Anime3000: How old were you when you realized you had drawing talent?

Sison: I can’t remember exactly, but I think I was around the age of 8 to 10 when I started to realize that my drawings were different and better than those made by kids the same age as me.

Anime3000: Did your parents support your artistic talent?

Sison: When I was a kid, they were unhappy every time they [saw] doodles on my notebook instead of school notes, and they were very unhappy whenever I [used] the wall as a sketch paper for my masterpiece. But that all changed when I started to pursue art as a career, [now] my parents are very supportive.

Sison: I think it must be the traditional painting with color and anatomy, but for the most, it was self taught. Most of my professors were not fond of the manga style.

Anime3000: Being a non-Japanese artist illustrating a manga (Ninja Girl KO), what is your take on "Original English Language" manga?

Sison: In my personal opinion, language is no indication of the quality of artwork or even story telling, however, the bulk of original English manga has yet to be at par with the bulk of releases produced by the Japanese. Titles may improve as the style continues to foot hold in the US, that remains to be seen though, and it seems to me that may be the case.

Anime3000: How long does it take you to do a single image--for instance, a manga cover?

Sison: I would say careful planning for the cover may take hours, even days. Completing the cover can be done in a day or two, or even more, it all depends on how intricate the art is, and how demanding the illustration needs to be.

Anime3000: What was the first thing you did when you heard you were up for an award in the 2nd International Manga Awards?

Sison: When my boss first told me the news that I was up for an award, all I did was stand still and smiled but deep inside I was jumping for joy. I was very excited and proud inside me. It was a great feeling to be recognized by Japan.

Anime3000: Besides Ninja Girl KO!, what projects are you working on currently?

Sison: Currently I work in a studio based in the Philippines called Groundbreakers Inc. Ninja Girl KO! is in Mangaholix comics magazine which is published locally by Groundbreakers. Our studio works are mostly manga/comic books, book illustrations, and card game art for various clients.

Anime3000: Which artists would you like to meet and why?

Sison: There are a lot of great manga artists that I’d like to meet, but for now I think it’s Kousuke Fujishima. His style is very influential to me, and I [have] always wanted to meet him in person.

Anime3000: What advice would you give to an aspiring artist looking to get into the manga industry?

Sison: Always keep writing, drawing and improving your skills, try to get people to criticize your work sincerely so you know your strengths and weaknesses. And of course, find other people who share your interest and dreams so you can work together in making them come true. Be patient.

To see more of Kriss Sison’s artwork, visit his Deviant Art page at http://eltinidordediyablo.deviantart.com