Name
Name, often called "Naming" in manga production, is the creative process of developing and assigning appropriate Japanese and English titles for manga characters, places, special moves, or story arcs. It's a crucial part of manga creation that helps make characters memorable and ensures their names work well in both Japanese and English markets. This role requires understanding of both languages and cultural nuances, as names often contain wordplay, cultural references, or hidden meanings that should make sense to readers.
Examples in Resumes
Created Name concepts for over 30 main characters in a popular shonen manga series
Provided Naming consultation for manga localization projects
Developed Names and terminology for fantasy manga world-building
Typical job title: "Name Development Specialists"
Also try searching for:
Where to Find Name Development Specialists
Online Communities
Professional Networks
Example Interview Questions
Senior Level Questions
Q: How do you approach creating names that work in both Japanese and English markets?
Expected Answer: A senior naming specialist should explain their process of checking cultural appropriateness, pronunciation ease, and meaning preservation across languages, with examples of successful naming projects.
Q: How do you handle name creation for a large cast of characters while maintaining uniqueness?
Expected Answer: Should discuss their system for tracking names, ensuring distinctiveness, and maintaining thematic consistency while avoiding confusion among readers.
Mid Level Questions
Q: What resources do you use to verify name meanings and cultural appropriateness?
Expected Answer: Should mention various dictionaries, cultural references, and consultation with native speakers, demonstrating awareness of potential cultural pitfalls.
Q: How do you create names that reflect character personalities?
Expected Answer: Should explain their process of matching name meanings and sounds to character traits, with examples of successful character naming.
Junior Level Questions
Q: What are the basic considerations when creating character names for manga?
Expected Answer: Should discuss basics like pronunciation, length, memorability, and checking if names already exist in other popular works.
Q: How do you research Japanese name meanings?
Expected Answer: Should be able to explain basic use of name dictionaries, understanding of common Japanese naming conventions, and basic kanji meanings.
Experience Level Indicators
Junior (0-2 years)
- Basic Japanese language knowledge
- Understanding of manga genres
- Basic name research skills
- Familiarity with common manga naming conventions
Mid (2-5 years)
- Advanced Japanese language proficiency
- Cultural knowledge of both Japanese and English markets
- Experience with name localization
- Understanding of trademark considerations
Senior (5+ years)
- Expert-level Japanese and English proficiency
- Extensive portfolio of successful naming projects
- Deep understanding of cross-cultural implications
- Ability to train and guide junior namers
Red Flags to Watch For
- No knowledge of Japanese language
- Lack of understanding of different manga genres
- No awareness of cultural sensitivity in naming
- Unable to explain name meaning significance
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