1. Introduction

　In recent years, the environment surrounding manga production has undergone significant changes due to the evolution of digital tools and the advancement of AI technology. The proliferation of high-performance digital production tools has made full-color manga creation more efficient than ever before. Furthermore, the rise of e-books and web serialization has opened up new expressive possibilities, freeing creators from the constraints of traditional print media.

　At the same time, image generation via generative AI has become commonplace, ushering in an era where anyone can easily produce “high-quality, convincing-looking art.” In this context, I believe the significance and value of manga created through human “creativity” is being questioned anew.

Against this backdrop, I propose introducing a new conceptual value as a manga subgenre: “Manga Ultima.”

　This concept and value aims for the ultimate manga expression in the digital age, pursuing overwhelming quality that surpasses commercial works, with full-color expression as the standard.

　The purpose of proposing this new genre is to pioneer new horizons of expression made possible precisely by the digital age, while simultaneously reaffirming the “essential value of human-created art” in the AI era.

In this article, I wish to share with all manga creators a detailed explanation of the definition and significance of “Manga Ultima,” along with its potential and challenges.

2. What is Manga Ultima?

2.1 Definition of Manga Ultima

Requirement 1: The work must be in full color.

First, full-color expression is a fundamental requirement.

While manga has long relied primarily on monochrome expression, images generated by AI are inherently full-color. Using full-color expression is considered an essential requirement, also serving to demonstrate the dignity of human creators’ creative acts in relation to AI-generated images.

Requirement 2: The artwork must be of the highest level of quality for a manga work.

AI-generated images now exist that are indistinguishable from high-quality paintings at first glance. Therefore, to uphold the dignity of human creators’ creative acts in the face of AI image generation, it is essential that the level of artwork be of the highest standard achievable in manga. Specifically, we set the level of artwork in “high-quality animated films,” exemplified by Studio Ghibli works, as one benchmark (goal).

Requirement 3: The panel layout and composition techniques must be of the highest level for a manga work.

Third, we require exceptional technical skill in manga direction, particularly in panel layout and composition, as a fundamental requirement.

No matter how excellent the artwork may be, without the unique expressive techniques and skills that make manga effective, it becomes no different from a mere art book. Considering that even simply arranging AI-generated images can now satisfy Requirement 2, Requirement 3 is essential to demonstrate the dignity of human creators’ creative acts against AI.

　The technical level benchmark is set at the standard of “Futari no Majo Shugyo (The Tale of Two Witchies’ Apprenticeship)” and “Uchuu no Tomoshiere.”

Requirement 4: The work must be drawn by a human, not generated by AI.

Fourth, we require that the artwork be drawn by a human, not generated by AI.

As we will discuss later, the emergence of generative AI has prompted us to reconsider the value of artwork created by humans through time and effort.

　The proposal of the concept “Manga Ultima” is motivated by a desire to provide an opportunity to reexamine the value and dignity of human-created art. Therefore, we envision Manga Ultima as an icon that guarantees the work is a creation drawn by human hands, not an image generated by AI.

2.2 Differentiation from existing genres

While other forms of high-quality, full-color pictorial narrative expression exist, such as “bandes dessinées” and “comics,” these are considered distinct from ‘manga’ and are therefore excluded from the definition of “Manga Ultima.”

　These forms possess their own distinct histories and cultural backgrounds, having developed within contexts different from manga. Manga Ultima aims to be based on Japanese manga culture while differentiating itself from these other forms.

However, it is highly anticipated—and indeed welcomed—that future cultural developments may blur the distinctions between them.

Additionally, “four-panel comics” and similar formats are excluded as their purpose differs.

2.3 Regarding the story aspect

Regarding stories, works that are highly commercial or entertaining are not necessarily superior, and since it is difficult to judge their quality, we will refrain from setting criteria in order to respect diversity.

　From short stories to long-form works, from serious narratives to gag manga, from calm, uneventful depictions of nature to Hollywood-style suspenseful plots, from tales with absurd endings to meticulously crafted mysteries with grand twists—stories across every genre have the potential to be expressed as Manga Ultima.

3. The Motivation Behind Manga Ultima

The proposal of a new genre called “Manga Ultima” is driven by three major motivations, as outlined below.

3.1 Expanding expressive possibilities through the evolution of digital tools

First and foremost, it is worth noting that the evolution of digital tools has significantly reduced the production costs of full-color manga works.

3.2 Expanding Possibilities for Expression Through Changes in the Media Environment

The next significant motivation is that the evolving media landscape surrounding manga is expanding its expressive possibilities.

The growth of the e-book market and the proliferation of web serialization are liberating “manga” from the various constraints inherent to traditional print media, opening up diverse new expressive possibilities as follows:

• Liberation from page count limitations
• Liberation from considerations of printing costs and the necessity of monochrome expression
• Liberation from considerations of binding formats
• The potential for incorporating and integrating other media and forms of expression, such as music

3.3 The emergence of generative AI calls for a renewed appreciation of the value of human creative endeavors.

The final, and extremely important, motivation is that the emergence of generative AI necessitates a renewed appreciation for the value of human creative acts.

Currently, generative AI continues to evolve at an astonishing pace. With just a prompt input, anyone can generate reasonably good-looking images in large quantities and in a short time. In this situation, I strongly feel that the meaning of humans taking time to carefully draw each piece of art is being questioned anew.

　In this context, I believe Manga Ultima holds special significance and value.

Generative AI can produce high-quality images in seconds, by anyone, in infinite quantities. Yet, something crucial is missing.

That something is “soul” and “romance.”

　The images generated by AI are merely combinations of data learned from existing creative works.

In contrast, each piece created by a human artist is imbued with the creator’s thoughts, philosophy, and worldview.

We believe the overwhelming quality Manga Ultima strives for transcends mere technical perfection; it is a means to express such profound spirituality.

4. The Cultural Significance of Manga Ultima

Manga Ultima holds significant importance within cultural contexts as well.

4.1 Positioning from a global perspective

Japanese manga culture has long been dominated by monochrome expression.

Meanwhile, overseas, American comics and bandes dessinées have developed expressions characterized by full-color, meticulously detailed artwork.

　Manga Ultima aims to pioneer new horizons in full-color expression. While conscious of this global context, it leverages the strengths cultivated by Japanese manga: easy-to-read panel layouts, dynamic storytelling, and nuanced psychological portrayal.

4.2 New Possibilities for Japanese Manga Culture

　Manga Ultima believes it can contribute to Japanese manga culture in the following ways:

• Expanding the possibilities and diversity of manga expression
• Establishing new standards for work quality
• Enhancing readers’ experience of the works
• Pursuing value beyond the commercial context

Regarding the commercial context specifically, various constraints currently exist, such as:

• Time constraints driven by deadlines
• Consideration for publisher preferences and market trends
• Maintaining serialization pacing
• Excessive competitive pressure

These constraints can be seen as factors limiting creators’ expression.

　Manga Ultima adopts a stance completely free from these commercial constraints. This signifies an approach that pursues the pure potential of expression, transcending commercial success or recognition.

Below is the niche Manga Ultima aims for. Manga Ultima targets the highest quality niche, one difficult for commercial works to achieve.

5. Future Outlook

The following outlines the author’s future outlook.

Our primary goal is “Studio Ghibli films.” Let’s all strive to achieve it together.

おまけ

The Manga Ultima logo is displayed below.

If you have a burning desire to challenge yourself with Manga Ultima, feel free to use it.