KADOKAWA Corporation has officially announced the winners of its international “KADOKAWA World Manga Contest,” marking one of the largest global manga competitions to date. According to the official press release, the 2026 edition received an impressive 1,959 submissions from 118 countries and regions, highlighting the growing global reach of manga storytelling. With both dialogue-based and wordless categories included, the contest showcases a wide range of creative approaches from emerging artists worldwide.
The competition builds on the success of its earlier format, expanding its scope to include multilingual manga alongside its original wordless concept. KADOKAWA’s editorial teams selected 11 winning entries across categories, with additional recognition given to five honorable mentions. Winners will not only receive prize money but also editorial support aimed at helping them transition into professional serialization in Japan.
“Manga With Dialogue” Category Winners
The “Manga With Dialogue” category introduced in this edition allowed creators to submit works in multiple languages, including English, Japanese, Spanish, French, and Traditional Chinese. Taking the Gold Prize in this category is “Cry or the witch will come” by Vietnam-based creator Syo.Era, a work that stood out for its strong narrative execution and emotional depth.
The Silver Prize went to “Deus Sniper” by France-based Shinamori, while the Bronze Prize was awarded to “START AT NULL” by Switzerland-based 2AM Productions. These works demonstrate how international creators are increasingly adopting and evolving traditional manga storytelling techniques while adding their own cultural influences.
“Wordless Manga” Category Winners
The “Wordless Manga” category remains a key pillar of the contest, focusing purely on visual storytelling without dialogue. Taiwan-based creator Eli Lin secured the Gold Prize with “Cells Within the Body.”, a work praised for its clarity and expressive artwork.
The Silver Prize was awarded to “BOW” by Vietnam-based Light Comic Studio, while the Bronze Prize went to “Hitokuji” by Taiwan-based MurJi. These entries highlight the universal appeal of manga visuals, proving that compelling stories can transcend language barriers entirely.
Honorable Mentions Recognize Emerging Talent
In addition to the main winners, five entries were selected as honorable mentions, reflecting strong potential for future development. These include “Grandpa and Me” by Carson from the United States, “Blood Upon the Snow” by Indonesia-based Dedy Koerniawan, and “Infinite Promenade” by U.S.-based creator Pequod.
Also recognized were “Destroy Nazuna” by South Korea-based Rui Himuro and “JOHNNY B. GOOD IS GONNA BE GOOD” by Taiwan-based JASONZ. While these works did not receive top prizes, KADOKAWA highlighted their creative strengths and potential impact on the manga industry moving forward.
Winners to Receive Serialization Support and Global Exposure
Beyond prize money, one of the biggest opportunities for winners is direct editorial support from KADOKAWA’s teams, aimed at preparing their work for commercial publication in Japan. Gold, Silver, and Bronze winners will also be invited to Japan for an official award ceremony scheduled for later this year.
All winning works will be made available for free reading on KADOKAWA’s manga platform, KADOCOMI, giving fans immediate access to some of the best emerging talent in the industry. The initiative reflects the company’s ongoing effort to discover and nurture creators globally, bridging gaps between regions and expanding the future of manga as a truly international medium.
With participation continuing to grow each year, KADOKAWA has already hinted at plans for a third edition of the contest, signaling that global manga talent will remain a key focus in the years ahead.
