Become a Manga Artist in Japan: 'Kadokawa World Manga Atelier' Launches a Creative Support Project for Overseas Manga Creators

— Online Submission Site Opens; In-Person Portfolio Reviews Held Worldwide, Starting with Los Angeles in July —

Tokyo Japan, KADOKAWA CORPORATION has launched KADOKAWA WORLD MANGA ATELIER（KWMA）, a creative support project for overseas manga creators, on April 30, 2026. The project provides creators worldwide with ongoing creative opportunities while promoting the creation of IP originating overseas and its global expansion.

The project offers two key initiatives: "Online Portfolio Review MOCHIKOMI," a website now accepting manga submissions at any time, and "OnSITE Portfolio Review", a workshop series where editors travel worldwide to provide in-person feedback on manga works. Furthermore, together with the ongoing KADOKAWA WORLD MANGA CONTEST as the third pillar, the project provides integrated opportunities for creation, feedback, and challenge.
The First OnSITE Portfolio Review will take place at Anime Expo 2026 in Los Angeles, USA, from July 2–5, 2026. Advance reservations (first-come, first-served) are now open on the KWMA website.

■Project Background
As manga and anime continue to grow in global popularity, an increasing number of creators outside Japan are taking on the challenge of creating their own manga. However, opportunities to showcase their work and receive feedback from professional editors remain limited — leaving many talented creators unable to take the next step in their careers.
In addition, KADOKAWA's international manga contest "Wordless World Manga Contest" (※1), held last year, received 1,126 entries from 104 countries and regions in its very first edition, highlighting strong interest and untapped demand among overseas creators. The company also received numerous messages from participants expressing a desire to "debut in Japan" or to "receive support from a professional editor."

KWMA was launched to address these challenges and needs. By combining creative opportunities with practical, hands-on feedback, the project creates an environment in which overseas creators can continuously develop their skills and forge their own path toward a professional career.

■Overview of Creative Support Initiatives
Online Portfolio Review MOCHIKOMI, which accepts online submissions, enables creators worldwide to submit their works to editors at any time, overcoming geographical and time-zone barriers and expanding opportunities to present themselves to publishers.
OnSITE Portfolio Review will take place several times a year, with editors from KADOKAWA's World Manga Editorial Team (※2) traveling to various regions to provide direct manuscript feedback and personalized advice to aspiring manga artists. Following the Los Angeles launch, additional sessions are planned in Taiwan and other regions. In both programs, creators whose work is highly regarded by the editorial team will be assigned a dedicated editor and receive full support toward their manga debut in Japan and international release.
KADOKAWA WORLD MANGA CONTEST, where talent from around the world converges, offers a stage for creators to test their skills. In addition to prize money, winners will receive editorial and production support aimed at commercial publication in Japan.

Guided by its corporate mission — "To become a creative platform that connects the world's talent with the power to move people" — KADOKAWA will continue to collaborate with talented overseas creators, driving the creation of new IP and accelerating the development of content that transcends borders and languages.

< OnLINE Portfolio Review MOCHIKOMI >
●Service launch date: April 30, 2026
●Website URL: https://kadokawaworldmanga.com/online/
●Supported language: English
●Eligibility: Individuals who can communicate in English or Japanese

< OnSITE Portfolio Review >
●Location: Anime Expo 2026, Booth: SH-2720
●Dates: First session — July 2 to July 5, 2026
●Registration: Advance reservations via the official website (first-come, first-served)
●Registration period: April 30 – June 25, 2026（Registration will close once all slots are filled）
●Eligibility: Individuals who can communicate in English or Japanese
●Registration URL: https://kadokawaworldmanga.com/onsite/
※Additional sessions are planned in Taiwan and other regions. Details will be announced on the official website as they are confirmed.

< KADOKAWA WORLD MANGA CONTEST>
●Website URL: https://kadokawaworldmanga.com/contest/

Notes：
(※1) Wordless World Manga Contest
First held in 2024–2025 under the theme of "storytelling beyond language" without dialogue or text, the contest received a significant response. Building on that success, this year's contest has been scaled up as the "KADOKAWA WORLD MANGA CONTEST," now accepting both wordless entries and works featuring dialogue in five languages. The website has been expanded into five languages — Japanese, English, Spanish, French, and Traditional Chinese — enabling participation from a wider range of countries and regions.

(※2) KADOKAWA's World Manga Editorial Team
Established in 2025, this editorial department is dedicated to nurturing manga award winners and supporting the development and global rollout of their work. It maintains an ongoing framework to support the creative activities of overseas creators.