Why seinen manga is a huge opportunity for regional writers

Manga, a storytelling medium originating in Japan, similar to comics but often in black and white, has gained immense global popularity. Over the years, this genre has transcended borders, leading to the emergence of non-Japanese creators across the globe. Today, manga is no longer exclusive to Japan, with notable contributions from South Korea (manhwa), China (manhua), and recently, the Middle East.

In the Middle East, the rising interest in manga has spurred the establishment of local studios producing manga and anime. However, the market is quite nascent. The majority of manga projects are produced by studios and belong to the shonen and shojo genres, which cater to younger audiences due to the region's predominantly family-focused demographic. 

The seinen genre, known for its mature and complex narratives and targeted at young adults, remains under-represented.

Given the limited native footprint of seinen in the region and driven by his love for the genre’s style and themes, manga enthusiast Raphaël René decided to take a leap of faith and tap into the demand for such content.

He believes there will be a natural transition for younger audiences from shonen and shojo to seinen manga. “Having grown accustomed to this relatively nascent medium in this region, the shonen base will naturally gravitate towards seinen as they enter adulthood,” he explains. “Their interests will change, but the media they are being increasingly exposed to remain the same. The result? An increase in future demand.”

With the rise of social media, there is heightened exposure and interest in such content. “Last year at the Middle East Film And Comic Con, they brought the voice actor of Aizen (from the Bleach series) and this year they are bringing in the voice actress of Killua (HxH),” he says. “The demand is organically picking up.”

Today, René is one of the few independent creators in the region developing a seinen manga targeting adults. His work, Outerconnected features dramatic narratives and visceral messaging that explores themes that resonate deeply with a mature audience.

A dark-fantasy thriller set in a parallel modern world fractured by ideological currents and politics, Outerconnected delves into themes of free will, mental health, corruption, and redemption. The narrative centres around three protagonists: a brilliant detective tormented by an ancient past, a young assassin moulded by her parents' ambitions, and an awkward university student burdened by a debilitating affliction. Their lives intertwine in a web of conspiracies that threaten the fate of humanity.

Structured in three stages, the story begins with gripping, fast-paced action, transitions into an emotionally charged middle filled with character development, and concludes with a twist-filled finale that ties everything together. Influenced by existentialist philosophy and literary giants like Dostoevsky, Camus, and Kafka, Outerconnected blends profound introspection with magical undertones inspired by pop culture.

René built from the ground up his own ecosystem of 15 plus collaborators across illustrators, editors, and subject matter experts. He collaborated with psychotherapists to ensure the characters' behaviours and mental states align with their personalities and disorders, creating a deeply immersive experience for readers. To deliver a story worth reading, he leveraged every skill in his repertoire to ensure project success: his corporate experience in managing cross-functional teams as well as his STEM education in influencing narrative devices – temporal loops for instance – and much more.

As the 2025 launch approaches, Outerconnected promises readers not just a fantastical escape but an introspective journey that challenges them to confront the complexities of existence.

Follow Raphaël René on @Raphaelreneofficial