The Embassy of Japan is again inviting comic creators across the UK to take part in its annual Manga Jiman Competition, now in its 18th year.

The competition offers two unique formats and three distinct categories for you to showcase your skills – and the chance to win amazing prizes.

Yonkoma manga is a story told within four panels set out on a single page, and this competition is open to those aged 11, 12 or 13 by the start of 2025 can enter the Yonkoma Youth category. Anyone aged 14 or over will be judged separately in the Yonkoma Manga 14+ category.

If you are not familiar with the structure of a Yonkoma, information on how to approach making one can be found here. 

Manga Jiman is a short story told across 6 to 8 pages and the competition is for anyone aged 14 or over.

The yearly competition strives to discover top entries spanning a wide range of styles, from graphic novelists and storytellers to comic artists and manga-ka.

Those entering any category of the completion must reference in their manga this year’s theme of SPIRIT.

For full details of criteria, how to enter, entry forms and more, head to this page on the Embassy of Japan website. Don’t go to the hard work of creating an entry and then not entering as expected!

Winners of the competition will receive fantastic prizes from original manga and animation cells, to cameras and Japanese snacks and gifts. The winning entries will be displayed at the Embassy of Japan in London in early 2025. 

Last year’s winners were Edward Taylor, for “St. Jerome 2.0”; Louis Hey, for “My Mom”; and Rachael Yelding, for “Way Forward”.

• Official web site: mangajiman.co.uk

• Read the winning strips for last year here

• You can explore the exceptional works of past winners here

If you qualify, you can enter both the Yonkoma 14+ competition and Manga Jiman if you wish

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.

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