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KADOKAWA WORLD MANGA CONTEST 2023 Results

KADOKAWA has recently announced the winners of the KADOKAWA WORLD MANGA CONTEST, an international manga competition that attracted an impressive total of 1,959 entries from 118 countries. This year's contest has surpassed the previous Wordless Manga Contest held earlier, which received 1,126 submissions from 104 countries. The announcement was made on the contest's dedicated website, highlighting the growing global interest in manga creation.

Award-Winning Works

In the Manga category, the Golden Prize was awarded to Cry or the Witch Will Come, created by Syo.Era, a resident of Vietnam. In the Wordless Manga category, the Golden Prize went to Cells Within the Body, crafted by Eli Lin from Taiwan. A total of 11 works received awards, reflecting the diversity and creativity present in contemporary manga.

The judging panel, consisting of KADOKAWA's manga editorial team, carefully selected the winning entries across both categories, evaluating works based on creativity, storytelling, and adherence to traditional manga styles. In addition to the top prizes, five works were recognized with “Encouragement Awards,” aimed at nurturing talented artists.

Manga Category Winners:

• - Gold Prize: Cry or the Witch Will Come by Syo.Era (Vietnam)
• - Silver Prize: Deus Sniper by Shinamori (France)
• - Bronze Prize: START AT NULL by 2AM Productions (Switzerland)

Wordless Manga Category Winners:

• - Gold Prize: Cells Within the Body by Eli Lin (Taiwan)
• - Silver Prize: BOW by Light Comic Studio (Vietnam)
• - Bronze Prize: ひとくじ by MurJi (Taiwan)

All winners will receive financial rewards, with USD 10,000 for Gold Prize winners, USD 5,000 for Silver, and USD 3,000 for Bronze. Additionally, the winners will have the chance to collaborate with KADOKAWA editors to receive guidance and support towards serialized publication of their works.

Upcoming Award Ceremony

KADOKAWA plans to host an award ceremony in Japan for the Gold, Silver, and Bronze winners, allowing them to share their creative journeys and connect with the manga community. Furthermore, starting May 29, selected works will be available for free on KADOKAWA's manga portal, Kadokomi, providing audiences the opportunity to engage with new stories.

Expanding Horizons for Creators

As part of KADOKAWA's commitment to supporting international creators, the contest not only emphasizes the significance of diversity in manga but also illustrates the company's ongoing efforts to bridge cultures through creative storytelling. Contest organizers have expressed their excitement at the quality and enthusiasm of entries, which reflect a growing respect for manga as an art form beyond Japan.

The competition has prompted KADOKAWA to enhance its support initiatives for manga artists worldwide. In addition, KADOKAWA has launched a project called KADOKAWA WORLD MANGA ATELIER (KWMA), which includes services such as a portfolio review platform and onsite portfolio feedback at conventions like Anime Expo in Los Angeles.

With plans for future contests already in motion, the potential for discovering and promoting global manga talents is brighter than ever. As the manga landscape continues to evolve, KADOKAWA is poised to play a pivotal role in fostering cross-cultural creativity, connecting talents from various backgrounds, and introducing compelling narratives to a broader audience.

For more information and to explore the award-winning entries, visit the official KADOKAWA WORLD MANGA CONTEST website.