Dreams are made of this: win a trip to Japan in annual “Manga Jiman” comic competition

By John Freeman on June 23, 2017

Manga Jiman 2017 Competition - Art by Ami Clark

Artwork by 10th Manga Jiman winner Ami Clark

The Embassy of Japan in the UK has just launched their annual comic-writing competition to find the best creators of comic short-stories, and this year the theme is “Dreams”.

Manga Jiman 2017 has two categories; Yonkoma Manga, requiring a comic strip of four panels on one page, for entrants aged between 11 and 13 and Manga Jiman, requiring 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 ‘Dreams’.

“We are looking for imaginative stories which will stand out from the crowd,” says the Embassy, “and not rely on the overworked ‘and it was all a dream’ finale.”

Winners and runners-up will receive superb prizes and will have their artwork displayed in a special Manga Jiman exhibition at the Embassy in 2018.

So what are the Embassy looking for? Stereotypical manga characters with big eyes and crazy hair? Not necessarily. The judges are looking for originality, good storytelling, artistic ability and style. Previous winners had a variety of styles and innovative storylines.

The winner of the first prize in the over fourteen category will receive two return air tickets to Japan, courtesy of All Nippon Airways.

Along with other prizes on offer – the full list so far and competition requirements can be found here on the Embassy of Japan web site – runners-up will receive a selection of manga publications, available in the UK from various UK manga publishers amongst others prizes.

• Read the full rules, including age requirements here and then fill out and submit the official application form along with your entry by post or in person to Manga Jiman 2017 Competition, JICC, Embassy of Japan, 101-104 Piccadilly, London W1J 7JT

Entries received after 5pm Monday, 6th November 2017 will not be deemed eligible to be judged in the competition. Please contact manga@ld.mofa.go.jp with any queries about the competition

• View the 2016 Manga Jiman winners here on the Tapas web site

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.