Introducing the Judges! What does Michiyo Fujita of Gentosha Comics look for in a submission for the #CreationAward2022?

The "note Creation Award" is a submission contest open to all genres. Since the call for entries began on November 15, 2021, nearly 8,000 works have already been submitted.

Many of you reading this right now might be thinking, "I'm going to spend the year-end and New Year holidays working on a project to submit!"

That is why note has decided to introduce the judges from each company over three consecutive days—December 26, 27, and 28—in the hope that it will provide some inspiration for your creative activities.

The final judge to appear is Michiyo Fujita, a manga editor at Gentosha Comics.

The manga industry has undergone a major shift from analog to digital, and the rise of social media has accelerated the debut cycle. What kind of work is Fujita-san, who says she "feels the trends of the times," looking for now?

A manga lover since childhood

Fujita-san: Most manga editors are like this, but I've loved manga since I was a child. When I was a student, I often went to manga conventions. I'm a typical manga otaku born in the Showa era (laughs). There are many genres of manga, and I think many long-time otaku have reached where they are today after having savored every single genre.

I followed that exact path, and through a stroke of luck, I have been involved in manga editing for a long time. The manga industry was analog when I started, but now 80-90% of manuscripts are digital data.

While many paper magazines still exist, I feel that the main places for publication have shifted to the web and apps. As for Gentosha Comics' content, everything on "comic boost" is currently published on the web. After being serialized on the web, we release the print and e-book volumes simultaneously.

If there is even one shining point, it's okay

Fujita-san: When I look at works by newcomers, I look to see if there is at least one shining point. No one who has just started aspiring to be a manga artist has everything.

For example, the art might still be a work in progress, but the character dialogue or personality is interesting, or the story might be hard to follow, but the protagonist's face is cute. If there is even one shining part, we can polish and grow that aspect.

Honestly, it's very difficult to turn zero into one, but it's quite easy to turn one into two. I provide advice to help them grow their strengths and give them shape.

Since you are appearing in public, wear the outfit that suits you best

Fujita-san: What I often tell authors is that "the clothes you want to wear and the clothes that suit you are different." I say, "Since you are appearing in public, let's wear the outfit that suits you best and makes you shine. That way, more people will look at you."

I think self-promotion, which is a trigger for people to notice you, is necessary. It's better to separate your creative side from your commercial side to a certain extent.

In recent years, many people have been publishing their work on the web without needing to be on a commercial basis. It has become easier to grasp what people like about your work by looking at the number of "likes" or the movement of rankings. In that sense, I think there are more people who are skilled at self-promotion.

Since you are publishing on the web, I think you have the desire to "have someone see it," so if you are conscious of "what is my strength?" at that time, I think the possibility of being seen will expand.

Convey your passionate feelings with impact

Fujita: I participated as a judge in the 2nd #ComicEssayAwards, a submission contest held in 2020 by Gentosha, TV Tokyo, and note. Among the works I saw, there were stories from fields I knew nothing about, which I found impressive and stimulating.

For this "note Creation Awards" as well, I hope to encounter impactful works where the submitter's passionate desire to "get this one thing across!" comes through with a punch.

I have spent my entire career in the manga field, so this is my first time serving as a judge for a medium outside of manga. I feel a great sense of responsibility. I hope to approach the works as a beginner, with the mindset of a reader, and value my first impressions.

Creative work also requires an objective perspective

Fujita: My advice to all creators is to "incorporate an objective perspective." Even if you think, "This might be interesting!," it takes a lot of effort to convey that clearly to others. In manga, the way you structure it and the dialogue you choose can completely change how it is perceived.

It is a waste if the appeal of your work isn't conveyed well, so I think it is good to set it aside for a while after finishing it, review it, or have a third party like a friend or family member look at it—in short, to incorporate some kind of objective perspective. You should confirm whether your intentions are properly conveyed when someone encounters the work for the first time without knowing anything about it.

Also, if you get lost during the creative process, it is better to narrow your focus down to just one point: "What did I want to convey with this work?" If you focus on the core appeal you originally aimed for, it is perfectly fine if other parts are a bit clumsy.

Michiyo FujitaFujita
Deputy Editor-in-Chief of comic boost, Editorial Department 2, Editorial Headquarters, Gentosha Comics, Inc.; Manager of the Digital Production Office, Publishing Department
Joined Wani Books in 2000. Edited titles such as "Rakkyo no Kawa" (Kineko Abekawa), "Gouhou Lilac" (Noriko Kuwata), and "Abarenbou Shounagon" (Asahiro Kakashi) for the manga magazine "COMIC Gum." Joined Gentosha Comics in 2009. Edited titles such as "Jun Kissa Neko" (Yukiru Sugisaki), "Futari Beya" (Yukiko), "Kondo wa Zettai ni Jama Shimasen!" (Original story: Reina Kuniya, Art: Harukawa You), "Isekai de Tochi o Katte Noujou o Tsukurou" (Original story: Rokujuuyon Okazawa, Art: Jun Hosoyuki, Character design: Yuichi Murakami), "Saikyou no Kurokishi, Sentou Maid ni Tenshoku Shimashita" (Original story: Isshin Momokado, Art: Chiro Kazuhana), and "Mitsubachi to Enrai" (Original story: Riku Onda, Art: Natsuki Sumeragi) for the manga magazine "Birz" and the web manga site "comic boost."

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We have also interviewed Fumio Kamei of Diamond, Inc. and Taku Matsumoto of TV Tokyo. Please be sure to read those as well!