Where the World Learns Manga from Japan

Learn from Japan’s Professional Manga Artists

MANGA DOJO Online is led by professional manga artist Kazuo Maekawa, creator of the manga adaptation of the Ace Attorney series and a manga professional with over 30 years of experience.

But this is only the beginning.

At MANGA DOJO, you’ll have the opportunity to learn from a growing team of professional manga artists, each with their own unique expertise.

  • Masters of manga backgrounds and perspective drawing
  • Professional shojo manga artists
  • Former Weekly Shonen Jump serialization artists
  • Character design specialists
  • Industry professionals with publishing experience in Japan

Every artist has a different style, technique, and career path. That’s why we believe learning from multiple professionals is the fastest way to grow as a manga creator.

There is no other place in the world where you can learn directly from so many professional Japanese manga artists in one community.

Only at MANGA DOJO Online.

YOUR NEXT CHAPTER IN MANGA STARTS HERE

Curious about MANGA DOJO Online?
Observe a class or join a FREE trial lesson this October.
Our new semester starts October 31, 2026.

Watch a class · October 10

Observation Day

October 10, 2026

Get a feel for our classes by watching a live lesson before you join.

Character Illustration
5:00–6:30 PM PDT
Manga Creation
9:00–10:30 PM PDT
Join Observation Day →

Try a lesson · October 24

FREE Trial Lesson

October 24, 2026

Experience learning manga for yourself. Take part in a free live trial lesson.

Character Illustration
5:00–6:00 PM PDT
Manga Creation
9:00–10:00 PM PDT
Book Your FREE Trial Lesson →

All October event times are Pacific Daylight Time (PDT / Los Angeles).
Please check the time difference in your country or region.

Ready for the next step?

New Semester Starts
October 31, 2026

Continue your manga journey with MANGA DOJO Online.

Explore Courses & Enroll →

JOIN US THIS OCTOBER

Choose the sessions you would like to attend below. You can select more than one session. After registering, we will contact you with joining details.

Name
Which sessions would you like to attend?
FREE Trial Lesson: take part in a live trial lesson. All times are PDT (Los Angeles).
Please write any questions, concerns, or comments here.

PRICING

※ Single Lesson & 4-Lesson Pass: Choose any session from the curriculum.
※ 12-Lesson Course: Students follow the complete curriculum in order. You can join even after the course has started. For any lessons you missed, you can either receive the class recordings or make up the missed lessons during the next term.

1-Year Manga Learning Program

MANGA DOJO Online is designed as a one-year learning program, divided into four 3-month terms.

Each term consists of 12 lessons and focuses on a structured curriculum designed to help students build their manga skills step by step.

After completing each 3-month term, students will:

  • Advance to the next level and continue with a new curriculum
  • Receive a PDF Certificate of Completion for the level they have completed

3 Months (12 Lessons) → Level Up → Next 3-Month Term

Students begin with Level 1, progress to Level 2 after completing their first 3 months, and continue developing their skills throughout the one-year program.

Enrollment and payment are renewed every 3 months, so students can decide whether to continue at the end of each term.

Our goal is to provide a clear learning path where students can steadily improve their manga skills over the course of a year while celebrating their progress at the end of each level.

✦ CHOOSE YOUR COURSE ✦

📅 1st Semester Starts August 1  
📅 2nd Semester Starts October 31st
·  Every Saturday  ·  12 Weeks

  • Small Group Lessons (Around 10 Students per Class)
  • Personalized Feedback After Every Class via Google Class room

Character Illustration

Recommended for:
Beginners and anyone who wants to improve their manga character drawing skills.

5:00 PM PT (Saturdays)

Manga Creation

Recommended for:
Intermediate artists and students who want to move from drawing individual characters to creating complete manga stories.

9:00 PM PT (Saturdays)

Age guide: Junior (Ages 13 & Under) / Standard (Ages 14+)
Students of any age are welcome to join either course.

3 pages Personalized Feedback Sessions + 1 Online 1-on-1 Lesson

Limited to 50 students  ·  Up to 3 pages per feedback session

CURRICULUM (12 Lessons)

📅 1st Semester Starts August 1  
📅 2nd Semester Starts October 31st
·  Every Saturday  ·  12 Weeks

Character Illustration
5:00 PM PT (Saturdays)

LessonDate
Drawing Faces from Basic Shapes10/31
The Magic of Manga Eyes11/7
Drawing Emotions & Expressions11/14
Hairstyles that Define Character11/21
Drawing the Body & Character Proportions11/28
Expressing Feelings Through Poses12/5
Clothing & Costume Design Basics12/12
Building Your Manga Character12/19
Manga Panels12/26
Telling a Story in 4 Panels1/9
Adding Text: Dialogue, Sound Effects & Titles1/16
Character Sheet1/23

…continues to the next term.

📅 1st Semester Starts August 1  
📅 2nd Semester Starts October 31st
·  Every Saturday  ·  12 Weeks

Manga Creation
9:00 PM PT (Saturdays)

LessonDate
Understanding Character Structure Like a Pro10/31
Mastering Multiple Face Angles11/7
Emotion & Pose: Telling Stories with the Body11/14
Manga Language Part 1: Panel Layout & Reading Flow11/21
Manga Language Part 2: Sound Effects, Speech Balloons & Effect Lines11/28
Story Development: Plot & Storyboarding Basics12/5
Inking Techniques: Lines, Tones & Textures12/12
Backgrounds That Set the Scene12/19
Character Relationships & Multi-Character Pages12/26
Advanced Storytelling: Pacing, Tension & Climax1/9
Refining Your Work: Self-Edit & Digital Touch-Up1/16
4-Page Manga1/23

…continues to the next term.

★ Junior Final Project

Create your own original manga character sheet: portrait, full body, and multiple expressions.

★ Standard Final Project

Create your own original 4-page manga with personalized feedback from a professional manga artist.

Join Anytime!

Even if the course has already started, you can still join!

🎓 Full 12-Lesson Course

Students who purchase the Full 12-Lesson Course will receive:

  • ✅ Recordings of all previous Google Meet lessons
  • ✅ Homework and assignments from previous classes

This means you can catch up at your own pace and join the current class without falling behind.
For any lessons you missed, you can either receive the class recordings or make up the missed lessons during the next term.

🎟️ Single Lesson Ticket & 4-Lesson Pass

The Single Lesson Ticket and 4-Lesson Pass are available for purchase at any time.

Simply choose the lessons you’d like to attend and start learning whenever you’re ready!

🎌 START YOUR MANGA JOURNEY TODAY!

Learn authentic manga techniques directly from professional manga artists in Japan.

AROUND 10 STUDENTS PER CLASS.

Meet Our Manga Artists

Learn from professional Japanese manga artists with diverse specialties from character design and storytelling to digital art and manga production.

Our lead manga artist
KAZUO MAEKAWA

Kazuo Maekawa is a professional manga artist with over 27 years of experience. Best known for his Ace Attorney and Ace Attorney Investigations manga adaptations, his works have been translated and sold worldwide. Beyond creating manga, he is passionate about sharing manga culture across borders — through workshops, training programs, and international educational projects.

前川かずおは1997年にヤングマガジン(講談社)でデビューし、27年以上のキャリアを持つプロ漫画家です。代表作『逆転裁判』『逆転検事』は世界各国で翻訳出版されています。漫画制作の傍ら、ワークショップ・育成プログラム・国際教育プロジェクトを通じて、日本の漫画文化を世界に広める活動を続けています。

Manga Works

Lesson Image

Do you have any questions?

Visit our FAQ page for answers to common questions.