In celebration of the rapid growth in popularity of Japanese-inspired manga in the UK, the Embassy of Japan has launched a major manga-writing competition, MANGA JIMAN, with fantastic prizes for anyone sixteen (16)* years of age or over. Manga Jiman can be roughly translated as ��having pride in manga�� and the Embassy of Japan is proud to give UK manga creators, or manga-ka in Japanese, this opportunity.

This competition is open to all legal residents in the United Kingdom. All creations should be original and between four (4) to six (6) A4-sized pages in length and although entrants are free to choose their own theme, restrictions do apply, and importantly the manga should in some way make reference to Japan.

The closing date for entries is Friday, 14 September 2007.

Winners�� names will be available on the Embassy of Japan��s website from 1 November 2007.

Prizes for the winners:
First Prize : two (2) return air tickets to Japan, courtesy of All Nippon Airways!**
Second Prize : TOSHIBA laptop computer.
Third Prize : CANON EOS SLR digital camera.
Runners-up : a selection of manga publications, available in the UK from various UK manga publishers.

The winners�� works will also be displayed in a special MANGA JIMAN EXHIBITION at the Embassy of Japan in January 2008.

Full details of the competition MANGA JIMAN can be found by reading the competition rules and regulations at:

MANGA JIMAN COMPETITION Rules and Regulations (PDF files)

Please do read them to avoid disqualification.

All entries must be accompanied by an official entry form which can be downloaded here:

MANGA JIMAN COMPETITION Official Entry Form (Word file)

Please write to info@jpembassy.org.uk with any queries about the competition.

*Entrants must be sixteen (16) by 1 January 2008.
**Terms and conditions apply.

The Embassy of Japan is holding an exhibition, : Manga in the UK, that runs from 11-29 June 2007. Click here for further details.