Character design of Dario, the main character of Elena’s Collapse Preventer Academy
Elena ‘Tonkipappero’ Toma
Manga and webtoon artist focusing on fantasy, steampunk and romance stories.
1. What drives you to create stories?
It’s an impulse I’ve pretty much always had; it’s probably my way of expressing myself to others. When I discovered the beauty of manga and the emotions it evoked in me, I wished I could do the same. I wanted to evoke the same feelings in others through my stories. I have never been good with words, so writing and drawing stories has become my natural language, the one that feels most “mine”.
2. What inspired the story published on Chronicles?
I’ve had the idea for CPA in mind for a long time, and thanks to Chronicles, I had the chance to develop and realise it. I have always loved stories about time travel, and creating a manga on this theme has always been somewhat of an obsession for me. Every story, book or film I’ve seen on the subject inspires me in some way. However, if I had to mention specific works, I would have to mention the Back to the Future saga, Predestination, Interstellar, the TV series Dark and the visual novel/anime Steins;Gate.
3. Describe your process for creating a character, including what you start with, what inspires you, and what challenges you.
When I think of a character, the first thing that comes to mind is their personality, even if only very vaguely.
Then I try to draw them, making many attempts until I achieve an appealing design that reflects what I have imagined. However, this character can evolve once I have a clear idea of what they look like. At this point, I start thinking about their motivations, their purpose in the story and, most importantly, their reasons, taking their background into account. I decide on the name last, partly because I like the idea of giving names that have the right ‘vibes’, which may depend on a character’s personal history and their role in the main plot.
3. How about your process as a script writer?
I start with an idea for a story and work back from there. I get inspiration from anywhere and anything. Not all ideas are good enough to be written down though. I only use the best ones. I then start thinking about the story, the characters and the plot.
After the initial brainstorming stage, I try to organise my ideas by creating a summary outline of the various events in the story. Next, I develop each pivot point in more detail and create additional subplots that affect the other pivot points. I know this method lacks a real structure, leading to “haphazard” results, but after months of work I’m somehow able to create a plot. However, my stories are usually too complicated to explain in a few words and I’m at a loss when asked to explain what they’re about!
Teaser trailer of Elena’s latest webtoon series: The Watchmaker.
4. What tools do you use the most?
I work mostly digitally, so I rely on my trusty Wacom Cintiq 16 graphic tablet and Clip Studio Paint software.
Illustration from Elena’s webtoon ‘The Watchmaker’
5. What kind of scenes move you the most when you’re drawing?
I love action scenes, no matter how complicated they are. The hardest thing is coming up with dynamic shots that also make it clear what is happening, which is not always easy, especially in very fast-paced action.
Another type of scene I love creating is the comedic one, although I sometimes overdo it by making the characters look too silly!
6. Your main sources of inspiration right now:
Rather than relying on a specific source, I try to draw inspiration from everything around me. Entertainment products such as anime, films, TV series and video games obviously have the greatest impact as they stimulate many senses, but I am also often inspired by listening to music or going for a walk outside. Even a dialogue or exchange of jokes can be helpful! My friend and I came up with a long list of “stories that will never see the light of day” just by talking to each other!
7. Who would you choose to collaborate with if you could work with a Japanese professional artist / writer?
Hiromu Arakawa, I love her!
8. What do you want to convey with the story you’re publishing on Chronicles?
Perseverance and determination. Sometimes, life presents you with seemingly insurmountable obstacles. With CPA, it is the laws of the cosmos themselves that are truly insurmountable, as they are physical and absolute. Yet, despite this, there is always a way forward. How? I can’t say too much to avoid spoilering the whole story!
Animated teaser trailer of Elena’s manga and webtoon Energheia.
9. How do you deal with work stress and creative blocks?
Well, if it happens to me when I have a deadline, I can’t afford to deal with stress or creative blocks because I have work to hand in. If I make a commitment, I always do everything I can to complete the task to the best of my ability. The stress inevitably builds up in those instances, so after delivering the work, I have to “purge” it by doing something completely different, potentially even stepping away from drawing for a few days. During those times, I try to spend time outdoors, see friends, and talk about anything but work. If it’s winter, the couch and TV series are the cure!
10. Describe one of your typical workdays. Do you have any rituals to help you immerse yourself in the creative process? Is there a specific place or type of music that helps you?
I am one of those people who works very well in the morning and becomes a zombie as evening approaches… like a vampire in reverse! I turn on my computer at around 8 o’clock, read any emails and then start working on the various tasks that currently pay my bills. I often work on several tasks at the same time and usually have six or seven under way. I like to make progress on each one, even if it’s only a little bit, a tiny bit each day. This work usually takes me the whole morning, so after lunch, I can devote myself to my personal projects. These include CPA and a webtoon called The Watchmaker that I am slowly making progress with.
I finish work at around 5 p.m., after which I like to spend my free time reading, playing video games or spending time with my family. I try not to work during the weekend, although sometimes I have to because of deadlines. But that’s my own fault for not managing my time better!
I don’t have any particular rituals to help me focus, but I listen to a lot of podcasts while working. When I need to concentrate more, for example when I’m drafting a name-note, I listen to instrumental music so that I’m not distracted by lyrics.