Interest
Kumamoto Manga Festival Accepting Applications for Aspiring Manga Artists
posted on by Lynzee Loveridge
Manga creator hopefuls have another chance to make their debut thanks to this year's Kumamoto Manga Festival. The festival is accepting applications until February 15. The entries arean "extra" competition tied to the annual Silent Manga Audition.
The site states clearly that entries should focus on one thing above all else, bringing happiness to the readers. The judges are looking for manga that does not focus on the tragedy of last year's earthquake in the area but instead shows hope and overcoming hardships. Entries should also feature Kumamoto Castle or take place in Kumamoto. As with all of the Silent Manga entries, there should be no dialogue.
The main Silent Manga Audition competition is also accepting entries until its deadline on March 31. The theme of that competition is "unforgettable taste."
Entries will be read by the likes of Fist of the North Star's Tetsuo Hara, City Hunter's Tsukasa Hōjō, Monthly Comic Zenon editor in chief Nobuhiko Horie, and former editor in chief of Monthly Shonen Jump Tadashi Negishi.
The winner of the "Silent Manga" Award will get a paid trip to Japan to attend an award ceremony in Tokyo, 500,000 yen (US$4,400), a Seaflame SEJ011 series watch, and will be able to attend the Manga Creative Kick-Start workshop led by manga professionals.
Entries will also be accepted in the Illustration category with the same themes. Three illustration winners will be chosen are receive: 50,000 yen (US$440), 20,000 yen (US$176), and 10,000 yen (US$88), respectively.
Last year, a total of 531 entries were submitted from 62 countries. Brazilian creator yos' entry "Forbidden" won the Grand Prix Runner-Up prize.
