A chance to debut from 38 media outlets! Applications open for Japan's largest contest, #CreativeAwards2025
Updated 2025/10/24
With the cooperation of 38 media outlets, including publishers and television stations, we are holding the "Creative Awards 2025 (4th Annual)"!
The application period is from Tuesday, April 22 to Tuesday, July 22.
This year's Creative Awards will be co-hosted with the "Story Submission Site Tales". Novels and entertainment original work categories can also be submitted via Tales. Please participate using whichever platform is easier for you to post on.
So that works born in the city of note can reach many people outside of it. Aiming for a future where the potential of every creator expands, the "Creative Awards 2025" begins with the cooperation of various media.
We hope that both those considering applying and our readers will enjoy participating and help make this event a success!
Changes from the previous event
Novels and entertainment originals can now be submitted from both note and Tales
"#MangaOriginalWorkCategory" → changed to "#EntertainmentOriginalWorkCategory": We are now accepting a wider range of works, including video originals, not just manga
"#RecipeCategory" → changed to "#FoodCategory": We are now accepting a wider range of works, including food essays, not just recipes
"#CreativeMangaCategory" → changed to "#MangaCategory"
Schedule
Application period: Tuesday, April 22, 11:00 AM to Tuesday, July 22, 11:59 PM
Reader support period: Tuesday, April 22, 11:00 AM to Thursday, July 31, 11:59 PM
Intermediate announcement: Mid-September
Final results announcement & awards ceremony: Late October
Participating Media
For each category, 38 media outlets will participate in the selection process. Winning works will be assigned an editor and aim for publication in magazines/media, book releases, serialization, or adaptation into video.
The 38 media outlets participating in the judging:
Asahi Shimbun Publications, Amuse Creative Studio, Impress, Orange Page, KADOKAWA Business Editorial Department (KADOKAWA), Kadokawa Horror Bunko (KADOKAWA), Tatesc Comic Editorial Department (KADOKAWA), Dengeki Bunko (KADOKAWA), MediaWorks Bunko (KADOKAWA), Lettuce Club (KADOKAWA LifeDesign), Monthly Shonen Magazine Editorial Department (Kodansha), Weekly Shonen Magazine Editorial Department (Kodansha), Kobunsha, Shonen Jump+ Editorial Department (Shueisha), Digital Margaret Editorial Department (Shueisha), Shufu to Seikatsu Sha New Business Development Editorial Department, Shufunotomo, Shoeisha, Shinchosha Bunko nex (Shinchosha), OZmagazine/OZcomics/OZbooks (Starts Publishing), Diamond, Discover 21, TV Tokyo, Tokyo Calendar, Toyo Keizai, HarperCollins Japan, Marmalade Comics (HarperCollins Japan), Lunetta Comics (HarperCollins Japan), Futabasha Literary Publishing Department, dancyu (President Inc.), President Online (President Inc.), Bungeishunju Comic Editorial Department (Bungeishunju), Bunshun Bunko (Bungeishunju), Bessatsu Bungeishunju (Bungeishunju), Lifestyle Publishing Department (Bungeishunju), Poplar Publishing Literary Editorial Department, SHURO / Isekai no SHURO (Magazine House), LINE Manga (LINE Digital Frontier)
For details on the types of works each editorial department is looking for and submission formats, please see the special website.
Categories
This time, we are accepting applications through two services: note and Tales.
Submission methods and application requirements vary depending on the category and application route.
For more details, please see the article below.
In addition, works that do not fall into a specific genre will be accepted in the "#AllCategory" section. There are no restrictions on genre or format, such as music, photography, or game scenarios. Outstanding works will receive support, such as being introduced to our partner organizations through the note Creator Support Program.
Awards and Prize Money
1. Media Award (a few winners per media outlet)
Main Prize: Commemorative gift
Supplementary Prize: 100,000 yen cash
A few winners will be selected for each media outlet. Winning works will be assigned a representative from the selecting media outlet to discuss publication in their media (web media, magazines), book adaptation, serialization, or video adaptation. The handling of winning works varies by media outlet, so please check the special website for details.
2. note Award (a few winners)
Main Prize: Commemorative gift
Supplementary Prize: 100,000 yen cash
The Creative Awards management office will select a few winners from the works submitted to the "#AllCategory" section. Winning works will receive support, such as being introduced to media outlets through the note Creator Support Program.
3. Selected Entry (a few winners)
Main Prize: Commemorative gift
Supplementary Prize: 10,000 yen cash
Selected regardless of category. Some works may also be assigned a media representative.
4. Reader Award (a few winners)
Main Prize: Commemorative gift
Supplementary Prize: 10,000 yen cash
A few works that were highly popular with readers will be selected, regardless of category.
5. Best Reviewer Award(about 10 winners)
Prize: 3,000 yen Amazon Gift Card
Winners will be selected from those who post their impressions of entries for the Creative Award on note or share them on X with the hashtag #CreativeAwardImpressions.
For details, please see here.
Selection Process
Entries for all categories will undergo a primary screening by the Creative Award management office.
Following this, the Creative Award management office will conduct the final selection for entries in the #AllCategory, while each media outlet will conduct the final selection for entries in their respective categories to determine the winners.
Application Guidelines
You may submit two or more works as an individual.
You cannot submit the same work to multiple categories.
The applicant's background, such as whether they are a professional or amateur, does not matter.
If you have posted your work on note in the past, please format it according to the submission requirements for each category before applying. As long as the post follows the application guidelines, articles published before the call for entries began are also eligible for review.
Works that have been published personally on other posting sites, social media, or in doujinshi are also eligible for submission.
Works that have been previously published in commercial magazines, on commercial websites, or as books are not eligible for selection.
Works that have won other contests in the past are eligible for submission as long as they have not been commercialized.
If a work wins another contest during the application or judging period of this contest, it will be disqualified from selection.
If you receive an offer for commercialization during the application or selection period, please contact the Creative Award management office ( creativeaward@note.jp ) as soon as possible, clearly stating the company name and details (e.g., book publication, comic adaptation). For other questions, please use the "Inquiry Form" on the help page.
The copyright of the submitted works belongs to the creator.
Please ensure your posts comply with copyright law. For more information, please check "Copyright Concepts to Support Creativity".
The Creative Award management office may remove hashtags from posts that are unrelated to the contest.
The handling of personal information will follow our Privacy Policy. Please check it before applying.
About Judging and Winning Works
Please note in advance that we cannot respond to inquiries regarding the judging process, such as evaluation criteria or selection results.
Works that do not comply with the Terms of Service and application guidelines will be excluded from the selection process. Please also note that we will not contact you individually if the Terms of Service or application guidelines are not followed.
Entries must be works that do not infringe upon the copyrights or other rights of third parties, or are recognized as having no such risk. If you receive allegations of plagiarism or similar issues from a third party, you are responsible for handling them yourself.
note, TalesIf you violate the respective Terms of Service or application guidelines, your award may be revoked even after the judging process.
Winners will be notified via the email address registered on note (the sender's email address is creativeaward@note.jp). If we are unable to reach you within 10 days from the date the email is sent, your award will be revoked.
Specific details and procedures regarding media publication, book adaptation, film adaptation, etc. (including royalties and usage fees) will be determined through separate discussions after the award is granted. If you are under 18, you must obtain the consent of a parent or guardian.
Even in the case of media publication, book adaptation, film adaptation, etc., the copyright of the winner's work will be retained by the winner.
You agree to grant note, Tales, and participating media outlets free-of-charge permission to use the work for the purpose of announcing and promoting the relevant work. Please note that modifications may be made for layout purposes during such use.
Frequently Asked Questions
For frequently asked questions regarding how to apply and the judging process, please see the help page below.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about the Creation Award