Tokyo Communication Arts College: Manga, Illustration & Novel Program – Japan Study Abroad Network

Recommended for Westerners

The school’s curriculum has accounted for students who need more time and support to learn Kanji, etc. Not a feature of this school.
Flexible Class Schedule

You are able to request an AM or PM class schedule based on your needs. Not a feature of this school.
Wifi Available

Rest assured that this school has wifi available. Not a feature of this school.
Part-time Job Support

This school introduces part-time job opportunities so you can work while studying. Not a feature of this school.
Higher Education Counselling

This school provides specialized counseling to prepare and apply to colleges and universities after graduation. Not a feature of this school.
Career Support

counsellors are available to provide specialized support for full-time employment after graduation. Not a feature of this school.
Dormitories Available

This school introduces affordable shared living spaces. Not a feature of this school.
Apartments Available

This school introduces private apartments. Not a feature of this school.
Homestay Available

This school introduceslocal Japanese families where students can live while studying. Not a feature of this school.
In-School Activities

This school organizes regular interactive & cultural activities in the school. Not a feature of this school.
Out-of-School Activities

This school organizes out-of-school day-trips, excursions and events throughout the year. Not a feature of this school.
Student Lounge

Space outside of the classroom is available for students to interact casually and/or study. Not a feature of this school.

*Click each feature for details

School Introduction

The Tokyo Communication Arts (TCA) Technical College follows Three Educational Guidelines, which are: Vocational Education, Human Education, and International Education

With a belief that to in order to develop the talent that is needed in the industry, the student must work alongside the industry, TCA has practiced an "academia-industry collaborative education" since its establishment in 1988 by providing programs that work in close cooperation with companies, and by doing so has been successful in producing students that become immediately effective in the professional creative industry after graduation.

TCA stands behind its excellent professional education with a 3-year and 4-year curriculum that fosters a real & rich creativity based on the beauty of human ingenuity. This school is for the student who wishes to develop him or herself as a creator of the future.

Note that this school’s courses are all offered in Japanese only.

School Staff Support Languages:	Japanese
Minimum Course Duration:	3 years

Department Introduction

About the Program

The World of Design at TCA is about creating designs and illustrations that inspire, move, and influence people in this ever-evolving industry. With a small number of people in the class, students are able to develop high-level skills quickly, going from knowing nothing to being able to navigate the designers tools and create within the 1st year, as well as realize, explore and develop your individuality and strengths. Moreover, like most programs of TCA, the facilities, including the computer rooms, are open 24-hours a day, allowing students the freedom to devote themselves to their work as much as they like.

Within these 3-year programs, students learn how to produce and also how to sell their designs and illustrations, cultivating their power to express concepts strongly and effectively, learning universal techniques of drawing and illustrating while implementing individual methods of expression. This department also has an incredible success rate, with 100% of its students finding employment post-graduation in 2017 at such major companies as: BANDAI Namco Pictures, Glee, DMM, Success, Sega Interactive, Craft Worldwide, Mash Design Lab, JC Staff, From Software, Production IG, and more. And with the "W Major Curriculum" Policy, students are able to branch out from their initial major and choose courses from other programs in order to stimulate their interests and enhance their skillset & employability as a more well-rounded artist & designer.

This program prepares students for the following careers:

Professional Manga Artist
Novelist
Original Manga Author
Character Designer
DTP Operator
Magazine Editor
Comic Illustrator
Scenario Writer
Easy-reading Novel Writer
Picture Book Writer
Game Character Designer
Web Designer
VI Designer
DTP Designer
And more...

After this 3-to 4-year program, students will graduate with nationally-recognized Advanced Specialist Degree that is considered the equivalent to a 4-year University Degree from a technical school.

Graduates go on to work for at the following company types:

Self-represented Professional Manga Artists
Publishing Companies
Advertising Firms
Design Firms
Game Creation Companies
TV Production Companes
Film Production Companies
Theatre Production Companies
Advertising Agents
Editorial Production Firms
Copyright Production Companies
Web Movie Production Companies
Short Film Production Companies
Screenplay & Script Publishers / Production Companies
Scenario Production Companies

Students can choose between 4 majors:

Manga Major
Become a Manga artist who can create and sell your work in magazines & print as well as digital platforms & SNS. This 3- to 4-year program takes students through drawing techniques by hand to digitalizing and publishing with computer software. Students in this major can work as cartoonists, illustrators, original manga artists, manga artist assistants, character designers, picture book writers, and more.
Comic Illustration Major
Learn to create original and enticing illustration with both analog and digital technologies in this 3- to 4-year program, which prepares students to become an illustrator, cartoonist, manga artist, manga artist assistant, manga essayist, character designer, picture book writer, web designer, DTP designer, editorial designer, book designer, and more.
Digital Illustration and Manga Major
Master your skills in creating high quality digital manga illustrations through industry-standard software to prepare for such careers as illustrator, cartoonist, character designer, game designer, manga artist assistant, picture book writer, web designer, DTP designer, editorial designer, book designer, and more.
Novel & Scenario Major
Create your world through text as you master your skills as a story and scenario writer for manga, games, and animated films and learn about the planning of such kinds of projects. This 3- to 4-year program takes students through the techniques of story & narration writing, research, game planning, game scenario writing, novel production, and idea-generating techniques, through to article & editorial writing, in order to prepare students for careers as a light novel writer, novelist, game scenario writer, game planner, screenwriter, , composition writer, copywriter, magazine writer, web writer, original manga author, playwright, magazine editor, and more.

Unique Program Support to transition from Student to Professional

This program offers a unique and valuable support system to its students so that they can maximize their employability post-graduation. The system includes:

Get feedback on and correction of your work by professional editors & professional manga artists
Learn directly from professional writer in the industry who has created some hit works through guest seminars.
Have the opportunity to be recognized directly by professional editors at a school-organized event where you showcase your work to invited editors.
Have the opportunity to be published with the school sending work of high-potential students directly to publishers in the industry.
Support post-graduation to help you kickstart your career in the industry

Inquire about this school

Main Features

Employment after graduating: TCA offers a complete system of support out of its Career Support Center, which has connections and relationships directly with the industry.
Fosters Real Abilities: Within your 3-year or 4-year program, you will push hard to acquire the practical power and skill required, from learning the basics to real applications that prepare you for the industry.
Corporate Projects that give real-life experience: Tackle issues that corporations are facing at the present day and create solutions in class just as one would in the real world through the guidance of teachers who are active creators in the industry.
W Major Curriculum expands your possibilities: In addition to the classes that fall under the major that you decided at the time of admission, through this system you are able to choose courses from other majors. This freedom expands your talents and interests and makes you a more versatile creator in the world.
Overseas Practical Training: Although you may be taking this course from oversees as is, in your 3rd year you have the ability to go abroad for further training in places such as Milan, Los Angeles, and Paris in order to further your worldly perspective.
Support whenever you need it: The school offers support to its students through consultation about daily school life from a team of responsible staff, in addition to professional instructors who guide and support students’ studies.

School Location

Nearest station: Nishikasai station (Tokyo Metro Tozai line)
Distance from station: １ minute walk

The school is located in Nishikasai, where has variety of amusement facilities such as Metro Museum, su-pa-sentou (Public bath), Game shops, and even Tokyo Disney Resort. In Nishikasai, there are countless opportunities to find inspirations and develop your creativity.

Available Courses

Curriculum

Curriculum

Course Description

– How to create original ideas and characters

– How to draw using a pen and digitally (Manga Major)

– How to illustrate on a computer (Comic Illustration Major)

– How to write, writing techniques, manga & anime planning, novel production (Novel & Scenario Major)

Our Free Services

We aim to support all students who are interested in coming to Japan to study & live.
For this reason, we provide all of these services at not cost to you.

School & Visa
Application Support
Free Japanese
Language Lessons
Accommodation
Setup
24-Hour
Emergency Assistance

For free information & consultation about this and other schools in Japan

First and middle name(s)*
Family name(s) *
Email *
Confirm email *
Sex *
Date of birth *
Nationality (same as passport) *
Country of residence *
Current Japanese level	Pure Beginner (little to no study experience)Beginner (N5)Pre-Intermediate (N4)Intermediate (N3)Upper-Intermediate (N2)Advanced (N1)Other (please specify):
Highest level of education	Currently in High SchoolHigh School GraduateCurrently in CollegeCollege GraduateCurrently in UniversityUniversity GraduateCurrently doing Masters or PhDMasters or PhD GraduateOther (please specify):
Your objectives (check all that apply)	Long Term Japanese Language Studies (6 months~2 years / student visa)Short-term Japanese Language Studies (1 week~6 months / tourist visa)Technical or Vocational College (2~4 years)University (4 years)Graduate School (Masters or PhD)Junior / Senior High SchoolWorking & living in Japan longer-termOther (please specify):
In terms of your schedule, when do you plan to come to Japan to study? *
Tell us more about your dreams and goals in Japan, as well as any other preferences or requests that you may have.
Tell us which school program you are viewing, and/or the type(s) of programs you are interested in. *
How did you hear about us?	Web searchInstagramFacebookTwitterTikTokFriend recommendationOther (please specify):

By checking this box, you confirm: I understand and agree to the below 'Purpose of Collecting and Use of Personal Information' and confirm that the details entered in the form are correct. (EU nationals) I approve of the personal information that I have inputted being sent to non-EU member states. (Nationals of EU member states or of Iceland, Liechtenstein or Norway) I approve of the personal information that I have inputted being sent outside the European Economic Area (EEA). I am considered to have given my consent to my personal data being transferred outside the EEA. I understand that this means that, based on this consent, the data may be transferred to countries for which the European Commission has not reached a full and complete decision regarding the protection of personal data in the countries in question.

Purpose of Collecting and Use of Personal Information:We are collecting this information about you solely for the purposes of contacting you and providing you the information that is most suitable and relevant to your study, work or live abroad objectives. The information collected about you in this form is for internal purposes only, will be kept confidential & secure at all times, and will not be shared with any other 3rd-party organisation without your explicit consent. When you submit this form to us, you will automatically be sent an email copy containing the same information for your records. For any queries regarding the personal information collected about you, please email us at japan[at]deow.jp.