europe
American students can participate in the English-language edition of the historic Manga Summer School®, which originated nearly two decades ago in the Tuscan hills, and is still held on the campus of the European Manga Academy in the foothills of Volterra.
Program
Summer courses follow the same introductory curriculum as online courses and are interchangeable. On campus they are conducted intensively over an engaging week, Sunday to Sunday.
For students coming from further afield, the Academy provides a shuttle service from Pisa train station and airport.
For families who wish to spend a week or two in Italy while their children are engaged in courses, the Academy staff offers free organizational and logistical support. From booking accommodations or show tickets to renting a car or managing travel arrangements.
Manga School in Japan
The introductory courses also prepare students for the study trip to Tokyo, which takes place every two years in partnership with the European Manga Academy and the Tokyo Design Academy. This unique trip allows participants to study manga under professional teachers and artists.
What's next?
The project is very ambitious, and we are working hard to make it a reality.
The next step is the American Manga Summer School®, which will bring the introductory summer courses currently offered at the European Manga Academy campus in Tuscany (Italy) to Oregon.
We are currently exploring different solutions and locations, and we are optimistic!
