TOKYO - KADOKAWA is ramping up its global content strategy by spotlighting "wordless manga"—a genre that tells stories entirely through images, eliminating language barriers and appealing to a worldwide audience.
On July 23rd, the company held its first-ever international contest dedicated to the genre, attracting more than 1,000 submissions from 104 countries and regions. The top prize in the original works category was awarded to "My Hope In Bloom" by Canadian artist cocosm, which portrays a young boy growing through hardship.
One international participant, reflecting on the experience, said, "For a long time, I admired the Japanese manga industry from afar, thinking I’d never be part of it. This recognition means a lot to me." Another added, "Receiving praise from professionals has boosted my confidence."
KADOKAWA Executive Officer Takashi Izumi explained the company’s motivation: "Japanese creators are extremely busy and their numbers are limited. We believe there's great potential in discovering and nurturing new talent from around the world."
Winning creators will receive editorial support toward serialization, as part of KADOKAWA's broader push to generate intellectual property. The company aims to produce 7,000 IP titles and is actively incorporating overseas firms into its group structure. In Malaysia, where a local publisher became a KADOKAWA subsidiary in 2015, the company has established what it says is the country's largest IP development division. In-house creators manage concept planning, character design, and coloring.
One standout example is the educational manga series Which Is Stronger!?, which imagines showdowns between powerful animals and insects. First published in Malaysia, the series was later re-imported into Japan, where it found major success among elementary school readers, selling over 5 million copies.
KADOKAWA’s overseas arm is also expanding its capabilities by creating multilingual translation divisions, embracing digital formats like NFTs and e-books, and investing in global promotions. These efforts aim to enhance the visibility of its IP and unlock new market potential.
Izumi emphasized the company’s broader vision: "It’s not just about taking content from Japan to the world. We want to create and share content globally—including bringing it back to Japan. This expansion of our reach will ultimately help grow our entire business."
Source: FNN
