The 'GIGAZINE Manga Awards' May 2026 submission period has begun, and here's a look at the making of the illustration commemorating the release of the 'Let Me Make It! Ejima-san' comics.
The GIGAZINE Manga Awards accept manga submissions every month, with monthly updates and judging. To commemorate the release of the comic book version of '
◆Click here for the application guidelines for the 'GIGAZINE Manga Awards'
If you've already read the application requirements and just want to apply, please use the application form .
◆Submit your portfolio to apply for illustration, storyboarding, or illustration assistance positions.
◆Click here for the submission guidelines for original works in novel or screenplay format.
'Let me make it, Ejima-san!' Commemorative Illustration Making
To commemorate the comic book release of 'Let Me Make It, Ejima-san,' we asked the author, Benihaa, to create an illustration for the work. We'll be showing you the making of the illustration, along with commentary from the author.
Benihaa: 'To commemorate the release of the comic, I wanted to go with a festive and celebratory theme, so I decided to depict a wedding. The composition and expressions are intentionally based on the wedding doodle drawn by Kaido in the first panel of page 5 of the third chapter, where Ejima and Kaido take a photo booth picture together.'
Benihaa: 'I drew the line art while keeping the draft layer faintly visible. When I draw in color, I add lines along with the coloring, so the lines and shapes may change slightly in the end. When I draw in monochrome, I decide on the shape with lines at this stage.'
Benihaa: 'I added more detail, and the two characters are almost complete. At this stage, the surroundings looked a bit plain, so I added some decorations. Also, since Kaido is a character, I thought it would be more fitting to include a tablet, so I added a rough image of it.'
Benihaa: 'For balance reasons related to the decorations, I changed the arm holding Kaido's tablet to the other side, and I also color-coded Ejima's hair at the back to make it easier to see. I also thought that a light yellow background would look better, so I changed it.'
Benihaa: 'I added more detail to the hair behind Ejima, and the two characters were complete. After that, I finished the decorations, made some minor adjustments to the whole thing, and redesigned the font by hand to make it cuter.'
The comic includes not only commemorative illustrations, but also newly drawn short episodes, character explanations by the author, behind-the-scenes stories about the creation of the work, and the first chapter of 'Sensitive Girl and Complicated Boy,' which is the prototype version of the work, so please be sure to check it out.
Please submit your comments on the manga and characters via the manga comment form . For any other questions or requests regarding submissions or serialization, please use the contact form .
◆ 'GIGAZINE Manga Award' Application Guidelines
▼What happens when you serialize a manga on GIGAZINE...?
・Fully remote work & flexible scheduling
- The serialized manga will be published on GIGAZINE, so it will definitely get read.
- There are no strict deadlines, making scheduling easy.
- No restrictions on genre or target audience; anything is OK as long as it's interesting.
- We have assistants available to handle coloring and backgrounds (no need to pay out of pocket).
Because it's a relatively young label, opinions and requests are more likely to be heard, just like in a startup company!
For those who have anxieties about working as a freelancer, such as 'I don't have any knowledge about laws or taxes, is that okay?' or 'What's it like working on a series with an editor?', we have published 'Guidelines for Creating an Environment Where Freelancers Can Work with Peace of Mind,' in accordance with the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry's guidelines. We have compiled common questions and concerns in a Q&A format, so please take a look.
And so on. If you have any other questions or concerns, please click here and feel free to contact us.
▼Basic conditions:
- Designed to be readable on smartphones (no double-page spreads, vertical scrolling standard)
- Full color, fully digital (black and white submissions may be treated as 'original works,' but submissions are still very welcome).
- The submission must be a completed manuscript of 'Episode 1' and its making-of materials , regardless of genre. The making-of materials should include character designs and settings, as well as a synopsis of the entire story, in the range of 200-800 characters. Please note that submissions with incomplete information may not be considered for review.
Manuscript format:
Please refer to ' Princess and Gamer ' for aspect ratio, file size, and resolution.
Number of manuscript pages:
Freedom. Any number of pages is fine.
▼Other:
- Original works that you have already published on other media or platforms are acceptable.
Works that were published in magazines but never compiled into a book, or that were discontinued midway through due to unavoidable circumstances, are also acceptable. Don't give up!
▼Deadline:
Sunday, May 31, 2026, 23:59:59
▼Review process:
After the initial selection by the editorial team, the following review process is planned. Please note that the review process and stages may be subject to change, and we will send you a separate explanation and confirmation before the first stage of the review.
Phase 1: Evaluation conducted in a closed environment accessible only to GIGAZINE Secret Club members + evaluation by the editorial team including making-of materials.
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Stage 2: A review process based on a format more geared towards serialization. You will be asked to create additional necessary information, such as the 'First Chapter Manuscript' and 'Plot Outline up to the Final Chapter.' If you reach this stage, we will almost certainly promise serialization in some form.
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Final Stage: The winning entry will be determined by a comprehensive review of the serialized manuscript by the GIGAZINE editor-in-chief, evaluation by GIGAZINE secret club members, and guest judges including authors currently serializing their work on GIGAZINE. Furthermore, those who reach the final stage are guaranteed a serialization contract.
▼Rewards:
All those who passed the first round of judging and were selected for the first stage:
Prize money: 30,000 yen
Advancing to the second stage:
An additional 20,000 yen in prize money plus an assigned editor for serialization will be provided.
Finalists:
Upon reaching the final stage, an additional 50,000 yen in prize money will be awarded (totaling 100,000 yen) plus a guarantee of serialization after the submitted work has been polished.
Prize winners and above:
Additional prize money of 100,000 yen or more + guaranteed serialization
Grand Prize:
Prize money of 1 million yen + guaranteed serialization of the submitted work as is.
▼Selection results for submitted works
For works that advance to the initial stage of judging, we will contact you with details about the judging process via the email address you provided by the end of the month following the month of submission.
Please note that in all other cases, we generally do not notify applicants of the results of the review process.
▼Post-award process
After the series concludes its run on GIGAZINE, it will be digitized and sold on Amazon. We will pay the standard manuscript fees and royalties. GIGAZINE will also be responsible for the sales and promotion of the ebook.
▼Question submission form:
If you have any questions regarding your application, please click here to contact us. We will compile similar questions into an FAQ, so we appreciate your understanding and cooperation.
▼Manga Grand Prize Application Form:
Click here
◆Applications for Illustrator, Storyboard Writer, and Illustrator Assistant
▼ How to apply for 'drawing only':
Simply submit the URL of your portfolio or a collection of your works on the Manga Grand Prize application form . In the 'Other' section, please write 'Artwork only application.' There is no limit to the number of illustrations or manga you can submit to your portfolio, and there is no minimum number of pages required, but the more you submit, the more likely you are to receive a positive evaluation.
▼ How to apply for the 'Name Composition' position
We are also looking for 'storyboard composition' services, which involve turning text-based scripts into storyboards. Similar to the drawing-only application, please submit as many examples of your portfolio, including storyboards and manga works you have created in the past.
▼Review process for 'drawing only' and 'storyboard composition':
For those who pass the first stage of the portfolio review, we will contact you by the following month after you submit the form. In the second stage of the review, you will be asked to actually draw a sample original story, and if you pass, you will proceed to the final stage of voting.
▼Rewards:
Passed the first stage of portfolio review and moved on to the second stage:
Prize money: 50,000 yen
*Since this stage of the review process requires additional manuscript work, a prize will be awarded to everyone who advances to and participates in the second stage.
Winning an award or higher in the final round:
Additional prize money of 100,000 yen + guaranteed serialization
Grand Prize:
Additional prize money of 200,000 yen + guaranteed serialization
*Due to the circumstances of the original script, it may not be possible to start serialization immediately, but we guarantee serialization by prioritizing your proposal.
▼Steps to apply for help:
We are also looking for help to support the creation of full-color manga. We welcome assistance with tasks such as character coloring, text placement, and background art. This is a completely remote position; you can participate from home whenever it suits you.
▼Conditions :
Nothing in particular. The process is to 'choose tasks from the task list and work on them if you are able to,' so it is possible to not participate during busy periods.
Additionally, you can participate as a helper, earn some pocket money and improve your skills while creating original works and proposing them to the editors.
▼Rewards :
For 'coloring help' and 'background help,' the hourly rate is calculated using work management software. The hourly rate is initially set as a trial period, and then increased based on work proficiency and the amount of contribution made.
For 'storyboarding,' the fee is calculated per page.
▼How to apply :
On the GIGAZINE Manga Award application form , instead of the 'Address/URL for downloading the artwork file,' please paste a URL where you can view 'color manuscripts and portfolios you have worked on in the past.' Also, in the last section, 'Other necessary information we should know,' please indicate which of the following you would like: 'Coloring help,' 'Background help,' or 'Storyboard composition.'
Manga Grand Prize Application Form:
Click here
◆Submission Guidelines for Original Scripts
Please prepare a plot (synopsis) for the entire story, from episode 1 to the final episode , in addition to the manuscript for episode 1. The synopsis should be a detailed overview of the entire story, between 100 and 800 characters long, and should be included on the first page of the manuscript.
The first round of judging will assess the simple appeal of the story and the completeness of the first episode. If you advance to the second round or final round, we will assess whether you can consistently create a script with stage directions up to the final episode, keeping in mind the actual process of creating a manga.
- If you are submitting only the original work in text format, please paste the text into a Google Doc and then include the sharing link address in the application form. In this case, please do not edit the document after submission.
Please ensure your Google sharing settings are set to 'Anyone with the link.' If it remains set to 'Restricted,' you will not be able to read the submitted works. For more information, please check 'Share files publicly' in Google Docs Help .
▼Rewards:
All those who passed the first round of judging and were selected for the first stage:
Prize money: 30,000 yen
Advancing to the second stage:
An additional 20,000 yen in prize money plus an assigned editor for serialization will be provided.
Finalists:
Upon reaching the final stage, an additional 50,000 yen in prize money will be awarded (totaling 100,000 yen) plus a guarantee of serialization after the submitted work has been polished.
Prize winners and above:
Prize money of 100,000 yen + guaranteed serialization
Grand Prize:
Prize money of 200,000 yen + guaranteed serialization of the submitted work as is.
*Due to the matching process with the artist, immediate serialization is not guaranteed, but we will prioritize your application and guarantee serialization.
Click here for the application form.
The Manga Taisho selection process includes a 'GIGAZINE Secret Club (GSC) Closed Judging' stage. Whether you're already a GSC member or not, we encourage you to take this opportunity to become a part of the GSC and witness the birth of a future masterpiece. Register for the GIGAZINE Secret Club here .
We look forward to receiving applications from all creators. Thank you.
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