International Comic/Manga School Contest 2020

Thank you for all your outstanding entries!

Thank you for joining the International Comic/Manga School Contest 2020. We received many excellent submissions, with more than 750 illustration and comic applications from 825 schools in 69 countries and regions! The judging process was fun but challenging, and after a rigorous review by the judges and sponsors, the winners have been chosen. Congratulations to the winners!

Comic / Manga / Webtoon / Bande Dessinée Category Winning Entries

Storyboard Category Winning Entries

Illustration Category Winning Entries

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Judges

Watch the video below for the judges’ overall comments on this year’s contest.

Javier Fernández

https://www.instagram.com/javifernandez_comic/

The quality of the entries was quite surprising. It was a rather difficult theme, but I’m fascinated with how far each author has taken it. It has been a beautiful lesson and a very difficult theme, from which they have been able to create pure gold.

Shuichi Hiratsuka

https://www.shueisha.co.jp/

This was a very exciting judging process with many entries from a wide variety of countries. Since the theme of this year's contest was "Promise," the most important aspect of the judging process was whether the work depicted the emotions and expressions of the people and characters in an appealing way. If the reader doesn't find the characters appealing and doesn't care what happens to the story, that's it. The key to drawing the reader in, especially for a short story like this one, is how to make the characters engaging in a short amount of time. Of course, it's also important to draw a picture or a story you want to draw, but I think many of the works would improve if their artists were more aware of how to make their characters more appealing and life-like.

Youhei Sadoshima

https://corkagency.com/

I viewed works from many different countries around the world and it was interesting to see that each country had it’s own design nuances, and each artist had a unique style of inking and coloring their work. All of them were well drawn and I enjoyed reading them.

I also thought about what these artists would need to do if they wanted to become professionals and gain popularity. What's important when you're new, is knowing what emotions you want to convey. To do so, you also need to think about other emotions surrounding the main point. A lot of newcomers think about what kind of events they want in the story. But these events exist to draw out emotions in a protagonist. So I want you to decide what emotions you want to convey and how your characters will express them, either before you or as you are beginning to draw.

I think a good work is one in which the reader can see that you purposefully decided to draw a specific frame or expression. All of the works have very attractive designs and stories, but many were unclear in terms of what emotions they wanted to convey. I suggest that you practice drawing the emotions you want to convey and posting on fast-paced social media sites like Twitter and Instagram. You see if your work conveys the right emotions, by seeing how your followers react to it.

It was a great honor to read everyone’s artworks from all around the world. Thank you.

Comic / Manga / Bande Dessinée / Webtoon Categories

Grand Prize (1 Winner)

Cash prize: US$3,300, Wacom Cintiq 16, Clip Studio Paint EX

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Our Grand Station

Artist: Caoqian (United States of America)

School: The School of the Art Institute of Chicago

Language: English

Advice from Professionals

Detailed advice from KADOKAWA

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The unique setting born from passionate art style is fascinating. I think by using anthropomorphic animals as the characters, the artist creates an well balanced atmosphere in terms tone for both art and story. The emotions and expressions of the non-human characters are well drawn as well, and I could feel the versatility of the artist.

Shuichi Hiratsuka

This person has a great sense of design.

Youhei Sadoshima

The animal characters and grounded setting match perfectly, and the resulting atmosphere is outstanding. There was a strange sentimentality that made us want to read it over and over again.

Shueisha

The simple characters, rendered in a rough ink style, represent a one-of-a-kind world. The idea of drawing key moments in color is a good touch.

KADOKAWA

The characters in the story are drawn very cutely and you can feel their warmth and gentleness. Not only are the characters comical, but the backgrounds are well drawn as well, and the setting is well represented.The use of a train as a boundary between the world and the outside world is a good idea, and the departure at the end builds up expectations for the new story.

Solmare Publishing (NTT Solmare Corp.)

Our top pick across all categories. Great concept, lovely personal style.

J-POP Manga

Comic Category (1 winner)

Cash prize: US$2,200, Wacom Cintiq 16, Clip Studio Paint EX

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Eda & Roach

Artist: Madita Schwenke (Germany)

School: Hamburg University of Applied Sciences

Language: English

Sensitivity and naturality in both drawing and color. I would encourage you to put some emphasis on working a little bit on the depth of the vignettes. Relying on saturating a little what is closer to the camera and less, what is farther away. Still, and above all, a beautiful job.

Javier Fernández

I think it's a beautiful painting that makes you want to enter this world.

Youhei Sadoshima

A story of resilience drawn and colored beautifully with green and orange colors to express hope and life vs a barren desolation.

Wacom

A well written tale, the bond between the two was well drawn and entertaining.

Amutus Corporation

High quality in the drawing and in the storytelling, with original style.

Glénat Editions SA

Comic Category (5 winners)

Clip Studio Paint EX

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PROMISED

Artist: Roig (Spain)

School: Joso School - Comic and Visual Arts Centre

Language: English

Advice from Professionals

This entry received detailed advice from J-POP Manga.

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A promising glimpse of an interesting world building woven around a refreshing interpretation fo the "promise" theme.

Wacom

The author's drawing and coloring skills stand out from other entries, and the powerful battle scenes use camera angles skillfully and dynamically. However, the story leaves some room for improvement.

KADOKAWA

While orthodox, the straightforward presentation of the setting makes it an easy read. The Western comic style paired with a bold and delicate frame layout is highly expressive, and the artist was confident enough to keep from overcomplicating the setting. A slight twist to the setting might make the story more unique.

BookLive Co., Ltd.

Exciting premise. Good take on fantasy. Good writing and drawings.

J-POP Manga

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BeastRescue

Artist: 犬童子 (Inudouzi) (Japan)

School: Human Academy

Language: English

Winner's Comment

My first thoughts after the contest were that I have a lot to improve on. This isn't surprising as I've only been drawing comics for a year, but still, I want to be able to draw more easy-to-read comics.
This was my first attempt at an American comic style, but even while I struggled with the format, I think I was able to finish something. I'd like to continue challenging myself and keep on improving.

Advice from Professionals

Detailed advice from the editorial team at Solmare (NTT Solmare, Inc.).

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The delicate lines and the skilled composition is impressive. The contrast between the black and white and the colors is very good as well. Thinking of the story, the female characters could have benefited from more varied designs.

Shuichi Hiratsuka

We were captivated by this at a glance due to its delicate art style and design sensibilities. The world is beautifully portrayed with meticulous brushwork and attention to detail, and the use of black and white, and the subtle interplay of colors showcase the artist's skill nicely.

Shueisha

The tenderness of the piece left a lasting expression. The occasional colors create a warmth that matches the story, setting, and art style, and the attention to detail show in the background and small items is great.

Solmare Publishing (NTT Solmare Corp.)

Great illustrations and worldbuilding.

J-POP Manga

The work is compelling and profound, both in the picture itself and its composition. You can feel the artist's desire to convey what he wants to say in the form of drama. However, some parts are overwritten, which makes it difficult to understand the original flow and the dialogue, which is disappointing.

Machiko Satonaka ,Manga artist, President of Manga Japan, Inc./President of the Japan Cartoonists Association

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Mourning Crow

Artist: loadingbones (United Kingdom)

School: Leeds Arts University

Language: English

I think this painting is very good. Tasteful.

Youhei Sadoshima

The artist has a good understanding of color, using it to create a clear, light air while invoking a hind of sadness. We like how they cleverly convey emotion without overexplaining.

Shueisha

The beautiful and yet moving presentation in the beginning intensifies the sadness of a man talking to himself in front of the cemetery, recalling a moment with his dead loved one. It's simple, but it speaks more than words alone. If we had to point something out, it would be that the watch at the end was only used to indicate time passing, and nothing deeper.

BookLive Co., Ltd.

We found the color palette, use of linework and timeless nature of the act of mourning a lost loved one to be engaging and appealing.

Ko-fi

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The Promise of Devi Danu

Artist: Rodan (Indonesia)

School: University of Indonesia

Language: English

Though the rendering of the characters could be stronger, the artist shows a good eye for details such as the shape of the underwater frames, the effective use of spreads, and more. The story depicts both the danger and mysterious atmosphere of the sea.

KADOKAWA

We admire the boldness of the illustrations, giving us a glimpse into an epic story. There's a dynamic quality to the illustrations and colors, where even a single image could keep your attention.

Shueisha

While some parts of the setting are unclear, the momentum and thematic nature of the story carry the entire piece, and the artwork is good as well. I thought it would be better if the author could depict the setting in more detail.

Amutus Corporation

The intensity of the scenes depicted by Rodan won our vote. The artist does a fantastic job of portraying both intense personal relationships while building situational jeopardy. We felt the underwater scenes contrast dramatically well with the on-ship dialogue scenes.

Ko-fi

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Mermaid

Artist: AMA (Japan)

School: Kyoto Seika University

Winner's Comment

I am very honored to receive this award. Getting recognized in the International Comic/Manga School Contest 2020 gives me the confidence and motivation to continue drawing comics in the future. I enjoyed doing what I love to do. The process of coming up with ideas and creating cartoons can be both hard and fun, and it's my lifelong goal in making comics to be able to tell my stories and expressions to more people.

The art is reminiscent of film comics from animated films, making beautiful use of the transparency and light. There are no lines, but I think the story is well executed with just the pictures and panels. As for the characters' faces, each one of them is attractive in their own way, but they tend to look like someone else when their expressions change, which was a bit distracting.

Shuichi Hiratsuka

The fluttering, long hair is used to create a dynamic, moving image. While the expressions of the lively characters are well executed, the story is a little simple.

KADOKAWA

While there is no dialogue, the illustrations communicate the story just through the characters' expressions and movements. The characters' expressions are especially good, and the colors convey the setting very well.The tragedy? that awaits the heroine in the end is funny in how surreal it is.

Solmare Publishing (NTT Solmare Corp.)

The level of perfection in the work is very high. The expression of movement is both natural and wonderful. Even without dialogue, the story is well conveyed. The last part of it makes you wonder if there is a continuation. It has an end but, It feels as if it was ended halfway through the story, which is a shame.

Machiko Satonaka

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Manga Category (1 winner)

Cash prize: US$2,200, Wacom Cintiq 16 , Clip Studio Paint EX

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Forgiveness

Artist: 小河少年 (Xiao-He Shao-Nian) (Taiwan)

School: Chaoyang University of Technology

Language: English

Winner's Comment

Thank you to Clip Studio Paint for organizing this international school contest. I was very honored and touched to receive the award among so many entries from so many different countries and schools.
I created this work to express a heavy, sad and peaceful "promise". Reading the comments from the judges, there are certainly things that could be improved upon. The judges and KADOKAWA's detailed comments have helped me to understand the strengths and weaknesses of my own work better. The advice on panel layout, as well as the critique comments of the other winners were also very helpful. It was a very rare and valuable experience for me to participate in this contest!

Advice from Professionals

Detailed advice from KADOKAWA.

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I could strongly feel the effort put into depicting a serious theme.

Youhei Sadoshima

I think the entry does a good job of expressing the flow of emotions with its frame layout and presentation. The overall poetic mood throughout the story was very appealing. On the other hand, the story heavily relies on monologues, leaving a weak impression when it comes to the development of each character. I think the story would have been more dynamic if it focused on the monologue and viewpoint of one character instead of two.I think it's a work that expresses the flow of emotions well by dividing it into frames.

Shuichi Hiratsuka

The artist is very skilled at depicting atmospheric scenes. And while the story deals with a heavy theme, we appreciate how the artist portrays it in a straightforward manner.

KADOKAWA

The artist succeeds in conveying a sense of hope and what lies ahead by how the characters are drawn and the beauty of the ambiance throughout the work. We'd like to praise this expressiveness.

Shueisha

This story focuses on themes that can occur in today's society, giving the reader food for thought. Overall, the artwork and the panel layout are well done. Showing what kind of connection or relationship the student who passed had with the protagonist, may help the reader better understand his regret, the promises he couldn't keep, and why he wants to become a teacher.

Solmare Publishing (NTT Solmare Corp.)

A stunningly illustrated piece. We were captivated by the poignant story of inclusion and life lessons from what can be an incredibly challenging time as a young adult. This work captures the intensity of the loss and lessons of morality beautifully

Ko-fi

A heavy subject, but it's also one of the major themes of our time. It's very naturally emotional, and even though it's just a protagonist's monologue it doesn't read like one because there's a sense of naturalness to it. Just perfection.

Machiko Satonaka

Manga Category (5 winners)

Clip Studio Paint EX

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Flight to the moon

Artist: 博尔济吉特 (Boer Ji-ji-te) (China)

School: Xi'an Academy of Fine Arts

Language: English

Winner's Comment

For a long time now, I've been in a slump. Being selected has convinced me to pursue a career in comics. I'm grateful for the praise and pointers I've received from the judges, which are very important to me. I know that I struggle to make stories interesting and express my characters' emotions, and that's a result of my negligence in training my skills. From here I will face my shortcomings with humility, respect and confidence. Once again, thank you all so much for your acknowledgement.

I'm not crying, you're crying. A great line work, the panel composition is clear and straightforward, you don't need any more than this. It caught my attention how it managed the timespan between panels without a single word. GREAT WORK!

Javier Fernández

The detailed and careful drawings are good, however, there is a certain rigidness which the story seems to suffer for. While it's a solid piece, it may be too well organized to leave a lasting impression.

KADOKAWA

The delightful linework and polished character and scene depictions impressed us the most about this work. The special bond between a grandparent and grandson is a magical thing and it's been captured in an imaginative and visually stunning way here.

Ko-fi

The comical and friendly art style, and the fact that the story is presented at a good pace with illustrations without relying on dialogue is appealing. While the story was about fulfilling a promise to a long-lost child, the relationship between the child and their grandfather and how the rocket evolved was somewhat difficult to understand. Supplementing this would give even more depth to the grandfather.

Solmare Publishing (NTT Solmare Corp.)

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The Return

Artist: Andrés Zerpa (Venezuela)

School: University of Los Andes

Language: English

Advice from Professionals

Detailed advice from Silent Manga Audition.

Read advice

I love to read stories from different countries in comics, so it's great that the artist did that here. I'm look forward to seeing more comics that introduce the author's Venezuelan culture.

Youhei Sadoshima

The characters' expressions are lively and the scenes are dynamic. However, the story is rather simple, and leaves the impression that the artist decided what to draw before deciding on a story.

KADOKAWA

Great manga style with western influence, original concept and premise.

J-POP Manga

Touching story and original universe. However the characters and the panel layout are more like a bande dessinée rather than a manga.

Kana

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Let's meet to eat chicken

Artist: 小玫喵 (Xiaomei) (Taiwan)

School: National Taipei University of Education

Language: English

Winner's Comment

I never thought I'd win an award! When I first came up with the story about promises, I really struggled. I kept changing the story and adding to the plot. But I wanted to keep my original idea, and keep it a straightforward, funny and heart-warming story. The advice I received from the jury didn't just point out my shortcomings, they gave me a lot of confidence and courage. I'd like to work on improving my drawing technique and create more interesting stories in the future. Finally, thank you to all the judges and to my family and friends who have supported me! Thank you!

Advice from Professionals

Detailed advice from Glenat.

Read advice

Although the artist doen't have the best drawing skills, this is a solid piece with characters, structure, and drama, cleanly contained in 11 short pages. It's amazing how the protagonist, a scary looking middle aged man in a mask, came across as charming in the second half. If I had to rate the storyboard of each entry, this would be the best.

Shuichi Hiratsuka

The interaction between the girl and the old man is vividly and expressively portrayed. I also like how it has an almost pop-art feel to it. The story was not over-worked and was a pleasant read.

Shueisha

The drawings are rather rough, but the story is well written in a short amount of pages. The main character's thoughts and emotions are carefully presented, allowing for a good emotional connection to the protagonist.

KADOKAWA

The drawing should be improved, but the characters and storytelling are interesting.

Glénat Editions SA

While the story and art style are cute, the drawings could use some work. But the nostalgic night market and the Japanese influences in the comedy such as the setup and punchline were very accessable to us.

Amutus Corporation

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DVD mobile shop

Artist: opennewcanvas (South Korea)

School: Chungkang College of Cultural Industries

Language: English

Winner's Comment

I had fun preparing for the contest. I'm glad to have the opportunity to show my work to different people and get their advice, which is something I don't get to experience very often. I want to use this as an opportunity to create better work, and would like to take part in this contest again if I get the chance. I would like to thank Clip Studio and all the judges for providing me with such a good opportunity.

Very good message! The script is one of the main characters of this comic. Using a language in the purest manga style, it reminds me of some of the greatest mangas in this theme, like I'm a Hero. I would just point out that it might be necessary to pay attention to maintaining the continuity of the characters. It changes at times, making you a bit lost for a few seconds.

Javier Fernández

The story is well organized up to the memorable final scene. It could be improved if it had more room to breathe, as the panels are packed in too tightly. By adjusting the way he uses the large panels and the close-ups of expressions, the manga could be more dramatic.

Amutus Corporation

Given current events we couldn’t help but delight in this dystopian, apocalyptic story and the optimism of the human spirit of the cycling protagonist.

Ko-fi

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That vacation as we agreed to go together.

Artist: ARWAKE (Thailand)

School: Rangsit University

Language: English

The art style is very friendly and easy to read. The artist could add to the variety of the expressions by using the passing of time to their advantage. For example, if he was preparing for the event without telling her, she might come close to find out, or she might get into a bad mood (because he cant answer the phone), etc., making him feel trapped and changing the emotions, making him feel more endearing.

Solmare Publishing (NTT Solmare Corp.)

Although the introduction of the story and connection between the flashback scene and the present were a little confusing, the pace of the overall story was good and interesting.

Amutus Corporation

Great start for the genre, good drawings, interesting characters.

J-POP Manga

The comic manages to craft a complete story around a mundane slice of life, that is, a pair of legs in casts, presumably the result of an accident that happened between the couple. While they do seem to be in pain, the joy in their interactions make me a bit envious. The story itself is remnicent of an O. Henry short story, not focusing on how they wound up in this situation, but how the boyfriend tries to give a taste of the trip they were looking forward to to his partner, only to find that she was thinking the exact same thing.

BookLive Co., Ltd.

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Webtoon Category (1 winner)

Cash prize: US$2,200, Wacom Cintiq 16, Clip Studio Paint EX

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Charlotte

Artist: cloud7 (United States of America)

School: Leland High School

Language: English

This is profoundly moving. I always have a particular preference for silent comics, apart from being an immense narrative work, they transmit a clear idea to tell, a concept. This is undoubtedly an example: Without a word, it can displace you and then take an unexpected turn. It has really touched me a lot.

Javier Fernández

The first half manages to dramatically portray an eventful life, with both happy and unhappy moments with just a few lines of dialogue, and the second half is surprising and well made as a story. The warmth of the family is nice, but the scenes after the snow falls were sad, beautiful, and linked to the story, and were especially good. Each character's expressions were well drawn as well.

Shuichi Hiratsuka

A touching story with a delicate build-up to the twist.

Wacom

The pacing of the story is very good to the point where it doesn't need dialogue to convey the situation. While the last section of the story was unexpected, in retrospect, it makes sense. The soft nature of the illustrations makes the story memorable.

KADOKAWA

The story depicts a flow of emotions in a way that only a webtoon can, and once we finished reading, it was as if we just finished watching a long movie. The play on the use of verticals is also brilliant.

Shueisha

Good idea about “Charlotte” and the way her identity is revealed little by little.

Glénat Editions SA

Webtoon Category (5 winners)

Clip Studio Paint EX

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BIRD

Artist: Tursh (Singapore)

School: Singapore Polytechnic

Language: English

The colors are powerful, and you can tell what kind of emotion the story is trying to convey just by looking at it.

Youhei Sadoshima

Although it has a visual touch that reminds me of many anime series, what made it go to the second position is the script. Very good.

Javier Fernández

The powerful imagery allows the artist to condense an epic drama into a short piece. The use of red was especially striking.

Shueisha

A beautiful story of growth, not only physically, but also emotionally. Artist's use of color in this journey with two opposite sides of humanity is striking.

Wacom

Depicting a story about freedom lost to war, a dancer who's only choice was to accept reality and the pain that comes with it folds his wings and plunges into the turmoils of war. Using wings, a symbol of freedom, as a motif, and through bold and striking panels, the story reminds us how lucky we are to be able to express ourselves in our daily lives. The artist manages to express difficult topics with confident panels, taking advantage of the Webtoon format.

BookLive Co., Ltd.

An immersive exploration of freedom and confinement of expression. The dramatic use of color and perspective provided a wonderful viewing experience. Great work

Ko-fi

The story was a satisfying read. It was difficult to understand some scenes, so pulling the composition a bit backwards might help the reader get into the story more smoothly.

Amutus Corporation

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Welcome to the Underworld!

Artist: ditaamy (Indonesia)

School: Bandung Institute of Technology

Language: English

Winner's Comment

First, I would like to thank judges for picking my entry “Welcome to the Underworld” as one of the runners up for this comic contest. I was shocked and humbled that despite so many incredible submissions I was chosen for the runner up. This motivates me to improve my skills and learn more about making comics, so thank you so much!
Secondly, I would like to thank the International Comic/Manga School Contest committee for giving us, students, a chance to try creating works that would be reviewed internationally and professionally. As far as I am concerned there aren't many platforms for students to compete internationally through comics/manga and this contest is one of those rare spotlights for us. This contest highlights the ability of students to create a story, and how to tell it effectively through comic and artworks, it’s really eye-opening. Regardless of the outcome, I learned a lot by joining this contest, by seeing other students' amazing submissions from around the world, and of course by the constructive comments from the judges.
I hope Clip Studio Paint and the other sponsors will hold this comic contest again next year and for years ahead!

It's short but packed with drama, with ups and downs and a solid ending. I think it was very reader-friendly and easy to understand, including the character development. The scene of the undersea paradise is bright and attractive, and it created great contrast with subsequent events.

Shuichi Hiratsuka

The colors are really beautiful overall, and the different use of color between the beautiful and terrifying scenes is very good.

Youhei Sadoshima

The bright and dark scenes are intentionally used to create contrast in the color scheme, which is an effective direction technique. While it seems to be a story about environmental issues, we would have liked to have seen a reaction from the protagonist at the end.

KADOKAWA

The bright colors of the sea and the powerful ending left a lasting impression on us.

Shueisha

Fresh and intriguing with interesting world building and premises.

J-POP Manga

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The ocean in the earth

Artist: Hanamo (Japan)

School: Nihon Kogakuin College

Language: English

Winner's Comment

The feedback I received from the judges for this contest was very informative. As the feedback pointed out, I mainly intended to focus on the vertical scrolling format to express something that any other format could not when I came up with this story.
To emphasize this, the story itself wasn't prominent, tame overall, and left some unresolved issues. I'm going to take the advice given to me by my teachers for my work in the future and think properly about how I can create a great story with great delivery.

I think they made good use of vertical scrolling.

Youhei Sadoshima

The story had a clear beginning and end, and we felt that the author did a good job of integrating one person's story into a sequence of events. I also felt that it developed as it progressed downward, which was also executed well.

Shueisha

There are many inconsistencies and unanswered questions about the story and setting, but I think the presentation of digging into the ground is very clever, equating vertical scrolling to digging into the ground.

KADOKAWA

The protagonist's determination to keep the promise he made to his dead partner is well depicted. We would have like to know how long the protagonist kept believing, as they remain young and unchanged until the end. There might be some room to show how the protagonist keep going on despite the hardships and how strong the protagonist's beliefs are by showing how physical change, how the other villagers quit, etc.

Solmare Publishing (NTT Solmare Corp.)

In an impoverished village with no water or food, a sickly girl accepts death, and tells the protagonist that there's a sea is under the tree she will be buried under. After she passes, he starts digging, driven by her words. The story ends as he hits an underground vein of water, and perhaps seeing her again as he drowns. We would have liked to know why the boy ignored all of the mineral veins that he found underground, which could have saved his village.

BookLive Co., Ltd.

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Promise

Artist: ccc (Taiwan)

School: 國立嘉義大學

Winner's Comment

This is my first time creating a cartoon in webtoon format, so I'm very happy to have won an award. I would also like to thank my teacher for their advice.
This year's theme was 'Promise', so I thought there were many different stories that could be developed. I was considering all kinds of stories like horror and mystery, but in the end I decided to depict the love of a family, a promise between an old man and his grandchild. This time I wanted to create a comic with a picture book-like feel to it, and I wanted the overall atmosphere to be cute and warm. I hope the comic will resonate with and move the reader, even slightly.

There is not a single line of dialogue and the characters are drawn in an abstracted style, and I believe the story is highly accessible to many readers. The use of spacing, the choice of large and small panels, and the balance of zoomed out and close up shots show great skill.

Shuichi Hiratsuka

The cute picture-book-like world is adorable.

Youhei Sadoshima

The sublime combination of technique and color amplifies the simple yet important promise.

Wacom

We enjoyed the simplified structure of the layout which added a delightful emphasis on the emotional bond between generations and the forming of traditions.

Ko-fi

I cried after reading this entry. Telling the story of a boy who restored a location where he spent with his grandfather as it was in a photo, it reminds us that memories keep us alive. As simple as it is, that it why is struck so close to home. If the artist were to expand the story, taking a look at the troubles and hardships that happen outside of the place he worked so hard to keep might be a good direction.

BookLive Co., Ltd.

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Guppy

Artist: Angela Narish (Russian Federation)

School: Bang Bang Education

Language: English

Winner's Comment

I thank the organizers of the contest for the opportunity to participate in such a large project.
It's amazing how many stories this year were about the underwater world! As they say, geniuses have similar thoughts.
But I wanted to show the most non-trivial interpretation of the "promise" theme. No matter how much you promise, you will not fulfill it. I realized how important story is in my webtoon thanks to the jury comments.
I would also like to say thanks to all participants, you guys are really inspired me, keep up the good work! I thank the contest jury for choosing my work! And special thanks to Solmare Publishing (NTT Solmare Corp.) for your comment.

The anthropomorphic fish are drawn very well.

Youhei Sadoshima

While we started reading it as a humorous story about anthropomorphic fish, the direction the story goes is very unexpected and amusing.

KADOKAWA

An unique satirical look at the human world, the art style is highly unique and interesting. While the looping story structure is well-done, we feel that adding a moral aspect such as the character succeeding and then failing due to their mistake could add an interesting option for them to exit the loop. We have high hopes that this author will create works that will continue to make you ponder.

Solmare Publishing (NTT Solmare Corp.)

It's quite a satirical and interesting piece of work. Even though the page count is small, the elements necessary for a story are in place and are well structured. It's a very polished piece.

Machiko Satonaka

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Bande Dessinée Category (1 winner)

Cash prize: US$2,200, Wacom Cintiq 16, Clip Studio Paint EX

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MIDSUMMER TRAVELER

Artist: Echo (China)

School: Wuhan Textile University

Language: English

Winner's Comment

For me, being awarded this award is the end of my college life. I am so honored to receive such good news before I graduate. I was in a slump in my life when I was working on this piece. I was very worried about school and my family. I was fortunate to be able to turn this pain into something creative, to create a manga that is loved by many people and to convey how I felt. The theme of "promise" is very easy for me to draw. Even if my head is filled with sad and tender thoughts, I think everything can be forgiven if you can depict all the cruelty in a story.
Thank you to the contest, the judges, and the people who love me for it. I was very touched that my work was recognized.

Advice from Professionals

Detailed advice from the editorial team at Solmare (NTT Solmare, Inc.).

Read advice

The strength of the artwork is amazing. I'd be glad to have this in my own home as part of my collection.

Youhei Sadoshima

There is an underlying sense of fantasy throughout, which drew me into the setting. The unique otherworldly feel, such as the streets of what seems to be China, the inside of an old house, and natural scenery, is accented by unique colors, making it very appealing as a collection of drawings.

Shuichi Hiratsuka

A touching story of strained relationship and connection between a mother and daughter expressed through a talented artists pen.

Wacom

The drawing skills, atmosphere, and development of the story in a limited length were all well done. It's as if each panel is a painting, from which different stories expand.

Shueisha

Interesting natural/personal art, great story premises and mood.

J-POP Manga

An emotion packed visual journey that compelled us from the first frame. Beautiful use of color and perspective had us immersed in the journey of reflection and connection.

Ko-fi

Only knowing her mother with cancer, her daughter comes face to face with her younger mother in a mysterious world beyond a lake, and knows that she hoped for a daughter in her youth. The fantastic scenery of her meeting her mother is beautiful and expressive. By developing the daughter's relationship with her mother some more, the meaning of her tears might have come across more clearly.

BookLive Co., Ltd.

Bande Dessinée Category (3 winners)

Clip Studio Paint EX

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The Promise

Artist: Erica Eng (United States of America)

School: Academy of Art University

Language: English

Winner's Comment

I was inspired by poetry and song when writing the comic. As for the setting and characters, they came about because I was tired of drawing humans and real places. I was also interested in the feeling of smallness and so I drew mice. Then, I drew them wrapped in sweaters and blankets, afraid to go out of their cozy homes and afraid of death, two valid fears we all experience. I knew I wanted to use charcoal for the drawings. Charcoal makes soft edges that melt into light and dark. I love that.
I'm usually a storyteller who meanders around before finding an end, but I knew I wouldn't be able to do that with such a small page count. So, I read ancient stories which are so boiled down to their essence that they don't meander at all. I read the Old Testament and the Gospels before writing The Promise. The Book of Hebrews also discusses the major themes I touched on in the comic (an ancient promise, truth and rest). I found my faith in God at an early age, so stories that expressed the same hope that I had were deeply important to me as a kid. Most of my childhood was spent escaping into books, so I wanted to write a fairytale that younger me would have loved. The Promise is an expression of that.

The picture-book-like world was beautifully drawn. Personally, the beauty of the light in the scene where they are walking through the darkness with a torch impressed me. The energy of the rats in the story was excellent and their expressions were very vivid as well.

Shuichi Hiratsuka

If I had read comics like this when I was a kid, I would surely had been a more avid reader than what I was. This has a wonderful children’s comic look to it.

Javier Fernández

I would like to read this book with my children because it has a lot of unique flavor. It would appeal to both adults and children.

Youhei Sadoshima

With a beautiful, almost fairytale like style, the friendship and bravery of the mice is carefully portrayed. While the ending is heartbreaking, the narrator's dialogue is wonderful.

KADOKAWA

This was an excellent read, with a fairy-tale world and a sophisticated color palette.

Shueisha

A very picture book friendly, cute piece with gentle designs and colors. The story is a bit lackluster, but imagining what adventures and situations the little mice find themselves in because they aren't humans opens up an entire world to explore.

Amutus Corporation

The mice as characters are very cute. Is the content poetic or philosophical? I'm not sure. The author has a great sense of color, so I think it would be better to draw a series of illustrations of mice with just two or three lines of poetry attached to them.

Machiko Satonaka

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WooF

Artist: Giorgia Rosati (Italy)

School: Roman School of Comics

Language: English

Winner's Comment

Participating in this contest was a way to get involved and compare myself with the works of people from all over the world. It stimulated me to do my best. The news of having been chosen among the winners of the contest filled me with joy. I was surprised and excited. Through my story “WooF” I wanted to communicate the link between a child and his little dog. Who help each other in times of difficulty. They don't need words to express their bond and their emotions. I tried to find the universality of the gestures. Thanks to the comments of the judges and sponsors, I had confirmation that I was able to convey the emotions of the characters through their gestures and color. The plot of the story is deliberately free to interpret. It can be seen from the point of view of the child, who in the grip of fever, visualizes the disease as a monster that kidnaps him. Or it could be what the dog perceives when he sees his owner being bedridden. Maybe it's a dream that both are living, or it could be a real adventure. I found interesting to play with the plot, the possible points of view of the characters and the use of everyday objects as a tool for an adventure. I wanted to thank the contest organizers who gave me the opportunity to compare my artwork on an international scene. I thank the judges, who commented on my art. Giving me useful advice and ideas for future work. I will follow their advice and work even harder. The sponsors for judging my work so positively. It is encouraging and gives me strength to continue imagining new stories. I am grateful to the Roman School of Comics and to my professors for giving me the opportunity to participate in the competition and for providing me with the knowledge to face this artistic path. I hope one day to realize my dream: create stories that will thrill readers.
I thank everyone again.

Advice from Professionals

This entry received detailed advice from J-POP Manga.

Read advice

A great adventure, as surely are many of the dreams of children. Seeing the great work she has done at the drawing stage, I would encourage the author to let go and experiment with more vivid colors. For example, it would have been great to see how, on the last page, the bright sunlight shines on the two adventurers. Good work!

Javier Fernández

Although the story has no dialogue, it strongly appeals to the senses. It does a good job of expressing that hard to explain feeling of having a fever, and the straightforward story of being rescued from there was well expressed.

Shuichi Hiratsuka

The layout is excellent, and the dog's bravery and intelligence, his friendship with the child, and the terror of the demon are well depicted. The story is very straightforward and well constructed.

KADOKAWA

A very fitting drawing style that complements the story. Accurate visualization of a sleeping dog.

Wacom

We loved the contrast between the intensity of the dark dreams of the child with the unbreakable bond of the loving dog. Great emotional use of color and perspective.

Ko-fi

Great mix of nostalgia for the sense of children’s adventure and mystery. Art perfectly fits the mood.

J-POP Manga

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GROW UP (promise not to)

Artist: Alina Slyshik (Russian Federation)

School: Saint-Petersburg State University of Industrial Technologies and Design

Language: English

Winner's Comment

I am really glad I took the opportunity to take part in this competition! It was a really interesting experience that will definitely be helpful in the future. The feedback from the judges was so positive and constructive, I will take their advices into account. Also I would like to thank the wonderful sponsors of this competition for making it possible to compete - I've seen many amazing entries from over the world, it is so inspiring! It was an opportunity to prove myself and I'm going to develop my art skills further.
Thank you!

Advice from Professionals

This entry received detailed advice from J-POP Manga.

Read advice

This job touches you at first glance. Simple, warm and with a palette that comes as a ring to the finger.

Javier Fernández

A story about being a "grown up" that is easy to connect with. Soft color palette suits the drawing style very well

Wacom

A highly sympathetic piece, it skillfully depicts how the world starts to feel smaller and smaller as we get older. As difficult as it is to "Live life to the fullest", the story reminds us in a cathartic moment that it's actually a state of mind, and that it's easier than we often make it out to be. It relies heavily on text, so showing, for example, a pregnant belly and a clock ticking down when she's surrounded by anxiety before deciding to make a decision and grasp at hope might be more effective.

BookLive Co., Ltd.

Efficient, good storytelling, fluent, be careful of a lack of homogeneity between the graphic style and the target audience.

Kana

A well-drawn heart-warming depiction of a coming of age story.

J-POP Manga

Such a pleasantly presented, thoughtful depiction of the journey to adulthood and reminder to hold on to the optimism of youth.

Ko-fi

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Storyboard Category

Storyboard Category Grand Prize (1 winner)

Cash prize: US$2,200, Wacom Cintiq 16, Clip Studio Paint EX

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Youth Promise

Artist: SHeyll (France)

School: Human Academy Europe

Language: English

Winner's Comment

It is such an honour to receive this award in the "Storyboard" category. I'm glad the jury had this keen interest in my work and I would like to thank my school, Human Academy Europe, which has strongly encouraged me to participate to this contest. It was a good opportunity to get both positive and negative critics, about my work and technic skills, coming from true professionals. I would have never thought I could win such a prestigious prize and I'm thrilled.

Advice from Professionals

Detailed advice from Tokyo Name Tank.

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The expressions are lively.

Youhei Sadoshima

While I liked the character designs, it seemed to cut down the dramatic moments that were in the original storyboard. In the last panel of page 7, I feel that you need to mislead the reader to some extent, making it seem as if they're not going to the promised place, making the last part of the story unexpected. This is currently half spoiled by the expression alone, resulting in the final page feeling a bit weak.

Shuichi Hiratsuka

The characters' cuteness comes across very well. The last page of the book has a pleasant atmosphere, and the way they kept the margins shows a good sense of space.

Shueisha

The expressions of the characters are well drawn and their emotions are easy to read. The pace of the story is well paced and light.

KADOKAWA

The characters are well rendered and expressive. Including the ending, it's a bit of a shame that they're a bit juvenile after growing up. While there will be childish expressions that don't change after 10 years, another layer such as serious, more mature expressions can go a long way.

Solmare Publishing (NTT Solmare Corp.)

I think the artist was able to draw a variety of expressions. While some emotions such as the boastful face in the 1st panel on page 4 are expressive, other expressions will need to be drawn differently based on each character, and will test the artist's skill and creativity. In panel 5, page 2, the first time we see the grown up woman from the front, it might have been better to differentiate between her younger counterpart by drawing the nose. For the last scene, we would have liked to see how their their emotions changed after their conflicts through page 2 to 7. The current emotion of the man hiding his embarrassment is a bit hard to read, and we want to know what waits for them in the future.

BookLive Co., Ltd.

Storyboard Category (2 winners)

Clip Studio Paint EX

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International comic manga school contest

Artist: 김현준(Kim Hyeon Jun) (South Korea)

School: Dongcheon High School

Language: English

Winner's Comment

It was an honor to participate in a great competition at the end of my high school life and receive an award. I was very disappointed not to win first place, but the feedback from the judges was more important to me than anything else as up to now I had to learn on my own. I would like to thank the judges for choosing my work, and the contest staff for patiently answering my questions. I want to grow even more through this competition and become a manga artist who can draw the best manga ever. Thank you very much.

Advice from Professionals

Detailed advice from Tokyo Name Tank.

Read advice

A greatly dynamic and interesting job!

Javier Fernández

While the drawings are good, I think the interpretation of the storyboard hasn't worked in the artist's favor. Even if the goal was to reconstruct everything but the framework, be aware of how to create the "key" panels that are characteristic of a sports manga. The last 2p in particular are broken up into smaller panels and add dialogue, but I feel the original name is better. Since you have a name, think about it's strengths first, and use it to your advantage.

Shuichi Hiratsuka

The artwork is done very carefully.

Youhei Sadoshima

The artwork is beautiful, and I think the situation is well drawn. The lines are a little rough, so the artist might want to put the time in for the silent scenes when inking. I think it would be even better if it had a little more original flair.

Amutus Corporation

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El campanario prometido

Artist: Sergio Sink (Spain)

School: The Garage Hermetic

Language: English

Winner's Comment

I would like to thank the judges for choosing me as one of the runners up and for commenting my comic. This feedback is what I value most about having participated in this contest, and it's a reward I'm extremely proud of. I was also delighted to see the entries of the other winners and to learn from the feedback of their works. This has really encouraged me to participate again next year. It has been a very enriching experience.

If the artist had been handed a storyboard, and were asked to draw it, I would say that their drawing skills (especially for the boy) needs some work. However, the artist understands the story well, and has drawn the expressions nicely. The setting of the story was arranged nicely as well, making the final product an original piece.

Shuichi Hiratsuka

The panels are very easy to read.

Youhei Sadoshima

While the artwork is somewhat weak, they are carefully drawn. The last scene could have used a longer shot to hold the moment a bit longer.

KADOKAWA

Not only did the artist accurately interpret the storyboard, but they extended that understanding to create their own unique expression.

Shueisha

The expression of the characters in the large panels, the glimpse of the man's obsession with smartphone games, and the expressions and gestures at the end suggesting their future, are very well depicted. For the scene change from the past to the present, changing the background or characters may have been a good way to indicate that time passed. The way the woman's eye was drawn with a pupil in the 1st panel of page 6 gives the character stronger emotions, so we recommend the artist to add it to their tools.

BookLive Co., Ltd.

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Illustration Category

Illustration Category (1 work)

Cash prize: US$550, Wacom Cintiq 16, Clip Studio Paint PRO

Artist: あろえ (Aroe) (Japan)

School: Nihon Kogakuin College

Winner's Comment

Thank you very much for choosing my work for the grand prize. I would also like to thank my teachers at school and my acquaintances and family for supporting me.
This time, it was very difficult for me to decide what kind of illustration I would make from the theme, "Promise." However, as I was working on it, I realized the fundamental and important thing: what did I want to convey and how should I express it? I'm still lacking in certain areas, so I want to use this experience to grow even more.

This is at a level that is acceptable for illustration employment. The more you find your own unique colors and patterns, the better.

Youhei Sadoshima

Of all the nominated works, this was the one that most caught my eye. Meaning this could be used as an illustration for a book cover or as an advertisement. It's the most crucial factor for commercial use, so I'm going to give it top marks from a publisher's perspective. The design is well organized and shows excellent skills in three areas: the cohesiveness of the composition, the appeal of the people (characters), and the expression of the worldview.

Shuichi Hiratsuka

The artist's compositional skills shine in this piece. While incorporating various, popular motifs, it manages to fit them neatly into a single scene without making them clash. Furthermore, a narrative is created and hinted at in a single image without being overly descriptive, allowing the viewer to imagine the story, a good demonstration of the artist's skill. We would love to see other pieces that focus on people.

Shueisha

The artist successfully embodies the eternal connection in their art.

Wacom

While the composition is common and a bit too self-absorbed as a themed illustration, the characters are very well drawn and colored.

Amutus Corporation

Illustration Category (4 winners)

Clip Studio Paint PRO

Artist: Seungyeon (South Korea)

School: Kookmin University

Winner's Comment

While working on my illustration for this contest, I was able to revisit basic skills such as light, backgrounds, and color, and I was able to determine my style and direction for the future. Every step of the process, from coming up with ideas to finishing, was a good learning experience. Also, the experience of seeing works on the same theme helped broaden my horizons.

The skillful use of lighting in this work draws the viewer into the picture. In terms of expressing a worldview, this work was the best in this year's competition. On the other hand, the presence of the character in the center is weak, possibly due to them having their eyes closed. While the overall balance of the piece is harmonious and well-done, I felt it would have made a stronger impression if there was a strong focal point.

Shuichi Hiratsuka

Illustrations I could feel the warmth from the whole piece that made it very appealing.

Youhei Sadoshima

I like the straightforwardness of the scene, as well as the lighting. The light seems to be emitting from the cat, so I wonder if this is our reality, or if it is a world with fantasy elements.

Amutus Corporation

The skillfull use of color and clean brush technique complements the interpretation of the theme beautifully.

Wacom

Artist: ariane (United Kingdom)

School: Charterhouse

This work conveys the joy and dynamism of drawing, and at the same time makes me curious about the person who drew it.

Youhei Sadoshima

This entry resonated with the team given the current global situation. We love the contrast between the indoor and outdoor environment and capturing the feeling of the creative energy even when forced to stay at home.

Ko-fi

Great idea and composition! I would take a deeper look into light and color. Sometimes it looks like the subject is cropped out. I also recommend aggressively using strong shadows!

CoAket

Artist: IZ (Japan)

School: Nippon Designer Gakuin

Winner's Comment

I am very happy to receive this award. It's a scene that just came to me, so it's not as highly original as the feedback I've received, but I think I was able to capture and express it through the colors and other elements. I'll keep the advice in mind as I continue to explore different genres and methods of expression.

The theme is not as original as the previous ones, but the diagonal composition, the color palette, the effect it achieves (which is not easy to do) and its depth make it well worthy of the position it holds.

Javier Fernández

In a sense, this is a classic piece, portraying a fleeting, almost primordial scene that everyone has in their heart. However, the strong use of color is what caught our attention. While there are many excellent elements such as the composition and color palette, we'd like to praise their most exceptional skill: depicting scenes that strike a chord with a broad audience.

Shueisha

This has a very high technical level. However, it's hard to tell if the woman or the cherry blossoms is the focus. If the woman is the focus, then it would be better to bring her more into the foreground.

CoAket

Artist: 긱(Gick) (South Korea)

School: Sahmyook University

Winner's Comment

First of all, I am very honored to have achieved this award for my first contest. I also hope to use this contest as a springboard to draw various artwork and pursue my dreams, and make the most of my short but long school life. I intend to continue working hard until I can draw pictures that make everyone happy. Thank you very much.

The design is very interesting. It looks like something I would see as a poster. Good use of color. It makes me interested in the place itself.

Youhei Sadoshima

This work deserves a special mention for its personality and bravery. I would love to talk with the artist to learn about the origin of this microcosm. The content, the setting, the design... Everything is special, and the courage shown is brilliant.

Javier Fernández

Out of the entries, this is the most light-hearted and grounded understanding of the contest's theme, and the overall pop design works well. At the same time, the piece has deeper layers, seeming to suggest that towns are shaped by promises, while the slightly subdued color tone makes it feel like a sophisticated magazine cover. We hope the artist will continue to create many other scenes, and master how to captivate the viewer.

KADOKAWA

The idea of placing the letters "PROMISE" on the background of a building in a design way is very good, and the fact that the letters do not claim too much is highly evaluated. I think the work is harmonious overall, including the words "PROMISE."

Solmare Publishing (NTT Solmare Corp.)

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International Comic / Manga School Contest 2020

This is a manga, comic and illustration contest open to students worldwide. Winners are eligible for cash prizes, digital creation software, pen tablets, and chances to be featured in media publications!

Contest theme:

Promise

Comic Category (color)	An original color comic for all ages (8-16 pages, including cover). This is the most appropriate category for American style comics.
Manga Category (B&W)	An original black-and-white comic/manga for all ages (8-16 pages, including cover). This is the most appropriate category for Japanese manga style comics.
Bande Dessinée Category (Color)	An original bande dessinée for all ages (8-16 pages, including cover).
Webtoon Category (Color)	An original webtoon for all ages (sized 690 x 16,000 pixels).
Storyboard Category	An 8-page black-and-white comic or color webtoon (690 x 16,000 pixels) based on the supplied storyboard. You may rearrange the storyboard if you so choose. Note: The storyboard can be downloaded from Learn more about How to apply.
Illustration Category	An original color illustration for all ages (There are no size requirements).

Special Sponsors

Collaborators

Gekkan G Fantasy

A monthly comic magazine released on the 18th of every month by Square Enix Co., Ltd., which will be celebrating its 27th anniversary in 2020. Known for titles like Black Butler, Horimiya, Toilet-Bound Hanako-kun, The Royal Tutor, and others. Gekkan G Fantasy additionally offers a number of serialized works that are ongoing now!

SILENT MANGA AUDITION

One of the largest and most successful manga contests in the world. Operated by publisher Coamix, Inc. which was established by renowned manga artists, it aims to discover, nurture, and publish the next generation of manga artists active internationally.

No9 Inc.

With the mission of enriching people's lives through manga, No9 Inc. is a digital comic agency that strives to maximize the manga market and sales in the digital age through four business pillars: manga agency services, manga app development, crowdfunding, and tax return services.

CoAket

Inspired by similar comics markets in Japan, CoAket is the first of its kind in Germany and is getting attention from local artists. Open twice a year in Hamburg, CoAket focuses on artist displays and publisher’s booths.

MAG

Super Crowd Entertainment GmbH is an event management company in Northern Germany. It holds the world's largest indie game developer booth, Indie Arena Booth, and a pop culture event, “MAG,” that covers games, comics, and all things Japan. MAG is held in central Germany. The company also supports many developers and artists.

TOKYOPOP

Since its establishment in 1997, TOKYOPOP has been a bridge between Asia's unique pop culture and the rest of the world, at the crossroads of tradition and innovation. By producing, publishing, and distributing comics from around the world, TOKYOPOPOP provides exciting content for fans of all ages.

Cork Co., Ltd.

Cork is a creative agency with a mission to "change the world, one person at a time, through the power of storytelling." The company is striving to redefine "editing" for a new era by working in collaboration with creators not only on an editorial level to design universal stories, but also on a community level to create enthusiasm while connecting directly with fans.

Tokyo name tank

Our goal is to support everyone in creating their own manga while having fun drawing it. We have produced many award-winning and debut artists. In addition to storyboard lessons that cover how to structure a complete a 32-page storyboard, we also hold individual consultations and storyboard exchange sessions to answer concerns about the creation of comics.

Supporters

Japan Cartoonists Association

The Japan Manga Association was established in December 1964 as the only nationwide organization of Japan's manga artist at that time. It’s engaged in a variety of projects, such as research on comics, efforts in popularizing comics and comics culture, and comics cultural exchange with other countries. The group became a Public Interest Incorporated Association in 2014.

Manga Japan

Manga Japan is an organization that aims to promote the development of manga culture and artists, contribute to society through the manga industry, promote international exchange and improve production environments for manga authors and others involved in the industry.