【Results Announcement】Over 1200 Entries from Around the World! Gold Prize Decided for Illustration Contest "Next ILLUST Award 2025" by Illustration Magazine & Award Exhibitions to be Held Sequentially from May in Japan and Worldwide

PIE International Co., Ltd. (Toshima-ku) announced the final judging results of the worldwide illustration contest "Next ILLUST Award 2025" in the 85th issue of "SS (Small S)" magazine, released on Wednesday, April 22, 2026, and on its special website. Award exhibitions will be held sequentially from May in Japan and various locations worldwide. In Japan, it will be held from Friday, May 22, at Gallery Ecri (Shibuya-ku).

A big chance to have your illustrations featured in "SS (Small S)" magazine, exhibited in Japan and overseas, and seen by prestigious judges such as Range Murata, Mai Yoneyama, and Sakusya2!

Worldwide Illustration Contest "Next ILLUST Award 2025"

The "Next ILLUST Award" started on an expanded scale as an illustration contest open to people worldwide. Original works drawn by oneself were solicited from Japan and around the world, regardless of art materials, age, or nationality.

Over 1200 works were received for the "Next ILLUST Award 2025".

This time, in addition to the three prestigious illustrators, Range Murata, Mai Yoneyama, and Sakusya2, the judging was conducted by the Quarterly S Editorial Department, PIE Comic Art Editorial Department, Kinokuniya USA, Kinokuniya Asia-Pacific, COMICUP, and Marginals (name changed from PROJECTAINS at the time of announcement), and the Gold Prize and other award-winning and selected works were decided.

Thank you very much for your participation!

Scenes from the "Next ILLUST Award 2025" selection process

●Number of Entries

【Japan】Via Quarterly S website submission form 993 entries

【China】Via COMICUP special website 67 entries

【Worldwide】Via PIE International Discord 220 entries

Total 1,280 entries

●Judges (titles omitted)

・Range Murata

・Mai Yoneyama

・Sakusya2

・S Editorial Department

・PIE Comic Art Editorial Department

・Kinokuniya USA

・Kinokuniya Asia-Pacific

・COMICUP

・Marginals (name changed from PROJECTAINS at the time of announcement)

Introduction of "Next ILLUST Award 2025" Winning Works

The "Country of Origin" (country name, region name, place of origin) provided at the time of submission is listed.

◆Gold Prize (1 winner): Marui | Country of Origin: Japan "I tried to depict a monk's return on New Year's Eve. It's a dramatic work that captivates with exotic colors, showing a peaceful meal scene after work, with the hope that he would take a detour with a big wave."

◆Silver Prize (2 winners)

Silver Prize: GURANAT

Country of Origin: Australia

I couldn't take my eyes off the figure enveloped in flames. The title "The Weight of Ambition" and the message accompanying the work, "I wanted to express the feeling when ambition burns fiercely and is about to consume oneself," were also very impressive.

Silver Prize: 葳蕤饼八分熟

Country of Origin: People's Republic of China

The dynamic clouds and the figure reaching out to the magic circle are fantastical. The red shoes left discarded in the foreground also spark the imagination.

Other award-winning works and selected/semi-selected works will be announced on Wednesday, April 22, 2026, in the 85th issue of "SS (Small S)" magazine and on the special website!

In addition, honorable mention works will be published exclusively on the special website.

<Featured Works>

・Gold Prize

・Silver Prize

・Bronze Prize

・Individual Award

・Spotlight Award

・Selected

・Semi-Selected

・Honorable Mention (Special Website Exclusive)

"SS (Small S)" No. 85 cover image "SS (Small S)" No. 85 results announcement page

◆"SS (Small S)" No. 85 https://www.s-ss-s.com/ss/85

◆"Next ILLUST Award 2025" Special Website (Japanese) https://www.s-ss-s.com/c/NextILLUSTAward2025-JP

◆"Next ILLUST Award 2025" Special Website (English) https://www.s-ss-s.com/c/NextILLUSTAward2025-EN

"Next ILLUST Award 2025" Award-winning and Selected Works Exhibition in Japan and Worldwide

Award exhibitions of the winning and selected works will be held sequentially from May in Japan and various locations worldwide.

<Exhibited Works>

・Gold Prize

・Silver Prize

・Bronze Prize

・Individual