TOKYO – Eleven notable manga series, including the supernatural action-comedy “DAN DA DAN,” the sci-fi human drama “Cosmos,” and the period romance “Firefly Wedding,” have been officially nominated for the prestigious 71st Shogakukan Manga Awards. The nominees were revealed on Wednesday, setting the stage for the announcement of the winners in late January 2026.
The Shogakukan Manga Award, established in 1955, is one of Japan’s oldest and most respected accolades for serialized manga, sponsored by Shogakukan Publishing. For the 71st edition, consistent with a change introduced in 2023, the awards will no longer divide nominees into specific demographic categories (such as Children’s, Shōnen, Shōjo, and General), instead featuring a unified list to celebrate outstanding works across all genres without distinction.
The Esteemed Nominees for the 71st Shogakukan Manga Awards
The diverse selection for the 71st awards highlights the breadth and creativity currently thriving within the manga industry. The nominated works span various genres, from action and sci-fi to romance and slice-of-life. Each winning title will receive a bronze statuette and a prize of 1 million yen (approximately US$6,450).
Featured Nominees: DAN DA DAN, Cosmos, and Firefly Wedding
Among the eleven nominated series, several have garnered significant attention and critical acclaim:
- DAN DA DAN by Yukinobu Tatsu: Serialized in Shueisha’s Shonen Jump+ app and website, “DAN DA DAN” is a popular supernatural action-comedy. The series follows two teenagers, Momo Ayase and Ken Takakura (Okarun), who find themselves embroiled in battles with yokai and aliens. It has been highly praised for its unique blend of humor, dynamic action, and compelling character relationships, with an anime adaptation having premiered in October 2024. “DAN DA DAN” has also received accolades in other awards, ranking among the best manga for male readers in “Kono Manga ga Sugoi!” and nominated for the Manga Taishō.
- Cosmos by Ryūhei Tamura: This science-fiction human drama is serialized in Shogakukan’s Monthly Sunday Gene-X. “Cosmos” explores the coexistence of aliens and humans in modern-day Japan through the eyes of high school student Kaede Mizumori, who possesses the ability to detect lies. The series has been recommended by renowned manga authors and has performed well in other manga awards, securing second place in the print category at the Next Manga Awards in 2025.
- Firefly Wedding (Hotaru no Yomeiri) by Oreco Tachibana: Published on Shogakukan’s Ura Sunday Jyoshibu manga website and MangaONE app, “Firefly Wedding” is a historical romance manga. The story centers on Satoko, a Meiji-era noblewoman who proposes marriage to a mysterious assassin to save her life. The series has seen considerable commercial success, with millions of copies in circulation, and has been nominated for other significant awards, including the Kodansha Manga Award.
Other Noteworthy Nominated Works
The complete list of 11 nominees, presented in Japanese alphabetical order, showcases a wide array of talent and storytelling:
- Uchi no Inu ga Koneko Hiroimashita. (Dog Meets Baby Cats!!) by Sayuri Tatsuyama (serialized in Cheese!)
- Unmei no Makimodo Shi by Fūta Kimura (serialized in Monthly Coro Coro Comics)
- Fall in Love, You False Angels by Coco Uzuki (serialized in Dessert)
- Jumbo Max by Tsutomu Takahashi (serialized in Big Comic)
- Dekin no Mogura: The Earthbound Mole by Natsumi Eguchi (serialized in Morning)
- Hi no Kami-sama no Sōjinin Desuga, Itsunomanika Hanayome Toshite Dekiaisarete Imasu by Itsu Asaki (story) and Komomo Yamada (art) (serialized in Yawaraka Spirits)
- Hirayasumi by Keigo Shinzo (serialized in Big Comic Spirits)
- Teiō no Sanshimai wa Angai, Choro I. by Aya Hirakawa (serialized in Shonen Sunday)
The Shogakukan Manga Award: A Benchmark for Excellence
The Shogakukan Manga Award is renowned for recognizing works that demonstrate exceptional artistic achievement, narrative depth, and cultural impact. The selection process is rigorous, involving recommendations from judges, manga artists, critics, editors, cultural organizations, booksellers, and general readers. A final deliberation by a committee of seven experts determines the winners. This award continues to be a vital institution for celebrating and promoting influential creators and stories that shape Japanese pop culture.
The winners of the 71st Shogakukan Manga Awards are highly anticipated and will be announced in late January 2026.
