Previous edition saw a record 3,351 participants! Entry begins for the 9th National Video Create Koshien, one of Japan's largest video contests for junior high and high school students

Kanko Manabonect Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Kita-ku, Okayama City; Chairman: Shigeru Ozaki), a group company of Kanko Gakusei Seifuku Co., Ltd. that promotes "human development" to nurture life skills, has started accepting entries for the 9th National Video Create Koshien (formerly YouTube Koshien) on Friday, June 5, 2026.

What is the National Video Create Koshien?

―― "The power to convey" leads to "inquisitiveness" that opens the future.

From the 2025 academic year, YouTube Koshien was renewed as the National Video Create Koshien. The previous edition saw a record 847 teams and 3,351 high school students participate, more than doubling the previous year's 361 teams, making it one of the largest high school video contests in Japan.

The new theme for the 9th edition is "Grapp!"

It combines "Graphic" × "Clap" × "Grasp," encouraging participants to become creators who move society and people's hearts through video production. Students discover issues in their schools, communities, and companies, and output the appeal and solutions to society.

The key visual for this edition was created by high school illustrator Shiwasu Komori, in collaboration with the "pixiv High School Student Illustration Contest 2025," a platform for expressing young people's potential.

Background of the National Video Create Koshien

―― Beyond "the best memories," the power to change society.

This contest started in 2020, with the desire to provide a memorable event and a place for students to actively enjoy themselves, as various school events were restricted due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The demand for videos created by high school students has been increasing, and some videos from previous editions have garnered over one million views.

The experience of completing a video goes beyond "making memories." It fosters multifaceted human skills that cannot be learned from textbooks, such as the ability to see through the essence of issues (inquisitiveness), the ability to plan and execute from scratch, and the ability to create new things as a team with diverse opinions (collaborative creativity). For schools, it also becomes a PR tool to convey their attractiveness.

Beyond "the best memories," the power to change society. Through this contest, we fully support high school students in realizing their potential and forging their future.

Special Site for the 9th National Video Create Koshien

The site opens on Friday, June 5, 2026: https://youtubekoshien.k-manabonect.co.jp/

Overview of the 9th National Video Create Koshien

Eligibility / Conditions: ・Target: Junior high and high school students (domestic and international) / No limit on team size ・Video length: Within 10 minutes (vertical or horizontal orientation acceptable) ・Entry fee: Free *Submitted videos will be published on the official YouTube (and partially on Instagram and TikTok). ・Contest theme: "Grapp! — Capture hearts with video and create applause." It combines "Graphic" × "Clap" × "Grasp," encouraging participants to become creators who move society and people's hearts through video production. ・Judging method: Scoring by judges (secretariat, special judges, and the Kanko Committee). Evaluation points include expressiveness, originality, inquisitiveness, and composition. ・Schedule: Entry start: Friday, June 5, 2026 Video submission deadline: Thursday, December 10, 2026 First screening announcement: Thursday, December 24, 2026 Second screening announcement: Thursday, January 14, 2027 Third screening period: Monday, January 25 to Friday, January 29, 2027 Finalist announcement: Thursday, February 4, 2027 Final judging and awards ceremony: Sunday, March 7, 2027 ・Awards ceremony venue: To be determined Previous venue: Kokuyo Co., Ltd., Tokyo Shinagawa Office ・Recruitment categories (3 categories, 9 missions in total) From this edition, each category has three "MISSIONS" set by the question setters. There are three categories: "School Collaboration," "Local Collaboration," and "Corporate Collaboration." Choose the mission you want to challenge and enter.

[School Collaboration Category] Convey the charm of your school from a free perspective, such as events, curriculum, daily life with teachers and friends.

[Local Collaboration Category] Express your love for your hometown through video—scenery, people, local businesses, events, culture, traditions, etc.

[Corporate Collaboration Category] Take on real challenges presented by cooperating companies! This is a valuable experience to receive feedback from companies.

・Awards: [Category Awards] One team per category: Gold, Silver, Bronze / Each receives a special shield. [Special Awards] *Targeting all categories, selected from all entries / Each receives a special shield. Free BGM Award: For works with exceptional harmony and expressiveness between video and music. UUUM Award: For works that effectively utilize ICT. Kyoto University of the Arts Video Course Award: For works with outstanding originality in ideas and skillfulness in composition.

Voices from Participants – From the Previous Survey

<Student Voices> ・Until now, I only made videos about my club activities or self-produced works, so through this contest, I was able to learn about my technical skills and how others perceive me! ・I learned that things I took for granted are actually supported by many ideas and corporate efforts. ・Through this activity, I became more determined to work in the video industry in the future. Thank you for this valuable opportunity.

<Teacher Voices> ・Their creativity, originality, and determination to become a finalist were aspects not usually seen. Also, the disappointment when they didn't make it to the finals showed how much effort they put in. ・Initially, there were cracks among students and no unity as a team, but (omitted)... eventually, they united under the goal of winning an award, created an excellent video, and all students cried when the results were announced. ・Although it was our first participation, we were surprised that one team was selected as a finalist. Having you visit the school and the support materials were very helpful. It was a great opportunity. We would like to participate again next year.

[Screens from the Previous Awards Ceremony]

About Kanko Gakusei Seifuku Co., Ltd.

Founded in 1854 (Ansei 1). A school solutions company that solves various social issues surrounding children and schools through "monozukuri" (manufacturing) represented by school uniforms and gym clothes, and "hitozukuri" (human development) that nurtures the skills children need to live in the future.

About Kanko Manabonect Co., Ltd.

We aim to develop human resources who can survive in the future so that each child can imagine their own career and open their future in their own way. We challenge ourselves to build a system that supports human resource development education across society by collaborating with local communities and companies.