Do you dream of becoming a manga artist in Japan, but live outside Japan?
For many aspiring manga artists around the world, submitting a manga directly to a Japanese publisher may seem difficult — especially if you don’t live in Japan or speak Japanese.
But there is exciting news for international manga creators.
KADOKAWA now allows creators from around the world to submit manga online — and submissions can be in English.
Through the KADOKAWA WORLD MANGA ATELIER, aspiring manga artists can submit their work directly to KADOKAWA’s manga editorial team through its OnLINE Portfolio Review MOCHIKOMI program.
You can check the details here. https://kadokawaworldmanga.com/online/
What Is “Mochikomi” in the Japanese Manga Industry?
If you want to become a professional manga artist in Japan, you may hear the Japanese word “mochikomi” (持ち込み).
Mochikomi is a traditional part of the Japanese manga industry.
It refers to manga creators presenting their work directly to a manga editor and having their work reviewed.
Traditionally, aspiring artists often needed to bring their manuscripts directly to a publisher’s editorial department in Japan.
However, KADOKAWA’s new online system makes this opportunity accessible to creators around the world.
As KADOKAWA explains, its Online Portfolio Review allows creators to submit their manga regardless of location or time zone.
Can I Submit Manga in English?
Yes!
According to KADOKAWA’s official application guidelines:
Manga submissions can be in either Japanese or English.
The program is open to creators regardless of professional experience, age, or nationality. Both professional and amateur creators can apply. Minors need permission from a parent or legal guardian. (KADOKAWA WORLD MANGA)
This means you do not need to live in Japan to submit your manga.
For international creators who dream of entering the Japanese manga industry, this creates an exciting new opportunity.
What Kind of Manga Can You Submit?
KADOKAWA’s Online Portfolio Review accepts a wide range of manga.
According to the current guidelines:
- All genres are welcome.
- Manga can be written in English or Japanese.
- Both digital and traditional artwork are accepted.
- Black-and-white and color manga are accepted.
- Right-to-left, left-to-right, and vertical Webtoon formats are accepted.
- There is currently no page-count limit.
- Completed manuscripts are preferred, although storyboards may be accepted when accompanied by finished drawing samples.
- AI-generated works or works containing AI-generated materials/images are not accepted. (KADOKAWA WORLD MANGA)
Make sure to check the latest official application guidelines before submitting, as requirements may change.
What Happens After You Submit Your Manga?
This is perhaps the most exciting part.
KADOKAWA states that its Japanese manga editors review submissions. Creators selected through the review process may then be contacted to arrange an online meeting with the editorial team.
From there, the creator and editor may work together to improve the manga with the goal of publication or serialization.
However, submitting a manga does not guarantee that you will be contacted or assigned an editor.
KADOKAWA OnLINE Portfolio Review MOCHIKOMI – Official Website
Can International Manga Artists Really Debut in Japan?
Yes — and there is already a recent example showing that international creators can reach professional publication in Japan.
In May 2026, India-based manga creator masterlynx, a winner of KADOKAWA’s international manga contest, made a professional Japanese debut with KUNG FU KUNG FOOL, which began serialization on KADOKAWA’s Kadocomi platform.
KADOKAWA described this as the first professional debut resulting from its broader KADOKAWA WORLD MANGA ATELIER initiative. (KADOKAWA group portal site)
Of course, this doesn’t mean submitting through MOCHIKOMI guarantees a professional debut. But it demonstrates that KADOKAWA is actively creating pathways for manga creators outside Japan.
From Learning Manga to Creating Your Own Manga
At MANGA DOJO Online, our goal isn’t simply to teach you how to draw manga.
We want to help aspiring creators take steps toward creating their own manga.
Our students learn directly from professional Japanese manga artists through live online classes with English interpretation.
Depending on the course and level, students can develop skills such as:
Character Drawing → Anatomy & Poses → Manga Paneling → Storytelling → Storyboarding → Inking → Creating Your Own Manga
Students in our 12-Lesson Course can also submit assignments and receive personalized feedback from professional manga artists.
For students who dream of becoming manga artists, opportunities such as KADOKAWA’s Online MOCHIKOMI can become a real goal to work toward.
Your Manga Journey Can Start Anywhere
You don’t necessarily need to live in Tokyo to begin pursuing manga seriously.
Today, you can:
Learn manga online from Japan → Practice → Receive professional feedback → Create your own manga → Submit your work to a Japanese publisher
That is an exciting development for the next generation of manga creators around the world.
At MANGA DOJO Online, we hope to help students develop the skills and confidence they need to take those next steps.
Dream of becoming a manga artist? Start learning from Japan.
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