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Manga, and the anime that it often spawns, is generally regarded as one of Japan’s largest cultural exports. However, that doesn’t necessarily mean that it is limited to Japanese artists and writers. We’ve already seen an increase in non-Japanese animators working in the anime industry, so it isn’t too surprising that Kodansha, the publisher of some of the most iconic manga of all time, is opening the doors to its editorial department to overseas manga creators.

Last month, Kodansha, which has published stories like Akira, Sailor Moon, and Attack on Titan, launched a new website encouraging artists and writers from around the world to consider a career as a manga creator. It gives insight into how the editorial process works and has some choice quotes from some big names in the manga industry as encouragement for artists to apply. 

“As a fellow manga lover myself,” Attack on Titan creator Hajime Isayama wrote on the website. “I want to read stories not only from Japan but also from many different cultural backgrounds, so I hope for a world where manga is created everywhere across the globe.”

Despite its apparent vision for a world where manga is created not just by Japanese artists but by anyone around the world, the application process detailed on the website remains very Japan-centric. It suggests applying for manga awards, which can lead to a meeting with an editor and, for a lucky few, serialization for their series. The page teases that Kodansha “is preparing a global new-creator award that accepts submissions worldwide,” so clearly this is something the company is considering.

Manga is increasingly becoming a big part of how fans around the world consume stories, with the major comic book publishers drawing direct inspiration from some of the manga series that we all grew up with. There is a growing appetite for international manga creators, and Kodansha wants to satisfy it.

Each week, Popverse's resident anime expert Trent Cannon runs down the latest and, dare we say "greatest," in anime and manga in Popverse Jump. Some recent columns have included... 

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