Inkoboncup

Inkobon Cup Manga Contest Official Rules & Submission Guidelines

1. Contest Overview & Eligibility
The Inkobon Cup is a contest to discover and publish original, creator-owned manga. By submitting an entry, you agree to be bound by these Official Rules. All Entrants must be 18 years of age or older at the time of entry. Submissions must be 100% original, creator-owned work. No fan art, fan fiction, or work derived from existing intellectual property is permitted. Use of AI-generated artwork or assets is strictly prohibited. Entries found to utilize AI tools in their creation will be disqualified. The contest is open internationally, except where prohibited by law.

2. Submission Specifications

  • Format: A complete, self-contained one-shot manga story.

  • Page Count: Minimum of 20 pages, maximum of 55 pages. This count includes title pages but excludes a single, separate cover image.

  • Reading Direction: All entries must be formatted for Left-to-Right (LTR) reading. Right-to-Left (RTL) formatted entries will be disqualified.

  • Language: Submissions accepted in English or Spanish only.

  • File Requirements:

    • Submit as a single PDF file OR a folder of sequentially numbered PNG images.

    • ZIP/RAR files will not be accepted. Please use the platform's direct upload for PDFs or image folders.

    • Recommended resolution: 300 DPI minimum for print clarity.

    • File name must include the entrant's name or pen name (e.g., AlexLee_InkobonCup.pdf).

3. Content & Originality Guidelines

  • Rating: Content must be suitable for a "Teen Plus" (16+) audience.

    • Not Permitted: Explicit sexual content, graphic/excessive gore, or offensive material for the sake of offense.

  • Genres: All genres are welcome (e.g., Action, Adventure, Romance, Comedy, Horror, Slice of Life, Drama, Fantasy, Sci-Fi).

  • Originality: By submitting, you affirm that the work is your own original creation and does not infringe upon any third-party rights.

4. Prizes & Awards

  • 4.1 Grand Prize (One Winner):

    1. Cash Prize: $1,000 USD, awarded via PayPal within 30 days of the official winner announcement.

    2. Publishing Contract: A $2,000 USD contract with Inkobon for the development and publication of a serialized work. This can be an expansion of the winning one-shot or a new collaborative project. Specific terms will be outlined in a separate, negotiable agreement.

  • 4.2 Runner-Up Prizes:

    • Second Place: $200 USD cash prize, awarded via PayPal.

    • Additional prizes for finalists may include featured spotlights and consideration for future projects, at Inkobon's discretion.

5. Intellectual Property & Rights

  • Creator Ownership: The creator retains 100% copyright and ownership of their submitted work and its intellectual property (IP).

  • License to Inkobon: By entering, the entrant grants Inkobon a non-exclusive, royalty-free, worldwide license to display, reproduce, and promote the submitted work in connection with the contest (e.g., on websites, social media, in promotional materials) in perpetuity.

  • Anthology Publication Rights: As an extension of the promotional license, Inkobon reserves the right to publish the Grand Prize and any Runner-Up entries in its physical or digital anthology magazines (e.g., "Monthly Shonen Magazine Inkobon" collections) without payment of royalties. Credit will be given to the creator in all such publications. This right does not constitute a transfer of ownership and is separate from any future serialization contract.

  • First Right of Refusal: For the Grand Prize winner, Inkobon shall have a first right of refusal to negotiate terms for the first serialized publication of the winning IP or a defined subsequent project for a period of 12 months from the award date.

6. Submission Period & Deadlines

  • Submission Window: Opens January 25, 2026 and closes April 12th, 2026, at 11:59 PM Eastern Standard Time (EST).

  • No extensions will be granted. Ensure your upload is complete and confirmed before the deadline.

  • Winner Announcement: Winners will be announced on or before MAY 1st, 2026, via the official Inkobon website and associated social media channels.

7. Judging Criteria
Entries will be judged by the Inkobon editorial team and guest judges based on:

  • Story & Writing (Plot, pacing, dialogue, emotional impact)

  • Art & Technical Execution (Artistry, page composition, readability)

  • Originality & Voice (Unique concept and creative perspective)

  • Overall Effectiveness as a complete one-shot manga.

8. General Conditions
Inkobon reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to verify the eligibility of any winner and the originality of any winning entry. This may include requiring the winner to sign a declaration of originality and provide layered source files for artistic verification. Failure to provide such verification upon request will result in disqualification and forfeiture of the prize.

By entering, entrants agree to release and hold harmless Inkobon, its affiliates, and their respective officers, directors, employees, and agents from and against any claim or cause of action arising out of participation in the contest or receipt or use of any prize.

Inkobon is not responsible for lost, late, misdirected, corrupted submissions, or technical failures. All prize details are at Inkobon's sole discretion. Taxes on prizes are the winner's sole responsibility. Void where prohibited.

Contact: For contest inquiries, please contact:

 jaimemolina@inkobon.com

Good luck to all entrants! We look forward to reading your stories.