Two brothers from India have made their professional manga debut in Japan after being discovered through an international talent competition organised by Japanese publishing giant Kadokawa, the Japan TImes reported.
Jivan, 22, and Yash, 18, from Amravati in Maharashtra, created under the name MasterLynx. Their action-comedy series, ‘Kung Fu Kung Fool’, began serialization on Kadokawa’s online manga platform in May after the duo won a Silver Prize in the publisher’s global silent manga contest last year.
The series follows the adventures of a notorious thief named Goemon and a young boy, Bao. Speaking after their debut, the brothers said the opportunity was the fulfilment of a lifelong dream.
Inspired By Dragon Ball
Their journey began with a childhood fascination for the famous Japanese action manga ‘Dragon Ball’, created by the late Akira Toriyama. With no formal manga training available in India, they taught themselves by studying anime, sketching characters and learning techniques through online videos from established manga artists.
Alongside honing their skills, the brothers worked as freelance illustrators for clients in the United States and Europe. When Kadokawa announced its international contest for manga without dialogue, they decided to participate, hoping simply to publish their original stories. Their winning entry eventually led to a monthly serialization.
One of the biggest challenges has been adapting their work for Japanese readers, particularly the extensive use of Japanese words that sound like the noises they describe, such as hiss for instance, meow or boom. Kadokawa’s editorial team works with the brothers to translate and localise these expressions while preserving the story’s flow.
New Manga Talent
The brothers’ success comes as Japan’s manga industry increasingly looks beyond its borders for new creators. With demand for manga content rising globally, publishers have intensified efforts to identify promising artists overseas.
Kadokawa established a dedicated international editorial division last year to mentor and support foreign creators. The publisher says the Indian duo stand out for blending their own artistic style with a deep respect for Japanese manga traditions, giving them the potential to attract readers worldwide.
For Jivan and Yash, however, the goal remains straightforward: to continue creating original stories and build a lasting career in manga.
(With input from agency)
