Tankobon
Tankobon is a Japanese term for a standalone book volume that collects chapters of manga (Japanese comics) that were previously published in magazines. Think of it like collecting individual TV episodes into a complete season box set. In the manga industry, these books are the main product that publishers sell to readers. They're different from regular magazines because they're made with better paper quality, often include exclusive content, and are designed to be collected and kept long-term. When you see this term in job applications, it usually relates to someone's experience in manga publishing, editing, or production work.
Examples in Resumes
Managed production schedule for 12 Tankobon volumes annually
Edited and prepared manuscript content for Tankobon publication
Coordinated with artists and printers to ensure Tankobon quality standards
Typical job title: "Manga Editors"
Also try searching for:
Where to Find Manga Editors
Professional Organizations
Industry Networks
Example Interview Questions
Senior Level Questions
Q: How would you manage a tankobon production schedule that's falling behind?
Expected Answer: Looking for answers that demonstrate experience in production timeline management, ability to coordinate with multiple teams, and knowledge of where in the process time can be saved without compromising quality.
Q: What factors do you consider when determining the final page count of a tankobon?
Expected Answer: Should explain considerations like chapter lengths, bonus content inclusion, printing costs, retail price points, and market standards while showing understanding of business implications.
Mid Level Questions
Q: What quality checks do you perform before a tankobon goes to print?
Expected Answer: Should discuss reviewing artwork quality, text accuracy, page order, spine alignment, color proofs if applicable, and overall print requirements.
Q: How do you decide what extra content to include in a tankobon volume?
Expected Answer: Should mention considering fan expectations, artist availability for bonus content, page count constraints, and marketing potential.
Junior Level Questions
Q: What is the difference between magazine serialization and tankobon format?
Expected Answer: Should be able to explain basics about paper quality, size differences, content organization, and how content might be modified between versions.
Q: What basic elements should every tankobon include?
Expected Answer: Should know about standard elements like table of contents, creator credits, copyright information, chapter markers, and basic promotional materials.
Experience Level Indicators
Junior (0-2 years)
- Basic understanding of manga publishing process
- Proofreading and quality checking
- File organization and tracking
- Communication with team members
Mid (2-5 years)
- Production schedule management
- Printer coordination
- Content editing and layout review
- Budget awareness and cost control
Senior (5+ years)
- Full production pipeline management
- Team leadership and training
- Strategic planning and forecasting
- Vendor relationship management
Red Flags to Watch For
- No knowledge of manga publishing industry standards
- Lack of attention to detail in editing work
- Poor understanding of print production processes
- Inability to work with deadlines
- No experience with publishing software
Related Terms
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