A clear guide to the application methods and procedures for the "Creative Awards 2025"!

The "Creative Awards 2025," one of Japan's largest creative contests, has been underway since April 22nd. In this article, we will explain how to submit your work.

For the Creative Awards, the application requirements differ depending on the category you are entering.
Also, this year, we are accepting submissions simultaneously on the story posting site "Tales."
Please check the following points before you begin creating.

1. Decide which category to enter

2. For categories accepted on both note and Tales, decide which site you will use to submit

3. Check the submission rules for each category (such as word count, submission format, and whether a synopsis is required)

   • If submitting via note, be careful with your hashtag settings

We will explain these in detail.

Decide whether to post on note or Tales

Starting this year, in addition to note, we are also accepting submissions on the new story posting site, Tales.

Categories eligible for submission via Tales

Depending on the category, there are categories where submission via Tales is possible and others where it is not.
For eligible categories, first decide which platform you will use to submit.

• For #MysteryNovelCategory / #HorrorNovelCategory / #RomanceNovelCategory / #WorkplaceNovelCategory / #FantasyNovelCategory / #EntertainmentOriginalWorkCategory
  →You can submit from either note or Tales.
  

• For #EssayCategory / #MangaCategory / #ComicEssayCategory / #FoodCategory / #BusinessCategory / #AllCategory
  →You can only submit via note.

How to submit

The submission process differs between note and Tales.
Also, the requirements for word count and submission format vary depending on the category you are entering, so please be sure to check those as well. (Links to the special sites for each category can be found at the bottom of this page.)

If submitting via note

For note, you must set two hashtags for each article: "#CreativeAwards2025" and the "hashtag specified for each category".

Also, for the Entertainment Original Work Category or Manga Category, we recommend adding optional tags such as "#ShonenManga," "#ShojoManga," or "#SeinenManga" to help reach readers who will enjoy your work.

If you make a mistake in the hashtag name or forget to include them, your work will be excluded from the selection process, so please be sure to check before posting.

Additionally, for detailed instructions on how to use the editor (editing screen), please see "Steps to publish a text post."

When applying via Tales

Unlike note, you must select the category you are applying for on the work information page.
When applying, please be sure to check the following two points to ensure your entry is submitted correctly.

1. Publishing settings for each episode are required. Please check that all episodes you are entering have been published.

2. Please confirm that "#CreativeAward2025 [Category Name]" is displayed under "Participating Contests" on the work editing page.

For basic operation instructions, please see the Tales help page.

Check the application requirements

Let's check the application requirements.
Works that do not follow these rules will be excluded from the selection process, so please be sure to check them before you start writing.

Rules common to all categories

1. There is no problem with submitting multiple works.
   However, you cannot submit a single work to multiple categories. If you apply on note by adding hashtags for multiple categories, your work will be excluded from the selection process.

2. Depending on the category, a synopsis may be required. Please be sure to check the application requirements for each category.

3. Works published on other posting sites can also be submitted as long as they have not been commercialized. Additionally, works that were previously submitted to other contests but did not win can also be submitted to the Creative Award.

For other questions or the types of works and themes sought by each media outlet, please see the special website or the Frequently Asked Questions help page.

Click here for the special website for each category

• #EssayCategory

• #MysteryNovelCategory

• #HorrorNovelCategory

• #RomanceNovelCategory

• #WorkplaceNovelCategory

• #FantasyNovelCategory

• #EntertainmentOriginalWorkCategory

• #MangaCategory

• #ComicEssayCategory

• #FoodCategory

• #BusinessCategory

• #AllCategories

About the synopsis

For the #MysteryNovelCategory / #HorrorNovelCategory / #RomanceNovelCategory / #WorkplaceNovelCategory / #FantasyNovelCategory / #EntertainmentOriginalWorkCategory / #MangaCategory, a "synopsis" is required for each work.

When applying via note

At the beginning of the article(or at the beginning of the first article if you are posting in multiple parts), please include a summary of about 300 characters.

If applying via Tales

On the Tales work information page, there is a "Work Introduction" field. Please enter your summary here. In the work introduction field, you can include not only the summary but also settings for characters and the world view. (Maximum 10,000 characters)

Let's double-check before posting

Once your work is ready, let's check the following again before pressing the post button.

1. Does the character count and posting format follow the rules for each category?

2. If you are applying for a category that requires a summary, did you include one?

3. Have you successfully entered the category you want to apply for?

   • For note: Have you set both the "#CreativeAward2025" hashtag and the hashtag for each category?

   • For Tales: Is "Apply" checked under "Participate in Contest"?

Once you have confirmed everything, press the post button to complete your application!

Please also take a look at the help page which summarizes frequently asked questions. We look forward to your entries!