Japan will hand out its first "Nobel Prize of Manga&quo

Post by **Maka** » Wed May 23, 2007 23:31 -0700

Hello UY fans,

So is Mr. Sakai going to be nominated for this or what!

http://www.cnn.com/2007/SHOWBIZ/books/0 ... index.html

The International Manga Award -- which manga enthusiast Foreign Minister Taro Aso likened to a "Nobel Prize" when he first proposed it last year -- will be given to an artist working abroad whose work best contributes to the spread of the manga form worldwide, the ministry said in a statement.

Wouldn't it be cool to see UY reprinted in Japanese!

Peace,

maka

shaxper · Post by **shaxper** » Thu May 24, 2007 3:55 -0700

I don't really think Usagi has much to do with spreading the "manga form," though. Though Usagi is a comic based in Feudal Japan, the format itself is quite American.

It's sad that Usagi doesn't get more recognition in Japan, but I don't think this is the award that will change all that.

Post by **Maka** » Thu May 24, 2007 8:04 -0700

shaxper wrote:I don't really think Usagi has much to do with spreading the "manga form," though. Though Usagi is a comic based in Feudal Japan, the format itself is quite American.

True, but would it hurt to nominate it? Maybe UY exposure to the Japanese judges would be good for UY exposure to Japan?

Peace, maka

Fanfan · Post by **Fanfan** » Thu May 24, 2007 10:14 -0700

Thanks for the info Maka.

Have you any other informations concerning the organisation of this contest ?

Except in Korea, i didn't see "true" manga form outside Japan, and in France Usagi is published in manga sized and a lot of people actually think it is manga...

It would be great that Usagi get a nomination (after all, we can think that this contest is to show how Japanese culture spread in the world)

Post by **Maka** » Fri May 25, 2007 6:24 -0700

Fanfan wrote: Have you any other informations concerning the organisation of this contest ?

Unfortunately not. But I did find this:

The award is open to professional and amateur manga artists worldwide by two ways — either through applications by themselves or through recommendations from publishers, the ministry said. The screening will take place on June 22 and an award ceremony will be held on July 2. The winners will be able to come to Japan for 10 days and meet with Japanese manga artists and visit publishers here, the ministry said.

http://www.japantoday.com/jp/news/407268/all

Also I was thinking how manga in Japan has so many different styles, themes, and storylines. Why wouldn't UY be a valid applicant?

If any one can apply (professonal or amateur) why not? Exposure and the chance to Mr. Sakai to win a 10 day trip back to Japan is worthwhile. Plus, the material is already created.

Peace, maka

Fanfan · Post by **Fanfan** » Sat May 26, 2007 2:13 -0700

It looks like it is the Japan Foundation that manage this prize, i have searched on their website but didn't find any relative info...
http://www.jpf.go.jp/e/index.html

Stan Sakai · Post by **Stan Sakai** » Sat May 26, 2007 7:08 -0700

The award is sponsored by the Japan Cartoonists Association, with the cooperation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Japan Foundation. Applications had to be submitted between April 1 to April 25.

I sent mine in early April, when I learn of the award from and was encouraged to do so by Shogakukan, Inc of Japan.

We'll see.

Post by **Maka** » Sat May 26, 2007 9:46 -0700

Stan Sakai wrote:The award is sponsored by the Japan Cartoonists Association, with the cooperation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Japan Foundation. Applications had to be submitted between April 1 to April 25.

I sent mine in early April, when I learn of the award from and was encouraged to do so by Shogakukan, Inc of Japan.

We'll see.

Right on! Good luck!

Peace, maka

Fanfan · Post by **Fanfan** » Sat May 26, 2007 10:46 -0700

Bonne chance!

Thomas Froehling · Sat May 26, 2007 11:18 -0700

Viel Glück;

we fans keep our fingers crossed....