Unleash Your Ideas! New AI-Era Manga Award 'MOOTOON AWARD 2026 Spring' Opens for Entries on June 10
Key facts
- Unleash Your Ideas! New AI-Era Manga Award 'MOOTOON AWARD 2026 Spring' Opens for Entries on June 10
- Kimura Information Technology Co., Ltd. will begin accepting entries for the first official award of its AI manga creation platform 'MOOTOON STUDIO', the 'MOOTOON AWARD 2026 Spring', from June 10, 2026. The theme is 'Encounter', and entries will be judged by a panel including a Hollywood film visual effects artist and a former editor from a major publishing house.
- Source: PR Times
- Date: June 10, 2026
Direct answer
Kimura Information Technology Co., Ltd. will begin accepting entries for the first official award of its AI manga creation platform 'MOOTOON STUDIO', the 'MOOTOON AWARD 2026 Spring', from June 10, 2026. The theme is 'Encounter', and entries will be judged by a panel including a Hollywood film visual effects artist and a former editor from a major publishing house.
- Citation
- Unleash Your Ideas! New AI-Era Manga Award 'MOOTOON AWARD 2026 Spring' Opens for Entries on June 10 (June 10, 2026), PR Times
- Source
- PR Times
- Date
- June 10, 2026
Kimura Information Technology Co., Ltd. will begin accepting entries for the first official award of its AI manga creation platform 'MOOTOON STUDIO', the 'MOOTOON AWARD 2026 Spring', from June 10, 2026. The theme is 'Encounter', and entries will be judged by a panel including a Hollywood film visual effects artist and a former editor from a major publishing house.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: June 10, 2026 at 10:00
- 🔍 Collected: June 10, 2026 at 10:31 (31 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: June 10, 2026 at 20:08 (9h 37m after Collected)
Kimura Information Technology Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Saga City, Saga Prefecture; President: Takao Kimura; hereinafter 'Kimura Information Technology'), which operates the AI-powered manga creation platform 'MOOTOON STUDIO', will begin accepting entries for the platform's first official award, the 'MOOTOON AWARD 2026 Spring', from Wednesday, June 10, 2026.
The theme is 'Encounter'. A distinguished panel of judges, including Yoichiro Aoki, who has contributed to the visual effects of global blockbuster films such as 'GODZILLA', 'Titanic 3D', and 'Rogue One: A Star Wars Story', and a former manga editor from a major publishing house, will review all submitted works. Winners will receive individual feedback from the judges, a valuable opportunity to get direct comments from top industry professionals.
During the submission period, special credits will be distributed to support work creation. Even if you cannot draw, anyone with an idea and a story can participate. We look forward to many entries.
▼ 'MOOTOON AWARD 2026 Spring' Official Website
https://award.mootoon.ai/
Background | Changing 'I Gave Up Because I Couldn't Draw'
Many people have given up on creating manga because they cannot draw. However, with the evolution of AI technology, an era has arrived where anyone with an idea and a story can create a work.
Through its AI manga creation platform 'MOOTOON STUDIO', Kimura Information Technology aims to democratize creation in Japan, a content powerhouse. The 'MOOTOON AWARD' was born as a venue to embody this philosophy, and is the platform's first official award.
Overview of 'MOOTOON AWARD 2026 Spring'
Theme
'Encounter'
Eligible Works
Works created using 'MOOTOON STUDIO'
Page Count
Maximum 60 pages (Recommended 24-32 pages)
Genre
Free (Romance, Sci-Fi, Slice of Life, Fantasy, etc.)
Eligibility
Anyone, individual or corporation, can apply (no age restriction)
Application Period
Wednesday, June 10, 2026 - Friday, July 10, 2026
How to Apply
Post the work on X (formerly Twitter) (see official website for details)
AWARD Official Website
https://award.mootoon.ai/
Prizes
Season Best (Grand Prize) | 1 winner
Prize money: 50,000 JPY (Amazon Gift Card)
STUDIO Credits: 3,000,000 credits (*1)
Featured on MOOTOON official
Nomination as Certified Creator candidate
Judge's feedback
Excellence Award | 2 winners
Prize money: 30,000 JPY (Amazon Gift Card)
STUDIO Credits: 1,800,000 credits
Featured on MOOTOON official
Judge's feedback
Judge's Award | 4 winners
STUDIO Credits: 1,200,000 credits
Each judge selects one work at their discretion (duplicates possible)
Judge's feedback
*Details are subject to change without notice.
*Winners will be contacted via X DM.
*If no work qualifies for a prize, there may be no winner for that prize.
(*1) 3,000,000 credits are equivalent to generating approximately 1,400 manga pages. This estimate is based on using NanoBanana 2 on 'MOOTOON STUDIO', with 10 text generations, 3 art styles, and 2 character regenerations, with no corrections (straight progression).
Judging Criteria | Emphasis on 'Manga that Communicates'
Judging will comprehensively evaluate works based on four axes: ① Story and Composition, ② Character Appeal, ③ Visual Quality, and ④ Originality. The use of AI is one aspect of evaluation, but the emphasis is on 'being a manga that communicates' rather than technical skill. Beginners in manga creation are also encouraged to try.
Judge Profiles
Yoichiro Aoki (Special Judge) / Hollywood Film Stereoscopic Visual Effects Artist
Participated in the visual effects of global blockbuster films such as 'GODZILLA', 'Titanic 3D', 'Rogue One: A Star Wars Story', 'Jurassic World: Dominion', and 'Fast X'. A two-time Lumière Awards winner and a world-leading figure in visual expression.
Mr. Y / Former Manga Editor at Major Publishing House
Has handled numerous works for youth magazines and women's manga magazines. Also experienced as a manga creation instructor at a vocational school and involved in manga magazine publishing overseas. A manga industry professional well-versed in both 'creating' and 'delivering' in Japan and abroad.
A total of 4 judges, including the above two, are scheduled to review all submitted works.
Judging Schedule
June 10, 2026
Application acceptance begins
July 10, 2026
Application deadline
Late July 2026
First round of judging
Early August 2026
Final judging and winner selection
August 2026 (planned)
Result announcement and winner notification
Easy 3-Step Participation Method
STEP 01. Register for a free account on 'MOOTOON STUDIO' and create your work
STEP 02. [Recommended] Follow MOOTOON's official X account
https://x.com/officialmootoon
STEP 03. Post your work on X to complete your entry
*For details and requirements, please see the official website
https://award.mootoon.ai/
You Can Draw Manga Too! AI Manga Creation Platform 'MOOTOON STUDIO'
'MOOTOON STUDIO' focuses on detailed name (storyboard) creation. Its unique design structures production know-how such as panel layout, camera angles, art style, and manga expression techniques, and instructs the AI, enabling stable generation of high-quality output that works as a complete manga.
Image of the operation screen
▼ Brand Page
https://brand-studio.mootoon.ai
[Kimura Information Technology Co., Ltd. Company Profile]
Research, development, and consulting for AI (Machine Learning/Deep Learning/Generative AI) utilization
Web seminar operation, live streaming, recording and content production (3eLive, BizLive)
Metaverse event planning, operation, and space construction (KIMULAND+)
Cloud services and event operation for academic societies (KIT-ON)
School fee collection agency service (School PAY)
Writing, training, and consulting for the pharmaceutical industry
Operation of Smart DI Room for pharmacists (AI-PHARMA)
eSports event planning and operation
Real-time translation tool [Real Time Translator] agency sales
Automated presentation creation tool (PresenMaker)
Other various solution provision and platform operation
Location: 6-1 Oroshihonmachi, Saga City, Saga Prefecture 849-0933, Japan
Representative: Takao Kimura, President
Established: July 29, 2005
URL: https://www.k-idea.jp/
The theme is 'Encounter'. A distinguished panel of judges, including Yoichiro Aoki, who has contributed to the visual effects of global blockbuster films such as 'GODZILLA', 'Titanic 3D', and 'Rogue One: A Star Wars Story', and a former manga editor from a major publishing house, will review all submitted works. Winners will receive individual feedback from the judges, a valuable opportunity to get direct comments from top industry professionals.
During the submission period, special credits will be distributed to support work creation. Even if you cannot draw, anyone with an idea and a story can participate. We look forward to many entries.
▼ 'MOOTOON AWARD 2026 Spring' Official Website
https://award.mootoon.ai/
Background | Changing 'I Gave Up Because I Couldn't Draw'
Many people have given up on creating manga because they cannot draw. However, with the evolution of AI technology, an era has arrived where anyone with an idea and a story can create a work.
Through its AI manga creation platform 'MOOTOON STUDIO', Kimura Information Technology aims to democratize creation in Japan, a content powerhouse. The 'MOOTOON AWARD' was born as a venue to embody this philosophy, and is the platform's first official award.
Overview of 'MOOTOON AWARD 2026 Spring'
Theme
'Encounter'
Eligible Works
Works created using 'MOOTOON STUDIO'
Page Count
Maximum 60 pages (Recommended 24-32 pages)
Genre
Free (Romance, Sci-Fi, Slice of Life, Fantasy, etc.)
Eligibility
Anyone, individual or corporation, can apply (no age restriction)
Application Period
Wednesday, June 10, 2026 - Friday, July 10, 2026
How to Apply
Post the work on X (formerly Twitter) (see official website for details)
AWARD Official Website
https://award.mootoon.ai/
Prizes
Season Best (Grand Prize) | 1 winner
Prize money: 50,000 JPY (Amazon Gift Card)
STUDIO Credits: 3,000,000 credits (*1)
Featured on MOOTOON official
Nomination as Certified Creator candidate
Judge's feedback
Excellence Award | 2 winners
Prize money: 30,000 JPY (Amazon Gift Card)
STUDIO Credits: 1,800,000 credits
Featured on MOOTOON official
Judge's feedback
Judge's Award | 4 winners
STUDIO Credits: 1,200,000 credits
Each judge selects one work at their discretion (duplicates possible)
Judge's feedback
*Details are subject to change without notice.
*Winners will be contacted via X DM.
*If no work qualifies for a prize, there may be no winner for that prize.
(*1) 3,000,000 credits are equivalent to generating approximately 1,400 manga pages. This estimate is based on using NanoBanana 2 on 'MOOTOON STUDIO', with 10 text generations, 3 art styles, and 2 character regenerations, with no corrections (straight progression).
Judging Criteria | Emphasis on 'Manga that Communicates'
Judging will comprehensively evaluate works based on four axes: ① Story and Composition, ② Character Appeal, ③ Visual Quality, and ④ Originality. The use of AI is one aspect of evaluation, but the emphasis is on 'being a manga that communicates' rather than technical skill. Beginners in manga creation are also encouraged to try.
Judge Profiles
Yoichiro Aoki (Special Judge) / Hollywood Film Stereoscopic Visual Effects Artist
Participated in the visual effects of global blockbuster films such as 'GODZILLA', 'Titanic 3D', 'Rogue One: A Star Wars Story', 'Jurassic World: Dominion', and 'Fast X'. A two-time Lumière Awards winner and a world-leading figure in visual expression.
Mr. Y / Former Manga Editor at Major Publishing House
Has handled numerous works for youth magazines and women's manga magazines. Also experienced as a manga creation instructor at a vocational school and involved in manga magazine publishing overseas. A manga industry professional well-versed in both 'creating' and 'delivering' in Japan and abroad.
A total of 4 judges, including the above two, are scheduled to review all submitted works.
Judging Schedule
June 10, 2026
Application acceptance begins
July 10, 2026
Application deadline
Late July 2026
First round of judging
Early August 2026
Final judging and winner selection
August 2026 (planned)
Result announcement and winner notification
Easy 3-Step Participation Method
STEP 01. Register for a free account on 'MOOTOON STUDIO' and create your work
STEP 02. [Recommended] Follow MOOTOON's official X account
https://x.com/officialmootoon
STEP 03. Post your work on X to complete your entry
*For details and requirements, please see the official website
https://award.mootoon.ai/
You Can Draw Manga Too! AI Manga Creation Platform 'MOOTOON STUDIO'
'MOOTOON STUDIO' focuses on detailed name (storyboard) creation. Its unique design structures production know-how such as panel layout, camera angles, art style, and manga expression techniques, and instructs the AI, enabling stable generation of high-quality output that works as a complete manga.
Image of the operation screen
▼ Brand Page
https://brand-studio.mootoon.ai
[Kimura Information Technology Co., Ltd. Company Profile]
Research, development, and consulting for AI (Machine Learning/Deep Learning/Generative AI) utilization
Web seminar operation, live streaming, recording and content production (3eLive, BizLive)
Metaverse event planning, operation, and space construction (KIMULAND+)
Cloud services and event operation for academic societies (KIT-ON)
School fee collection agency service (School PAY)
Writing, training, and consulting for the pharmaceutical industry
Operation of Smart DI Room for pharmacists (AI-PHARMA)
eSports event planning and operation
Real-time translation tool [Real Time Translator] agency sales
Automated presentation creation tool (PresenMaker)
Other various solution provision and platform operation
Location: 6-1 Oroshihonmachi, Saga City, Saga Prefecture 849-0933, Japan
Representative: Takao Kimura, President
Established: July 29, 2005
URL: https://www.k-idea.jp/
FAQ
What is the theme of the MOOTOON AWARD 2026 Spring?
The theme is 'Encounter'.
Do I need to register for a MOOTOON STUDIO account to apply?
Yes, a free account registration is required.
What is the prize money?
The Grand Prize is 50,000 JPY and the Excellence Award is 30,000 JPY (both Amazon Gift Cards).