Deb Aoki
@debaoki.bsky.social
Manga addict, journalist & traveler. Posts are 75% comix stuff. 1/4 of the Mangasplaining podcast & manga & webtoons go-to gal at Comics Beat, K-Comics Beat & Publishers Weekly | also @debaoki on Instagram
Reposted by Deb Aoki
Being a creative online is increasingly impossible these days.
July 15, 2025 at 6:17 AM
Being a creative online is increasingly impossible these days.
Some of my friends/peers from that era did not survive those years (mostly casualties of drugs or hard lives) while others went on to successful careers in film, music, art, fashion, politics, journalism and more.
I’m grateful that i spent my teens to late 20s in this world.
I’m grateful that i spent my teens to late 20s in this world.
December 29, 2025 at 4:08 AM
Some of my friends/peers from that era did not survive those years (mostly casualties of drugs or hard lives) while others went on to successful careers in film, music, art, fashion, politics, journalism and more.
I’m grateful that i spent my teens to late 20s in this world.
I’m grateful that i spent my teens to late 20s in this world.
But another important lesson from that era was knowing when to move on, and make space for the next generation of artists, bands, concert promoters, DJs, entrepreneurs, writers to make their mark. Sometimes that meant opening doors, making introductions for those after me
December 29, 2025 at 4:06 AM
But another important lesson from that era was knowing when to move on, and make space for the next generation of artists, bands, concert promoters, DJs, entrepreneurs, writers to make their mark. Sometimes that meant opening doors, making introductions for those after me
I knew people who felt like it was pointless to try to make underground art/music/club culture happen in Honolulu — “if only i were in SF, LA, NYC, London..” But i learned that it’s possible to make the culture of creativity you want to see, be a part of, from where you are.
December 29, 2025 at 3:17 AM
I knew people who felt like it was pointless to try to make underground art/music/club culture happen in Honolulu — “if only i were in SF, LA, NYC, London..” But i learned that it’s possible to make the culture of creativity you want to see, be a part of, from where you are.
Sometimes, all it took was a few people who had the drive, energy, and vision to say “what the heck, so what if it sounds crazy, let’s try it!” They’d attract more like-minded people who would get inspired by what they did, and the energy and activity would just grow from there.
December 29, 2025 at 3:11 AM
Sometimes, all it took was a few people who had the drive, energy, and vision to say “what the heck, so what if it sounds crazy, let’s try it!” They’d attract more like-minded people who would get inspired by what they did, and the energy and activity would just grow from there.
A lot of this was possible because 1) i put myself out there, both with my comix and writing, no matter how imperfect it was, and just being around the scene. 2) i said “yes” to a lot of things, even if it didn’t pay much, if it sounded like fun, or tried to create something new in Honolulu.
December 29, 2025 at 3:07 AM
A lot of this was possible because 1) i put myself out there, both with my comix and writing, no matter how imperfect it was, and just being around the scene. 2) i said “yes” to a lot of things, even if it didn’t pay much, if it sounded like fun, or tried to create something new in Honolulu.
It was an era when I tried a lot of different things - i hung out with musicians, artists, writers, and DJs, worked in a skate shop, drew & screenprinted punk gig posters, was a nightlife columnist, wrote art reviews, drew comix for indie alternative newspapers, was a go-fer for a concert promoter
December 29, 2025 at 3:03 AM
It was an era when I tried a lot of different things - i hung out with musicians, artists, writers, and DJs, worked in a skate shop, drew & screenprinted punk gig posters, was a nightlife columnist, wrote art reviews, drew comix for indie alternative newspapers, was a go-fer for a concert promoter
Reposted by Deb Aoki
Your desire to have a cool tool or to be able to create some nifty piece of art or whatever is just a desire. It has no moral foundation. You're not arguing for a right you didn't have before. You aren't arguing for a value that outweighs the harms. You just want something. Damn the costs.
December 28, 2025 at 3:54 PM
Your desire to have a cool tool or to be able to create some nifty piece of art or whatever is just a desire. It has no moral foundation. You're not arguing for a right you didn't have before. You aren't arguing for a value that outweighs the harms. You just want something. Damn the costs.