Amin Abbas Dubai

Independent Omani manga Artist Zainab Al Lawati, also known as Taiga Blush, won the best design award at the Middle East Film and Comic Con 2015 in Dubai. Al Lawati, author of ‘Draw Chibi with Taiga Blush,’ said her main inspiration is Japanese anime and manga.

The Omani author said anime was something she had been fascinated by since she was a little girl.

“I started watching anime dubbed in Arabic on TV, then later with English/Arabic subtitles through the internet as well manga. But I started reading it more intensely in high school,” she said.

Al Lawati added that anime and manga inspired her to become a freelance manga artist.

“Even though I graduated as a programmer, I wanted to inspire people through my passion that leads to creativity,” she said.

Toradora, Kuroshitsuji, Pandora Hearts, Hyouka, Yakusoku no Neverland and Kimetsu no Yaiba are some of the Omani artist’s favorite Japanese animes.

“As for manga, my favorite manga series are Jibaku Shounen Hanako Kun, Vanitas No Carte, Pandora Hearts, Kuroshitsuji, 07ghost, Ao Haru Ride and Karneval. And if I have to choose only one it will always be Kuroshitsuji cause I adore and respect Yana sensei’s work,” she added.

Al Lawati started her journey in 2014 as she was working on illustrating children books, character designing, manga style artworks, doing workshops around GCC region as well owning her online manga workshop. She also published an Arabic light novel called “the nostalgias”

Her first major project was a tutorial book called “Draw Chibi with Taiga Blush” which was first published in 2016.

She met Shinji Shimizu, producer of One Piece & Mr.Yosuke Matsuda, CEO of Square Enix as well SNK’s chairman Ge at Misk Global Forum 2017

Al Lawati said: “ The whole experience was like a dream or the scene from a movie because I couldn’t believe it’s happening, I personally had the chance to talk to him because we both were waiting for the conference to start where I’ll receive my prize for winning as best stage design for KOF XIV. I gifted him some of my own handmade merchandise of my original character called ‘Taiga’ & I want to give my thanks & gratitude to Manga Production for this unique opportunity.”

“Till this day I still can’t believe that I made it to the gaming world and had the chance to prove myself. I was so happy and shocked as my dreams really come true. I admit that it wasn't my first achievement, but was one of things that I have dreamed to reach so it’s so meaningful to me,” she added.