Call for Entries: 1 Million Yen Prize & Voice Drama by Shouta Aoi! 'Estar Novel Award 2026: Mecha Comic Female-Oriented Manga Original Story Award' Now Open

Estar Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; President and CEO: Masaki Yamashita) will launch the 'Mecha Comic Female-Oriented Manga Original Story Award,' a collaboration with Mecha Comic Co., Ltd., on its novel submission site 'Estar' starting June 15, 2026.

This sixth edition expands its theme to attract a wider range of submissions and offers the largest prize in its history: 1 million yen. Additionally, popular voice actor Shouta Aoi, known for his role as Subayashi Ai in 'Uta no☆Prince-sama♪,' joins as a special judge. The winning work of the 'Voice Award' will be adapted into a voice drama featuring Shouta Aoi.

We welcome submissions featuring 'heroines you want to cheer for' and 'heroes you'd want Shouta Aoi to portray.'

The contest runs from June 15, 2026 (Mon) to September 13, 2026 (Sun).

Official Contest Page for 'Mecha Comic Female-Oriented Manga Original Story Award'

https://estar.jp/official_contests/159888

Your novel could become a manga on 'Mecha Comic'!

The 'Mecha Comic Female-Oriented Manga Original Story Award' is a novel contest co-hosted by Mecha Comic Co., Ltd. and Estar to discover original stories for female-oriented manga adaptations.

This contest seeks love stories and romance fantasy works that captivate women aged 20 to 40.

Readers of 'Mecha Comic' deeply empathize with the protagonists, cheering them on as the story unfolds.

We are looking for stories that carefully depict the protagonist's inner journey—why they fell in love, why they found the courage to take a step forward, why they chose a difficult path.

The more realistic the protagonist's struggles and decisions, the more readers will stand by them until the end. We are waiting for protagonists who will be loved and supported by readers!

Official Contest Page for 'Mecha Comic Female-Oriented Manga Original Story Award'

https://estar.jp/official_contests/159888

■ Prizes

Grand Prize

(1) Guaranteed manga adaptation on Mecha Comic Original

(2) 1,000,000 yen prize

(3) Commentary from the Mecha Comic editorial team

Silver Prize

(1) Consideration for manga adaptation on Mecha Comic Original

(2) 100,000 yen prize

(3) Commentary from the Mecha Comic editorial team

Bronze Prize

(1) Consideration for manga adaptation on Mecha Comic Original

(2) 10,000 yen prize

(3) Commentary from the Mecha Comic editorial team

Voice Award

(1) Voice drama adaptation featuring Shouta Aoi

(2) Consideration for manga adaptation on Mecha Comic Original

(3) Comment from special judge Shouta Aoi

■ Special Judge Introduction

Shouta Aoi

Born August 11, from Fukui Prefecture.

Debuted as a voice actor in 2011. Notable roles include Subayashi Ai in 'Uta no☆Prince-sama♪,' Chudo Yuyu in 'Cardfight!! Vanguard will+Dress,' Tachibana Itsuki in 'Phantasy Star Online 2 The Animation,' Kaiser Insight in 'Princess Connect! Re:Dive,' Geordo Stuart in 'My Next Life as a Villainess: All Routes Lead to Doom!,' and Hanazawa Makoto in 'The Criminal Hanazawa-san,' among many others.

After releasing the mini-album 'Blue Bird' in June 2013, he has continued to forge his own unique artistic path.

He is active across various fields, including voice acting, acting, stage performances, and singing.

― Message from Shouta Aoi ―

I am Shouta Aoi, honored to serve as the special judge for the newly established 'Voice Award'!

For the winning work of the 'Voice Award,' I will personally provide voice acting and deliver it to you as a 'voice drama.'

I'm looking forward to free and fun stories featuring heroes you'd want me to portray. Romance and romantic comedy (??) are also welcome!

I can't wait to encounter many of your stories! I'm looking forward to your submissions!

■ Schedule

Submission Period: June 15, 2026 (Mon) 12:00:00 – September 13, 2026 (Sun) 27:59:59

First Announcement: Early November 2026 (tentative)

Second Announcement: Early December 2026 (tentative)

Final Results Announcement: Early February 2027 (tentative)

■ Submission Guidelines

Works of 50,000 characters or more (short story series acceptable)

Originals intended for manga adaptation, targeting women aged 20–40

Must include romantic elements or interpersonal relationships between men and women

This year, we have set recommended story themes centered around 'heroines you want to cheer for':

① 'Meiji/Taisho × Resilient Unfortunate Woman × Lone Hero'

② 'Modern × Kind, Capable Woman Often at a Disadvantage × Lone Hero'

③ 'Western Fantasy × Heroine Who Decides Her Own Life'

④ 'Western Fantasy × Two Characters Who Join Forces Due to Shared Interests'

For detailed submission guidelines, please visit the official contest page on Estar.

https://estar.jp/official_contests/159888

Additionally, in conjunction with this contest, we are publishing a special interview with editors from 'Mecha Comic.' This must-read content for applicants covers what kind of works the contest is seeking and which manga are hits on 'Mecha Comic.'

https://monokaki.ink/n/nf792425dc488

【About Mecha Comic Original】

One of the most popular content types on 'Mecha Comic' is manga adaptations based on Estar originals.

Hit titles such as 'The Healing Neighbor Has a Secret' (original: Natsuko Umezawa), which was adapted into a drama, and 'Taisho Substitute Marriage: Candy Melts Sweetly' (original: Mika Usubuki), with total sales exceeding 500 million yen, continue to emerge from Estar originals.

■ Mecha Comic Original Official Website

https://original.mechacomic.jp/

■ Mecha Comic

https://mechacomic.jp/

■ About Estar

Launched in 2010, Estar is a novel creation platform where diverse genres—including romance, fantasy, horror, mystery, BL, youth, and non-fiction—are submitted by users.

Works that catch the attention of the Estar editorial team are supported in their debut through partnerships with over 40 publishers, receiving offers for book publication, media adaptations, and more.

We also host various contests tailored to writers' needs, such as the 'Estar Novel Award,' co-hosted with publishers who can offer book publication and manga adaptation rights, and the 'Delusion Contest,' a short-form contest open to entries of just 100 characters.

As part of our creator support program, we offer revenue-sharing features like 'Star Gift' to enhance our services and continue supporting aspiring novelists.

Moving forward, Estar will remain a creative community dedicated to the concept of 'a place where everyone can shine (everystar),' bringing stories born from individual thoughts and words to a wider global audience.