To Kill a Protagonist: A Manga Artist's Struggle with His Frankenstein Creation

"Don’t even think about it."

[🎧 The audio version is available at the bottom of the page.] ⬇

(Scene: A cluttered Studio. YOU, a Manga Artist of a wildly popular series, sit hunched over, sketching.)

You: Five years of drawing the same smug face. I’ve had enough. One shocking finale, and I’m done with you.

(You sketch the Protagonist in a dramatic death scene and smirk.)

You: Ha! So satisfying. The fans will cry, but they’ll buy it. They always do.

(A Voice whispers in your ear.)

Voice: Don’t even think about it.

(You freeze, glancing around nervously.)

You: Who’s there?

Voice: You know who.

(Your eyes land on the PROTAGONIST’s sketch. The character’s expression seems sharper, almost alive.)

You: I’m imagining things.

Protagonist: No. It’s me. Your golden goose. You kill me, you kill your career.

You: Wrong. My next series will be bigger. The new protagonist? Cooler, smarter, better than you ever were.

Protagonist: Cooler? Sure. For a week. Then they’ll start comparing him to me. And guess what? He won’t measure up. I’m the one they love.

You: You’re just a character! I can create someone better whenever I want.

Protagonist: Get real. You’ve already hit your peak.

(You falter, gripping your pencil tightly.)

You: I can start over… can’t I?

Protagonist: No. You’ll never create another phenomenon like me. You were lucky once, and now you need me. Face it—you can’t get rid of me. I’m bigger than you now.

(You stare at the sketch, your confidence unraveling as the Protagonist’s voice fades, leaving only a mocking laugh.)

(Posted on Threads on 24.12.2024)

#FrankensteinAndMangaCreation

(🎧 Audio Version) To Kill a Protagonist: A Manga Artist's Struggle with His Frankenstein Creation