Japan International MANGA Award 2026
The Japan International MANGA Award was founded in 2007 by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan to honor foreign manga creators who have contributed to the global spread of MANGA culture and promote international cultural exchange through manga.
Eligibility & Conditions
- Open to non-Japanese manga creators.
- Submitted work must consist of at least 16 pages.
- Work must have been created within the past three years (2023–2026).
- Both published and unpublished works are accepted, excluding past winners.
- Entries must be original works of the applicant; works primarily generated by AI are not accepted, though AI may be used if disclosed.
- No infringement of third-party rights.
- Submission must be in PDF format; paper originals should be scanned/photographed as PDF.
- One entry per creator.
Application Period
- April 15 – June 30, 2026: Entries must be submitted via the official Application Form (Microsoft Forms) and uploaded through procedures coordinated with Japanese embassies/consulates.
Awards
- Gold Award: Best manga work.
- Silver Awards: Three excellent works.
- Bronze Awards: Approx. eleven other works.
- Special Encouragement Award: Certificate for a highly regarded work not qualified for Silver.
Invitation Program:
One representative of Gold and Silver winners is invited to Japan for ~7 days to attend the award ceremony, exchange with Japanese manga creators, visit publishing companies, and participate in cultural programs.
Submission Requirements
Applicants must provide:
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- Completed Application Form (Microsoft Forms).
- Manga work in PDF.
- Optional: Japanese translated script with page numbers and original dialogue.
Official Contact & Website
- Japan International MANGA Award – Official website: CLICK HERE
- Organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan.