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 2026
Key Dates
*Schedule is subject to change without notice.
FEATURE
-
2026.06.08COPIC AWARD 2026: Global Feature on pixiv Announced!
-
2026.06.04【Mini Interview】COPIC AWARD 2026 Guest Judge: Julia Gisella
-
2026.04.28Orange, the Grand Prize winner of 2025, participated in the original artwork exhibition at Loft.
-
2026.04.20Notes for COPIC AWARD 2026 Applicants: Tips about Your Entry Images, etc.
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, which are used by customers in more than 70 countries and regions worldwide for a wide range of applications.
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 (all colors and nib sizes)
- Full Copic acrea lineup (24 colors)
- Full Copic Paper Selection lineup
- Commemorative trophy
- Commemorative art book
- Certificate
- Paid art commission
and more!
*The winner will be selected at the final judging session from the entries that passed the preliminary round.
About the paid art commission:
・After the award announcement, we may invite winners to create artwork for the Copic website, catalog, and leaflet.
・If the winner is under 18, parental consent will be required.
・Participation is optional, and winners may decline the commission request. Please note that no payment will be made in such cases.
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 (all colors and nib sizes)
- Full Copic acrea lineup (24 colors)
- Full Copic Paper Selection lineup
- Commemorative Trophy
- Commemorative art book
- Certificate
- 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 (all colors and nib sizes)
- Full Copic acrea lineup (24 colors)
- Commemorative Trophy
- Commemorative art book
- Certificate
and more!
*The winner will be chosen from the finalists who were under 19 years of age at the time of entry and whose artworks advanced to the final round of judging.
Judges' Awards(5 Entries)
Prizes:
- SpecialSpecial edition Copic set (including judge-selected colors and a custom case signed by the judge)
- Full Copic acrea lineup (24 colors)
- Commemorative Trophy
- Commemorative art book featuring this year's finalists' works
- Certificate
and more!
Finalists will be selected from the works that pass the first round of judging.
*The winner will be chosen from the finalists whose artworks advanced to the final round of judging.
*Each judge will select one winning entry.
Finalist(50 Entries)
Prizes:
- Special edition COPIC AWARD 2026 set
- Copic Multiliner set
- Commemorative art book
- Certificate
and more!
Entries selected by the panel of judges and passing the first round of judging will be recognized as award recipients.
Future Generation Art Prize(100 Entries)
Prizes:
- Special edition COPIC AWARD 2026 set
*Applicants under 19 years of age at the time of entry will automatically be considered for selection.
pixiv Award(1 Entry)
Prizes:
- Copic Sketch 72 Colors Set
- Commemorative art book
- pixiv Premium 12-month subscription
- Featured interview on pixivision
- VISIONS 2026 ILLUSTRATORS BOOK
and more!
*This award is selected by the staff of pixiv, an illustration communication service.
Regional Awards(5 Entries)
Prizes:
- Copic Sketch 72 Colors Set
and more!
Team Copic Awards(1 Entry)
Prizes:
- Copic Sketch 72 Colors Set
and more!
*This award is selected by Copic staff.
Applicants’ Choice Award(1 Entry)
Prizes:
- Copic Sketch 72-Color Set
and more!
*This award is selected from among the works that receive the most “Likes” through the “Favorite” feature, available exclusively to COPIC AWARD entrants.
Copic Multiliner Award(1 Entry)
Prizes:
- Full Copic Multiliner lineup (all colors and nib sizes)
- Copic Pochette
and more!
*This award is open to artworks created using Copic Multiliner or Copic Multiliner SP.
Julia Gisella Award(1 Entry)
Prizes:
- Copic Sketch 72 colors set
- Copic × Julia Gisella Collaboration Set (Autographed by Julia)
*This award is selected by artist Julia Gisella.
JUDGES
Kage
Representative of Caricature Japan | Artist
Kage is the President and Representative Artist of Caricature Japan Inc. After graduating from high school, he moved to the United States to study caricature. After returning to Japan, he founded his company to promote caricature culture across the country.
Kage has received numerous awards at international competitions, including winning the world championship in 2007, and was inducted into the Hall of Fame at the world competition in 2016. He was also selected as one of “100 Japanese People the World Respects” by Newsweek, and is now active both in Japan and internationally.
fuzichoco
Illustrator
Popular illustrator fuzichoco is active across a wide range of genres, including light novels and mobile games.
Her major works include creating the main visual for Magical Mirai 2020, character design for Rohto Pharmaceutical’s official YouTuber Nebasei Cocoro, the NIJISANJI virtual liver Lize Helesta, and Kitsunegasaki Amairo from the mobile game #Compass.
Her third art book, Shukusai Junrei, is currently available from KADOKAWA CORPORATION.
Sunao Maruyama
Designer | Associate Professor, Tokyo University of the Arts
Maruyama creates illustrations and designs for packaging and advertising, as well as picture books for children. She also plans and designs workshops tailored to diverse people and environments, facilitating collaborative creative experiences with participants across a wide range of generations. In addition, she performs in Japan and internationally as a member of the synthesizer band CRYSTAL and serves as an Associate Professor in the Department of Design, Faculty of Fine Arts at Tokyo University of the Arts.
Read the interview
Tsubasa Yamaguchi
Manga Artist
Yamaguchi graduated from the Oil Painting program, Department of Painting, Faculty of Fine Arts at Tokyo University of the Arts. She received an honorable mention in the Summer 2014 Afternoon Shiki Award competition. In 2016, she made her professional debut with the manga adaptation of She and Her Cat, directed by Makoto Shinkai. Since June 2017, she has serialized Blue Period in Monthly Afternoon.
Read the interview
Yuta Okuda
Artist
Okuda studied fashion design in Japan and the United Kingdom, and worked as a designer for fashion brands before turning to art in 2016. His painting style combines vigorous brushstrokes and vibrant colors with delicate pen lines, resulting in works that convey both strong vitality and tension, and captivate the viewer. He also engages in diverse collaborations across fashion and hospitality sectors.
Read the interviewGUEST JUDGE
Julia Gisella
Artist
Julia Gisella is an internationally recognized artist known for her signature fusion of realistic portraiture, optical illusion art, and contemporary pop culture. Her work has led to collaborations with major global brands such as "NVIDIA, Netflix, Nike, BTS, YouTube, Lucasfilm, Genshin Impact, and Fortnite", among many others. Recognized by many as the most influential German YouTuber of all time, Julia also appeared on the anniversary cover of the acclaimed fashion magazine TUSH. She reaches a global audience of over 35 million followers across her social media channels.
How to Apply for COPIC AWARD 2026
| Application Period for Entries | May 1, 2026 (Fri) 12:00 – June 30, 2026 (Tue) 23:59 (JST) *The entry period may be extended without prior notice. |
|---|---|
| ELIGIBILITY |
|
| ARTWORK CRITERIA |
|
| TIMELINE |
|
| NOTICE |
|
ENTRY FLOW
- STEP1
Registration
Register for the AWARD and submit your entry by clicking from the ENTRY form. Please read the Terms and Conditions carefully in advance.
- STEP2
Submission of Entry
Only one piece of entry may be submitted per person. 3 still image files of the same entry can be submitted.
- STEP3
Complete!
If you are a Registered Applicant, you can SUBMIT YOUR ENTRY or EDIT PERSONAL INFO on PERSONAL PROFILE page. After you send REQUEST FOR PUBLIC OPENING, we will review whether your entry is appropriate for public opening. If it meets the requirements of Application Rules, the images of your entry will be open to the public on the AWARD website.
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.










