comicartist,hakei Details
Intro
Class Intro
Comic Artist, hakei
"I'll be taking you through the full pipeline from story building to illustration, as well as self & traditional publishing!"
Create Stories That Last Beyond the Swipe
What makes a comic memorable? Its characters. hakei, an award-winning comic artist with over 65 million reads on Webtoon and Tapas, has built stories that resonate with readers worldwide.
In this class, hakei shows how to create modern, character-driven stories that linger long after the final panel. From concept to outline, from thumbnails to finished pages, you will move step by step through the process of turning ideas into complete comics, while practicing how to design protagonists and casts that drive the story forward.
You will also work through challenges most creators face: keeping momentum through healthy workflows, finishing projects without burnout, and learning to navigate the comics industry without losing your creative control. By the end, you won't just leave with the new skills. You'll have a master toolkit for creating comics that readers want to follow. Webtoons or manga, this class will show you how to create stories people want to read, and even pay for.
You will also work through challenges most creators face: keeping momentum through healthy workflows, finishing projects without burnout, and learning to navigate the comics industry without losing your creative control. By the end, you won't just leave with the new skills. You'll have a master toolkit for creating comics that readers want to follow. Webtoons or manga, this class will show you how to create stories people want to read, and even pay for.
Class Preview
Still Not Sure?
Check Out hakei's Class Preview!
27. Lettering, the Most Ignored Dealbreaker
1. How font, ballooning, and placement can make or break a page
Class Perks
Special Gift from hakei
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hakei’s Creative Notepad- A digital prompt vault packed with keywords, themes, escalation patterns, and scenario seeds
- Spark fresh story ideas instantly, whether you’re stuck on plot or need a creative push -
Hand-Drawn SFX Pack- 70 original sound effect graphics designed by hand for authentic impact
- Instantly usable as copy-paste files or registerable assets in Clip Studio Paint -
Personal Webtoon & Manga Templates- Ready-to-use project files formatted for both webtoon and manga
- Includes panel guides and clearly named layers to jumpstart any project
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Complete Artist Pages – Downloadable Working Files- 70 original sound effect graphics designed by hand for authentic impact
- Instantly usable as copy-paste files or registerable assets in Clip Studio Paint -
Editable Merch Inventory Template- Smart file that auto-calculates cost per unit and profit margins in real time
- A plug-and-play tool to help creators price and plan merch with confidence -
Curated List of Essential CSP Assets- A vetted catalogue of high-quality brushes, textures, 3D models, and patterns
- Build or expand your personal Clip Studio library with tools hand-picked for usability -
Step-by-Step Storytelling Exercises- 23 curated activities that strengthen storytelling, pacing, and panel flow
- Practice real-world scenarios to develop both technical skills and narrative instinct
Recommendation
Who should take this class?
New Webtoon & Manga Creators
Kick off your first projects with confidence and sidestep the most common mistakes in story and art.
Creators Stuck Mid-Series
Find fresh momentum, streamline your workflow, and keep your readers turning the page.
Creators Preparing to Publish
Navigate professional pitching, self-publishing, and sales with clarity, strategy, and confidence.
Expert Comic Artist hakei's Portfolio
Why Take This Class?
A Master Toolkit From a Comic Artist Who’s Done It All
Everyone says starting a comic is the hardest part. So why does it still fall flat? You spend weeks on a chapter, post it, and… nothing. No comments. No notifications. No readers.
This class is for creators ready to break through that silence.
You will learn how to make comics that grab attention fast in today’s digital age, with a workflow that keeps you creating without burning out. From sparking ideas and shaping characters to structuring chapters and finishing pages, you will see the full process step by step.
You will also cover what most classes skip: how to actually make money. That means marketing your stories, finding ways to get paid, and pitching to publishers with confidence.
Whether you are aiming for a contract or planning to sell your own comics, this class gives you the tools to make it real, for you and for your readers.
23 Class Exercises
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Webtoon & Manga ThumbsThumbnail a splash panel description into webtoon and manga formats. -
One-Line HookEdit sample loglines into sharper, more engaging one-liners based on story synopses. -
Raise the StakesRework sample story ideas by adding three different types of conflicts to heighten tension. -
One-Shot HookWrite a compelling logline that captures the essence of your one-shot. -
Plot MapBreak down your one-shot’s main plot and subplot beats into a simple, clear outline.
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Assemble Your ProtagonistAssign a name, backstory, and signature traits to build your lead character. -
Character SheetDesign a style sheet that captures your character’s appearance and range of expressions. -
Dialogue FixEdit unnatural dialogue into smoother, more believable exchanges. -
First FiveScript and thumbnail the opening five panels of your one-shot for a strong start.
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Flow FixEdit sample panels to improve pacing and visual rhythm. -
Genre SwapThumbnail sample dialogues in three different genres to explore tonal shifts. -
One-Shot ThumbnailsScript and thumbnail the remaining pages of your one-shot project. -
Thumb EditsRevise and refine your thumbnail drafts through focused revision passes. -
3D BlendingIntegrate 3D assets into sample or original drawings for seamless composition.
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Head TurnaroundsPractice drawing your character’s heads from different angles to build consistency. -
Flatting DrillTest your efficiency by flatting sample drawings under a time limit. -
Lettering StyleDevelop a text style sheet to define your lettering approach. -
Line ItLine your full one-shot pages under a guided schedule to build discipline. -
Color ItAdd color and backgrounds to your pages under a set schedule.
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SFX & TextApply sound effects and lettering polish to finalize your pages. -
Pitch ReadyCreate a mock pitch deck showcasing your one-shot. -
Format FlipConvert your one-shot into either webtoon or manga format. -
Bio PolishRefine your social media bio using provided checklists for clarity and impact.
*Above are sample images for a better understanding
Final Products
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One-Shot Story -
Print-Ready Pages
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Character Sheet -
Story Pitch Deck
Instructor
Comic Artist
hakei
I’m hakei, a comic creator who went from NEET (a.k.a. life loser) to turning down offers from major webcomic publishers like Webtoon and Manta.
I specialize in absurd characters and stories packed with heart and farts.
I’m naturally lazy and get bored easily, so I honestly didn't think I had the discipline to make comics. But here I am.
In this class, you’ll get the unfiltered version of my experience navigating both self-publishing and the American webtoon/manga industry: my mistakes, my wins, and everything in between.
Comic Artist, hakei
[Current]
Comic Artist
[Works – Creator]
2025: DeadAss | Published by VIZ Manga
2023–2025: Bloom and Zoom
2021–2024: Your Wings and Mine
2021: a refreshing summer
[Works – Artist]
2023: Achilles and the Boy Next Door | Published by Tapas & Netmarble
[Book Publications]
2025: Your Wings and Mine | Published by Rocketship Entertainment
[Contests]
2025: CAPCOM Monster Hunter Webcomic Contest | Winner, Grand Prize
[Social Media Collaborations]
Clip Studio Paint, COPIC, XPPen, TourBox
Highlights
Class Highlights
Characters That Captivate the Modern Audience
Learn how to write characters readers come back for, built for today’s manga and webtoon scene.
Growing Your Readership
Grow a loyal fanbase from zero with marketing methods that put readers first.
Playing Both Fields: Self-Pub & Industry
Explore the pros, cons, and logistics of self-publishing and industry work, so you can navigate both with strategy.
Class Details
You'll Learn
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Reader PsychologyUnderstand how modern readers read and digest stories. -
Impactful Story IntrosLearn how to hook readers in the first moments, before they swipe away. -
Story-Driving CharactersDesign protagonists who steer the plot and steal readers' hearts.
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Sustainable WorkflowsBuild a comic-making process that meets deadlines without breaking your wrist. -
Publishing & Monetization PathsExplore the options for turning your work into income, from self-publishing to publisher contracts. -
Modern Marketing SkillsPromote your work in ways that feel real, without sounding like a bot.
Interview with
Comic Artist hakei
Question.01
Could you please share how you started your journey in the industry?
I was a NEET. Then COVID-19 hit, and I became an advanced NEET.
I tried job hunting and taking commissions, but nada. You can imagine how proud my parents were.
To cope, I buried myself in fancomics again. Strangely, this time, I wanted to make them myself. The characters I wrote barely resembled the originals, though. Eventually, I thought, "Screw it! I’ll make my own characters."
I got obsessed with my OCs, and somehow tricked others into getting obsessed, too. That’s how I got here.
I tried job hunting and taking commissions, but nada. You can imagine how proud my parents were.
To cope, I buried myself in fancomics again. Strangely, this time, I wanted to make them myself. The characters I wrote barely resembled the originals, though. Eventually, I thought, "Screw it! I’ll make my own characters."
I got obsessed with my OCs, and somehow tricked others into getting obsessed, too. That’s how I got here.
Question.02
What makes your class different from other classes?
"How do you actually get people to read your work? Print your comics? Pitch to editors?
These answers are usually scattered.
My class lays it all out, from storytelling to self-promo, based on what’s actually worked for me.
My class lays it all out, from storytelling to self-promo, based on what’s actually worked for me.
Question.03
Please share your thoughts on the industry's job market and what you see in the industry's future.
Traditional jobs are disappearing. Generative AI pumps out flashy art in seconds, and 11-year olds draw like pros on their family iPads.
Technical skill isn't enough anymore.
But emotional connections to characters will always matter; people stay up all night for stories that make them laugh and cry.
If you want a comics career, make characters people will care about. And make them care about you.
Technical skill isn't enough anymore.
But emotional connections to characters will always matter; people stay up all night for stories that make them laugh and cry.
If you want a comics career, make characters people will care about. And make them care about you.
Question.04
What do you think is the most important trait(s) to success in your industry?
1. Emotional resilience: creators need to know to take a step back from their work so every negative comment don’t feel like deep, personal attacks. If you want to keep sharing your comics, you've got to bounce back quickly.
2. Curiosity & insight: engaging with what's happening outside your room. It keeps your perspective relevant and realistic. Don’t be the person in 2025 telling job seekers to walk into a company office and refuse to leave until they’re hired.
2. Curiosity & insight: engaging with what's happening outside your room. It keeps your perspective relevant and realistic. Don’t be the person in 2025 telling job seekers to walk into a company office and refuse to leave until they’re hired.
Required Programs
This course will use
Clip Studio EX.
Please purchase and install these program(s) for an optimized chapter experience.
*These programs and/or materials will not be provided with the chapter.
