ABOUT COPIC AWARD
The COPIC AWARD is a competition that provides an opportunity to share diverse artworks created using Copic products. It connects Copic fans from around the world to inspire each other and to enjoy a collective creative experience.
Anyone can enter regardless of age, nationality, or genre.
COPIC AWARD 2025
Key Dates
*Schedule is subject to change without notice.
What is Copic?
Copic is an art materials brand of the Too Group, based on the concept of "Meeting Every Creative Need".
The brand is known for its color markers used by customers in over 70 countries for various purposes.
PRIZES
Grand Prize（1 Entry）
Cash Prize：US＄1,500
Prizes：
- A full set of 358 Copic Sketch markers in a custom acrylic Copic case
- Full Copic Multiliner lineup
- Full Copic acrea lineup (24 colors)
- Full Copic Paper Selection lineup
- Commemorative trophy
- Commemorative art book featuring this year's finalists' works
- Certificate of Commendation
- Winner Interview
- Paid art commission
and more!
*The winner will be chosen from the finalists whose artworks advanced to the final round of judging.
Second Place（2 Entries）
Cash Prize：US＄1,000
Prizes：
- A full set of 358 Copic Sketch markers in a custom acrylic Copic case
- Full Copic Multiliner lineup
- Full Copic acrea lineup (24 colors)
- Full Copic Paper Selection lineup
- Commemorative Trophy
- Commemorative art book featuring this year's finalists' works
- Certificate of Commendation
- Winner Interview
and more!
*The winner will be chosen from the finalists whose artworks advanced to the final round of judging.
Future Generation Art Prize: Grand Prize（1 Entry）
Prizes：
- A full set of 358 Copic Sketch markers in a custom acrylic Copic case
- Full Copic Multiliner lineup
- Full Copic acrea lineup (24 colors)
- Commemorative Trophy
- Commemorative art book featuring this year's finalists' works
- Certificate of Commendation
and more!
*Winner will be selected from applicants 18 years of age or younger at the time of entry.
Judges' Awards（5 Entries）
Prizes：
- Special edition Copic set (the set includes colors selected by one of the judges and custom cases signed by them).
- Full Copic acrea lineup (24 colors)
- Commemorative Trophy
- Commemorative art book featuring this year's finalists' works
and more!
*The winner will be chosen from the finalists whose artworks advanced to the final round of judging.
*Each judge will select one winning entry.
*The winner of the Judge’s Award selected by Mr. Yasuhiko Takeuchi, editor-in-chief of Illustration magazine, will be featured in a solo interview on Illustration Online.
Finalist（50 Entries）
Prizes：
- Special edition COPIC AWARD 2025 set
- Commemorative Trophy
- Commemorative art book featuring this year's finalists' works
and more!
Entries selected by our panel of judges and advancing to the final round of judging are considered finalists.
Future Generation Art Prize（100 Entries）
Prizes：
- Special edition COPIC AWARD 2025 set
*Winners will be selected from applicants 18 years of age or younger at the time of entry.
pixiv Award（1 Entry）
Prizes：
- Copic Sketch 72 Colors Set
- Commemorative Trophy
- Commemorative art book featuring this year's finalists' works
- pixiv Premium 12-months subscription
- Exclusive Interview on pixivision
- "VISIONS 2025 ILLUSTRATORS BOOK" pixiv art book
and more!
*Winning entries will be selected by pixiv, the illustration communication service.
Team Copic Award（1 Entry）
Prizes：
- Copic Sketch 72 Colors Set
and more!
*The Team Copic staff will select the winning entries.
Three-Dimensional Work Award（1 Entry）
Prizes：
- Copic Sketch 72-Color Set
and more!
*This award is for three-dimensional works.
*Please refer to the Application Rules and Guidelines for the dimensions of the work.
Social Media Award（1 Entry）
Prizes：
- Copic Sketch 72 Colors Set
and more!
*This prize is open to entries submitted to the COPIC AWARD 2025 and images posted on Instagram.
Please be sure to include the designated hashtag when posting images of your work.
Applicants’ Choice Award（1 Entry）
Prizes：
- Copic Sketch 72 colors set
and more!
The winning entry will be selected based on the overall results of the 'Favorite' feature, available only to COPIC AWARD participants.
Copic Multiliner Award（1 Entry）
Prizes：
- Full Copic Multiliner lineup
- Copic Pochette
and more!
This prize is for entries created with Copic Multiliner and/or Copic Multiliner SP.
NEW! Copic acrea Award（1 Entry）
Prizes：
- Full Copic acrea lineup (24 colors)
and more!
REVIVAL! Alcohol Ink Art Award（1 Entry）
Prizes：
- Copic Ink 72 colors set
- Full Alcohol Ink Art Paper lineup (2 types)
and more!
JUDGES
YASUHIKO TAKEUCHI
Editor in Chief of Illustration Magazine
Born in 1982, Takeuchi joined Genkosha Co., Ltd in 2010 and has been the editor-in-chief of Illustration magazine since 2017. He has edited numerous books on art/illustration.
NATSUME SANCHI
Illustrators / YouTuber
Natsume Sanchi is a YouTuber couple, husband Gen and wife Saya, with 1.22 million subscribers.
Their videos showcase fun and unique techniques in materials and drawing methods, which have gained popularity.
As a drawing duo, they attract a wide range of fans, from students aspiring to become manga artists and illustrators to people of all ages and backgrounds.
HIRO MASHIMA
Manga Artist
A globally acclaimed manga artist, Mashima is best known for RAVE, FAIRY TAIL, and EDENS ZERO, all of which have been adapted into hit anime series.
He is currently working on two serialized titles: FAIRY TAIL 100 YEARS QUEST (as the original storyboard author) and DEAD ROCK.
MICHIHIKO YANAI
Creative Director / Professor of Tokyo University of the Arts
After graduating from the Department of Design, Faculty of Fine Arts, Tokyo University of the Arts, Yanai worked for Hakuhodo, a leading advertising agency.
He then founded his own company, KAZE TO ROCK, which specializes in advertisements and graphics. He has worked on numerous high-profile advertisements, including iconic Tower Records' NO MUSIC, NO LIFE campaign.
Yanai is also a creative director for Fukushima Prefecture, a professor of design at Tokyo University of the Arts, and a guitarist in a rock band.
YUKO YAMAGUCHI
SANRIO CO.,LTD. “Hello Kitty” Designer
After joining Sanrio, Yamaguchi became the third designer of Hello Kitty in 1980. Since then, she has continuously shaped and evolved the character, helping it grow into a global icon, with 50,000 different products sold annually across 130 countries and regions.
In 1999, she introduced Hello Kitty’s boyfriend, Dear Daniel, and in 2004, she created Charmmy Kitty, Hello Kitty’s pet, both of which became beloved characters.
Yamaguchi has hosted over 1,000 signing events at Sanrio stores, where she directly engages with fans, both in Japan and abroad. She has also been actively involved in collaborations with designers and artists from both domestic and international markets.
How to Apply for COPIC AWARD 2025
| Application Period for Entries | May 1, 2025 (Thu) 12:00 - June 30, 2025 (Mon) 23:59 (JST) *Application deadline may be extended without notice. |
|---|---|
| ELIGIBILITY |
|
| ARTWORK CRITERIA |
|
| TIMELINE |
|
| NOTICE |
|
ENTRY FLOW
- STEP1
Registration
Fill the entry form and create your PERSONAL PROFILE page. Adding links to your website or social media will give you more opportunities to showcase your artwork.
- STEP2
Submission of Entry
Submit your entry between May 1 and June 30. Each participant may submit one entry with up to three images. Include details such as the category and key colors.
- STEP3
Complete!
Once your submission is complete and approved, your entry will appear on the AWARD website.
Follow COPIC AWARD account (@copic_award) first. An image of entry must be posted by an AWARD participant by him/herself, with the following hashtags included in the caption: #copicaward2025 and/or #copicaward_insta
FAQ
- Can I use art mediums other than Copic?
- Yes. You can use any other art mediums (such as acrylic, watercolors, colored pencils or ink), but the majority of your artwork must be created with Copic products (e.g. markers, Multiliner pens, etc.).
- What is the maximum size my artwork can be?
- The size of actual works should be within L420mm x W297mm x D300mm, with the weight of 5kg or less, or within L17" x W12" x D12", with the weight of 11 pounds or less.
L420mm x W297mm is equivalent to the international paper size A3. For A size, A3 (297 x 420mm), A4 (210 x 297mm), A5 (148 x 210mm), and A6 (105 x 148mm) are acceptable. For B size, B4 (250 x 353mm), B5 (176 x 250mm), and B6 (125 x 176mm) are also acceptable. As long as it is within L420mm x W297mm, any paper size is acceptable.
*If your work is selected as one of the finalists, we will ask you to send the original work to us for judging, so we have set the above size limit.
*Please do not use ceramic, glass, or other materials that can be damaged during transportation as base material.
- What format should I submit my entry in and what is the maximum file size?
- Three still image files of the same artwork can be submitted. Images must be uploaded as jpg format. Maximum size of each file must be no larger than 5MB.
- I don't have a scanner. Can I use my camera instead?
- Yes, but we need a good quality photo for judging your artwork so please ensure you use a high-quality camera.
- Can I send my work by mail or via email?
- No. You can only submit your entry through the COPIC AWARD official website. No other method of application will be accepted. Do not send actual artwork.
