The award ceremony of the 15th Japan International Manga Award, hosted by Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, was held on Mar. 4. Taiwanese manga artist Cory Ko (顆粒) received Silver Award for her work "CliniClowns: last goodbye (小丑醫生)," Chang Ki-ya (張季雅) won the bronze prize with the work "Formosa Oolong Tea Vol.4 (異人茶跡4:茶迷大稻埕)" and Evergreen Yeh (葉長青) with the work "Mayfly Island (蜉蝣之島)."
The submissions for the 15th Japan International Manga Awards reached the highest number in its history with 484 works from 76 countries around the world. One gold medalist, three silver winners and 11 bronze prize winners were picked out. The top prize at the Japanese manga competition was clinched by Aimée de Jongh from the Netherlands for her work "Days of Sand."
Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the award ceremony was held online. Ko, who also won the silver prize at the 5th Japan International Manga Award, said in the virtual award ceremony that she was delighted to receive the prize and was also touched by the honor, expressing gratitude to the jury. Ko also said that she had experienced wonderful exchanges with other participants and felt the high regard and respect for manga in Japan when she attended the 5th award ceremony previously.
Ko's CliniClowns: Last Goodbye describes a 17-year-old high school student who did not see her dying sister before her sister's death because she escaped the atmosphere at the hospital's terminal illness ward. She regretted her actions and lingered in the hospital corridors all day long until she met a clown doctor with a red nose who helped her find her way out. She then decided to join the training to become another clown doctor to bring happiness to sick children. Ko's work was based on a story written by Taiwanese writer Feng Shih (逢時).
Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs founded the Japan International Manga Award in 2007 for the purpose of expanding international exchange and mutual understanding through world-famous manga culture. This award aims to honor Manga artists who contribute to the development of Manga culture in the world.