CATDOLL: Tezuka Osamu Cultural Award Winners Announced: A Silent Voice Wins Newcomer Award

The list of winners of the 19th Tezuka Osamu Cultural Award for manga was announced today. Among them, the manga "Aizawa Riku" created by Hoshiyoriko beat out eight other works to win the grand prize. "Aizawa Riku" tells the story of a 14-year-old girl who has a cool father, a perfectionist mother, and is admired by her friends. The manga is currently being serialized in Bungeishunju.

In addition, the Newcomer Award, which is given to works with a strong level of innovation, was won by Yoshitoki Ohima's "A Silent Voice", which sublimates the themes of disability and bullying into a story of rebirth and hope. The Short Story Award was won by Yoshida Sensha with the manga "Okayuneko" that describes a short story about a cat. The Special Award was won by Mitsuhashi Chikako's "Little Love Story Collection". The award ceremony for the 19th "Osamu Tsukasa Cultural Award" will be held on May 22 at the Asahi Hall of Hama-rikyu in Tokyo.