Ilya Kuvshinov

Discover how this Russian manga artist gained followers and fame

How did you first get started?

I created a short, visual-novel game. I did the script, the art and coding myself, and sent it to a Russian gaming magazine. After that, I began working as a freelance illustrator and concept artist for a video game development company. I did a lot of illustrations for practice, and uploaded them to social networks. After some time, I’ve gained quite a following.

Which social media channels do you think manga artists should focus on?

It depends on your target group. For example, Instagram and Facebook isn’t as popular as Twitter in Japan. Pixiv is for Asia, DeviantArt is for Englishspeaking countries. If you know who you’re creating for, you’ll know where and when to post.

How did you get more than a million Instagram followers?

By posting every day. The way Instagram’s algorithm works, if someone likes your post, then there’s a chance your account will be recommended to the friends of this person.

Why do you think your work is so popular?

I try to concentrate on the little things – details such as gestures or expressions that make you feel the uniqueness of every moment, bring you closer to the character. I’m not trying to stand out from other artists, though. I’m just doing what I’m interested in.