Create Comics in Kyoto: A Deep Dive into Kyoto Seika University’s Bachelor of Manga Studies

Kyoto has always been a city where tradition and creativity dance together. Today that spirit drives Kyoto Seika University’s Faculty of Manga—the world’s first dedicated manga faculty—where you can turn a love of sequential art into a globally recognised bachelor’s degree. Whether you dream of publishing in Weekly Shōnen Jump or launching a web‑comic read across continents, Seika’s Manga Studies program gives you the skills, network, and Kyoto lifestyle to make it happen.

A Pioneering Home for Manga Education

First-of‑its‑Kind Faculty

In 2006 Kyoto Seika broke academic ground by launching the planet’s first standalone Faculty of Manga, elevating comics from hobby to serious scholarship. The curriculum balances theory—story structure, visual semiotics, cultural studies—with studio practice, so you graduate fluent in both critical thinking and professional production.

Industry Recognition

Publishers such as Kodansha and Shueisha regularly scout Seika because the faculty is known for cultivating award‑winning storytellers. Many students debut while still enrolled, and alumni like Kōsuke Ōno (The Way of the Househusband) underline the program’s real‑world impact.

Curriculum Built for Modern Storytellers

From analog sketching to VR storyboarding, Seika’s four‑year pathway dives deep into every stage of comic creation. First‑year students master anatomy and composition; by fourth year you’re pitching a polished series to real editors. Electives let you cross‑pollinate with animation or game‑design majors, expanding your creative arsenal.

Course Cluster	Key Skills
Cartoon Art	Expressive character work & gag timing
Comic Art	Long‑form storytelling & editorial workflow
New Generation Manga	Webtoon & transmedia formats
Character Design	IP development & branding
Animation	Motion, layout & storyboards

State‑of‑the‑Art Studios

Cintiq‑equipped labs, risograph presses, and a 24‑hour comic studio mean your ideas never wait for open equipment. Tutorials stay small (average 15 students) so professors can drill into panel flow, pacing, and digital coloring techniques.

Learn Directly from Working Professionals

More than 60 instructors, including Eisner‑nominees and veteran editors, teach in English‑friendly studios. Guest critiques from publishers give you newsroom‑style feedback, while courses in copyright and contract law prepare you for international deals.

Networking that Matters

Seika co‑runs the Kyoto International Manga Museum, a cultural hub that draws publishers, curators, and visiting artists. Volunteering or exhibiting there can fast‑track your professional contacts.

Life on Campus & in Creative Kyoto

Supportive International Community

Around 15 % of Seika undergrads come from overseas. Dedicated staff guide visa renewals, language tutoring, and housing in the on‑site dorms “Kino‑ryō” and “Shukō‑kan,” keeping living costs manageable.

Kyoto—A Living Studio

Historic shrines, autumn colors, and indie cafés double as inspiration and reference photos. A short bus ride takes you to downtown galleries or manga‑museum archives with 300,000 volumes you can thumb through for reference.

Admissions, Tuition & Scholarships

All studio classes are taught in Japanese, so applicants need JLPT N2 or an EJU Japanese score ≥ 220. Full details and application windows are posted on the International Admissions page.

Cost Item (Year 1)	Amount
Tuition (Faculty of Manga)	¥1,579,000
Admission Fee (one time)	¥200,000
Other Mandatory Fees	¥33,660

Financing help is substantial: the EJU Excellence Scholarship waives 25 % of annual tuition (≈ ¥394,750) for top scorers, and further need‑based reductions exist. Payments can be split into four instalments across the year.

Careers: From Drafts to Debuts

Career support begins in Year 1 with portfolio workshops and continues through a fourth‑year capstone that pairs you with an editor from a partner magazine. Graduates work as mangaka, character designers, storyboard artists, and IP consultants across Japan, the U.S., and Europe. A growing number launch global web‑comics that earn ad revenue and print contracts—all proof that the Seika name opens doors worldwide.