The results for the 2024 Next Manga (Tsugi Manga) Awards were announced on Aug 28, 2024.
These awards recognize up-and-coming manga titles with the potential to become the next big hits. This year’s winners were determined by fan votes, with a total of 8,212 eligible titles vying for the top spots.
Print Manga Category: Kagurabachi Takes the Crown
In the Print Manga category, Kagurabachi by Takeru Hokazono clinched the top spot with a staggering 101,836 points.
The series, which has quickly become a fan favorite in Shonen Jump, is expected to be the flag bearer of the publisher in the future. The intense action and gripping storyline have garnered a large following, making it the clear winner this year.
In his comments, Hokazono expressed immense gratitude to the readers who supported the series, saying that he felt incredibly happy that people were reading and finding his work interesting.
“I am truly delighted to realize that so many people are reading my work and finding it ‘interesting.’ It fills me with immense joy and energy to continue creating manga. I am deeply grateful! I feel a strong drive to make the series even more entertaining to meet the expectations of those who have said it’s the ‘next big thing,’ so please continue to support me!”
Following closely behind Kagurabachi was Welcome to Demon School! Iruma-kun: if Episode of Mafia by Hiroja and Nishi Osamu, securing second place with 33,033 points.
This spin-off, which expands the universe of the original series, has captivated both new readers and long-time fans of the Iruma-kun world. Both authors expressed their excitement and gratitude, highlighting the joy of contributing to the beloved series.
Author’s Comment (Hiroja):
“To everyone who has supported ‘if Mafia,’ thank you so much for the honor of placing second! I am very happy to feel that I have contributed, even a little, to expanding the world of ‘Welcome to Demon School! Iruma-kun.’ I will continue to work on this series, so please continue to support me!! (with joy)”
Author’s Comment (Nishi Osamu):
“I can’t believe ‘if Mafia,’ which always shows us new scenery beyond the world of Iruma-kun, could lead to this! I am immensely grateful to Hiroja-sensei. I will continue to run alongside the Mafia in new worlds, so please continue to run with us!!”
In third place, Tsumiki Ogami & the Strange Everyday Life by Miyu Morishita charmed readers with its unique tale of a werewolf girl and a human boy navigating a new-normal high school life.
The series earned 30,384 points, with Morishita thanking readers for discovering and supporting the story. The author looks forward to continuing to depict the slightly strange everyday life of the characters.
“Thank you for discovering and supporting ‘Tsumiki Ogami & the Strange Everyday Life!’ I am thrilled and will continue to depict the slightly unusual daily life of Tsumiki and her friends, so I hope you will continue to watch over them. Thank you for this wonderful award!”
Other notable entries in the Print Manga category included DOGSRED (4th place), COSMOS (5th place), and Super Psychic Policeman Chojo (6th place).
Check out the list of top 20 winners in the Print manga Category. The number of points are mentioned in the brackets.
- Kagurabachi (101,836)
- Welcome to Demon School! Iruma-kun: if Episode of Mafia (33,033)
- Tsumiki Ogami & the Strange Everyday Life (30,384)
- DOGSRED (30,128)
- COSMOS (26,129)
- Super Psychic Policeman Chojo (23,876)
- Nue’s Exorcist (23,417)
- NOA IS MY SENIOR, AND MY FRIEND. (22,539)
- FALL IN LOVE, YOU FALSE ANGELS (22,458)
- Kill Blue (21,103)
- Spring Storm and Monster (20,666)
- Nezumi’s First Love (19,278)
- YaniNeko (19,058)
- Tune into the Midnight Heart (17,642)
- VERSUS (15,881)
- Green Green Greens (14,807)
- Robou no Fujii (14,146)
- StrayCat&Wolf (13,543)
- PHANTOM BUSTERS (13,440)
- Kyokuto Necromance (11,324)
Web Manga Category: Girl Meets Rock Wins Big
In the Web Manga category, Girl Meets Rock! by Kuwahari and Tetsuo Ideuchi triumphed with 93,743 points.
The series, which chronicles the raw and unfiltered journey of youth and music, resonated strongly with readers, securing it the top position.
Kuwahari expressed deep appreciation for the overwhelming support, recalling how the series began as a humble hobby project before it grew into a widely loved story.
Tetsuo Ideuchi, the illustrator, also shared their excitement, noting that the manga’s success exceeded their initial expectations.
Author’s Comment (Kuwahari):
“Thank you so much for all the votes!! ‘Ordinary Light Music Club’ originally started as a hobby manga by an amateur with poor drawing skills, but it has received support from so many readers, and I believe this is entirely thanks to the incredible work of Ideuchi-sensei! I am grateful! There are still many things I want to draw, so I hope you will continue to accompany this manga!”
Author’s Comment (Tetsuo Ideuchi):
“I am absolutely thrilled to have won first place!!! Thank you so much!!! When I was first asked to do the art, I felt a strong conviction that ‘this is going to be super interesting and will surely become a series,’ and indeed it did. With the support of so many, we have won this award, and I am honored. The story of Haton and the others is just beginning, with only two volumes out so far, so please look forward to more. I will continue to do my best in the art to bring Kuwahari’s story to everyone!”
RuriDragon by Masaoki Shindo took the second spot with 69,931 points.
The story of a girl who wakes up to find herself with dragon horns has captured the imagination of readers, despite a hiatus that left fans eagerly waiting for the next chapter.
Shindo, in a humorous comment, thanked fans for their patience and reassured them that more adventures are on the way, while also specifying that he did not have a mouth fetish.
“I don’t know how, but I won another award… Scary. I am truly grateful to everyone who voted. During the one year I was on hiatus, the ‘We’re waiting for you’ messages were a great support. I apologize for the delay in returning and for the late announcement. I have a lot to say, but since I have been given the opportunity to comment, I want to clarify something: I am not a mouth fetishist. Seriously, I am not. The influence from One Piece and My Hero Academia is just very strong. There are even suggestions like ‘RuriDragon mouth fetish,’ but I tend not to exaggerate my actual fetishes in my work. I will reveal my true fetish: girls in loungewear.”
Vtuber Kusamura Shigemi by Sakamegane secured third place with 50,273 points, bringing a unique twist to the Vtuber phenomenon by blending it with a heartfelt narrative about love and obsession.
The author also commented on the win saying, “I am thrilled to hear that ‘Vtuber Kusamura Shigemi’ placed third! This is all thanks to the readers who enjoy and support the series. Thank you very much! I hope you continue to enjoy the activities of Kusamura Shigemi, who loves Nanashino too much and goes a bit overboard. Also, I hope this award brings new readers to the series. Thank you again for all the support!”
Meanwhile, Centuria, which has recently been gaining a lot of popularity among readers, came in at 7th place in the web manga category.
Check out the entire list of Web Manga Category below:
- Girl meets Rock! (93,743)
- RuriDragon (69,931)
- Vtuber Kusamura Shigemi (50,273)
- Hope You’re Happy, Lemon (48,022)
- Sachi’s Records ～Sachi’s Book of Revelation～ (39,870)
- The Reason Why She Loves a Jerk (39,271)
- Centuria (30,378)
- I LOVE DOKAGUI! MOCHIZUKI-SAN (29,651)
- ST☆R STRIKE IT RICH (28,496)
- HOTARU NO YOMEIRI (24,489)
- DEKAIHACHI (22,361)
- THE IDOLM@STER SHINY COLORS Hazuki’s Shinography (21,580)
- Vtubers who lie about their age (20,982)
- Samurai in Another World (20,284)
- How to keep a human (20,184)
- Spis, Store Staff (18,672)
- Ah, TANUKI is over. (18,554)
- On and Off: Work Life Imbalance (18,083)
- KYATAPI LAND (17,855)
- My Best Friend’s Girlfriend (17,755)
Special Prizes and Recognition
In addition to the top three winners, the awards also recognized special achievements. The Global Special Prize (English Edition) was awarded to My Girlfriend’s Not Here Today by Kiyoko Iwami, and Global Special Prize (Special Chinese Edition) was awarded to Samurai in Another World by Keigo Sato.
The Next Manga Awards, established in 2014 by KADOKAWA Group, are unique in their focus on fan participation.
Readers from around the world nominate and vote for titles they believe have the potential to become the next big hits in the manga industry.
With categories for both Print and Web Manga, the awards offer a platform for emerging talents to gain recognition and build a broader audience.
Eligible titles for the Print Manga category are those currently serialized in Japanese print magazines as of May 9, 2024, with no more than five volumes released or serialized after January 1, 2023. For the Web Manga category, titles must be primarily serialized on Japanese web platforms with similar guidelines.
Coinciding with the winner’s announcement, BOOK☆WALKER is currently running a promotion featuring award winners and nominees from previous and the 2024 awards. It is under the title of Next Manga Awards Hall of Fame.
Source: Press Release