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April 30, 2026, Tokyo - Celsys today joins with Mangadraft to open the eighth iteration of the Global Comic Awards on the theme of “Impact.” This comic contest for creators worldwide offers cash prizes, media placement opportunities, and creative app licenses, providing a chance for enthusiastic young creators to learn new techniques and connect with influential media organizations. This contest is hosted jointly with Mangadraft, an online platform for independent comics, manga, and webtoons in France and Belgium.
Open from April 30 to June 30, 2026, the Global Comic Awards is accepting English- and French-language comic submissions from comic creators of all ages. Participating artists can have their stories seen by many and potentially connect with international comic, manga, and webtoon publishers supporting the contest. Stories should be between 8–16 pages with one cover page or between 40–80 panels for webtoons, and will be judged by a panel of industry professionals including French illustrator Camille Fourcade and ZD., a comic artist working with French publisher Ankama Editions. There will also be a public vote on Mangadraft.
Prizes include €2,000 for the Manga and Webtoon Grand Prizes (1 person per category) and €1,000 for the judge’s pick, as well as cash prizes for a community-voted award and 5 Excellence Awards.
Mangadraft × Clip Studio Paint’s Global Comic Awards (Round 8)
https://www.mangadraft.com/contests/global-comic-awards-2026.en
Through these events, Celsys, together with leaders in comic culture both in Japan and across the globe, continues to support young creators aspiring to become professional artists.
■ Contest categories and prizes
Comic Grand Prize
Prize money: €2,000 (US$2,200)
Prize: Clip Studio Paint EX (Single-device plan, three years)
Prize: 1-year Pro Creator subscription on Mangadraft
Prize: Privileged access to Mangadraft's Original Program
Webtoon Grand Prize
Prize money: €2,000 (US$2,200)
Prize: Clip Studio Paint EX (Single-device plan, three years)
Prize: 1-year Pro Creator subscription on Mangadraft
Prize: Privileged access to Mangadraft's Original Program
Judge’s Pick
Prize money:€1,000 (US$1,100)
Prize: Clip Studio Paint EX (Single-device plan, three years)
Prize: 1-year Pro Creator subscription on Mangadraft
Prize: Privileged access to Mangadraft's Original Program
Most Voted
Prize money: €500 (US$550)
Prize: Clip Studio Paint EX (Single-device plan, one year)
Prize: 1-year Pro Creator subscription on Mangadraft
Excellence Award
(5 winners)
Prize money: €100 (US$110)
Prize: Clip Studio Paint EX (Single-device plan, six months)
Prize: 6-month Pro Creator subscription on Mangadraft
Prize: Privileged access to Mangadraft's Original Program
▼About Mangadraft's Original Program
https://www.mangadraft.com/p/programme-createur-original
Note: Prize money is set in Euros. US dollar equivalents are shown as a reference and may differ slightly depending on exchange rates.
■ Theme: “Impact”
Description: Impact can refer both to effects on space—such as a meteorite strike—and to physical force, like the impact of a blow. It encompasses all forms of collision and influence.
■ Schedule
Entry Period: April 30–June 30, 2026 16:00 UTC
Voting period: June 30–July 21, 2026 16:00 UTC
Results announced: August (TBD)
■ How to Enter
Sign up for Mangadraft and post your original comic by clicking on “I'm taking part” for the “Global Comic Awards 2026” competition in the list of competitions.
Then you can complete your project file and start adding the content.
https://www.mangadraft.com/contests/global-comic-awards-2026.en
Please note that it will take at least up to 30 minutes for your comic to be uploaded on the site.
Please see the Mangadraft site for more information and FAQ.
https://www.mangadraft.com/contests/global-comic-awards-2026.en
■ Submission guidelines
・Format: Page comics or webtoons
・Content: Original works only made for this competition
・Number of submissions: The same author may submit only one work
・Age restriction: All Ages
・Length: 8–16 pages plus cover (total 9–17 pages for comics) / 40–80 panels (for webtoon)
・Language: English or French
・Dimensions: Minimum width of 800 px
・Other: You must have a 500x500 avatar icon on your project.
■ Supporting Media
KADOKAWA, JumpTOON, Ki-oon, Ankama Éditions, Star Comics, Norma Editorial, EARTH STAR COMICS, Mangatari Co., Ltd, Glénat Manga
■ Guest Judges
Camille Fourcade (Illustrator)
Camille Fourcade (or Ludmi) is a French illustrator based in Nantes. After training at an animation school in Paris, she ultimately decided to pursue illustration and began her career by creating two webtoons for the Ono platform. She now diversifies her work, creating illustrations for children's books, covers for fantasy novels, and is currently working on her first graphic novel, published by Dupuis.
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/ludmilacerafoce
ZD. (Manga artist)
ZD. is a French manga artist. He is currently working on his first series, SPACE PUNCH, published by Ankama Editions. Six volumes are already available.
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/zd.corp/
X:
https://x.com/ZD_corp
■ Organizers
CLIP STUDIO PAINT by CELSYS, Inc.
https://www.clipstudio.net/
Mangadraft
https://www.mangadraft.com/
About Mangadraft
Mangadraft is a digital publishing platform where creators can post their comics and manga. It hosts more than 12,000 comics primarily by French and Belgian creators, which can be read for free. Mangadraft also provides services to support creators.
Mangadraft website:
https://www.mangadraft.com/
Mangadraft X account:
https://x.com/Mangadraft
Mangadraft Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/mangadraft/
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
