Applications are now open for the 20th Japan International MANGA Award 2026. This is a prestigious international manga competition organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan. It offers a great opportunity for non-Japanese manga artists to showcase their original works, gain global recognition, and win valuable prizes.
The competition is free to enter (no application fee). Both published and unpublished manga works created between 2023 and 2026 are eligible. Selected winners will receive certificates, trophies, and the top winners will be invited to Japan.
Key Details:
- Award Name: 20th Japan International MANGA Award
- Host Country: Japan
- Application Period: April 15, 2026 – June 30, 2026
- Eligibility: Open to non-Japanese nationals (artist must be non-Japanese)
- Field: Manga / Comic Art
- Application Fee: Free
- Format: Online application + PDF submission
- Result Announcement: Expected in late 2026 / early 2027
What this Award Offers:
- Gold Award: Certificate, trophy, and a 7-day invitation to Japan for the award ceremony in Tokyo
- Silver Award (3 winners): Certificate, trophy, and a 7-day invitation to Japan
- Bronze Award (about 11 winners): Certificate
- Special Encouragement Award: Certificate
All winners get international recognition and publicity. The first 30 pages of winning works (with Japanese translation) will be published on the official award website. Top winners also gain valuable networking opportunities and exposure in the global manga industry.
Eligibility Criteria:
- Must be a non-Japanese national (in team works, the artist must be non-Japanese)
- Manga work must be at least 16 pages long
- Work must be created between 2023 and 2026
- Original work only – AI-generated manga is not allowed (AI can only be used as minor supplemental material and must be declared)
- Only one entry per artist is allowed
- The work must not violate any third-party intellectual property rights
- Applicant must hold the copyright of the submitted work
Programs / Fields Available:
- Manga
- Comic Art
- Sequential Art / Graphic Novels
How to Apply:
- Fill out the official Application Form (Microsoft Forms) Link: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/4JutVgvh5Y
- Prepare your manga work as a single PDF file (required)
- Optional: Submit a Japanese translation (Word or PDF)
- After submitting the form, you will receive an email with a upload link (within one week). Upload your PDF file within 2 weeks.
File Naming:
- Manga: FirstnameFamilyname.pdf
- Translation: FirstnameFamilynameTranslation.pdf or .docx
Important: Email submissions are not accepted. Use the official Microsoft Teams folder link only.
Additional Important Notes:
- Page numbers must be added to every page
- The PDF should be printable on A4 size paper
- Clearly mark any two-page spreads
- Submitted works will not be returned
- Awards may be cancelled if plagiarism or false information is found
