Japan's Only Anime × Cross-Industry Collaboration Award Event 'Kyoto Animono Manufacturing Award 2026' Announces Nozomi Uesaka as Guest!

The award ceremony for the 'Kyoto Animono Manufacturing Award 2026'—honoring collaborative works between companies, organizations, and other industries utilizing anime, manga, and characters—will be held on Saturday, September 19, 2026, within the 'Kyoto International Manga Anime Fair 2026 (Kyomafu).'

Voice actress Nozomi Uesaka has been confirmed as the special guest, and entertainment sociologist Atsuo Nakayama will appear as a guest commentator. Together with these two guests, the Grand Prix and winning entries will be announced from among the numerous submissions received nationwide during the entry period from May 11 to July 16.

'Kyoto Animono Manufacturing Award 2026' Official Visual (Illustration: tomoca)

In recent years, with consecutive box office and TV anime hits, the anime market has experienced historic growth, expanding its fan base across all age groups. It has become increasingly common for companies in industries such as automotive, retail, food and beverage, and IT to leverage anime, manga, and characters in marketing campaigns, advertisements, and collaborative products. The 'Animono Manufacturing Award' was launched in 2017 as a bridge connecting the anime industry with other sectors, recognizing outstanding collaborations and tie-ups that utilize anime.

This year marks the 9th edition of the award. Nominations across six categories—Animation CM, Content Tie-up, Original Content, International, Regional Revitalization, plus a Special Award—will be announced in late August. The overall Grand Prix and winning works will be revealed on Saturday, September 19, on the 'Miyakomesse Stage' within the Kyomafu venue. The event will feature popular voice actress Nozomi Uesaka, MC Misaki Tomoko—known for her work in radio and talk shows—and guest commentator Atsuo Nakayama, an entertainment sociologist, all coming together to celebrate the award.

Special Guest: Nozomi Uesaka

[Profile: Nozomi Uesaka (Voice Actress)]

Made her voice acting debut in 2011.

Major roles include Lum in 'Urusei Yatsura,' Alisa Mikhailovna Kujou (Alya) in 'Alya Sometimes Hides Her Feelings in Russian,' Tokiwa Kuwaga in 'Mobile Police Patlabor EZY,' and Gunkumi Palace in 'ONE PIECE.'

Guest: Atsuo Nakayama

[Profile: Atsuo Nakayama (Entertainment Sociologist)]

An entertainment sociologist who serves as an entrepreneur (founder of Re-entertainment, an entertainment-focused management consultancy), executive at venture companies (Plott, Fandam), researcher (affiliated with Keio and Ritsumeikan Universities), government policy advisor (METI Content Director, Intellectual Property Strategy Committee of the Cabinet Office), and board member of industry associations (Licensing International Japan, ATP). He has dedicated his career to promoting Japanese entertainment overseas. His publications include 'Character Nation Japan,' 'Creator Wonderland,' 'Complete History of Entertainment Business,' 'Masters of Entertainment,' 'Oshi Economy,' and 'Genesis of the Otaku Economic Sphere.'

<Schedule for Category Announcements>

Nominee Announcement: Late August (via website and press release)

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Winning Entries and Grand Prix Announcement

Award Ceremony: From 15:50 on September 19, 2026

Venue: Inside the 'Kyoto International Manga Anime Fair 2026'

Featured Guests: Special Guest Nozomi Uesaka (Voice Actress), MC Tomoko Misaki (Announcer), Guest Commentator Atsuo Nakayama (Entertainment Sociologist)

*Date, time, and venue are subject to change.

For details, please visit the official 'Animono Manufacturing Award' website: https://animono.jp

Animono Manufacturing Award Official Website: https://animono.jp

Animono Manufacturing Award Official X: https://x.com/animono_jp

[About the Animono Manufacturing Award]

In recent years, with nationwide anime hits and growing anime fandom across generations, companies and organizations previously unrelated to anime have increasingly engaged in anime collaborations, drawing significant attention. Collaborations now span diverse sectors including automotive, food and beverage, retail, startups with cutting-edge technologies like AR and VR, and traditional crafts. Additionally, more organizations are actively planning content tourism initiatives—such as 'seichi junrei' (pilgrimages to anime-related real-world locations)—using anime as a medium. The 'Animono Manufacturing Award' was established in 2017 to recognize outstanding works from these initiatives, widely promote corporate and organizational efforts, and encourage the creation of higher-quality collaborative content. From Kyoto—a city deeply connected to anime culture and home to numerous manufacturing enterprises ranging from traditional to advanced industries—the award aims to promote 'Animono Manufacturing' across Japan and around the world.

[Term: Animono Manufacturing]

A new movement is gaining momentum, using anime-centered content to drive 'product creation' and 'experience creation.' 'Animono Manufacturing' refers to the new business value, technologies, culture, products, and services born from combining Japan's strengths in 'anime' and 'manufacturing' or 'experience design.'

[About the Kyoto International Manga Anime Fair (Kyomafu) 2026]

The Kyoto International Manga Anime Fair 2026 is the largest comprehensive manga, anime, and game trade fair in western Japan, held to promote the content industry in Kyoto. Its goals include:

(1) Creating and growing new industries through content

(2) Developing, nurturing, and retaining creative talent

(3) Enhancing Kyoto's brand as a global cultural city

(4) Attracting tourists, especially young visitors

Centered on Kyoto and the wider Kansai region, the event draws large audiences. Publishers, TV stations, and video production companies exhibit, showcasing new releases, selling goods, and hosting stage events. Various initiatives also support creative professionals and students.

<Evaluation Committee>

Chief Judge

Takeshi Natsuno (Special Invited Professor and Director of the Institute of Information Studies, Kindai University; Director and CEO of Kadokawa Corporation)

Judges

Naoshi Kodō (Journalist)

Akinori Nakamura (Professor, Faculty of Film, Ritsumeikan University)

Atsuo Nakayama (Entertainment Sociologist)

Kazuo Rokugawa (President & CEO, Character Data Bank; Executive Director, Japan Character Brand & Licensing Association)

*In alphabetical order

Special Judges

Shigeru Saito (Chairman of the KYOTO Cross Media Experience Executive Committee; Chairman & CEO of Tose Corporation)

Ryūtarō Hayashi (Advertising Creative Director & Producer)

Taro Maki (CEO, Genco Inc.)

Azusa Matsuda (VP of Business Development, SPJA)

*In alphabetical order

Organizing and Related Organizations

<Organizers & Operators>

Organizer: Animono Manufacturing Award Executive Committee

Co-organizers: Kyoto International Manga Anime Fair Executive Committee, KYOTO Cross Media Experience