Story Manga Section：Grand Prize 100,000 JPY + invitation to the award ceremony
Author
BrandonTO
Title
Church Of Sinners
Comments from Rin
A hardboiled priest battle manga. The panel layouts and flow felt very smooth, like watching a live-action film. While the story follows the trope of a monster-slaying journey, the protagonist's motive to fight(for example a fated grudge) is not revealed in the beginning or middle portions of the plot. Because of this, I got the impression that this work was somewhat lacking in terms of having a story structure that would keep readers engaged and wanting to read until the end. I think that the overall strength of the author's directorial vision is a great asset, and I look forward to their next work.
Comments from Goto
A buddy story between a dark priest and a thief girl. I was drawn in from the beginning by the story that unfolds through the extermination of beasts. The drawings have a density and texture that give a profound impression, but the book also incorporates comical effects without disrupting the dark worldview, and is designed to keep readers from getting bored. The pacing is good and the role of each scene is clear. The detailed expressions of the characters he draws are rich, and you can read the annoyances and conflicts in his own actions without having to say the lines. Its realism gives off a human touch, which is wonderful. If I had to say strongly, the settings and designs of the beasts have a similar impression, so I think it would have been good to pursue some originality.
Comments from Haruki
The setting and characters are good. It has a sharp texture so you won't get bored. I think the relationship between the main character and the deacon is also good. I think it would be even better if the main character had a little more artistic charm (like the cross accessory).
Comments from Suzuki
The powerful images will draw you in. Especially the eyes! It's a testament to his manga skills that he can draw eyes that express so much emotion.
Since the story is about royal revenge, it would be even better if it contained ideas that were unique to me.
Since the story is about royal revenge, it would be even better if it contained ideas that were unique to me.
Story Manga Section：Excellence Award 50,000 JPY + invitation to the award ceremony
Comments from Rin
It felt like a very poetic piece. I think the inky line art really complements the story's careful depiction of young boys' everyday life and their small adventures. I thought that the bond between the boy and the cat, their mutual feelings, and the two's farewell were crafted with a lot of care and attention to detail.
Comments from Goto
A nostalgic worldview. The character design of a boy with black hair and short pants with one eye hidden gives me a sense of the author's attempt to meet the needs of the readers. In addition, the visual presentation of the scent and the structure that contributes to the immersive feeling in which Kuroda's true identity is gradually revealed are utilized as functions that bring out the beauty and ephemerality of the story to the fullest, and when you finish reading, you can close the screen. The bright yellow color that passes through leaves a warm feeling in your heart. The line ``I'll raise my claws'' in the story is also designed to stir emotions.
Comments from Haruki
The story naturally comes to mind. It's not surprising, but I think it's well put together. I thought the choice of words for the name was very good. The pictures are tasteful, and while I can't say they're very appealing, I think they fit the story.
Story Manga Section：Finalist 10,000 JPY
Author
Huahua Zhu
Title
The King's Warrior
Comments from Rin
It tackles fantasy head-on. The panel layout, camera work, and composition are skillful. The color palette matches the atmosphere of the work and leaves a lasting impression. While the story is somewhat allegorical and had some parts that were difficult to fully grasp, it felt like a work that had a lot of effort put into it.
Comments from Goto
He depicted a fantastic and beautiful worldview in his own unique style. A technique that captures the momentary and eternity by creating a space that uses light and darkness and expressing the background with a solid white color. I was amazed by its expressiveness and high level of perfection. The rhythm of calmly depicting scenes where violence approaches from a peaceful daily life is comfortable and immersive.
Comments from Suzuki
The unique colors and brushstrokes fit this story very well.
The way he depicts not only people but also horses, cities, and other details is amazing.
He is so expressive that you can understand the story just by using his facial expressions without relying on words.
The way he depicts not only people but also horses, cities, and other details is amazing.
He is so expressive that you can understand the story just by using his facial expressions without relying on words.
Comments from Rin
The artwork is extremely skilled. The characters' expressions are especially exceptional. The composition alternating between God's perspective of human affairs and "Father's" life story is well done. It's a work that manages to depict history, suffering, and life by switching between divine and human perspectives.
Comments from Goto
From around the middle of the story, you can't deny that it feels like a digest, but the illustrations show the artist's high level of expressiveness, giving it a sense of realism. I think they were able to heighten the drama and production by creating conflict, such as by setting clear limits on ``God's interference in the human world.'' In the future, I would like you to focus on digging deeper into the settings in order to utilize your strong basic skills as a weapon. High expectations for the potential.
Comments from Haruki
It's easy to read and the story comes naturally. The composition is very good.
Author
菊田夏美
Title
のこさずおいしくいただきますいただきます！
Comments from Rin
It had a retro-future art style. The way that this piece portrayed controlling and abusive relationships in an inward-looking, intimate, and very thoughtful manner really felt to me like it showed off the appeal of media aimed at adult women audiences. The name (storyboard) was carefully constructed, showing Yua's breakthrough, Miriya's kindness and the cathartic nature of her big-sisterly advice, and Kō-kun's path to bettering himself. I did feel that the story lacked in its ability to surprise the reader, which felt like bit of a waste. Be it in the way that Yua escapes Kō-kun's control or the way that he tries to better himself, I thought to myself "If only there was something here that would go beyond the reader's expectations."
Comments from Goto
At the cover art stage, it felt like the reader was being chosen based on the shape of the heroine's mouth, etc., but that feeling was quickly dispelled by the changes in her emotional state and the development of the drama, as she has a strong personality. There is room for consideration in emphasizing it, but it seems to be necessary in order to bring out the character. The character's performance was highly detailed and attractive, as in the scene where she should have been angry and asked, ``What's going on all of a sudden?'', she looked happy. Also, the fact that the boyfriend's existence is not limited to the role of the villain makes for a good reading experience.
Comments from Haruki
It's a fun piece with a happy ending. The characters' faces have their own quirks, so I think people's tastes differ.
Drawing Section：Finalist 10,000 JPY
Author
micchi
Title
京都国際クリエイターズアワード2024 作画部門
Comments from Rin
There's good contrast between solid blacks and screentones, effectively portraying the gap between horror and softness.
Comments from Goto
In the original drawing, the woman's face at the end of the first page and her standing position in the first frame of the second page are reversed, which makes the flow of consecutive frames feel strange, but in this work, they are well connected and adjusted.
The artist did not just draw the original story, but tried to brush up the story to make it easier to read.
This is exactly what is expected of a professional artist.
The arrangement of the sheep's jaws and the punchline that adds a sense of angst to the gag-based lightness of the story are just a few of the many tricks that are woven into the story to entertain the reader.
Combined with the unique artwork, I was gripped by the story.
The artist did not just draw the original story, but tried to brush up the story to make it easier to read.
This is exactly what is expected of a professional artist.
The arrangement of the sheep's jaws and the punchline that adds a sense of angst to the gag-based lightness of the story are just a few of the many tricks that are woven into the story to entertain the reader.
Combined with the unique artwork, I was gripped by the story.