Benazzouz, or Inoxtag, released his first graphic novel on Nov 21. — AFP
A French social media influencer fresh off a hit film documenting his ascent to Mount Everest is turning his sights to a new challenge: manga.
Ines Benazzouz, known everywhere as Inoxtag, published his first graphic novel Instinct last week; it tells the story of a young man with the power to perceive the aura and intentions of those around him.
The 22-year-old content creator started posting videogame clips in his mid-teens, and his lively energy has catapulted him to superstardom among young French people, with some 20 million subscribers. But it was the release in mid-September of Kaizen Everest, capturing his preparations to climb Mount Everest, despite no prior experience, that brought his fame to new heights, with the documentary garnering more than 38 million views on YouTube.
Now, in collaboration with Kaizen Everest director Basile Monnot and cartoonist Charles Compain, Benazzouz said he “dreams” of one day seeing his manga adapted into an animated series.
A long-time manga fan, he decided to take the plunge in February 2023 when he met Compain, a business engineer who dreamed of becoming a manga comic artist.
He hopes to follow in the footsteps of Radiant, a French manga that has sold over a million copies and is the only one to be adapted into an animated series in Japan.
Benazzouz said he has learned from the criticism he received over his Everest climb – particularly from mountaineers – about environmental issues and overtourism.
He said that he still gives himself “breaks” from screens and acknowledged his frustration over the “politicisation” he has faced on social media.
“I don’t want to talk about politics”, he said, though he acknowledges his “influence” with young people.
“My only job is to pass on optimism and good values,” Benazzouz said. – AFP
