Kamome Shirahama’s critically acclaimed manga series, Witch Hat Atelier, has once again won the Best Manga award at the prestigious Harvey Awards, marking its second victory in the category. The announcement was made during New York Comic Con 2025 on Friday, October 10th, recognizing the series for its exceptional contribution to sequential art. This win follows its initial triumph in 2020, solidifying its place as a standout in the manga world.
A Double Win for a Magical Series
The 2025 Harvey Awards ceremony, an annual event honoring outstanding works and creators in comics, saw Witch Hat Atelier by Kamome Shirahama (published in English by Kodansha USA Publishing) emerge victorious in a competitive field. The series previously secured the same accolade in 2020, demonstrating its enduring appeal and consistent quality. The manga, known for its intricate artwork and compelling narrative, has garnered significant international recognition since its serialization began in July 2016 in Kodansha’s Morning Two magazine.
Competition in the Best Manga Category
This year, Witch Hat Atelier faced strong contenders for the Best Manga award, including The Guy She Was Interested in Wasn’t a Guy at All by Sumiko Arai, The Summer Hikaru Died by Mokumokuren, Tokyo These Days by Taiyo Matsumoto, and WIND BREAKER by Satoru Nii. The breadth of nominated titles underscores the vibrant and diverse landscape of contemporary manga.
What Are the Harvey Awards?
The Harvey Awards are an esteemed accolade in the North American comic book industry, named after the influential cartoonist and editor Harvey Kurtzman. Unlike some other awards, the nominees and winners are selected by comic book professionals themselves, giving the awards a unique level of peer recognition.
History of the Best Manga Category
The “Best Manga” category was officially added to the Harvey Awards in 2018, reflecting the growing impact and popularity of Japanese comics in the Western market. Prior to this, manga titles were often nominated in categories such as “Best American Edition of Foreign Material.” The inaugural Best Manga award in 2018 went to Kabi Nagata’s My Lesbian Experience with Loneliness.
Past winners in the Best Manga category include:
- 2019: Kōhei Horikoshi’s My Hero Academia
- 2020: Kamome Shirahama’s Witch Hat Atelier
- 2021-2023: Tatsuki Fujimoto’s Chainsaw Man (three consecutive wins)
- 2024: Ryoko Kui’s Delicious in Dungeon
About Witch Hat Atelier
Written and illustrated by Kamome Shirahama, Witch Hat Atelier tells the enchanting story of Coco, a young girl who dreams of becoming a witch despite being born without magical abilities. Her life changes when she secretly observes a traveling witch, Qifrey, performing magic, leading her to discover the true nature of witchcraft and embark on a magical apprenticeship.
The series is lauded for its breathtaking artwork, detailed world-building, and imaginative narrative that explores themes of creativity, determination, and the hidden dangers within a magical society. An anime television series adaptation produced by Bug Films is slated to premiere in 2026, promising to bring Shirahama’s captivating world to an even wider audience. The manga has also received other notable recognitions, including the Eisner Award for Best U.S. Edition of International Material—Asia in both 2020 and 2025. As of July 2024, the series had over 5.5 million copies in circulation.
