Introduction

Manga effects are used to enhance character emotions, expressions, and the overall atmosphere of a situation.

This time, I've created many great tools for manga background effects, so I'll explain manga effects in general, and then introduce how and where to use these tools.

1. Disappointed Lines

First, I'll introduce the "Disappointed Lines" tools used in scenes where a character is feeling down.

 

 

I've created tools to use in scenes where characters are feeling down, so please download and try them from the link below.

First up is "Rough Streamlines." These can be used in scenes where a character with a realistic art style is feeling depressed. The vertical lines help reinforce the feeling of the character's mood sinking downwards.

This effect is often used when a character is in a deeply depressed state. This tool has a rough texture, which pairs well with analog-style drawings.

I also tried using it on a deformed character. However, the effect seems a bit too serious for the character. It doesn't quite match the character's thick, clean lines, giving a sense of detachment.

Next is the "Wavy Disappointed Lines" brush. This effect is suitable for comedic scenes or scenes where non-realistic, deformed characters are feeling down. It's perfect for situations where something unpleasant happens in daily life.

I also prepared an effect with short lines. Drawing these above a depressed character easily makes them look even more down.

Thanks to this effect, it's easier to tell who is feeling down, even when multiple characters are on screen.

The mechanism of this brush involves multiple wavy lines with gaps arranged horizontally.

If drawn on a vector layer, you can adjust the stroke spacing and tip thickness later.

You can also replace the brush tip material to create a different original brush.

By reusing the same selection area for brush tip materials and registering them along with their blank spaces, each material can be treated as a tip of the same size.

The "Swirling Disappointed Lines" are complete.

This is effective for scenes where a character is feeling down but also a bit confused.

Next is the "Dripping Disappointed Lines" tool.

These are disappointed lines with a droplet feel, like cold sweat dripping. They are effective in scenes where a character is flustered, cornered, or breaking out in a cold sweat.

 

 

This is a streamline tool; just specify the endpoint, and it will draw the rest automatically.

You can edit the endpoint later,

 

 

You can adjust the spacing, brush size, particle size, and more.

Since it's a streamline tool, if you set up a multi-curve ruler beforehand, it will snap to the curve ruler.

2. Flash

I will introduce how and where to use the classic flash-type tools.

Let's apply effects to this detective.

First, there's the white flash.

It's used in conjunction with black fills or gradients when noticing something or making a suggestion.

Next is a short white flash.

Compared to a long flash, it has a slightly calmer feel and is just right for scenes where a character has grasped a hint.

Next is the jagged white flash. It gives a slightly stronger impression and is recommended for scenes where something more shocking is realized.

Flashes can vary significantly in impression depending on line length and uniformity, so be mindful of intensity and use them differently for each scene.

I also prepared versions of each flash with faded lines.

I created these because the default flashes were too uniform and didn't match manga with analog-style line art. These faded flashes should blend in well with analog-style drawings.

Another advantage is that they are less prone to moiré patterns, which are unique to digital flashes.

I'll also introduce a common applied use for flashes.

First, create a small flash near the face, then hide unnecessary parts with a layer mask.

Adding a single white line on a new layer creates an effect for when a character has an epiphany.

You've probably seen it in manga before. It's surprisingly effective for how easy it is to do.

If you want to convey a sense of crisis or emphasize an epiphany, scattering some spattering dots creates a good effect.

 

 

Next is the lightning flash.

First, draw many flashes with the flash tool.

Adjust the position and size,

and connect the flashes with the "Lightning Line Brush".

Add a few more lines with the "Lightning Line Branch Brush," and the lightning flash is complete.

This effect is suitable for scenes where a more intense, shocking truth is revealed or a shocking event occurs.

3. Cheerful Concentrated Lines

Next is the Cheerful Concentrated Lines tool.

It's a dotted line effect, like sunlight, that enhances a character's joy when they are happy.

Now, let's make this happy character even happier with the "Cheerful Concentrated Line (Rod)" tool.

Since it's a concentrated line tool, you can draw many lines by simply specifying the endpoint.

I was able to draw cheerful concentrated lines in an instant.

It's effective when you want to emphasize a character's happiness, joy, or vigor.

Since they are concentrated lines, you can move the baseline and center.

It's effective to place the center either around the face or the chest.

You can adjust the spacing and cohesiveness of the concentrated lines.

You can also adjust the brush size, spacing, and thickness of the brush entrance and exit points.

I've prepared 7 types of cheerful concentrated lines, so please find the settings that best suit your character and scene.

As an application, combining them with "White Concentrated Lines" is also good.

By first setting up a radial ruler, and then using cheerful concentrated lines followed by white concentrated lines, you can draw concentrated lines with the same center.

This creates an effect that feels even more energetic and lively.

Next, let's add "Circular Dot Concentrated Lines" in white and give them a black outline.

It now has a more pop feel.

Combining various elements changes the impression, so if a single effect isn't enough, try different combinations.

Next, I'll introduce grayscale cheerful concentrated lines.

First up is "Rounded Corner Glow."

If used as is, it will turn black, so you need to change the layer color from monochrome to gray in the layer properties.

It brightens up with a dazzling smile. Use this if monochrome dotted cheerful concentrated lines don't suit your art style or scene.

Lastly, don't forget to turn on the screen tone.

I also prepared "Rounded Corner Blur," which is used in white along with a gradient.

Combining it with screen tones allows for even more diverse expressions.

Next are circular gradient concentrated lines.

These also won't be visible in monochrome, so be sure to convert them to grayscale.

This effect gives a pop and cute impression.

You can control the scattering amount with the [Stroke] [Spacing] value.

It's also interesting to change the [Repeat Method] from [Once Only] to other methods.

 

 

4. Irritated Concentrated Lines

Next are irritation-related concentrated lines.

These are used to reinforce negative emotions such as comedic irritation or jealousy.

Before using the tool, set up a wobbly radial curve ruler.

If you use the "Double Hatch Concentrated Lines" here, the hatching will snap to the wobbly lines.

In scenes where a character is irritated or dissatisfaction is building, you can emphasize that they are harboring negative emotions that are swelling up.

With these concentrated lines, you can also adjust the baseline, line spacing, and other parameters.

I created a total of 12 types of irritation concentrated lines. My recommendations are "Double Hatch Gradient" and "Rope Hatch Gradient Bundle Sharp".

You can also change the curvature of the lines later using the red shape lines.

Each one has slightly different nuances, so please try them all to see which one best fits your manga scene.

5. Eerie / Unsettling Concentrated Lines

Before, we looked at effects for comedic scenes, but next are unsettling effects that can be used in more serious and tense situations.

Let's make this man, who looks troubled and flustered in a serious atmosphere, even more unsettling and eerie.

First is the "Rough Concentrated Lines" tool.

The rough lines are nicely intertwined, enhancing the unsettling feeling.

While adjustments can be made later, the processing is heavy and the parameters are complex, so if you want to darken the lines, use the "Rough Addition Brush" on a separate layer.

You can also adjust the baseline later, but please be aware that the processing is quite heavy.

I'll introduce two selections from the five types of "Rough Concentrated Lines."

"Rough Concentrated Lines: Swirl"

This emphasizes a troubling emotion losing direction, swirling, and stagnating.

"Rough Cross Concentrated Lines"

This effect conveys conflicting emotions or complex opposing circumstances, rather than a direct threat.

Next is the "Eerie Concentrated Lines" tool.

This effect is commonly drawn in tense scenes in analog manga.

It can emphasize an eerie or tense atmosphere, anxiety, impatience, doubt, anger, and so on.

I've prepared 3 types, so please try them out.

Since these are also concentrated lines, you can edit the parameters later.

You can change the position of the baseline,

 

 

You can curve the shape lines to bend the entire eerie line.

It's convenient that hand-drawn style lines can be freely edited. You can adapt them freely to your manga scenes.

Furthermore, adding spattering to eerie concentrated lines can enhance the sense of tension.

The same applies to rough concentrated lines. You can easily create a powerful effect, as if cold sweat is gushing out.

6. Application to Battle Manga

Finally, a bonus.

This deviates a bit from character emotion expression, but I'll introduce applications for battle manga.

Let's add the effects we used this time to this character holding an energy ball.

I'll try using "Rough Concentrated Lines." Since this is a concentrated line tool, it can snap to the radial ruler in the hand.

While regular uniform concentrated lines give a neat and clean impression, this resulted in a rougher impression.

Next, add "Cheerful Rounded Corner Blur" and adjust.

Adjust parameters such as [Brush Tip] [Thickness], [Stroke] [Spacing], and [Entry/Exit] [Brush Size] [Spacing] [Thickness] to create your desired effect.

It now feels more overflowing with light.

Furthermore, I added "Cheerful Concentrated Line Flash" and adjusted it.

By skillfully utilizing concentrated lines, you can draw high-quality effects without complex work.

As a bonus, I also created energy concentrated lines.

There are 4 types in total.

When applied to the previous illustration, it looks like this.

Unlike the previous result with many screen tones, this monochrome analog-style version has a harder, sharper, and more refined impression.

Here's another example of energy concentrated lines.

First, place Energy Concentrated Line 3.

Right-click the red shape line, increase control points, switch corners to curves, and bend it sharply by more than 90 degrees.

This makes the concentrated lines follow the curve of a circle.

Adjust the position and size, then scatter white dots, and you've completed a girl angrily preparing an energy ball!

Finally, I created "Explosion Concentrated Lines," so I'll introduce them.

You can draw an explosion at a specified location.

Let's use the Explosion Concentrated Lines in this illustration of a tiger girl shooting a rocket launcher at a cow. Since this tool is also a concentrated line tool, it can snap to the radial ruler.

I was able to draw an explosion in an instant.

Since they are concentrated lines, you can make various adjustments later.

Using "Explosion Concentrated Lines A" allows you to depict the moment of a fierce explosion.

Using "Explosion Concentrated Lines B" allows you to depict a more subdued explosion than with A. Please use them differently depending on the manga scene.

Conclusion

That concludes the explanation of manga effects and the introduction of original tools.

I believe all of these tools address specific needs for those who draw manga.

If you like, please try using all the tools distributed this time, and then take another look at the effects in the manga you usually read.

 

I'm sure your perception of effects will change.

If you feel a discrepancy between the effects created with these tools and your own art, and you become dissatisfied, please try drawing your preferred effects by hand.

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I hope this video and these tools will be a hint for you at that time.