Brianna Fox-Priest
July 1, 2024 Calling all manga fans! It’s almost time to celebrate the first American Manga Awards! This first-ever event in the US will honor the best in manga creation, translation, and publication for the North American market.
Presented by LeftField Media, the creators and organizers of Anime NYC and co-organized by the Japan Society, this special event will recognize the incredible impact manga has had on readers across the US and Canada. The awards will spotlight not only the creators but also the professionals behind the scenes who make it possible for fans to enjoy these works in English.
August 22nd, 2024 will be a night to remember. Hosted by acclaimed manga translator Matt Alt, the awards will acknowledge eight distinct categories, shining a spotlight on both established and up-and-coming talent.
Let’s delve into what makes these awards so exciting!
American Manga Awards Categories and Honors
The American Manga Awards will feature eight categories, each designed to acknowledge different aspects of manga production:
- Mangaka Hall of Fame
- Manga Publishing Hall of Fame
- Best New Manga
- Best Continuing Manga Series
- Best New Edition of Classic Manga
- Best Translation
- Best Lettering
- Best Publication Design
To kick off the American Manga Awards, Frederik L. Schodt, a pioneer in bringing manga to the West, has been named the first inaugural induction to the Manga Publishing Hall of Fame. Schodt is known for his translated works by legendary artists like Osamu Tezuka and Riyoko Ikeda, and won numerous awards for his contributions to promote Japanese popular culture in North America.
Judging and Nomination Process
The award winners will be selected by a committee of manga experts, including journalists, librarians, and reviewers (and even a familiar face around Otaku USA!)
Who’s Who: The Manga Awards Judges
- Matt Alt – Translation Judge: Alt is a localizer and author of Pure Invention: How Japan’s Pop Culture Made the Modern World, and co-host of NHK World series Japanology Plus.
- Hiroko Yoda – Translation Judge: Yoda is a Japanese author, translator, co-founder of AltJapan Co., and Shinto cultural historian.
- Nate Piekos – Lettering Judge: Piekos is an Eisner-nominated letterer, graphic designer, and author of The Essential Guide to Comic Book Lettering.
- Tom Orzechowski – Lettering Judge: Veteran comic book letterer who lettered the U.S. publication of Nausicaä of the Valley of Wind and worked on Ghost In The Shell, among several other series.
- Shigekazu Watanabe – Publication Design Judge: Watanabe is the East Coast Regional Manager at Kinokuniya USA.
- Sasha E Head – Publication Design Judge: Head is a Graphic Designer and Production Artist who has worked on comics like Time Before Time and video games.
- Brigid Alverson – Manga Judge: Alverson is a journalist who writes about comics and manga for Publishers Weekly, School Library Journal, and ICv2.
- Shaenon K. Garrity – Manga Judge: Garrity is a cartoonist, writer, and freelance manga editor/localizer. And Otaku USA’s very own manga editorial editor!
- Lynzee Loveridge – Manga Judge: Loveridge is Anime News Network’s Executive Editor overseeing all of ANN’s manga and anime editorial content.
- Minovsky – Manga Judge: Minovsky is a lifelong manga fan and advocate passionate about discovering and sharing new manga.
- Renee Scott – Manga Judge: Scott is a young adult librarian, blogger/reviewer for Good Comics for Kids, and board member of Manga in Libraries.
A Celebration for the Manga Community
The American Manga Awards are more than just a ceremony. They represent a significant step forward in recognizing the immense value and artistry of manga in the North American market.
The future of this beloved art form in North America looks brighter than ever.
