'GIGAZINE Manga Awards' June 2025 Entries Open & Articles to Help You Create
The GIGAZINE Manga Awards accepts manga works at any time, with monthly entries and monthly screening. GIGAZINE regularly publishes news and reviews that are useful for creativity, explains the making of manga, and provides information that is useful for creative ideas and breakthroughs. We have compiled some of the articles that are actually useful for creative writing in '
Check out the ongoing manga and comics below!
'Let Me Make It! Ejima-san' Episode 1 'Let Me Make a Love Game!'
Read 'Secret Palace' Episode 1: 'Loneliness, a Beautiful Girl, and an Android'
Check out the comic ' I'm the Gas Man!!, ' the story of Kiyu's year in the life of a new gas man, below!
Vampire x Maid x Garlic Gourmet '
Also check out the comic ' Ame Ame Fure Fure Usoyandee ,' which depicts two weeks in the life of a girl who loves rain and a boy cursed by it!
If you have already read the recruitment requirements and just want to apply, please use the application form .
◆ Send your portfolio to apply for illustrations, storyboards, and illustration help positions
◆Click here for original script submissions for novels and screenplays
◆ A collection of articles to help you with your creative endeavors
Choosing colors is important when creating designs and illustrations, but many people find it difficult until they have developed the knowledge and sense to do so. GIGAZINE reviews services that are useful for creating color works, such as ' HUE/360 ,' which recommends harmonious colors, and ' Picular ,' which displays a list of colors associated with a word when you search for it, so if you tend to have trouble choosing colors, we recommend checking them out.
'HUE / 360' that tells you with one click which colors harmonize with the colors you want to use in your illustrations and designs - GIGAZINE
Also, when writing an original script, a proofreading app can be useful. The free downloadable 'Novel Supporter' can help you revise points that are hard to notice by simply rereading the text, such as visualizing how frequently the same word is used in close proximity to the text, checking whether there are too many demonstratives making the text difficult to read, and checking whether there are any parts that are too stiff because of too many kanji.
I tried using the latest feature 'Chronological text analysis' of 'Novel Supporter,' a software that allows you to polish novels in detail for free and very easily - GIGAZINE
There is also a 'Mary Sue Test' that allows you to answer questions from your browser to see if your story is self-indulgent. A Mary Sue is a negative expression for introducing original characters that are too strongly influenced by the author in a derivative work, or for expanding the story in a way that tramples on the original setting. When you come up with a plot for a story, even if you think it's interesting, it can end up being a story that only makes you feel good. Taking the Mary Sue Test can give you an opportunity to reexamine your own work.
'Mary Sue Test' that can score whether a story is self-absorbed by the author - GIGAZINE
We also have many detailed reviews of LCD tablets and pen tablets that can improve your digital work, convenient left-hand devices , etc. If you are having trouble buying a tablet or left-hand device, we recommend checking out the detailed photo reviews and actual product reviews.
Photo review of the OLED tablet 'Wacom Movink 13' that is only 4mm thin and weighs 420g and is specialized for portability and drawing in a free position - GIGAZINE
In addition to the review articles, the articles on creative theory are also worth a look. The theory that 'good stories can be turned into line graphs' and ' 22 rules for writing stories hidden in Pixar works ' offer lessons on how to improve your story. In addition, the theory on ' plots ' and advice on specific techniques such as ' plot twists ' and ' comic relief ' should be useful for everything from creative concepts to concrete ideas.
A good story can be turned into a line graph - GIGAZINE
Other articles that are useful for creative activities are listed in the ' Useful Articles for Creators ' section of the GIGAZINE Manga Award special website. Please check it out.
Useful articles for creators - GIGAZINE Manga Awards
If you have any other questions or requests, such as 'I have some concerns about the series, is this okay?' or 'I would like you to review this site or device!', please feel free to use the contact form .
◆ 'GIGAZINE Manga Award' Application Guidelines
▼What happens when you serialize a manga on GIGAZINE?
・Completely remote work & work timing can be left to your discretion
・Serialized manga will be published on GIGAZINE, so people can read it first.
No strict deadlines make scheduling easy
- No restrictions on genre or target audience, anything is OK as long as it's interesting
・Assistants available to help with coloring and backgrounds (no need to pay for yourself)
・Because we are still a young label, it is easier for our opinions and requests to be accepted, just like a venture company!
・For those who have concerns about working as a freelancer, such as 'Is it okay if I don't know anything about laws or taxes?' or 'What is it like working on a serial with an editor?', we have published 'Guidelines for creating an environment where freelancers can work with peace of mind' in line with the guidelines of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry. We have compiled a Q&A to answer any questions or concerns you may have, so please check it out.
Etc. If you have any other questions, please click here to contact us.
▼Basic conditions:
・It is assumed that it can be read on a smartphone (no double pages, vertical scrolling is the standard)
・Full color, full digital (black and white works may be treated as 'original works', but applications are welcome)
・Any genre and the completed manuscript of 'Episode 1' and its behind-the-scenes materials should be submitted. Please send behind-the-scenes materials including character designs and settings, as well as a summary of the entire story in a range of 200-800 characters. Please note that if there are insufficient details in your application, we may not be able to proceed with the review.
・Manuscript format:
Please refer to ' The Princess and the Gamer ' for aspect ratio, file size, and resolution.
・Number of manuscript pages:
Free. Any number of pages is OK.
▼Others:
・Original works that you have already published in other media or on other platforms are OK
・Works that were published in magazines but never published in book form, or that were discontinued midway through due to unavoidable circumstances, are also OK. Please don't give up.
▼Deadline:
Monday, June 30, 2025, 11:59:59 PM
▼ Screening process:
After the first round of selection by the editorial team, the review process is scheduled as follows: The review process and stages may be subject to slight changes, so we will send you separate explanations and confirmations before the first round of review.
Phase 1: Evaluation in a closed environment that can only be viewed by GIGAZINE Secret Club members + Evaluation including making materials by the editorial department
↓
Stage 2: In a format that is more conscious of serialization, we will review the work after you have prepared additional necessary information such as the 'first episode manuscript' and 'plot up to the final episode.' If you have made it this far, we will almost guarantee that your work will be serialized in some form.
↓
Final stage: The serialized manuscript will be judged by the editor-in-chief of GIGAZINE, evaluated by GIGAZINE Secret Club members, and judged by guests such as writers currently serializing in GIGAZINE, to determine the winner of the Grand Prize. In addition, if the work remains in the final stage, the serialization will be guaranteed.
▼Rewards:
All the people who passed the first round and were selected for the first stage:
Prize money: 30,000 yen
2nd stage advancement:
An additional 20,000 yen prize will be awarded, plus an editor will be assigned to serialize the work.
Finalists:
If you advance to the final stage, you will receive an additional 50,000 yen prize (total of 100,000 yen) plus a guarantee that your submitted work will be serialized after being polished.
Winners and above:
Additional prize money from 100,000 yen + guaranteed serialization
Grand Prize:
Prize money of 1 million yen + guaranteed serialization of submitted work
▼ Selection results of submitted works
For works that proceed to the first stage of judging, we will contact you via email at the address you provided when you applied by the end of the month following the month of application with details about the judging.
Please note that in all other cases, we will not generally notify you of the results of the screening.
▼Procedure after winning the award
After the serialization on GIGAZINE is over, the work will be made into an e-book and sold on Amazon. We will pay you the prescribed manuscript fee and royalties. GIGAZINE will also be responsible for the sale and promotion of the e-book.
▼Question Form:
If you have any questions about applying, please click here to contact us. If we receive similar questions repeatedly, we will compile them as an FAQ, so we appreciate your understanding and cooperation.
▼Manga Award Application Form:
Click here
◆Applications for illustration staff, storyboard staff, and illustration helpers
▼How to apply for 'drawing only':
Just show the URL of your portfolio or a collection of works in the Manga Award application form . Please write 'Applying for illustrations only' in the 'Other' column. There is no limit to the number of illustrations or manga for your portfolio, and there is no line on how many you need, but the more you have, the easier it will be to get recognition.
▼How to apply for a 'name composition position'
We are also looking for 'name composition' who will turn the original text script into a name. As with the illustration only, please send us as much information as possible about your portfolio, names of works you have created in the past, and manga works.
▼ Review flow for 'Artwork only' and 'Name composition':
If you pass the first stage of the screening, which is based on your portfolio, we will contact you by the month after you submit the form. In the second stage, we ask you to actually draw a trial original. If you pass, it will move on to the final stage of the voting.
▼Rewards:
Participants who passed the first stage portfolio screening and participated in the second stage:
Prize money: 50,000 yen
*Because this stage of judging requires additional manuscript work, all applicants who advance to the second stage will receive a stipend.
Winners of the final judging:
Additional prize of 100,000 yen + serialization guarantee
Grand Prize:
Additional prize of 200,000 yen + serialization guarantee
*Due to the nature of the original script, we cannot guarantee that your work will be serialized immediately, but we will guarantee that it will be serialized by making it a priority proposal.
▼How to apply for help:
We are also looking for helpers who can help with the production of full-color manga. We also welcome helpers with underpainting characters, text placement, and backgrounds. This is a completely remote project and you can participate from home only when you can.
▼Conditions :
Nothing in particular. The flow is 'if you can work, choose what you want to take on from the task list and work on it,' so it's possible to not participate if you're busy.
You can also help out, earn some pocket money and improve your skills, while also creating original works and making suggestions to the editors.
▼Reward :
For 'coloring help' and 'background help,' the hourly rate is calculated using work management software. The hourly rate is set as a trial period at first, and can be increased based on the level of skill and the number of contributions made.
In the case of 'name composition', the manuscript fee will be calculated per page.
▼How to apply :
On the GIGAZINE Manga Award application form , paste the URL where you can view your 'color manuscripts and portfolios you have worked on in the past' instead of 'address/URL for downloading work files'. Also, in the last 'Other necessary information we need to know', please enter the appropriate information you would like: 'Coloring help', 'Background help', or 'Name composition'.
・Manga Award Application Form:
Click here
◆ Original script submission requirements
・In addition to the manuscript for Episode 1 , please also prepare a plot (synopsis) from Episode 1 to the final episode . The synopsis should be a detailed summary of the entire story, between 100 and 800 characters, on the first page of the manuscript.
・The first round of judging will simply look at the entertainment value of the story and the completion of the first episode. If you make it through the second round to the final round, you will be judged on whether you can consistently write stage directions right up to the final episode, with the idea of actually creating the original manga.
・If you are submitting an 'original work only' and only text, you can simply paste the text into a Google document and enter the address of the shared link in the application form. In this case, please do not edit the document after submitting.
・Please make sure that your Google sharing settings are set to 'Anyone with the link.' If you leave it set to 'Restricted,' submitted work will not be readable. For more information, please check 'Share files publicly' in the Google Docs Help .
▼Rewards:
All the people who passed the first round and were selected for the first stage:
Prize money: 30,000 yen
2nd stage advancement:
An additional 20,000 yen prize will be awarded, plus an editor will be assigned to serialize the work.
Finalists:
If you advance to the final stage, you will receive an additional 50,000 yen prize (total of 100,000 yen) plus a guarantee that your submitted work will be serialized after being polished.
Winners and above:
Prize money of 100,000 yen + serialization guarantee
Grand Prize:
Prize money of 200,000 yen + guaranteed serialization of submitted work
*Due to the issue of matching with illustrators, we cannot guarantee that your work will be serialized immediately, but we will guarantee that your work will be serialized by making it a priority proposal.
Click here for the application form
The Manga Award selection process includes the 'GIGAZINE Secret Club (GSC) Closed Review.' Whether you are a GSC member or not, please take this opportunity to become a member of GSC and witness the birth of a future masterpiece. Register for the GIGAZINE Secret Club here .
We look forward to receiving your submissions from all creators. Thank you very much.