Next ILLUST Award 2026 Calls for Illustrations Worldwide | Deadline 30 November
Overview
PIE International/S magazine editorial department and COMICUP are holding the worldwide illustration contest Next ILLUST Award 2026. People of any age, profession or nationality may enter up to two self-drawn original illustrations on a free theme. The official rules do not state an entry fee.
Both traditional and digital work are accepted. A4 or approximately F3 is recommended, together with a resolution of at least 300 dpi. Entries are accepted online only; postal submissions are not accepted.
How to enter and deadline
Entrants in Japan use the submission form on the S/Small S website; entrants in China use COMICUP; and entrants in all other countries and regions use the dedicated Discord channel. The deadline is 23:59 Japan Standard Time on 30 November 2026.
Works using AI-generated images or text, in whole or in part, are excluded. Rights-infringing works, traced works and fan art are also ineligible or may have an award revoked. Copyright in submitted work remains with the entrant.
Prizes and announcement
One Gold Award winner receives JPY 100,000, a 36-month CLIP STUDIO PAINT PRO plan, a Kamvas Pad 12 and one PIE International book. There are also two Silver Awards with JPY 50,000 each, four Bronze Awards and nine Jury Awards. Leading entries will be announced in S magazine issue 97, scheduled for 17 March 2027.
HUION GLOBAL will ship HUION prizes to winners outside Japan. Delivery is possible to most regions, although recipients may need to pay customs duties depending on where they live.
Official information
Information checked: 21 September 2026