Over the past decade, manga has transformed from a niche import to a global entertainment powerhouse. The spread of digital platforms has opened the floodgates for readers, giving fans from every corner of the world instant access to new chapters. But as the industry expands at breakneck speed, publishers are grappling with a serious problem that there simply aren’t enough manga artists to keep up.
In Japan, this shortage is becoming one of the industry’s most pressing challenges, according toOricon News.Even as more titles are published each year, the number of creators hasn’t grown at the same pace.With demand for new series, and particularly adaptations of popular light novels, at an all-time high, publishers like Kadokawa are urgently searching for ways to expand the global talent pool before the shortage stifles growth.
A Shortage That Could Slow the Manga Boom
Digital comics have revolutionized how readers consume manga, with online platforms offering unprecedented reach and accessibility. However, while the number of series being distributed has skyrocketed, the workforce hasn’t scaled accordingly. Editors are finding it increasingly difficult to secure skilled artists capable of handling high-profile projects.
The situation is particularly dire for adaptations of existing works. Light novels, especially in the isekai genre, are abundant, but finding artists to bring them to life visually is proving difficult. Competition among publishers to recruit top talent is fierce, yet this scramble doesn’t address the root issue—there simply aren’t enough artists entering the field in the first place.
Kadokawa executives stress that building a sustainable pipeline of creatorsis the only long-term solution. That means not just hiring established professionals, but also scouting and training new talent who can become the next generation of industry leaders. Without such efforts, even the most popular source material may never make it to print.
Looking Overseas for the Next Big Manga Creators
To solve the talent shortage, Kadokawa is increasingly looking beyond Japan’s borders. The publisher recently held its Wordless World Manga Contest, attracting over 1,000 submissions from more than 100 countries. By eliminating language barriers, the competition focused on pure visual storytelling and uncovered promising artists from regions with younger, growing populations.
Company leaders believe these markets, particularly in Southeast Asia, could become vital to sustaining manga’s momentum. With Japan’s aging population and shrinking youth demographic, finding creators and audiences abroad is no longer just an opportunity, it’s a necessity. The philosophy is clear, and it shows that manga doesn’t have to originate in Japan to succeed globally.
This strategy alsoaligns with Kadokawa’s broader push into global entertainment. Its anime division is preparing for higher production budgets and targeting expansion into countries like Brazil, Mexico, and India. By tapping into international talent and markets simultaneously, the company hopes to ensure that manga’s explosive growth isn’t halted by the limitations of its traditional production system.
