THE Embassy of Japan in the Philippines is pleased to announce that it is now accepting entries for the 12th Japan International Manga Award.
Interested participants must submit a completed entry form and two hard copies of their original manga work composed of at least 16 pages. Every page of the printed material must be numbered.
Also, an English or Japanese translation must be provided if the manga is written in the artist’s local language.
A one-entry-per-applicant policy is being observed. Only works produced within the last three years (2015 to 2018) will be accepted. Both published and unpublished works may be presented.
Entries will be accepted until Wednesday, June 6, and may be sent to either of the following addresses: Locally, at the Japan Information and Culture Center (JICC), Embassy of Japan in the Philippines, 2627 Roxas Boulevard, Pasay City, 1300 (creators may also submit their entries personally at the JICC Library), or to The Twelfth Japan International Manga Award Executive Committee, MBE193, Shinjuku Oak Tower 2F, 6-8-1 Nishi-Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, Japan (Postcode: 163-6002).
All submitted works will not be returned to applicants; as such, it is their responsibility to save copies of their own works. Furthermore, the submissions may be exhibited and used for promotional or other purposes as deemed appropriate by the Twelfth Japan International Manga Award Committee.
An evaluation committee will handle the selection procedures.
The best manga entry of the year will be accorded with the Gold Award, while Silver Awards will be given to three other entries. Winning creators will be invited to Japan in February 2019 to attend the awarding ceremonies and meet fellow manga art creators from around the world.
Introduced in May 2007 upon the initiative of then Minister for Foreign Affairs Taro Aso, the Japan International Manga Award aims to help further spread manga and the Japanese culture overseas, as well as to promote international cultural exchanges through manga art. The recognition has been held annually since its launch.
For specific contest rules and other information, visit the Japan International Manga Award official site at www.manga-award.mofa.go.jp/index_e.html.