Q&A with the author of Black Noblesse

I had the chance to meet with an exciting new amateur mangaka “Copoki“, who’s just starting to carve their own path. In this Q&A, I dive into their creative journey, inspirations, and the challenges of breaking into the industry. It’s a fresh take from someone with big dreams and a lot of passion.

Copoki, a globe-trotting storyteller whose passion for manga and creative storytelling knows no bounds. With a rich blend of experiences and cultural influences, Copoki is crafting something truly unique alongside a brilliant artist, “Black Noblesse”.

Black Noblesse is a thrilling fantasy manga that follows Nailah, a former aristocrat who must fight her way back from nothing to reclaim her dreams. Filled with rich world-building, mythology, and an underdog’s journey, this series is a must-read!

But rather than give too much away, we’ll let you dive in and discover the captivating world they’re building for yourself. Expect surprises, a touch of mythology, and an epic journey that’s just beginning. Get ready—there’s so much more to uncover!

Meet the authour

Can you tell us a little bit about yourself and where you’re from?
Hello, I’m Copoki! I’m the manga writer behind Black Noblesse and I work with the amazing artist Dominic Pinto, but before anything else, I’d say I’m a fanboy of great storytelling whether it be a manga, a comic, a TV show, or a video game. I was born in the US but spent most of my life in Montreal, Quebec Canada. I’ve also lived in France and Guinea. One could say that I moved around a lot I guess haha.

What motivates you to keep pursuing your goals, both personally and professionally?

I would say the fun time I am having creating this manga and the anticipation of sharing some of my favorite moments with my readers would be my main sources of motivation.

How did your childhood or upbringing influence your decision to pursue storytelling in manga?

My first mangas were Saint Seiya and Dragon Ball. After reading those masterpieces where you see characters going past their limits after each arc, I just couldn’t stop reading manga and watching anime. 
Also, growing up, my mother had me and my siblings read at least one book a month, and when I discovered books like Amos Daragon, Pakkal, and Eragon, it only fueled my love for storytelling even more.

Finally, I had a teacher in elementary school who introduced me and many of my classmates to European comics such as Tintin, Lucky Luke, and Asterix

All of these influences have definitely shaped my path towards pursuing storytelling through manga.

Are there any specific artists, manga series, or other creative mediums that heavily influence your work?

One Piece and Hunter x Hunter are works that heavily influenced my writing style. I love how these works take their time to build the story and ensure that we readers are rewarded for our patience with amazing payoffs. In addition to those, titles like Game of Thrones and Final Fantasy have also impacted my approach to worldbuilding, whether it’s creating intricate power systems, political landscapes, or the technology within the world.

I’m also strongly inspired by mythology and folklore from multiple different cultures, lots of my characters are usually inspired by heroes or villains from such stories.

What motivates you to keep going when you’re struggling with a project or feeling uninspired?

Yeah, there are definitely times like this when you lack inspiration or are not in the right headspace to be productive. When I can’t create, I consume. I truly believe that creativity breeds creativity. For example, I like watching videos of this musician on YouTube Gami, that is showing us his journey and growth in music. It’s a great reminder of how fun and rewarding the creative process can be. Plus, the support from my readers and family always gives me a powerful boost in motivation whenever I’m struggling with the manga.

Learn about the story of Black Noblesse

Can you tell us a bit about the current story “Black Noblesse”? What is the main plot or premise?

Black Noblesse is a fantasy manga that follows Nailah, a peasant who is adopted into the aristocracy at a young age. She has the grand dream of becoming the Elysian, a title that represents the pinnacle of aristocracy charged with ensuring the Empire’s prosperity however, as she had gotten closer to achieving her dream, an incident happened, leading her to lose everything. The story follows her journey as she tries to climb back the societal ladder from the very bottom of society. 

Who are the characters?

The main character of Black Noblesse is Nailah Pristine. She’s hard-headed, ambitious, and will stop at nothing to reach her goals. When I created her, I pictured a character like a Disney Princess who has to climb back up the social ladder in a harsh world, relying solely on her own hard work and determination.

As for the rest of the main cast, I can’t reveal too much since they haven’t been introduced yet, but you can expect an interesting and diverse cast. What I can tell you is that we are still in arc 0. 

How did you come up with the idea for this “Black Noblesse”? Was it a sudden inspiration or something that developed over time?

It is something that took years to develop. I always knew I wanted to create a story taking place in a world that I had built.  I drew inspiration from a variety of historical periods, like the Great Depression and the Victorian Era, as well as mythology and folklore most particularly Greek mythology, the Knights of the Round Table, and classic fairy tales to shape both the world and the characters.

I’ve always rooted for the underdog, so I’m a big fan of the zero-to-hero archetype, where a character has nothing going for them, but still manages to make something of themselves through hard work, determination, and personal growth. So that was the basis of Black Noblesse. From there, I continued to work on the world, the characters, and the story, and here we are!

How has your story evolved from the first draft to where it is now? Have there been any major changes along the way that surprised even you?

The story has changed quite a bit from the first draft, whether it be character names, their designs, or the story’s events. For example, In my first draft, Nailah’s name was Edelmira, I had a poll with my readers to name the protagonist, and the name Nailah won although Edelmira was a close second. I’ll be doing many more polls like these to name characters, places, and maybe even techniques.

Also, I didn’t have the events at the workhouse with Keisha in my first draft which is something I decided to add as I thought these events would help shape Nailah’s character. 

Is there anything else that you would want people to know about your book or story?

We’re approaching the climax of the first saga, which we expect to hit in the first half of 2025. Plus, the first physical volume will be released soon, so make sure to follow our prelaunch page to stay updated! Stay tuned! Exciting things are coming!

Check out the pre-launch website here – Black Noblesse

Becoming an amature mangaka

What advice would you give to aspiring mangakas who are just starting out and want to improve their skills?

I still have a long way to go myself, but I’d say before diving into scripts or storyboards, first, study the medium. Learn different storytelling techniques, learn the basics of paneling, and learn how to write good dialogue. Having a good story or a cool art style isn’t enough to create a good comic or manga, the execution is just as important. Once you’ve absorbed that knowledge, you can filter it to shape your own style. After all, the goal is to create our own stories, not just replicate those that inspired us. Finally, remember: create, create, and keep creating.

Have you experimented with social media marketing? If so, which platforms have been the most successful for you and why?

I have a little. I’m most active on Instagram, Twitter, and Reddit. Reddit brings in quite a few readers especially on Global Comix and in terms of making Black Noblesse known, I’d say Instagram and Twitter are also quite efficient.

What is the most important skill or technique you think every aspiring mangaka should master?

I would say character development. By that, I don’t only mean the character’s evolution, but even their design. I think creating iconic characters that people connect with is key to having a very loyal fanbase and therefore timeless manga.

What is the best way for amateur mangaka writers to find artists to collaborate with?

The best way for amateur mangaka writers to find artists to collaborate with is by actively engaging with communities where artists gather. Reddit forums, for example, are a great place to start. By participating in these discussions, you’ll likely come across a peer who’s excited to collaborate with you, some might actively be looking for work.

Another approach is to reach out directly to artists whose work you admire. You never know, sometimes all you need to do is ask. 

Finally, it’s important to keep in mind that many artists prefer upfront payment rather than working for a share of potential future royalties, as it offers them more immediate and guaranteed compensation for their time and effort.

What should a writer keep in mind when working with an artist for the first time?

First, I would say that good art can take time, it’s important to be patient with the artist.

Then, obviously, communication is key when working with an artist. Be clear with what you want from the artist to make sure that you are on the same page and have the same vision for every scene. Providing visual references can be incredibly helpful. They give the artist a clear idea of your expectations and can serve as inspiration for their work.

Also, In the same way, we, as writers will be giving feedback to our artists to create the best version of our manga, the artist will have valuable feedback on your writing as well. It’s important to listen.

Stay Updated: Black Noblesse Awaits You

Huge thanks to Copoki for sharing his time and insights with us! With the thrilling climax of the first Black Noblesse saga on the horizon and its debut physical volume coming soon, now’s the perfect time to dive into Nailah’s remarkable journey. Don’t miss out—check out the prelaunch page at blacknoblesse.com for the latest updates. You can start reading Black Noblesse now on Global Comix: globalcomix.com/c/black-nobles. For more updates and exclusive behind-the-scenes content, follow Copoki at beacons.ai/copoki. Join the adventure and become part of the Black Noblesse community!

If you’d like to learn more about mangaka, check out this article on famous artists and their hometown roots.