Kodansha has officially launched its global manga education platform, KODANSHA MANGA ACADEMY. This platform is designed for aspiring creators outside Japan.
Through the site, Kodansha aims to collaborate with creators from around the world, building a new future for manga together. The company expressed its goal to support international talents by connecting them directly with Kodansha editors; nurturing the next generation of storytellers who can entertain audiences globally.
In recent years, the number of overseas artists inspired by manga has grown tremendously. Kodansha’s new academy aims to support these global talents by offering insights directly from its editorial team, helping them understand how manga is made, how serialization works, and how they too can join Japan’s professional manga scene.
Through this initiative, Kodansha hopes to co-create the future of manga with artists across borders, combining imagination and storytelling from every corner of the world.
Key Features Of Kodansha Manga Academy
- Insights from Kodansha’s Top Manga Artists: Top creators like Makoto Yukimura (Vinland Saga), PEACH-PIT (Shugo Chara!), Hajime Isayama (Attack on Titan), and Muneyuki Kaneshiro & Yusuke Nomura (Blue Lock) will share personal insights on what it means to work with editors and messages for international manga aspirants.
- How to Become a Manga Creator in Japan: A step-by-step guide to finding an editor, entering manga awards, submitting works, or publishing through Kodansha’s submission platform DAYS NEO.
- The Path To Serialization: An in-depth look at the process, from meeting an editor to developing ideas, passing editorial meetings, and finally reaching serialization.
- Case Study: Juan Albarran: The Spanish artist behind Matagi Gunner shares his story of achieving serialization with Kodansha while living abroad, presented as a special 11-part essay manga. (The first two chapters are already available.)
- Kodansha Manga Award (2026): A new global manga award launching early next year, dedicated to discovering and celebrating international creators.
- FAQ Section: Addressing key questions like “Can I become a manga artist without speaking Japanese?” and “Do I need to live in Japan to work with Kodansha?”
Kodansha describes the project’s mission clearly: to connect creators and manga fans beyond language and geography. With Kodansha Manga Academy, the company aims to expand Japanese manga culture while collaborating with international artists to create stories that will be recognised worldwide.
For many aspiring creators, this marks one of the first official steps from a major Japanese publisher to bridge the gap between Japan’s manga industry and global talent.
Official Website Information:
Official Site: https://mangaacademy.kodansha.com
Official X Account: @KODANSHA_KMA
Instagram: @kodansha_kma
