Celsys

January 14, 2026, Tokyo - Celsys joins pixiv in holding the seventh iteration of the Global Comic Awards on the theme of “Journey.” This comic contest for creators worldwide offers cash prizes, media placement opportunities, and licenses for apps that boost creativity, providing a chance for enthusiastic emerging comic creators to learn new techniques and connect with influential media organizations. This marks the third comic contest hosted jointly with pixiv after the first contest in 2024 received more than 1,500 entries.
 
Open from January 14 to March 31, 2026, the Global Comic Awards is accepting comic, manga, and webtoon submissions on pixiv from comic creators of all ages. Entries will be judged by comic artists Ann Maulina and Nina Vakueva, who will be joining as guest judges. Participating artists can have their stories seen by many and potentially connect with the 12 international comic and manga publishers supporting the contest. 

Prizes include US$3,250 (*1) for the Grand Prize (1 person), as well as cash prizes for the Themed Category Award (1 person), Open Category Award (1 person), and Awards of Excellence (10 people). Original stories may be submitted to the open category or the “Journey” theme category.

Celsys looks forward to creative submissions from artists around the world, aiming to support young creators aspiring to become professional artists.

pixiv × Clip Studio Paint 7th Global Comic Awards
https://www.pixiv.net/contest/GlobalComicAwards2026

 

■ Contest categories and prizes

Grand Prize
1 winner chosen from the Open Category or Themed Category (“Journey”)
Prize money: 500,000 JPY (approx. US$3,250)
Prize: Clip Studio Paint EX (Single-device plan, three years)

Open Category Award
1 winner from the Open Category
Prize money: 150,000 JPY (approx. US$980)
Prize: Clip Studio Paint EX (Single-device plan, three years)

Theme Category Award
1 winner from the Themed Category (“Journey”)
Theme: Journey
Prize money: 150,000 JPY (approx. US$980)
Prize: Clip Studio Paint EX (Single-device plan, three years)

Award of Excellence
Total of 10 winners from the Open Category and Themed Category
Prize money: 20,000 JPY (approx. US$130)
Prize: Clip Studio Paint EX (Single-device plan, one year)
 

■ Schedule

Entry Period: Jan 14–March 31, 2026, 11:59 pm JST (2:59 pm UTC)

(*1) Prize money is set in Japanese yen. US dollar equivalents are shown as a reference and may differ slightly depending on exchange rates.

■ How to Enter

Sign up for pixiv and submit an original comic with the contest hashtag.
Please refer to the link below for more information.
https://www.pixiv.net/contest/GlobalComicAwards2026

Open Category
Contest tag: GlobalComicAwards2026_free
Themed Category
Contest tag: GlobalComicAwards2026_Journey

■ Submission settings

• Upload as a Manga post on pixiv (webtoons are also accepted)

• Check the “Original work” checkbox

• Multiple entries may be submitted (the same work cannot be submitted multiple times)

• Set to “Make public” on pixiv

• Set as visible to all ages.

• AI-generated works not eligible for submission.

■ Format

• Number of pages: Unrestricted

• Language: Any (English is recommended)

• Size: Any

• File formats: Any format supported by pixiv (JPG, GIF, PNG)

 

■ Guest Judges

Ann Maulina (Comic Book Artist/Author)
Ann Maulina is an artist from Indonesia who has worked with comic studios such as DC Comics, Marvel Comics, and Titan Comics. She also created her own original comic, Raruurien, which won awards at Japan's International Manga Awards and Jogja Comic Awards.

Official website: https://www.raruurien.com/
X: https://x.com/Ann_Maulina


Nina Vakueva (Comic and illustration artist)
Nina is an independent artist who specialises in comics and visual development for animation and is currently hard at work on the reboot of her webcomic, Lilith's Word. Graduating from Moscow Architectural University, Nina quickly transitioned into the world of comics and character design, partnering with studios such as DC, Marvel, Riot, and many others.

Official website: https://ninavakueva.myportfolio.com/     
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/inkpangur/

■ Supporting Media

KADOKAWA, TATESC COMICS, JumpTOON, Palcy, Weekly Shonen Sunday, EARTH STAR COMICS, COMIC OGYAAA!!, PRESTIGE BOOKS, Mangatari Co., Ltd, Ki-oon, Glénat Manga, Norma Editorial
 

■ Organizers

Clip Studio Paint by CELSYS, Inc.

About Clip Studio Paint
Clip Studio Paint is used by over 55 million people (*2) for the creation of illustrations, comics, webtoons, and animation. The app is available on iPad, Android, Windows, macOS, iPhone, so creators can use it on whatever device they own. Known for its natural drawing feel and plentiful features, Clip Studio Paint is supported by illustrators, comic artists, and animators, and used by beginners and industry professionals alike.

CLIP STUDIO PAINT Official Site: https://www.clipstudio.net/en/
X: https://x.com/clipstudiopaint
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/CLIPSTUDIOPAINTchannel
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/clipstudioofficial/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@clipstudioofficial

(*2) Includes free trial users and downloads of the iPad, iPhone, Galaxy, Android, and Chromebook versions.
 

pixiv by pixiv Inc.

About pixiv
pixiv is a social networking service for creators, focused on fostering new connections through sharing creative work. It launched in September 2007 as a specialized service for posting and exchanging illustrations, manga, and novels, and operates under a philosophy dedicated to "accelerating creativity." Currently, pixiv has more than 100 million registered accounts.

pixiv Official Site: https://www.pixiv.net/


About CELSYS, Inc.
Celsys provides tools such as Clip Studio Paint to support creators in the creator economy that is expanding through the creation and use of digital content. We are also providing new service platforms that act as a new avenue for creators' activities. We look toward a more vibrant world where everyone's passions are connected, by offering total support to creators around the world through each part of their “creator journey”.

https://www.celsys.com/en/

For media inquiries
Celsys Media Relations　press@celsys.com