A message from SMA Chief Editor, Shuichi “Mocchi” Mochida
Shuichi “Mocchi” Mochida
Board Member, COAMIX Inc.
CEO, Kumamoto COAMIX Inc.
Chief Editor, SILENT MANGA AUDITION® Committee
“We would like to express our thanks for your continuous support of SMA and your participation in SMA19! This time we received 824 entries from 88 countries, the most number of entries for twice-yearly AND a yearly SMA round! For this round the top number of entries were from the United States, with Togo, North Macedonia, Maldives, Armenia, and Guyana joining SMA for the first time.
It was truly humbling to witness so many talented creators join this round, and it was the best possible way to celebrate over 10 years of SMA. It’s clear that your passion for manga and support helped us achieve this record-breaking number of entries, and in turn we feel that we should work even harder to help you debut in Japan. We’re looking forward to inviting the Grand Prix recipients and Grand Prix Runner-Ups to join the MasterClass and introducing them to the Artists Village Aso 096k, where MasterClass members are working hard with us in Japan to debut!
While reviewing all of the SMA19 entries, we were very happy to once again see your potential and talent through so many high-quality entries. It’s clear that after each round the overall quality of the entries is getting better and better. It was particularly exciting to see so many talented young creators join this round, and we’re excited that SMA is resonating with so many up-and-coming creators. We hope you can further cultivate your skills and talents by referencing this round’s top awarded works while you prepare for SMA20!
Thank you all once again for your continued support of SMA and unmatched passion for manga. We wish you all the best in your preparations for the next round and can’t wait to see what you create!”
Shuichi “Mocchi” Mochida
COMMENTS FROM THE JUDGES
Tsukasa HOJO
“The amount of variation in art style and storytelling once again made a strong impression on me. All the top awarded manga were incredibly well-crafted, but speaking from my personal perspective, none of them left a sense of urgency within me to read them again or learn more about its creators. I hope that in the future, you can strive to capture the attention of your readers with even more emotionally rich stories.”
Creator: City Hunter, etc.
Tetsuo HARA
“This time, I was delighted to come across many young and exceptionally talented entries, which made reviewing them a true pleasure. We don’t expect entries to be flawless; after all, it’s an “audition.” What we’re looking for is that spark in each entry that makes us think, “This creator has the potential to achieve amazing things in the future with our support!” I look forward to seeing more entries that evoke that feeling in SMA20 as well.”
Co-Creator: Fist of the North Star, etc.
Ryuji TSUGIHARA
“Is there anything that international creators cannot do? The quality of their works is just outstanding. About the characters’ emotions and expression, I feel you have already reached very high levels. Since you are still very young, I want you to dedicate time and effort to master the art of storytelling and how to convey the emotions of your characters to the heart of the readers.”
Creator: Yoroshiku Mecha-Doc, etc.
Jun TOMIZAWA
“This time, we didn’t see any entries that aimed to play with the readers’ hearts or utilized words to convey the message of the theme. It was a truly enjoyable silent manga round! And it seems like cats were a popular theme this time around (laughs). Some entries may have been affected by an excessive amount of details on their pages. Remember to determine the overall tone of your work first and then add details to enhance its impact and shine!”
Creator: Koroshi-ya Menkichi (Menkichi the Avenger), etc.
Nobuhiko HORIE
“With the largest number of entries to date, SMA19 once again demonstrated that the overall quality of work from international creators is on par with manga professionals in Japan. The expressions of the characters and the heartwarming or impactful artwork have been particularly impressive, igniting anticipation for inviting more award-winners to debut in Japan with our support. Well done to everyone involved! Let’s set our sights on reaching 1000 entries next time!”
CEO, COAMIX Inc.
Author: Keiji’s Kabuki Adventure, etc.
(Former Chief Editor, Weekly Shonen Jump)
Monthly Comic ZENON Editorial Dept.
“Some entries made a stronger effort than others to entertain the readers. In Comic ZENON, we prioritize evaluating how creators engage with readers rather than the complexity or overall quality of entries. We are currently working with selected MasterClass members for their debut in Japan soon. We are excited to work with more entertainment-focused creators in the future!”
Publications: Record of Ragnarok, etc.
PRIZES FROM OUR SUPPLIERS
A manga set with vibrant colored markers, illustration prints, and even multiliners from Copic.
Check THIS VIDEO to see how this prize can be used to create beautiful manga!
A curated set of 12 colored markers bundled with a guidebook from Copic.
Check THIS VIDEO to see how this prize can be used to create beautiful manga!
A manga set with models and instructions to learn how to draw analogue manga from I・C.
Check THIS VIDEO to see how this prize can be used to create beautiful manga!
GRAND PRIX
500,000 JPY
Offer to Enter the MasterClass
Introduction to our Artists Village Aso 096k Project
To Be Published on the Manga App “MangaHot”
To Be Featured in Monthly Comic ZENON
TITLE The Unexpected Dinner Guest
CREATOR ryancomicpress
COUNTRY United States
Read this MANGA
Comments
Ryuji TSUGIHARA:
“The simplicity of the story was beautifully complemented by the artist’s strong personality and easily relatable emotions, captivating readers on every page. It was impossible not to be charmed by this work.”
Tsukasa HOJO:
“Every aspect of the entry was meticulously crafted to provide readers with the most enjoyable reading experience. And who can resist the adorable cat? Thank you for this amazing piece of work, I’m eagerly looking forward to your next one!”
Too Marker Products. Inc.:
“We were particularly impressed by the use of tone to express the old man’s emotion and soft expression in the scene where the old man and the cat are safely reunited. The artist’s excellent use of simple tones displayed their highly technical skills.” (I・C Prize)
TITLE Eyes of Snow
CREATOR Nachi
COUNTRY Vietnam
Read this MANGA
Comments
Nobuhiko HORIE:
“The splendid drawings and beautiful expressions of the characters kept me captivated, unable to take my eyes off the pages even for a second. We have high expectations for you going forward, so let’s work hard together for your debut!”
Tetsuo HARA:
“Among the many entries that joined this time, “Eyes of Snow” was the one that left a stronger impression on me. I can’t wait to read this creator’s next work with their original illustration-like style now that they are part of the MasterClass.”
Too Marker Products. Inc.:
“Although the work is attractive enough in black and white, we selected it with the hope of seeing the difference between the world the girl can see and the colored world by using Copic in the future.” (My First Copic Prize)
GRAND PRIX RUNNER-UP
300,000 JPY
Offer to Enter the MasterClass
Introduction to our Artists Village Aso 096k Project
To Be Published on the Manga App “MangaHot”
To Be Featured in Monthly Comic ZENON
TITLE Wisteria Heart
CREATOR NASS
COUNTRY United States
Read this MANGA
Comments
Jun TOMIZAWA:
“Your paneling, drawings, and character expressions are all top-notch! Maybe you could have expanded a bit more on the relationship between the main characters to make the story feel more complete. Additionally, be mindful of not adding too much screentone in the final manuscript for a smoother reading experience. Incredible job overall!”
Too Marker Products. Inc.:
“The work was a delicate depiction, yet it strongly conveys the girl’s sadness, and the psychological transitions were beautifully expressed. The theme of the work seems to be wisteria flowers, and we would love to see their wonderful colors illustrated someday.” (My First Copic Prize)
TITLE ENCORE
CREATOR Thuntopia
COUNTRY Thailand
Read this MANGA
Comments
Tsukasa HOJO:
“The story was so good! The creator was also able to convey all the necessary emotions inside the story with such a limited number of pages (only 10!). If I can offer just one criticism, it would be that it wasn’t clear who the old man was (her father? grandfather?). With that information explained, the emotional impact would have been much greater. All in all, amazing job!”
TITLE I’ll Be There
CREATOR 米豆 (Mido)
COUNTRY Taiwan
Read this MANGA
Comments
Ryuji TSUGIHARA:
“Impressive art style! It showcased the creator’s immense potential and foreshadowed what they will be capable of creating in the future. Keep working on paneling and composition for your next manga!”
TITLE Forget me not
CREATOR maya fella
COUNTRY Algeria
Read this MANGA
Comments
Tetsuo HARA:
“You are only 16 years old, and yet you were able to portray such profound human emotions through your exceptional art style. I’m truly impressed. I hope that by joining the MasterClass, you will gain a better understanding of Japanese manga and work diligently with us towards your debut.”
EXCELLENCE AWARD
100,000 JPY
To Be Published on the Manga App “MangaHot”
To Be Featured in Monthly Comic ZENON
TITLE Tear
CREATOR Yinfu
COUNTRY Taiwan
Read this MANGA
Comments
ZENON Editorial Dept:
“In our opinion, this entry stood out as the one that made the greatest effort to entertain readers with a powerful and meaningful ending. It was a pleasure to read such a well-crafted and beautifully executed work.”
Too Marker Products. Inc:
“We were impressed by the rich expressions of the characters and the very effective use of various types of screens. We were also impressed by the high level of expression in the double-page spread at the end of the story, where the atmosphere suddenly takes a turn for the better.” (I・C Prize)
TITLE Lost and Found
CREATOR Volpe
COUNTRY Mexico
Read this MANGA
Comments
Tsukasa HOJO:
“This entry displayed an incredibly high level of quality. However, it was missing the core dramatic element that would have compelled readers to eagerly turn the pages. For your next entry, I recommend envisioning the climactic moment of your story first and then constructing the narrative backward from there.”
TITLE Waiting
CREATOR Kshatriya
COUNTRY Indonesia
Read this MANGA
Comments
SMA Editorial Dept:
“The story was constructed in a easy-to-understand manner. It’s unfortunate that a very important part of the plot was hidden inside the newspaper headlines. For your next work try to challenge yourself not to use the words at all and you be on the path for higher awards!”
TITLE Seca
CREATOR Dani Bolinho and Carlo
COUNTRY Brazil
Read this MANGA
Comments
Nobuhiko HORIE:
“Your artwork in the story was outstanding. The concept was interesting and well executed, but it needed more drama and a climax to receive a higher award. Keep submitting your manga! We hope to have you join the MasterClass in the future and aim big in Japan!”
TITLE Lost in flames, found in memories
CREATOR Alcro & Papouchiko
COUNTRY France
Read this MANGA
Comments
Tetsuo HARA:
“Your artwork has the potential to captivate readers’ hearts and eyes. To truly showcase the brilliance of your drawings, I suggest focusing on crafting a story with a clear and beautiful climax that aligns with your art style. I’m eagerly awaiting your SMA20 entry.”
Too Marker Products. Inc.:
“The work beautifully conveyed the emotions of the woman in the final scene. The black-and-white version of the story expressed well the emotional changes that occur after the loss of a family member from a happy everyday life, so we would love to see what this artist can do with color in the future.” (Copic Prize)
TITLE Absent
CREATOR xarem
COUNTRY Portugal
Read this MANGA
Comments
Ryuji TSUGIHARA:
“Amazing art and immersive storytelling! However, the climax was a bit confusing. Please participate in SMA20 with a simpler plot and aim for better clarity. Keep up the great work!”
Too Marker Products. Inc.:
“The cute touch of the illustrations and the use of black were impressive. The psychological depiction was expressed in many fantastic scenes, so we selected this work because we would love to see this artist’s works in color as well!” (Copic Prize)
TITLE Balloons
CREATOR Kawjia
COUNTRY United States
Read this MANGA
Comments
Jun TOMIZAWA:
“Impressive talent and attention to detail at your young age! Adding a humorous expression after your character took off their mask could have created a more heartwarming climactic moment at the end. Keep up the great work, I look forward to your next submission!”
HONORABLE MENTION
10,000 JPY
TITLE Bad Joke
CREATOR ci-jins
COUNTRY Italy
Read this MANGA
Comments
Nobuhiko HORIE:
“The shift from light to extra dark tones in your story was executed excellently. However, certain scene transitions were a bit confusing. A clear moment at the end where the lights are turned back may have helped reset the story’s tone.”
TITLE Heart Of Stone
CREATOR Adween
COUNTRY France
Read this MANGA
Comments
Jun TOMIZAWA:
“I was impressed by the immense talent displayed in this creator’s work. It seems that the intention was to set the manga in a fantasy world, which is a setting you seem to enjoy. However, in this particular story, it wasn’t clear why it couldn’t be set in a normal world. With some additional adjustments, this entry may have received an even higher award.”
TITLE The End Is Where We Begin
CREATOR RyuuKun
COUNTRY Iraq
Read this MANGA
Comments
Ryuji TSUGIHARA:
“Great art and knowledge of manga-style design, but the theme wasn’t well conveyed, and the story was a bit too simplistic. Remember to keep the core of the story simple yet infused with your unique creativity when making your next SMA entry.”
TITLE My broken wings
CREATOR Tato
COUNTRY Russia
Read this MANGA
Comments
ZENON Editorial Department:
“Despite the simplicity of the line art, the creator showed a remarkable ability to design unique characters. However, the ending lacked a surprise element. If there had been an additional twist or something unexpected at the end, this work could have achieved a higher award.”
TITLE The Thrilling Night
CREATOR Rock Key
COUNTRY Malaysia
Read this MANGA
Comments
ZENON Editorial Department:
“You’ve done an exceptional job with delivering the message of your manga! If you rearranged the beginning in a way so it would connect more to the latter part of the story, your message would have stood out even more. We’re looking forward to seeing your power of delivering an emotional story in your next entry as well!”
TITLE My Friend Chonkuin
CREATOR Zanuse(Art)/ Beatrush(Story)
COUNTRY Italy / United States
Read this MANGA
Comments
Tsukasa HOJO:
“Your art style is undeniably cute, but it seemed to have a slightly darker tone that didn’t fully align with the overall theme. We are eager to see your original ideas and storytelling again in SMA20. Good luck!”
TITLE Ballerina
CREATOR Luciel
COUNTRY Italy
Read this MANGA
Comments
Jun TOMIZAWA:
“The authenticity and depth of the story were evident in every panel and character movement. The creator’s experience shone through in their work. While the story was rich with realism, adopting a more realistic art style could have further elevated this work into potentially securing a higher award.”
SMA Editorial Dept. Award
Comment from Enrico
“The beginning of the story, with its art and strong visuals, really left a lasting impression on me! To be honest, the story felt complete after the big battle. However, with that ending, the message was a bit difficult to fully understand, and that’s why you didn’t receive an award this time. Next time, make sure to create entries with simpler messages!”
Comment from Enrico
“I absolutely loved this entry! I could clearly see the creator’s intention to amaze and surprise readers through the excellent pacing of narration and the relationship between the two main characters. Just a reminder, since this is the SILENT MANGA AUDITION®, try not to rely too heavily on words to convey the message of your manga. Nonetheless, I thoroughly enjoyed your work, and I’m eagerly looking forward to reading your next masterpiece for SMA20!”
Comment from Enrico
“There’s something about this entry, with its slightly dark atmosphere and overall design, that stayed with me for a long time. The message of the story is somewhat unclear, but the overall impression of the entry is that it’s already at a level that can compete with professionals. I hope you can take a close look at the winning entries of this round and aim to define a simple and clear message for your next entry!”
Comment from Taninaka
“The scene where the girl characters encounter each other was very impressive. The way they shed tears, their slightly surprised expressions, and the way the background light shone on them all made for a well-balanced scene. The way the sick girl’s eyes were closed and the frame layout of the other girl shedding tears without showing her expression were also impressive, and the overall quality was high, although the pattern of the story has been seen before. Next time, if you can add more originality to your story, you can aim for a higher award!”
Comment from Taninaka
“At first, I wondered why only the protagonist had round bubbles on his face, but was very surprised when the reason was brilliantly revealed. The appearance of the clock hands, birds, and sounds at the moment the bubble broke was also a brilliant performance. Next time, if you could add more frames and more character episodes, such as more painful episodes of the characters and how their lives changed due to the change, it would add more depth to the story!”
Comment from Taninaka
“The drawing ability was very high. The facial expressions of the characters were wonderful, conveying their emotions well. For SMA20, your manga will be even better if you can convey the characters’ situations and the development of the story without relying on textual information!”
Comment from Chase
“The action and tension in your manga created a great atmosphere thanks to your excellent drawings of the dramatic storm and characters’ raw emotions! Even small touches such as the foreshadowing while the protagonist’s wife read the book added subtle world-building and a high level of completeness. You also used KI-SHO-TEN-KETSU to your advantage to build a great unexpected twist at the end which made me gasp. Keep up the incredible work, I’m looking forward to your next story!!”
Comment from Chase
“Right from the impactful first page I was hooked, which is important to do in a manga! The dark and striking imagery was amplified thanks to your incredible drawing ability, and the double-page spread towards the end was beautiful. The events around the middle of your manga were a bit unclear, so I recommend sharing your manga with friends and family in order to help create a simpler and easy to understand story!!”
Comment from Chase
“Your story was easy to understand and touching! (I suspect you may have been inspired by a certain scene from a popular Shonen Jump+ manga 😉). You’ve proven that you can draw your characters’ emotional expressions clear and big, and I can’t wait to see what other kinds of stories you’ll make in the future!”
Comment from Rose
“Your characters were very cute and charming! You also introduced your characters well, which is important. But overall, the overall number of panels was a little too large, so if you try to reduce them and depict the important parts larger in the future, I’m sure you’ll reach for higher awards!”
Comment from Rose
“You’ve created a simple yet lovely entry, showcasing powerful emotions of each character! You’ve shown that a story told a thousand times can be retold in a unique way and can touch readers’ hearts. I’d love to see more original stories from you in the future, and I hope to see you joining SMA20 as well!”
Comment from Rose
“Your way of drawing expressions and feelings is so realistic! The composition of the story was also done very nicely, so I could follow it without any problems! However, in the future, I suggest not adding any text inside the story at all. It’s already understood well enough without it.”
Comment from Ueda
“I was able to sympathize with the joys, sorrows, and rewards of “rehabilitation facility work,” which I am familiar with but do not know much about, because it was expressed from multiple perspectives. The story was simple and easy to understand. The middle part of the story is a bit slow, so I think it would be better if there were some tricks to make the reader keep turning the pages, such as adding intrigue in the rehabilitation scenes.”
Comment from Ueda
“I think this work is able to express the difficulty of living and the sadness of being different from others. Such themes tend to be dark, but the character design mitigates this, and I felt the author’s ingenuity. I have the impression that there is a lot of development in the story because the entire life of the main character is depicted. I think it would be easier to empathize with the main character if the scenes were narrowed down.”
Comment from Ueda
“Various aspects of the main character were depicted, but none of them seemed out of place, and I thought the characters were well-developed. Emotions were well expressed, and the content was emotionally engaging. However, due to the large number of frames, the important frames are smaller and seem to have less impact. I think the work would be easier to read and leave a lasting impression on the reader if the number of frames were reduced, and the size of the frames were adjusted to create stronger and weaker moments.”
For more amazing manga, check out the SMA19 Nominees and Candidates!
View the SMA19 Finalists – Nominees and Candidates!
The new SILENT MANGA AUDITION® is already open!
We can’t wait to display YOUR work in the next SMA!