"Only Dual Job Holders Eligible" Japanese Shonen Jump Establishes Manga Award for Office Workers

Only Those with Work Experience Eligible to Apply
Consulting Provided by Former Office Worker Cartoonists

The Japanese weekly magazine "Shonen Jump," published by Shueisha and known for serializing manga such as "Slam Dunk" and "Dragon Ball," has created a buzz by launching a manga contest exclusively for working professionals. Since the contest selects only ordinary office workers, excluding professional manga artists and aspiring manga creators, it is expected to gather a more diverse range of content. Attention is also focused on whether this new initiative can bring about change in the Japanese manga industry, which has recently struggled due to monotonous content.

On the 27th, the Shonen Jump editorial department announced the establishment of a manga contest for working professionals called the "Working Adult Shonen Manga Award." The eligibility is limited to "people aged 15 or older who have experience working in a job." This is Shonen Jump's first contest exclusively for working professionals.

Poster for Shonen Jump's contest for working adults, the "Working Adult Shonen Manga Award." (Photo by Shonen Jump)

In the announcement, Shonen Jump stated, "No matter where you live or what you do, now is the time to become a manga artist," and added, "We created this new contest to reward those who aim to serialize in Shonen Jump even if they are working professionals." Japanese media reported that the award is for those who, after working in a company, have not given up on their dream of becoming manga artists and want to try again, as well as for "N-jobbers" who juggle both work and manga creation.

The judging panel is composed entirely of manga artists with experience working in regular jobs. The judges include Kenta Shinohara, author of "Witch Watch," Yuto Tsukuda of "Shokugeki no Soma," Kaiu Shirai, original creator of "The Promised Neverland," and Hajime Koumoto of "Mashle." Most of them were employed in ordinary companies and, unable to give up their dream of becoming manga artists, resigned and debuted as manga creators.

This contest is fully tailored for working professionals. During the contest period, Shonen Jump plans to publish interviews focusing on how each judge started as a working professional and eventually achieved serialization in Shonen Jump.

In addition to manuscripts, submission of a "Creative Career Sheet" detailing the applicant's writing period and current job responsibilities related to manga creation is mandatory. Shonen Jump explained this is to "understand the diverse backgrounds of each applicant."

Works that reach the final judging stage will receive consulting from judges who are also former working professionals. They will provide advice on the applicants' careers, including their current work situations. Shonen Jump emphasized, "We will offer detailed opinions on whether to develop drawing skills or pursue a path as an original creator."

The contest will accept submissions until May 7 next year. Results will be announced in the weekly Shonen Jump issue released at the end of June. Winners will receive prize money and an opportunity to serialize in Shonen Jump. The prize amounts are 1 million yen (approximately 9.07 million KRW) for the grand prize, 500,000 yen (approximately 4.53 million KRW) for the runner-up, and 300,000 yen (approximately 2.72 million KRW) for honorable mentions.

However, as a magazine that has sustained the legacy of the Japanese manga industry, opinions on this contest are mixed. An online media outlet quoted a manga editor saying, "Is Shonen Jump running out of talent? There are concerns that there is no real meaning in recruiting exclusively for working professionals, but at the same time, there is great expectation that opening the door due to industry manpower shortages will be very helpful."