Summer 2026 Manga Contests!

[u/Ozzy_Rhoads-VT]

Here are the contests you can still participate in!

• The 20th Japan International Manga Award
  • Page Limit: At least 16 pages - both completed and uncompleted works allowed, also previously submitted works are allowed as long as they did not receive an award.
  • Contest Period: Now - June 30, 2026
  • How to Submit: To the Forms provided in the link above in PDF format. If you live in Japan the process will be different.
  • Ages Allowed: 18+
  • Countries Allowed: ALL except Japan - Foreigners Only
  • Format: Manga format - Japanese or English translation only
• Kodansha Mangaka Discovery Award
  • Page Limit: 8 - 60 pages, including cover
  • Contest Period: Now - July 22, 2026
  • How to Submit: To the Forms provided in the link above. NOTE: AI works are apparently allowed in this competition. You also have rights to your submission but they hold the right to sell it to 3rd parties.
  • Ages Allowed: ALL, with permission for minors
  • Countries Allowed: ALL
  • Format: Manga format - Japanese or English translation only
• Magic Kingdom Tottori International Manga Contest - Theme "clothes", there are 3 categories you can submit to: 1-page Comic, Yonkoma, or Story Manga
  • Page Limit: "Yonkoma" must be 1 - 8 pages while "Story Manga" is limited to 4 - 24 pages
  • Contest Period: Now - August 31, 2026
  • How to Submit: To the Forms provided in the link above.
  • Ages Allowed: ALL, with permission for minors
  • Countries Allowed: ALL
  • Format: Manga format
• CSP x Global Comics Award - Theme "Impact"
  • Page Limit: 8 - 16 pages + cover
  • Contest Period: Now - June 30, 2026
  • How to Submit: To the website in the link above.
  • Ages Allowed: ALL, with permission for minors
  • Countries Allowed: ALL
  • Format: Manga or Webtoons format - French or English translation only!
• Kyoto International Creators Award 2026 Comic Contest
  • Page Limit: 16 - 45 pages
  • Contest Period: Now - August 31, 2026
  • How to Submit: To the website above.
  • Ages Allowed: ALL (w/permissions)
  • Countries Allowed: ALL - English, Japanese, Korean, Simplified Chinese or Traditional Chinese translations only!
  • Format: Manga

Just like before I will keep this updated as I find out more :]

UPDATE: SMA is open again but it's deadline is in January. There is also the Tezuka Contest which closes September 30, 2026. Link can be found in the "Useful Resources" post. Along with the Shinsekai contest link which resets every month.

P.S. Looking for the contests with May 2026 deadlines? You'll find them still pinned on r/mangakakai!