Los Angeles, CA (August 21, 2002) - TOKYOPOP®, the premiere manga publisher in the U.S. and a burgeoning force in youth entertainment, is thrilled to announce the launch of its TOKYOPOP® "Rising Stars of Manga(tm)" Talent Competition. Answering the call of countless manga fans, this contest will give aspiring U.S. artists the opportunity of a lifetime: to submit their original stories (written in English) for the chance to win cash prizes and get their work published worldwide. The TOKYOPOP® "Rising Stars of Manga(tm)" Talent Competition officially opens on August 15, 2002 and runs through December 16, 2002. Since 1996, TOKYOPOP® has been committed to bringing Japanese manga and, more recently, Korean manga (manwha) to English-speaking audiences. This Competition is not only indicative of the company's commitment to seek out and foster new manga talent, but it also responds to an increasingly active fanbase. Aspiring local U.S.-based manga artists, searching for the perfect outlet for their creative renderings, have sent TOKYOPOP enough mail to fill a small swimming pool.
"With the "Rising Stars" competition, TOKYOPOP hopes to discover some of the best untapped manga talent the U.S. has to offer," said Stu Levy, the company's Founder and Chief Executive Officer. "We know that many aspiring manga artists here at home are looking for an opportunity to be published, and TOKYOPOP is proud to be the first U.S. manga publisher to support turning their dreams into reality."
The grand prizewinner will receive $2,500 and the chance to pitch a full-length manga series to TOKYOPOP's top brass. The second place winner will earn a cash prize of $1,000. Eight runner-ups will each receive a cash prize of $500. All ten prizewinners will be eligible to be published in a TOKYOPOP manga anthology (The Rising Stars of Manga(tm)) scheduled for publication in Spring 2003.
Entrants are encouraged to submit content from all genres -- comedy, drama, horror, science fiction, action, fantasy, romance -- and even under-represented genres such as political, historical or instructional manga.
The Entry Form and the Official Rules are available on the TOKYOPOP® website (www.TOKYOPOP.com), or they may be requested by mail by sending a self-addressed, stamped envelope to: Rising Stars of Manga, c/o TOKYOPOP, 5900 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 2000, Los Angeles, CA 90036. Entries must be postmarked by December 16, 2002.
About TOKYOPOP®
TOKYOPOP®, founded in 1996, is the leading North American publisher of manga, the fastest growing category in the publishing business. With exclusive rights to hundreds of book, video and music products, the company has become a media convergence leader. TOKYOPOP® has millions of books in print and publishes several hit properties based on popular Cartoon Network and Kids! WB programs. TOKYOPOP® titles include Sailor Moon, Gundam Wing, Initial D, Real Bout High School and Cowboy Bebop, among others. With rapidly growing demand for its properties, TOKYOPOP® is actively expanding into television, film and licensed goods. For more information, visit www.TOKYOPOP.com.
