Manga publishers across Japan hold competitions almost every year, hoping to discover talented artists who could become the industry’s next big names. For many aspiring creators, these awards are a major first step toward going pro.
On October 8, the editorial team behind Shueisha’s manga app Jump+ announced the launch of the new Next Generation Heroine Manga Award. Created to uncover characters and stories that explore fresh possibilities for what can be considered "cute," the competition is now accepting submissions.
The Next Generation Heroine Manga Award is seeking one-shot manga submissions. A story’s "heroine" can be any gender or age and does not even need to be human. Nonhuman characters and inanimate objects are also welcome, as long as the work features a creatively imagined "heroine." If the character can make readers think, "This character is adorable!" the manga is eligible, regardless of genre or page count. Both professional and amateur creators may enter.
At least one winning work will be selected. In addition to receiving prize money, the Grand Prize and Selected Entry winners are guaranteed publication on Jump+.
The competition’s three special judges are Kouji Miura, creator of Blue Box; Asato Mizu, creator of Aharen-san wa Hakarenai; and Kentaro Yabuki, artist of To Love Ru. Each judge also shared what kind of "cute" they hope to find among the submissions.
■ Special Judge: Blue Box creator Kouji Miura
Take an emotion like embarrassment, for example. There are so many ways to express it. Does the heroine become too shy to make eye contact? Does she cover her own face? Or does she cover the other person’s face instead? I’ll be paying close attention to what the heroine is feeling, how those emotions shape her actions, and whether those expressions feel genuine. I hope to see plenty of submissions!
■ Special Judge: Aharen-san wa Hakarenai creator Asato Mizu
The world is already overflowing with "cute." Even so, I believe there are still infinitely more forms of "cute" that we have yet to discover. Believe in your own idea of what "cute" can be, and show us something new. I’m really looking forward to seeing everyone’s work.
■ Special Judge: To Love Ru artist Kentaro Yabuki
Since this is a manga award where "if it’s cute, it wins," I’ll probably be judging entries less on technical skill and more on how powerfully they appeal to our instincts, laughs. Pour all your enthusiasm for "Isn’t this kind of girl great?!" into your work. I’m really looking forward to your submissions.
Next Generation Heroine Manga Award overview
Note: A single work may receive multiple awards and may also win prizes in other competitions.
Grand Prize
500,000 yen and publication of the winning work on Jump+
Selected Entry
200,000 yen and publication of the winning work on Jump+
At least one work will be selected
Honorable Mention
100,000 yen
Special Artwork Award
50,000 yen
Special Scenario Award
50,000 yen
Special Fetish Award
50,000 yen
Judges’ Special Award
200,000 yen
The Next Generation Heroine Manga Award is accepting submissions through January 11, 2027, with the winners scheduled to be announced in April 2027.