36th The Best Cartoons of Nippon 2026 Invites Cartoonists from Around the World

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Poster of the 36th The Best Cartoons of Nippon 2026 International Cartoon Festival in Saitama, Japan. — Japan’s prestigious international cartoon festival is accepting entries until August 15, 2026.

Saitama’s prestigious international cartoon festival announces its 2026 theme: “Support and Encouragement.” Applications are open until August 15, 2026.

The 36th The Best Cartoons of Nippon International Cartoon Festival, organized by PLAZA NORTH in Saitama City, Japan, has officially opened its international call for entries. One of Japan’s longest-running cartoon festivals invites professional and amateur cartoonists from around the world to submit original works inspired by this year’s theme, “Support and Encouragement.”

The submission deadline is August 15, 2026 (Saturday).

A Festival Honoring the Legacy of Rakuten Kitazawa

The festival is organized in memory of Rakuten Kitazawa, widely recognized as one of the pioneers of modern Japanese cartoons and manga. Saitama City has long promoted cartooning and manga as important forms of cultural expression, and the annual exhibition has become an established meeting point for artists from Japan and abroad.

According to the organizers, the 2026 edition aims to celebrate the power of encouragement, solidarity, and human connection through humorous visual storytelling.

2026 Theme: “Support and Encouragement”

The organizers selected “Support and Encouragement” as this year’s theme, noting that 2026 is a major year for international sports, with both the FIFA World Cup and the World Baseball Classic bringing people together across the globe.

Artists are encouraged to interpret the theme freely, portraying moments of courage, friendship, solidarity, hope, and emotional support through the universal language of cartoons and manga.

No Prize Money, but International Recognition

While the festival does not offer monetary awards or honoraria, every selected participant will receive an approximately 100-page A4 soft-cover exhibition catalogue, continuing the event’s tradition of documenting contemporary cartoon art.

The exhibition has built an international reputation over the years by bringing together cartoonists from numerous countries and showcasing diverse artistic interpretations of a shared theme.

Submission Deadline

Cartoonists wishing to participate must ensure that their artwork and the required personal information form arrive no later than August 15, 2026.

As one of Japan’s most respected cartoon exhibitions, The Best Cartoons of Nippon continues to provide an international platform for artists exploring social themes through humor, satire, and visual storytelling.