The Young King Lambda Original Novel Award Kicks Off in 2026 with Exciting Prizes and Opportunities

The Young King Lambda Original Novel Award Launches in 2026

CreativeMap Co., led by CEO Ryoichiro Koyama, is thrilled to announce the first-ever Young King Lambda Original Novel Award in collaboration with Shonen Gaho Co. The award aims to elevate budding writers and highlight unique narratives within the realms of fantasy, horror, and suspense. The competition opens for submissions from June 15, 2026, to September 14, 2026, with a total prize pool reaching ¥1 million.

About the Award

This prestigious contest, hosted on the Solispia platform, emphasizes the creation of new hit works in the comic and narrative sectors. For the first time, Solispia will co-host with an external entity, partnering with the renowned Young King and Young King Lambda publications. All aspiring authors are welcome, whether professional or amateur, to submit works that fall under the specified genres. The edit teams from Young King Lambda and CreativeMap will oversee the judging process, ensuring a fair and comprehensive evaluation.

Special attention will be given to submissions by granting feedback from experienced judges like Homura Kawamoto, the original author of the manga 'Serial Killer in Another World,' who will serve as a special judge. Notably, second-round candidates will receive score sheets and brief reviews from multiple judges, offering a rare opportunity for valuable insights into their submissions.

Prizes and Awards

- Grand Prize: ¥500,000 + Guaranteed Manga Adaptation
- Silver Prize: ¥300,000 + Guaranteed Manga Adaptation
- Honorable Mention: ¥100,000 + Manga Adaptation Consideration

The winners will have the chance to see their stories adapted and published in either the Young King or Young King Lambda magazines. While we plan to award around one Grand Prize, one Silver Prize, and approximately three Honorable Mentions, please note that the final number of awards may vary.

Timeline

- Submission Period: June 15, 2026 - September 14, 2026
- First Round Announcement: December 2026
- Second Round Announcement: January 2027
- Final Selection Announcement: February 2027
- Winners Announcement: Late March 2027

Judging Panel

Special Judge

- Homura Kawamoto

Judges

- Young King Editorial Team
- Young King Lambda Editorial Team
- CreativeMap Editorial Team

Entry Guidelines

- Main work should be between 75,000 and 125,000 characters.
- Completed entries must be submitted by the end of the acceptance period.
- Open to participants of all ages, from both professional and amateur backgrounds.
- Works in the genres of fantasy, horror, suspense, and mockumentary are welcome.
- Multiple submissions are allowed.

About the Publications

Young King has been a cornerstone of youth manga culture for 39 years, integrating themes of violence, humanity, and stark desires.
Young King Lambda is dedicated to exploring unique worlds and fantasy narratives allowing for diverse storytelling including reincarnation, slow life, and romantic comedies.

About CreativeMap

Founded in February 2025, CreativeMap is a rising startup focused on submitting original novels through its platform, Solispia, which aims to create innovative IP content. Solispia, launched in September 2023, has surpassed 4,000 submissions and 50,000 uploaded episodes, distinguished by its innovative approach to literary competitions, challenging the conventional ranking system.