Japan's youth manga magazine, Monthly Afternoon, just dropped the results for its Spring 2026 "Shiki-sho" awards, and one particular comment from the editor-in-chief is sparking some serious chatter on X. 
The Monthly Afternoon editor-in-chief, reflecting on this year's Grand Prize winner and the overall newbie submissions, shared a recurring observation from two decades of Shiki-sho entries: a common trend of introverted, socially awkward protagonists. While that's not inherently an issue – in fact, it often fits the Monthly Afternoon vibe perfectly – what really grinds their gears is how many of these characters just sit around, waiting for the world to change, doing absolutely nothing themselves. The result? Stories that go nowhere.
To nail down this feeling, the editor-in-chief pulled out a classic analogy from Neon Genesis Evangelion, describing it as "Shinji Ikari just complaining instead of piloting the EVA." Their advice for these kinds of stories? A blunt, one-liner: "Get in the damn robot!"
This critique has struck a chord with many Japanese netizens, who are totally on board with the editor's take. Sure, protagonists can be lost, whiny, or socially awkward, but if an entire story just wallows in their inner monologue without any action or change, it's tough to call it a "story" at all.
Another netizen chimed in, noting they usually follow Weekly Shonen Jump's critiques and found this perspective super refreshing. After all, even a rookie submission to Weekly Shonen Jump would definitely have its protagonist "get in the robot"!
Some even pointed out the irony: anyone who actually finishes a manga and submits it has already "piloted their own EVA," so it's pretty wild that their characters refuse to do the same.
Meanwhile, this year's Spring Shiki-sho Grand Prize winner, Kankara-rin, got a shout-out as a shining example. This manga also features an introverted, socially awkward protagonist, but during school festival prep, the character gradually expands their social circle. The protagonist brilliantly "pilots the EVA," and the editor-in-chief highly recommends it as a must-read.
▼ This year's Grand Prize winner: Kankara-rin
Protagonists can be introverted or even lost, but a story ultimately needs that moment of stepping out. Though, honestly, it makes you wonder what kind of Neon Genesis Evangelion story we'd have if Shinji never got in the EVA at all!