Celebrating Iconic Characters and Pop-Inspired Creations
The Tokyo Character & Pop Design Awards recognizes exceptional work in character creation, illustration, modeling, and visual storytelling that resonates with audiences through cultural, commercial, or artistic expression. This category honors original characters and reinterpretations across anime, games, branding, fashion, merchandise, and digital platforms.
Open to illustrators, animators, 3D modelers, toy designers, game studios, and creative professionals worldwide, entries are welcome across a diverse set of styles and genres—ranging from anime and manga to fan art, VTubers, mascots, motion graphics, and folklore-inspired characters.
Submit your most imaginative character or pop-themed creation to secure international recognition for storytelling, visual impact, and creative identity.
I can't wait to see the amazing characters you’ve dreamed up. Cute, cool, quirky— show me what makes your character shine!
The Tokyo Design Awards accepts submissions for completed projects, conceptual works, or designs in progress—highlighting innovation at every stage. All entries are judged individually, with awards granted based on the merit of each submission, not on a full portfolio or body of work.
To keep the process fair and accessible, the Tokyo Design Awards charges a one-time annual administrative fee of $30 instead of per-entry fees. This fee supports essential operations such as processing, platform maintenance, and documentation—allowing designers to submit multiple works without additional financial burden.
|
2026 Entry Period |
EARLY BIRD
(Oct 23 - Nov 26, 2025) |
REGULAR
(Nov 27, 2025 - Jan 7, 2026) |
FINAL
(Jan 8 - Feb 11, 2026) |
FINAL EXTENSION
(Feb 12 - Mar 12, 2026) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Professional 1st Entry |
$209 | $219 | $239 | $249 |
| Professional Additional Entry |
$209 | $219 | $239 | $249 |
| Professional Additional Category* |
$149 | $159 | $179 | $189 |
| Individual Achievements 1st Entry |
$295 | $355 | $395 | $415 |
| Individual Achievements Additional Entry |
$295 | $355 | $395 | $415 |
| Individual Achievements Additional Category* |
$205 | $265 | $305 | $325 |
| Results Announcement: May 8, 2026 | ||||
* Multi-Category Entries:
You may submit the same entry to multiple categories. The first category will follow the standard entry fee. Additional categories will incur a reduced fee per category.
* Refund Policy:
All fees are non-refundable. Withdrawn entries—whether initiated by the entrant or disqualified due to non-compliance with entry rules—are not eligible for refunds under any circumstances.
* Project Eligibility:
All submitted work must have been created within the last five (5) years to ensure relevance and industry alignment.
| Benefits / Winning Level | Designs of The Year |
Designer of The Year |
Platinum Winner |
Gold Winner |
Silver Winner |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Statuette | - | - | - | ||
| Appearance on Winners Highlight Page | - | - | - | ||
| Featured in Winner Press Release | - | - | - | ||
| Featured in Tokyo Design Awards e-Newsletter | - | - | |||
| Featured in Media Partner Website - Muse.World | - | - | |||
| Dedicated Social Media Post | - | ||||
| Winner’s Interview | |||||
| Dedicated Winner’s Profile / Page | |||||
| Eligible to Purchase Tokyo Design Statuette | |||||
| Press Release Template | |||||
| Winner Certificate | |||||
| Winner Badge |
Submit your entry online in FOUR easy steps:
Tap the "My Account" button to register your username and password. If you are already a member, tap "Log In."
Complete the short online entry form. Don't forget you can enter each work in more than one category.
Upload your entry* to the system.
Click “Checkout” to process your entry fees.
* File Limits; Up to 10 files in in JPEG/PNG and/or PDF can be uploaded per entry. For a smooth uploading process, please ensure images are formatted as JPEG/PNG, 1000px, and no larger than 4MB. Please save PDFs in "Screen View", limited to 6 pages per entry, or 4MB in size.
* Submissions should be as detailed as possible. For example, architectural submissions should include small-scale site plans for context, and images of all sides of the building and its environment. A complex of buildings should include a rendering. Restorations and remodels should include images of the site "before and after."
* Submissions can be entered as concepts, completed, or works in process. Completed projects may not be older than five years.
* Limit written descriptions of your project to 350 words or less.