Nail Trend Contest Hosted by a Nail School with Over 160,000 Graduates: '13th HUMAN ACADEMY CUP Nail Art Contest 2026'

Human Academy Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director: Tomonobu Tanaka; hereinafter "the Company"), which operates educational services, will host the "13th HUMAN ACADEMY CUP Nail Art Contest 2026," a competition for original nail art designs, through its adult education program, "Human Academy – Comprehensive School for Qualifications and Career Support" (hereinafter "the School").

【Key Points of the Announcement】

● Hosting a nail art contest as a platform for students to present their learning outcomes and for nail artists and learners to exchange ideas

● Launched in 2012, the contest has seen growing participation each year and is now in its 13th edition

● Judges include JNA-certified instructors, leading nail artists in the industry, and editors-in-chief of specialized nail magazines

Best Professional Category Entry from 2025

【Overview of the Event】

Since 2012, the School has hosted the "Nail Art Contest" with the goal of contributing to self-improvement through nail art. The 13th edition will have the theme "Freely Breezy! – Freely and Lightly!" and will accept original works that express individuality through nail design.

There are three main categories: the "Student Category" for nail school students and general participants, the "Professional Category" for nail instructors, nail artists, and artists, and the "Junior Category" for high school students and younger.

Judging will be conducted by JNA-certified instructors, STORYJEL365 educators, leading industry nail artists, and editors-in-chief of nail magazines, evaluating technical skill and creativity. Additionally, the organizing committee has launched an official Instagram account, introducing a "Like Award" determined by the number of likes received.

● Special Website: https://event.athuman.com/nail2026/

● Official Instagram Account: "Nail Art Contest Office_Human Academy"

https://www.instagram.com/nailartcontest_humanacademy/

【Submission Details】

■ Submitted Works

Five nail tips featuring unpublished original designs that align with the theme

■ How to Apply

Complete the application form and submit image data

■ Application Period

July 8 (Wed), 2026 – July 26 (Sun), 2026

■ Participation Fee: Free

【Categories and Eligibility】

1. Professional Category

Eligibility: Active or former professional nail artists

2. Student Category

Eligibility: Students, nail school attendees, and general participants who do not qualify for the Professional Category

3. Junior Category

Eligibility: High school students and younger; individuals under 18 years old if not in high school

【Judging Criteria】

Expressiveness: Designs must align with the theme

Originality: Designs should be creative and break from conventional frameworks

Technical Skill: High-level technique must be demonstrated, regardless of design or method

【Results Announcement】

Results will be announced via Instagram Live.

Friday, August 21, 2026

【Main Awards and Prizes】

Image: Best Student Category Entry from 2025
Image: Best Junior Category Entry from 2025

■ Professional Category (3 winners total)

・Grand Prize (1 winner): Gift voucher worth 50,000 yen, commemorative trophy, certificate, and 20 colors of STORYJEL365 gel polish

・Excellence Award (1 winner): Gift voucher worth 30,000 yen, commemorative trophy, certificate, and 10 colors of STORYJEL365 gel polish

・Selected Entry (1 winner): Gift voucher worth 20,000 yen, commemorative trophy, certificate, and 5 colors of STORYJEL365 gel polish

■ Student Category (3 winners total)

・Grand Prize (1 winner): Gift voucher worth 30,000 yen, commemorative trophy, certificate, and 10 colors of STORYJEL365 gel polish

・Excellence Award (1 winner): Gift voucher worth 20,000 yen, commemorative trophy, certificate, and 5 colors of STORYJEL365 gel polish

・Selected Entry (1 winner): Gift voucher worth 10,000 yen, commemorative trophy, certificate, and 3 colors of STORYJEL365 gel polish

■ Junior Category (3 winners total)

・Grand Prize (1 winner): Certificate, 10 colors of STORYJEL365 gel polish, and a nail bag

・Excellence Award (1 winner): Certificate, 5 colors of STORYJEL365 gel polish, and a nail bag

・Selected Entry (1 winner): Certificate, 3 colors of STORYJEL365 gel polish, and a nail bag

【Judge Profiles】

Teacher Nakayama Chieko

JNA Certified Instructor Master Educator

Instagram followers: 103,000

Teacher AKANE

JNA Headquarters Certified Instructor

Instagram followers: 102,000

Teacher Eriko Takei

JNA Headquarters Certified Instructor

STORYJEL365 Art Director

Teacher Satoruko Iida – JNA Permanent Headquarters Certified Instructor

Teacher Yukari Mochizuki – JNA Permanent Headquarters Certified Instructor

Teacher Nao Ojima – JNA Headquarters Certified Instructor

Player from Osaka Evessa※ (Special Judge)

Naomi Tahara, Editor-in-Chief of 'NAIL EX'

Daisuke Udagawa, Editor-in-Chief of 'NAIL VENUS'

※ A player from Osaka Evessa, a professional basketball team operated by the Humax Group, will participate as a special judge, selecting emotionally rich works from an athlete's perspective.

【Future Outlook】

The Company aims to contribute to the nail service market by nurturing talented nail artists with high technical ability, design sense, and creativity who can set nail trends, through events like the nail contest that provide platforms for showcasing learning outcomes and fostering interaction among nail artists.

■ About Human Academy Nail School

Human Academy Nail School offers nail technician training courses with over 200 certified instructors from the Japan Nailist Association (JNA), a nonprofit organization, across 27 campuses nationwide. Since its launch in 1997, it celebrates its 29th anniversary this year, boasting over 160,000 graduates and over 65,000 certification passers. With convenient access from Hokkaido to Okinawa and skilled instructors providing thorough guidance, it offers an environment where even beginners can achieve their dream of becoming a nailist.

(※1, ※2 As of March 2026)

● Nail School Website: https://haa.athuman.com/academy/nail/

■ About Human Academy: https://manabu.athuman.com/

Human Academy, as an "Edutainment Company" that makes learning enjoyable, has developed over 800 courses since its founding in 1985, adapting to social and technological changes. It supports STEAM education, reskilling, and lifelong learning for all life stages, from preschoolers to seniors.

Furthermore, it promotes its unique "Human Academy GIGA School Initiative" and has developed the learning support platform "assist." SELFing support counselors and instructors provide personalized progress management and consultation tailored to individual learning goals and objectives.