Taiwanese comic artist Monday Recover (星期一回收日) was awarded the silver medal for her work "Sea You There and Us (貓與海的彼端)" at the award ceremony of the 16th Japan International MANGA Award on March 2 in Tokyo by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan.
On behalf of Culture Minister Shih Che, the director of the Taiwan Cultural Center in Tokyo Wang Shu-fang (王淑芳) presented a bouquet to the winner. For three consecutive years from 2020 to 2022, artists from Taiwan were selected as the winners of the Japan International Manga Award; however, the previous winners were unable to receive the awards personally in Japan due to the pandemic. This made Monday Recover the first to receive the prize in person since the easing of pandemic restrictions.
Monday Recover is skilled at depicting the intimate relationships between female characters. She was recognized by the Golden Comic Awards from 2019 to 2021 for her works "Pink Ribbon (粉紅緞帶)," "NINE LIVES MAN-Wallow in light (九命人-溺光)," and "Fantastic Tales of Splendid Blossoms (綺譚花物語)." Her latest work "Sea You There and Us" is a collaboration with writer Chen Chiao-jung (陳巧蓉) that portrays the friendship and affection between two girls with very different personalities. The work stood out among 503 works from 77 countries.
Monday Recover expressed her gratitude towards the judges and the original author Chen, mentioning that they did not expect the story would be adapted into a comic, light novel, or win the Japan International MANGA Award.
The Ministry of Culture attaches great importance to the cultivation of comic talents and international exchanges. To raise the international visibility of Taiwanese artists, the MOC offers grants, and awards as well as initiates a series of exchange events and artist-in-residence programs.