The Japan International MANGA Award 2025 offers talented manga artists worldwide an incredible opportunity to showcase their creativity and win international recognition. Established to spread manga culture worldwide and encourage cultural exchange, this prestigious competition rewards outstanding manga works with prizes and a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Japan for the top winners.
The 19th edition welcomes both published and unpublished works, accepting entries in any language. Gold, Silver, and Bronze Awards will be presented, and Gold and Silver winners will be invited to Japan for the award ceremony in Tokyo. This is your chance to take your manga career to the global stage!
Quick Overview of Japan International MANGA Award 2025
- Host Country: Japan
- Event: 19th Japan International MANGA Award
- Application Deadline: June 30, 2025
- Award Ceremony: February or March 2026 in Tokyo
- Eligible Works: Manga with more than 16 pages created between 2022–2025
- Eligibility: Non-Japanese nationals (artists or writers)
- Submission Format: PDF
Perks of the Japan MANGA Awards 2025
- Gold, Silver, Bronze, and Special Encouragement Awards
- Gold and Silver winners receive trophies and certificates
- Trip to Japan for Gold and Silver winners (7 days, all expenses covered)
- Global recognition and exposure
- Chance to have your work exhibited publicly
- Certificates for Bronze and Special Encouragement Award winners
Benefits of the 19th MANGA Awards 2025
- Career Boost: Global exposure and recognition among industry professionals
- Networking: Meet other award-winning manga artists during the Japan trip
- Personal Growth: Experience Japanese culture first-hand
- Skill Development: Get your work evaluated by top publishers and experts
- Inspiration: Visit top cultural institutions and be part of the manga community
Exclusions of the Japan International MANGA Award 2025
- Only one entry per artist is allowed
- Manga generated mainly by AI is not accepted
- Works that have already won the award previously are not eligible
- Bronze and Special Encouragement Award winners are not eligible for the Japan trip
Eligibility Criteria for the MANGA Atists Awards in Japan 2025
- Applicant must be a non-Japanese national (artist or story writer)
- Applicants must have created their work between 2022 and 2025.
- Manga must be original and not infringe on third-party rights
- Must consist of more than 16 pages
- Applicants must submit manga as a PDF file.
Important Dates of the MANGA Competition 2025
- Applications Open: April 17, 2025
- Applications Close: June 30, 2025
- Award Ceremony: February or March 2026 in Tokyo, Japan
How to Apply to the International MANGA Contest for Artists 2025
- Fill out the Application Form
- Prepare your manga work in PDF format
- After form submission, receive the upload link from your nearest Japanese embassy/consulate (or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs if in Japan)
- Upload your manga PDF via the provided link
Required Documents for Japan International MANGA Award 2025
- Completed Application Form
- Manga work submitted as a PDF
- Proper file naming: Artist’s First and Family Name (e.g., TaroGaimu.pdf)
- Each page shows its page number.
Country-Specific Criteria
- Local Japanese embassies or consulates will contact applicants outside Japan for the upload link.
- Applicants residing in Japan will receive the upload link from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
For further inquiries, visit the official MOFA’s MANGA Award website.
