About this Event
Join award-winning manga creator Shangomola for a hands-on workshop exploring the practical skills needed to develop and complete a manga story. You'll gain practical tools and techniques to help bring your ideas to life!
Designed for ages 14+, this free workshop will guide participants through the key stages of manga creation, from developing an idea and shaping a story to producing finished comic pages.
The workshop is also ideal for anyone considering entering the Manga Jiman Competition 2026, organised by the Embassy of Japan in the UK. This year's competition invites creators to submit an original comic story for the chance to win fantastic prizes and have their work exhibited at the Embassy of Japan.
The first part of the session will focus on storytelling. Using an eight-page structure developed by Shangomola and inspired by the Hero's Journey, participants will be guided through a series of creative writing exercises that will help them shape and plan their own story. By the end of this section, everyone will have produced a rough outline for an original manga.
After a short break, attention will turn to drawing. Rather than focusing on character design alone, Shangomola will share practical techniques that help creators work more efficiently and develop a sustainable creative practice. Through a series of drawing exercises and professional insights, participants will learn approaches that can help them create manga alongside school, work and other commitments.
The workshop is designed to provide the skills, confidence and inspiration needed to take a manga project from concept to completed pages. All worksheets and materials will be provided.
About Shangomola
Shangomola is an experienced UK based creator passionate about telling great stories with ethnic diversity in comics. He has been drawing since childhood and has a degree in graphic design. Shangomola began his professional career when his One Page Comic ‘Scarlet’ took first prize in the London Graphic Novel Network A3 comic competition 2014. Since then he has won the Japanese Embassy’s MANGA JIMAN competition 2017 with ‘The Dream Catcher’, and has gone on to win Silver in the International Manga Award 2018 with his comic, MISEYIEKI. He also contributed to the 2019 Citi MANGA exhibition at the British Museum as its Curator of tone, the 2020 BLACK INK publication commissioned by Serendipity for Black History Month with a short story titled Beware The Tokoloshe, and was the head illustrator for the Science Museum’s Technicians Gallery 2023.
About the Manga Jiman Competition
The Embassy of Japan in the UK is celebrating the 20th anniversary of Manga Jiman with its 2026 comic competitions, welcoming artists of all levels and styles. The competition seeks to showcase outstanding storytelling and artistic talent, with winners receiving prizes from the Japanese Gallery Kensington, Minamoto Kitchoan, Ricoh UK, Japan Centre, Regents Street Cinema, Daikin, SelfMadeHero, Fanfare and and other amazing sponsors!
Competition entrants must be UK residents.
For full competition details, visit the Embassy of Japan website.
Please note: Places are limited. A refundable £5 deposit is required to secure your booking and will be returned after attendance.
Event venue & nearby stays
Brompton Library, 210 Old Brompton Road, London, United Kingdom
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