Celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, and publishing over 500,000 copies weekly, eMorning is the biggest and most prominent manga magazine for grown-ups in Japan. In the 25 years since the very first issue, the magazine has been host to such mega hits as Vagabond, The Silent Service, Say hello to BLACK JACK, and GON, and has had continual and significant influence on Japanese society. Now, we are expanding our horizons and holding a competition across the globe, including the U.S., Italy, France, Germany, Spain, Sweden, Taiwan, Korea, Thailand and China, in order to seek out and develop new talent.

Deadline: last acceptable postmark / backstamp on or before: 31st May 2007

Grand prize: US $5000, two second prizes of US $2000 each.

As part of the grand prize, the winning manga will be featured in eMorning , the most influential manga magazine for grown-ups in Japan, boasting a circulation of over 500,000 copies a week. In addition, the most experienced manga editors of eMorning will be assigned to authors of the winning manga pieces, and assist in the development of their manga.

There is also the possibility that the winning manga and more pieces of the winning author will be not only featured in eMorning , but could also well be published as independent comic books both in Japan and in other countries. (There is a possibility that no entry will be awarded the Grand Prize).

Editors will also be assigned to the two second prize winners, and there is a possibility that these winning manga pieces will be published in eMorning , or on e-morning , our companion website.

Please refer carefully to the following terms. It will be deemed that you have agreed to all of them upon entry.

[1] Manga content

Restricted to works of at least 12 pages and of not more than 50 pages, that have not been published in commercial magazines, nor as independent books, in any country.

[2] Rules of illustration

Manga pieces on any type of paper, using any kind of drawing tools, will be accepted. Both color and black-and-white will be accepted (however, pieces accepted in color may be published in black and white in the eMorning magazine). For reference, manga in Japan is normally drawn on B4 paper, in black ink, in a 270mm x 180 mm frame.

It is possible to submit entries on CD-R or other digital storage media, but we request that printed copies to be included with such data-based entries.

Text should be in your native language, English or Japanese, and should be written clearly.

[3] Selection committee

eMorning International Manga Competition Committee

[4] Method of Application

Send to:
eMorning Editorial Department Kondansha
2-12-21 Otowa Bunkyo-ku Tokyo
112-8001 JAPAN
Please ensure that you include your name, address, age, occupation, telephone number, e-mail address and CV with your entry.

Entries cannot be returned.

We recommend that you keep a copy of your entry.

[5] Publishing Rights

Kodansha Ltd. will automatically obtain the exclusive right to publish all prize-winning manga pieces (whether for grand prize or secondary prizes) on magazines, and the exclusive option to exercise the right to publish and/or exploit the said manga pieces on independent books and on magazine websites and the exclusive option to all other secondary / subsidiary rights with respect to the said manga pieces. Kodansha Ltd. will determine whether or not exercise any of its foregoing right and/or options under its sole and absolute discretion.

[6] Original Artwork

You must warrant that your entry (manga piece) is completely original under your own creation, all content therein are accurate and lawful, and do not contain material that is harmful, libelous or defamatory to, or material that may infringe the right of any person or entity in any nature. You will be obliged to indemnify any damage Kodansha Ltd. may suffer as a result of any inconsistency to the foregoing.

[7] Release of results

Results will be announced on the eMorning website around September 2007. More at: e-morning