Elena Vitagliano - Manga Artist, Manga Editor for The Forge Publishing, Story teller, Manga Teacher at The forge Academy.
Manga artist currently living in London. Her work analyses human emotions and the meaning of life in an entertaining way.
See my work:
Early Beginnings:
Raised on 'bread and Japanese cartoons', she developed a passion for Japan and its culture, which led her to a scholarship that paved the way for her degree in 'Oriental Language and Culture', as well as a year of studying and working in Tokyo.
Despite her interest and study in graphic design, in the end, her passion for manga prevailed and her dedication to this art led her to various international successes. Finalist at the Torino comics (2010), she won the Manga Jiman (Japanese Embassy competition in the UK). In the same year, she also won the international competition "Comix4Equality" (2012).
Her amazing Journey:
Her most important accomplishment came in 2018, when she ranked first in the Silent Manga Audition 8, with the story “The cruelest rule” about fair play. She became the first European woman to win an international manga competition of this magnitude. Thanks to this award, she joined the 'Master Class' of the Silent Manga Audition in which she received solid training on manga storytelling from Japanese editors. Occasionally, she writes articles on manga and anime and, in the past, she has hosted a daily radio programme on Anime Web Radio on the same topics.
In 2020, she produced a 5-chapters vertical webcomic, "The Stranger I Loved" and published her own collection of manga short stories in Italy, for Upper Comics, 'Silent Smiles'.
In 2022 she worked on 100 illustrations for the permanent exhibition at the Science Museum in London, dedicated to the work of technicians. She recently curated the cover for the manga version of 'The Beauty and the Beast' for Disney, as well as the script and storyboard for the English adventures of a famous Indonesian comic book character, El Juki (publication of the first volume, January 2023 - collection of monthly episodes previously published in the UK magazine Manga Big Bang).
In London she has cooperated with the British Museum, the Victoria and Albert Museum, and the Japan House. In Italy, she has been invited as a guest at various comics events, including Lucca Comics & Games, and Napoli Comicon. She cooperates with various Italian manga schools (Lucca Manga School, Inter national School of Comics in Rome, and School of Comix in Naples) and holds a manga storytelling course every quarter for CGMA, one of the best online academies dedicated to digital art, based in the USA.
She is currently collaborating with the Japanese publishing house Coamix to publish new stories and she is a co-founder of B4 Studio – Artists & Creators.
Teaching Experience:
Elena Vitagliano, a highly accomplished manga artist and a dedicated manga teacher with a particular focus on storyboarding and storytelling. Elena's talent and expertise have left an indelible mark on the world of manga, and her passion for teaching shines brightly.
Manga Artistry:
Elena Vitagliano is a master of the art of manga. Her artistic journey has been marked by a profound dedication to this captivating medium, where her skills have flourished, resulting in beautifully crafted and emotionally resonant manga works.
Elena's love for manga extends beyond her own creations; she is equally passionate about sharing her knowledge and nurturing the next generation of manga artists. Her role as a manga teacher allows her to pass on her wisdom and experience to aspiring artists, helping them unlock their creative potential.
Storyboarding and Storytelling Specialist:
Elena's specialization lies in the crucial aspects of manga creation—storyboarding and storytelling. She possesses an innate ability to craft compelling narratives that engage readers on an emotional level. Her expertise in storyboarding ensures that the visual storytelling in her manga is not only captivating but also expertly structured.
Elena Vitagliano's teachings extend far beyond technical skills. She inspires her students to think critically, delve into the depths of their imaginations, and explore the nuances of storytelling in manga. Her guidance empowers artists to tell their own unique stories through this rich and expressive medium.
As Elena Vitagliano continues to shape the future of manga through her artistry and teaching, we eagerly anticipate the stories she will tell and the artists she will inspire. Her journey exemplifies the transformative power of manga as a means of creative expression and storytelling.
