The 2nd 'Tomoshibi Cup in Spring 2025' is happening again this year! [Announcement]

Happy New Year, everyone.

Despite being my first self-organized event, the 'Tomoshibi Story Cup in Christmas' received over 50 entries. Engaging with all of your works gave me a lot to think about.

▽ Results announcement for the 1st tournament held last Christmas

▽ 10 works that I, as the organizer, personally picked out

▽ Reflection note after the tournament ended
*I have made this paid content as it includes my honest thoughts.

And so, after trying it out last time, what I was thinking about was my gratitude toward everyone who participated, and also, my own frustrations.

How can I make a better contest?
How can I make it in a way that doesn't make anyone sad or lead to negative feelings?

With that said, I am announcing the detailed rules for the 2nd tournament!
*Basically, this is a more detailed version based on the preliminary report released at the end of the year.

Points 4 and 6 are quite important, so I apologize for the length, but I would be happy if you could read through them.

1. Theme

・"Spring"

However, anything associated withthings that remind you of springis fine!
Also, as the word 'story' has been removed from the contest name,it does not need to be a story, and the submission style is up to you.

Encounters, farewells, new beginnings, etc.—it's a season with many milestones.
Also, you are welcome to use 'youth' or 'shunga' (spring pictures) as they relate to the word 'spring'.

That said, if youconsider this along with the judging criteriabelow, I think you will naturally see for yourself what theme or style you would choose if it were you.

2. Judging Criteria

Something that sends a cheer to those who 'write'.

After thinking about it a lot, this is what I really wanted to do.

3. Awards

・Grand Prix: Tomoshibi Award

　An award for the work I personally thought was the best (same as the 1st tournament)

・Member Award: Named individually by members

　Awards where each membership member selects one work (same as the 1st contest)
　The number of awards is still undecided due to adjustments and other circumstances.

・[NEW] Special Award: Named by the guest

　Special guests will each select one work.
　As for who they are, it's a "secret"—or rather, I'm still in the process of asking them, saying "I really want this person to do it!" so it's currently being adjusted. I am anticipating multiple guest judges.

・[NEW] Cheer Award

　This will likely be the most talked-about award this time.
　The work that receives the most votes from participants is the one that will receive this award.
　
　I will send a special survey to those who have entered.
　However, I will not be sending reminders to participants from my end.

Please allow me to announce the prize money and details separately.
＊This is because the total amount is still being adjusted. However, please rest assured that it will definitely not be less impressive than last time.

4. Regarding Judging

In the first contest, I didn't write this because I thought it was obvious, but naturally, I will read every single work submitted.

However, even so, it is safe to assume that
・Readability
・Title
・Structure
・Length
are relatively relevant.

That said, except for the newly established Cheer Award, all selections are made by individuals, so whether you aim to target someone specifically or go for gathering votes from participants, it seems like strategies will vary.

A word from the organizer

As I wrote when announcing the results last time, I believe a contest is not something that determines the superiority or inferiority of a work. Basically, it's a matter of "whether or not it was chosen by someone," so if the person choosing changes, the works chosen will likely change as well.

Therefore, my wish as the organizer is that this becomes an opportunity to create good works.

However, if there are those who really want to be chosen or who felt frustrated by not being chosen, I hope you will read the following part carefully.

Which of my membership members are enrolled at the time of the judging period, and whether those people will participate in judging for this second contest, is optional. Special guests will also be announced as soon as they are confirmed, but they are not yet finalized.

Or rather, isn't it a common sentiment to "want to aim for the Grand Prix if I'm going to participate"? In other words, the work that Tomoshibi chooses becomes the Grand Prix, and for example, I have compiled notes regarding the worldview I think about in my magazine "The World I Want to See."

In fact, Yuzu-san, who I agonized over until the very end for the Grand Prix, clearly stated that they "aligned their aim" with my preferences! That said, of course, I don't want you to pander to me, so it's not just empty words; my true feelings are exactly as stated at the beginning: there is nothing more than wanting this to be a good opportunity.

However, I saw these thoughts in many of your follow-up stories more than I expected when looking back, so I decided I wanted to properly convey this here.

Also, Hiiro-san said the same thing, but there was also the point that collaborative works with other projects tend to be overlooked. This is true, and it's a perspective on how the judging side feels.

Even so, I will say it again, your stance on participation is free, and this is just a discussion of "if you were to aim for an award," so I would be happy if you could enjoy participating!

5. Application Period and Judging Period

This time, due to the management team's feedback that we didn't have enough judging time, which prevented some from participating or wanting more time to read and decide, and also to allow all participants to vote, we will proceed with the following schedule.

・Application deadline: Applications close on Monday, March 31, 2025
*Applications start today, January 2nd
・Judging period: Tuesday, April 1st – Tuesday, April 15th (2 weeks)
・Results announcement: On or after Wednesday, April 16th

6. How to apply and important notes (Super important)

① Please post with the hashtag "#第2回灯火杯" (#2ndTomoshibiCup).
② Please embed this project announcement article (to prevent oversight).
③ Follow me, Tomoshibi, on note.

Once all conditions ① through ③ are met, you will be considered eligible, and
my "Like" and "Addition to the dedicated magazine" will signify that your application is complete. Please note that comments from me will be optional, and I will refrain from making in-depth comments until the results are announced, so please don't be disappointed if my comment feels a bit thin (lol).

Notes

This time, as rules different from the first cup, we are adding the following:
・Completely new works only (past works cannot be submitted)
・One entry per person (previously there was no limit on the number of works)
rules.

If you have any other questions, please feel free to ask in the comments section!
We, the management team, are looking forward to making this event even more exciting than the last one!!