Some stories cross borders, transcend languages, and invite others into something bigger. On the third day of the RIT and Nihon Manga Juku Professional Manga Studio pilot program, I witnessed one of those stories come to life in the heart of Tokyo.
Organized by Kofi Bazzell-Smith who is an artist, educator, and the first professor of manga practice in the United States. This four-day workshop welcomed 18 hand-selected students from Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) into the most respected manga technical school in Japan for a rigorous, practical, and deeply immersive learning experience.
Inside Nihon Manga Juku, the atmosphere buzzed with quiet focus. Phones were off, screens stowed away. Just pencils, ink, creativity, and a shared reverence for manga. Bookshelves bursting with manga, framed character sketches, and anime figurines surrounded students who wore their own creativity proudly—colorful hair, self-expressive T-shirts and decorated sneakers. This was not just a classroom; it was a cultural crossroads.
The goal? To equip young artists not just with the techniques of manga, but with a deeper understanding of Japanese language, culture, and artistic discipline.
The Heart of the Manga Workshop: Nurturing Talent and Breaking Down Barriers
The manga workshop was abuzz with activity. After initial announcements and an introduction to the renowned mangaka Iwasawa Sensei, who specializes in baseball manga, students plunged into one-on-one consultations. “We prepared weeks in advance,” Kofi explained. “Each student submitted three questions for their one-on-one consultations. I translated them into Japanese and sent them ahead to the school. I wanted their experience here to be intentional—not just educational, but truly collaborative.”
That collaborative spirit extended beyond the curriculum. Supporting every step of this bilingual, multicultural experience was Borderless Translations, a Tokyo-based interpretation and localization agency founded by Mac Kendema. Mac’s team provided Japanese to English interpretation throughout the workshop, ensuring that every exchange was fluid, respectful, and understood.
Each student created a four-page manga (some even stretched to five or six) over the span of just a few days—refining character arcs, sharpening visual storytelling, and receiving pointed feedback from seasoned manga professionals. “The feedback gets really specific at this level,” Kofi said. “These students are already drawing at a professional level. They applied to my class and I handpicked the top 18. Once the skill level is high, the guidance has to be personalized. It’s no longer about how to draw but it’s about how to express.”
But perhaps the most powerful part of this experience wasn’t technical, it was cultural.
Each student was paired with two Japanese conversation partners. They practiced Japanese, learned how to introduce themselves, and immersed themselves in the language as much as art. “I’m not just teaching how to draw manga,” Kofi said. “I’m teaching it through the lens of Japanese language and culture. That’s how we make it borderless.”
Navigating Creative Landscapes in the US and Japan: Manga Without Borders
Kofi’s unique position as an American mangaka deeply rooted in Japanese art offers a fascinating perspective on navigating creative spaces. In the US, comics often struggle for academic recognition, with art education typically focused on Western European traditions. As Kofi Sensei put it, his artistic foundation was “always just manga. I went back to school late when I was about 28 years old and I got introduced to Italian and French art and maybe a little Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo. It was almost sort of like a reverse culture shock.” he said. “But manga? That’s what I’ve drawn since I was five.”
In Japan, however, his language ability has been an immense asset, allowing him to connect with renowned mangaka institutions and schools, fostering a great partnership. “People here really respect you when you take time to learn the language and the culture.” Ultimately, Kofi Sensei is making manga truly borderless not just by teaching drawing techniques but by immersing his students in Japanese culture.
A Dream Realized: The Global Manga Academy Takes Shape
For Kofi, this moment was years in the making. It was a culmination of a deeply personal and persistent dream. “There’s no way to learn how to make manga in the US,” he explained, underscoring the vital need for such a program. His journey to becoming the first professor of manga practice in the US involved years of studying Japanese art and forging crucial connections.
The main focus of the trip, the manga school, is renowned as the top technical school in the country, boasting the highest number of graduates who go on to become professional mangaka. Bringing his students to this esteemed institution was a pivotal moment, especially in overcoming the significant language barrier that often limits access to the manga world. Borderless Translations’ role in providing interpretation was, therefore, not just a service but a vital bridge.
This global mindset is what unites Kofi and creative collaborators like Borderless Translations. “We don’t just translate,” said Mac Kendema, who also runs Borderless Studios, a game development company. “We exist to help ideas flow across borders. So when someone like Kofi comes along. Someone purpose-driven and creating something with global impact, we’re happy to be part of that story.”
And that story is far from over. Kofi is now laying the foundation for his Global Manga Academy, a long-term vision for international manga education that breaks the boundaries of geography and language.
For the students, these four days weren’t just a workshop, they were a transformation.
For Kofi, it was a dream realized.
For Borderless Translations, it was another example of why making creative work truly borderless matters.
And for all of us watching, it was a reminder that vision, passion, and action are a recipe for an inspiring outcome.
Interested in supporting the Global Manga Academy?
To sponsor a student or inquire about future collaborations, contact Kofi Bazzell-Smith or visit https://www.kofimanga.com/.
For English to Japanese and Japanese to English Interpretation and Translation Services
Contact Mac Kendema at mac@borderlesstranslations.jp and to support Borderless Studios visit https://ko-fi.com/post/Help-Us-Bring-Clock-Out-at-2-to-Japan-V7V712CBCG
Written by Angelina Maphanga, Founder of The AM Muse—
a boutique brand and media company rooted in helping creatives and purpose-led brands tell stories that connect deeply and inspire action.