49th Annual Kodansha Manga Awards Nominations Announced

Kodansha is one of the world-renowned Japanese manga publishing companies, founded in 1909. Headquartered in Bunkyo, Tokyo, Kodansha is a popular name for anime and manga lovers since it publishes several manga in its weekly magazine. Kodansha Manga Awards selects the best manga in three categories – Shonen, Shojo, and General.

Kodansha has been holding this ceremony for the last 48 years. On April 8, 2025, the official site of Kodansha announced the 49th Annual Kodansha Manga Awards nominations in each category.

The 48th Kodansha Manga Awards also had some great nominations like Oshi no Ko, Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End, Gachiakuta, etc., with Frieren winning the Best Shonen Manga, Rumi Ichinohe’s I See Your Face, Turned Away, won the Best Shojo Manga, and Medalist won the Best Manga in the General category. Like last year, Fragrant Flowers Bloom with Dignity has also been nominated this year. The fans are eagerly looking forward to Monday, May 12, 2025, as the winners will be declared on that day. The nominations of the current year are as follows:

Shonen Category

WIND BREAKER (Kodansha)

• Creator – Satoru Nii
• Start – January 13, 2021
• Volumes – 21 (Ongoing)

Fragrant Flowers Bloom with Dignity (Kaoru Hana wa Rin to Saku) (Kodansha)

• Creator – Saka Mikami
• Start – October 20, 2021
• Volumes – 15 (Ongoing)

Kagurabachi (Shueisha)

• Creator – Takeru Hokazono
• Start – September 19, 2023
• Volumes – 6 (Ongoing)

Versus (Kodansha)

• Creator (Writer) – ONE
• Creator (Ilustrator) – Kyotaro Azuma
• Creator (Composition) – Bose
• Start – November 26, 2022
• No. of Chapters – 24.2 (Ongoing)

Orion’s Board (Banjou no Orion) (Kodansha)

• Creator – Naoshi Arakawa
• Start – January 10, 2024
• Volumes – 5 (Ongoing)

Fermet’s Cooking (Fermat no Ryouri) (Kodansha)

• Creator – Kobayashi Yugo
• Start – September 6, 2018
• Volumes – 4 (Ongoing)

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Shojo Category

How I Met My Soulmate (Unmei no Hito ni Deau Hanashi) (Kodansha)

• Creator – Anashin
• Start – April 24, 2021
• Volumes – 6 (Ongoing)

The Ayakashi Hunter’s Tainted Bride (Kizumono no Hanayome: Shiitagerareta Watashi ga, Kokoku no Kijin ni Misomerareta Riyu) (Kodansha)

• Creator – Midori Yūma, Fujimaru Mamenosuke
• Start – May 28, 2023
• Volumes – 6

Fall in Love, You False Angels (Koiseyo Mayakashi Tensho-domo) (Kodansha)

• Creator – Coco Uzuki
• Start – April 24, 2023
• Volume – 4 (Ongoing)

Re-Living My Life With a Boyfriend Who Doesn’t Remember Me (KADOKAWA)

• Creator – Gin Shirakawa, Eiko Mutsuhana, Yugiri Akika
• Start – January 30, 2022
• Volume – 4 (Ongoing)

Stella Next Door (Tonari no Stella) (Kodansha)

• Creator – Anmitsu
• Start – January 13, 2022
• Volume – 7 (Ongoing)

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General Category

Under Ninja (Kodansha)

• Creator – Hanazawa Kengo
• Start – July 23, 2018
• Volumes – 15 (Ongoing)

Stars in the Garden of Women (Onna no Sono no Hoshi) (Shodensha)

• Creator – Yama Wayama
• Start – January 8, 2020
• Volumes – 4 (Ongoing)

Spacewalking With You (Kimi to Uchu o Aruku Tame ni) (Kodansha)

• Creator – Doronoda Inuhiko
• Start – June 26, 2023
• Volumes – 3 (Ongoing)

Nezumi’s First Love (Nezumi no Hatsukoi) (Kodansha)

• Creator – Oseto Riku
• Start – November 6, 2023
• Volumes – 5 (Ongoing)

Historie (Kodansha)

• Creator – Iwaaki Hitoshi
• Start – January 25, 2003
• Volumes – 12 (Ongoing)

The 49th Annual Kodansha Manga Awards have tons of great nominations, most of which have dedicated fandoms located globally. A few titles like WIND BREAKER and Under Ninja have also been adapted into anime, making their popularity greater. Fans wish to see their favorite manga winning in their respective categories and unfortunately, only one will win. For now, everyone has their fingers crossed and is eagerly waiting to see who comes out on top on May 12, 2025.

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Source: Kodansha Manga Awards official website