Application Rules on Format

Page Count

Between 16 and 60 pages
The page limit must be strictly observed. Any work with 15 pages or fewer, or 61 pages or more, will be deemed ineligible.

The page limit must be strictly observed. Any work with 15 pages or fewer, or 61 pages or more, will be deemed ineligible.

Page Size

Recommended size: B5
（H257mm x W182mm / H3541pixel x W2508pixel）
If you are creating your work in Clip Studio Paint, you may use templates such as the “KADOKAWA Manga Magazine” template.
* This is only a guideline. Submissions with different page sizes are also eligible.

If you are creating your work in Clip Studio Paint, you may use templates such as the “KADOKAWA Manga Magazine” template.
* This is only a guideline. Submissions with different page sizes are also eligible.

Resolution

350dpi or higher

● Both black-and-white and color works are acceptable. Grayscale submissions are also accepted.

● There are no restrictions on reading direction.
You may create your manga to be read right to left (as in Japanese manga) or left to right (as in Western comics). However, we won't be taking submissions in vertical scrolling format (Webtoon format) this time.

● Please merge all layers in each page and export as JPG or PNG files.
Then, compress all pages into a single ZIP file before uploading.

● Name your ZIP file as (work title in lowercase alphanumeric characters).zip
Example: kadokawaworldmanga.zip
* Please number your page files so that the correct page order is clear.

● The maximum upload size per submission is 100 MB (one ZIP file).

Eligibility for Application

Anyone may apply regardless of their experience, nationality, or age. We accept team and corporate applicants as well.

(Individuals, teams, or corporations whose works are currently serialized in magazines or websites from KADOKAWA Group companies, as well as applicants whose works were serialized in KADOKAWA Group magazines or websites and published between January 1, 2022 and March 31, 2026, may not apply.)

* Minors may apply; provided, however, that their parent or guardian (legal representative) will have read these application guidelines and have consented before submitting their entry. Upon completion of the application, the applicant will be deemed to have obtained the consent of their parent or guardian to the terms and conditions.

* Teams and corporations may only enter if they have legitimate legal rights to the submitted work.

What Comes after Winning
this Contest

● Manga editors will support winners on their manga creation at KADOKAWA, either as a comicalized work or an original work. (There is no plan to serialize winning works themselves.)

● Communication with editors is generally expected to be done in any one of the following languages: English, Japanese, Chinese, Spanish or French. We do not expect high level of language proficiency. (It is acceptable to use translation tools for communication.)

How to Apply

Please apply from the button on this website.

* By completing the application form, you agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of the contract as stated on the website.

Entry Period

Monday, September 7, 2026 ~
Sunday, February 28, 2027 11:59 pm

* In your time zone

Winners Announced

The results will be announced on this website in May 2027.

* Schedule is subject to change.

Selection Process

The results will be announced following the selection process, which begins after the application deadline.

Handling of Award-Winning Entries

The prize winners agree in advance to grant KADOKAWA an exclusive license to the prize-winning work. This agreement is valid either when KADOKAWA contacts them about their placement, or on the date of the official results announcement, whichever comes first. The license may be used for the translation, adaptation, distribution, or other use of the work in book, e-book, novel, animation, live-action film, game, merchandise, digital product, and other forms, and includes the right to sublicense the work to third parties (same applies hereafter).
The prize winners rescind all rights to use their work themselves without the prior written consent of KADOKAWA or to allow any third party besides KADOKAWA to use the entry without the prior written consent of KADOKAWA.

* The winners shall retain the copyright to their works.
However, the publisher shall hold the rights to secondary use of the winning works. If an award-winning work is to be published as a book or otherwise used for commercial purposes, a separate agreement shall be concluded between our company and the award recipient to determine the applicable terms and conditions.

FAQ

• About Entry
• About Manuscript Format
• About Works
• About Judging
• About the Award Ceremony

* You can select a FAQ category from the options above.

• Q. Can I submit multiple works? Or apply to both categories at the same time?

  A. Yes, you may submit multiple works.
  You’re also welcome to enter both categories, or submit multiple entries within the same category.

• Q. I can't draw. Can I submit a storyboard (nemu) or a text-only script?

  A. We are sorry, but storyboards and text-only submissions are not accepted for this contest.

• Q. Will I be notified of the results even if my work is not selected?

  A. Unfortunately we won't be able to notify every applicant who are not selected. Please check our official Instagram for the latest updates, including winner announcements. (https://www.instagram.com/kd.worldmanga.official/)

• Q. I won't be able to have my manuscript ready for the contest this time and would like to apply for the next contest. Is there going to be another context next year?

  A. It has not been decided yet, but we aim to hold this contest once a year on a similar schedule!

• Q. Can a team of multiple people (e.g., writer and artist) collaborate on a single work to apply? Also, are there restrictions on the number of members or their nationalities?

  A. Yes, joint submissions by a team are very welcome! There are no restrictions on the number of team members or their nationalities. When applying, please enter your team (group) name.
  * For team or corporate submissions, applications are accepted only if the team or corporate entity is properly and legally guaranteed to hold the copyright or the authority to manage the copyright of the submitted work.

• Q. Is there an age limit to enter? Can minors apply?

  A. There is no age limit for entering this contest. However, if you are a minor, your parent or legal guardian must read these submission guidelines and give their consent before you apply. Upon submitting your entry, it will be assumed that you have obtained your guardian's consent.

• Q. Can I submit a work that was entered into another contest, or a work that was previously rejected?

  A. Simultaneously submitting the same work to another ongoing contest is strictly prohibited. (This includes manga submission platforms where contests are currently being held.)
  However, if the results have already been announced and the work was officially not selected, you are welcome to submit it to this contest. Additionally, as long as it is a different work from the one entered here, you may submit it to other contests at the same time without any issue.

• Q. Are there any entry or registration fees to participate in the contest?

  A. No, entering the contest is completely free. There are no entry fees or hidden costs whatsoever.

• Q. Will my submission be disqualified if it slightly departs from the format guidelines?

  A. No, not at all. The guidelines are provided as a general reference, so minor differences in page size or color specs will not disqualify your entry. Our main goal is to evaluate your storytelling and artistic skills. However, please strictly adhere to the page count requirement (16 to 60 pages).

• Q. Should I create my manuscript in color or black and white?

  A. Both black-and-white and color manuscripts are accepted. You can also submit works in grayscale.

• Q. Which reading direction should I use — right to left (like Japanese manga) or left to right (like Western comics)?

  A. Either reading direction is fine — right-to-left (like Japanese manga) or left-to-right (like Western comics). However, vertical-scrolling manga (Webtoon format) are NOT accepted.

• Q. Do I need to include a title page?

  A. A title page is optional. It’s perfectly acceptable to submit a black-and-white manuscript with a color title page, for example.

• Q. For a two-page spread, should I split it into two separate pages or submit it as a single spread page?

  A. Either format is acceptable.

• Q. Do I need to include margins or blank space around the pages?

  A. Margins or blank space are optional — either with or without them is fine.

• Q. I’d like to submit a hand-drawn (analog) manuscript instead of a digital one. Is that possible?

  A. Yes. We accept both digital and hand-drawn (analog) manuscripts.
  If you’re submitting a hand-drawn work, please scan your pages and upload the digital files.

• Q. Is it okay if my submission exceeds or falls short of the page count requirement (16–60 pages) by 1 or 2 pages?

  A. Unfortunately, any entries outside the page count requirements will automatically be excluded from evaluation, so please be careful!

• Q. Are credits and title pages included in the required page count?

  A. Yes, they are included. Credits and title pages are not mandatory, but if you include them, please make sure the total number falls within the 16–60 page limit.

• Q. Can I use generative AI (such as image-generation AI) to create my work? Is it prohibited even if used only for backgrounds or minor adjustments?

  A. Submissions created using generative AI in any part of the manuscript — including backgrounds, retouching, or processing — are strictly prohibited without exception. Please submit works created entirely through your own efforts or those of your team.

• Q. Are there any specific software or manga creation tools required to create my work?

  A. There are no software requirements at all. You are welcome to submit manuscripts created with any software you normally use, such as CLIP STUDIO PAINT, Photoshop, or others.

• Q. For the Wordless Manga category, can I use symbols like "!" or "?", sound effects, or background text (such as storefront signs)?

  A. Dialogue inside speech bubbles is not allowed. However, visual elements that are not intended to be read as narrative text or spoken dialogue — such as punctuation symbols, background signs, or sound effects — are permitted.

• Q. Is it better to submit a one-shot? Or is it acceptable to submit part of a longer work, such as the first chapter of a series?

  A. Both types of submissions are accepted. However, we recommend submitting a one-shot, as it makes it easier for the judges to evaluate your storytelling structure.

• Q. The guidelines mention that excessive violence or cruelty is not allowed. How much is considered acceptable?

  A. Not all depictions of violence are prohibited.
  As long as such expressions are necessary for the story, they are acceptable.

• Q. Are there any theme or genre requirements?

  A. No. As long as the work complies with the submission guidelines, it is completely free.

• Q. Can I share my entry on my own social media?

  A. Yes. It’s totally fine to do so, both before and after the deadline.

• Q. Can I submit a work that was not selected (rejected) in the previous contest or other competitions?

  A. Entries that were not selected in the previous contest or other awards are eligible for submission, though we recommend you to submit a brand-new work.

• Q. Is it okay to use automatic translation for the text translation?

  A. Yes. Machine translation or AI translation may be used solely for text translation.

• Q. Are the judging criteria made public?

  A. The judging criteria are not disclosed. We are looking for captivating stories that truly resonate with and touch the hearts of readers!

• Q. If I win an award, will you provide visa support for future activities in Japan?

  A. We cannot provide visa support for activities or relocation in Japan. However, regarding the visa required to visit Japan for the award ceremony, we can assist with preparing certain necessary documents. Please note that the visa application process itself must be completed by the award winner.

Notes

• ● Works published on non-commercial websites, personal websites, or in doujinshi (self-published works) will be considered unpublished and are eligible for submission.
• ● Works previously published on commercial/for-profit websites will only be accepted if it is guaranteed that the applicant retains all rights regarding submission and potential serialization.
• ● Please refrain from submitting the same work to other contests simultaneously. If duplicate submission is discovered, the work will be disqualified.
• ● Applicants may submit multiple works; however, each work must be submitted individually/independently.
• ● Any personal information provided upon entry will be strictly managed in accordance with KADOKAWA CORPORATION’sPrivacy Policy
• ● By submitting the application form, the applicant is deemed to have agreed to these submission terms as a binding contract.
• ● Applicants shall enter this contest at their own responsibility and expense.
• ● Upon completing the submission, the applicant is deemed to warrant that they hold the copyright or the authority to manage the copyright for the submitted work, and that the work does not infringe upon any copyright or other rights/interests of any third party.
• ● Personal information provided during submission may be used within the scope necessary for operating this contest, such as sending notifications and updates regarding the contest.
• ● Works created using generative AI are not eligible for entry.
• ● Submissions containing excessive sexual or violent depictions, works that infringe or are likely to infringe upon third-party copyrights or other rights/interests (including parodies and imitations), works that slander specific individuals or organizations, content contrary to public order and morals, works violating these guidelines, or any other works deemed inappropriate by the judges will be disqualified.
• ● If facts warranting disqualification are discovered after the results are announced (including cases where a minor failed to obtain parental/guardian consent), the award may be revoked and the winner may be required to return the prize money and any associated prizes.
• ● We cannot respond to individual inquiries regarding the selection or judging process.
• ● If no submitted works meet the required standards, some award categories may have no winners selected.
• ● Prize money is calculated in USD and will be deposited into the bank account designated by the winner after the awards are determined. If a winner wishes to receive the payout in a currency other than USD (including Japanese Yen), the amount will be converted based on the exchange rate of the month the award is finalized; however, currency conversion fees and other actual costs may be deducted from the prize money. Remittance fees and other costs incurred by Japanese financial institutions will be borne by KADOKAWA. Any receiving fees or other charges incurred by the winner's designated financial institution shall be borne by the winner. If a transaction under these submission guidelines constitutes an overseas transaction, it will be treated as non-taxable (for Japanese consumption tax purposes). In such cases, KADOKAWA will pay the winner the remaining amount after deducting and remitting Japanese withholding tax to the relevant Japanese tax authorities.
• ● In the event that the applicant causes damage to KADOKAWA or any other third party as a result of violating these guidelines (including breach of representations and warranties), the applicant will be required to compensate for the damages.
• ● KADOKAWA may change the contents of the application guidelines without prior consent from the applicants. In the event of any changes to the application guidelines, KADOKAWA will post the timing and the details of the change to this website and notify the applicants.
• ● KADOKAWA shall not be responsible for any loss or damages incurred by the applicant, except in cases where willful misconduct or gross negligence is attributable to KADOKAWA. In no event shall KADOKAWA be liable for any indirect damages, loss of profits, attorney fees or similar damages to the applicant, and shall only be compensated for damages incurred in direct connection with the competition, unless in the case of gross negligence on KADOKAWA's part.
• ● These Application Guidelines shall be governed and construed in accordance with the laws of Japan. The Tokyo District Court shall have exclusive jurisdiction of the first instance over all disputes arising out of or in connection with this agreement.
• ● These application guidelines are prepared in multiple languages; however, the Japanese version shall be the governing text. In the event of any inconsistency or conflict between the Japanese version and any other language version, the provisions of the Japanese version shall prevail.