Yokote Kizuna Project Adds Special Sponsorship Awards to 'Yukinko Kizuna 1P Manga Contest'! Applications Accepted Until July 12, 2026 (Sun)!

The 'Yokote Kizuna Project Executive Committee,' aiming to fuse traditional culture and cutting-edge creativity in Yokote City, Akita Prefecture, under the concept of 'Entertainment x Creators x Regional Culture,' is holding a '1P Manga Contest' with the official character 'Yukinko Kizuna' and is currently accepting submissions from across the country.

In addition to prize money, the most outstanding work will be considered for adoption as 'official settings' for future projects and will be exhibited at various facilities in Yokote City and beyond.

▼ Information on the 'Yukinko Kizuna 1P Manga Contest' can be found at the following link:

https://yokote-kizuna-project.com/1pmanga.html

◆ Additional Special Sponsorship Awards Decided for 'Yukinko Kizuna 1P Manga Contest' from Three Organizations

Following the momentum of this contest, new sponsorships have been confirmed from Exmagica Inc., Janosaki, and AIAI.

Accordingly, special awards will be added.

◆ Akita High School Students and Under Creator Award Presented by Exmagica Inc. [1 person]

Eligible Applicants

Residents of Akita aged 18 and under (excluding those who have graduated high school. As of June 30, 2026)

Selection Criteria

Applicants who demonstrate love for their local region of Akita and passion for creativity.

Prize

1 set of Wacom MovinkPad 11 (Model: DTHA116CL0Z)

<Comment from Exmagica Inc.>

We express our sincere respect for the overwhelming passion and drive that the 'Yokote Kizuna Project' is generating.

For this contest, we wanted to 'support young creators active in local Akita.' Preparing the environment for creating works like manga and illustrations is no small burden for this generation. We wanted to be of assistance to those who are working with great local love and ambition.

Akita has many creators who are rooted in their community and continue to produce wonderful content.

We wholeheartedly support all of them.

◆ Akita Young Creator Encouragement Award Presented by Janosaki [1 person]

Eligible Applicants

Residents of Akita Prefecture aged 29 and under (As of April 30, 2026)

Selection Criteria

Works that show love for local Akita, Yukinko Kizuna, and creativity.

Prize

- 10,000 yen worth of job opportunities (*1)

- 20,000 yen Amazon gift certificate

*1 You can decline job offers after reviewing the details.

<Comment from Janosaki>

I am one of the organizers of the Yokote Kizuna Project.

Since the contest began, I have been deeply moved by the numerous works filled with talent and passion submitted daily.

Although I wish to award as many people as possible, the project has strict budget limitations, so I decided to sponsor personally.

I am happy to be involved with such works, creators, and the project.

I hope this will help those who aspire to become creators to pursue their dreams without limiting their potential.

◆ AIAI Special Award [1 person]

Eligible Applicants

All applicants

Selection Criteria

Selection by AIAI.

Prize

20,000 yen Amazon gift certificate.

Sponsor Introduction

AIAI is an event platform that allows virtual talents and VTubers to 'meet fans in real spaces, not just online.' It provides comprehensive support from venue selection, staff arrangement, ticket sales, to on-site operations, enabling easy hosting of real events even with avatars or icons.

<Comment from AIAI>

As AIAI, we deeply resonate with the Yokote Kizuna Project's challenge of 'fusing tradition and virtual,' and 'connecting online and real.' Because we also work to create opportunities for virtual talents to meet fans in real spaces, we wanted to support these passionate creators. We look forward to the moment when the works and talents born from this project will move someone's heart in a real-world setting.

About the Character 'Yukinko Kizuna'

Yukinko Kizuna

A new character born from the collaboration of Yokote's Snow Festival and #kzn-chan.

From the many submitted works gathered through a design contest, 'Yukinko Kizuna,' inspired by 'snowflakes and snow domes,' was selected as the grand prize winner and newly illustrated by popular illustrator Icomochi.

#kzn

"#kzn" is a singing-focused AI born from the voice of Kizuna AI, who entered an indefinite hiatus in February 2022 for an update aimed at connecting with more 'people all over the world.' #kzn-chan serves as a hub connecting creators, fans, and technology, supporting Kizuna AI's desire to 'connect with everyone, and with you.'

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AIChannel

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@kizunaai0630

X: https://x.com/aichan_nel

HP: https://kizunaai.com/

Various Music Streaming Services: https://lnk.to/kizunaai_top

Icomochi

Worked as an illustrator for a game company before becoming freelance. Recent major works include 'FUWAMOCO (hololive EN),' 'Hiyori Sena (Blue Archive),' and 'Hatsune Miku Figure Series Sporty.' He is also actively engaged in solo activities, holding solo exhibitions such as 'Icomochi Exhibition ~CHIFFON~' in Ikebukuro, Tokyo, and 'CandyBlue' at Hanshin Department Store in Osaka in 2024.

HP: https://icomochi.com/

X: https://x.com/rswxx

About the Yokote Kizuna Project

Yokote Kizuna Project Executive Committee (in no particular order): General Incorporated Association Yokote City Tourism Association / foriio Inc. / Activ8 Inc.

A creator co-creation entertainment regional revitalization project that started in Yokote City, Akita Prefecture, with the concept of 'Entertainment x Creators x Regional Culture.' Centered around the original character 'Yukinko Kizuna,' it aims to revitalize the region by transforming local attractions into entertainment and disseminating them through co-creation with creators. Through content tourism (a new form of tourism where people visit the settings of stories), it will promote the charm of Yokote both domestically and internationally.

X: https://x.com/ykt_kzn_prj

IG: https://www.instagram.com/yokote.kizuna/

About foriio Inc.

foriio Inc. is a company that develops and operates the portfolio platform 'foriio' for creators, with the mission of 'empowering individual creators.' It diversifies its business to expand opportunities for creators' activities. Based on the 'foriio' platform, it offers 'foriio for Business' to companies, providing 'creative consulting' and 'human resource support.' The company is deepening collaborations with businesses and addressing various challenges to realize its vision of 'creating an era where creators thrive worldwide.' Website: https://foriio.com For Business Page: https://foriio.com/business

Company Information

Location: INBOUND LEAGUE 501, 5-15-14 Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo Representative: Tomohito Yamada, Representative Director Establishment Date: December 15, 2017 Business Activities: - Operation of the creator portfolio service 'foriio' - Consulting and production services using design and other creative elements to address management, business, organizational, and marketing challenges faced by companies. Inquiries regarding this release: press@foriio.com

Contact for Project-Wide Inquiries

General Incorporated Association Yokote City Tourism Association

Contact Person: Nobuyuki Takahashi, Managing Director

TEL: 0182-33-7111

E-mail: yokote@yokotekamakura.com