#Japan #Shinjuku #comic spira #NEXT Manga Award #Funguide

Funguide's 2nd NEXT Manga Award is Here!

Funguide Inc., based in Shinjuku, Tokyo, is thrilled to announce the launch of the 2nd NEXT Manga Award, which will kick off on August 10, 2026. Hosted under the popular isekai fantasy label, comic Spira, the competition aims to discover fresh talent in the manga world. With the success of past works like Kuroyō no Hanayome and I Turned into a Supporting Character Who Dies Early, this award seeks to foster the next generation of manga artists.

What is the NEXT Manga Award?

The NEXT Manga Award is focused on uncovering new artists by offering two accessible categories for submissions, starting from just 8 pages. This initiative encourages all aspiring creators—regardless of professional background—to submit their work. You can enter previously published works on social media, school projects, and even doujinshi as long as they are original.

Winners will receive the support of an assigned editor to aid in potential serialization, ensuring a rewarding journey for each talented individual.

Submission Categories

Two categories will be available for applicants:
1. Original Category:
Open to all genres! While isekai fantasy is encouraged, creators can submit works they feel most confident in. Both social media and doujinshi submissions are welcome, provided they are original and not derivative.

2. Comic Adaptation Category:
Participants will receive a script based on isekai fantasy themes featuring protagonists in the genres of boys and girls. Artists can write their original content based on their preferred genre while following the provided scripts.

Important Dates

• - Start of Submission: August 10, 2026
• - End of Submission: October 20, 2026, 23:59 JST
• - Results Announcement: Expected late November 2026

The scripts for the Comic Adaptation Category are available on the comic Spira official website.

Eligibility

The award is open to both professional and amateur creators. Anyone aspiring to break into manga can participate. However, candidates currently engaged in writing for Funguide or other companies may be excluded from consideration at the time of results announcement.

Awards and Prizes

Winning entries will be featured on the comic Spira official website alongside feedback from the editorial team. Here's a breakdown of the main awards:

• - Grand Prize: ¥200,000 + ¥300,000 for serialization preparation
• - Runner-Up: ¥100,000 + ¥300,000 for serialization preparation
• - Excellence Prize: ¥50,000 + ¥300,000 for serialization preparation

Judging Panel

The judging will be conducted by the editorial team of comic Spira. For further details about application conditions and methods, visit the NEXT Manga Award webpage.

About comic Spira

Comic Spira is dedicated to creating a world of ‘love’ and ‘adventure’ through captivating isekai fantasy stories. Our collection features rich narratives designed to provide readers with an enjoyable escape from reality, leaving them feeling slightly uplifted after turning the last page. Look out for new print comics available around the 17th of each month!

For more information, visit Spira's official website or follow Spira's editorial team on X (formerly known as Twitter) at @FG_spira. Additionally, our sister label, novel Spira, continues to receive positive acclaim!

Contacts for Inquiry

For more information, please reach out to:
Funguide Public Relations Team
Address: 5th Floor, Biggs Shinjuku Building, 2-19-1 Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-0022
Tel: 050-3823-2233
Fax: 03-3226-8190
Email: [email protected]
URL: Funguide Official Site

Join us at Funguide as we seek passionate talent to join our guild! Find out more about job opportunities here. Be sure to follow our journeys on X!