(Me with rakugo artist Katsura Kaishi. ^^ Photo ©Asahi Weekly)
The short story:
Name: Jamie Lynn Lano
Birthday: August 5, 1980 (Leo)
Etc: 6’0″(182cm) tall, Blood type B+
History: When I was a child, I moved between Washington and California states. I suppose that the Tri-cities is the closest that I have to a hometown. ^^ I’d always loved drawing. From the moment that I could hold a crayon, I was always doodling something. After graduating, I went to college in Arizona, where I graduated with a Bachelor’s in Animation. After that, I set straight out for Japan, the birthplace of anime. I’ve been there ever since, trying out life in The Big Mikan (Tokyo)!
Occupation: I write stories. 
Technically, I am also on tv and a newspaper columnist, too! For a while, I drew manga as an assistant, though, and I want to do it again on my own!
Personality: Above anything, creative! I’m a dreamer and and artist♥
Warning: My vices are reality tv shows, especially Survivor, The Amazing Race, and Top Model. I just love seeing different kinds of people, and different kinds of personalities! ^^
The long story:
I am 2365478 feet tall, which means that I kind of stick out in Japan, where everyone comes up to my knee. I could be considered a little bit crazy, I suppose, but that’s just how I am. Unique. ^^
In all actuality, I’m just a smidge taller than Taylor Swift. Maybe it’s fate? ^^
I also have feet that are too large for most shoes, so I plan to one day run away to the beach and wear only sandals for the rest of my life! Don’t worry, I plan to maintain a residence in Tokyo, too! (*^-^*)
I loooooooooooove to read. From my childhood up until present day, a lot of things have changed, but the one thing that hasn’t is that I can usually be found with a good book in my hands. If I am not drawing, I am usually reading! I read anything and everything, but my ultimate favorites are two old classics: White Fang, and The Mysterious Island.
Nowadays, I can often be found walking along the streets of Tokyo with my nose buried in a kindle, putting myself at heightened risk of falling to my doom. Good thing that I’m a risk-taker! I also should thank Japan for not having too many potholes ♡
Because I spend most of my time reading or drawing, I am somewhat afraid of wearing off my butt! I will have to look into this!
In other news, generally I’m trying to find the best way to enjoy life, wandering through it, not only experiencing heartbreak and disappointments but also triumphs, love, excitement, and most of all, life!
Please come on my journey with me! (*^-^*)
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Hello Jamie!!
I really really really love your blog!!!its awesome!! can you please answer a question :
I really love to become a mangaka and i can copy manga and anime very well but i cant create characters,i mean in my mind yes but in paper…..
i try books which are about manga but i still cant understand that!!
if you answer this i really really appreciate it, because i really dont know what to do!
I’m not sure what your question is. Perhaps you can elaborate for me?
If you want to know about making characters, maybe try basing them on your friends. A lot of mangaka base characters on people they know or celebrities. ^^
hi again!
well,i mean i can create characters,their personality or their appearance in my mind,but my problem is i cant draw what i have in mind on paper!i know i have to improve my drawing(maybe!) but i cant see any way since the books have no help!
if you can give me a way that i can draw what i have in mind, i really appreciate it!
and thank you soooo much for answering!!!:D
Hello Jamie!
I came across you today when I was searching up American manga artists! My inspiration is Arina Tanemura, like you! I think it is so cool when I read that about you! My friend keeps telling me to become an animator and move to Japan to learn animation there. How is Japan? Someone told me once that japanese people are racist and they do not like foreigners but my friend said they are not.
Also, do you know if people buy manga that you self publish? For example, if I self publish my own manga, will people buy it?
-Have a nice day!
Japan is very nice, depending on who you meet. Like any country, there are some people that will like you and some people who will not. ^o^;
If your manga is good, and you have a good marketing strategy, I’m sure that people will buy it!
i want to go to japan and im just as tall as you i was just wondering of people stare at you because your taller?
They definitely do! There aren’t really any girls my height here. XD
Hi, Jamie
My name is Destynie from Colorado. Ever since I was 9 I have been drawing anime. But when my mom got a new boyfriend my dreams were crushed. The reason why that is because when I show them to my mom and her boyfriend they don’t care. But all my friends at school love my art work. And thanks to you my dreams are back and i’ll do anything to become a artist.. So if you wouldn’t mind replying back … thanks by the way i’m 14.
Un-supportive people are just that: un-supportive people. Don’t worry about them and keep your dreams alive! I felt the same way because my family always dogged on my dreams of becoming an artist. Like Jamie, I moved to Japan after I graduated from university (Fine Art degree). If you really want it, don’t let anyone or anything (money, ahem) stand in your way (I had no money when I came to Japan). Thanks for posting!
Hello Jamie =D
I was typing into google of “How to be a Mangaka ” And your page showed up . I was inspired and amazed by your website and your job in Japan. How did you become a manga assistance?
I always wanted to work with mangaka but i dont know how to reach out or get to know one , the country i am in Singapore have yet to have a manga market.
I hope i can work with you and gain some mangaka experiences X3
Can you give me some advise on how to be a mangaka and also What do i need to take note as a mangaka , like paper quality and Do’s and Dont’s.
I have so many questions to ask you \>W</
I was looking at some reviews on the Art Institute of Phoenix, and lots of people said it was expensive for them, did you find that to be true also? I was also wondering when you were there did you feel like they were really teaching and equipping you for the outside world? Also are they good at helping students find jobs after graduation? I was just wondering.
Thank you for the previous reply
* For the “How to Become a Mangaka” will you talk about how you found the opening and how you got to Japan and such? I am eager to continue reading more ^_^
Thank You,
Zachary J.
Hello,Jamie.
Can I meet you in the future?
I want to meet you,but my parents don’t like Japan.
May be in the future I can meet you.
If you can’t ,I can comprehend.
Thank you.
P.S.:I’m not good at English,so I have many wrong word.I feel very sorry.
Dear Jamie .
Please give me an answer .Can or can ‘t .
Thank you .
I really want to make friend with you .
Hi Jenny,
Thank you for writing me! Who knows, maybe one day we will meet! ^^
Thank you very much!
I’m sorry that I reply you late,many days ago I’m really so busy.I have a important exam.
And now I am in winter vacation.I feel very happy.
Today Beijing is snowy.I have a cold.TuT.
Happy new year!
I saw you got a Bachelors in Animation in Arizona, I live in ARIZONA!!! I was wondering what school you went to, because I’m a senior and right now I’m on a college hunt X( The school you went to, do they give manga classes?? Or internships or jobs in Japan?? I really want to know, because I really really want to live in Japan!! And I want to find the best college that would help me with that.
Thank you
I went to the Art Institute of Phoenix and studied in the Media Arts and Animation program. There were no classes on comics or manga at the time, but that was ten years ago, so it may have changed. *^^* There were also no internships in Japan that I knew of, but those of course would always change, so I suggest that you do some searches online to see if you can find anything!
Hey! It’s A’Dreana again (I feel like an annoying fan
)
Anyway, I already sent a message like this, but I forgot to add in my email, so I’ll just ask again:
I’m doing a project for school regarding a future career, and I want to be an anime artist. I have to find someone with a similar career to interview, and I doubt there are anime artist in Indiana (or at least close by). Do you think I can send you some questions and a letter for you to respond to?
Thank you for reading.
Email: eclair.loomiair@gmail.com or eclair.loomiair@yahoo.com
P.S.
I’m doing this in two steps (waiting to see if you’ll say yes or not). And again, thank you.
what an cool life. a tall chick who reads, lives in japan and worked for takeshi konomi the great.
you’re awesome
p.s pls answer my question on getting started mangaka page
Hi Rustam! Which question was that? I looked but I wasn’t sure which was yours.
jamie.
it was a question about the story king competition in weekly shonen jump. Right now i can only make storyboards due to exams. So im asking if we can submit only storyboards or names o jump fr a competition. When can we submit it and what ‘ kind of paper do we need. How many pages
Thanks for replying, Rustam!
You have to submit a full, finished manga to this competition. All of the manga competitions that I’ve heard of are ones where you have to submit a full manga. If you want to get advice on a name, then you can contact a publisher directly by using the phone number in JUMP magazine, and try and get their advice on what to do. Good luck!
thanks jamie,
il visit the japan foundation tomorrow to pick up the jump magazine. also i will bribe my friend who knows japanese COMPLETELY to do the talking
you are the best!
please publish your manga soon because i am really looking forward to reading it. good luck to you too
Konnichiwa,
Ureshii anata no web peji o mitsuketa!
Hontoni omosjiroi.
Arigato, Jamie, san
Hi Jamie,
I came to your blog after realizing that your dream, like mine is to become a mangaka. I’m kind of having a crisis here so if possible would you kindly answer a few questions of mine?
First must you go to an art school to become a mangaka? Or you reckon I can self teach myself everything I need.
Second, the language itself is definitely a barrier I must overcome so I was wondering if you had this problem too.
Thanks
Hi!
I’ll try to talk about it on my blog in the future, but no, you don’t need to go to school to become a mangaka. You should read the manga “Bakuman,” because it is based on real experience. Some mangaka go to manga school and some don’t, it’s a lot like actors and singers. Some did and some didn’t, and it didn’t have any bearing on whether they became successful or not!
As for Japanese, no, you don’t have to know Japanese as long as you find an editor willing to work with you in English.
Hi Jamie,
Thank you very much for the response! And yes, I have tried that manga Bakuman before. But then, I find it hard to relate myself to them because I don’t live in Japan to begin with. So I was wondering how you got into Japan in the first place and more importantly how you got into that occupation.
Wow, there are editors in Japan that would be willing to work in English? I didn’t know that but glad to know! But I’m guessing that the chances are slim right?
One more thing, I know getting started in your own country first is a good idea, as in publishing, but what I’m scared is that what I can offer may not be what the locals like. Right now, I’m living in Canada, but I’m sure you know that western art/comic is very different from Japan anime/manga art. So would Canada really accept my art and do you think, say IF I DO manage to publish, would Japan look my way?
And I’ll definitely be looking forward to your blog. Once again thank you so much Jamie. I really appreciate this!
Thank you
No problem!
If you want to know how I got started in manga, you can read my assistant stories. It’s all there in the beginning.
Here is a link: Click me!
And if you want to know how I came to Japan, that’s all here too, in an old series of posts. Here is the first one: Click me!
Kodansha’s Morning Magazine runs a contest every year for international artists, which you can enter in English. The link for it is here: The Morning International Comic Competition.
I think that they also publish some other American artists in there, and I’ve heard of foreign artists who were scouted at Conventions in the US or through their published works in their home language. You should try to enter if you’re up to it!
So, it’s entirely possible that Japan might find your work if you get published in Canada. One thing’s for sure, though– nobody will find it if you never publish it at all!
Good luck!
Hi Jamie,
Once again thanks so much! I really appreciate your help here!
I’ll check out the pages right now!! If I have any more questions in the future, may I look for you again?
Thank you!
Any time!
umm ehee sryy to bother but i wanna ask u some staff ^,^ first of all WOW ur a mangaka o,o ny hole dream is to publish my manga in jupan drawing is everything to me im already doing my manga right now but do i have to live in japan to publish my manga ? i wanna publish it in shonen jump and i also hope to send them it by email,can this way work with them ? thax for ur time ^,^
Hi Niro!
I’m not a mangaka yet, but I can give you a few tips. First, you don’t have to be in Japan to publish in a Japanese magazine. You could get published in your home country first, and then it might get picked up for publication here, or you could enter one of the international competitions. Right now though, if you want to enter in the Shonen Jump competitions, you have to be able to write Japanese, or have it translated.
I’d say to work on learning right now, and learn how to write well, and then give it a shot!
were you an assistant of Prince of Tennis? I think i remember seeing an interview or something with you in it.
Anyways Just barely reading this now a huge inspiration to me
Im striving to become a manga artist and working hard everyday. I hope (and believe) i can be to the point where your at when im older.
Yes, I was! ^^ I’ve had interviews all over. Do you know which one you saw?
Good luck! If you try hard enough, you will definitely make it!
Hi Jamie!
I really like your new blog design.
I’ve been following your life for … 7 years or so now.
Back in the days I mainly followed you because you lived in Japan and you were into Prince of Tennis at that time.
Years later I moved to Japan as well, but I became more and more interested in you and what you wrote from there on.
You always say you are a dreamer, but I think that’s not true. More than a dreamer you are a “doer”!!! I mean just look at what you have achieved already!!
You’re a writer, actress, mangaka and whatnot.
I think you are a role model for many people out there!
I’ve not been in Japan as long as you, but I haven’t achieved anything.
My problem is not that I can’t chase my dreams, but I have yet to find out what my dreams are.
That’s something I always admired and was also jealous about. You had this one dream of becoming a mangaka for such a long time and every single day you are working towards it.
I hope one day I can figure out what I want to do as well.
Keep it up!!!! ^-^
Thanks! I wish that I had your savvy design skills, though! Maybe I’ll hire you one day to redesign my blog! ^.^
I guess that the way that I’m a dreamer is that I love to spend hours thinking about a world full of unicorns and flowers and castles, lol.
Design skills? Me?!? I don’t think so, seriously, but hearing it from a creative and talented person like you makes me really happy!! ^-^
Ahahaha~
What kind of drugs are you taking? I want them, too! :33
Nonono seriously, when I was redesigning my blog, I went over to your site to see if I could take any pointers! There are still things that you’ve done there that I want to incorporate into my blog too (in my own style of course!)
Oh, and my drug is life. I’m high on life! ^^
There’s still many things I’d love to change, but after working on it for almost 6 months straight (without having any idea what I was actually doing) I need a break for now and just create some content for the time being! ^-^
I need to learn how to do that. It does work sometimes for me, though!
You are the most influential people I follow. I am so happy I found your blog on livejournal. It was a random find but it was by far the greatest thing. You have influenced me to be happy, to help and love others. You are truly the most inspirational, head strong, and loving person. I wish you many success and just came to say THANK you for everything. Thank you for being you!
Thank you so much, Sifirela. Your words really mean a lot to me!
Hi, I just wanted to say, being tall is awesome! I’m 6ft and American as well. I found your site while trying to find mangas with main female leads who were tall. Not many exist and even in ones like LoveCom, you check it out and the girl is 5’7″. That is a huge 4″ difference D:
You seem very sweet and nice and I enjoy checking up on your website. Thanks!
Lisa~~~~<3
I know, right? When I read that manga, I was like, “since when is 5’7″ freakishly tall?” And the character always wears these tall heels but complains about being taller than all the boys. So weird.
Hey Jamie, I really like your blog
You really do know how to take nice pictures.
I’d like to know what kind of camera and lens you are using.
please continue the way you do, I really enjoy your blog <3
Sam
Thanks Sam!
I’m using a Pentax istDS, and the lens for these pictures was just the kit lens. To be honest, though, I think that almost all of the DSLR cameras are pretty much the same, at least up to a point. You can take a really good picture even with just a cellphone camera these days
Konnichiwa Jamie-chan!! ^_^”
You might think this is weird but… i actually check out your website twice every day (your old one) just in case you posted something new …..*sighs*….. it’s just that you are an inspiration to me!!! Ever since I was a little girl (born 1990) I loved japan ~ believe it or not, but i learned about this amazing country when i was just 5 years old from my dad!! your life and how you are trying to accomplish your dreams (with some already accomplished such as GETTING TO JAPAN!) it really makes my heart skip a beat… i want what you have. don’t get me wrong, I’m not envious or hate you to death or wish you would just disappear and i would replace you…. iya iya iya!!! it’s the opposite………U ROCK JAMIE!!! I only wish the best for you and your future, I love what your are doing and your blog shows it all.
I am trying to get my English bachelor degree so i can try my best to teach English in Japan, anywhere in this beautiful country will do. I wish to live there for the rest of my life and teach every single day (my passion is teaching). I want to walk the streets of Japan and smile back at the wonderful people that inhabit it….*ahem*…. gomen ne…. i just don’t have anyone else to tell this to, and i was hoping you would understand >_<"…anyways, jamie i just wanted you to know that you have strengthened the fire that is burning my heart with every post you make and with every picture you display. domo arigatou gozaimasu jamie-chan…. i only ask that you keep living a happy and blissful life….. and of course, keep us updated!!!
~aya (currently i'm in tripoli, libya…. u know that civil war place… i'm fine… i hope ^_<)