The result for the Next Manga Awards 2021 winners, a joint between Kadokawa’s Da Vinci magazine and Niconico were announced yesterday with Mengo Yokoyari’s Oshi no Ko, a Manga which is based on Aka Akasaka’s original work takes first place in the “Print Manga Category”. Naoya Matsumoto’s Kaijuu 8-gou on the other hand, wins the Web Manga Category.
The award initially began in 2014 with the aim to discover the next big Manga. For the 2021 “Print Manga Category”, it focuses on titles which volumes number less than five, or for serialization which started in January 2020 and beyond. The “Web Manga Category” focuses on similar criteria, looking at titles that have less than five volumes published. Winners for the grand prize were decided through public voting.
Oshi no Ko
Synopsis: The manga’s story begins with Gorō, a doctor who coincidentally handles the childbirth of his favorite idol Ai Hoshino, who took a hiatus from the entertainment industry to give birth to her twin babies. However, just before Ai gives birth, Gorō dies from an accident, but is reborn as one of Ai’s children, Aquamarine Hoshino, with his memories fully intact. (ANN)
Kaijuu 8-gou
Synopsis: A man working a job far removed from his childhood dreams gets wrapped up in an unexpected situation…! Becoming a monster, he aims once again to fulfill his lifelong dream…! (Manga Plus)
Following the announcement, the winning authors made the following comments:
Aka Akasaka
“Following Kaguya-sama wa Kokurasetai, this is the second time for me to have won, personally speaking I am really happy about this. However, without the effort of Mengo-sensei who have allowed me to work together with him, I believe this would not have been possible. Personally, I believe, the award this time around should go to Mengo-sensei. Although I have always been inconveniencing those around me, Mengo-sensei has always forgiven me with a smile, and because of that, this Manga could come into existence. I will have the next storyboard up as fast as I can. Please keep reading. I appreciate your continuous support.”
Mengo Yokoyari
“Previously, comment from Aka-sensei almost passed the deadline to submit, and I was wondering, are the comments from Aka-sensei and his editor still not here…? Now that it has arrived and I have received it, I started sweating, thinking if I am able to safely write a comment in reply. Having “Kaguya-sama” running side by side, plus it being a weekly publication, within Aka-sensei’s capacity, that in itself I believe is already an amazing and great achievement, and at this moment I hope to be able to support the best I can the drawing of “Oshi no Ko”. Thanks to the support of everyone, we have won the first place… I don’t think I have anything to do with that, however, thank you very much for giving me the opportunity for the first time as an author. I would once again like to express my gratitude to everyone and readers for the support.”
Naoya Matsumoto
“Thank you so much for voting for “Kaijuu 8-gou” this time! Thanks to all of you, the work was able to rank first in the Web Comic Category. When the announcement came, I could not believe that my own Manga was able to win first place. From now on, I will work hard to to make a Manga that is exciting for both the readers and myself!”
Of course, the list is not limited to only those in the above, the followings are the full lists of the Top 20 winners for both categories:
Print Manga Category
Web Manga Category
*1. Oshi no Ko
*2. Uma Musume Cinderella Gray
*3. Sousou no Frieren
*4. Onna no Sono no Hoshi
*5. Shangri-La Frontier: Kusoge Hunter, Kamige ni Idoman to su
*6. Nige Jouzu no Wakagimi
*7. Kubo-san wa Mob wo Yurusanai
*8. Ao no Hako
*9. Sakamoto Days
10. Chi.: Chikyuu no Undou ni Tsuite
11. Shounen no Abyss
12. Witch Watch
13. Boku to Roboko
14. Uruwashi no Yoi no Tsuki
15. Hakaishin Magu-chan
16. Medalist
17. Watashi no Oshi wa Akuyaku Reijou.
18. Souri Club
19. Futari Escape
20. Kohaku no Yume de Yoimashou
*1. Kaijuu 8-gou
*2. Dandadan
*3. Senpai wa Otokonoko
*4. Yamada-kun to Lv999 no Koi wo Suru
*5. Ura Baito: Toubou Kinshi
*6. Hyperinflation
*7. Ibitte Konai Gibo to Gishi
*8. Tensei shitara Dainana Ouji Datta node, Kimama ni Majutsu wo Kiwamemasu
*9. Gaming Ojousama
10. Ninja to Gokudou
11. Kawajiri Kodama no Tadareta Seikatsu
12. Tsukuritai Onna to Tabetai Onna
13. Ushiro no Shoumen Kamui-san
14. Kamonohashi Ron no Kindan Suiri
15. Goukon ni Ittara Onna ga Inakatta Hanashi
16. Joshiryoku Takame na Shishihara-kun
17. Aragane no Ko
18. Tensei Kizoku, Kantei Skill de Nariagaru: Jakushou Ryouchi wo Uketsuida node, Yuushuu na Jinzai wo Fuyashiteitara, Saikyou Ryouchi ni Natteta
19. Koori no Jouheki
20. Wind Breaker
Both Oshi no Ko and Kaiju 8-gou have performed spectacularly on Oricon sales charts. Oshi no Ko did have a slow start, but soon began to make a pronounced impact with the release of Volume 3 and Volume 4 in February and May of 2021. Sales were at a good 52,701 copies for Volume 3 in its first week, but the series witnessed a climb of 44.03% debut-to-debut to 94,157 copies for Volume 4.
The success of Kaiju 8-gou is even more palpable, after making a strong impact the first week with the release of Volume 1, sales rose sharply debut-to-debut from 90,831 copies to 301,425 copies for Volume 2. That was a 69.87% increase! Volume 3 retain the momentum to see 318,973 copies sold.
Alternative View: Here
Other categories include:
Special Awards U-NEXT
Print Manga Category: Sakamoto Days
Web Manga Category: Tensei Kizoku, Kantei Skill de Nariagaru: Jakushou Ryouchi wo Uketsuida node, Yuushuu na Jinzai wo Fuyashiteitara, Saikyou Ryouchi ni Natteta
Special Awards UGC
Web Manga Category: Mahoutsukai Linn no Shiawase na Kekkon
Special Awards Global
Print Manga Category: Ao no Hako
Let me know what you think about the list above! Also, don’t shy away from dropping a comment or two down below.
Sources:
Natalie.mu
Next Manga Awards
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