Press Releases

The 19th Japan International MANGA Award Winner Announcement

December 24, 2025
Japanese

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan established the Japan International MANGA Award in 2007 to honor manga artists, who have contributed to the spread of manga culture overseas and international cultural exchange through manga, and awards outstanding overseas manga works in the name of the Minister of Foreign Affairs. This year, the 19th edition of the award received a record number of 738 entries from 110 countries and regions. For the first time, entries were received from 6 countries and a region: Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, the Republic of Togo, Nepal, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the state of Libya.

  1. The selection for the award was made strictly by a selection committee chaired by Ms. SATONAKA Machiko, manga artist, after an initial selection committee in cooperation with the Association of Manga Publishers. Based on the judging results, the Executive Committee approved 15 winning works, including one Gold Award winner, three Silver Award winners, and one Special Encouragement Award winner as below.
  2. The Gold Award winner and Silver Award winners will be invited to Japan by the Japan Foundation to attend an awards ceremony in Tokyo in March 2026.
  3. Winners
    1. Gold Award
      • Title of work: Winged
        Artist: Laica Chrose (the Federative Republic of Brazil)
    2. Silver Award
      • Title of work: Quarter Life Crisis
        Artist: Meeda (the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia)
      • Title of work: The ritual
        Artist: Lương Minh Quang / Lang Huynh (Socialist Republic of Viet Nam)
        Original author: Vũ Đình Lân (Socialist Republic of Viet Nam)
      • Title of work: The Nature Chef
        Artist: Nananrih (Taiwan)
        Original author: GoodTrip Creative (Taiwan)
    3. The Special Encouragement Award
      • Title of work: The Echo Before Dawn
        Artist: Lang-Chi (Taiwan)

(Reference1) Japan International MANGA Award

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs founded the Japan International MANGA Award in 2007 for the purpose of expanding international exchange and mutual understanding through world-famous manga culture.
This award aims to honor manga artists who contribute to the development of manga culture in the world.

More information: Japan International MANGA Awards Website Open a New Window

(Reference2) Application

There were 738 entries from 110 countries and regions this year, which was record-high number of entries. Countries and regions with most entries are the People’s Republic of China (1st: 72 entries), Taiwan (2nd: 62 entries) and the Republic of Indonesia (3rd: 51 entries).

(Reference3) Members of the Selection Committee of the Award

  • Ms. SATONAKA Machiko, manga artist [Chairperson]
  • Ms. IPPONGI Ban, manga artist
  • Mr. KISHIMOTO Kenji, former editor in chief
  • Mr. HORI Yasuki, former editor in chief
  • Mr. MORIKAWA George, manga artist

(Reference4) Members of the Executive Committee of the Award

  • Mr. MOTEGI Toshimitsu, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan [Chairperson]
  • Mr. KUROSAWA Shinya, President, Japan Foundation
  • Ms. SHIRAISHI Saya, Professor Emeritus, Tokyo University
  • Mr. SUGIYAMA Kotaro, President, LIGHTPUBLICITY Co. Ltd.
  • Mr. Frederik L. SCHODT, translator, interpreter and writer
  • Mr. MARUSAWA Shigeru, Executive Managing Director, SHOGAKUKAN INC.

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