Interest
The World of Isekai Continues to Grow with New Manga Contest
posted on by Lynzee Loveridge
Fiction and manga contests in Japan have had a love-hate relationship with the recent popularity of isekai (another world) stories. One contest in 2016 outright banned the premise all together while another that same year was inundated with isekai variants. Whatever your opinion on the premise, isekai hasn't worn out its welcome yet. Kadokawa's Comic Walker and Dwango's Nico Nico Douga created a new contest this year focusing entirely on transported to another world stories.
"Isekai Comic Taishō" kicks off on February 1 with a grand prize of 500,000 yen (US$4,500) and publishing opportunities. A second prize, the "FLOS Award" will be given to the best work targeting women and includes a cash award of 300,000 yen (US$2,700) and publishing opportunities as well.
All submissions must be received by May 6 and the winners will be announced in May. The stories must include a hero that is transported from world to another or into a video game so long as the game is treated like another world. Pure fantasy works, where the hero originates in the fantasy world, are not allowed. Entries should be between 16 and 80 pages long and can also be submitted via Nico Nico's self-publishing manga website.
The isekai genre has expanded beyond the typical fish-out-of-water scenarios to truly strange and comedic variations. Characters can be reincarnated from unfortunate accidents and find themselves as spiders, slimes, vending machines, running pizza restaurants with elves, and traversing unknown worlds with their mom. What's next? Maybe this contest will show there's still more tricks up the genre's sleeve.
Source: Comic Natalie
