53 The Inspiring Journey of Kofi Manga

53 The Inspiring Journey of Kofi Manga

On this episode of the Japan Station podcast, manga creator and boxer Kofi Bazzell-Smith (a.k.a. Kofi Manga) stops by to discuss manga, the Japanese language, and the importance of perseverance.

About Kofi Manga

Kofi Bazzell-Smith is an American manga creator and boxer. He is active on YouTube and Instagram under the name Kofi Manga.

Topics Discussed
  • The anime/manga Hajime no Ippo
  • How it was that Kofi started studying Japanese
  • How Kofi checks the Japanese that writes for his manga
  • Lang-8 and HelloTalk
  • The story of how Kofi was able to go to Japan for the first time
  • Working as a video game tester for Deep Silver Volition
  • Studying Japanese in Fukuoka for a month
  • Getting one-on-one manga storytelling classes from a manga artist in Japan
  • The importance of making mistakes when learning a new language
  • How Kofi ended up going to Kansai Gaidai University
  • How Kofi earned money in order to get back to Japan
  • Kofi's quest to study at Kyoto Seika University
  • Kansai Gaidai and its dorms
  • Taking a manga production course at Kansai Gaidai University
  • The time Kofi had his portfolio reviewed by professional manga editors at the Kyoto International Manga Museum
  • The important advice that Kofi received from a Kodansha editor
  • Why Kofi decided to draw a boxing manga
  • Studying under Professor Akira Sasō at Kyoto Seika University
  • Osamu Tezuka's old apartment Tokiwa-sō
  • Getting accepted to participate in the Tokwa-sō Project
  • The importance of perseverence and being a nice person
  • What Kofi is currently working on and future plans
  • And much more!
Support on Patreon

If you enjoy Japan Station and want to ensure that we're able to produce more episodes, then please consider becoming a patron on Patreon.com. For a minimum pledge of $1 a month you'll get early access to all JapanKyo podcasts, bonus content, and more. And for $3 a month, you'll get access to Japanese Plus Alpha, a podcast produced by me (Tony Vega) that focuses on the Japanese language and all of its fascinating quirks. Also, all pledges get a shout-out on the show and my undying gratitude. Thank you in advance!

Links, Videos, Etc.

Check out the links below to keep up with Kofi's work.

For more information on the United States-Japan Bridging Foundation, the scholarships they offer or to donate, visit their website via the link below.

To learn more about Kansai Gaidai University, visit their website via the link below.

For more information on Professor Akira Sasō, visit the Wikipedia page below.

To watch Koshien: Japan's Field of Dreams, use the link below. It will premiere on November 20th, 2020.

In case you missed it, here is a link for episode 33 of Japan Station.

If you enjoyed this episode of Japan Station, then you'll also probably enjoy the episodes below.

Also, don't forget to check out the latest episode of the Ichimon Japan podcast.

If you would like to check out the Kimito Designs shop, then use the link below. Remember to use the coupon code OPENING10 when you check out to get 10% off (valid until the end of 2020).

Special Thanks

Opening/Closing song: Oedo Controller (大江戸コントローラー) by Yunomi featuring Toriena (Used with permission from Yunomi)
To listen to more of Yunomi's music, check out his Soundcloud page or YouTube channel.

Japan Station cover art: Provided by Erik R.

Featured image: Courtesy of Kofi Bazzell-Smith

Featured image: Courtesy of Kofi Bazzell-Smith

Follow Japankyo on Social Media Full Show Notes

Episoder(214)

Perilous Wagers: Gambling, Dignity, and Day Laborers in 21st-Century Tokyo (Klaus K.Y. Hammering) | Japan Station 142

Perilous Wagers: Gambling, Dignity, and Day Laborers in 21st-Century Tokyo (Klaus K.Y. Hammering) | Japan Station 142

On this episode of Japan Station, we talk about life in Sanya--Tokyo's infamous day laborer district--with Klaus K.Y. Hammering. ðŸ'‰Topics Discussed What it is like being a day laborer in Tokyo's S...

21 Des 202443min

Why "Anime" Should be a Regional Designation | Japan Station 141

Why "Anime" Should be a Regional Designation | Japan Station 141

On this episode of Japan Station, we talk about the need for Japan to make the word "anime" a regional designation. The guest is Matt Alt, author of Pure Invention: How Japan's Pop Culture Conquered t...

10 Des 202431min

What is Dreamlapse Japan? A Talk with Photographer Gavin Heffernan | Japan Station 140

What is Dreamlapse Japan? A Talk with Photographer Gavin Heffernan | Japan Station 140

On this episod eof Japan Station, we talk to filmmaker and dark sky photographer Gavin Heffernan about his recent Japan-focused project Dreamlapse Japan. 👉Topics Discussed About Dreamlapse Japan Ab...

1 Des 202437min

That Time I Walked to Hiroshima from KYOTO! Tales from the Miyajima Challenge | Japan Station 139

That Time I Walked to Hiroshima from KYOTO! Tales from the Miyajima Challenge | Japan Station 139

On this episod eof Japan Station, we talk about some of the interesting things I experienced during my latest 400 km walk from Kyoto to Miyajima (Miyajima Challenge). 👉Topics Discussed About the Mi...

22 Nov 202449min

The Past & Future of Earthquakes & Disasters in Japan (Robert D. Eldridge) | Japan Station 138

The Past & Future of Earthquakes & Disasters in Japan (Robert D. Eldridge) | Japan Station 138

On this episod eof Japan Station, Dr. Robert D. Eldridge returns to talk about natural disasters in Japan, his work on Operation Tomodachi during the aftermath of the 2011 Tohoku earthquake, Japan's a...

1 Nov 20241h 5min

10 Japanese Abbreviations & Contractions To Know! | Japan Station 137

10 Japanese Abbreviations & Contractions To Know! | Japan Station 137

On this episode of Japan Station, we talk about Japanese abbreviations/contractions, give 12 examples and discuss their origins. 👉Topics Discussed About abbreviations and contractions in Japanese A...

29 Okt 202444min

The Shimabara Rebellion, Yokai and More! (Charles Kowalski) | Japan Station 136

The Shimabara Rebellion, Yokai and More! (Charles Kowalski) | Japan Station 136

On this episode of Japan Station, we talk about the Shimabara Rebellion, yÅkai and more with the author of the Simon Grey books, Charles Kowalski. ðŸ'‰Topics Discussed What is the Shimabara Rebellio...

29 Sep 202436min

The Etymology of TAMAGO and Other Egg Stuff (Japanese Plus Alpha 01) | Japan Station 135

The Etymology of TAMAGO and Other Egg Stuff (Japanese Plus Alpha 01) | Japan Station 135

On this episode of Japan Station, we talk about the etymology of the Japanese word for egg (tamago) and other interesting quirks of this word! Note: This is actually an episode of Japanese Plus Alpha....

21 Sep 202419min

Populært innen Fakta

mikkels-paskenotter
fastlegen
dine-penger-pengeradet
relasjonspodden-med-dora-thorhallsdottir-kjersti-idem
rss-strid-de-norske-borgerkrigene
foreldreradet
treningspodden
jakt-og-fiskepodden
sinnsyn
rss-kull
rss-bisarr-historie
rss-kunsten-a-leve
fryktlos
gravid-uke-for-uke
hverdagspsyken
level-up-med-anniken-binz
hagespiren-podcast
rss-var-forste-kaffe
uroskolen
takk-og-lov-med-anine-kierulf