I'm currently creating a manga. It's in the storyboarding phase, but I'm almost done. I have a clear story I want to follow, but I am very open to ideas and changes. I'm looking for an artist who is willing to work 50/50 with me. I can't pay anyone, but publishing is a goal, so anything made from this project will be split equally. Anywho, I don't want this to be a super professional exchange because I'm also looking for friends who have similar interests, so please DM me to get an unfinished version or if I finish it in time, a completed version of the story. I think it's very interesting, so please hear me out
Raishō is a kid who keeps his distance from everyone.
Not because he wants to—but because of something that happened in his past. Something he blames himself for. Since then, he’s convinced himself that staying alone is the safest way to protect people.
Then one day, his life breaks.
A surge of lightning erupts from him during a moment he can’t control. It’s fast, violent, and terrifying—and it confirms everything he already believed:
He’s dangerous.
That’s when he’s found.
Not by normal people—but by others like him. Protectors. People who wield elements tied to the world itself.
They tell him something he doesn’t want to hear:
He isn’t just dangerous—he’s necessary.
Raishō’s journey isn’t about becoming stronger.
It’s about learning that:
- Isolation doesn’t protect people
- Control doesn’t come from suppression
- Power isn’t something to fight—it’s something to understand
But every step forward is hard—because every time he gets closer to someone, that fear comes back:
“What if I hurt them too?”
Reika.
She’s the opposite of him.
Where Raishō avoids connection, Reika suppresses it completely. She’s calm, controlled, and almost emotionless—not because she doesn’t feel, but because she refuses to let herself.
If Raishō is afraid of hurting others…
Reika is afraid of losing control of herself.
Their dynamic is slow, subtle, and quiet:
- Not loud romance
- Not instant trust
- Just two people who understand each other without saying much
And that’s what makes it hit.
The World
There are 12 Protectors—each tied to a natural force.
They don’t just fight enemies.
They maintain balance.
Because something is breaking that balance.
Something that doesn’t follow the same rules.
Main Conflict
There’s a force called Void.
It doesn’t create.
It consumes.
Energy. Matter. Even identity.
And the closer Raishō gets to losing control…
the more his power starts to resemble it.
RAISHŌ (雷翔) — FINAL CHARACTER SHEET
Basic Information
Name: Raishō Meaning: “Soaring Lightning” Age Range: 13 → 17
Height Progression:
13: 5’3” 14–15: 5’6” 16: 5’9” 17: ~5’10” Build: Lean, speed-oriented Element: Lightning Role: Protagonist / Lightning Protector / Vessel
Core Character Concept
Raishō moves like lightning not because he forces it—but because he stops resisting it.
Personality and Behavior
Raishō is naturally quiet and observant. He doesn’t speak unless he feels it’s necessary, and even then, his words are measured. Emotionally, he keeps himself restrained—not because he lacks feeling, but because he fears the consequences of letting people get close.
At his core is a belief that connection leads to harm: “If I get close to people, they’ll get hurt.”
This belief shapes his behavior:
He keeps physical and emotional distance from others Avoids eye contact in vulnerable moments Pauses slightly before responding, as if weighing every word His growth is shown subtly. Early on, he avoids eye contact entirely. By the end, he holds steady, calm eye contact without hesitation.
Visual Design and Presence
Raishō’s design should always emphasize speed, efficiency, and lightness.
Front View: Neutral stance, relaxed arms. Early versions show slight tension in the shoulders; later versions are fully relaxed. Side View: Begins with a slight forward hunch, evolving into an upright, balanced posture. Back View: Lean silhouette with minimal bulk—everything about him suggests mobility. Silhouette Rule: He should always read as fast, lightweight, and precise.
Color and Physical Details
Hair: Black with subtle silver strands that increase with age Eyes: Blue, only glowing during high energy output Skin: Gradually shows wear—small scars and roughness over time
Outfit Evolution
Age 13 — Survival Phase Loose, worn tunic with cloth wraps on forearms and ankles. Basic footwear. The look is unrefined and reactive.
Age 14–15 — Training Phase More fitted clothing with a short outer robe, reinforced pants, and structured wraps. This reflects growing control and discipline.
Age 16–17 — Mastery Phase A sleek, minimal outfit designed for movement. His name appears in kanji, with subtle lightning-pattern accents. This stage feels effortless and controlled.
Power System: Lightning
Raishō’s power evolves from something unstable into something inseparable from his movement.
Early Stage (13):
Lightning appears as random sparks Slight delay after movement Feels disconnected from him Mid Stage (14–15):
Lightning begins to follow his movements Short, controlled bursts Still requires effort Final Stage (16–17):
Movement and lightning are the same No charge-up or delay Power appears instantly with motion Key Rule: As Raishō grows, he can use more power without harming himself or losing control.
Overload State
When pushed too far:
Lightning becomes erratic and jagged Purple tones appear Control breaks down completely This represents a return to chaos.
Combat Style
Raishō fights at close range, relying on speed, positioning, and precision.
Early: Defensive, hesitant, dependent on training Mid: Reactive, chaining movement with attacks Final: Predictive, efficient, ending fights quickly He doesn’t chase openings—he’s already there when they happen.
Expressions and Emotional Range
Neutral: Calm, distant Focused: Sharp eyes, relaxed face Conflicted: Subtle tension, shifting gaze Anger: Rare, but controlled Breaking Point: Wide eyes, heavy breathing, unstable power Soft (Aeri moments): Slight warmth, relaxed gaze
Void Influence
Under stress, his lightning begins to show black streaks, with slight distortions in space. This represents the loss of control and contrast to his “controlled freedom” state.
Symbolism
Lightning represents connection—instant movement between points. Raishō’s growth is about learning to connect with others instead of isolating himself.
Final Character Statement
Raishō doesn’t become stronger by forcing his power—he becomes stronger by no longer fighting it.
REIKA (零華 / 冷華) — ICE PROTECTOR
Basic Information
Name: Reika Element: Ice Role: Ice Protector / Parallel Lead / Emotional Counterbalance Age Range: 13 → 17
Build: Slim, elegant, efficiently strong
Core Character Concept
Reika doesn’t freeze the world to stop it—she freezes it to stay in control of it.
Personality and Behavior
Reika is calm, observant, and emotionally restrained. She speaks rarely, but when she does, her words are precise and intentional.
Her central belief is rooted in control: “If I let myself feel too much, I lose control.”
This leads to:
Minimal facial expression Steady eye contact, even early on Controlled, minimal physical movement Over time, her emotional detachment deepens—not because she is naturally cold, but because she disciplines herself to be.
Visual Design and Presence
Reika’s presence is defined by stillness and control.
Always upright with perfect posture Movements are measured and minimal Even at rest, she appears composed Silhouette Rule: She should look still—even when moving.
Color and Physical Details
Hair: Pale silver with a faint blue tint Eyes: Ice blue, sharp and constant Skin: Cool, slightly desaturated tone
Outfit Evolution
Age 13–14 — Early Awakening Simple, clean clothing with slightly heavier fabric. No decoration.
Age 14–15 — Training Phase More structured outfit with layered design and light armor-like accents.
Age 16–17 — Mastery Phase Sleek, refined, almost regal. Subtle crystalline patterns appear.
Power System: Ice
Reika’s power becomes less visually dramatic as it becomes stronger.
Early Stage:
Slow frost formation Localized freezing Requires focus Mid Stage:
Faster ice creation Can freeze motion temporarily Expands control over the battlefield Final Stage:
Instant, silent freezing Precise temperature manipulation Minimal visible effect Key Rule: The stronger she becomes, the less visually intense her power appears.
Overload State
Ice spreads uncontrollably Emotional suppression breaks The environment becomes dangerously brittle This represents her loss of emotional balance.
Combat Style
Reika specializes in control rather than destruction.
Early: Careful and reactive Mid: Tactical, controlling enemy movement Final: Absolute control—removing the opponent’s ability to act She doesn’t overpower opponents—she makes movement impossible.
Character Development
Age 13: Calm confidence, early control Age 14–15: Increasing independence and emotional distance Breaking Point: Suppression peaks, power becomes dangerous Age 16: Highly composed but emotionally detached Age 17: Begins reconnecting, especially through Raishō
Thematic Contrast: Raishō and Reika
Raishō represents controlled freedom:
Movement expresses power Emotion fuels strength Reika represents free control:
Stillness expresses power Emotion is contained Together, they form a balance between expression and restraint.
Final Character Statement
Reika doesn’t freeze the world to fight it—she freezes it because letting it move feels dangerous.
THE 12 PROTECTORS — SYSTEM OVERVIEW
Each protector draws from a natural source and converts it into power, except Void.
Fire — Renka
Uses heat and internal energy to generate flames. A close-range fighter who builds intensity over time but risks overheating.
Water — Mizuki
Manipulates moisture in the environment. Adaptive and fluid, but less effective in dry conditions.
Air — Hayate
Controls air currents for speed and mobility. Fast but fragile.
Earth — Daichi
Draws strength from the ground for defense and structure. Durable but slow and limited off-ground.
Metal — Kurogane
Shapes and reinforces metal into weapons. Precise but resource-dependent.
Wood — Aeri
Uses life energy for growth, healing, and restraint. Support-focused but not offensive.
Lightning — Raishō
Converts motion and charge directly into lightning. Fast and precise but difficult to control under stress.
Ice — Reika
Removes heat to freeze and control environments. Powerful but tied to emotional balance.
Plants — Midori
Accelerates plant growth to overwhelm areas. Strong in rich environments but slow to start.
Weather — Arashi
Controls large-scale atmospheric systems. Cannot create true lightning without Raishō.
Light — Hikari
Can convert energy into any element except Void. Requires emotional balance.
Void — Kurai
Consumes rather than converts. Extremely powerful but erodes the user’s identity over time
This is the character sheet I have so far the first two are main characters that get introduced from the beginning the others come in later but are still vital to the story