Manga Jiman Competition 2025
2025/8/2
The Embassy of Japan is excited to launch this year’s Manga Jiman competition - now in its 19th year!
We are inviting artists of all levels to take part for a chance to win fantastic prizes and have their work displayed at the Embassy of Japan in the UK. With two unique formats and three entry categories, there are plenty of ways to showcase your creativity and storytelling talent!
Categories:
Yonkoma
Yonkoma manga is a story told within four panels set out on a single page.
Manga Jiman
N.B: you can enter both the Yonkoma 14+ competition AND Manga Jiman if you wish!
Those entering any category of the completion must reference in their manga this year's theme of BRIDGE.
Winners of the competition will receive fantastic prizes from original manga and animation cells, to cameras and Japanese snacks and gifts! The winning entries will be displayed at the Embassy of Japan in London in early 2026.
We are inviting artists of all levels to take part for a chance to win fantastic prizes and have their work displayed at the Embassy of Japan in the UK. With two unique formats and three entry categories, there are plenty of ways to showcase your creativity and storytelling talent!
Categories:
Yonkoma
Yonkoma manga is a story told within four panels set out on a single page.
- Those aged 11, 12 or 13 by the start of 2026 can enter the Yonkoma Youth category
- Anyone aged 14 or over will be judged separately in the Yonkoma Manga 14+ category
Manga Jiman
- A short story told across 6 to 8 pages for anyone aged 14 or over.
N.B: you can enter both the Yonkoma 14+ competition AND Manga Jiman if you wish!
Those entering any category of the completion must reference in their manga this year's theme of BRIDGE.
Winners of the competition will receive fantastic prizes from original manga and animation cells, to cameras and Japanese snacks and gifts! The winning entries will be displayed at the Embassy of Japan in London in early 2026.
| Manga Jiman | Yonkoma Youth | Yonkoma 14+ | |
| What is required? | A story created in 6 to 8 A4 pages and drawn so that the comic reads left to right. Title pages are allowed but are included in the page count. We are accepting entries both in colour and in black and white. |
A story told in 4 panels on one A4 portrait sheet of paper. The manga must only contain four panels and be drawn so that it reads from top to bottom. A template can be found here We are accepting entries both in colour and in black and white. |
A story told in 4 panels on one A4 portrait sheet of paper. The manga must only contain four panels and be drawn so that it reads from top to bottom. A template can be found here We are accepting entries both in colour and in black and white. |
| What are the prizes? | 1st Prize: A prize from the Japanese Gallery, Kensington. Runners-up will receive prizes from Minamoto Kitchoan, Regents Street Cinema, Daikin and manga, Fanfare and other amazing sponsors! |
1st Prize: An original manga page provided by prize sponsors Manga Originals. Runners-up will receive a selection of fantastic Japan-related prizes. |
1st Prize: An original, vintage animation cel personally chosen for the winner by prize sponsors cel-ga.com. Runners-up will receive a selection of fantastic Japan-related prizes. |
| Who can enter? | Entrants must be legal residents of the United Kingdom who are or will be 14 years and older on 1 January 2026. |
Entrants must be legal residents of the United Kingdom who are or will be, aged 11, 12 or 13 by 1 January 2026. Entrants must be born between 2 January 2012 and 1 January 2015. | Entrants must be legal residents of the United Kingdom who are or will be 14 years and older on 1 January 2026. |
| Entering digitally | Please send a completed entry form along with a pdf/png of your artwork to manga@ld.mofa.go.jp. | Please send a completed entry form along with a pdf/png of your artwork to manga@ld.mofa.go.jp. | Please send a completed entry form along with a pdf/png of your artwork to manga@ld.mofa.go.jp. |
| Entering by post | Please send a completed entry form along with a photocopy of your artwork to: MANGA JIMAN COMPETITION Japan Information and Cultural Centre 101-104 Piccadilly London W1J 7JT |
Please send a completed entry form along with a photocopy of your artwork to: YONKOMA MANGA COMPETITION Japan Information and Cultural Centre 101-104 Piccadilly London W1J 7JT |
Please send a completed entry form along with a photocopy of your artwork to: YONKOMA MANGA COMPETITION Japan Information and Cultural Centre 101-104 Piccadilly London W1J 7JT |
| What are the criteria? | Full details can be found in Manga Jiman Competition 2025 Rules and Regulations. Please read the document carefully before entering. | Full details can be found in Yonkoma Manga Competition 2025 Rules and Regulations. Please read the document carefully before entering. | Full details can be found in Yonkoma Manga Competition 2025 Rules and Regulations. Please read the document carefully before entering. |
Think you’ve got what it takes to win?
Check out the Rules and Regulations use your creativity and start working on your entry today!
The deadline to receive entries is Monday 5 January, 5pm (GMT).
If you are entering via email and your artwork is over 10 MB, please contact us in advance for instructions on how to enter. If you are entering by post, please send copies of your artwork, not the original.
Please email manga@ld.mofa.go.jp or contact us on social media with any questions.
Check out the Rules and Regulations use your creativity and start working on your entry today!
The deadline to receive entries is Monday 5 January, 5pm (GMT).
If you are entering via email and your artwork is over 10 MB, please contact us in advance for instructions on how to enter. If you are entering by post, please send copies of your artwork, not the original.
Please email manga@ld.mofa.go.jp or contact us on social media with any questions.
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