Manga Jiman Competition 2021

The Embassy of Japan in the UK's search for the very best of manga-creating talent is BACK for 2021! The annual contest is on now and looking for entries from a broad range of styles, from graphic novelists, storytellers, comic artists and manga-ka; the contest is open to all of those living in the UK. New to the competition and want to find out more? Watch the video below to find out what the contest is all about!



The Manga Jiman Competition is celebrating our 15th year anniversary with an exciting change - those over 14 are now able to enter the Yonkoma category of the contest. Yonkoma manga are a four panel manga set out on a single page, and until now the contest had been open to those aged 11, 12 or 13. The Yonkoma Youth category of the competition will run again this year, and those aged 14 or over will be judged separately in the Yonkoma Manga 14+ category. What's more, you can enter both the Yonkoma 14+ competition AND Manga Jiman if you wish. If you are not familiar with the structure of a Yonkoma, information on how to approach making one can be found here.

Those entering any category of the completion must reference in their manga this year's theme of light. The judges are looking forward to diverse and creative interpretations of the theme.

Winners of the competition will receive fantastic prizes from original manga and animation cells, to cameras and Japanese snacks and gifts! We are planning on hosting an exhibition of the winning entries in the embassy in 2022 if the situation allows for us to do so.

	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.	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 on the Manga Jiman website.	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 on the Manga Jiman website.
What are the prizes?	1st Prize: A prize from the Japanese Gallery, Kensington.   Runners-up will receive prizes including an A3 Scansnap scanner from PFU ltd (Fujitsu), a digital camera from RICOH UK Ltd, luxury Japanese sweets from Minamoto Kitchoan, gift vouchers for Japan Centre and manga publications from UK manga publishers SelfMade Hero and Fanfare amongst other exciting prizes!	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 2022.	Entrants must be legal residents of the United Kingdom who are, or will be, aged 11, 12 or 13 by 1 January 2022. Entrants must be born between 2 January 2008 and 1 January 2011.	Entrants must be legal residents of the United Kingdom who are or will be 14 years and older on 1 January 2022.
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 2021 Rules and Regulations. Please read the document carefully before entering.	Full details can be found in Yonkoma Manga Competition 2021 Rules and Regulations. Please read the document carefully before entering.	Full details can be found in Yonkoma Manga Competition 2021 Rules and Regulations. Please read the document carefully before entering.

One of the biggest challenges of creating an entry for Manga Jiman is that your entry must be in black and white, but other than that, there is no restriction on the 'style' of your art: indeed manga in Japan have a huge range of artistic styles across the genre. Original graphic novels, comics and manga are all eligible to enter Manga Jiman, and previous years have showcased a wide variety of creative styles from creators and storytellers from across the UK. Do you think you have what it takes to win? Read the Rules and Regulations and get started on your entry!

The deadline to receive entries is Monday 15 November, 5pm (GMT).

If you are entering via email and your artwork is over 10mb, 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.