Welcome, my dear friends, to a new and quick explanation about manga. Today we will discuss a very important topic for anyone who works on creating manga or is thinking of starting their own project, which is how to differentiate between manga dialogue balloons and use them correctly to strengthen scenes and accurately convey emotions to your audience.
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Manga dialogue balloons are not just pretty shapes or empty spaces to put text in, but a clever way to express the characters’ feelings, psychological state, the intensity of the moment, and the style of the scene. This makes the reader feel the atmosphere of the manga even before reading the words.
ordinary
We begin with the most basic and commonly used type of manga dialogue balloons. These balloons are used in everyday scenes when characters are speaking naturally, such as in conversations between friends or when asking questions. These balloons are usually white with a clear black font to make them easy to read without distracting the reader from the scene.
joy
Manga dialogue balloons expressing joy are used when a character is elated, such as upon receiving good news, or during romantic moments. The edges are often decorated or brightly colored to convey the positive energy the character is experiencing at that moment, adding a vibrant touch that captures the reader's attention.
narrative
These boxes, shaped like rectangles instead of circles, are used for external narration of events, such as introducing a scene, describing a setting, providing background on a character, or giving the reader a glimpse of upcoming events. These boxes help organize the story and its events neatly and can also be used to summarize certain events.
Enthusiasm
These balloons are used in moments when the story's characters are excited or surprised, such as discovering something new or experiencing an unexpected event. They often have sharp or explosive angles to convey emotion, and it's important not to overuse them in ordinary scenes, but only in moments of surprise.
Screaming
These balloons are used when a character is shouting or extremely angry, whether during an argument or when calling someone from a distance. They come in irregular shapes with sharp outward lines to indicate the intensity of the voice and the emotion, allowing the reader to perceive the anger and agitation through them.
Whisper
Small, light-striped balloons are used when a character whispers a secret or tells someone something without others hearing, to indicate to the reader that the conversation is in a low voice, and to give an impression of privacy and tranquility within the scene.
thinking
It usually comes in the form of clouds or dotted lines, and is used when the character is thinking aloud or expressing inner thoughts. It is accompanied by an arrow in the form of dots that reaches the character, to show the reader that it is an internal thought and not spoken words.
feelings
We use them in situations of fear, tension, dread, or when facing a situation that strongly evokes the protagonist's emotions. They are undulating or irregular in shape to express trembling or anxiety, and they draw the reader's attention to the fact that this moment is very emotional.
Manga balloons: Avoid these mistakes when drawing manga
Various manga dialogue balloons
- The balloon on the right: It expresses fear and terror, such as the moment of seeing a monster or receiving terrifying news.
- The balloon at the top: To announce an important event or a major surprise.
- The balloon is below: It is used in sad, dramatic scenes, and it carries within it pain and heavy emotions.
- The balloon on the left: It is used in crying scenes, when the character sheds tears; it is usually thin-edged.
Today you have learned about all types of manga dialogue balloons and how to use them appropriately for each scene. These balloons contribute to visually bringing the story to life and making the reader truly experience the moment with the character.
Choosing the right balloon or bubble is just as important as choosing the background or shooting angle. It is an important tool in conveying the feelings and conversations of manga characters, and having the right bubble conveys to readers that you are professionals and capable of understanding the elements of manga, from backgrounds and characters to paintings and other things.
This was today's lesson. Go back and complete your manga drawing and benefit from what I taught you today. I will meet you in future lessons, God willing.
