Welcome, today we will review how and where to add manga dialogue balloons for characters, as each scene or “panel” has a balloon through which characters talk to each other, to readers, or even to themselves. Today we will see some common mistakes and how we can easily avoid them, so follow the lesson with me.
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The wrong way
Once we finish drawing the manga scene within the frame, it's time to add the manga balloons to the place we specified for them during the sketching.“
The correct place is often near the character, or around it inside the square, or slightly outside of it. It is a mistake to add the balloon above the character's body when there is enough space.
Note: When we start customizing the manga page before drawing, we must first determine where to add the speech bubble.
The correct way
This is the correct technique, as you can see in the picture, my friends. We moved the balloon away from the girl's body, and she became more visible in the scene, unlike the first time.
Special case
Here, the scene doesn't allow us to remove the balloon from the character, so we may have to add it above the drawing, but not above the manga character's face, unless the need arises for that, such as adding a dramatic touch. Usually, we would add the dialogue balloon at the hair or shoulders, etc.
Wrong places
Here, the manga balloons pop out beyond the page boundaries and will not be visible to readers, nor will they be visible when your manga is printed.
healthy places
As long as there is enough space within the frame, why don't we add manga balloons within the scene, right?! As you can see with me, there are two girls in the scene, and above them there is a vast space, and there is no background either, so this is the right place. .
Suggestions about manga balloons and arrows
Do you see the arrow coming out of the balloon and heading towards the young man's head? That's what defines the character who is speaking, and it's boring to draw it straight; that would look ordinary.
The best way for the stock
It is best to pull the arrow from the bottom or from the right or left side, i.e., at an angle, as this will add more beauty to the scene.
long balloon
There is a common mistake among some mangaka, which is adding very long dialogue to a single balloon, which makes readers feel bored and not read it carefully, so I will give you some solutions and ideas to avoid the problem. .
Splitting the long balloon into two
Dividing the same dialogue into two or three balloons makes reading easier and more focused, especially when the text is important and cannot be shortened further.
For example, you can add two bubbles, one under the other, on the left or right side, provided that they are attached.
Two balloons on top of each other
The second suggestion is to add another balloon directly below the first, so that they are also adjacent, with the dialogue from the beginning at the top and the continuation below it.
How to use manga dialogue balloons like a mangaka
Two balloons slightly apart
The third suggestion is to add another speech bubble under the first one, but they are connected by a single line. This is if you have space within the manga scene. As you can see here, the character has enough space around him to add speech bubbles in any way we want.
Two separate balloons
The fourth suggestion is to add two completely separate balloons in the same frame, both pointing to the same character speaking with the arrow. This is a very useful method, as you add as many as you want, and readers will not get bored as long as the text is divided into parts.
Two adjacent and touching
The fifth suggestion is to add two balloons next to each other. Many may not use this method, but it depends on the scene itself. If there is no need to add them next to each other, then that is fine, especially when the scene is horizontal. .
And so, I have explained to you where and how to place manga balloons in a professional and distinctive way. Instead of piling up long dialogues, which would look boring, we must distribute them intelligently, and that is what this lesson about manga balloons covered. I will see you in other lessons, God willing. .
