Next Manga Award 2024 Winners: Celebrating Fresh Manga Talent
The anticipation has ended! Kadokawa’s annual Next Manga Award, a beacon for burgeoning manga artists and groundbreaking stories, recently unveiled its highly anticipated list of winners. This year’s ceremony, streamed live on Niconico, celebrated an incredible pool of talent, showcasing the vibrant future of the manga industry. Out of a staggering 7,952 submissions, a dedicated special committee meticulously narrowed down the field to 100 nominees—40 print manga and 60 web manga—for the final fan vote. An impressive 382,581 votes were cast by fans, underscoring the immense excitement and community engagement surrounding this prestigious award.
Discovering the Next Big Hit: What is the Next Manga Award?
Established in 2014 by Kadokawa’s Da Vinci magazine and the streaming platform Niconico, the Next Manga Award, officially known as Tsugi ni Kuru Manga Taishou, serves a vital role in identifying and promoting fresh, innovative manga titles. It acts as a powerful launchpad for creators, bringing their work into the spotlight and helping them gain widespread recognition. The award was initially structured with two key categories: “Manga We Want to See Become a Hit” for print titles and “Web Manga We Want to See Published as a Book” for digital creations. This forward-thinking approach ensures that both traditional and digital publishing avenues receive equal attention and celebration.
To be eligible for this prestigious honor, manga titles must meet specific criteria. They are required to be currently serialized in a magazine, and their serialization must have commenced in the previous year, or they must have no more than five collected volumes released. This ensures that the award truly focuses on new and emerging works, rather than already established series. A significant aspect of the award is its Hall of Fame: the top three titles in each category are inducted, making them ineligible for future Next Manga Award entries. This system consistently cycles in new talent, keeping the competition fresh and relevant each year.
The Future of Print: Top Print Manga Winners
The print manga category this year showcased a fantastic array of stories, ranging from heartwarming slice-of-life narratives to thrilling action-packed adventures. Fans eagerly cast their votes, propelling their favorite new series to the top. Earning the coveted first place was Someone Hertz, a title that clearly resonated deeply with readers. Following closely were Futari Bus and Register!, both solidifying their places in the Next Manga Award Hall of Fame. These three titles are now cemented as must-reads for any manga enthusiast looking for the next big series.
Here are the top 20 print manga recognized this year:
- Someone Hertz
- Futari Bus
- Register!
- Parashoppers
- Silver Mountain
- Manemane Nichinichi
- Yamero Suki ni Natteshimau
- Koi to Yobu ni wa Sasayaka desu ga
- Roku no Okashi na Ie
- Shachou to Sake to Hoshi
- Kurotsuki no Yaergnacht
- Rou Warai
- Kesa mo Yuraretemasu
- Oshiete Shitsuji-kun
- Konzukushi
- 2-nen B-gumi Yuusha Destroyers
- Dig It
- Houkago Kitaku Biyori
- Osananananajimi
- Tsutte Tabetai Gal Sawa-san
Digital Dominance: Top Web Manga Winners
Web manga continues to grow in popularity, offering creators a dynamic platform to share their stories with a global audience. This year’s web manga category highlighted the incredible diversity and innovation thriving in the digital space. Taking the top spot was Okaeri Suiheisen, capturing the hearts of thousands of voters. Securing the second position was Hitoner, followed by the charming Haimiya-senpai wa Kowakute Kawaii. These three outstanding web manga now join the Hall of Fame, a testament to their compelling narratives and strong fan bases.
Explore the full list of top 20 web manga winners:
- Okaeri Suiheisen
- Hitoner
- Haimiya-senpai wa Kowakute Kawaii
- Otona Taisen
- Toshi Densetsu-senpai
- Haruno-san no Koto nante Zenzen Suki
- Idolatry
- Kurumizawa Yoshihiko no Gukou
- WITCHRIV
- Kaisha to Shiseikatsu: On to Off
- Tonari no Seki no Yatsu ga Souiu Me de Mitekuru
- Seikatsu Man
- Blue Archive: Game Kaihatsu-bu Daibouken!
- Kami Yomu Futari
- Daiakutou Shounen
- Hatori to Furuta no Hinichijou Sahanji
- Moriagaranai Date
- Bateren Kaidan
- Harem Yuusha Densetsu
- Tachinomi Izakaya de Kuudere Downer-kei Joshidaisei ga Tonari ni Kuru Hanashi
Special Recognition: Industry Awards
Beyond the fan-voted categories, several special awards were also presented by industry partners, recognizing specific titles for their unique appeal and potential. These awards highlight different facets of manga creation and publishing, offering additional platforms for visibility.
- U-Next Award (Print Manga): Dig It – This award signals a strong recommendation for a print manga with significant potential for broader adaptation or digital distribution.
- U-Next Award (Web Manga): WITCHRIV – Similarly, this honor for a web manga recognizes its compelling narrative and likely success in digital formats and beyond.
- Nichirei Foods Award: Kyoukai no Melody – This special recognition from Nichirei Foods likely highlights a manga with themes that align with their brand or a story with broad appeal.
- Niconico Manga Award: Jimi na Ojisan, Jitsu wa Eiyuu deshita. Jikaku ga Nai Mama Musou shitetara, Mei no Dungeon Haishin de Sarasareteta you desu – Given by Niconico Manga, this award specifically points to a title that has performed exceptionally well or generated significant buzz on their platform, often due to its engaging storytelling and unique premise.
Why These Awards Matter to Fans and Creators
The Next Manga Award is more than just a competition; it is a vital ecosystem for the manga industry. For creators, it offers unparalleled exposure, attracting new readers and potential publishers, driving forward their careers. For fans, it provides a curated list of fresh, high-quality manga that they might otherwise miss. With thousands of new titles emerging each year, these awards serve as an invaluable guide, helping readers discover their next favorite series.
This year’s winners truly represent the diverse and innovative spirit of current manga. Whether you prefer the tactile experience of a print volume or the convenience of digital webcomics, there is undoubtedly a new series on these lists waiting to captivate your imagination. Make sure to check out these award-winning titles and support the next generation of manga masterpieces!
