We had the opportunity to interview manga artist and character designer Acky Bright following his live-drawing exhibit at New York Comic Con. His recent work includes collaborations with McDonald’s, Netflix, and DC Comics. Below, you will find the transcript of the interview.
Outerhaven: First off, how did you get started as an artist and how did your current style come into existence?
Acky Bright: When I decided to pursue a career as an artist, I started by using social media and doing live drawings on large walls as a way to let people know about me.
In the fall of 2018, I challenged myself to draw in front of an audience for the very first time at an event. Of course, I couldn’t draw the way I do now, but the enjoyment I felt back then hasn’t changed at all.
Creating art in the studio can often feel isolating, so being able to draw while receiving real-time reactions from the audience—like in a live performance—is something I truly enjoy.
Outerhaven: Who were some of your biggest inspirations, either growing up or now
Acky Bright: That would be Akira Toriyama. Of course, I love DRAGON BALL, but I’ve also been deeply inspired by his character designs for DRAGON QUEST and Chrono Trigger. The cyberpunk worlds I create today are also influenced by Masamune Shirow.
And in terms of storytelling within a single image, I’ve been inspired by artists like Norman Rockwell, who could convey an entire narrative through one painting.
Outerhaven: Recently you’ve been attending a lot of conventions and exhibits to do large scale live-drawings. How did this start? At first, was it tough to get conventions to bring you in?
Acky Bright: The first convention I ever participated in was Anime NYC. In my case, having already begun my career in the U.S. through projects with DC Comics and Hasbro helped me receive an invitation to the convention. At that very first event, people saw my performance, and about 300 people came to my signing session afterward. That experience gave me tremendous confidence in my work — and it’s also one of the reasons I fell in love with New York.
Outerhaven: When you’re doing these giant live-drawings, how long does it usually take to complete one and why do you choose to do large drawings versus something smaller or easier?
Acky Bright: Recently, I painted on a 20-foot canvas over the course of two days, but in general, I adjust the working time to match the duration of each event.
That kind of skill—knowing how to pace and adapt—has come naturally through experience. I choose to work on large-scale pieces because I want as many people as possible to see them, and I think many people who usually only experience art on screens should also feel the awe of seeing a massive painting in person.
It’s true that working freehand on a tall, vertical canvas isn’t easy, but that challenge is exactly what allows the piece to move people emotionally. Wherever I’ve done it—no matter the country or setting—people are always surprised and amazed by the experience.
Outerhaven: At these live-drawings, how do you decide on what you want to draw? Do you have a plan beforehand or does it come naturally as you’re filling in the canvas?
Acky Bright: I don’t plan what to draw in advance. When I stand in front of the canvas, I decide on the first thing to draw, and from there, I let the imagery expand naturally. Sometimes, the location or atmosphere also influences what I create. I don’t make preliminary sketches because I want to keep a sense of tension and excitement until the very end—and to enjoy the process myself.
Unlike working in a studio, this is live art, which means it’s something I create together with the audience. Rather than focusing on drawing perfectly, I focus on embracing the improvisation—the spontaneity and energy that come from creating in the moment.
Outerhaven: With how big conventions like Comic Con and PAX are, I’d assume that many of the casual convention attendees still don’t know who you are. When people stop by and see your work for the first time, what are their reactions?
Acky Bright: Everyone who sees my live drawing is always amazed — that reaction never changes, no matter what country or venue I’m in. People of all ages, from small children to adults, respond with genuine excitement. Little kids often tell me, “You’ve really got talent!”
Feeling the audience’s reactions in real time while I draw is something unique to live art, and that’s probably why I can’t stop doing it. Before I knew it, I had already done around 15 live drawing performances this year alone.
Outerhaven: Once a convention or exhibit is over, what happens to the drawings?
Acky Bright: My works are often displayed in various places. One well-known example is at Kinokuniya in New York, where one of my large pieces is hung near the escalator. People often tell me they’ve seen it there. Someday, I’d love to hold an exhibition that brings together all of my live drawing pieces in one place.
Outerhaven: You do a lot of traveling for these conventions and exhibits. You also do your own work, brand partnerships, and even worked on your own book. How do you balance your work life and personal life? Have you ever had to decline a project or drop something you were doing because you were doing too much?
Acky Bright: For me, drawing, creating stories, and developing ideas aren’t just work — they are my life itself. That’s why I don’t really have a concept of “private time.” I’ve never felt the need to take a break; if anything, I often wish I had more hours in a day, because there’s always so much I want to do. Of course, there are times when I have to turn down projects due to scheduling conflicts, but when someone says, “Only Acky can do this,” I’ll take it on — even if it means pushing myself to make it happen.
Outerhaven: Speaking of brand partnerships, how do they usually take shape? Can you share any details on how a brands vision turns into the final product?
Acky Bright: I’m very fortunate that, in most cases, my clients start by saying, “We want to hear how Acky would approach this.” Because of that, I always begin by studying and observing the brand carefully, expanding my ideas from what I learn, and then putting my first concepts down on paper. In most cases, clients really like that initial idea, which makes every project I’ve worked on genuinely enjoyable. One reason for this, I think, is my background as a planner. I have the ability to adjust and amplify my artistic approach to fit the needs of each project — and that’s what allows me to bring out the best in my work. It’s also why people often describe me as a unique artist with a distinctive creative process on a global level.
Outerhaven: Have you worked with every brand that came to you or do you have a set of criteria for where you want your work to be associated with?
Acky Bright: Basically, the answer is YES. I’m confident that I can collaborate with any type of brand, and the more challenging a project might seem at first, the more rewarding it becomes for me. When someone tells me, “It has to be Acky — no one else can do it,” I don’t think there’s a single artist who wouldn’t feel inspired and motivated by that.
Outerhaven: Are there any brands left that you would love to work with one day?
Acky Bright: There are so many ideas — honestly, I already have unofficial plans in my head for certain brands. Rather than naming specific companies, I’ll give you a few examples.
If it were a fashion brand, I’d love to do a live drawing on their store window, or maybe have the brand design clothing for my cyberpunk figures. Or imagine a world where a fashion brand itself has been “reborn in another world” — where even the armor and swords are branded items.
I’d also love to collaborate with a sneaker company to create cyberpunk-style sneakers, or work with the sports industry to produce an American-made sports anime — I already have lots of ideas for different sports. Since I love space, I’d also like to collaborate with NASA, maybe by wrapping an airplane with my artwork or creating something that connects art and science.
In short, I have endless ideas. And for all of them, I don’t want it to be just a one-off ad campaign — even if it starts that way, I want to approach it with the mindset of creating an entirely new IP.
Outerhaven: As you keep working, it’s obvious that your fan base will only grow, and that includes other artists. Do you have any advice for younger artists who want to grow?
Acky Bright: I’m still an active player myself, always aiming higher, so it feels a bit strange to give advice. But if I had to say one thing, it would be this — don’t get too caught up in AI trends or the number of likes on social media. Instead, I want to tell people: enjoy the process of drawing. Because making art isn’t just a job — it’s something you’ll be doing for as long as you live, and if you’re not having fun with it, you won’t be able to keep going. On the other hand, even if someone copies others’ work and manages to make money from it for a while, that kind of success won’t last a lifetime. So I’d say, stay true to yourself and keep creating in your own way.
We would like to thank Acky Bright for taking the time to answer our questions. You can check out his work through his official links.
- Official Website: https://www.acky-bright.com/
- Twitter/X: https://x.com/aki001208
- B/W (Original Art Book): https://www.amazon.com/Acky-Bright-B-W/dp/4756257291
