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Manga Jiman 2017 Competition

Details of the eleventh 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 6.

The theme of this year's competition is Dreams. 'We are looking for imaginative stories which will stand out from the crowd and not rely on the overworked ‘and it was all a dream’ finale!' (Artwork by the most recent Manga Jiman winner Ami Clark is shown on the right: other competition winners are shown here.)

Entrants over 14 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 TBC, and the third prize is a Ricoh digital camera. Runners up will receive a selection of manga publications, and other prizes. The winners' work will be displayed in a special exhibition at the Embassy.

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 as of 13 June 2017 amounts to approximately GBP £134.77 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.

Entries should be sent to:

MANGA JIMAN COMPETITION 2017 or YONKOMA MANGA COMPETITION 2017 Japan Information and Cultural Centre Embassy of Japan 101/104 Piccadilly London W1J 7JT

'Manga Jiman' means 'Having Pride in Manga.'