CATDOLL: Chinese cartoonist Buddy won the "8th International Cartoon Award" shortlisted award

The 8th International Manga Award winners' commendation ceremony was held at the Japanese Embassy in Beijing the day before yesterday (April 21). Buddy, a Chinese female manga artist currently living in Beijing, won the selection award. Japanese Ambassador to China Masato Kitera presented her with the award certificate.

The International Manga Award was officially established in 2007 by Taro Aso, the manga-loving finance minister, when he was serving as foreign minister. It is held every year by the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs. This year, 317 works were received from 46 countries and regions around the world, which is much more than the 256 works received last year, proving that the influence of this award is gradually expanding. Among them, 95 entries came from Brazil and 36 from Thailand. Cartoonists from these two countries are the most active in participating.

The members of the "Comic Publishing Company Association" composed of Akita Shoten, Kadokawa Shoten, Kodansha, Shueisha, Shogakukan, Shonen Gahosha, Shinchosha, Hakusensha, Futabasha, Ridosha, Houbunsha, and Nihon Bungeisha conducted the preliminary selection of the entries. Cartoonists Nakamura Tomoko, Kurata Yoshimi, Shiga Kimie and comic magazine editors Hirota Akira and Fujita Tsuyoshi conducted the second selection. In the end, one Best Award, three Excellence Awards, and 11 Selected Awards, including Buddy, were selected.

Ambassador Kiji and Minister Yamamoto Kyoji of China attended the commendation ceremony. Buddy said, "This work tells a sad love story. Actually, I like works that make people laugh like Rumiko Takahashi. I am working hard to prepare for such works. I hope to have more exchanges with cartoonists from all over the world."

Buddy's father, who also attended the commendation ceremony, used to work in a publishing company. He said, "I feel very proud and I will continue to support my daughter's favorite career." Ambassador Musi encouraged Buddy, saying, "This is your second time to be selected. You will surely be able to explore new areas and achieve success in the future. Please become a cartoonist known to every household in China."