May 07, 2024 09:00:00

'GIGAZINE Manga Award' will start accepting entries in May 2024 & here's how the comics are produced

The GIGAZINE Manga Award accepts submissions and conducts judging every month. Works that are selected as winners will immediately begin serialization, and those that have finished serialization will be turned into comics and released as e-books. We were able to take a peek at the comic production process for the just-completed manga '

Gas Shop Desu!! ' so we've put together a ' Comics Making Commentary ' on how comics are produced. In addition, the GIGAZINE Secret Club (GSC) provides commentary on the secret making of manga and pre-releases manga, so if you want to enjoy manga in more depth, please check it out here .

Check out the ongoing manga and comics below!

Read 'The Part-Time Life of a Hero and a Corporate Slave' Death 1 'I've started working part-time!'

Read 'Secret Palace' Episode 1: 'Loneliness, a Beautiful Girl, and an Android'

Vampire x Maid x Garlic Gourmet ' Master, I Smell Like Garlic! ' Comic available below!

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!

◆Click here for the 'GIGAZINE Manga Award' application guidelines

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

◆Comics making commentary
I mainly create my comics using Adobe InDesign and Adobe Photoshop . I create each page in Photoshop, then assemble and bind them in InDesign. First, I open a new document in InDesign and set the 'Width' and 'Height' to the same ratio as the page size of the manga. 'Gas Shop!!' has 12 stories and 174 pages, so I set the number of pages to '175 pages' including the cover, check 'Face-up pages', and click 'Margins and columns' to create the document.

Unlike printed books, e-books do not require a few centimeters of space at the gutter and fore-edge, and you can simply display the image to fill the document. However, since text on the edge of the page can be difficult to read, set the margins to 100px as a guide. If you press the central clip button at this time, lines indicating the same 100px margins will appear on the top, bottom, left, and right, so you can work while paying attention to the placement of images and text. Once you have set it, click 'OK'.

The document you created looks like this: By clicking 'Pages', you can see that a series of blank pages are created.

One of the advantages of creating comics with InDesign is the 'Master Page' function. Click 'A-Parent Page' from the Page tab to open the Master Page editing screen, and select the 'Image Frame' icon from the menu on the left.

When I put an image frame on both pages of the master page and tried putting the first page of 'Gas Shop!!' on the right page, the page list changed all at once. In this way, by putting an image frame on the master page, the same image frame is put on all 175 pages, so all that's left to do is pour all the pages into the Poipoi frame to complete the process.

I was able to document all of my manga.

Pages other than the main manga are created separately in Photoshop and then imported into InDesign in the same way. Below is an example of the '

Master, I Smell Like Garlic! ' comic, where the table of contents page was created in Photoshop.

Bonus pages and the like are sometimes created in InDesign. Below is the character creation page for 'I Smell Like Garlic, Master!', created in InDesign. According to the editor, due to the structure of the document, it is easier to work with InDesign on the double-page spread, and if the same layout continues on the bonus pages, it is easier to use master pages, so Photoshop and InDesign are used as needed.

In addition, the cover of the 'Gas Shop Desu!!' comic was drawn by the author. The rough sketch that I was able to receive early is as shown below. The making of the cover will be released when the comic is released, so please look forward to it.

We will not only continue to serialize and solicit manga, but will also be releasing and explaining the making of the manga, so if you have any comments such as 'I would like to see the making of this!' or 'I would like to know more behind-the-scenes information', we would appreciate it if you could send us your feedback via the Contact Us form.

◆ 'GIGAZINE Manga Award' Application Guidelines

・What happens if 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.

·The deadline:
Friday, May 31, 2024, 11:59:59 p.m.

・Review 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 advanced to this stage, 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 it has been 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

・Results of submitted works selection
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 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 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 'Name Composition Manager'
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.

・Judging process 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.

・Rewards :
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.

·Application method :
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 for '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 it is text only, 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 prize of 20,000 yen 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.