#Japan #Tokiwa-so #Toshima #Sports Festival #Manga Award

The 5th Tokiwa-so Town 4-Panel Manga Award

The 5th Tokiwa-so Town 4-Panel Manga Award is set to kick off from July 1 to August 31 this year, inviting submissions that embrace the lively theme of "Sports." This award, which is a part of the efforts by the Toshima Ward and the Toshima Manga Land Executive Committee, along with the Nakano, Suginami, and Toshima Anime Regional Branding Project Executive Committee, aims to engage both young and adults in the realm of manga creation.

Award Categories and Judging

The competition features two categories: the General Division and the Junior Division. Submissions will go through a preliminary screening conducted by the organizers, followed by a final judging by a panel of judges. Each category will award a Grand Prize (one winner), Excellent Prize (three winners), and several Honorable Mentions.

In an exciting twist, entries that reach the preliminary stage in the Junior Division will be showcased during the Toshi Sports Festival on October 13. Attendees will have the chance to vote for their favorite submissions, which will determine the Audience Award winner. The results of the awards will be announced on November 1, and the winning pieces will be displayed at the Tokiwa-so Manga Museum among other venues.

Special Workshop by Illustrator Ichiro Tojo

In addition to the competition, a special workshop titled "4-Panel Manga Creation Experience with Ichiro Tojo" will take place on July 27, targeting elementary and middle school students. This workshop, led by experienced manga artist and scriptwriter Ichiro Tojo, will teach participants the basics of creating 4-panel manga. Students will even have the opportunity to submit their newly created works to the Tokiwa-so Town 4-Panel Manga Award on the spot.

Comments from Local Officials

In relation to this initiative, a spokesperson from the ward commented, "The Tokiwa-so Manga Museum is celebrating its 5th anniversary this year, and this event marks our fifth edition. We are looking forward to seeing the diverse perspectives from children and adults on what sports-themed 4-panel manga will be created. The Junior Division this year particularly collaborates with the Toshi Sports Festival, creating a great opportunity for young creators to showcase their work to a larger audience. We eagerly await your submissions!"

Important Details of the Award

Submission Requirements

• - Create a 4-panel manga themed around "Sports" (unpublished works only)
• - Submissions may include original characters such as "Kaki-tora-san" and "Kobozu-kun" from Toshi Manga Land.

Eligibility and Divisions

• - General Division: Open to both professionals and amateurs.
• - Junior Division: Open to individuals under middle school age.

Submission Period

• - From July 1 to August 31 (must arrive by the deadline).

Announcement Date for Award Winners

• - Winners will be announced on November 1. Details will be released on the official event website, and an awards ceremony is set for November.

For more information, please refer to the official event website.

Additionally, promotional flyers and PDFs related to the event are available for download for further reference.