Information on 2014 Manga Jiman Comeptition

[Genkina Hito]

Information for this year’s Manga Jiman competition has been released by the Embassy of Japan. Here is some of the info on the site:

<em>The Embassy of Japan in the UK is once again launching our manga-writing competition, MANGA JIMAN 2014, with fantastic prizes up for grabs. Now in its 8th year, MANGA JIMAN can be translated as 'having pride in manga' and the Embassy of Japan is proud to offer this opportunity to UK manga creators.</em>

<em>In an exciting twist to the competition, this year will see the introduction of a separate category for those aged between 11 and 13 to create yonkoma manga (a story told in 4 comic strip panels on one page). This will be a great chance for young manga creators to hone their skills.</em>

<em>For anyone aged 14 or over, we will continue our search for the best story told across 6-8 pages with superb prizes up for grabs.</em>

<em>Entrants for both sections of the competition are asked to create a story referring to this year</em><em>&rsquo;</em><em>s theme </em><em>一期一会</em><em> (ichi-go ichi-e) which can be translated as a </em><em>&lsquo;</em><em>once-in-a-lifetime meeting</em><em>&rsquo;</em><em> or </em><em>&lsquo;</em><em>a chance encounter</em><em>&rsquo;</em><em>.</em>

The first prize is two return tickets to Japan while the second prize is a Toshiba laptop computer. Third prize nets the winner a Ricoh digital camera and runners up will receive a selection of gifts such as manga. The winners&rsquo; work will be isplayed in a special exhibition at the embassy.

To enter, fill out and submit the official application form along with your entry by post or in person to Manga Jiman 2014 Competition, JICC, Embassy of Japan, 101-104 Piccadilly, London W1J 7JT. All entries must be in before 5pm Monday, 03 November 2014.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Source Source

 

[chaos]

Mmm, I wonder what happen with the people who win the competition, as I never hear about them afterwards - maybe they get kidnapped by mangaka and become slave inkers or something xD

 

[Rui]

There was an exhibition of their work at Hyper Japan at the weekend, I noticed. Kinda cool.

R

 

[Vashdaman]

What constitutes manga as opposed to regular comic? It surely can't be a stylistic thing, as I'm pretty sure there are mangaka in Japan who draw in a left field, subversive manner or even western manner. So how can the Japanese embassy really decide if something is "manga" enough to be a worthy entry in this competition?

Sorry, just some random thought by the candle light in Paris as I struggle to be savvy.

 

[ilmaestro]

What constitutes manga as opposed to regular comic?

If you want to try to sell your comic on the back of it being cool and edgy and superficially similar to Chinese cartoons, you advertise it as "manga". Pretty simple, really.

 

[Rui]

IIRC (I entered it once a long time ago, lol) they'll accept anything the Japanese would consider manga, i.e. pretty much any comic, but the story has to be presented in black and white and if you can use popular conventions like screentone effects you'll score extra points.

I assume the restrictions are more to level the playing field between the amateurs and experienced all-round artists than to strictly retain the original anthology manga 'feel'.

R