ASOBISYSTEM, in collaboration with LINE Digital Frontier, which operates the digital comic service LINE Manga, will host “ASOBI STORY AUDITION 2026 powered by LINE Manga,” a contest designed to discover the next generation of story creators.

‘ASOBI STORY AUDITION’ is a creator discovery project designed to uncover new talent and stories. Joining forces to recruit the raw materials for future hit content, this project pairs our company―which produces artists, manages creators, and has shared Japanese culture with the world―with LINE Manga, one of Japan’s largest webtoon platforms.

The submission theme is “Stories of protagonists stepping into new worlds driven by their ‘passions.'” The contest features two categories: the “Story Category,” accepting original one-shot story submissions, and the “Art Category,” accepting artwork based on a provided webtoon storyboard. Winners will receive cash prizes and guaranteed dedicated editors from LINE Manga, ASOBISYSTEM, and others to support their future creator endeavors.

Pom, the creator of the webtoon Senpai Is an Otokonoko, will serve as a judge for the contest. Their work won third place in the Web Manga category of the “Next Big Manga Award 2021,” took first place in AnimeJapan 2022’s “5th Annual Manga We Want to See Adapted into Anime Ranking,” and has since been adapted into a TV anime and an animated film currently available in seven languages worldwide in addition to Japanese. In addition, the sample storyboards for the Artwork Category will be original works created specifically for this contest by Pom.

Additionally, guest judges from ASOBISYSTEM’s talent roster include manga enthusiasts Yutaro (Actor/Model), Ko-kun (Creator), Yuna Takanashi (member of the idol group MORE STAR), and Natsumi Yoshida (Illustrator).

Show us the possibilities born from what you love.

<Submission Theme>
Stories of protagonists stepping into new worlds driven by their “passions”

ASOBISYSTEM and LINE Manga believe in the power of passion.
Fashion, music, idols, art, sports, gaming—every culture starts with a single person’s love for it.
We want to encounter new stories born from that kind of pure devotion. Show us the possibilities of what you believe in through this contest.

■Judges’s Comments

Yutaro (Actor/Model)
“I’m Yutaro, and I’m participating as a guest judge. I truly believe that the power of ‘passion’ carries an irreplaceable, overwhelming energy. Discovering clothes and makeup allowed me to love myself. I’m excited to see everyone’s passion expressed through manga. I’m looking forward to your entries!”

Ko-kun (Creator)
“Manga has the power to change lives. A truly memorable work makes you want to recommend it to someone or re-read it immediately after finishing. Please utilize your unique intensity and desire to draw, and show us qualities that technical skill alone cannot create. I can’t wait to find a story I can’t put down!”

Yuna Takanashi (MORE STAR idol group member)
“It’s a huge honor to judge such a wonderful contest. I’ve been encouraged and supported by manga so many times in my life. Because of that, I deeply respect the feelings poured into these works and the effort it takes to bring them to life. I will carefully read every single piece. I’m genuinely looking forward to seeing so many incredible works.”

Natsumi Yoshida (Illustrator)
“Stories are conveyed not just through words and pictures, but through color, atmosphere, and blank spaces. I’m drawn to works that preserve the creator’s raw sensibility rather than those that are neatly polished. Share the view you see using your own colors.”

Pom (Manga Artist / Illustrator)
“When a work clearly communicates ‘Ah, so this is what they love! They must have really wanted to draw this part~,’ it moves people’s hearts. Show us your full passion! Modifications to the storyboard are very welcome!”