Kodansha Creators Lab has officially unveiled details for DAYS NEO REAL 2026, one of Japan's most expansive cross-publisher manga portfolio review events. Set to take place on November 28, 2026, at the Akihabara UDX Gallery in Tokyo, the venue will open its doors to emerging and established creators seeking direct feedback from active industry editors.
Organized under the umbrella of DAYS NEO, Kodansha's creator-matching platform, the upcoming session breaks down traditional corporate walls. Over 80 editors representing 31 editorial departments across 17 major publishing entities—including Kodansha, Square Enix, KADOKAWA, Akita Shoten, and guest participants like Shueisha TOON FACTORY—will host individual evaluation booths.
Direct Editor Access and Unlimited Reviews
Unlike standard single-imprint submission days, DAYS NEO REAL 2026 operates on an open-floor structure. Creators can review editor profiles in advance—learning their preferred genres, favorite manga, and current talent scouting goals—before deciding who to pitch. Throughout the five-hour operational window, attendees are permitted unlimited reviews with any available editor on site.
Participation is entirely free of charge and open to creators regardless of professional experience. Submissions can range from rough storyboards (name) to fully rendered manuscripts, provided applicants submit a valid web link to their work during the registration window running from September 14, 2026 through October 2, 2026 via the official application portal.
Key Participating Editorial Departments
- Kodansha: Weekly Shonen Magazine, Monthly Shonen Magazine, Afternoon, Morning, Young Magazine, Sirius, Female Comics Department
- Square Enix: Monthly Gangan JOKER, Monthly G-Fantasy, Monthly Big Gangan, Young Gangan, Gangan pixiv, Manga UP!
- KADOKAWA: Dengeki Comic Regulus, MANGA Bar
- Akita Shoten: Weekly Shonen Champion, Princess Bonita
- Ichijinsha: Monthly Comic REX, comic HOWL
- Special Guests & Vertical Webtoon Imprints: Shueisha TOON FACTORY, Studio ZOON (CyberAgent), GEEK WONDERS, Comic PASH! neo, taskey STUDIO
The physical review event coincides with The CREATORS 7, a broader entertainment enterprise convention hosted in the same Akihabara UDX complex. Established in 2021, the Kodansha Creators Lab initiative continues to expand creator support across indie gaming, animation, webtoons, and traditional print media.
