The Silent Manga Audition (SMA) 2025 is a global competition spearheaded by COAMIX Inc., a prominent Tokyo-based manga publisher. As the world’s largest silent manga contest, it invites creators from across the globe to express captivating stories using only visual art, without the aid of dialogue. This format is designed to break down language barriers, providing a unique platform where manga enthusiasts of all ages and backgrounds can showcase their talent. The absence of dialogue emphasizes the power of storytelling through images, making the competition accessible to artists from different linguistic and cultural backgrounds.
The 2025 edition of the competition, themed "Seized with Rage", challenges participants to convey intense emotions like anger, frustration, or passion, solely through visual elements. Artists are tasked with creating manga that resonate universally, allowing readers to engage deeply with the story through the characters’ expressions, body language, and creative use of onomatopoeia and symbolic imagery. With a maximum of 17 pages per submission, creators are encouraged to develop concise, yet powerful narratives that captivate the audience from the very first frame.
In addition to offering significant cash prizes, the Silent Manga Audition serves as a gateway for emerging artists to establish a career in Japan’s competitive manga industry. Winners not only receive monetary rewards but also gain the opportunity to collaborate with professional editors and potentially debut their work in Monthly Comic ZENON, a leading manga magazine. The competition has launched the careers of several international manga creators, making it a prestigious platform for those aspiring to make their mark in the world of manga.
There is no entry fee.
Eligibility
Open to anyone worldwide.
Prize
The top prize, the Grand Prix, offers 500,000 JPY. There are additional prizes for top runners-up: 300,000 JPY for the Grand Prix Runner-Up, 100,000 JPY for the Excellence Award, 30,000 JPY for the Excellence Runner-Up, and 10,000 JPY for Honourable Mentions. Winners also gain the opportunity to work towards debuting in Japan, particularly in Monthly Comic ZENON, potentially launching their careers in the manga industry.
