Emmanuel Knight is a Brooklyn-born and -based manga artist, freelance illustrator, and workshop leader. He is the self-published writer and creator of Magna AX, an urban fantasy manga series that explores themes of friendship, resilience, community, moral dilemmas, and personal growth.

Knight is known for a signature style that fuses screen tones and halftone design with vibrant splashes of color. His hues range from saturated tones, evoking joy and excitement, to soft pastels, evoking vulnerability, romanticism and retrospection. Inspired by poster art, print ads and typography, Knight also integrates bold graphic elements into his work.

His work is deeply influenced by the aesthetics and storytelling of ‘90s and early 2000s anime and by Japanese Role-Playing Games (JRPGs). Iconic anime blocks such as Toonami, The Anime Network, and Saturday morning cartoons were pivotal in shaping his creative vision. He was also greatly inspired by game studios like Namco Tales Studio, Square Enix, and Atlus, and by JRPGs like the Tales Of series, Star Ocean series, and Persona. These early influences ignited his passion for storytelling and design.

Knight began developing Magna Ax at the age of eight, and over the past 24 years, the project has evolved and grown alongside him. The multimedia series interweaves video game iconography into the narrative and uses elements of both Shonen and Shoujo manga, blending dynamic action with emotionally driven character development. Magna Ax draws on the heartfelt intensity of ‘90s anime while inviting readers to explore the many districts of an intricate fantasy city. As a convention artist, he “reuses and recycles” retro styles and objects to create new, visually striking merchandise.

As a self-taught artist from East Flatbush, Knight is committed to empowering emerging creators. He leads workshops on manga illustration, breaking into artist alleys, and navigating self-publishing, and he serves as Creative Curator for the AniTOMO Convention, offering valuable resources and opportunities to artists looking to establish their careers. Through his teaching and his art, Knight’s mission is to inspire creativity and build a strong, supportive community within the art world.