“Bright Young Things” wanted as Embassy of Japan launches Manga Jiman 2015 competition

By John Freeman on August 14, 2015

‘Bright Young Things’ by Lorenzo Fruzza,
winner of Manga Jiman 2014

The quest to find the best creators of comic short-stories is back as the Embassy of Japan has launched their comic-writing competition, Manga Jiman 2015.

The competition has two categories; Yonkoma Manga, a comic strip of four panels on one page, for entrants aged between 11 and 13 (see details below) and Manga Jiman, a short story told across six to eight pages for anyone aged 14 or over.

Entrants for both sections of the competition are asked to create a story referring to this year’s theme; “bright young things?.

Winners and runners-up will receive superb prizes and will have their artwork displayed in a special exhibition at the Embassy in 2016.

So what are are the Embassy looking for? Drawings of characters with big eyes and crazy hair? Not necessarily. The judges are looking for originality, good storytelling, artistic ability and style. If you read some examples of winning entries from previous years on the Embassy of Japan web site, you will see a variety of styles and innovations.

Should you wish to enter, please read the full rules (links here) and then fill out and submit the official application form along with your entry by post or in person to Manga Jiman 2015 Competition, JICC, Embassy of Japan, 101-104 Piccadilly, London W1J 7JT.

• Entries received after 5.00pm Monday 30th November 2015 will not be deemed eligible to be judged in the competition. Please contact manga@ld.mofa.go.jp with any queries about the competition

• Find the Manga Jiman Competition on Facebook | Follow the Manga Jiman competition on Twitter @MangaJiman

• Check out last year’s winners here on downthetubes

John Freeman

The founder of downthetubes, which he established in 1998. John works as a comics and magazine editor, writer, and on promotional work for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival. He is currently editor of Star Trek Explorer, published by Titan – his third tour of duty on the title originally titled Star Trek Magazine.

Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine, Babylon 5 Magazine, and more. He also edited the comics anthology STRIP Magazine and edited several audio comics for ROK Comics. He has also edited several comic collections, including volumes of “Charley’s War” and “Dan Dare”.

He’s the writer of “Pilgrim: Secrets and Lies” for B7 Comics; “Crucible”, a creator-owned project with 2000AD artist Smuzz; and “Death Duty” and “Skow Dogs” with Dave Hailwood.