This illustration contest which was relaunched in 2024 as the “Next ILLUST Award” is open to participants from all over the world. We accept original artwork created by the artist themselves, regardless of the materials used, age, or nationality. We issued a call for submissions from all over the world and we received over 1,200 entries for the “Next ILLUST Award 2025”. In addition to the print edition of *Small S* magazine, our website

will also feature the “Encouragement Award” entries—works that came just short of being selected for the Gold, Silver, Bronze, Individual, Spotlight, Selected, or Honorable Mention categories. We established this new award in response to the large number of outstanding entries we received.

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The Gold Award went to マルイ, who participated from Japan. “I tried to depict a temple priest returning home from New Year’s Eve. Says the artist: “I thought it would be good if he were taking a detour with a bold swagger.” This dramatic artwork shows a peaceful meal scene after work in exotic colors.

The Silver Award went to 葳蕤饼八分熟, who submitted their entry from “COMICUP” in China. The dynamic clouds and the figure reaching out to the magic circle create a fantastical image. The story unfolds even from the red shoes left lying in the foreground.

Also receiving the Silver Award was GURANAT from Australia, who submitted their entry via Discord. We could not take our eyes off this artwork because it was engulfed in flames. The title, “The Weight of Ambition” and the accompanying message were both very impressive. Says the artist: “I wanted to express the feeling of ambition burning fiercely while at the same time threatening to consume you”.

Thank you to all the participants!

Guest Judges・Individual Award

Range Murata, Mai Yoneyama, Sakusya2
In addition to evaluation by the three guest judges, Range Murata, Mai Yoneyama and Sakusya 2, who are all illustrators, simultaneous judging was conducted at the illustration review sessions held for each issue of S Magazine by the S Magazine Editorial Division, PIE COMIC ART Editorial Division, Kinokuniya USA, Kinokuniya Asia-Pacific, COMICUP and Marginals.

ひせこ｜Japan
Range Murata Award
The contrasting composition of the serene motif and dynamic colors of the backlit cumulonimbus clouds, along with the well-considered placement and poses of the figures, creates a sense of tension in the image. This is a picture that I want to look at again and again. (Range Murata)

quu｜Japan
Mai Yoneyama Award
First and foremost, I felt that this was a work that demonstrated skillful control over color. The use of color is very rational, as it uses low saturation and the same hue to highlight the colors of the koinobori (carp streamers), but these are colors in shadow, with only the light hitting the clouds being bright colors. The way the koinobori are depicted, with their swaying surfaces and movements, is so well-rendered that it conveys the feeling of wind. In terms of composition, the koinobori are given a three-dimensional depth, and the slight slope of the ground adds rhythm to the picture. You can sense the skill in every detail. I am impressed. Since I was born near the Alps, I could feel the temperature and the clarity of the air from the painting and it brought back nostalgic memories. I think that to be able to capture this atmosphere in a digital illustration is simply amazing! (Mai Yoneyama)

树屋酒店管理员Rt｜People's Republic of China
Sakusya2 Award
Although this painting is captivating and eye-catching, it also has the power to draw you in with its intricate details. The artist has used extreme contrast and a wide range of colors around the main subject in the center. Despite using similar colors and strong deforme stylization, the exquisite balance of brightness, saturation and density keeps it from becoming monotonous and makes the artwork very easy to appreciate. I think this work makes excellent use of the strengths of the “ILLUST” genre. But it’s also really cute. Extremely cute……she’s little but she’s working hard, which is admirable. (Sakusya2)

藤野星｜Japan
Range Murata Award
This painting is extremely information rich, but it is well organized due to the excellent sense of color. The design, placement, three-dimensionality and sense of weightlessness of each element are all impeccable. This is a great painting in which the expressions on the faces of the three figures convey a sense of narrative and movement.  (Range Murata)

Sakusya2 Award
Not only is the image captivating even in the thumbnail, the level of detail is also impeccable when you zoom in! It’s breathtaking! The artistic skill is undeniable, and the overall balance of detail and texture across the image is extremely beautiful. The contrast between the heavily detailed, darkly colored carp and the bright blue of the open sky is very effective, and even with the level of detail in the small objects and in the background, the painting is still very easy to look at. Although there is a large amount of information, it is not overwhelming. I am truly impressed by the skillful way the painting combines and subtracts elements. (Sakusya2) 

Kinokuniya USA Award
This work stands out for its vivid colors and meticulous composition. It is also exceptional in the exquisite detail of its depiction. This artwork embodies the aesthetic excellence and originality that Kinokuniya Bookstore values, and its ability to bring positivity and excitement to viewers resonates with our own spirit of continuous innovation and the emotional landscapes we wish to convey to our customers. It is a powerful work that provides us, as a bookstore, with fresh inspiration and deep emotion. （Kinokuniya USA) 

かたお。｜Japan
Kinokuniya Asia-Pacific Award
The “curiosity about the unknown” in this artwork resonates with our company’s approach of pioneering new cultures in Asia and it was really exciting. Looking at the girl peering through the telescope and the boy standing beside her, we can sense the pure passion of a creator who continues to seek out “undiscovered value”. This unique worldview where classical elements blend with science fiction resonates beautifully with the vibrant energy of modern Asia, a region that cherishes tradition while constantly reinventing itself, and gently brings us a sense of courage. （Kinokuniya Asia-Pacific） 

鳥｜Japan
Marginals Award（※The name has changed from the “PROJECT AINS Award” as originally announced. ）
I judged the entries from the perspective of someone who usually works in anime production. Anime and “ILLUST” may seem similar, but I think they are actually very different forms of expression. It is difficult to translate the quality of an illustration directly into animation. In particular, the “coloring” of illustration is difficult to reproduce. On the other hand, comparing only the “lines” loses the charm of the illustration. I thought this work had an interesting idea for hair texture that would make a great anime. I suppose it’s because there is both  “line” and “color”.（Marginals）

俱野｜People's Republic of China
COMICUP Award
The transparent colors reminiscent of a dreamlike realm, and the sense of depth like a flowing river are truly impressive. Warm yellow and blue-green light and shadow intertwine, while the elements of bubbles and foxes create a contrast between reality and illusion that beautifully blends the tranquility and ethereal atmosphere of a Japanese garden. This is a masterpiece brimming with healing power.(COMICUP) 

薔薇缶｜Japan
PIE Award
The moment we saw this, we felt an exciting sense of anticipation, as if a story was about to begin. The way the grassy field is illuminated by the sun and the transparency of the fish floating in the air create a fantastic atmosphere, which is really lovely. We think this is a beautiful and delightful work that sparks the viewer’s imagination, making them wonder where the two people holding hands are going (maybe they are going to see whales?) and what kind of world they live in… We would love to see more landscapes that make the most of this beautiful depiction of light. (PIE)

蒼川わか｜Japan
“S” Editorial Division Award
This work depicts the changing form of a landscape. Titled “Fukei no kaizodo” (“The Resolution of the Landscape”), the artist commented on “using dots and distortions to express the ambiguity of memory”. A road with a tunnel gradually distorts and begins to dissolve, eventually becoming abstract lines at the bottom of the image. While the theme of representing memory is intriguing, the expressive power required to create the finished painting is truly impressive. The beautiful blue against the white background, combined with the orange light, creates a captivating color scheme. This is a masterpiece that combines originality with exceptional expressive power. (“S” Editorial Division Award)

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