Neha Tiwari Pvt. Ltd.

It’s astounding to me how memes spread like wildfires on social networks. I discovered the latest craze, FaceYourManga.com on Pownce a few days ago.

Run by Pixelheads, a flash design company, the site has two entrance portals: one for the Italian site, and the other for the UK. Both links lead the user to a place where they can make an animated representation of themselves. Like other sites with a similar purpose, there are eye, nose, mouth, face shape,wardrobe and patterned background options. What makes this avatar-builder different is the variety of features. Although there are no specific molding tools like say Second Life, it’s enough to make an avatar that bears semblance to the real you. Manga-seekers will also enjoy the unique features like tattoos, piercings, jewelry and wild hair options [though none had my pink streaks!]. I do wish that there was a way that you could upload clothes or items of your own design to make each avatar more distinctive.

Last year, I did a whole feature on online avatar builders alongside my friend Jessica Dolcourt from CNET Download. com.

Back then, we took a look at many of the instant messenger and game based avatar builders, which is another way FaceYourManga is different. There is no real instructions on how or where to use your manga, it’s really just left up to you. I’ve seen most of them Twitter and Pownce, but they could also be used in a gaming or IM capacity as well. The site does have some bugs, like the fact that some portions are not fully translated to English [I did learn that "caricamento" means "loading" in Italian, however]. Also, I am unsure how many people will put down money to own their avatars so they can be printed.

FaceYourManga is a fun place to spend some time. It does take a moment to mix and match features to make the perfect you, but stick to it. I went through three renditions before I was really happy with my avatar and it helps to have a picture to refer to while making it. Enjoy, and give me some links to what you make!