International Contests To Find The Next Great Manga Launched

The manga industry is expanding in every possible way, and getting one’s name to this elite world is worth it. Join three of the prestigious international contest to kickstart a career in the manga industry.

International Comic/Manga Schools Contests 2021

This is a manga, cartoon, and illustration competition for students from all over the world. Cash prizes, multimedia software, pen tablets, and are available to the winners.

This is the core message of IC/MSC, one of the biggest international manga and graphic novels contests for emerging artists. It takes place annually, usually in summer, and attracts around 4,000 participants, from around the world. A total prize pool of $21,000 is up for grabs.

This year’s theme is centered on the word, “Admiration.”

There are a total of six categories to join, including:

• Bande Dessinée
• Comic
• Illustration
• Manga
• Storyboard
• Webtoon

There is no entry fee. Artwork can be done digitally or traditionally. There are no requirements for language in use; however, English is preferred to reach a global audience.

Mechanics can be fully viewed here.

The grand prize winner takes home a total cash prize of $3,300, Wacom Cintiq 16, a 15.6" Full HD Creative Pen Display, and three years of Clip Studio Paint EX for a single device.

JIA Illustration Award 2021

The illustration award is organized by the Japan Illustrators’ Association for professional amateur artists globally. All works can be done traditionally, digitally, and even 3D-made.

While there are no themes, all works submitted should be original and have not been published elsewhere. An entrant may submit up to five maximum illustrations. There will be an entry fee of 4,200 Yen.

A grand prize of 400,000 Yen awaits the superior work in the competition. Meanwhile, a gold award is given with 200,000 Yen for grabs.

One can find the full mechanics here.

15th Japan International Manga Award

The 15th Japan International Manga Award is eligible for non-Japanese manga artists who create manga works. The contest is available for works that have been published and unpublished from 2018 to 2021. It should also have been produced outside of Japan.

There is no entry fee and grand winners are eligible for cash prizes, free software tools, tablets and publication features.

All mechanics can be viewed here.