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Manga Jiman 2019 Competition Launched
posted on by Andrew Osmond
Details of the thirteenth annual Manga Jiman contest, in which UK artists are encouraged to create their own original strips, have been announced by the Embassy of Japan. The closing date for entries is November 5.
According to the announcement, 'Against the backdrop of major exhibitions on manga happening across the UK, the ongoing Japan UK-Season of Culture, and the upcoming Rugby World Cup and Olympic and Paralympic games in Japan, this year we want entrants to reference the theme of union in their entry. How the theme is interpreted is down to you, but it must be a visual, thematic or written reference, and please state how your entry relates to the theme on your entry form.'
Entrants 14 and over should create a story told across six to eight pages (full rules).
The first prize for Manga Jiman is two return tickets to Japan. The second prize is an A3 Image scanner, and the third prize is a Ricoh digital camera. Runners up will receive a selection of manga publications, and other prizes. The winner's and runner-ups' work will be displayed in a special exhibition at the Embassy in 2020.
According to the website, The 1st prize winner of Manga Jiman is responsible for the payment of Air Passenger Duty (U.K. Departure tax) and Passenger Service Charges, the total of which amounts to approximately GBP £150 per ticket based on a return flight from London Heathrow to Tokyo Haneda. Please note the amount of Air Passenger Duty and Passenger Service Charge may change depending on airport and the exchange rate.'
There is a separate category for entrants aged between 11 and 13, who should create a yonkoma manga (a story told in 4 comic strip panels on one page). The full rules for the 11 to 13 category, separately named the 'Yonkoma Manga Competition,' are here. The first prize for this category will be a prize from the Japanese gallery; there will also be runner-up manga-related prizes.
For both competitions, the artwork should be sent with an entry form, which can be downloaded here. Entries should be sent to:
MANGA JIMAN COMPETITION 2019 or YONKOMA MANGA COMPETITION 2019
Japan Information and Cultural Centre
Embassy of Japan
101/104 Piccadilly
London W1J 7JT
'Manga Jiman' means 'Having Pride in Manga.'
