The Journal

Craft notes for manga, webtoon and light novel makers

Guides and working notes on planning manga, webtoons and light novels: story arcs, page layout, characters, worldbuilding and publishing.

Manga · 6 min read

Should You Kill a Character? A Guide to Impactful Storytelling with Hell's Paradise

Learn when and how to kill a character to maximize emotional impact, using Yuji Kaku's masterpiece Hell's Paradise as a guide for your own story.

Mangacraft SubstackSep 25, 2026

News

7 min

Inside TakaraTomy Arts' Plan to Conquer North America with Gacha Capsule Toys

Japanese toymaker TakaraTomy Arts details its ambitious two-pronged strategy to bring authentic Gacha capsule toy experiences to anime fans across North America.

Sep 23, 2026