Does a manga have to be rendered in ink?

Question

Just wondering, lol. O_o

Answer 1

Not necessarily. I sometimes use computer programs like Manga pro or photoshop to draw out the panels and gutters in layers before adding tones and linework. Other times I do everything on a bristol board and scan it into the computer, then go back over and render it. There's so many ways to do art that it doesn't really matter unless you have a client who has a specific request.

Answer 2

There's a competition called Rising Stars of Manga, which compiles 10 winning short stories from amateurs and publishes it in a book..  For one year, the 1st prize winner did his/her manga in pencil.

And I know of a series called Miki Falls, which is published traditionally, and it's done in pencil too. It's manga form. The author is Mark Crilley. Good series, interesting idea... I don't think it's particularly popular, but well I've requested it's volumes from the library. Check it out!  

The series of Nemu Nemu is all done on computer, and posted online as webcomic, but later is published as book...  It's real cute...