4-Koma Manga (Yonkoma) Competition
Information
The AnimeGO! Japan Pop Culture Festival aims to promote and celebrate Japanese pop culture in Australia. Manga from Japan has become a worldwide phenomenon, and we would like to celebrate this through a 4-Koma (Yonkoma) Manga competition. Each year, a theme is introduced to encourage cultural learning and understanding of Japan. The focus of the competition is the incorporation of the theme and overall quality. We encourage everyone who enjoys drawing and storytelling to apply with an entry.
Each year, a theme is introduced to encourage cultural learning and understanding of Japan. The focus of the competition is the incorporation of the theme and overall quality. We encourage everyone who enjoys drawing manga and story telling to apply with an entry.
This year’s theme is 「妖怪 」yokai. Yokai is a term for various supernatural beings that appear in Japanese folklore and include the likes of ghosts, demons, shape shifters, goblins and so forth. They are both malevolent and/or mischievous beings. Having major cultural importance since the Edo period, yokai stories tell the unexplained, teach ethical concepts and entertain.
Registration Open: 25th May 2026 at 10:00pm (Australian Central Standard Time)
Registration & Submission Deadline: September 22nd 2026, 11:59pm (Australian Central Standard Time)
Results Announcement: AnimeGO! Japan Pop Culture Festival 25th October 2026
Budding artists get creative and get seen! All 4-koma manga submissions will be reviewed by our judging panel comprised of industry professionals, and the top twenty entrants will be on display at the AnimeGO! Japan Pop Culture Festival.
Judging Criteria
JAFA will appoint a judging panel to judge the manga entered in the 4-Koma Manga Competition.
The members of the panel will review the submissions and judge them. The judges will decide the best submissions that meet all requirements (Top Twenty Submissions) and then determine the overall best submission that will be the winner(s) of the 4-Koma Manga Competition Winner(s).
The winner(s) will be announced during the award ceremony at the AnimeGO! Japan Pop Culture Festival 2026. The top submissions and the ultimate winner(s) will be decided based on judging criteria determined by the panel.
The panel will be asked to consider the use of the cultural theme and the following categories: Originality, Storytelling, Character Design, Manga Artistic Ability and Style.
If there is no evidence of the cultural reference, then the manga will be disqualified.
The panel’s decision will be final and no communications in relation to their decision will be allowed.
The top twenty submissions will be on display during the AnimeGO! Japan Pop Culture Festival 2026 or an alternative date specified by JAFA. The creators of these submissions will be notified of their selection within 12 days of the panel’s decision.
The top twenty submissions upon selection may be placed into a people’s choice competition which will be conducted and announced during or after the AnimeGO! Japan Pop Culture Festival.
For full list of judging critierial, refer to the 4-Koma Manga Competition Terms and Conditions.
Register Now
- Click and read the “Terms and conditions”.
- Click the “Register” button, read and fill out the registration form carefully.
- Once this process has been completed, a confirmation email will be sent including your SUBMISSION ID for this year’s submission required for manga application. RETAIN YOUR SUBMISSION ID.
- Registrants will also receive instructions on how to upload or send their manga entries via email before the submission deadline. Please ensure you follow these instructions as failure to submit the entry correctly may result in disqualification.
- Ensure the manga meets all the specifications outlined in the competition terms and conditions.
- The manga must be uploaded or sent with a name containing the submission ID and the name of the manga as written on the submission form in the following format [SUBID###-NAMEOFMANGA].
- Successful submissions will receive a confirmation email within 72 hours from the Japan Australian Friendship Association (JAFA).
2026 Judges
David Blaiklock
David Blaiklock is a lecturer and the founder of the Bachelor of Illustration and Animation program at Adelaide University. He is an internationally recognized Illustration teacher/practitioner, his research centers on the nature of Illustration professional expertise in relation to practice, education, and storytelling.
Email: david.blaiklock@adelaide.edu.au
Instagram: @david.blaiklock
Steph aka Nin
Steph aka Nin is an Adelaide-based Animator and Illustrator with a love for exploring diverse artistic mediums. Inspired by the quirky and the theatrical, she’s often sketching performers or capturing unusual details from everyday life. In 2024, she brought her work to an international stage, creating an animation for The State of Grace by the acclaimed Michaela Burger, performed at the Edinburgh Fringe. Nin thrives on crafting whimsical characters and weaving imaginative stories, building a portfolio that blends playfulness with artistry.
Email: punkninillustration@gmail.com
Instagram: @punknin_illustration
Jo Mignone
Jo Mignone is a recognised and awarded illustrator, artist and academic with over 25 years of practice. Jo’s creative practice has been awarded, including as an international finalist by the Mumedi Museum of Design, and three-time international finalist for the Lethbridge Small Scale Art Award, as well as having her creative work displayed in galleries locally and internationally. She has also been recognised for her academic excellence in her field of illustration and drawing as a Fellow by Advance HE and Jo’s current academic research work explores how neurodivergent comic artists may be better supported throughout the creative and publishing process.
Email: jo.mignone@adelaide.edu.au
Gabriel Cunnett
Born in Laura, South Australia, Gabriel Cunnett is an Adelaide-based illustrator, mural artist, and miscellaneous creative. A freelancer by nature (and occasionally a 9-to-5 drone), he has spent the past 20 years creating character-driven artwork across children’s books, educational illustrations and resources, public art projects, and whatever other interesting ideas come his way.
Gabriel has a particular fondness for playful characters, bold visual styles, and visual storytelling. He is always looking for opportunities to sneak a little humour into unexpected places, ie Public Service roles. He believes the best illustrations don’t just look good; they communicate, connect, and leave people smiling. He’s delighted to be judging this year’s AnimeGo competition and is looking forward to seeing the creativity and imagination on display
Email: gabe@gabe.com.au
Website: https://gabrielcunnettillustration.com/
Ethan Harris
Ethan is an Australian illustrator and comic creator. He has a passion for creating diverse sci-fi/fantasy narratives and bringing them to life through his illustrations and comics.
He has studied a bachelor of Design, Illustration & Animation and a bachelor of Creative Arts (Honours) at the University of South Australia. He now tutors illustration and character model making at the university.
Ethan is a co-founder of the Illustration & Animation community Squish Squash, an Australian community connecting emerging creatives, active professionals and industry sectors. Details can be found here: Squish Squash.
Instagram: @ejharrisart
James Calvert
James is an educator, researcher and internationally recognised VR director, animated film maker and game designer. With over 20 years’ experience creating engaging content for all screen types, he has an enduring passion for immersive storytelling. James is the Program Director of Bachelor of Illustration and Animation program at Adelaide University. Prior to joining academia, James was a founder and director at the People’s Republic of Animation, where he directed short films and projects for international clients. He is also a video game designer with two successful mobile games released on the app market.
Previous Finalists
4-Koma Manga Competition 2022
The theme for 2022 was 「先⽣」” Sensei”, the Japanese term for teacher, and also used with professions like lawyer and doctors. Following on from 「先輩・後輩」 SENPAI/KOUHAI theme from the 2021 4-Koma Manga Competition, this theme tackled the important relationship that mentors, teachers, and knowledgeable people that guide and nurture have with those in Japan.
Winner
‘Slimy Business’
by Ashley Kobayashi
Runner-Up
‘Any Fin is Possible’
by Gemma Mason
Runner-Up
‘Meditation Class’
by Myka Staude
4-Koma Manga Competition 2021
The 2021 theme was「先輩・後輩」”SENPAI / KOUHAI”, which is used to refer to senior/junior members of work places, schools, clubs and the relationship or bonds between these two. 2021 proved to be a tough year for everyone across the world, and the importance of bonds and
connections with people are part of essence of AnimeGO! Japan Pop Culture Festival.
Winner
‘The Unexpected Junior’
by Chi Ta
Runner-Up
‘Letters Across Boundaries’
by Mey Wong
Runner-Up
‘Sketchy Impressions’
by Alex Lam
4-Koma Manga Competition 2020
The 2020 theme was「頑張る」”GANBARU”, which means to do one’s best in any given situation. With 2020 being a year of global hardship, we would like to spread this ideology from Japan to help strengthen the hearts of people.
Winner
‘Ganbaru’
by Declan Luke and Isabelle Seretis
Runner-Up
‘Hungry Cat’
by Shae Mellors
Runner-Up
‘Be your best self!’
by Yi-Ting Feng
4-Koma Manga Competition 2019
The 2019 theme was Hachiko. Based on a true story, Hachiko is a dog who is well known for his loyalty to his owner. Hachiko was adopted as a puppy and loved picking up his owner at the train station every afternoon when the owner returned from work. Hachiko and his owner were the best of friends. However, one sad day, his owner passed away at work. Hachiko, unaware of his owner’s death, continues to return to the station every day in hope that one day, his owner would return. Hachiko faithfully kept waiting for his owner for the next 10 years until he finally passed away. Hachiko’s faithfulness over those 10 years has moved many passers-by at the station and eventually became a national icon that symbolises loyalty, love and devotion.
Winner
‘Different Yet The Same’
by Stella Arhontoulis
Runner-Up
‘One Encounter One Chance’
by DuDu Sunny
Runner-Up
‘Good Boy Training’
by Alicia Kidd
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