From Zero Manga Experience to Excellence Prize: 21 Year Old Student Atavana Wins LINE Manga Indies Student Grand Prix 2025

The LINE Manga Indies Student Grand Prix 2025 drew attention when 21 year old student Atavana, who had zero manga experience, won the Excellence Prize. Having drawn his very first manga at age 20, he completed an award winning work in just a few months. We spoke with him about his unusual background and the creative journey behind his debut title, Tojo no Himegimi (塔上の姫君, The Princess at the Top of the Tower).

Discovering Creativity During a High School Leave of Absence

Atavana’s award winning fantasy The Princess at the Top of the Tower follows a young girl named Almetis as she searches for her missing older brother. The story begins when she arrives in the tower city of Tarit.

There, she is entrusted with a mechanical doll said to have been left in her brother’s care. When the doll resonates with Almetis’s necklace, the dormant automaton quietly awakens. What truth lies behind her brother’s disappearance. The curtain falls just as a grand narrative begins to unfold.

Judges praised the work, noting that its dynamic angles and bold perspective created a thrilling sense of adventure. They also highlighted the intricate costume designs and commended Atavana’s strong direction and attention to detail.

Below is our interview with Atavana.

Interview

――We were surprised to hear that this was the first manga you have ever drawn in your life.

Atavana

Yes, it truly was my first ever manga. That might be unusual these days. I had never posted illustrations on social media or even shared writing online before. Honestly, I think I was the most surprised of all when I saw my work published online and searchable.

――What led you to apply for the contest.

Atavana

Since last year, I have been attending an art focused vocational school to study illustration. In one class we learned about manga production, and that is how I discovered manga contests. There were several options, but the LINE Manga Indies Student Grand Prix 2025 stood out because it accepted indie submissions. You could apply even with just name drafts or a single episode. That openness made me feel that someone with very little experience like me could still take on the challenge.

――Many manga artists start drawing from elementary or middle school. Did you have no experience drawing before.

Atavana

Until high school, I aimed to excel both academically and in extracurricular activities. I devoted myself entirely to studying and school life, so I had very little exposure to manga, anime, or illustration as entertainment. I never once imagined that I would draw manga myself.

――What changed your path toward illustration and creative expression.

Atavana

The major turning point was taking a leave of absence during high school. I was struggling both physically and mentally at the time, and I encountered the artwork of a certain illustrator. My world completely changed. The intricate backgrounds that captured not only where the characters lived but even the atmosphere around them, and the vivid colors. I was overwhelmed by the realization that such a beautiful world existed. From a single image, I could imagine entire stories expanding beyond the frame. I became drawn to characters like VTubers, and I started thinking, I want to create a world with my own hands. That desire became the starting point of everything.

As my condition gradually improved, I decided without hesitation to pursue that path. I graduated from a correspondence high school and enrolled in vocational school to study illustration seriously.

Creating His First Manga With a Guidebook in Hand

――Could you tell us about the production process behind your first manga.

Atavana

I began developing the setting around May or June after learning about the award. I finished drawing it around August or September. At the same time, I had school assignments and projects for the October cultural festival, so everything overlapped. When I was about to submit my entry, I realized that I needed a cover image. I hurriedly selected a suitable illustration from within the pages. By the time I completed the submission, there were less than 30 minutes left before the deadline.

――The judges particularly praised your composition.

Atavana

Since I had no manga experience, I thought my only strengths could be composition or story. Regarding the story, I still feel that I lacked skill. Even after submitting, I felt there was more I could have done. So I put a lot of thought into composition, experimenting and adding my own playful ideas. I am very happy that aspect was recognized.

――What did you find most challenging.

Atavana

Figuring out how to apply my illustration skills to manga. Unlike a single standalone image, manga requires visuals that clearly communicate the story. Deciding what to emphasize and what to intentionally omit was extremely difficult.

――How did you feel when you were informed that you had won the Excellence Prize.

Atavana

When I received the notification, I was honestly a little scared. More than joy, I felt shock. My parents were incredibly happy, and seeing their reaction made it finally feel real. Opening my first bank account to receive the prize money is something I will never forget.

A Generation That Reads Manga Strategically on Apps

――You submitted your work in a vertical scroll webtoon format. Why did you choose webtoon.

Atavana

Webtoon allows you to build direction almost like stacking individual illustrations. Rather than complex panel layouts, it emphasizes a continuous visual flow. Being fully colored also made it feel closer to illustration. Since LINE Manga was already familiar to me, choosing that format felt natural.

――How do you view the appeal of webtoon.

Atavana

I think its greatest strength is that it can be read smoothly. With simple scrolling on a smartphone, readers can move forward at a steady pace. Once you start reading, the strong structure makes you want to continue to the next episode. It may sound blunt, but many works seem carefully calculated to reach as many readers as possible.

――You entered the manga world at age 20. What trends do you notice among your peers.

Atavana

I read printed manga as well, but most of my friends mainly use smartphones. They focus on how to read as much as possible for free or at a low cost. Many use multiple manga apps strategically. Since they are used to reading one episode at a time or unlocking daily free chapters, there is less of a mindset to purchase entire volumes at once. They start casually, continue if it is interesting, and buy what they truly love. I think many in my generation encounter works through that kind of light and accessible entry point.

“I Want to Deliver Works That Offer New Realizations”

――Do you see yourself becoming a manga artist in the future.

Atavana

Right now, I am still a vocational school student learning a wide range of skills, so I have not made a firm decision about my future. I may become an illustrator as I originally planned, or I may discover something new as I continue learning. However, receiving this award has made becoming a manga artist one of my major options. For now, I want to focus on learning and expanding my possibilities.

――If you do choose the path of manga, what kind of work would you like to create.

Atavana

I do not have a specific setting in mind yet, but whether in manga or illustration, my core belief is that I want to create works that give readers some new realization. Stories in which the protagonist discovers something and grows.

When I was on leave from high school, encountering a beautiful illustration opened my eyes to a wider world I had never known, and that realization saved me.

For me, manga shows worlds that I could not see on my own. Through my work, I hope readers can experience new perspectives or discover different ways of living. If I can create that kind of expression, I would be very happy.

Source : ORICON NEWS