The award is divided into print and digital categories.
KADOKAWA’s The Next Manga Award 2026 (Tsugi ni Kuru Manga Taisho) has announced its results and the two winners across the award’s two main categories have been revealed. Ei Yamano’s “Someone Hertz” manga has won the award in the Comics (print) category, while Taiyo Watabe’s “Home at the Horizon” took the first place in the Web Manga category.
Who are the winners at the Next Manga Awards 2026?
Print Version
- First Place: Someone Hertz
Story and Art: Ei Yamano
Publisher: Shueisha
Where to read: Manga PLUS
Synopsis:
Mimei shares the hobby of listening to a late-night comedy radio show with the funny and mysterious Kurage from his class. And she's famous for sending in hilarious comments that are read on the show? But Mimei wants to be just as funny as her! Are they friends, are they rivals, are they something more...? This radio rom-com is on the air!
- Second Place: Futari Bus
Story and Art: Sakane Toyobayashi
Publisher: Shogakukan
Where to read: N/A
- Third Place: Register!
Story and art: Fujimaru
Publisher: Shogakukan
Where to read: N/A
Web Manga
- First Place: Home at the Horizon
Story and Art: Taiyo Watabe
Publisher: Shueisha
Where to read: Manga PLUS
Synopsis:
Ryoma runs a public bathhouse with his grandfather in a seaside town. One day, during his usual routine of running the bathhouse after school, a boy named Reo appears, claiming to be his father's illegitimate son. A bittersweet yet heart-warming drama unfolds between half brothers in a public bathhouse!
- Second Place: Hitoner
Story and Art: Tomohiro Yagi
Publisher: Shueisha
Where to read: Manga PLUS
- Third Place: Haimiya Is Scary Cute
Story and Art: Sumu Kamiyama
Publisher: Square Enix
Where to read: Manga UP! Global
The previous year’s winners of the Next Manga Awards include Ichi the Witch (print) and Strikeout Pitch (Web Manga).