International Silent Manga Competition 2026 with a Prize of Up to JPY 500,000
Opens annually from November 15 to January 15
Applicant criteria
- NationalityNo specific nationality required
- AgeNo specific age required
- GenderBoth
Opportunity criteria
- Opportunity FieldMusic, Art and Graphic Design, Others
- Deadline2027-01-15
Opportunity description
The SILENT MANGA AUDITION – SMA25 invites manga creators and artists from around the world to participate in the “A Kind Heart” edition, an international competition specializing in silent manga that relies on illustration and visual expression without the use of dialogue.
This edition is built around the theme “A Kind Heart”, encouraging stories that reflect kindness, empathy, consideration for others’ feelings, and selfless acts. Entries may explore major human experiences or simple everyday moments that express care and compassion toward others.
Participants are required to submit a silent manga story consisting of 5 to 17 pages, with the story and characters’ emotions communicated through artwork, facial expressions, and visual composition rather than written dialogue.
Program Details
- The competition is open to participants worldwide.
- Entries must consist of 5 to 17 pages.
- There is no fee to participate in the competition.
Benefits
- Grand Prix Prize: 500,000 JPY.
- Grand Prix Runner-Up: 300,000 JPY.
- Excellence Award: 100,000 JPY.
- Excellence Runner-Up: 30,000 JPY.
- Honourable Mention: 10,000 JPY.
Eligibility criteria
Applications are open to manga creators and artists from all around the world.
There is no specific age limit for participation.
Applicants may enter individually or as part of a team/partnership.
Previous professional experience in manga creation is not required.
The submitted work must be entirely original and created by the applicant.
The work must follow the theme of SMA25: “A Kind Heart.”
Applicants must submit a silent manga story consisting of 5 to 17 pages.
Written dialogue is not allowed; the story must be communicated through illustrations and visual expression.
Sound effects (SFX) and naturally occurring text within the scene, such as signs or book covers, are allowed.
Applicants may submit more than one work.
The use of generative AI to create the artwork is not permitted.
Entries containing plagiarism, offensive content, explicit violence, or nudity are not accepted.
Applicants must hold the rights to use all elements and assets included in the work.
Pages must be prepared according to the required file specifications in JPG or PNG format and uploaded in accordance with the submission instructions.