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Kadokawa, Nico Nico, Bandai Hold Character Contest
posted on by Egan Loo
The Kadokawa Group is collaborating with Nico Nico Douga's Dwango and the Bandai Namco Group on a major character design contest called "10 Chara Grand Prix" in Japan. The winning entry will earn a chance to be considered for publication, merchandising, or even anime in this cross-media venture.
The Kadokawa Group is the umbrella company for four publishers in the 10 Chara Grand Prix Production Committee: Kadokawa Shoten, ASCII Media Works, Enterbrain, and Fujimi Shobo. Dwango is the corporate parent of Niwango, the company that runs the Nico Nico Douga video-sharing site in Japan. Bandai Namco Group is the parent of the toy conglomerate Bandai, Bandai Namco Games, and other companies.
The details of the contest are being announced in the 10 Grand Prix @ Nico Live Broadcast program which Nico Nico Douga began streaming on Monday at 24:00 in Japan (11:00 a.m. EDT). The biweekly program will follow the progress of the contest and showcase applicants as they advance through the contest.
During the first season of the contest from August to September, applicants are invited to submit original characters designs. During the second season from October to February, the applicants flesh out their concepts with expanded casts, illustrations, music, storyboards, and other materials. During the final round in March, the three finalists present their entries.
The rules specifically say that the contest is being held within Japan, but there are no restrictions on age, professional status, individual applicants, or group applicants. However, minors must have their guardians fill out agreement forms, and groups must have all their members sign agreement forms.
Source: Anime Anime Japan
