Corey Kinard Returns with Monsters We Make Manga: Exclusive Insights

Corey Kinard's Big Reveal: Where He's Been for 2 Years

If you've wondered where YouTube creator Corey Kinard vanished for nearly two years, the wait is over. In a heartfelt return video, Kinard addresses his community directly: "My samurai brethren, my community—you wondering where I've been? I'm about to explain all of it." His absence wasn't a hiatus but an intensive creative marathon. Kinard reveals he's been developing Monsters We Make, an original manga created with a team of dozens, including collaborators from LINE Studios. This passion project represents his pivot from gaming content to professional storytelling—a transition fueled by childhood dreams of creating impactful action narratives.

The Core Vision Behind Monsters We Make

Story First Philosophy

Kinard's primary ambition is storytelling excellence. "Story is the skeleton," he asserts. "You can have raw action scenes or fire visuals, but if your story is trash? Get out." This philosophy drives Monsters We Make's development, with Kinard emphasizing that all flashy elements are secondary to narrative depth. He specifically criticizes stories with weak endings, vowing his manga will deliver satisfying closure.

Anime Adaptation Dreams

The ultimate goal? Adaptation. "I believe in my heart this can become an anime," states Kinard, though he acknowledges practical hurdles. Studios like MAPPA or Crunchyroll won't consider projects without proven sales and compelling lore. Kinard is transparent: success requires community support to demonstrate market viability. He envisions Monsters We Make becoming "one of the greatest action animes of all time," citing Dragon Ball Z's influence on his fight choreography passion since childhood.

Breaking the "YouTuber Project" Stigma

Kinard confronts the skepticism around creator-led projects head-on. "There's a built-in cheapness stigma with YouTubers—cash grabs, low quality," he admits. To counter this, his team invested two years perfecting every detail, from lore consistency to print technicalities like screen-toning tests. The cinematic trailer by LINE Studios deliberately avoids typical manga teasers to showcase Kinard's serious commitment.

Inside the Manga's Development Journey

Trailer Reactions That Validated the Work

Early responses to the trailer alleviated Kinard's anxiety. He shares clips of reactors noticing subtle details: New Eden's cyberpunk cityscape, corporate logos hinting at power dynamics, and even spotting his cameo as a news anchor. "Seeing reactions to my characters... it's like dude," he reflects emotionally. One reactor's frame-by-frame analysis particularly impressed him, proving viewers engaged deeply with the world-building Easter eggs.

The World of New Eden: 2114 AD

Set in 2114 after global catastrophes, the story follows musical prodigy Jabari. He earns admission to New Eden Academy—a ticket out of poverty for his family. But the school harbors dark secrets. Kinard teases: "The academy reveals itself to be something else," forcing Jabari and allies (September, Liam, Han, Allison) into peril. Volume 1 spans 264 pages, unusually long for debut manga, because Kinard refused to cut essential setup chapters.

The Production Team's Crucial Roles

Kinard highlights key collaborators who made the project possible:

Vince: Pushed Kinard beyond his "comfort zone" of YouTube content
Robbie: Handled critical logistics from print specs to music coordination
CM McKel: Co-writer who refined narrative beats daily
Andrew & Elias: Artists whose styles merged seamlessly despite different backgrounds
Dan: Managed backend operations like printer negotiations

"Every team needs a sixth man," Kinard emphasizes, praising their collective dedication to quality.

Why Support Monsters We Make Now

Exclusive Launch Offer Details

For early supporters, Kinard offers:

Digital + physical bundle for $4.99 (limited time)
Free shipping on initial orders
Personally signed copies for the first 777 volumes sold

How Your Purchase Fuels Bigger Dreams

Buying Volume 1 isn't just about reading—it's an investment in Kinard's anime vision. "If I can't get you to take a chance with $15, this doesn't deserve to be bought," he states frankly. Sales metrics directly impact studio interest. Strong launch numbers could trigger adaptation talks with Netflix or Crunchyroll.

Final Thoughts from Corey Kinard

"Creating this manga has been the hardest I've worked since 2017," Kinard confesses. The passion permeates his lore documents, character backstories, and strategic pacing. He invites readers to experience New Eden's mysteries firsthand, promising: "Volume 1 sets the stage—it only gets better from here."

Will you help turn this manga into anime history? Grab your copy at monsterswemake.com and join the journey. For creators: What's the biggest challenge you'd face launching a passion project like this? Share below!